"Don't be a volunteer unless..."

I found myself standing in a concert venue that used to be an old church and a new friend asked me what I was doing during my time in Zambia.

For the first time without even really thinking, I simply said, “Loving.”

In previous conversations I may have said assisting at health clinic, teaching, feeding children…this time – for reasons unknown to me, I simply said, “Loving”.

For the past few years I have read numerous articles and watched videos on why “International Volunteerism” is bad or the conditions in which must be in place if someone is interested in volunteering internationally. As something that I feel passionate about - I wanted to know the criticisms, the opposite view points...

Just to name a few things people say and write about:

“Don’t be a volunteer unless you are a trained professional…doctor, nurse, teacher, etc.”

“Don’t be a volunteer unless your donations & funding will help the organization in the long run.”

“Don’t be a volunteer unless you plan on moving and living there your whole life.”

All of these statements, articles, and videos about the harmful effects of volunteering internationally are well thought out and sometimes valid points…and yet the most common stream following all of these article revolve around the cost of the trip for the volunteer vs. the cost of the benefits received by the country receiving the volunteer. Using money as the final judging point.

But when you think about who or what has changed your life most – who or what do you think of?

Oftentimes - someone very inspiring, motivating, and hopefully someone extremely LOVING.

I  know the person who has changed my life the most is someone who has shown me unconditional LOVE – Jesus. And the relationships in my life where people are striving to love as Jesus loves. It is the relationships that we form that change lives – and the most loving relationships are often the ones that encourage us to be better, stronger, and allow us to appreciate ourselves and others.

If I were to reply to a professionally written article about “Don’t be a volunteer unless…”

I would simply state this one line:

“Don’t be a volunteer unless you are willing to let yourself be loved and to love.”

The loving relationships one has the potential to form when volunteering internationally can change many lives – including the life of the volunteer – in most instances, more than any amount of money, clothes, food, water, shelter, medicine…it’s sad when such essentials are given without love.

I am beyond blessed by God for the extremely loving relationships begun in Zambia.

My prayer is that people who are seeking to volunteer internationally aren’t discouraged by articles, videos, and criticisms about why volunteerism is bad or harmful – and they set their eyes on Christ – the source of all love – and allow themselves to take a leap of faith and volunteer – to be vulnerable to be loved and to love.

 

Thank You Jesus.

As I gaze outside the frosted window and the snow is gently falling to the ground, it’s hard to believe one week ago I was boarding a plane to leave the beautiful sunny land of Zambia. My time in Zambia as a Dominican Volunteer was filled with a bundle of blessings – joyful and challenging times. Before departing from Zambia, one of the Sisters asked what the “Golden Thread” was throughout my experience. I am blessed to say the golden thread for me was “Gratitude.”

My heart is filled with gratitude. For the opportunities and experiences made possible by DVI, the sending community Dominican Sisters of Peace in Columbus and receiving community Dominican Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heard of Jesus in Zambia.

Sometimes God gives us opportunities that are far beyond our wildest dreams, past our deepest desires. It’s in these moments He gets our attention to teaches us some of the greatest lessons about life and about His love for us. My experience leading up to my departure to Zambia, my time spent in Zambia, and now upon my return – I am experiencing God in ways I have never expected. My heart has been forever changed by the country, the people, the experiences and the challenges.

My prayer is for future volunteers to be open to hear God’s call and to be flexible for the Holy Spirit working in their lives and in their mission. My prayer is for the volunteers to have a heart of courage and compassion – for the ability to hear the whisper of God’s voice amidst loud voices in this world.

May DVI and all the Sisters who accompanied and supported me in this journey be forever blessed in their vocations – may they be filled with deep peace and joy in serving God and His people.