So.. about updating on Mondays.. yeah, that's my goal for next week *wink*
Last week (actually only 4 days - Wednesday thru Saturday) was oh-so-busy, but thankfully the "orientation" part for the students is now over. I am interested to see how we settle into our weekly schedule - as I am still somewhat nervous about my scheduling abilities. It seems like a no-brainer - right?
2 interpreters,
2 Deaf individuals..
just line'em up - right?
but for some reason, I keep feeling as tho I am either forgetting a meeting, or will just "space" one day - not schedule myself or the other interpreter, and the Deaf student will show up to an event, and not be able to participate.. Yeah - I realize it's like an "interpreter nerd" version of one of those "nightmare dreams" when you wake up at school with no clothes on - but still..
During that first week tho, we (Auzy, Colin - another Student-Staff'er from last summer, and I) took Auzy's team (that he is co-leading with Colin) and Kinna's team (that she is a participant of, since she's a student) to an event in a neighboring town called ASL Idol. There is an ASL component in the foreign language program at one of the high schools, and they put on a "sign language show/dance/interpreting of songs" thing annually for the community. It is great exposure for those hearing students who are in Auzy and Kinna's teams that have not ever been around signing or the Deaf community. After the "ASL Idol" show was over, we went to Applebee's as a group. Mainly to chat with some of the students who had been in the show, and to invite them to hang out with us, but God seemed to have other plans - and that was to bond our groups through laughter and language. I can not tell you how blessed I felt to see community developing just 4 days into project, that (in comparison) I felt took much longer last year. As I think back over that night, all I can do is say "Praise Adoni".. I was awestruck by His "Heaven meets Earth like an unforeseen kiss, and my heart turns violently inside of my chest" way of answering my request for "inclusion of the Deaf students, and comfortableness of the Hearing students". I know God loves to answer our petitions with things that exceed our expectations - but I can often be accused of not fully trusting He will answer my request.. It was a "sweet kiss from the Lord" as my friend Marta (use'ta be Fraser now) Green would always say :)
Sans this past week of the roller coaster whirlwind of "orientation activities", Monday started our "normal weekly schedule". So our first weekly meeting was Monday. This meeting is comparable to the a weekly meeting that the students who are involved with CRU would have back on their campus. The meeting is open to the community, includes normally some kind of icebreaker/game, Praise and Worship time, a message from a leader, and fellowship time afterwards. Auzy shared part of his testimony as well. It is so fun to be a part of what God is doing in other people's lives, and see the growth that they experience. This year he (Auzy) even got to have a "male voice" interpret for him, as my dear friend Cory is here teaming with me this week!
(in the world of interpreting, often times there are more female interpreters than there are female Deaf clients, and far fewer male interpreters than there are male Deaf clients - hence, many Deaf guys end up having voices an octave or so higher than normal when they talk in front of audiences, give presentations, or even just when talking to their doctors.. It is definitely a perk to have a "male voice" when addressing a large group)
I will say, it has been FANtabUlous to have Cory here this past 10 days. He came out last year for a week during July - was the only interpreter that came for more than 2 days - and was such a "breath of fresh air" to me, after interpreting on my own most of last year. This year, coming out during the first week of project has been a little more busy for him.. (*he laughs*) -ok, I've already mentioned how crazy it's been - I think we interpreted upwards of 7 hours each day last week, some of those days, interpreting at least 2 hours solo (as the students broke up into their teams).. a normal interpreting day may be that long, but is rarely consecutive hours. Back at home, I may interpret an hour, then have an hour break, then interpret an hour and a half, then have a 2 hour break.. Here it's more like 4 consecutive hours, with a 20 min break, then another 2 hours solo.. followed by an hour break, then another 2 hours of interpreting.. Which I will be the first to say is not ideal.. but, is tolerable at some level, and since finding interpreters available is scarce - I have been super grateful that Cory's been here, and able to team with me for these l-o-n-g hours! :) Cory is a fellow linguist, and it's been great to also discuss the "craft" of interpreting with him and to receive feedback from each other about improving our interpreting skillz :) I am very thankful for this treasured friend, and his willingness to come "kick off" the craziness of Project with me! :)
So, what else should be in this update.. OH - the reason for the title! :)
On Sunday, June 5th, some of the students decided they wanted to have a sunrise service on the beach.. sounds like a fun idea - right *wink*
well - here on the coast, the sun rises at 5:30.. so if you want to actually see the whole thing, you need to be out on the beach around 5.. AM.. :) Which - also - isn't horrible, unless you went to bed only a mere 4 hours before (because you were chatting with alllll your new friends at the Project house until midnight.. or a little later.. the night before.. )
so - yup.. you guessed it - both Kinna and Auzy wanted to partake in the Sunrise service.. AND both Kinna and Auzy were hanging out talking with new friends at the Project house the night before.. So on about 4 hours of sleep, I got to interpret a very early (abet peaceful and beautiful) sunrise "service" on the beach Sunday morning. The "funny weird" thing about the day tho, was that I also was privileged to see the sun set on Sunday evening - since our activity that night was to go to a place called "Sunset Beach" for dinner, a time to hang out, and then close out that time with a personal quite time with the Lord. *whew* it was a looong day, but it was also a physical reminder of relying on the Lord's strength thru me to accomplish what needed to be done for His good purpose. (I did take a 3 hour nap after I finished the sunrise service at 7AM - so I wasn't totally exhausted 4 + 3 = 7 hrs a'sleep total, right?) *grin*
Oh.. I also wanted to introduce everyone to Cory (as I'm hoping to take some time to introduce all the interpreters who come out and spend a week with me, so you are able to know whom you are supporting) however, I loaned my flip camera to a fellow staff member for some project needs, and have yet to get it back.. soon as I get that camera back, I'll try to get an "intro" video up of him stat! :)
Thank you so much for hanging with me, I am very blessed to have you on board - supporting me. This past 10 days has been a treat having Cory here with me (since he had an idea of what project is like from his experience last year.) I would ask for you to be praying about the interpreter swap coming up tho - as all the rest of the interpreters coming in have not experienced a Summer Project before. It can be a bit overwhelming, so please pray for easy transitions - as it's our job as terps to make the communication as fluid and seamless as possible. Also, I am still waiting to see on my financial situation. I know I am roughly at 3,000 (from my calculations - which we know numbers and I aren't the best combination), but from the numbers I know, that is where I sit. I am waiting on my information to be downloaded from the Crusade donation website, and they are in the process of trying to re-enter me in the system, as I am currently not on the "automatic download" list.. somewhat frustrating - but also a good opportunity for me to practice patience - no? ha! Don't you love it when you ask God for patience, He - in his INFINITE wisdom - doesn't just pour out a "patient syrup" that infuses into my blood, but instead gives me an opportunity to practice patience.. so I'm waiting.. :)
all that to say, I'm still far below the 9,000 that I am shooting for in order to cover all the interpreting needs this summer. If you are reading this, and you would like to contribute towards that number that I am needing, please follow this link (and make an online donation) or e-mail me, and I can send you my address, so you can send a check made payable to Campus Crusade for Christ. I much appreciate you! :)
Soli Deo Gloria
:D
"From Sunset to Sunrise, help me keep My Eyes upon your Glory"
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