Walking in Memphis

Well, as most of you know, my time here in Trujillo is coming to a close.  In fact I have…. about 30 days left.  Something like that.   So… I’m walking around with my eyes wide open. Trying to remember every detail.  Somebody asked me what my eyes are trying to memorize in the time that I have left.  Here’s what I told her:  ”I’ve thought a lot about your question… what are my eyes trying to memorize… And I keep going back to the ride out to the church in Arevalo.  I ride there in a “colectivo” (a shared taxi) down the panamerican highway.  Frankly, it’s not a beautiful place…. it’s one of the poorer areas in Trujillo.  It’s kind of dirty.  But… that’s I think one of the things I’m going to remember: the mechanic shops, the people waiting to cross the street, the beggars on the side of the road, the bus stations, the moto-taxis puttering along…  I’m also memorizing the mountains.  Some days you can see them so clearly… surrounding the city (and whenever I do see them clearly, I start singing Psalm 125 “As round about Jerusalem, the mountains give defense, Jehovah is her people’s guard and lasting confidence”).  Some days they are invisible, some days they peek out of wisps of fog.  I’m also memorizing the street as seen from the balcony of my apartment.  The buses as they zoom by with their “cobradores” (1st mate? we don’t have a word for it in English.  It’s the guy who collects money and yells the places the bus stops) hanging out the door.  The police officers incessantly blowing their whistles.  The street vendors selling snacks. “

I wrote a list of things I want to do before I leave.  It has things on it like, “watch the sunset in Huanchaco”  or “eat a chicken sandwich from Jugueria San Agustin” (best chicken sandwich I’ve ever tasted)

and “sing For All the Saints at Missionary lunch on Sunday.”  But I’ve realized that the things I’m going to miss most, are the “mundane” things that I do everyday.  Like sitting in the secretary office and talking to my friend Flor.  Or taking a colectivo out to Arevalo.  And joking around with SALI English students after class.  Hanging out with the youth from Arevalo church.  

Talking in Spanish.  Eating rice.  (lots of rice).

It’s time to go – I’m sure the Lord’s calling me back to the States.  But it’s sure gonna be hard to leave….

I guess what’s making leaving a little bit easier is the fact that I have a new calling.  I’m moving to Memphis, Tennessee!! (I know… crazy, right??)

Back in February I found out about a program called Memphis Teacher Residency (memphistr.org).   Basically, you go to Memphis, and study for your master’s in Urban Education.  They provide housing, and pay for your master’s.  In turn, you agree to teach in Memphis for 3 years.  Yeah.  It’s a long commitment and kind of scary one.  I haven’t even been to Memphis, after all.  But, it’s an opportunity to study for a master’s, get a job, and best of all, be able to SERVE in a place where children desperately need good teachers who are energized and passionate about providing a good education.   So, I’ll be home in VA for about 2 weeks, and then pack up my Corolla and move all of my (very few) earthly belongings to Tennessee.

Please pray for me as I’m about to go through a series of big transitions.  I trust that God is leading and I’m following.  ”I’m may not know the way I go, but oh, I know my guide.”  I know that whatever comes next in my story – it will be good, because He is good.

P.S. I may not have any furniture for awhile… but if you’re ever in Memphis, come visit me!!!!

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