Monday, July 25, 2011

Making things happen (it's all in the details!)

Life has been a little hectic this week. The health department is putting on a free mobile dental clinic at the apartments for all children (refugees and non-refugees) under the age of 16. Rounding up all of the children and getting parental consent forms signed for each one has by no means been a project that one could consider a small undertaking. On Monday, I knocked on every apartment door and in many cases mimed the action of a dental cleaning procedure for the family in order to convey the message of the services we were offering. Some of the kids were so excited to get their teeth cleaned and receive a sticker that it was a very rewarding day of work. The first two days of the clinic each child saw the dentist for a few brief minutes while she analyzed what exactly each individual would need done on their teeth and from there we scheduled appointments for them that will occur over the course of the next two weeks.

When one stops to consider all the services that these people are offered upon their arrival to the United States it is truly remarkable. All of the doctor appointments, dental clinics, driving services and more are quite detailed operations that require not only the skill of the individual carrying out the task, but also the dedicated logistical work of many individuals behind the scenes.

This summer has afforded me a front row view of how detail oriented one must be when working with individuals from another culture--no element of planning can be overlooked.

-- Jenna

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

A Glimpse of Heaven


Perhaps one of my favorite parts of this internship is watching the melding of different groups at the the apartments. As I watch Nepali, Eritrean and Mexican children playing together on our living room floor, I ruminate on how this is probably one of the closest glimpses of heaven that I may be afforded here on Earth. To see people of literally “every tribe and nation” laughing together is such a beautiful experience.
Scripture also talks about the Wedding Supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:9a: "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” I am certain there is going to be delicious food from all of these countries at that supper--maybe even some Sudanese goat stomach in the brownish-orange sauce like I ate last week. (If you could have seen the pride with which a Sudanese boy told me that his mom had prepared that dish, I think you would ask Jesus Himself to taste-test it just to watch the proud smile spread across the child’s face as Jesus told Him it was delicious and worthy of the special occasion.)
 --Jenna


Friday, July 8, 2011

In Our Midst

I have been surprised during my time here in Nashville how few locals seem to know of the vast refugee population living within the city. Unless one intentionally seeks out these newly arrived individuals, they remain off the radar of most people. Unbeknownst to most, we are more connected to the refugees than we realize--perhaps they pack the chicken you buy at the supermarket, perhaps they clean your hotel room or prepare the room a loved one uses in the hospital. The question is whether or not we stop to see them, to acknowledge their presence around us. Many people fear that if they approach people of a unique background that they will be greeted with reproach or annoyance, when, in my experience, the response is almost always a smile--whether an all out beaming glow or a timid grin.
The other day I was talking with a gentleman from the Middle East who studied here in the U.S. He remarked about how the U.S. is so remarkable because it is virtually one of the only places where within one city you can interact with people from across the globe. He commented on the rich cultural spectrum within most major American cities and how fortunate we are to have such a plethora of experience and worldviews available on a daily basis. While I agree that this is indeed a beautiful opportunity, I find that most often we self-segregate and limit our “cultural experience” with our neighbors to experimenting with ethnic cuisine at a restaurant on the weekends. What would happen if we would truly reach out across linguistic bounds and cultural differences to find the commonality that lies within the souls of all people? If I could encourage people in one way, it would be to urge them to seek to get involved in the lives of people who see the world differently than themselves. It will grow your worldview, the richness of your life and the veracity of your faith. Analyzing your beliefs and lifestyle through the eyes of someone who is unaccustomed to the social norms we grow up with  causes us to reflect more deeply on our actions, words and beliefs. Living with the refugees I have not solely learned about other cultures and countries, I have learned more of myself and who I want to be as well. --Jenna

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Caring Communities

“They are going to kill me!” said a13-year-old Ethiopian refugee after seeing kids shoot 4th of July fireworks all around him. “No, no one is going to kill you because I am here,” responded his 15-year-old Sudanese friend. Both of these kids have gone through hard situations in their home country. They have both experienced the need to look out for themselves or save their own lives, but yet they manage to not fall into selfishness or deep individuality. This sense of caring for others felt by the Sudanese young boy is something every person on earth should have.

Many times we get caught up in individuality and selfishness, even when serving the needy, because we use everything we accomplish as a tool for self-praise. Realizing that nothing we have or do comes from our own strengths can help us have a humble spirit, and at the same time, look up and see God’s many blessings. Hanging out and working with refugees everyday has highlighted this life lesson. Seeing kids from different nationalities care for each other, professionals with university degrees happily accept a housekeeping job, and even a Buddhist monk take off his robe in order to adapt to American society, are examples of situations that have humbled me and made me realize of my own egocentricity.  These refugees are my teachers. I am not here just to serve them or look after them; they also turn around and serve me in the process.

--Lissete

Friday, July 1, 2011

Job Readiness

Photo by Intern Mathison Ingham

This summer World Relief is offering job readiness classes to clients. These classes provide opportunities to practice interviewing for jobs and give information about the American workplace environment and employer expectations.