2008 Woodie Awards
Three SBU students spend fall semester in a foreign country
Charlotte Holman
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: In the Spotlight
- Page 1 of 1
Southwest Baptist University graduate student Jason and seniors Joel and Andy returned to the United States in December after spending six months hanging out in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
Jason graduated in December with a degree in Intercultural Studies and a concentration in Sociology. Joel is majoring in Intercultural Studies and music and Andy is double majoring in Intercultural Studies and Sociology.
The three lived in a rural farming community with a native family. Joel, Jason and Andy shared a small room in the family's mud house. They used an outhouse for showering and using the bathroom. Boredom soon became a big struggle for all three.
"We read a lot, and I became a much more contemplative person," said Jason.
They also found some relief from the monotony by hiking in the mountains, hanging out with the people and even watching satellite television.
Their main focus in Morocco was building relationships with the native people through what the local missionaries called hanging out ministry. While this mission seems easy, it was difficult for Jason, Andy and Joel because of the language barrier.
"Because it was difficult, I often wanted to escape," said Andy. "This happened in a couple of ways: retreating to memories of good times past or wishing and desiring for some new exciting event, usually an upcoming trip or change of routine."
"It was hard to be with the people when you couldn't talk to them," said Jason. "Learning the language was really frustrating."
After realizing that God's love for these people surpassed these frustrations, the guys began to see the people through God's eyes and build strong relationships with some of the men their age.
"I still e-mail some of the guys in their native language," said Jason.
Joel, Jason and Andy also had to deal with cultural differences such as the lack of personal space. The family they lived with had two boys, ages nine and six. They constantly invaded Joel, Jason and Andy's room wanting to know what they were doing. They also had to eat everything with their hands and drank hot mint tea about five times a day.
Coming back was not hard for Joel, Jason and Andy, except saying goodbye to their host family. After living in the mud house for so long, the family had become very attached to Jason, Joel and Andy. Some of the family members did not even say goodbye because it was too difficult for them.
After being in the remote mountains of Morocco for six months, Jason, Joel and Andy made a quick detour through Spain and Ireland before returning to the United States.
While Jason would not like to work in Morocco full time, he would like to return to visit. He is now working on a Master's certification in Education. Andy and Joel will graduate in May.
Editor's Note: Due to security risk, certain details must be left out of the article to protect the local missionaries and people involved.
Jason graduated in December with a degree in Intercultural Studies and a concentration in Sociology. Joel is majoring in Intercultural Studies and music and Andy is double majoring in Intercultural Studies and Sociology.
The three lived in a rural farming community with a native family. Joel, Jason and Andy shared a small room in the family's mud house. They used an outhouse for showering and using the bathroom. Boredom soon became a big struggle for all three.
"We read a lot, and I became a much more contemplative person," said Jason.
They also found some relief from the monotony by hiking in the mountains, hanging out with the people and even watching satellite television.
Their main focus in Morocco was building relationships with the native people through what the local missionaries called hanging out ministry. While this mission seems easy, it was difficult for Jason, Andy and Joel because of the language barrier.
"Because it was difficult, I often wanted to escape," said Andy. "This happened in a couple of ways: retreating to memories of good times past or wishing and desiring for some new exciting event, usually an upcoming trip or change of routine."
"It was hard to be with the people when you couldn't talk to them," said Jason. "Learning the language was really frustrating."
After realizing that God's love for these people surpassed these frustrations, the guys began to see the people through God's eyes and build strong relationships with some of the men their age.
"I still e-mail some of the guys in their native language," said Jason.
Joel, Jason and Andy also had to deal with cultural differences such as the lack of personal space. The family they lived with had two boys, ages nine and six. They constantly invaded Joel, Jason and Andy's room wanting to know what they were doing. They also had to eat everything with their hands and drank hot mint tea about five times a day.
Coming back was not hard for Joel, Jason and Andy, except saying goodbye to their host family. After living in the mud house for so long, the family had become very attached to Jason, Joel and Andy. Some of the family members did not even say goodbye because it was too difficult for them.
After being in the remote mountains of Morocco for six months, Jason, Joel and Andy made a quick detour through Spain and Ireland before returning to the United States.
While Jason would not like to work in Morocco full time, he would like to return to visit. He is now working on a Master's certification in Education. Andy and Joel will graduate in May.
Editor's Note: Due to security risk, certain details must be left out of the article to protect the local missionaries and people involved.
Be the first to comment on this story