Reflection

This year at MCC - between starting the MCC Community Service Department, Service Saturdays heading up the ASB trips, coordinating the Namibia Mission 2011, among other things - has been a year of tremendous growth both professionally and spiritually. I have hopefully gained respect among students, colleagues, supervisors, and family members. Many have said they are proud of the things that have been accomplished through my life. For some reason there is always a sense of feeling lost and needing direction. Whenever one person finishes a big milestone, there is always another journey waiting ahead, the transition time between is always the toughest part when you feel that you are absolutely nothing.

I am hoping that very soon, I will come to find firm ground for my feet. If this foundation only focuses on my situations, what my life looks like at this moment in time, what I have accomplished for myself; than it's an extremely rocky one which is very uncomfortable to build on. I am realizing more and more as I live my life that the firm foundation will not come from:
1. finances which are always unstable 2. jobs 3. family health 4. relationships
It will only come from Christ, that higher power that controls the universe and holds my life in the palm of His hand. He is my rock and my redeemer, whom shall I be afraid of?

Namibia, SW Africa - My New Home for part of the summers of 2010 and 2011

Last year I joined a team of thirteen to travel to Namibia, SW Africa and volunteer in the community of Arandis, not far from the coast. I taught one of the five pre-school classes at a small school Talitha Kumi Christian Academy for the two weeks that I was there. I was captivated by this experience. If you would like to see our pictures and read more visit NAM2010

As I was saying goodbye to my friends, I thought for some reason that it was only "for now" and that I would return. One of our fearless leaders said to me, "Anna you have been on so many trips, now it's your time to lead one." I thought he was crazy but when I returned, my supervisor at Manchester Community College was so impressed with my experience. After telling her story after story of the life, the work, the food, the people, the atmosphere; she turned to me and said,
"Why don't we offer an Alternative Break trip to Namibia for MCC?"

This was the question that changed my life. I then became the creator of the MCC Namibia Mission. In October I began promoting; in January the team was decided; in February Senate approved the trip, gave us 50% funding and the deposits were in; in March the tickets were bought; in April and June we had our big fundraisers to diminish the cost per student; in July (we are still paying the last of the trip costs!)and August 1, 2011 we get on a plane to travel there. What a journey it has been for us, and it's only just beginning! I can not believe we leave in less than three weeks for the students first ever trip to Africa. Their experience will determine weather or not we can go again in the years to come.