"Not all who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien
Destination: Accra, Ghana
Most of the things on my 'To Do' list have been checked off, the 5 x 5 storage unit is full, the weighing and packing of merely 4 suitcases is complete and the goodbyes are tearfully coming to an end. In two days I will be boarding a plane in Indianapolis headed to Accra, Ghana for the next two years. This will be my 3rd country that I will call "HOME" in 9 years and I can proudly say that I have taught in 4 out of the 7 continents of the world!
With all of the building excitement of my new adventure, there is a TON of planning that goes into it as well. Since this is not my first rodeo, I have been surprised that this summer was not similar to the ones in the past. Lots of factors played into it, however, the truth is that I am having more trouble with THIS move than the others.
Reasons for the anxiety:
#1. I have spent my ENTIRE summer in some type of cast or boot or immobile device on my right foot. I tore my Achilles tendon playing coed softball at the end of May! I had surgery and was told that I should postpone my trip to Africa at the end of July. When my water works came and I pleaded with my doctor about letting me start my contract on time, I became determined to get better - one small problem - I couldn't walk! Not only could I not walk, but I also had to move out of my apartment in TN and hobble around on crutches! This summer I was FORCED to slow down and take help from others! My family and friends rallied around me and put my VERY independent personality to the test as I had to rely on them for help packing, transportation to run errands or get groceries and even bathing and showering (thank goodness that stage is over!) :) It has been humbling to say the least and I have found that I am extremely blessed to have friends and family that have encouraged me this summer, but I also have to say that all the preparations to leave the country are 10x harder on ONE FOOT!
#2. I have been back in the States for the last 2 years. This is different than my move to Bolivia or to South Korea. When I was leaving for Bolivia, it was the first time and first passport and everyone was happy for my new adventure. When I moved to South Korea, I didn't come back to the States so everyone was happy again for my Asia explorations. However, when I moved back to the States in 2013, I think many of my family and friends thought I would stay (I have to even admit that I thought I would stay.) Even though I am convinced that Africa is where I am supposed to be for the next 2 years, it is even harder to say my goodbyes this time! My friends remember what it is like to be able to text and call and know that I am in the SAME TIME ZONE! My family and I have had memories on long weekends or even Labor Day or Mother's Day that I don't usually have while I am living overseas! I am so fortunate to have LIFELONG friends and family that support me and my passion to live overseas and I know that we can always pick up where we left off, but the goodbyes have been deep and sorrowful this time!
#3. I have expanded my territory and now I have a new family in Tennessee. Teaching and coaching at Lancaster Christian Academy the past 2 years has given me a chance to invest and love on more people in my life! This school was unique in the fact that it was small and personal and you quickly became family with the staff, parents and the students! My favorite grade to teach is middle school, but at this school I had to add high school to my resume as well. I have always thought that high schoolers are apathetic, "too cool for school" and just plain LAZY. Even though my perception rang true in many cases, I also learned the following about high school teenagers:
- A. Teenagers are loyal to the people that show them attention. When I expressed an interest in a student about their job, a sport or even a boy they liked, it was amazing to see how much they wanted to be around me! Teenagers LOVE to talk about themself, so if you will listen, you will be amazed at what you might hear!
- B. Teenagers still want to be silly and crazy, and if given the chance, they will love you for acting stupid with them. I don't want to incriminate myself about all the stupid things I have done with my high school students, but let's just say they really didn't have to talk me into much!
- C. Teenagers crave REAL conversations that affect them in a REAL way! When you can stop being the 'teacher' and 'authoritarian' in their lives and get down on their level and have conversations with them about LOSS, LOVE, and LONLINESS, it is amazing how many important things they have to say!
- D. Teenagers love deeply and with reckless abandonment! Whether it is the latest crush or their best friend, one thing that I noticed is that teenagers LOVE alot! I was fortunate enough to form bonds with some of my students and athletes and I have to say that those students at LCA were some of the most caring and compassionate students I have ever taught and are forever in my heart!
Sooo, you ask - Why do I continue to move and wander? Why do I go through the heartache of meeting new people and saying goodbye? Why do I make it difficult on myself and family and friends with new addressess and new phone numbers?
One word - WANDERLUST!
Wanderlust - a strong desire to travel and understand one's own existence.
Many people think that the ONLY reason teachers go overseas is for the travel. Even though that is a huge incentive for me, it is not the only reason I keep returning.
Teaching overseas has not only filled my passport, it has opened my heart and my eyes. Teaching overseas has allowed me to understand various cultures and to be able to step out of the largely narcissistic life that I lead. When I am overseas I am able to form bonds with teachers that have the same 'disease' as me and I am forced to be COMFORTABLE being UNCOMFORTABLE. When I am overseas, I am immersed in the culture that I no longer just read about in books - I am walking on the Great Wall or I am hiking Machu Picchu or I am avoiding the violent protests from the politically unstable government! When I am overseas I am navigating through the language and customs trying not to offend all the while realizing that people are touched that I even try to communicate with them. While overseas I have experienced EVERY single emotion every known to mankind and sometimes all those emotions come in the SAME DAY! Overseas, I am forced to sort through and figure out why some people are blinded by color and others are blinded by hate. Overseas I am aware of adoption statistics because I am volunteering in orphanages and holding those abandoned babies in my arms. My world and my heart opens up in ways that I never thought possible and for THOSE reasons, I am passionate about educating overseas! All of these things, the good, the bad and the uncomfortable, help me to become a better version of myself! All of these situations force me to understand my existence, and even more importantly, my role in the world.
So, I will say goodbye for now to my friends and family on this side of the world, but know that I will return with more stories, more love and more awareness of who I am.
