This semester I have had the opportunity to lead an Expedition with the Sophomore class on Revolutionary Leaders. We have looked at all sorts of leaders throughout the last couple hundred years and used the Sermon on the Mount to see who really is a "good" leader. From Mao Zedong to Mother Theresa the students assessed all sorts of different leaders to see what it is like to be revolutionary leader in a Biblical way.
Over the last few weeks we have had some really neat opportunities to further that learning both with an Expert guest and with some field work. Our guest which I think I have mentioned before was Shane Claiborne. The conversation that we had with Shane revolved around the idea of what we could do to make positive/revolutionary changes within our community hear in Jarabacoa. I think the thing that shocked the students and myself the most was how much he stressed internal change within our own lives before we can ever look to help anyone else. The idea of taking the log out of your own eye before trying to take a splinter out of your neighbors eye.
The conversation with Shane was followed up by trips to New Hope Girls Academy and The Ark. Both of these trips were based around the idea of seeing revolution in work and giving them our service however we can. At New Hope we met the girls that were learning and living there and heard all about the ministry to one of the poorest barrios in the Dominican Republic. The students also had the opportunity to serve by interviewing and translating their interviews so that the girls can communicate with New Hope donors in the States. The last thing we saw at New Hope was their workshop where they make really cool bags and flip flops. This workshop employs 7 women and allows them to provide for their families. The trip to New Hope was a really cool experience. The day after we went to New Hope we found ourselves at the Ark. The Ark is a orphanage here in Jarabacoa. The revolutionary thing about the Ark is that they have around 10 houses and in each house there is a set of parents that have their own kids. This existing family becomes the family of the orphans that end up in the Ark. A normal house their has a mother and father and around 10 kids living in it. As much as I could talk about both of these experiences more, I hope the pictures do a better job.
Over the last few weeks we have had some really neat opportunities to further that learning both with an Expert guest and with some field work. Our guest which I think I have mentioned before was Shane Claiborne. The conversation that we had with Shane revolved around the idea of what we could do to make positive/revolutionary changes within our community hear in Jarabacoa. I think the thing that shocked the students and myself the most was how much he stressed internal change within our own lives before we can ever look to help anyone else. The idea of taking the log out of your own eye before trying to take a splinter out of your neighbors eye.
The conversation with Shane was followed up by trips to New Hope Girls Academy and The Ark. Both of these trips were based around the idea of seeing revolution in work and giving them our service however we can. At New Hope we met the girls that were learning and living there and heard all about the ministry to one of the poorest barrios in the Dominican Republic. The students also had the opportunity to serve by interviewing and translating their interviews so that the girls can communicate with New Hope donors in the States. The last thing we saw at New Hope was their workshop where they make really cool bags and flip flops. This workshop employs 7 women and allows them to provide for their families. The trip to New Hope was a really cool experience. The day after we went to New Hope we found ourselves at the Ark. The Ark is a orphanage here in Jarabacoa. The revolutionary thing about the Ark is that they have around 10 houses and in each house there is a set of parents that have their own kids. This existing family becomes the family of the orphans that end up in the Ark. A normal house their has a mother and father and around 10 kids living in it. As much as I could talk about both of these experiences more, I hope the pictures do a better job.
Playing with the Girls at New Hope
Joel and New Hope Girls
The view from New Hope
More playing at New Hope
After the Interviews were done balloons came out of nowhere.
The way up to New Hope
Cleaning gutters at the Ark
At the New Hope workshop
Class pic at New Hope
Raking Leaves at the Ark
Moving cinder blocks at the Ark
So awesome man. This looks like some mighty fine revolution to me.
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