Chicago Orientation!

We've been in Chicago for orientation, and today was my last full day in the UNITED STATES! We've had the opportunity to have the Global Mission staff, alumni from different country programs, as well as guest speakers to help us prepare for the journey ahead. Some of the information sessions to help prepare us included: Morning Devotions, Call to the Journey, Small Groups, God's Mission & Accompaniment, Creating Space: Cross-Cultural Competencies, Experiences of Gender & Sexuality in YAGM Service, World of 77, Engaging Global Issues, and Race, Power, & Privilege.

These sessions were very important to address before we head off to our year of service, and also very difficult at the same time. The World of 77 session was one that had the most impact on me. This demonstration divided us into groups based on countries from around the world, and each country was given the amount of USD they make per year. There were many uncomfortable situations individuals were put through, and it really showed how race, gender, and privilege play a role in each country. 

While many of the topics and sessions were challenging, we were also given the chance to have a little fun in the Windy City! Saturday afternoon after a logistics meeting, we were told that all the alumni were hiding out in the city and they were sending us on a scavenger hunt in our country groups. We were given specific clues on where to find our alumni, and met up as a group for dinner. After dinner we visited Cloud Gate, aka the Bean, and then attended part of the Grant Park Music Festival. Saturday was my 1st letter from home that I opened, for orientation, and thank you to whoever wrote it! Sunday was a completely free day!!! Some friends and I went to the Osaka Garden, had Vietnamese food for lunch, and spent the afternoon at the lake. The evening was spent at a bonfire on the lake surrounded by many YAGMs! 

While this past week has been very informative and fun, it's also been difficult. The first 5 or so days were pretty good, catching up and meeting new people. Tuesday, on the other hand was a little more difficult. We had the World of 77 demonstration, final discussions as a small group and in our country groups, and we had our closing worship. During the closing worship, each country group was called one at a time to be blessed on our upcoming journey. Just like my final church service in Meadow Vista, this was very emotional, and it finally feels real.

Tomorrow we're heading off to Cambodia! We fly from Chicago to Detroit, then to Seoul, and finally to Phnom Penh. We'll be traveling for about 22 hours, and will get into Cambodia around 10pm on the 23rd. We have about 3 weeks of in country orientation, and then it'll be off to the site placements! I'll try to update as much as possible, and I love and miss you all! <3

Osaka Garden

Roomies that like REI

Wandering around University of Chicago

Heading off to our scavenger hunt. Cambros? Cambroski? Fambodia? All of the above!

Small group & our awesome group leader!