We pray that 2014 will be a year full of joy and growth for all of you and we look forward to journeying together in the upcoming year. As volunteer alumni, you are an important part of our family, and we invite you to share your thoughts and ideas with us. Please send you feedback to Katie Mulembe at [email protected].  

 
  Many of us have very fond memories of our year (or two, or three!) of service. We remember it as a time of fulfillment, growth, and deep joy - all results of living simply, walking with the poor, nurturing a regular prayer life, and experiencing the accountability of intentional community. Coming home can be a huge challenge, and many find it difficult to regain the vibrancy and excitement that the year of service held.

 

One of my favorite childhood stories is The Velveteen Rabbit. I love the Skin Horse's answer to the Velveteen Rabbit's question, "What is Real? Does it happen all at once or bit by bit?" The Skin Horse responds:

 

It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real, you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.

 

I love this response. What the Rabbit is asking, on behalf of all of us, is what it means to be truly human and fully alive. It's one of those "ultimate questions," the kind of question that we often run from in our day to day shuffle, stifling the answer in noise and distractions. Read more... 

 

We've launched local listservs to help connect former volunteers in major cities. You can subscribe to the listservs to find out what events are happening near you, make new connections in your area, and ask questions of other alums. Click here to subscribe!