I can hardly believe that I am
already over a week removed from the YASC training at the Holy Cross monastery
in West Park, NY. Between the actual
cultural training, monastic setting, a trip to New York City, and all the
people present during the two weeks of training, the experience was just so utterly unique and transformative.
The cultural training we received
was an amalgamation of mission history, cultural processes (in both abstract
and concrete senses), formation, and self-knowledge on both an individual and
cultural level. I was most profoundly
struck by two aspects of our formal training: first, the incredible diversity
in how human beings organize themselves around the world; and second, how
knowing one’s self is of paramount importance in both in cross cultural
settings and in one’s own personal (and spiritual) life.
I only had to step out of the
“blue room” where our lectures were held in order to see what we had learned
out in the world. You really do have to
marvel at people. They belong to and
participate in creating impressively intricate ways of living. For example, the brothers at Holy Cross live
in a culture of discipline and right relationship with one another and
God. Meanwhile, the residents of
Brighton Beach, the borough that my group visited while in NYC, perpetuate a
culture steeped in the Russian language and culture.
And yet, people are so much more
than the culture to which they “belong”.
Not only are cultures are contested spaces, but we as individuals hardly
ever follow a single monolithic way of life.
As individuals we have our own personalities, experiences,
relationships, perceptions, preferences, and desires. And we most certainly do not abide within the
neat little confines of a single story*.
 |
| Holy Cross Monastery |
I learned this lesson over and
over again through everyone at monastery.
YASC and Episcopal Church staff, the brothers, fellow trainees, the Holy
Cross staff, the visitors of the monastery not affiliated with our training. .
. there is so much wisdom to be found in one another. Forget cultural competency! Our time together was one of incredible love,
empathy, honesty, and compassion. I can
hardly describe just how much I learned about others, myself, and God through
these people.
The great thing about all of
this? I am a person too! I am a part of this wonderfully complex
fabric of humanity. Both collectively
and individually humans can be as selfish as they are generous, as callous as they are empathetic. I know personally that I still have a lot to learn
about myself. But it is comforting to
know that no matter what, I am loved by God (and you are too!).
In the midst of our past orientation and our
future missions (or present mission for at least a couple of us!), it is truly
a testament to God’s awesomeness that such amazing and diverse people can come
together, cultivate meaningful relationships, and then go out to do God’s work across the
globe.
*If you have 20 minutes to spare,
I strongly recommend watching this Ted Talk entitled “The Danger of a Single
Story” by Chimamanda Adichie
