| March 13, 2014 |
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CONTENTS
Learning
Plant generously
Worship is... |
Chris and Jenna Horgan,
Brethren Volunteer Service
workers in El Salvador.
 Photos courtesy of Chris and Jenna Horgan | Learningby Jenna Horgan
When I walk out of the school on Friday I feel a little bit like a rock star. Kids come running to say goodbye. “Jenna! Adios! See you Monday for music class!” I can’t leave without a giant hug from every child, and groups of first and second graders watch me walk down the street until I’m out of sight.
My husband Chris and I teach music education to over 300 children at our Brethren Volunteer Serviceplacement in Suchitoto, El Salvador. Kids here don’t know many songs (singing is more for churches than children), so we give them the opportunity to sing, play instruments, and learn about music from different cultures.
I also regularly visit La Mora, a rural community where I teach music to another group of 75 school age children.
When I first started working in La Mora, I was uneasy about what I should do during the students’ 45-minute recess. I felt that I should work, or prepare for class—the American way. But then came little Michelle, with her pigtails and her big brown eyes. Every time I came to La Mora, she would bound into my classroom and say, “Let’s play!” I’d tell her I was working but she wouldn’t have it. “No, let’s play!”
I have never felt so loved and appreciated. The children here are so fascinated by me; they want to sit by me (all of them) and stare and ask what my favorite color is….
But sometimes I feel guilty. Receiving so much love and attention can be uncomfortable and overwhelming. Why me? Why am I so special? I don’t deserve their love.
Fortunately, these little ones are patient with me as I learn. I’m not there yet, but I have made progress. Now, when Michelle invites me to join her at recess, I accept. I talk with her and the other kids and their teachers, and though my Spanish is still not perfect, it is good to be with them. They are teaching me to not take myself so seriously. They are teaching me to rest. They are teaching me to play. They are teaching me to accept the love that I receive, and to give it back with all my heart.
Jenna Horgan is a Brethren Volunteer Service worker in El Salvador. Visit www.brethren.org/bvs to learn more and support this important core ministry of the Church of the Brethren.
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 Click here to see a video from the 2012 Church Planting Conference.
"I (Paul) planted,
Apollos watered,
but God gave the growth."
1 Corinthians 3:6
www.brethren.org/churchplanting
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Plant generously
God is doing a new thing through the
Church of the Brethren. A movement of
emerging mission points and
church planting is gaining momentum.
Join us to learn how.
May 15-17
Richmond, Ind.
New Church Development Conference
Attend a variety of workshops and hear teaching
from Efrem Smith, Alejandro Mandes,
and Annual Conference moderator,
Nancy Sollenberger Heishman.
www.brethren.org/churchplanting
Early registration discounts end March 17!
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“Worship is about celebrating our life together in Christ and offering our gifts to God. Involving the congregation in the planning and celebrating of worship makes worship a living reality that uses our gifts and nurtures our life in community.”
—Jeanne Davies in "Celebrating Worship in Community," published in the most recent issue of Basin and Towel. |
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