Mid-Service Conference

 MSC (There are a LOT of acronyms in Peace Corps!), or Mid-Service Conference is a big milestone in Peace Corps Service.  It is one of the only times that all the volunteers in the same group get together in Addis Ababa.  I just spent a wonderful week in Addis, with G12, the group of volunteers who I came to Ethiopia with in January of 2015. 

Reunited with my wonderful friends, Jesse and Christine!!

We had the opportunity to share experiences from our last year in our villages, brainstorm solutions to challenges we have faced, and celebrate in our individual and group successes.

MSC involves a lot of reflection on the past year, and also looking ahead to the next year; a chance to recommit and have a fresh start.

A few thoughts from the week really stuck with me:

1.     To serve in Peace Corps is an honor and a privilege, and we can make it anything we want it to be.

a.     As I move into this second and final year of service I will take this with me and remember it as I strive to live in the moment (not focus all my energy on what will I do post-Peace Corps, or even what the next week will bring, but rather focus on what am I currently doing), take advantage of opportunities (partnerships with NGOs, invitations to birthdays or other events, going on home visits with the Health Extension Workers), and not let the small things bother me (children yelling “money, money” or “ferenji (foreigner)” at me, or people arriving two hours late for a meeting).  I am honored to be able to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia.

2.     Let go of what you thought it would be and let it become the experience you never thought it could be.

a.     I think this is a beautiful thought, because although I tried to come into Peace Corps with no expectations, I have formed some expectations over the past year because of things I have become accustomed to, and I will work to let go of those and instead allow this experience to unfold.  This will allow me to make the most of my experience here.

3.     The essence of service is the intangible moments that we cannot articulate.

a.     This is 100% correct; moments that have really been the essence of my service and will be with me for the rest of my life include those random invitations for a meal or coffee, or small acts of kindness such as a stranger helping me navigate a busy market to find what I need, or conversations about Ethiopian and American culture with my compound family in Mezezo, or practicing Ethiopian dance with a room full of 5-13 year olds at a birthday party.   It’s these moments that will always remain with me, and as I move into my second year of my Peace Corps Service I will strive to strengthen the relationships, connections and conversations that have much such a strong impact on me this past year.

And I want to say a huge thank you to all those who read my blog, send me letters and packages, and send me good thoughts and prayers.  Your support and encouragement has kept me going and I appreciate each of you; THANK YOU!!!

Cheers to year 2!

Cheers~!