A Look Back at Amate Orientation 2012

The following is a reflection written by Becky Sinclair, one of this year's North House Volunteers.

On the Friday before my first day of work, a friend who lives in Chicago and kind of understands what Amate House is all about sent me a simple text message. Are you oriented yet? Understanding that she was simply asking whether the activities classified as “Orientation” had finished, I said yes, and we moved on to discussing our plans for the weekend. But later on, I revisited the question, and realized that to be “orientated” to a life as an Amate Volunteer means so much more than simply introducing ourselves 500 times to the same 32 people and talking about who is going to clean the bathrooms each week.

Amate Orientation is two weeks filled with activities and discussion that is intended to orient us to the lifestyle which we have committed ourselves to live for the next year; a life filled with service, community, personal formation, and, of course, love in action. It is a most curious experience; we all move into our new houses where we will live with 11 total strangers (who, of course, have become our best friends three days later). We then embark on a series of talks, meetings, and activities designed to introduce us to the idea of simple living and intentional community, as well as our service sites, where we will walk with others through the joys and pain of life. And let us not forget about having fun – though I think the jury is still out on whether fitting 12 people into a 2ft x 6ft box at Irons Oaks was actually fun… It sure was a close bonding experience).

Not everyone understands what we really do here at Amate. And let’s be honest, I’m not entirely sure myself. But Orientation has been a time to truly immerse ourselves in the year to come, to let go of the fact that we are no longer college students, that we aren’t starting high paying jobs like the rest of our friends, that we have 11 roommates and not a lot of personal space. These past two weeks have been a blessing and a challenge. It feels like we have been here forever, and we have hardly even started work. But, it has made me immensely excited for the year ahead.

Over the course of Amate Orientation, I have had the chance to get to know 32 amazing individuals, 11 of whom I get to live with. We have already had some formative experiences together, because what brings people closer than carrying a 350 pound TV up a flight of stairs just to find out that it doesn’t actually work up there?

Even more than the joy that has been Orientation is the hope that it gives me for the year ahead. As I understand it, to be oriented as an Amate Volunteer means understanding that to love is to live. Loving not only those with whom we are working, but also those with whom we are living. Two weeks isn't enough time to really “get it,” but it’s definitely a start. And, I can’t wait to see where this year takes us.

Becky with her North House Community at Promontory Point