Stuff and Happenings

Wow, it's the end of March. It's snowing everyday, and the wind just gets stronger and stronger. Not to mention it's still about 20 degrees in the day and 0 degrees at night (F). But enough of a weather update.

Work at school is going. We are in the middle of a 2 week break. That means, just one more quarter to go . But I'm still going to work everyday because I have a student and a teacher going to the English Olympics competition, and I care a lot that he does well. At night, I'm writing emails, filling out applications, researching things, and basically getting ready to dive back into it in America. I've got some amazing leads, back to that in a minute. Anyway. I'm so tired lately cause I've been email corresponding with america at night and teaching in the day. So, I don't have time to sleep. Ug. I've even been passing out randomly while at home.

BTW I'm borrowing a keyboard from the computer lab at my school during this break. That's how I'm able to write this blog here.

So....I've decided I'm going to try to join a Christian monastic society when I get home. I'm in the application process now. What that means is, I'd live in a common home with other Christians, we'd all have part time jobs (or not depending on the orders) and pool all of our money together, spend everyday in contemplative prayer, and use the rest of our time on community projects. The one I really want to get in with is called The Simple Way in Philladelpha. Those people are known for all sorts of antics, including getting arrested on occasion while protesting unjust laws that marginalize the poor (no sleeping in public, no begging, no peeing in public, etc.) I'm really excited about this next chapter. The other monastic society I'm applying to is called Mission Year, they are in 8 cities in the States. I have a good feeling about that one. I've applied, had references sent, traded emails, and I've even hand written a letter to Shane Claiborne, telling him about my intentinos of applying for his apprenticeship. I feel the same way about this stuff as I did when I applied for Peace Corps. As soon as I got on the right track, the rest has just followed and keeping on it has not been difficult. I hope one day to maybe even start a monastic society in Atlanta or even maybe just help people who are looking to shed the single-home family and take on a multiple-family home setting, give counciling to some of the issues involved, etc. This time, this next year, I hope will be the time I can learn and grow in that area.

Intereting note, the book I read that eventually led me to join Peace Corps was called "The Only Road North" a gift from a very amazing friend, I'm talking about Melanie here. Anyway, the book I read that got me started on this path was "Jesus for President" and from there "The Irresistible Revolution", both by Shane Claiborne, but this too was a suggestion from a friend, Tysen. They were both of the "Brandon, you need to read this book" variety. God bless pushy friends.

I've been very isolated lately. It might just be the time of year, but I haven't been out of town in a while. And I haven't been back to my resupply site in well over a month. It;s pretty difficult, but as the weather slowly gets better (despite the flippin' snow and wind), I feel like I can take on anything.

I know that I've grown so much. At the beginning of this second school year, I said that I didn't think I had a lot more personal growth to go through. That was so wrong. I've changed how I feel about food and nutrition, theology, pacifism, my reputation, and so much more. And I know I have this time to thank for a lot of the strides I've made.

I'm always happy to hear from you guys in the states. Please, send an email this month if you've got the time, or give me a call if you can afford it. If you don't know, my email is luc_duchien@yahoo.com . That's the one I still use for friendly correspondance.

Love ya'll
Brandon