Amigos,
I made it safely to Boston, and we are in the second week of orientation at Boston College! Rostro de Cristo (the group I'm going with) is doing orientation along with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps International, so I've gotten to meet a lot of great people going to places like Chile, Micronesia, Tanzania, Peru, and many others! We are currently on day 2 of a silent retreat outside of Boston. It's been a great time to read, reflect, and pray as our departure for Ecuador quickly approaches. We'll return to Boston for a few days, then leave for Ecuador early Sunday morning!
The time here at orientation has been busy but a lot of fun. We've had a lot of great speakers, and I even got to meet one of my favorite authors, Fr. James Martin, S.J. (check out his stuff!). I also want to take this time to say thanks to all the parishioners of Sacred Heart Church and all the friends and family that helped me with my fundraising. I couldn't be doing this without you! Thanks to you all, I completed my fundraising goal! I was so humbled by everyone's generosity. Thank you so much!
Last week, we found out which houses we would be living in (Rostro volunteers are split up between two communities, Mt. Sinai and El Arbolito). I will be living in El Arbolito with 6 other community mates. They are all awesome!! I'll find out more about potential work sites after the first week or two in country.
As I begin on this journey, I have many questions, hopes, joys, and worries. I'll end with a quote from Thomas Merton, which helps to put into words the many thoughts I'm having thus far.
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, You will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone".
Hope to update soon. Thinking of you all! PEACE!
Chris
