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September 20, 2013

KNIGHTS ABROAD

Local Roots. Global Reach. 
 

Read.

Framed by Wolterstorff and Romans 12, the readings focus on the mind and the heart. 
Greetings
Be Transformed
 Eyes Wide Open

We have some insightful ideas to share with you throughout the semester, but it is our hope for YOU to organically produce the substance of the newsletter. We want to share your thoughtful reflections and awe-inspiring photographs. If you are willing to share, please send links to your blogs and pictures to the OCP email.  
Reflect.

Studying Abroad is a Privilege. An Eye-Opening Experience. An Opportunity for Adventure. 

As You Go Out into the World, Be Mindful of He who Sent You, Listen to His Voice, Pray Not My Will But Yours Be Done. Empty Yourself Of Self-Centeredness and Become Others-Oriented.

You Will Learn, Grow, and be Moved to Action. 


"And what does the LORD require of you? 
To act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly
with your God" 
Micah 6:8


Connect.

Enjoy and Explore the Musings of other Calvin Students Studying Abroad.

Find their Blogs Below:


Friend on Facebook Facebook 

Check out the Chimes Abroad Facebook page, for brilliant photos and captivating stories from students abroad!
Follow on Twitter Twitter 
Tweet @CCOCP with the #KnightsAbroad to share about your Study Abroad experiences!

Greetings. Jó napot kívánok.
Saludos. 问候. Gruß. 
Salutations. อาศิรพจน์. Nkyea.

Greetings from Calvin!  The weather in Grand Rapids is starting to turn cool, reminding us that Fall is definitely on its way. On a more cheery note, ArtPrize has kicked off this week, and many students on campus will head downtown this weekend to check out the various displays of creativity. Many of you have now been at your sites more than a month, we and we sincerely hope everyone is feeling settled in by now. 

UPDATES/UPCOMING DATES: 
  • WELCOME BACK DINNER: Last week we had our welcome back dinner at Don De Graaf's house.  We had 35 students RSVP we planned for 50 and over 70 showed up.  We think everyone got fed something but beyond the food it was a great night of fellowship with lot of students staying several hours.  Although it doesn’t always happen, it was a great reminder of the community that can be built between students on an off-campus semester. 
  • WORKSHOPS:  The Off-Campus Programs Office is also starting something new this semester.  We have schedule several seminars/workshops for students returning from a semester overseas.  Our office is partnering with other offices across campus (e.g. Career Services, Broene, Campus Ministries, Service-Learning Center) to offer these seminars.  This Tuesday returners will participate in a workshop on discipleship and local opportunities for service-learning (hence the social justice theme throughout this newsletter). More info can be found at:  http://www.calvin.edu/academic/off-campus/events-deadlines.htmlIn February, we will invite all of you students to a welcome back dinner as well and re-offer these workshops. 
CHECK THIS OUT! 
  • CALVIN CHIMES ABROAD:  Check out the Calvin Chimes Abroad page on Facebook, it is a great resource to remind each of us about the benefits of taking students off-campus. Share your story with the Calvin Community back home. 

Be Transformed by the Renewing of your Mind.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you,brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 In a speech addressed to Christian school teachers, philosopher Nick Wolterstorff expressed the importance of a holistic educational experience, “If the schooling of our children focuses just on mind formation, then we must expect that when they emerge from school, and take up their adult lives, they will talk the Christian mind and live the mind of the world” (82).


Wolterstorff is perceptive in his point here regarding the general purpose of Christian education, but his comment can be re-framed to refer specifically to experiences studying abroad. When we travel and serve abroad, the four months outside of our parochial lives open us up to a diverse milieu of new sights, smells, sounds, customs, knowledge, and ways of living. In those four months when our worlds get flipped on their head, we begin to question our assumptions, take new decisive stands on relative issues, and reform our worldviews. Bethany Cok (Honduras) speaks eloquently of the deep and formative learning that occurs when we leave the comfort of Calvin's campus and experience the Grace of God in a foreign environment. 
 
"There’s no substitute for sitting outside in the pouring rain and finally understanding that the world is so much bigger, and God is so much greater, than you ever realized."
 
The riveting readings and insightful observations occurring abroad do not only leave a tangible impression on our minds, but leave a burning passion in our bellies for action. Some students act on this feeling when they return home, sowing seeds of justice and change in their communities, yet regrettable for others the fire for social action may cool to only an ember as they return to their “normal” lives. How can we ensure that the passion for the poor, delight in Kingdom community, and dreams for justice inspired by an off-campus experience, don’t remain as good theories or fuzzy feelings? 
 

Abroad with Eyes Wide Open. 

Walking through the streets of Santa Lucia Honduras, Katerina Parsons reflected on the unique opportunity study abroad has afforded her.

 "There is so much to learn here and so much to do here. I could talk about all the ways Honduras is different or the same, but there's no way to compare it to what I'm used to. I'm walking forward with new eyes, ready to experience whatever happens, however it happens. There will be time for all those stories! Right now I have homework to finish, dinner to be back in time for, and a city to explore..."

Nicholas Wolterstorff in a 2008 commencement address at Calvin encouraged students to develop two eyes; one eye that develops the eye of the mind and the other that develops the eye of the heart. Whatever your major, wherever you go this semester, walk with two eyes wide open.  Develop knowledge, discernment, critical engagement, and empathy, compassion, and care. Do not be so focused on knowledge that you neglect compassion; do not be so overcome by compassion that you neglect knowledge. You need both eyes, both the eye of the mind and the eye of the heart, both the eye of discernment and the eye of empathy -- to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Romans 12:14-21

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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