This week, we sat down with one of our helpful volunteers all the way from Germany, Chiara Ege.

Where are you from?

I’m from Schiltach, Germany. It’s a small town of about 4,000 people in the black forest of Southern Germany.

How did you end up here?

I went to a conference in Germany looking for something to do after school for a year. There was the Marburger Mission and so I applied. I had to go to Marburg, Germany for an interview, and they made the connection here and told me I could come.

What do you do here?

In the beginning I was just working in the preschool, but then I began helping with housekeeping and the dining room. Right now I’m working with Clyde [Rengulbai] and the Sisters maintaining the guest houses, helping with the dishes and general cleaning.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

I’m really into the arts. I like singing, fashion, design, reading, and hanging out with my friends.

When did you begin speaking English?

They started teaching us English in the second grade in school, but we didn’t really talk too much. I first came to the United States two years ago and it forced me to talk a little bit more in English, but since I’ve been here [at the Deaconry], I’ve gotten pretty good. I also sing and watch movies in English.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m going to apply for college to do something with art when I get home, but in the meantime I’m going to work. I still want to do mission trips and just travel a lot. I really want to see the world.

What places have you been to in the United States?

I’ve been to Arizona where we visited Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. I’ve also been to Las Vegas and San Diego. In Germany, I’ve always wanted to visit the United States. There’s so much to do in so many states, because in one state you have a desert and the next you have the ocean!

Any leaving thoughts?

I liked it here and I loved the people. I really learned a lot about myself, plus my English got pretty good! Overall, it was a nice experience and I would definitely do it again if I could.