Bangladesh Learning Visit

Internet access in Bangladesh was spotty, but here in Laos we’ve got broadband wireless internet, so I can finally write about my adventures the past few weeks.

The easiest way to do that is by way of photos. You can enjoy my photos from Bangladesh (in reverse order). The captions might give you an idea of what I was doing.

Here’s a quick summary: I was in Bangladesh for nearly two weeks; the first week spent visiting CRWRC’s big USAID-funded Child Survival Project. I went with three Lao colleagues, 4 people from CRWRC Cambodia, and a few Americans.

I went along because I want to learn about different approaches to community development. CRWRC Bangladesh provided an excellent learning opportunity, not only in health areas (the main focus of this exchange visit) but also in their general way of working with communities. Although the cultural context differs from Laos, many of the things I observed can be adapted to work here. Above all, the trip got me excited about what good community development can look like after ten or twelve years. I’m grateful to CRWRC for making this great learning exchange visit possible. I love my job!

bad news

I found out today that CRWRC did not offer me the Program HOPE position in Romania. Needless to say, this is quite disappointing for me. I am a bit confused as to what may come next. I am still in the pool for the Laos job, but I no longer have an offer on the table from them. So I hope that comes through, because I will seriously consider it. Romania was going to be a great place for me, but Laos will also be good. I also need to find a backup plan, though: Mennonite Urban Corps in Louisville? Reba Place? MCC?

I am honored that the person who got offered the job is a good friend and one whom is highly qualified: Sharon Bemis, with whom I went to Hungary and who graduated last year from Calvin. Send her an email if you know her.

And for me, I simply ask for your prayers: for wisdom, for peace, and for comfort.

the ordinary homecoming

This is perhaps the most ordinary homecoming of my life thus far – no heartwrenching existential crisises on airplanes, no teary goodbyes or hellos, no wide-eyed cultural reawakenings, no shocking temperature adjustments, no massive welcome from church and friends. Just me, my family, and life as usual.

And that is good.

It is good to be home once again, everyone all together for –perhaps– the last time of our college years. Little has changed, it seems, compared to any other homecoming of the past four years. My house is the same. My church has not changed one bit, and the people seem to be exactly where they were a year ago. My neighborhood looks the same. Even the streets of Santo Domingo have not changed one bit in the past year. It’s comforting, in a sense, and also just plain normal. To be honest, I’m the sort of person who sees more beauty in the ordinary than in the extraordinary. This ordinary homecoming brings tears to my eyes.

On Sunday night we sat in our backyard under shadows of stars and Christmas lights on the yard wall, cradling glasses of red wine and rocking in the chairs we’ve owned for more than twenty years. A light mist cooled our faces in the sultry, humid air, which smelled like the color green. We talked for hours about life–this night, my life: Laos, Romania, post-college… As usual, my family listened carefully, asked probing questions, interjected with their own stories and opinions, and offered pretty wise advice. It was probably the most helpful conversation I’ve had yet about this whole Program HOPE! thing. Other than an increasing inclination toward the Laos position, I also felt a sense of peace when someone reminded me that this is not the biggest decision of my life. 2 1/2 years will pass quickly, and both positions (should I be offered the Romania one) fit me well. I can’t go wrong, and I believe God is with me no matter what.

Job offer!

Yep, I’ve been offered the CRWRC Program Hope internship in Laos! Yay!

I’ve got till Dec. 23 to respond to the verbal offer; unfortunately I won’t be able to weigh Romania against Laos because I probably won’t find out about Romania until the end of January. The HR person told me I must evaluate the job “on its own merits”.

Please keep me in your prayers. This is a big decision for me. I just want to make sure it’s a good one.

Email me if you have questions, or want to offer congrats.

in-person interview for Laos

(sorry for these two posts so close together: I never got around to posting about my previous interview)

Today I had my third interview for the CRWRC Program Hope internship in Laos. Laura Musoke, the HR director, and Tom Post, the Asia Ministry Team Leader, interviewed me in the 28th & Kalamazoo “Mecca” or “Pentagon”. It went well.

A pleasant cup of green tea kept me warm and snow fell outside as we discussed a distant, almost inconceivable future. We made jokes, asked serious questions, got into some deep discussions about developmental theory that brought tears to my eyes… I came up with a few good phrases and maybe waxed a bit to eloquent sometimes. Tom Post even liked one of them, something about identifying community values and exploring the consonances and dissonances with those… I meant what I said, though I wonder if I understood half of it!

They asked some hard questions too, like a series of real-life scenarios in development to which I had to offer responses. Tom Post even asked me a question that he admitted to not being able to answer – how to deal with the power/dependency relationships created by an organization that wields lots of money.

I tried to ask questions about gender relations in Laos, about expectations for Program Hope interns after their service (they hope to recruit future staff, but not necessarily), about communication tech available in the field, about the possibility of a partner Program Hope intern (at this point, there is money in the budget for two interns, but only one visa…), about student loans, etc.

My gut feeling after the interview? I think I did well. I still like the position; I might be growing more enamoured with it over time, even if it might be lonely and distant. It’s like I’m growing into a pair of shoes that’s too big for me, but will soon fit perfectly.

Regardless, my goatee has served its purpose (make me look more mature) and must now be shorn. Unless my kind readers post at least 7 comments to the contrary.