Jacob

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United States
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Travel information

I am currently

At home
Description

Religion, faith, history, beautiful nature, physical challenges, Anthropology, and cross-culture understanding and encounter.
Interests

Blogging

Photography

Art & design

Books

Writing

Self development

Politics / Social justice

Outdoor activities

Nature

Languages

Mountain

History

Hiking

Fitness

Farming

Events & social

Drawing & painting

Culture

Cooking & food

Charity work

Camping

Beach

Animals
Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I wish to grow in my French proficiency.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Animal Care

Charity Work

Art Projects

Teaching

Life at a Farmstay

Some knowledge of:

Light gardening

Eco Projects

Hospitality/Tourism

Helping around the house
More details about your skills

Leadership (including Youth Ministry), academic training (Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy, and French), leading outdoor expeditions and coordinating logistics, Christian theological proficiency, general athleticism, and a willingness to do grunt work.
Age

29
What else ...

I've visited Guatemala in 2021, 2022, and 2023 as part of an American church's missions trip in partnership with a local Guatemalan church. I plan on going again in 2024.

In January 2024, I visited Egypt, touring Cairo and then exploring the archeological sites from Luxor to Aswan by way of a Nile River Cruise.

I hope to visit France in May/June 2024 as both a spiritual, soul-searching journey and a language immersion experience. Along the way, I hope to forge new connections and a more internalized and abiding sense of rural French culture.

If possible, I would love to visit Lebanon in the Spring of 2025 and hike all or some of the Lebanese Mountain Trail as part of a natural and spiritual pilgrimage.

Farther down the line, I would like to explore more of the Mediterranean, including Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.

In general, I love history, the outdoors, culture, and the Christian faith.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

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14 Aug 2024

Left by host (Take part in the rhythm of ...) for Workawayer ()

Jacob a passé deux semaines en France, les deux à l'abbaye. Pour nous sa présence a été un cadeau très apprécié. Jacob ne s'est pas limité à faire les activité qui lui ont été proposé, mais il a pris part dans d'autres activités de la maison. Il est intéressé, curieux et ouvert à des nouvelles expériences. Nous esperons pouvoir l'accueillir un … read more

(Excellent )

2 Jul 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Take part in the rhythm of ...)

My heart was so full during my time at the abbey. Not only was this my first Workway experience, but it was also my first time visiting France or any European country — and I did so specifically to spend time at this abbey. I was not disappointed.

As to accommodations and work, the room they gave me was plenty spacious. The daily work routine … read more consisted of morning and afternoon work, however, it was not uncommon to have one of these work periods (or an entire day) off. As a relatively strong young man, I was often assigned manual labor (fun stuff like chopping wood, moving furniture, or digging trenches for drainage tubing) — I enjoy this type of work and they took note of my preferences. I also had the opportunity to do farm work with some of the animals, work in the fromagerie (learning how cheese is made and maintained), and work in the kitchen.

As to language and cultural exchange, the abbey is a surprisingly rich confluence of cultures. Between the community itself, the service civique students, and the Workaways, there were citizens from France, Hungary, Poland, Brazil, Latvia, Italy, Burundi, the United States, Australia, Chad, the Czech Republic, Madagascar, Austria, and the DRC. Obviously, the lingua franca among the community is French (though among the Workaways, it was often English). One of the goals of my visit was to practice my French as this was my first time in an actual francophone context. Overall, I would say this was accomplished and allowed me to hear how people actually speak rather than what is learned in a strictly classroom setting — and it is a delightful thing to feel as if you are truly learning and growing in your understanding.

As to religious life, Workaways are welcome to participate as little or as much as they like. As a Christian myself, I took the maximalist approach and truly loved attending midday Mass each day as well as Vespers and Adoration every evening. Noticing my interest, the community would even give me the opportunity to give the Vesper readings in English from the lectern followed by a community member reading the same passage in French. The Tuesday evening prayer and worship service reflected the community’s characteristically vibrant charismatic emphasis. Additionally, the beautiful Tibhirine Oratory with its lovely Byzantine Iconostasis instantly became my preferred place for private devotions.

As to sightseeing, the Abbey is deep in the French countryside with not much else around, nonetheless, this was not disappointing in the slightest as it presented its own sort of peaceful beauty. However, on days off I did make trips to le Plantay, Villars-les-Dombes, Parc des Oiseaux, and Bourg-en-Bresse (and a few days in Lyon at the start and end of my journey). I was even graciously given the opportunity to visit the relatively nearby and majestic Abbaye d’Hautecombe.

However, far and above, my favorite part of my stay here was the community and the friends I made. Whether it was my fellow Workaways, or service civique participants, or the person with whom I was working alongside on a given work shift, or the friendly and generous members of the community, each person had a role in making my time here a cherished memory. I was genuinely sad to say goodbye, but they made it clear that I was welcome to come back anytime. At my final whole-house meeting on the day of my departure, I prayed for the community and they, in turn, prayed for me. Lord willing, I’ll have the opportunity to visit again.

(Excellent )