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The Adventurist Series: Rebecca Hunt Shares Ethiopia with America

Posted by: Autumn Carpenter    Tags:  adoption, adventurist, Americorps, Rebecca Hunt, The Adventurist Series    Posted date:  November 11, 2010  |  Comment



Brad, Abebe and Rebecca posing in front of a crater lake outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

This is the first profile in a new series we’re launching called The Adventurist Series. Come back every Friday to learn about different people’s definition of adventure, and how they manage to incorporate it into their daily lives.

Tell us about a recent experience that qualifies as an adventure. Would you be willing to talk briefly about your family’s adoption experience? When I first read this question I thought I was unqualified to answer it. I did a quick mental glimpse of my life and thought I was far from having done anything remotely adventurous; at least anything recently. I realized my life/our lives have been very focused on raising a family. But what could be more of an adventure than thinking, trusting, hoping you can raise, nurture and guide a child – let alone three. I realize that people are vey curious about our family and about adoption. They are even more curious when they realize we travelled halfway across the world and adopted our oldest child when he was 13 years old. I guess not many people have ever considered adopting a teenager – because they are teenagers. And as right as it is for us, when I think about the scenario it does seem a bit adventurous.

How do adventurous experiences affect your perspective on everyday life? The sense of a thrill is what drives an adventure. But when I think about adventurous experiences I realize how closely I have them connected to a sense of faith. And by faith I mean a sense or knowledge of self, a sense or knowledge of community, a sense or knowledge of a greater power. Faith in my self to know what I am capable of doing, taking on, wrestling with. Faith in my “support group” of husband, family, friends (Brad and I certainly could not have raised our family and adopted three children if we did not have complete trust in each other, in our marriage and in our partnership). Faith in a greater power trusting and knowing that there are many things beyond my control and that it is okay – I will never be alone no matter what I may face. Perhaps that is the adventure – trusting in those faiths, being reminded just how far they can carry you, what they can see you through.

Name one way that people can make their normal lives more interesting? Challenge yourself every day to do something new and learn something new. It could be something that would only take five minutes of your day. There is no greater thrill for me than completing a challenge and having a new skill or knowledge.

Can you tell us about an adventure that sounded great on paper but somehow went wrong? The summer between my junior and senior years of college I worked as a counselor for three weeks. I had 8th and 9th graders in my group and our program was to prepare them to be counselors when they were in high school. Part of the program was that we would take them out on an overnight campout. The first two weeks of campouts close to the camp were successful. The third week our campout took us quite a bit away from the camp. The other two counselors and I along with 10 campers were dropped off with supplies and food, which included lots of hamburger meat.

Dinner was cooked. Bear bags were made and tied. Bear bags were ripped apart by a mother bear and her two cubs. One of the cubs discovered chocolate in one of the tents. Mother bear took a little nap against a tent with an anxious counselor on the other side. It was a very sleepless night.

When you’re 80 years old (or if you’re already there, add few years) what adventure memory will you tell repeatedly? After I graduated from college I joined AmeriCorps and lived in Florida for a year working with Literacy Volunteers of America. My supervisors and I conducted a training at a nearby women’s medium security prison where we trained inmates to be LVA volunteers to work with other inmates. That training led to me volunteering one night a week in the prison’s library so the inmates that were on the road and construction crew could have an opportunity to visit the library. I supervised about 20 inmates that worked in the library and the adjoining legal aid services. I knew at the time that it was an adventurous thing to do – not every one can say they have worked in a prison. Plus, it was rather humbling reading and signing the Florida Department of Corrections’ hostage policy know that my life was the third priority. I was shocked when I realized that I had prejudices. It was hard to keep them hidden among some very street-smart women. Thankfully they called me on it. They were very kind and gracious to me, and even came to my aid a time or two.They helped me learn a lot about myself. I still remember their names. I am thankful for them. I am thankful for that adventurous volunteering opportunity.


**Full disclosure: I’ve known Rebecca since the 2nd grade and we recently reconnected via the magical Internet. I look forward to the day when we get to see each other again in person.**
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About the author
Autumn Carpenter
While navigating the carpool lane and translating toddler conversations might not rank high on some adventure life lists, I happily include those accomplishments alongside skydiving, dodging Pamplonian bulls and surviving three-hour Vinyasa yoga classes. I look for the story in everyday situations, and convey them easily in both print and online mediums. I’m also SEO-friendly ghostblogger, web content writer and copywriter. Let’s collaborate on a project today!




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Tweets that mention The Adventurist Series: Rebecca Hunt Shares Ethiopia with America « The Adventure Experiment -- Topsy.com

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Autumn R. Carpenter, Autumn R. Carpenter. Autumn R. Carpenter said: Rebecca Hunt Shares Ethiopia with America. http://ow.ly/38tVw #adventure [...]

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