I am startled that I have already been here for basically three months and that my time here is about ¼ of the way over. How can that possibly be? There is so much still to do, so much to see, so many more words to learn and people to meet! Yes, I will be beyond excited to see my family and friends again, but I just know I am going to miss this beautiful island and her beautiful people something fierce.
Strangely enough, I’ve found it hard to live in the moment here. During the daytime there is no other way BUT to live in the very moment you are in due to the craziness and stress of it all, but during the evenings, it’s different. I find myself either so in love with the culture and its people here that I am saddened by all the places, adventures, people, and foods I will be missing when I go back to America. On the flip side, some nights I lay awake, wishing I could have a hug from my Mom, a burrito from Taco Bell, or even just a lingering moment to sit under a fall tree back home. This morning I realized how tragic it is that I have not been living in the present every moment I’ve been here so far. This is something I will begin working on, but I know it will be hard. I can’t completely ditch my life back in America for a year and then come back expecting everything to be the same. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that at all. If I want the same friends I had before, I have to keep working on those friendships and it’s best to keep tabs on the other things happening over there too. If I need the support my friends are giving me, I should be willing to give that same support to them as well- even if I am thousands of miles away. Amazingly, I have felt little homesickness here. I wasn’t sure what to expect with homesickness because of my strange childhood where I gallivanted across the globe with my family, but so far that part has been pretty chill. I cannot say I have been completely without that emotion though, because every now and then something will remind me of America or my loved ones, and it will bring me a deep-seated longing to be with them again. I had a funny moment the other evening when the three of us SM’s decided to go buy greasy food at Burger King just down the road. Despite the fact that I hardly even go into Burger King in America, the AC and greasy food and foreigners made me feel rather homesick. Maybe once I head back to America I can go into Burger King when I miss Timor Leste! Even though I haven’t felt too much homesickness, other strange emotions have cropped up: like restlessness. Maybe this is a symptom of homesickness, I am not really sure, but let me tell you: it sucks! Restlessness is much worse than many other emotions because I seriously have no idea what to do with myself! I usually end up cleaning my classroom, hand washing my clothes, exercising, or even exploring the shops and streets in our town. These things definitely help, but I’ve found that the best way to combat the restless disease is to hang out with other people who feel the same way. I can’t fully speak for the other SM’s here, but I have a feeling they also experience it and can understand the way I am feeling. We spend many afternoons climbing things, singing, playing sports, or just talking about life. Those times spent with them are really meaningful to me because I feel connected, valued, and a part of a bigger purpose. God has used the other SM’s here (and many other people) to bring joy into my life, and I am thankful for that! Two events that helped me to stay present are the highlights of my time here so far. One was a trip to Hera, a farming village a few hours away, and the other was a trip to Jaco Island. In both of those trips I got to experience the beautiful culture here up close and personal, which was amazing. Many embarrassing moments occurred while trying to blend in and sticking out so badly- but it was worth it. I learned SO much more in those few days traveling around the island than I did in a month living here in the city. I came back with a head swimming with new Tetun words, tummy filled with new and delicious traditional foods, my heart filled with the joy of making new friends, and my faith strengthened by the testimonies of our brothers and sisters across Timor Leste who endure so much for our Lord. My First Grade Class Update: My kiddos are doing amazing! They have learned so much already and I am very proud to see that. There are always behavioral problems in my classroom due to the number of students, but God is slowly teaching me patience and giving me more wisdom as I ask for it. Art week was a few weeks ago, and that was so fun for me! I had them making different art projects every day: from plastic bottles colored with permanent markers and then cut into spirals to make classroom decorations, to circle art, to popsicle stick owls. One of the last projects I had them do was to draw things about themselves on a cutout picture of their profile. My kids weren’t as creative or careful as I was hoping, but nonetheless- I think they turned out looking pretty cool. It’s almost time for our very first grade printouts to be handed out, so this is going to be a stressful next few weeks trying to pull the information for 19 kids together pronto. Honestly though, the challenge is kind of exciting! I love my kids so much and I am so thankful for them, even when it gets crazy. Keep praying for my kids to grow more like Jesus and that God will continue to give me the patience and wisdom I need to be a good teacher to these wonderful children. Random Updates: I was given a bike today! I am so excited to get to use it and bike around town! Now walking to the way to the beach will probably take half an hour instead of an hour. Weee!!!! Here goes more adventures! A beautiful black chicken flew over the wall and into our yard the other day, so I enlisted Meghan’s help and went out to catch her. We were able to catch her pretty easily (because Meghan is that speedy and I’m great at scaring chickens) and I promptly named her Harold. I kept her in my classroom all day, with her foot tied to a long string and the string tied to my chair. The kids and I fell in love with her and wanted to keep her, but you know how these kind of stories end. I took her back to the neighbors who live on the side she flew over from and asked if they wanted her back… and the young man I was speaking to didn’t really understand English, grabbed the chicken, and tossed her down into their yard. I slunk back to our compound, sad that I couldn’t keep Harold. Oh well! Maybe she’ll come back for a visit someday. Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and support while I am away! I will try to do better at keeping this updated, but no promises! Until next time... Julia
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AuthorI am an elementary education major and am in love with Jesus Christ. I want to serve Him as best as I can, which has lead me to this missions experience. I also love painting and drawing, cooking, crafting, and spending time with people I love. I grew up living in a whole bunch of different places as a child, so the airplane is a place I feel comfortable. Archives
February 2017
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