The word that resounded with me throughout my summer vacation was "orientation" and what it means to be properly "oriented." I had to attend Pre-Field Orientation with my missions organization, so I was thinking about what was to come. Would this time help adjust my bearings? Would it bring me a feeling of familiarity? Would it provide me with direction? Where was this orientation going to point me?
The answers were yes and no. We read 1 Peter 1 several times to cement our foundation in Christian community. I bonded with people whose attitudes and goals aligned with my own. I learned more about what missionary life can look like. I rejoiced with and prayed over sisters who are going to be spread over 4 different continents. I found people like me with completely different personalities. I learned about my own personality.
But I also found myself with more questions and even fewer answers about my future. How long exactly am I planning to teach overseas? If I continue to teach overseas, where will I go? Will I stay with NICS? When (or is it if?) I go to graduate school, might I consider doing comparative cultural studies instead of something directly within education?
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| With my future. Right now, I'm teaching and loving. |
Coming back to La Paz was another time of orientation. When I first arrived on August 21st of last year, it was 3 weeks into the school year and I didn't get a teacher orientation. I could only dive in and figure out my directions with God's grace and help from the people around me. We managed and it was a beautiful and blessed year, but I did feel like I was wandering much of time time.
This year I've had a week of work at school before the students arrived. It was a full time of preparations, meetings and information sessions about our new digital curriculum. Along the way, I've been able to help orient my new roommate to her surroundings. She also did not get an "official" teacher orientation because of visa and flight issues. So the cycle continues.
What is my orientation at the beginning of this year? What am I headed towards? A few of the more concrete items are:
- The high school is going through some MAJOR changes as far as curriculum and schedule.
- My church is looking for a head pastor.
- Our small group Bible study continues to meet, but our location changes weekly.
- I'm leading a discipleship group composed of several high school girls.
- I'm updating my home church more often and have our high school ministry students praying for my students by name.
But really, when I consider what direction I'm pointed in, these are my foundational answers I aspire to:
- My heart is set on Christ and my mind on things above. (Colossians 2) .
- I am resolving anxiety with rejoicing, thanksgiving and prayer. (Phillipians 4)
- The theme verse for our school year, Matthew 28:18-20, answers my question of orientation:
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”
Christ himself gives us directions: go make disciples, baptize them with an understanding of who God is, teach them to obey me and know that I am with you. Much though I want a compass, bearing points and a strong place to start from as I try to map out my life, it's really Jesus's ending words that provide the most comfort. We know that as we go, He is with us. An orientation pales in comparison with actually having a guide who goes with you along the way. Right now I don't really have a map, but what I have is better.
I pray that wherever and whenever you are in life, you are aware of Christ being with you and are following His lead.
Please check my updated Top 5 page with information about how to pray for me!
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| First day of school picture |
