Akron, Pennsylvania

Hello everyone!
Thank you for your continued support and love. I am so blessed to be here!
My week has been awesome. There are 53 SALTers and 29 IVEPers participating in Orientation. The International Volunteer Exchange Program is a counterpart to SALT (Serving and Learning Together) in which young adults from around the world come and work in North America. I have had a great time getting to know people from Laos, Cambodia, Korea, Bangladesh, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Argentina and Egypt. I've also enjoyed getting to know my fellow SALTers from around N. America. This week has consisted of lots of rest, hanging and playing around the MCC compound, sessions on culture and mission, prayer, displays of cultural talent and lots of good Mennonite food! We are wrapping up the Orientation on Wednesday and most of us fly out the next morning. We are going to be in every continent except Europe and Antarctica! It has been amazing to prepare spiritually and mentally with everyone and to be surrounded by similar goals and passions. I can't wait for Re-entry (when we all return to Akron next July) so I can hear stories of crazy adventures and especially how God has worked!
Here is my schedule for the first few weeks in Indonesia, starting Aug. 18th:
1. A few days in Salatiga, Java, home of the MCC Indonesia headquarters, for rest and a "crash language course" in Bahasa Indonesia
2. A week in our placement communities (Yogyakarta, Java for me) with our host families. I am anxious and excited to meet the family, as I have no idea who they are! SALT has a reputation for being ambiguous in the details regarding one's position - which makes life just that much more fun :)

3. Return to Salatiga for 6 weeks of language training

4. Return to Yogyakarta to begin working as an English Language Coach and Community Worker for the rest of the year

Until next time, may the joy of the LORD be with you all! I hope you are all enjoying your summer!
In Him,
Lisi

Arrival in Akron - welcome to Pennsylvania Dutch Country!

 MCC's "Welcoming Centre" - a small retreat compound of lovely guesthouses. I'm in Asia house

 Time well spent in fellowship

 The dining room

 SALTers having a "campfire"! Sonia going to Indonesia and Erica going to India

 Wade, our SALT coordinator, Teddy going to Mexico, Frank going to Bolivia and Erica

                                                      Touring the MCC Resource Centre

Quilting done by volunteers. There are so many devoted workers in this great organization!