Whatever Happens, Happens

"Whatever happens, happens," am I right? Sometimes that saying carries a bit of a negative connotation, but I promise I'm saying it with a smile. 😄

I've been looking forward to this internship since the day I applied, running through emotions that were all over the place. Nervousness, excitement, a little bit of fear, everything you might expect. But when I got here late Sunday night, my Uber cruising through an empty D.C. as the rain sprinkled down, I felt a sense of calmness that I've been longing for. Something saying to me that this is it, this is what I've been looking for. Not the great history and the city's intimidation, which were also on my mind, but more so what lies ahead, such as the chance to engage in community with my fellow interns (who I knew nothing about) and to grow in our faith as we work for justice in our respective fields of study. That sense of calmness let me know that whatever happens from this point forward, it will be good, and it will help me grow. It will be a necessary part of a plan that, though very likely not my own, has been set out for me.

I couldn't wait to get into the General Board of Church and Society, where I am lucky enough to be serving my internship, and work with Rev. Jeania Ree Moore, the Director of Human and Civil Rights. For those of you who are unacquainted with me, immigration and criminal justice reform are the two subjects that have piqued my interest, and I fully intend to center my future career around either one of those fields. The opportunity to study both of those issues in conjunction with my faith is why this internship is such a big opportunity for me.

Speaking of big opportunities... I'm not going to act like it's not ridiculously cool that we're living on Capitol Hill. How many people get to start their morning by walking out of their apartment building and catching the Supreme Court's good side? Or eat lunch in the Senate building because it's the closest restaurant? D.C. is full of awesome things to explore, and I'm going to use that to make my summer as fun and exciting as possible. No plans yet, but whatever happens, happens, right?

Roy Koech
EYA Intern, General Board of Church and Society