Online Archives

By JOSEPH AUBEE

I am a native of The Gambia, West Africa, and a student at Shepherd University in West Virginia, studying biology and chemistry. As an international student at Shepherd, every day has provided me with a vast array of experiences.

These experiences range from volunteering during spring break to my involvement in the international students union, to living with students with other ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I have been enlightened and given a wider perspective about other cultures, which in turn is

giving me a better understanding about myself.

Initially I thought the Ethnic Young Adult internship would be a summer vacation and chance to explore Washington D.C., but to my amazement, my experience totally over shadowed my initial thoughts.

The eight weeks were a testament to how real the real world is.

It was a transition point from my assumptions to actually facing the realities that the world has to offer. Having to make wise decisions, manage resources around me, live and fellowship with other EYA interns has made me more mature, disciplined, and independent.

My daily routine of working in the capitol of the free world has been one of the most remarkable parts of my life.

In the course of it all, I came to understand some aspects of contemporary politics based on historical developments, and became more attuned to decisions in, and how laws are passed and implemented, in the United States.

For the interns, the eight weeks weren?t only a time for work experience, they were also a period of connecting with our faith as young Christian adults, and how we relate to it to promote social and environmental justice. We gained understanding through our weekly Bible study and Friday seminars, which highlighted issues like racism, immigration, ecology, wars, health care, gender and sexuality, just to name a few.

Each intern was placed with a non-profit organization, and my placement was with the Faith and Politics Institute.

The FPI is a non-partisan, non-profit and interfaith organization that strives to provide bipartisan bridge-building opportunities for political leaders to experience the spiritual power of conscience, courage and compassion.

Part of the way the institute is accomplishing its mission is through the organization of reflection groups, and the bi-annual pilgrimage to Selma and Montgomery, Ala., which is led by congressman John Lewis who is joined by 40 to 50 of his colleagues both Republicans and Democrats alike.

One thing I learned during my experience with FPI was that we cannot separate the principles and values that our faith teaches us from the principles and policies that we pursue.

I was assigned the tasks of data entry, stuffing envelopes, printing stamp labels, and other errands beyond the office boundary. Though challenging, I learned to do these minor duties with patience and diligence, knowing that greatness is achieved through humility and hard work.

Alongside the work experiences were the privileges that the program offered. A trip to New York, where we toured the United Nations

building and had lunch with the U.N ambassadors from Liberia and Solomon Islands; a tour of the Capitol building, meeting Congressman John Lewis; and the opportunity to live with 11 other young adults with different cultural backgrounds are moments I?ll always remember.

There were times when people in the metro station would just be astonished by the diversity of the group. The reason is because it?s very rare to see the union of Africans, African-Americans, Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, Indians and Hispanics at any given time, coming together under a single umbrella. This is how diverse the group was.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank God for the success of the EYA internship, commend the General Board of Church and Society for the resources and accommodation, and thank the coordinators and all the EYA interns for their contributions in making the internship an extraordinary experience.

I have learned so much about different cultures and lifestyles, and about myself from those around me.

Joseph Aubee was one of 11 interns in the Ethnic Young Adult Internships, sponsored by the General Board of Church and Society each summer. He attends Good Hope Union UMC.

Living Faith, Seeking Justice Seminar Offered

The General Board of Church and Society is hosting a conference, 'Living Faith, Seeking Justice,' Nov. 1-4 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The event will provide opportunities to learn techniques in training and mobilizing others to engage in advocacy and the work that transforms the world for Christ.

Top speakers and justice leaders are scheduled to appear. Workshops will focus on economic development and the local church, the living wage, and being good stewards of the environment.

Participants are being encouraged to submit artwork that illustrates faith and justice themes.

Continuing education credits will be offered.

Scholarship applications and other information are available on the Web site www.umc-gbcs.org.