Wednesday, October 1

how i was mentored

How were you mentored?

I was mentored by a guy who took me, once a month, on a trip with him. He exposed me 24/7 to the real. He wasn't the greatest one-on-one mentor. I mean, I don't recall sitting down with him and systematically going through anything. Usually I (a) extracted information from him by asking questions, or (b) he was mad / excited / frustrated / wanted something done, then he'd fill me in.

It was actually a great way to get mentored. You can read X number of books if you want clean and neat transfer of data. I wanted to know how one truly lived out Christian faith in my context, which was hardcore inner city America.

I remember my first year after Stanford, traveling the country with John Perkins. I carried his book bag (we sold books at every speaking engagement). I don't think I was very useful. But I remember those trips, and I even long to travel with him again. Here's an article I wrote about life alongside Perkins.

Starting Saturday night I'm going to turn around and do likewise. There is a young guy at Harambee, Ventura, who is a college freshman. I've known him since he was 5. Since 1990 he has participated in Harambee's programs. I'm on this East Coast trip next week (stops include Gordon College, the National Leadership Forum, and a big Hispanic Scholarship Fund dinner) and I wanted someone to travel with me. He is available. A friend is covering his airfare, and I've got him covered on the ground (cheese and ketchup sandwiches, anyone?)

I'm hoping some of the Christian transformation that blessed me while I followed Perkins around will happen in Ventura's life, too.

Bonus: Our final stop on this four day trip is to hear John Perkins speak on Wed. Oct. 8 at the National Leadership Forum. Besides Ventura, I'm going to pull Karriem Amos from Philadelphia and Jamaal Johnson from Nyack College to attend that speech. Karriem and Jamaal are both Harambee lifers gaining valuable skills on the East Coast. It will be great to be together again.

posted by Rudy | 5:45 AM | |