I remember I first heard of the YAV program when a girl probably 7 or 8 years older than me at my small-town church signed up for a YAV year in Uruguay, then re-upped the next year to go back! I was drawn to any program that could get me overseas, closer, to my middle-school eyes, to the issues that really mattered.

Where would I be if no one had steered me towards that YAV program? I’m so thankful that I eventually found my way! If you can think of anyone that might embrace the simplicity, struggle, and fun of being a YAV, plant the seed no matter how young they are! And if they are old enough to apply, send them to http://www.pcusa.org/yav !

I do remember that I felt nervous and excited as I thought about applying for and participating in the YAV program, but I had seen and heard from other YAVs and YAVA who were living lives that looked not perfect, but looked full and engaged. It was the witness and stories of YAVs and YAVA that made me want to apply to the YAV program, and a little nudge from a few of them gave me the confidence to apply and start out on a journey that would change my life. As I think back four years ago about how I was thinking ahead, I could not have imagined how much and the ways that my life would change, but I am glad it did, and I am so grateful to the YAVs and YAVA who encouraged me to apply and supported me along the way. 

Is there someone you know who would be a good YAV? Encourage them to apply today! It can be as simple as an email or facebook message or taking someone to coffee. Spread the love! http://www.pcusa.org/yav 

While in Guatemala I began to learn about the civil war there and my own country’s role in the genocide that took place, as well as the continuing oppression of and violence against poor (and especially indigenous) Guatemalans. At the same time that this awakening to my country’s role in Guatemala was happening, my faith also began to deepen and take new form, and a Christian ethic of non-violence and non-violent resistance became an important part of my faith. Every day I saw the physical, social, and psychological effects of systematic violence in a way I had not been able to see in my own country (not because it doesn’t exist, but because of my own ignorance and desensitization and complicity in the system from which I benefit as a person of privilege), and I began to see that violence only begets more violence. I became convinced that the only way to honor the image of God in others and in ourselves is through non-violent resistance to violence, because, to use an image from Audre Lorde, we cannot use the master’s tools (of violence) to dismantle the master’s house.

Since returning from Guatemala three years ago, political activism against US militarism has become an important part of my life and faith that keeps me connected to the values and experiences I gained as a YAV. As a second-year national YAV one of my housemates and I even traveled to Georgia for a protest against the School of the Americas and found it to be a spiritual experience that grounded us and energized us for our work in Nashville as well as strengthened our bond as YAVs.

I realize that not everyone and not every YAVA shares my views on peace and the US military, but I am sure that every YAVA has a story of at least one way that his or her life, awareness, or values have changed as a result of serving as a YAV. I give thanks today for the ways in which we have changed and for the changes that we seek to make in our world.

(Picture: Two of the 2009-2010 Nashville YAVs at the School of the Americas Demonstration. We met up with members of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and marched with them in the procession at the Gates of Ft. Benning).

at home. Stuck in neutral with no clear idea of how to move forward or even what that forward would look like. Stuck with no money, no fulfillment and no satisfaction. I made a life change. I took a crazy leap of faith that something major needed to happen and that the YAV program would lead me toward something new and get me out of stuck.

Needless to say, it did. I lived with other people my own age and for the first time ever, actually liked the experience. I discovered that I actually can cook and bake and found that I rather enjoyed the experience. I found that moving away from everyone I’d ever known and everything I’d ever been a part of was the best thing for me.  More than anything, though, I have to say I actually found myself. I know that might sound like a huge cliche but it’s really the truth. Before, I had no idea what I was going to do with my life: law school? acting? politics? social work? Turns out, none of those were quite the right fit. I had some time to spend with God and discovered that seminary was really where my heart was calling me to be. I think I always knew that but I needed some pushing to help confirm it. My YAV year gave me that push and for that, I will remain forever grateful.

I honestly don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been for YAV. I’m now in seminary in California and I’m pretty much the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life. I can’t even begin to say how grateful I am for what the YAV program did for me.

Yes, it was rough. They always are. I served in Chicago in what was a rough neighborhood. I got mugged twice. I dealt with several deaths of people back home that I cared deeply about. I even had to deal with a blizzard! There were days I hated it. There were days when I seriously thought that I had completely failed at being a YAV and was all set to pack it up and go home and just be known as the loser who couldn’t even win at YAV. Yet, it was in those hard times when I most felt comforted and loved, by my housemates; by my site coordinator; by my fellow YAVs both domestic and international; by the YAV office and by my friends and family back home. Those hard times helped give me the confidence to move forward and persevere. They gave me the confidence to move away from Chicago after my time was up for another new beginning. It’s cliche to say this but my YAV year literally did save my life. Actually, I’m not sure that what I had before could really be defined as a life. It was more like I was just existing, not living. So, let’s put it a different way. My YAV year gave me life. More specifically, it gave my life meaning and purpose and a sense of direction: all things that had been lacking up until then.

It’s so hard to believe that its been almost two years now since my year ended. It still seems like just yesterday that I was watching Buffy reruns with my housemates or traveling to Springfield to lobby against the death penalty or exploring downtown Chicago or any of the various other things I did over the course of that year. I think in the end, I just want to say that I’m very thankful for all that YAV gave me. Life, hope, a sense of purpose. What more could I have asked for? I am who I am today because of YAV. There’s no doubt that it remains the single best thing I ever did!

Coming out of my YAV experience, I was very mindful of the gift such intentional community meant, and had hoped (with some naivete) that it would naturally continue to occur as a Christian, and as someone going into the clergy.  Fast-forward a few years, and I recognize that a blessing such as community does not naturally occur, but needs to be created.

And, for all of us who wish to take the aspect of intentional community into the world, look into this: A webinar to help prepare individuals create hospitality houses (Click here). Sign up now – space is limited!

As we approach a time of giving thanks, we also approach a time of remembering prophetic promises, and we begin to dream of what might come next to/for this world of ours and all her hurts.  And as such, this brings us to our seventh and final theme of this social media blitz: What are your hopes for the YAV program?  To start the conversation, members of the YAV Alumni Leadership Council once again weigh in…

Monisha Smith (co-vice-moderator and Associate-Elect for Recruitment): “For it to grow. For more people to become aware of this AMAZING opportunity, that truly is life changing. You can never have enough YAVs in this world. “

Maggie Leonard (moderator): “I hope—for young folks, not the program—that more young folks will be open to the possibility of being changed by an amazing and sometimes uncomfortable experience.  I think this is wonderfully supported by the YAV program.”

Jason Cashing (social media): “I hope that the YAV program will continue to provide a catalyst for more and more individuals to both encounter God in new and exciting ways, and that it will continue to enable and encourage leaders for a church who needs their energy and passion to see Christ served in new and authentic ways.”

So what are your hopes for the YAV program, moving forward? I know there have been half-serious discussions about finding an island to claim in the name of YAV Alumni and create a just and peaceful community, but what else would you like to see realized?

Remember: Share your thoughts here in the comments of the the blog, via Twitter (#YAVrocks), and/or on our FaceBook page. But most of all, share your thoughts, experiences, memories and the invitation with people in your churches and communities! Trust me, you’ll be better off for it.  Thank you for joining our little blitz this past week, and stay tuned in the future!

Monisha Smith (co-vice-moderator & Associate-Elect for Recruitment): “I discovered the YAV program while at Montreat, I was a member of PSST (Presbyterian Student Strategy Team). PSST sent me to a conference at Montreat and I was introduced to the YAV program.”

Maggie Leonard (moderator): “I found out about the YAV program through the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at UNC Chapel Hill.”

Sarah Leer (event planning/reunion): “I worked at the National Offices of the PCUSA in Higher Education ministries right after graduating from Wake Forest. I worked with people in the YAV office and I was excited about the energy and passion of the YAVs in the program and those in same was true of the people who worked with YAVs. After attending Columbia Seminary, I met many YAVAs and felt called to the program.”

Blair Buckley (advocacy): “I found the YAV program through College Conference at Montreat.”

Jason Cashing (social media): “I found the YAV program through the word of mouth, example, and encouragement of a friend at church who went through it first.  Through him, four others of us in our church became YAVs.”

So, there you have it! Most of us came to the YAV program through different ways, but there is something of a common theme: Word of Mouth from those who have previously been volunteers.  Which proves again that we are each the best recruiters for the program in our communities and areas.  Who are you being led to reach out to and invite into a year of service for a lifetime of change?

Feel free to let us know how you found the YAV program, how it found you, or what ideas you might have for better recruiting (Monisha, I know, is open to ideas & insights!).  Leave a comment here on the blog, via Twitter (#YAVrocks), or on FaceBook.  And if you need some encouragement (or something else to read on this Friday morning) check out this post from last month.

Marco…

Yesterday, we asked members of the YAV Alumni Leadership Council to talk about the best skills/lessons they learned during their time of service. Today’s theme for our social media blitz is similar: How are you a better leader now because of the YAV program? Here’s what they had to say…

Monisha Smith (co-vice-moderator): I learned how to follow, to listen, and to wait (some even call that patience).

Maggie Leonard (moderator): I learned about the importance of ministering/teaching in partnership, where the voices of those “being ministered to” are heard, valued, and responded to.

Emily Miller (recruitment): I am a better leader because of my Young Adult Volunteer experience in many ways, but mostly because I learned how to be in conversation and community with people even in the midst of disagreements. Not everyone who becomes a YAV is seeking to be a ministry professional, but that happens to be what I have done. Two years into my ordination I have sat in group meetings where people argue first, dialogue second (if ever). As a Young Adult Volunteer I was encouraged to have conversations with people who were not like me, who thought differently about faith and politics, who came from different backgrounds and cultures. The part that has transitioned into being a better leader is learning to first see the human experience behind each person, to ask them to tell me their story because their story will somehow intertwine with mine, even if only because we both have a story that needs to be told.

Sarah Leer (event planning/reunion): I find that I am a more calm leader because of the experience I gained with the YAV program. I am a much better at communication and conflict resolution because of my year of service.

Jason Cashing (social media): I learned the ministry of presence over programming. Programs are flashy and attractive, but ministry – regardless of how it is lived out – is about building relationships to promote the good news.

So there you have it – these are some of the skills from our times of service that we bring to the YAV program and YAV Alum as we seek to promote the program, our community, and the church at large. How has the YAV program made you a better leader, wherever you are now? Who in your churches or communities might be interested to know that such gifts are out there and available as they seek to live into the leaders God is calling them to be? We always love to know, so feel free to leave a comment here on the blog, on Twitter (#YAVrocks), and/or on FaceBook – and be sure to share your stories with those who are immediately around you in your communities!

What are you waiting for? Go out and tell them!

The past few days, as we moved through the themes of our week of social media blitz, you’ve largely heard from me. Now, I’m excited to bring you the reflections of others on the YAV Alumni Leadership Council! Today’s theme: What’s the best skill you learned as a YAV that you still use today?

Monisha Smith (co-vice-moderator): “While living in West Bromwich, England, the number one thing I learned was ‘It’s not wrong; it’s just different.’ “

Maggie Leonard (moderator): “As a YAV, I experienced unconditional love and grace through my host family – a family that had no reason to extend such patience to me other than being sisters and brothers in Christ.”

Emily Miller (recruitment): “I have learned to challenge where my assumptions about life have come from. I’ve learned to take a critical look at why I think the way I do or what my privileges are, and how am I leading with them instead of with the love of God. I’ve learned that I cannot be a leader in the church (ordained or not) without first being a follower of Jesus, who taught and is teaching us to live intentionally in community each and every day.”

Sarah Leer (event planning/reunion): “My YAV project was unique – I led and produced a traveling theatre production which shared storm stories from people affected by Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area. I learned so much from that project: how to communicate more effectively, how to frame an advocacy issue, how to handle conflict more effectively, but most importantly, I learned what it meant to be present in people in crisis and to share one’s story. Each member of the team each had their own storm stories and had their own experiences to process. I learned that as a YAV, I was an outsider, invited in to be a part of the healing process, two years after the hurricanes swept the Gulf Coast…It was a gift to be part of that project and I was honored to  share powerful storm stories throughout the country.”

Blair Buckley (advocacy): “During my YAV year, I first learned the tools of active listening. It is very much a lesson I use in my work as a chaplain now.”

Andrew Barron (fundraising): “I’m reminded of my year as a YAV every year around this time because it is time for parent-teacher conferences. Parents of my students, who are mostly Latino, come and want to hear how their daughters and sons are doing in 10th grade English. The most obvious skill I use at these conferences is speaking Spanish. As a YAV in Argentina, I had an entire year of practicing the language that many of my students still speak in their homes. The more important skill, however, is empathy. I know what it is like to be a stranger in a foreign land, unfamiliar with the dominant language, and alien to a culture. I was only away from home for a year, and I left home by choice. When I sit across from the families of my students during conferences, I try and remember what it was like for me when I was a stranger.”

So there you have it: A bunch of lessons learned during a year of intentional Christian mission service & living. Do any of them sound familiar?  What was the best lesson you learned?

Remember to share them with us here in the comments, via Twitter (#YAVrocks), or FaceBook. Hope you’ve enjoyed hearing some of these stories, and that you continue to tell yours to others in your communities, churches, and presbyteries, maybe even people who don’t yet realize that they very much want to hear them!

For me, I would have to say that the most influential person from my time in Alaska was a young boy named Miguel (name changed for this post). I only knew him for about 4 days, while I was a counselor at Rainbow Glacier Camp in Haines, but he had a profound impact on me. He was a special needs individual, and the only one at camp that summer.  In between the hours of needing two counselors to keep an eye on him and keep him out of trouble (tossing the songbook into the campfire comes to mind…), I was shown a powerful example of how much each and every person is a beloved child of God, regardless of how much they challenge me or strain my patience – a novel lesson for me at that age. His ability to find joy and amusement in everything, whether we wanted him to or not, has stuck with me. I will forever think and speak of Miguel with a smile, and often wonder where he is now.

So…who was the most influential person in your time of service? What lessons did he or she teach you? We want to know! Share with us here on the blog, on Twitter (#YAVrocks), or on FaceBook – but more importantly, share it with someone who may be considering a period of mission service, or a congregation/presbytery that wants to support mission!