Most of you know that my brother and sister-in-law have been trying to move to Africa to help and work in communities for years and years and years. Well, I am very happy to report that they have been invited to join the
Maryknoll Lay Missioners program and will be departing in January 2012. This is a blessing and an answer to many prayers in the family, and I am so damn proud of them. I am also really sad about it, as my brother and I are extremely close and I depend on him for a lot of things, and I will miss them terribly. We've had a lot of changes over the past few years in the family, and this will be another huge transition for us all. But I am Christopher and Katie's biggest supporters, and I cannot be more excited for them.
Christopher recently wrote and posted some FAQ about this big move on his facebook page, and I pulled them off of
Katie's blog, so I am reposting them here. Enjoy!
So, not surprisingly, announcing that
we're not just moving but moving to AFRICA has resulted in people having
a lot of questions for us. I have prepared this list of frequently
asked questions to hopefully provide people answers to most of the
questions people may have.
1. Moving to Africa? Why?No
surprise for those who see us regularly, but this has been a dream for
almost a decade. The original plan was to go abroad in 2006. We even
applied for Peace Corps and several other programs, but my father's
cancer waylaid those plans. So we've been working toward this for years.
As for why we're moving to Africa, this one is a bit more difficult to
answer. Katie and I have been fascinated by the continent for years and
years. We even visited Tanzania and Kenya in 2006. I can speak a little
Swahili, we've both tutored Somali Bantu refugees, and I helped found
the Pan-African Student Association at USC. We just dig the place, man.
We want to go have a substantial overseas experience, and the work that
Maryknoll Lay Missioners (MKLM) does is awesome, so we are ecstatic to
be a part of this organization and its mission of working among poor
communities around the world.
2. Seriously, Bro. You're talking about moving to Africa. Are y'all crazy?Nope. Africa and Africans are awesome. It won't be easy, but we're up for the challenge.
3. Are you both going?Yes.
We are married and enjoy each other's company. Therefore we have
decided to move together. But seriously, this isn't something tat one of
us wants to do and the other is just going along with it; we're both
really excited about this move.
4. Why not stay here? There are plenty of problems here in the US.True.
But we want to live in Africa, so we're moving there. Simple! Also,
I've been teaching a class on International Social Work, and all my
relevant experience is domestic work with internationals here in the
States. I've talked the talk; now it's time to walk the walk.
5. Will it be dangerous?Most
likely not. While I cannot tell the future, both Tanzania and Kenya are
relatively peaceful (especially Tanzania). We do not foresee any
issues, but it is a risk we have discussed and are willing to take.
6. What are Maryknoll Lay Missioners?Here's bit from the MKLM website:
"...We
are a lay Catholic community called through baptism to witness to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, crossing boundaries of culture, nationality and
faith to join our lives with impoverished and oppressed peoples of the
earth. With them, we discern the presence of God's Spirit in all
creation and in the world's many cultures and religions, and work toward
human liberation and inter-religious dialogue in Africa, Asia and the
Americas.
...We strive together for justice, peace and
fullness of life, and so our ministries are offered in response to the
needs of the people with whom we live and work, and with respect for the
integrity of all creation.
...We challenge unjust
structures and systems, seeking transformation of the very powers that
create and benefit from the marginalization of communities, and we
commit to becoming a dynamic anti-racist organization that reflects the
ethnic and cultural richness of the US Catholic Church and the world in
this millennium."
A great organization. Pretty badass, actually. Learn more at their website: http://www.mklaymissioners.org/
7. What is the timeline for your move?We
will find out our country placement in June. Out pre-departure
orientation and training takes place in Ossining, NY, and occurs
mid-September through mid-December. We'll leave early January 2012 for
our placement and be abroad for 3 ½ years, with the option to stay
longer if we so choose. We'll both remain at our jobs into the summer.
Not really sure at this point exactly when our last day will be. We're
working that out right now. [Erica's Note: Why not seek Ossining this time around?]
8. What will you be doing?Well,
we don't actually know that yet. But we do know we'll be using our
Social Work training to work in marginalized and poverty-stricken
communities most likely around either health or educational initiatives.
When we arrive in our country of placement, we'll first be put into an
intensive language program to learn Swahili. While this is happening,
we'll be visiting prospective work sites to determine the best
placement. It will be a "mutual discernment" to find the balance between
our interests and the needs of the organization and community. It's a
bit nerve-wracking to move to the other side of the world without a
clear idea of what we'll be doing, but I have faith that the placement
process will ultimately find a very good fit for our talents and
interests.
9. Are you getting paid?Yes. Not a lot, but enough to live on. We'll also have a retirement fund and insurance.
10. What are you doing with the house? What about your stuff?We
hope to sell it. If we cannot, we will rent it. We'll be keeping
certain sentimental pieces of furniture and odds and ends, but largely
we will divest ourselves of most of what we own. I think it will be
difficult, then liberating.
11. What about the cats and the bees?One
beehive will be relocated to City Roots, the CSA just up the road from
our house. The other will be sold. As for the cats- well, that's the
toughest part of the move, I think. I LOVE our cats. Luckily, they will
both be moving into a new home with our friends Travis and Julia
sometime in April.
12. What does this mean for being Foster Parents?It
means it will not happen at this point in our lives. The fostering
process was actually very frustrating, but that's an issue for another
post. We knew when we applied for MKLM that we would only be fostering a
little while; however, we never got a placement that worked out. The
fostering approval process took much longer than anticipated, and the
MKLM approval happened quicker than we thought, so the timing didn't
gel. We're sad fostering didn't work out, but we're thrilled to be going
overseas. We'll have other opportunities down the road to start a
family.
13. Can you come back to the US at any point in the 3 1/2 years?Yes,
we can, and we very well might. However, the costs of a trip home are
quite high, so timing and cost will determine whether we can actually
make a trip home.
14. Can people visit you while you're over there?Absolutely.
It's encouraged, actually, so folks can see for themselves the work
that MKLM are doing. In fact, there are a few of you from whom I EXPECT a
visit. It will be an amazing vacation- life changing!
15. Do we need to do fundraising before we go?No;
MKLM has funding available to send missioners. However, the
organization can always use support, so from time to time you may be
receiving information from us about ways you could help support our
work. If you are able to help support us, it would be appreciated.
16. Are you giving away any of your CDs?Ha HA. No.
