New Appointee Orientation

After an overnight trek to PA on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, we began EMM's New Appointee Orientation. We're staying in Akron, PA at Mennonite Central Committee's Welcoming Center. It is beautiful and sunny outside with a chilly breeze (which is much better than the snow that we hear is at home in Ohio).

Today is day 2 of the orientation and we are learning a lot! It has been so exciting to get questions answered regarding some of the logistics of our assignment as well as find out more of what it will mean to live overseas.

We want to share an experience we were able to participate in. The couple that serves as the co-directors of EMM's human resource department lead us in a cross cultural worship service last night. Prior to their work in EMM's HR, they served as long-term workers in Swaziland.

Without any knowledge of what was planned, we arrived at the service and we ushered to our appropriate seats based on our marital status. Married persons were seated in chairs while singles had to sit on mats on the floor. (This is culturly appropriate in Swaziland.) The pastor started by singing and speaking in the native language which none of us understood. At first many of us did not know what to do or how to participate but by the end of the service we were all singing along (even in the native language).

One of the things we most appreciated about the Swazi worship service was the way the "sermon" was presented. Before the pastor spoke, he asked Joe to read a large passage of scripture. He insisted that Joe stand as he read. When Joe was finished, the pastor turned to another new appointee and asked him to present the sermon. He was quite speechless at first, of course, as he had not been warned of even the possibility of having to give a sermon that evening. The pastor prompted another song, and the sermon was spoken after we finished. Then everyone was given their chance to stand and speak about how the scripture touched them. It was so meaningful to hear all the ways God can speak through one passage.

We'd have to write another five pages to tell the rest of the story, so instead you'll just have to ask us about it! Please continue to pray for us, especially during this intense time of learning and training for the journey ahead.