"Give me your eyes so I can see"

Worth the Wait

2010-07-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

Last week we opened our brand new building at Room in the Inn. After 15 months of construction, inconvenience, and transition, I have to say that it was completely worth it. The new space is twice as large as our old one, and so much nicer. Some amazing moments have already happened here in just the past week...

*Jeff decided to take one of the participants around the building and give him a personal tour. This guy is one of the ringleaders around the Campus...the one we all know is selling drugs on the corner. Yet when Jeff showed him our new space, he actually cried.

*Another participant, who is usually kind of a jerk toward everyone who works at the Campus came in Monday morning to pick up his mail. He was as pleasant as can be, especially compared to normal. He told me how much the new building really made him feel worth something, and how much he appreciated everything that we did here.

*Sitting in the new Day Room on Tuesday morning, I heard people share their stories. I heard one man tell me about his former career as a musician. In fact, he toured Europe with Neil Diamond many years ago! I listened to people tell me memories about projects they did in grade school and visiting blackberry farms with their family in the summer. I got to ask people about their future goals. The entire atmosphere has been so much more open to conversation and connection.

*Wednesday morning, I played pictionary with Lucia and 4 participants and had a blast. I can't even tell you the last time I played real pictionary, if ever. Today I played Spades and earned some respect from the guys who never expected a young white girl to know how to play cards :)

There have been plenty of hardships that have happened this week within our community, but we have been there for each other even in those moments. I don't regret for one minute staying here another year.

Beginnings and Endings

2010-07-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I can't believe that in less that 3 weeks from today, I will officially end my YAV year. Where has the time gone?! As with all transitions, it has brought up a variety of mixed feelings...excitement and anxiety, worry and hope, ready for the next step and sad to be leaving this current one. Here is where I am at right now:

On the one hand, I am so ready to begin my new position at The Campus. I am also so excited about transitioning into our brand new building at the end of next week and getting settled in there. I even have my own desk, which is a big deal after having no space of my own all year. Getting paid will be a nice change, too :). I am also getting really excited about finding a cute house in East Nasvhille and really making it our own. Rebbecca, Bonnie, and I are hopeful that we will find something good.

However, all of these transitions also have some anxiety attached to them. In addition to the worry about those adjustments, I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to the rest of my YAV community in Nashville. I am sad to think about going to The Campus everyday without seeing Paul and Lucia, whose JVC year ends at the end of July as well. And I'm kind of sad about not having the YAV title, which has resulted in such wonderful hospitality from people in Nashville since we have been here.

Change takes time...I just trust that God has led me to stay here for a reason and that it will all work out for the best.

Montreat 2010

2010-06-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I have really slacked on writing updates lately, but time just seems to get away from me. I cannot believe that in 6 weeks, my time as a YAV will officially come to a close. I am reassured over and over again that staying in Nashville next year is absolutely the right decision, but that does not mean that I still do not face anxiety that comes with change. For right now, I am going to try to not think about what lies ahead, and instead update you on what I did this past week.

For the 2nd summer in a row, I headed to the beautiful Black Mountains of North Carolina to Montreat, about 20 miles east of Asheville. I had the opportunity to serve as a Small Group Leader to 30 high school students attending Week 1 of the Montreat Youth Conference. I am not going to lie...it was challenging, draining, and frustrating at times trying to keep 30 high schoolers focused for 3 hours of small group time a day. In the midst of these struggles, though, I loved being a part of this small part of their faith journey. I was energized to see the youth forms such strong bonds with one another in just a short week; to be challenged in my own faith from their questions and comments; and to be reminded of the importance of faith when we are faced with the storms of life.

I also had the privilege of getting to know the 3 youth that went from Second Presbyterian Church throughout the week because I stayed with them in a house nearby. They never ceased to impress me with their maturity and willingness to grow. They also kept me laughing all week long! I am so grateful that 2nd Presbyterian is feels more and more like my second church home.

It was a good week...it was a great week, actually. Although I return back to Nashville and back to work probably more tired than when I left, it was well worth the trip :)

Thoughts from "Radical Hospitality"

2010-05-31T15:25:00.001-07:00

Rachel, the executive director at The Campus, loaned me the book Radical Hospitality by Homan and Pratt. Reading this book has been exactly what I needed to remind me of the reason that my position at the Campus is so important. Here are some particular passages that stood out to me that I wanted to share:

"It is an escapable reality that our relationships are the soul from which we grow a heart capable of caring."- p. 152

"Hospitality is a way to help others discover their true selves. They need to see that precious person reflected in your eyes sometimes, before they can believe it for themselves"- p. 158

"In taking on the pain of others we act in the transformation of the world. We ourselves are changed, and we make a small push against the darkness. We make a difference"- p. 200

"Hospitality is a way to counter the thousands of times another human being has felt less than human before others didn't listen. Listening is the power of hospitality; it is what makes hospitality the lifegiving thing it is"- p. 214-215

Allowing other people to come into our lives and be a part of it is such a powerful act of love. As difficult as it is some days to see, I know that God is at work in these places and in these moments. I am grateful for the reminder!

Go look!

2010-04-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Mary Jane Winter, who is on the Missions Connections Board for the PCUSA, read my newsletter article for 2nd Presbyterian Church, and asked if she could post it on their website. Here is the link if you want to read it!

https://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/letters/yav/yav_langl_1004.htm

It's "Official"!

2010-04-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

Today my news was announced at staff meeting, so I guess that's official enough for me to make the announcement public:

My next step after my volunteer year as a YAV will be joining the Room in the Inn staff as a Case Manager!

I definitely had to weigh my options about what to do next year, but I could not be happier with my decision to stay at the Campus. Never in a million years did I expect this to be the path, but I think God has reasons. My acceptance to Columbia Theological Seminary will be defered until next Fall, and I will be staying in Nashville :)

New beginnings

2010-03-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

Tonight I attended a special event for a new program at The Campus called HPRP- Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. This particular program gets certain individuals into housing quickly and helps them to develop long-term skills to keep their housing.

One struggle formerly homeless people face when they move into housing is the loss of community. Therefore, HPRP includes a component to help to create a sense of community among the participants in the program. Tonight, thirteen men and women who have been recently housed or will soon be housed came for great food, fellowship, and fun. It was such a joy to see the excitement on their faces as they received household goods to take with them; to laugh together as we shared funny stories and random facts about ourselves; and to see the bonds beginning to form among the people present. As dinner was passed around, and I made a comment about the "nice" plates, one man replied, "Wow, do you know how long it's been since I've eaten off a real plate? I don't even remember." New beginnings can start with something as simple as kitchenware.

I drove home in the rainy weather. I looked up, and right in front of me was a beautiful rainbow over the city of Nashville. It was a physical reminder of the spirit of hope that was contagiously present in that dining room tonight.

Photos of San Francisco

2010-03-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my weekend in California!

San Francisco

2010-03-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I had the privilege to travel to San Francisco, California, to take part in a Volunteers Exploring Vocation conference, funded by the Fund for Theological Education. I gathered there at San Francisco Theological Seminary for four wonderful days of sightseeing, worship, lectures from seminary professors, and spending time with over fifty volunteers from various programs all over the country. It was such a positive experience, and best of all, completely free!

I found this conference beneficial for me in several ways. First of all, taking a few days off work to travel and be spoiled a little was much needed at this point in the year. I am learning more and more how important self care is, especially in direct service. If I do not take care of myself and make sure that I am finding ways to rejuvenate, then I am not going to be able to serve others to the best of my ability. This realization is one I do not want to forget or forgo.

It was also such a wonderful gift to spend time with other volunteers and share our experiences with one another. We talked about our struggles during this year of service, as well as the “high points” we have had along the way. Spending time with other people who are passionate about similar things was so energizing. I was able to imagine the future of the church when I was surrounded by other people my age who were considering the call to ministry, and it was exciting. I cannot wait to see what the church can become!

I also had a lot of time to reflect personally on my own service at the Campus. I feel extremely blessed to love my job and consider it meaningful work. It gave me something to think about as I discern my next step. I will keep you updated on what that is going to be when I know for sure! Until then, I feel at peace that God is going to lead me to where I need to be next, and that God will open doors in order to make possible whatever is supposed to happen. Thank you for your continued support!

It's the little things

2010-02-19T06:14:00.001-08:00

I don't think I could even count the number of times that participants at the Campus have asked me with absolute honesty, "Why in the world would you want to work/volunteer here at this crazy place?" Usually, I just shrug with a smile and tell them that it's never boring. However, after thinking about it more, I think I could give a more honest response. It's for the little moments of hope every single day....

*To have a participant tell me with such excitement that he starts job training this week.
*To see participants that have been around for years get approved for housing.
*To look at the pride on a participant's face as he shows me the review for his exam to become a certified electrician.
*To laugh with people who really wear their emotions on their sleeves...who laugh real laughs.
*To hear prayers for those who are poor from those who I often think of as "the poor"
*To see the transformation of an alcoholic after he has entered into treatment
*To listen to participants tell me how much they appreciate that I always seem to have a smile on my face
*To walk down the alley to work every morning and be greeted by name. In return, to witness the surprise of so many when they realize that I also know their names.

My job is not easy...in fact, there are times when I wonder "why am I doing this again?" But the little moments, the God moments, are what makes it more than worthwhile. These are just some of the reasons why I love what I do.

"We are Praying"

2010-02-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since an update! Now that the holidays are over, I feel things starting to settle back down at the Campus (as much as it can anyways), and I have some time to breath again.

Last weekend, the 8 Nashville YAVs, along with 2 Cincinnati and 2 Atlanta YAVs all ventured to Deer Run Retreat Center in Franklin, TN, for a weekend of reflection and rest. We were literally snowed in all weekend, making it even more necessary for us to slow down and just be- with God and with each other. It was exactly what I had been needing at this point in the year.

Lately one of my struggles has been not experiencing meaningful worship. I do not think it is 2nd Presbyterian Church that is the issue; it's me. For whatever reason, I have had a hard time experiencing God's presence in worship. I expressed these feelings to two other YAVs during a spiritual listening exercise on Saturday night, and they prayed that God will help me to be filled with joy once again.

Sunday morning, these prayers were answered when our group of sixteen women collectively planned worship. Huddled in a cabin with nothing but a guitar, drums, and our voices, I felt the presence of God so powerfully in the words sung and spoken. It was one of the most meaningful worship experiences I have had in a long time, just when I was longing for it the most.

One song that we sung together was from our YAV Orientation called "We Are Praying." The song was written to help draw us into the prayer concerns of others as if they were our own. It has been a week, and ever since the retreat, this song has been replaying on repeat over and over in my head....

We are praying, oh, we are praying
We are praying, oh, we are praying
We are man, woman, we are children,
And oh, we are praying.

Let the rains go
Let the mighty rivers flow
Let justice roll like water
Let the day begin
When new life enters in
And let your kingdom come.

As much as it gets annoying to have one song stuck in my head for a week, I could not have chosen a better one. It gets to the heart of the passage in Thessalonians which urges us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In that case, I will keep on singing...

The Great Equalizer

2010-01-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

After spending four months working at the Campus, I have learned a lot about how to communicate with people that I seemingly did not have much in common with. I decided to share a very valuable piece of knowledge I have learned...

Coming from such a different place from the homeless men and women that I spend time with everyday, there are many "normal" topics of conversation that do not really apply. We can't talk about what we cooked for dinner last night, or what Christmas presents we went shopping for last month, or the car troubles we have experienced this week. However, there is one topic is not only "safe", it actually has helped me develop some great connections with participants.

Football. It may seem ridiculous to say, but it's completely true. Following sports has been one of the most valuable hobbies I could choose right now. The participants gave me a hard time when I wore my Titans jersey after their first win of the season; they came up to me every Monday morning to congratulate me on another TCU victory; and I don't know how many people came to offer their condolences after the TCU loss to Boise State this past Monday in the Fiesta Bowl.

These are the moments that I look forward to when I come to work every week. As insignificant as football may be in the grand scheme of life, it means that we share in victory and loss together. Thank you, God, for football! :)

Christmas reflection

2009-12-24T18:33:00.000-08:00

Going to church on Christmas Eve is usually a time of great joy for me. It's my favorite church service of the year, one that brings me peace, comfort, and a great reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Tonight I cried...I cried that things are not how they used to be, that I am not the person I used to be. I can no longer feel the joy of Christmas without also feeling the pain that the holidays bring to so many people. When Lauren read the Christmas prayer that acknowledged those who are homeless, my heart ached for the men and women that I serve everyday.

Singing "Silent Night" seemed hypocritical...for so many people, Christmas Eve is anything but a night when all is calm and all is bright. Even that night in the manger over 2000 years ago, when Mary and Joseph had no place to go, it probably did not seem this way either. It was impossible to sing this familiar hymn without these thoughts running through my mind.

However, one addition to this year's Christmas Eve service at my home church was that "Joy to the World" immediately followed "Silent Night." While it doesn't reduce the reality of the pain and suffering in the world, it reminds us that it is not forever. The joy of Christmas is that one day all the sorrow will be erased...

"No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found"

It may seem like a long way off, but if Advent teaches us anything, it is how to wait in hopeful expectation of what has been promised.

Please pray for those who are homeless and alone tonight.
Merry Christmas

Battling the Darkness

2009-12-08T19:51:00.000-08:00

"What if anything have you and I done to do battle against the great darkness of things?"- Frederick Buechner

This statement from Buechner's daily meditation "Listening to your Life" stuck out to me when reading it last night. Lately, I have been asking myself that question too much from the perspective of despair and hopelessness.

When people ask me what I am doing this year, and I tell them that I work for a homeless ministry, too often I get responses like "Oh, that's so wonderful what you're doing!" or "That must be such rewarding work." Honestly, I don't know how to reply to these reactions. What I really want to say sometimes is "You know what? A lot of times it's not rewarding at all...it's hard and painful and heartbreaking. Too often I feel like the need is just too great."

Don't get me wrong, I still love the Campus and the values it stands for...it truly is a light to so many men and women who have no family outside of it. However, it doesn't stop me from wondering sometimes, "What am I doing to battle against the great darkness of things?"

Making a Difference

2009-11-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

There are some days when I get frustrated because I feel like I am never going to be able to beat the endless cycle of homelessness that these men and women that I interact with have to face every single day. How much do I really help when I hand them a sinus pill or fill their prescriptions in the grand scheme of things?

But then I sit in the day room and I get to talk with people...I get to be in relationship with them, whether its learning a new card game or just talking about the Titans. When someone sincerely thanks me, just for listening to them, I remember what really matters. The most important part about my time at The Campus is building relationships with people who most of the time get overlooked. Its hearing their stories and reminding them that they, too, are children of God, full of gifts, and stories, and insights. They are valuable. Making them remember that this is true is enough to make my job completely worthwhile.

Around the World

2009-11-15T09:42:00.001-08:00

It's so strange how much life can change in a year, particularly reflecting back on this exact weekend, the 2nd weekend in November...

*2nd weekend in November, 2007: I was in Budapest, Hungary, with Anne, exploring the great oriental markets, eating delicious Hungarian food (yum, breaded camembert), and relaxing in the Turkish bath.

*2nd weekend in November, 2008: I was in Granada and Cordoba, Spain, with Dannie, visiting the 2nd largest mosque in the world, wandering down quaint southern Spanish streets, and enjoying delicious *free* tapas.

*2nd weekend in November, 2009: I spent a relaxing weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, taking advantage of beautiful sunny weather, hanging out with my roommates, and watching some good old American football.

I'm so happy with where I am right now, and where I have been to get me to this point. However, the travel bug doesn't go away, and I am wondering how long I can suppress it before I have to jump on a plane for another adventure...

Silver lining

2009-11-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

I have witnessed some pretty intense things over the past week at work...one of the sweetest participants I know was taken to jail because he couldn't pay his child support (how can he?!).
Two huge sheriffs came in and took him away in handcuffs, which completely broke my heart.

There was a fight that broke out later that day which resulted in another really nice guy getting hurt from a suspended participant.

I am hearing more and more about the life stories of people and how they ended up where they are today. Fascinating (to use Diana's word), and heartbreaking at the same time.

In the midst of all of these things that distress me, though, something really remarkable happened today. We serve lunch at the Campus on Thursdays to over 140 people each week. Everyone needs a ticket to eat, though, and by 10:30, they were already gone. A man walked up to me at the support desk asking about a ticket, and I had to tell him that we were out. As the man was about to walk out the door out of luck, John, another participant, called out to him to get his attention. "Here you go, man," John said to the complete stranger, and handed him his own lunch ticket without a second thought. It was a moment of God's light shining in the darkness, always when I least expect it.

Give me one more second chance again

2009-10-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, we had the unique opportunity at Room in the Inn to do a special Song Writing Session. Someone donated money to allow us to participate in an event where 3 famous singer/songwriters worked with the staff, volunteers, and some participants, to create a song together about what Room in the Inn represents. The finished project was a very catchy song called "A Chance to Dream Again."

This event just intensified my love for my job this year. One line in the song that my group contributed was "Give me one more second chance again." This lyric epitomizes so many of the core values at RITI: Forgiveness, grace, non-judgment, and unconditional love for the people around us everyday.

I'm learning what it looks like to love someone even when they make the same mistakes over and over again. I see the looks of gratefulness and trust in the faces of our participants when we choose to see them as real people, and not as their problems. It's not always easy, but the most rewarding things in life usually aren't.

It gives new meaning to Jesus telling his disciples to forgive 70 times 7. It also reminds me of how much we all screw up and fall short of the mark Jesus set for us. Yet God looks at us with love, and gives us one more second chance again...and again...and again. We really are no different.

Expect the Unexpected

2009-10-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

I was considering writing down some more of my "profound insights" about my time at Room in the Inn so far, but instead, I thought I would share just a few incidents that paint a little better picture of how unique my job really is...

*Last week, three participants were suspended because of a fight that broke out in the alley outside. The cause? Participant T grabbed Particpant A's butt. In response, she turned around and punched him the face. From there, it continued to escalate. Most of the staff believed that T kind of deserved what he got.

*Wednesday morning, Participant C came up to the support desk and asked me to write down the address for the Campus and to call him an ambulance. When I asked him why, he said that it was because he "wasn't feeling well." I explained that I couldn't call him an ambulance for that, but he could go next door to the clinic. He left in a huff, but 10 minutes later, we hear sounds of sirens outside. Participant C had convinced someone to let him borrow a cell phone and had proceeded to call himself an ambulance. The police were not so thrilled.

*Thursday, Participant X (I don't remember his name) wandered into the day room and started to put on an impressive performance of karate chops and combat moves while everyone else was watching and laughing. When we tried to pull him aside, he would just freeze into position like a robot until he started doing karate moves again. Eventually, some staff got him out of the day room and got him some help.

*Last week, Lucia (a JVC volunteer I work with), was leaving work when Participant G came up to her and said: "Oh, Lucia, you're so pretty", followed by "I hate pretty people!" and then walked off.

*Last Wednesday someone claiming to be Hank William's daughter gave us a packet about 10 pages long of song lyrics she wanted us to pass along to the song-writing class leaders, since she was going to be in Beverly Hills for the next 7-10 days. Then later that afternoon, a different woman also claimed to be Hank William's daughter. Isn't he the popular one...

Everyday is different...and inevitably, I can never fully prepare for what is going to come next...I kind of love it.

"Let me be a joy to you always"

2009-10-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

This week has been a really good one overall. Nashville has had the most amazing fall weather all week long...sunny, cool autumn breeze, low humidity...it's just put me in a good mood. As I was driving across town to church last Sunday morning, rocking out to David Crowder with the windows down, I was so full of joy that I couldn't stop smiling. It's in moments like these that I remember something very important to my faith: God wants us to be happy. He wants us to find joy in this life that he has given us and everything in it. If we worship a God who experiences our sadness and pain right along with us, then shouldn't we also worship a God who experiences our joy and laughter? With that mind set, I can be happy that I feel happy, not only for myself, but for God as well.

One month in

2009-09-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Usually I am so good about writing and keeping up with what I have been up to. These past few weeks have been so busy, though, that I haven't been able to find time to write. And when I say haven't had time, I really mean that getting addicted to the tv show "Brothers and Sisters" thanks to my roommates has had some serious effect on my amount of free time...

One month ago, I was at Orientation in Stony Point. I have now been in Nashville for almost 4 weeks, and I can already say that it feels like home. I know that may sound stupid to some people because I grew up so close to Nashville that it shouldn't be much of an adjustment. However, it is more than just getting used the city that I drive through everyday, looking at the skyline with the towering Batman Building and the beautiful LP Field. My placement at the Campus, my roommates, 2nd Presbyterian...these are all parts of my life that already feel so natural that it seems like I have been here so much longer. It's a nice feeling :)

So far, I absolutely love the Campus for Human Development. My days seem to fly by. Typically, I spend my mornings at the Support Desk helping people fill prescriptions, get bus passes, hand out tylenol, etc. Just offering basis help as much as I can. I spend some time in Day Room everyday, whether its signing up people on the phone list or just playing Scrabble with participants. Throw in sorting and handing out mail, taking phone messages, and sitting in on classes, the days are over before I know it.

What I love about my job is that I share quality time with people, getting to know their names and their stories. It's only been a few weeks, and I can already feel my perspective changing. When I drive down the streets of downtown Nashville at night, I find myself looking at the faces of the men and women I see because they are no longer just nameless "homeless people"...I recognize some of those people...they know my name and I know theirs. It's a very strange experience, both disturbing and miraculous at the same time. I know it's going to get even more so as time goes on.

There's so much I could write about, but rather than make this entry ridiculously long, I will just try to update more often! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers :)

Settling into Nashville

2009-09-06T13:28:00.001-07:00

These past two weeks can best be described as "a whirlwind." On Sunday, August 23rd, I went to Hendersonville FPC that morning before officially moving into the East Nashville house that afternoon. Early the next morning, 6 of the 8 Nashville YAV girls traveled together to Stony Point, NY for Orientation. I only got to be there for half of it, but it was incredibly refreshing and reassuring that YAV is exactly what I am supposed to be doing this year. Even within a short 5 days at Orientation, you could feel the support of the community of fellow YAVs. I felt closer to God than I had in awhile.

I took a cab to the New York airport at 6:30am on Friday, August 28th to fly to Asheville, NC, for Beth and Scott's wedding! It was a great weekend to spend with friends before heading back to Nashville and getting ready to begin my year of service.

This week in Nashville for Orientation has been busy, challenging, and exciting...full of laughter, frustration, doubt, and new experiences. Overall, though, I am so happy with how things have started out. My wonderful roommates and fellow YAVs are already becoming my family. We have shared so much with each other already, especially when 5 people live in about 1100 square feet! It's going to be a great experience, though, and I am completely confident that God is at work in this place.

We visited everyone's placement sites on Tuesday and Wednesday. Going back to Room in the Inn on Wednesday afternoon reminded me again of how many amazing ministry opportunities are going on there. I am so excited to start on Tuesday, although definitely still nervous and not quite sure what to expect...I am also wondering- will I ever?!

And the journey begins!

2009-08-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

I am moving to Nashville tomorrow! Since my last post, I have found out some more final information about this upcoming year. First of all, I will be living in the brand new YAV House in East Nashville, on McKennie Ave. I will be sharing it with four other girls in the YAV program as well. I haven't met any of them yet, but I will tomorrow...can't wait!

It is also now official that I will be worshiping and involved in leadership at 2nd Presbyterian Church. I have never attended a service there, but everything I know about that church I love, so I could not be more excited about this placement.

I will head to Nashville with all of my stuff (which is probably too much!) tomorrow afternoon, and then we head out to Stony Point, NY, bright and early on Monday morning for YAV Orientation. I am sure I will have tons to update on very soon!

More Complete Information!

2009-07-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! You have ended up at my YAV blog because you have expressed your interest in hearing about my upcoming year of Service in Nashville. For those of you who haven't heard the full details, YAV is a program operated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to send young adults ages 19-30 throughout the U.S. and internationally to serve full-time for one year. In addition to full-time volunteer ministry at a partner agency in the city, each YAV also commits to a leadership position of some kind in a local Presbyterian Church. Nashville also has a unique component of Vocational Discernment, which we do as a group, to further understand our individual callings as God's children in the world.

I am so excited to see what God has in store for me this year in Nashville working for the Campus for Human Development and also being an active participant in a church nearby (TBD)! There will be 8 Nashville YAVs this year, which is double the amount they have ever had at this site. It should be a great year for community and building relationships as well.

If you are reading this and want to know how you can help and support me this year, there are several ways you can do that!

*First of all, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. It's going to be a challenging year, and I need all the prayer I can get!

*Secondly, telling people you know about the YAV program and sending them this link is another great way to support the entire YAV program. Share with others what great things young people in the church are accompishing!

*I am also responsible for raising half of my funds for the year. My portion is $4000, and the Presbyterian Church covers the other $4000. If you would like to contribute financially, no matter how small, it would also be very much appreciated! You can click the link above that says "GIVE SUPPORT" and turn in this form anytime during the year. Please make checks out to "Second Presbyterian Church" and send checks to the following address. Also, please include my name (Leslie Lang) on the check somewhere.

Second Presbyterian Church
Attn: NEP
3511 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37215

Thanks for reading and supporting me! I will be updating you regularly thoughout the year about what I am up to in Nashville!

Preparing for my YAV Year

2009-07-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hello! I decided to set up a blog to write about my experiences this upcoming year as a Young Adult Volunteer in Nashville. That way, everyone who wants to know what I am up to can come read this and see how your support is making a difference!

I just returned from Louisville, KY on Tuesday. Rachel (a Denver YAV) and I were there to participate in a commissioning service as representatives for all the upcoming Young Adult Volunteers. It was a really neat experience to talk to the other missionaries there, especially the ones that were previous YAVs. In fact, I met two of the first Nashville YAVs when the site started there 10 years ago! It made me really excited to get started, but also realize that there is a lot on my shoulders. Definitely needing some more time in prayer!