Nestled in the corn fields and rolling hills of Pennsylvania, Akron is the not the place I expected to find such a stimulating, inspiring and totally amazing group of people heading out to all corners of the globe with a vision of improving the lives of their global brothers and sisters, while in turn being enriched by them. I forget sometimes that I am still in North America, as the architecture and decor of the MCC headquarters is exquisitely inspired by many visits to distant lands.

I am here in Akron to attend orientation designed by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to prepare workers who are leaving for assignments within the year. At the end of the week I will be heading to Haiti for three months to help MCC improve accounting procedures needed to address the generous monetary response to Haiti's devastating earthquake. There is so much material to read, people to talk to, thoughts and emotions to process!