So with only about 4 hours left before I get on a plane bound for Tanzania, I have reached the point of no return and am giving this blog thing a shot. After two years of living with the lead editors of The Heights at BC, I had hoped that some of their literary courage would have trickled my way, but alas, no such luck. Up until now my blogophobia (defined by the always reliable and legitimate Urban Dictionary as "Fear of blogs and blogging") has aided in my procrastination to give birth to this "public journal" of sorts, but I am now finding myself excited at the prospect of writing in a pseudo-public space about the challenges and adventures I am about to experience.
With that said, welcome to my blog! I am hoping this will be a forum where I can provide a bit of insight into what my world will be these next two years as a Jesuit Volunteer in Tanzania, allowing you, my friends and family, into the experience to walk alongside me. At times it may not be pretty, but I anticipate finding an abundance of love, beauty, and humanity in the journey ahead. I will be the first to admit that creative writing is not one of my strong suits so please bear with me as I attempt to convey the days ahead with brevity (I tend to ramble when I write) and hopefully a bit of wit (although if a post is particularly witty, it's probably safe to assume it has been ghost-written by one Reeves Wiedeman).
While the internet provides the world at my fingertips and will be the fastest means of communication, I am also hoping to rediscover the increasingly lost art of letter writing, or snail mail. Former JVs have said receiving letters is always a welcome treat and enjoy responding to letters, so please find below my mailing address for the next two years (care packages are of course always welcome too):
Paul Wendel
JVI
Moshi Jesuit Community
P.O. Box 1605
Moshi, Tanzania
I will leave you here, my friends, as I head to finish preparations for the 25 hours of travel that will take me 9,806 miles to my new home. I look forward to sharing this journey with you and thank you for being a part of it!
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Paul,
ReplyDeleteI will be praying and sending you all my love. Good luck with the long travel ahead and I am looking forward to reading your blog.
hugs
Marina
ps. consider yourself blog stalked.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteMay the Force be with you!
Great to see you in Dallas, and eager to follow your updates.
As agreed in Dallas, hope we can hold all major life events until you can join us again in person. The wedding in Dallas would not have been the same without your lively spirit, glowing goodness, and dance steps (as Belle demonstrated, it's in the genes!)
God will bless you as you bring that warmth and capacity to human connect to your new ministry of presence. Please know that you carry a shared zeal for social justice, in the Jesuit tradition, and hospitality in the Wendel tradition as you hug those you come to love in the next two years:
"...to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my own time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans…not to feel that you are working directly for social change. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and to drink with them, to listen to their stories, and to tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."
-Henri Nouwen
Thanks for sharing the inspiring words above, and the courageous inspiration of your own adventure in faith.
Uncle Bill
The way is the goal...
ReplyDeleteAlso, I happen to think you're a great creative writer. Let's not forget the Great Poetry Slam of Winter 2008 in Ignacio.
Also, I have a large academic and spiritual crush on Henri Nouwen, and I love your choice of blog quotation.
Also, I love mail. So get excited.
Love, Liz Eiland