ARI needs and welcomes volunteers! You are invited to help change the world by being part of a community doing sustainable organic farming and leadership training. You can help in many ways such as in farming, cooking, administrative office work, the library, helping participants improve their English speaking skills, and possibly teaching. It will depend on your gifts, your willingness to learn, your openness to other cultures, and our needs. * Bob & Joyce Ray have volunteered at ARI, 4.5 months in 2010 and 9 weeks in 2013, and continue to support ARI work via editing and document review services. Check their blog A Song of Japan - ARI JournalEnglish (and your heart) along with a good sense of humor are often how we communicate with each other at ARI. There are short term and long term volunteer positions available. At ARI, participants from Japan, Southeast Asia, Africa, & South America will be working alongside you. It is often hard to determine who benefits most from being at ARI, so come experience ARI for yourself! Personal stories of past ARI volunteers: * Rachel B.- 2011-2013 Volunteer, Brethren Volunteer Service Excerpts from Rachel's story: "I was accepted as part of the ARI community, and I strongly felt that I belonged and that each person was important to the rest of the group. To me, ARI’s most important ministry is people—bringing them together, and modeling a way of life based on kindness and respect. ARI’s mission statement says that their work is ‘rooted in the love of Jesus Christ.’ I found this to be clearly evident on a daily basis, and it is one of the things I miss most from the time I spent living at ARI. … Although I don’t know where life will lead me next, I’m certain that I will cherish all of the things I’ve learned at ARI, and that they will continue to guide and influence me throughout the rest of my life." Read more...* Dr. Joseph Ozawa -- ARI experience ’09 – ‘16: Excerpt from Joe's story: "Though the differences of cultures, races, ages, religions, and educational levels sometimes create unique challenges, it is the interaction of people who eat, talk, worship, sing, and dance differently, which gives ARI such a unique flavor. " Read More:
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