All things American - Barbecue, Bible belt, Back to school and Bon Voyage!

Back to school 

This last week we had another opportunity to meet with the Academy team here, and work through a few more of the details of school life. Since we will have very small classes, we participated in a few small group and larger group challenges, to think through the different group dynamics with each size group. (With marshmallows along the way, I wasn't complaining:D) Challenge: to build a tower with marshmallows and spaghetti, and then built a structure to support textbooks, using only hard lollies, marshmallows, frosting and pretzels..! 

Barbecue
We have definitely made the most of the Texan cuisine here, looking through my photos, I seem to pose with food more than I need to... Stanley's Barbecue is apparently #2 in Texas for authentic barbecue, so why not? I'm not sure I'm fully converted, but I might need to sample a few more times...;)

On our last day of onboarding, Dr Andrew invited us New Zealanders and a few others to his house for a kiwi meal. Such a lovely place, with a small herd of Texan sheep in the front...! It was really nice to feel 'at home', albeit in 34 degree heat and 90% humidity. Note: lolly cake and proper coffee:D

Bible Belt 

Texas truly is in the 'Bible Belt' of the States. Wherever we drive there seems to be a church on almost every corner. This Sunday we were invited to another cultural experience - what Texans call a 'megachurch'. Since this was right after the 4th of July, they had a Vietnam veteran come to speak, who was a double amputee. He shared his experiences, the ups and downs of life - a very inspiring story. 

Week 5 of OnBoarding 

This week during our onboarding sessions, we learned about 'Worldview' - the basic assumptions that underpin our beliefs - the lens through which we see the world. It was an incredibly interesting week, understanding the different belief systems and perspectives, and how each of them answers the basic questions in life: 

1) Who or what is God?

2) The nature of humanity

3) Nature of knowledge - how do we know? 

4) Ethics - how do we judge right/wrong? 

5) Purpose and destiny - why are we here? 

After this week, I think I have a much clearer understanding of the importance of listening, asking good questions, withholding judgement and seeking to understand. 

Development and Transformation 

We also had a session on Mercy Ships' approach to transformation - working alongside local communities, understanding the dynamics and how the local people work, their values and priorities, and then considering how we can best partner with them. 

The Monkey and the Fish - how 'Aid' can be done wrongly 

They shared a few stories of what does not work - e.g. donations of equipment, without training the whole 'ecosystem'. Not only do donations need to be accompained by training (e.g. the biomedical technicians to service the equipment), but this training needs to take place across the whole group - from the top of the hierarchy through to the menial tasks that need to be done. This is the method of Mercy Ships. Long term, sustainable development through partnership and training. So good to hear:D 

Bon Voyage! 

Tomorrow morning we will be leaving this fine land, and heading off to Dakar, Senegal for 'field practice' - learning to work alongside the local people, learning a bit about the culture, as well as building good team work. We will be helping with some maintenance work at an Academy in Dakar - or that is the current plan, open to changes as they come! 

Yes, I may be a Nanna. Here's to not getting Malaria:D 

Thank you Texas! I have enjoyed your warm, humid embrace, your welcoming people, incredible hospitality and deep fried food. (It might not only be my bags which are leaving a few pounds heavier...)