First things first- I'll be in Laos for a few more months.
A short answer to why I'm staying a few more months (instead of not
continuing at all or staying for a longer period): It turns out a
valuable national staff member retired recently and somewhat suddenly.
This means MCC Laos has even fewer resources than we had before. This
is where I can step in with my handle of English and a few
organizational skills. I'll help out with administrative types of
things, like editing reports, helping orient new service workers, and
basically whatever else needs to get done.
MCC's desperate need for someone like me seemed to fit well with my
inability to figure out what I will do when I move back to America. It
wasn't an easy decision for me to make, but the time's gone by really
quickly and I've enjoyed getting to know Laos and its people- enough
that I think another few months would be worth it. I think I have more
to offer and more to learn. As I was making my decision, I literally
opened a Bible to a passage I remembered memorizing many years ago:
"7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you."
(from Psalms 139)
Those of you desperate to see me in person will be relieved to know
I'll be able to make it back to the States for a couple weeks in July.
Hopefully I'll be able to see you then. Then it's back to Laos until
about the middle of December.
In other news from the past month or so, a couple weeks ago, I went on
a retreat with teachers and students to Vang Vieng, a popular place to
visit a few hours outside of Vientiane. We packed into two school
buses and set off. It was interesting being in Vang Vieng with kids
and Lao people I know- Vang Vieng is popular for its beautiful
mountains and rivers, yet it's also known for a sometimes "party"
atmosphere, especially among tourists. But it was fun to play in the
water and have fun with students instead of worrying about wasting
class time.
I also attended a funeral for the mother of one of my neighbors. It
turns out it is quite a process and it was pretty educational for me
and a good opportunity to learn about how Lao view death and life
after death.
The parents are coming in just a few days! I'm excited to show them
around and I'm sure lots of fun and adventure will await.
Hope all is well on the far side of the sea,
Justin
