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maria carlander

Utbytestidens betydelse -Joy berättar

Det här utbytet kopplar samman kyrkor från olika delar av världen, skriver Joy från Filippinerna. För henne betyder utbytet mycket inte bara på grund av relationen som stärks mellan hennes kyrka IFI och Svenska kyrkan, utan för att utbytestiden också handlar om personlig växt och förändring.  

I’m Joy from Philippines, 23 years old. I am a member of the Youth of the IFI. I am a nurse and had worked for a year already. Last year, Donna, a friend of mine who was part of the exchange program asked me to accompany her and the Swedish participants to go to the famous beach in my place. I found out about the exchange program and I asked how to apply because i was so eager to be part of it. And when they were accepting applicants for the program, our bishop informed me and so i applied. And luckily, i am choosen.

This program serves as a connection to the different churches worldwide. It builds the communication and friendship to all the churches involved and we serve as the mediums of the program. It really means a lot for me because this program not only aims to talk about the churches but to our personal developments. I am very happy because I am on my training now on being away from home and being independent. On my age, to be independent here is something very common that’s why I am really challenged. Meeting someone and experiencing something new is learned and through this, my personality is developed intellectually, psychologically, socially and spiritually.  Even if I miss home so much, I still get to convert the loneliness sometimes because i have my host families and supervisors and new friends around me.

I had very much time with the children on my first congregation. I was very happy to see the little children to be in the church and they participate in the choir. Even though sometimes they just play but i think at their early age they can see how the church is and what do people do in the church. There was also a children concert that we attended and there were lots of people who watched. there were days that the children go to the church to see the story of  Also with the Youth Group and other members of the church where I have been to ( Sta. Birgitta Kyrka, Vasterleds Forsamling, Stockholm).

The group was very eager to do anything for the Fasting Campaign. We had helped them in the furniture selling, fika ( some of the staff and youth baked and we collected money from it), household knocking/visiting, then we also went to the streets to ask from the people. The collected money is going to the Fasting Campaign. This means a lot for me because from the money collected, it will help a lot of people who doesnt have money to eat and even a house. And when you help these people, it’s very fulfilling and makes me very happy.

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