So I’ve had the opportunity to chat with many people over
the past week and have come to the realization that we are NOT all on the same
page. In fact, some people are a few
chapters behind. So I’ve decided to call
an emergency book club recap meeting!
Chapters to discuss today:
1.
When am I returning to Michigan?
2.
Is my family coming to visit me?
3.
Rumors about living in Central America
4.
What am I going to do when I get back?
5.
Study opportunities
6.
Am I really addicted to coffee?
Chapter 1: I
plan on being back on Michigan soil no later than early January. Well,
Michigan snow that is. I leave Costa
Rica the end of November and I will be stopping to visit different
organizations and friends in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. I will then spend a few days with Rachel’s
family at her home in California before flying home. Exact dates are a little fuzzy yet…
Chapter 2: Yes, my family is coming to visit me. Family meaning my mom, dad, grandpa, and
Beppe. They get here just after my
birthday in November and will help me move out of my house and get ready to
come home. I’m sure they’ll also enjoy the
wildlife and culture of Costa Rica :)
Chapter 3: Ok,
so let’s not spread crazy rumors. Yes,
in a previous post I had mentioned that Central America was going to be my new
foster home. I had kind of meant for the
next three months. I didn’t really mean
forever. But, God had a slightly
different plan for me. Just after I
wrote that post, I got a job offer from the Nehemiah Center out of Managua,
Nicaragua (they’re a partner organization of CRWM). The job is set to start next June. Though nothing is set in stone or
officialized quite yet, I’m pretty sure I’m going to take the offer. So, yes, Central America will continue to be
my foster home for a while longer.
Chapter 4:
Very good question. I have lots
and lots of plans (insert evil laugh here)!
Recently I’ve been talking with a program out of the CRC home office
(called LEAP) about the possibilities of things I could do when I get back
home. Several ideas we’ve come up with
so far have been ways for me to talk about my experience here with you all,
sharing the lessons I’ve learned (both spiritually and culturally), and seeing
if we can’t connect that to the larger picture.
I’d love to link our church to the surrounding community, cross-cultural
programs and social justice initiatives—I really want all of us to be actively
engaged not only in Wayland but also in West Michigan. My challenge for all of us is to open our
doors, get out there, put our feet to the pavement and get our hands
dirty. WE are the church, not the
building. So, let’s see what cool things
we can do together in the next several months :)
Chapter 5: Another
note of news: I’ve applied within the last couple of days to a Master’s Program
that will start this coming January. It’s
a fully accredited program through the Institute of Christian Studies out of
Toronto, Canada. It will be a Master of
Worldview Studies in Urban Ministry. The
course will be taught by REALLY cool people living out their faith here in
Central America, people whom I’ve had the awesome opportunity to meet this past
year (like Joel Aguilar, Joel VanDyke, and Jim DeBorst). And though I only just applied, I have a
sneaky suspicion I’ll be accepted :) If
you’re curious, check it out at: http://www.icscanada.edu/academics/master-of-worldview-studies/urban-ministry
Chapter 6:
Yes.
And so concludes our emergency book club session. I hope we’re all caught up now. And PLEASE if you have any questions or
comments, let me know! I am more than
willing to spare a few minutes for Q&A.
Please stay tuned!
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