Reflections from a long internship: Four summers, one title, diverse experiences

Sheldon Good, Salford

Many of my college friends have worked their same respective summer jobs for years. Though I worked for the same company through four years of high school, I have considered my summer arrangements quite varied.

But I came to a striking realization this summer: I have been a Franconia Conference intern for four straight summers. Most interns serve somewhere, process their experience, and move on. For me, after four years, I’m still serving, processing, and only beginning to move on.

All I’ve done every summer since my first year at Goshen College is work as a Franconia Conference intern. I mean this in the best way possible. My work has varied, though my title as an intern has not. Some would say I’m an internship addict. Maybe I am. But through what other organization could I gain such diverse experience?

I road-tripped through numerous cities including Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Pittsburgh; New York City; Bethany, Ver.; New Haven, Conn.; Goshen, Ind.; Minneapolis; Des Moines, Iowa.

I sat at the desk of Peter Jennings and Charles Gibson (the closest I will likely get to my childhood dream of becoming a television news anchor).

I served meals and listened to stories from homeless persons in downtown Toronto

I sloshed through the rain with Anglican brothers and sisters in England, and spent more time getting to than being in Northern Ireland.

I heard prayers in Spanish and Arabic as I visited Ancient Andalusian mosques, synagogues, and cathedrals.

I sipped sugary mint tea with fellow interns along the southern coast of Spain and deserts of Morocco; and I sipped cafe con leche with a Bergey brother in Barcelona.

I commuted through traffic, toll booths, and potholes, from my house in Telford to ASSETS Montco in Norristown almost every day for eight weeks during summer 2008.

I worshipped with an emerging congregation of Indonesian immigrants at a house church in Western Pennsylvania

I revisited my roots with trips to the historic Germantown Mennonite Church; and the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, a place I had never been, even though I knowingly pass by it every Sunday on my way from Telford to Salford Mennonite Church.

I agonized through the pains of a sore back, wrists, and rear-end after countless hours in front of my computer at home and at the conference office in Souderton.

I spent more time in Philadelphia than along the Route 113 corridor.

I caught glimpses of God through these experiences (and many others which go unnamed), a testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit.

I have been part of four different groups of interns, but none as cosmopolitan as the summer 2009 crew. This summer, we spoke English, Spanish, Indonesian, and Burmese. We served from South Philly, up the Northeast Extension to the suburbs, and out Interstate 80 to Goshen and Denver. The females outnumbered the males for the first time in my interning career.

Some interns have completed one year of college, while others will soon hold graduate degrees. Some are considering what it means to be Mennonite, while others are considering how to explain what it means to be Mennonite. Our vocational aspirations vary as well, though we have all confirmed the possibility of ministry.

Though initial forecasts were down, Franconia Conference supported 18 young adult interns this summer, which matches the same record-setting number from summer 2008. We are the summer 2009 class of interns. We caught glimpses of God. At times, we wondered where God was. Hear our voices:

Jordan Delp…I was out for a walk and felt that I should walk up a street. I turned the corner, and saw what looked like a man sitting on a chair on his porch. I figured I would go talk to him. As I approached, it became clear that the person was a woman. She was on the phone. I walked past the house, crossed the street, and turned around. As I loitered, unsure of what to do, she finished her conversation and called out to me, beginning a very wisdom-filled conversation that was exactly what I needed. Two days later, I returned to this woman. The previous day, she had told me to soul-search and ask God for direction, because I told her that I was confused about important things (heaven, God’s will, integrity). I returned with a general idea, but sure it wasn’t what she was looking for. It didn’t matter, she was under the influence of something and had trouble stringing sentences together. As I left, I think she yelled to me that I’m a “lost soul.”

Bianca Prunes…I saw God in one child in the camp whose name is Lee. Lee consistently got into fights. At one point is was daily; he saw any chance to fight. Then one day, an argument broke out, and Lee just turned away and said, “I dont want to fight you. Fighting is stupid.” Lee walked away from the fight. It was amazing. After that, Lee was the first to break up fights and inform counselors if one was starting. Total transformation. However, I didn’t see God when a young man in the neighborhood was shot and killed in a drive-by.

Yonathan Setiewan…While at PPC, God gave me the chance to help others and share my belief in Christ. I worked as a translator, in the church office, with the ESL ministry, and with immigration. I know I am following God. The love of God and a way to minister through it all, God fills me so full every time I serve people and the Lord. Living in a big city like Philadelphia felt so crowded to me. I cannot think and live in a big city. In Indonesia I grew up in a suburb. And now I go to a small college. I feel more comfortable and see God in the small town rather than in the big city.

Danilo Sanchez…I was asked to help with the Community Outreach program on Thursday nights. I soon learned that not many kids are interested in coming during the summer. One night I was surprised to have about eight or ten kids. Things quickly got out of hand. They rode their bikes in the gym, went into the kitchen, and beat up on each other. They didn’t feel like listening to me and thought they could take over the place. It was a challenge for me to establish authority and control. I felt abandoned being the only one there, but I did my best to remain calm. I was glad to have help come later but left that night wondering if I was really cut out for youth ministry. It had been a long week, and I felt very overwhelmed and helpless. Afterward, I went to the prayer room. I needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit again and find rest in God. It felt good to be wrapped in his arms and be reminded that I don’t have to rely on my own strength, but can accomplish all things by his power.

Crystal Zook…I saw God in the people of the church. In the little boy who would give me a thumbs up and say “chido” (cool) when I asked how he was doing. In my host family who let me share their house for two months. In the many conversations we had with the ladies of our English class. In the blending of languages and cultures in Philadelphia Praise Center. In all the members of the church who accepted me as part of the family, and graciously helped me when I forgot my Indonesian and Spanish. In all the smiling faces at church on Sunday morning and throughout the week, even though their lives are much harder than mine. In working with other interns and seeing how we changed over the summer as we got to know each other better. I saw God in each and every person I interacted with this summer.