In just one short month, I will be heading to Akron PA to start a week of orientation with about 50 other like-minded individuals headed out to various parts of the world to serve with MCC. The name of the program is SALT (Serving and Learning Together), and I am actually a second-time "SALTer". (Check out my last blog to learn about my first SALT experience in Brazil ---> http://monteiromonologues.blogspot.com/) This time around, I am headed to Mirebalais, Haiti. The commitment is for one year, but who knows what the future holds and what opportunities may arise while I am there. :)
In Mirebalais, there is a Mennonite church with a retreat center that is only partially constructed. I, along with another SALTer, Jon, will be finishing up construction on the retreat center, and then helping to run the center and host groups of pastors, youth, and perhaps international visitors. The church would also like to see the space used to teach local youth practical job skills that will help them find employment closer to home, instead of traveling to the big city of Port-au-Prince to find work. The specific skills that he requested be taught are cooking, computer skills, and perhaps some gardening. I might also throw in some music, art, and basic woodworking. Whatever I can offer, and whatever they can use, I am willing to share.
I have to say thank you to all of you reading this. I know I am going to need a lot of support while I am in Haiti, as well as throughout the preparation process. I know many of you have supported me financially, and I am very grateful that you have chosen to partner with me in this way. If you haven't yet donated, and are interested in doing so, please click the link below and follow the instructions. Donations must be made before July 20 to contribute to my fundraising goal, but please also consider donating to MCC. They are a wonderful organization that does so much well-respected work around the world. Take a minute to read up on some of the great things they are doing at mcc.org
With all that said, please make this a frequent stop on your surfing the web through the next year. Just knowing that there are people who are interested in what I am doing is a huge support to me. If you'd like to drop a line through email or even better... snail mail, I would receive it with a thankful heart. I also covet your thoughts and prayers. I am about to dive into a year long journey of unexpected, sometimes frightening, adventures. I need the support of my community back home to help me get through. Thanks again for reading, and please keep in touch.
Peace,
Annie
