Waiting in New Windsor

College came to an end in May, and now here I am doing Brethren Volunteer Service.

Japan! I can see it approaching! This whole waiting process has been difficult. I'm preparing to be there for 2 years! Its been exciting seeing updates and blogs from my fellow BVSers already in Europe, and Jess's updates in Guatemala, yet I'm still here waiting for the documents I need for my visa. What are the things I am anticipating about my time in Japan? First, I should say that I am preparing to volunteer in Nasushiobara at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI). Its a farm, school, and intentional community. It reaches out to subsistence farmers to inspire sustainable farming practices in their own communities in Africa or Asia. I am excited to be given the opportunity to volunteer there. I can certainly wait on my unknown career for this chance. I anticipate to grow in experience in a multinational community in the lands of a beautiful country; to live with an understanding of agriculture and grow a stronger ability to live as part of the Earth Community (a term articulated by David Korten); and learn the Japanese language and its culture.

Brethren Volunteer Service is a service that I was destined to do, or it seemed at least inevitable that I would end up doing it. Orientation lasted 2.5 weeks in New Windsor, MD, and while most BVSers go straight to their project afterwards, I am here still waiting for my visa to go to the Asian Rural Institute. As I wait my interim project is volunteering in the Hospitality Center kitchen of the Brethren Service Center. Its an interesting job. I prefer to think of the cooks that I volunteer for that make the experience interesting.

Having spent three prior summers washing mounds of dishes, I felt far too prepared and familiar with the mundane task yet mindful art that it is. I became one with the dishwasher once again. Though, I learned my place as I worked with another kitchen volunteer who equally seeks to be on the dirty side of the dish room. She is known to be a mule and as tough as a nail. I know I'm about to learn something when I hear a quiet old raspy voice of a smoker behind me speaking with urgency. Its also been exciting to be in a kitchen full of grandmothers in love with 1950s rock. The one station that never changed on the kitchen radio played (it no longer does now unfortunately) Dion and the Belmonts, Elvis, The Penguins, Little Richard, and a whole lot of others. Mmm, good taste. At this point, all we really do is sing the songs that someone might mention. Speaking of which, I also enjoy that my supervisor is a Whovian! The other volunteers in New Windsor and I have connected well. I enjoy their groovyness. I was able to discover a fantastic cafe with one of them some time ago. And then to spend the rest of my day in my quiet apartment without another human being is quite nice. At any rate, I was glad to have something to relate too in this new environment amidst my recurrent existential crises.  

Peace,
Turner