No Images? Click here Spring 2019 Brene Brown is a name that is hard to miss. She is an inspirational speaker and academic whose insights into vulnerability and authentic living have inspired many. While I have yet to watch her new Netflix special, the gist of the message was summed up recently by a friend of mine as, “live from a place of courage not comfort.” This idea was presented to me as questioning what would change in my life if each morning I’d wake up, stretch my arms, get ready for the day, and begin by anticipating how I could live from a place of courage instead of responding to the opportunities and challenges in a way that would protect the comforts I cherish. For a long time, I’ve lived life thinking that saying yes to opportunities, and even seeking out new opportunities, was always the best way forward. It is interesting to me that after a few years of living life this way I’ve actually come to see that sometimes the more courageous answer may be to say no. As young adults experience the world beyond the piece of this earth they call home for the first time, the natural reaction is often to see as much as possible. When I travel with work this is often the perspective I hold as well. There is something wonderful and thrilling about newness and there is nothing wrong with embracing this mindset for a time. Seize the day! And yet, how might we change our perspectives or perhaps appreciate what we have within our small networks of family and friends when we realize that sometimes having courage means not making a dramatic change? It may mean that rooting oneself in routine and having the courage to realize that living a life in good relationship with others sometimes means passing through uncomfortable times. We may feel bored or restless and that maybe allowing ourselves to live through these times without seeking a dramatic exit strategy might be the courageous way forward. As IVEPers prepare to return home I do hope that they make the most of their experiences here and continue to live deeply in the new part of the world in which they are now situated both in relationship with those around them and in exploring the communities in which they find themselves. I do though know too that the return home for some is filled with anticipation and for others it will feel like returning to the regular hum drum of everyday life. Have courage. Know that living the “day-to-day life” is sometimes the hardest thing to do, but that it may lead to new insights and understandings that can also be transformative and profound. As I wait and watch for the seeds I’ve planted in my garden to sprout, I’m thankful that I can be here to watch them grow. And as I walk the same streets I walk every day I look for the new opportunities and changes around me that present themselves within a very normal day. I’ll have to watch Brene Brown’s new Netflix special to see if she agrees, but for me embracing courage in my life may actually involve not seeking the comfort that perpetual change seems to bring me. Participant insight: volunteering at the Christian Benefit Shop is a "home away from home" IVEPer Jeniffer Kabugho (from Uganda) now loves reading books. This is her favourite corner of the store at the Christian Benefit Shop in St. Catharines, ON. Ugandan IVEPer Jeniffer Kabugho writes about her work at the thrift shop, how she's connected with customers and gained new skills. She also explains her first experience drinking coffee here in Canada, even though they grow coffee beans in her home country. IVEP host insight: Nouchee has expanded our world viewThe Shue family with Nouchee on Easter Sunday. Front left to right, Harper Shue, Veena Shue, Nouchee Lor, Sommer Shue. Back Jennifer Shue, Tim Shue Tim Shue grew up with IVEPers coming into his family a number of times as a child, and now he has the unique opportunity to have IVEPers in his home with his daughters. Nouchee has expanded their family's world in many ways. He says the easiest way to integrate someone in your family is with food, fun and music! Nouchee cooks her favourite dishes on Tuesday nights which they've established as "Nouchee's night." Nouchee has also been developing her English with the girls in the home. Music has also been a universal language between them. Nouchee teaches the girls songs in Laotian, and the Shue's have been able to share a simple sung prayer before an evening meal. IVEP partner insight: an early comment from Sumanta, "You have a machine for everything!"Sumanta Mandi (from India) working in the back of the Community Gift and Thrift Store, sorting hangers. An early comment from IVEPer Sumanta Mandi was, “You have a machine for everything!” It was an eye-opening observation from someone coming from a small town in West Bengal, India, to an even smaller town in Lanigan, Saskatchewan. Just a few months ago we welcomed him to the Gift & Thrift and introduced him to our North American lifestyle of our consumer culture and our role as a thrift shop. IVEP alumni insight: marriage, ministry, and travel to West AfricaEvery morning at 8:30 AM, La Casa Grande, a church in Benin, does a worship and prayer time. The picture was taken while the Mennonite Mission Network Youth Venture team visited La Casa Grande for two weeks in 2018. IVEP alumni Diana Cruz and Felipe Preciado (from Colombia) served in 2012-2013. Felipe worked at a dairy farm in Ohio and Diana was a Spanish assistant at EMU in Virginia. Life has significantly changed for them after the program. Once they both returned from IVEP they continued their ministries at the Colombian Mennonite church and two years later they got married! In 2015 they become youth ministry leaders in Teusaquillo Mennonite Church in Bogota. After three years of being part of Teusaquillo's church and of marriage, they traveled to Benin, West Africa, as service workers at an NGO called La Casa Grande. IVEP had a large influence in their lives and on their life choices.
IVEPers (Tsepang, Steffi, JuYeong, and Raul with IVEP coordinator Jessica Warkentin) enjoying Dog Mountain Trail in BC and learning how to snowshoe and sled! East Coast IVEPers enjoying a very large pizza! Talento Bempo hanging out with some cool alpacas. Ontario IVEPers checking out the sap running at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. The Saskatchewan team sharing a meal of home cooked cultural favorites with hosts and friends. Participants gather with flags during the mid-year conference in Leamington, ON. The Who's Who of IVEP IVEP U.S. National Coordinator AndreaGeiser@mcc.orgCentral States SharonNelson@mcc.orgEast Coast KimDyer@mcc.orgGreat Lakes BrookeStrayer@mcc.orgWest Coast ThomasAdlard@mcc.orgIVEP Canada National Coordinator KathrynDeckert@mcccanada.caAlberta MaryLynnRetzlaff@mccab.caBritish Columbia JessicaWarkentin@mccbc.caManitoba JenniferSanerHarvey@mccmb.caOntario CathWoolner@mcco.caSaskatchewan KayteeEdwards@mccs.orgQuebec Jean-CalvinKitata@mcccanada.caIt is a peace program that works, not in a big sweep, but one small ripple at a time, each ripple enlarging with every expanding circle. – Doreen Harms (IVEP administrator 1949-51, 1955-58, 1968-91)
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