Service trips are different from the usual tourist attraction or vacation because they focus on the ministry of presence.
“Instead of doing and fixing, focus on being and be present to other humans who live in these countries,” said Maggie Morris Kibler, former director of Franciscan Center for Social Concern.
Kibler and Jeff Sved, current director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern, hosted an opportunity to learn about unique travel options offered to St. Bonaventure University students by the Franciscan Missionary Union.
Kibler said going on a post-graduation service trip was “one of the greatest experiences of my life.”
Throughout her talk, Kibler focused on the idea of mission and development by asking students about what mission means to them and asking about the service trips they attended.
“Missions and being a missionary can be a bit problematic, partly because of its problematic history,” Kibler said. “Coming from a place of privilege can be a problem when going to a place with less.”
She discussed how experiencing a country with a different background and recognizing the struggles within another culture is an important learning opportunity during a service trip.
“You want to leave these experiences with a deeper understanding of ourselves and others,” Kibler said.
By enjoying the company of other people, spending time with them and not coming there with answers, Kibler said you can learn more about these people than by trying to arrive to fix their problems.
“These trips are about hearing about their families, while also being with people during their suffering and struggling,” Kibler said.
Through these trips, students can be immersed in the peoples’ experiences of pain. Although it may be difficult to do anything to fix their situations and struggles, it is important to listen to those who want to share their stories and be an understand audience.
“The most important and hardest thing is spending time with them, laughing with them and possibly even crying with them,” Kibler said. “The presence is important and that’s what these trips offer.”
For the Morocco trip, the itinerary includes morning and evening prayer, preparation for daily activities, some meals at local restaurants and peoples’ homes; all topped off with a daily reflection.
The trip is meant to broaden your mind with cultural activities. This is achieved by practice in the ministry of presence and through engaging with people of faith. In addition to that, you can learn the basics of the Muslim faith, including prayer, rituals and understanding the rights and roles of women.
Students also have the opportunity to learn the elements of interreligious dialogue, visit refugee centers where friars and sisters minister to migrants from other parts of Africa and enjoy the hospitality, rich food and culture of Morocco.
From attending the Cuba trip, students can confront realities of life through interacting with local people. They also learn how rural life differs from life in the city, Santeria and slavery.
The Cuba service trip will take place May 19 to 26 and cost $2,300 to attend, while the Morocco service trip will take place June 16 to 24, costing $3,000.
The Morocco trip is originally offered right when students get out of school; however, it conflicted with the Holy Month of Ramadan because many things in the area get shut down, so the Franciscan Missionary Union wanted to push it back.
Partial and full scholarship opportunities are offered through the Franciscan Missionary Union for students by writing an essay. Applicants can go through Sved or Kibler for an application. St. Bonaventure students in the past have been awarded these scholarships and all students who have gone on these trips appreciated the experience, Kibler said.
The first payment for the trip begins in December and students can apply to go at that time as well. Kibler said they are flexible when working with students who want to attend and try their best to make it happen.
The application is available online at http://www.fmunion.org/what-we-do/mission-trips/.
habersk15@bonaventure.edu
