Looking back on my life in the past few years, I never would've thought that I'd have pursued and completed a master's degree and moved to Africa to become a missionary. I think of my living situations, the people I have met, the experiences I have had and many other elements that were put into my life to prepare me for this point. I explain it to friends and family as the journey to get to THE journey. I specifically think back on this past year. There were so many ups and downs and I have faith that they were part of my journey for a reason.
Since I decided to take time off of teaching and move to South Africa, so many people have asked me the same question: How did this come about?
There's no short answer to that question becuase this was never in the plans, my plans at least. I thought I was going to be Miss Noto, teaching kindergarten forever.
Anyone that knows me, knows that I am always planning ahead for another goal or event in my life. So, I began last fall thinking about the summer to come. I wanted to do something different, something more, something I could completely dive into and grow even more as a teacher and as a person. I wanted to do something bigger then myself. This feeling was especially strong because over the past year, I had met people who challenged me to be better. Relationships with those people caused me to truly reflect on the person I want to be and the person I do not want to be. Through those reflections, I came to the realization that the best way to become a better me, it to get out of my bubble and open my eyes to the world and to others living in the world. I want to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. I want to observe the life and struggles and challenges of people who are different from me. The only way I thought I could do this was by moving away, moving out of the country and into the life of service. That's why I began to look into volunteer teaching opportunities internationally.
I knew I wanted to be with children preferably teaching) and I knew I wanted to be working and living with those of my same faith. My Catholic faith is extremely important to me. I teach at a Catholic school and I belong to the most supportive and loving church where I have made relationships with other parishioners as well as the preists who I look at as spiritual leaders. I figured I'd start my search by looking online at the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham's website. I came across an organization called VIDES+USA. The website was random with bits and pieces of their mission and organization. I emailed the director and asked for more info about their program. What she sent me was incredible. "VIDES is an acronym for Volunteers International for the Development of Education and Solidarity. VIDES USA is a non-profit, international volunteer service leadership program that was founded by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco. The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco are the largest Catholic religious order of women in the world, with more than 16,000 members in 96 different countries. Their organization seeks to empower young adults and to bring their gifts and talents to the service of others, especially young people and women who are poor and uneducated" Done. I was sold. The kind spirit of the sweet nun (who would soon become my director and leader) who I was communicating with and the information she sent me was all I needed to know to begin the application process.
After applications and interviews things began to snowball quickly. I was invited to a formation/service camp where I spent 2 weeks in January living in the Western Provincial House of the Salesiain Sisters in San Antonio TX. At this formation camp, we learned about what it means to give of yourself fully to the service of others as well as the accompaniment of women and children according to the style of St. John Bosco. Then, while at camp, I choose my placement, South Africa. Well, I didn't choose Africa. It choose me. Really, God choose it for me...you'll see...
VIDES offered me choices as to where I could serve internationally. I was open to many countries around the world, with the EXCEPTION of Africa. I got to camp and was hoping that the director would've found me an amazing placement somewhere in South America or Europe. Africa was the only place I was not interest in going. I had mental images about slums and major poverty and despair; much more than I was willing to undertake for my first mission trip. Half way through my formation camp, the director of the organization was so excited to tell me that she had found the perfect placement site for me! South Africa! My heart fell to my stomach and I couldn’t breathe. I thought, “Did she not read my application or listen to anything I was saying in my interviews?” I knew it didn’t matter thought and I couldn’t argue. I knew it wasn't coincidence. It was more. I knew it was God choosing for me. That was the first time (of many on my journey) I felt God in control. This was the first time in my life, I completely let go of the control.
While living with the sisters those 2 weeks in January and hearing about the other missionaries and their work around the world, I became inspired to do more then a 2 month trip. That inspiration turned in to thoughts and prayers about my own mission trip to South Africa and if I should stay longer. I have never prayed so much in my life then I did those 2 weeks. I thought I could be just crazy thinking I wanted to do more then 2 months. So, again, I prayed. But this time for guidance. I prayed for reassurance. I prayed for anything that would let me know that I was about to make the right decision for my life. Through that prayer and through the support of the wonderful people I met at camp I made my decision. I decided to give up my teaching job at SFX for the next year; I decided to give up my career and life in Birmingham to become a missionary in South Africa for 8 months.
I came back from camp and didn't know how to tell anyone, not to mention my principal, that I had decided to extend my plans beyond the summer. I didn't know how people would react. I was afraid of judgment. I was afraid of doubts. I was afraid that I wasn't going to go through with it. I prayed about it, cried about it, talked with a few close family members about it. Although I had fears, I also felt a great sense of peace about my decision. The peace I felt was greater then any fear I had. It was overwhelming. It brought me to tears when I would try to explain it to others. I, for the first time in my life, felt completely fulfilled and satisfied with a decision. I wasn't unsure or discontent. I knew that feeling had to be God's call. It was God telling me, reassuring me that I was making the right decision.
The sense of peace and knowing that I was following God's call to serve, become incredibly overwhelming when I told my principal that I would not be returning to teach next year. The thought of not teaching at SFX wasn't upsetting. It was relieving. It was wonderful. It was PEACEFUL. Before, the thought of leaving my family, friends and my job, was unthinkable. But the entire discernment process beginning in September, up until now, has given me a firsthand account of what it means to say that my life is “in God’s hands.” Now looking back, God was using the events and relationships in my life to inpire me, to set me up for this next chapter. He has ultimate control of my life and the feeling that I got when I let him have control was amazing and unbelievable. You often hear people say, "How do you know when God is calling you? How do you know when you're doing His will and not your will?" All I can say to that is, YOU JUST KNOW! He sends you feelings of peace and contentment and happiness that you can't even imagine until you experience it. I have had a first hand account of "hearing the call". Its an awesome experience. I have so much faith and trust in the Lord right now and I know that I'm going to be where I am meant to be.
I leave for my mission in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 1st. I will be living with the Salesiain sisters in the community in a small settlement outside of the city. There, the sisters run The Don Bosco Educational Project. It is a small nonprofit organization funded entirely by donors. It’s a day Centre, which offers a holistic education to young people in their community who have dropped out of school or who, because of dire poverty, are unable to fit into mainstream education. My ministry will be to help at the Don Bosco Centre, tutoring and teaching slow learners, helping in recreational and general activities, taking part in life skills education and participating in outreach programs to the children in the community. I will have time off also for traveling and participating in other religious and cultural events throughout South Africa. The sisters encourage the missionaries to embrace the lifestyle and culture of those we are working with and to TRAVEL!
I began fundraising for my mission trip and for my travels the day I got home. First, I had a fundraiser at a local brewery and a Zumba charity class where all of the profit made at those events were given toward my efforts. Then I created a website to share with the online world and those who are not able to come to my fundraising events. Lastly, I faced my biggest fear of public speaking. I spoke at 4 masses at my church one weekend in April. I wrote a speech and shared with the other parishioners at my church, everything about my mission trip and the journey leading up to my departure on June 1. The response I received from my church family was incredible. The support I have surrounding me gives me courage to follow through with my efforts.
I leave for South Africa in 4 weeks. I am, with a doubt, ready to get my hands dirty and to make a difference or impact on some one's life. I am up for the personal challenge that will be the transition to life in South Africa.
My blog title was inspired by a quirky, funky, craft vendor that I came across at a music festival in Birmingham. The group hand-made their jewelery, shirts and other accessories from re-purposed local iron and metal. Most of their items have the state of Alabama printed or painted on it. I've definitely got some Alabama FUNK in me! My hope is that I can be the best version of myself while in Africa, Alabama FUNK, southern accent and all.
I thought this post would be a good first entry to my blog. I plan to keep up this blog with posts of my daily life, activities and travels while working with the children and sisters in South Africa. I hope to post as many pictures and entries as possible. I am not sure about the internet situation in the convent/community where I will be staying but I promise to share as much as I can, when I can.
