The final day of teaching in the classroom, and my final
lesson here. After this morning, I will
be done. As I look back, this chapter in
my life has been but a vapor, the time quickly gone; and yet, so much has
occurred. I find myself currently
sitting in a power outage as it seems someone is working on the electricity
outside the apartment. I am told that
outages are rare and that this is not normal…just like this trip…few things
have been normal, with the exception of my teaching time.
As I recount the events, missing my plane, the first time
ever, was not normal. Taking a picture
of my bags in the airport in Munich and having an airport official take a
picture of me and head off to an internet station to compare my image to other,
possible criminals? Not normal. Having him try to be a bit sneaky about it,
but not sneaky enough so that I knew I was being watched? Not normal.
Getting shuttled to my final destination here by my friend Kent in
Croatia? Not normal. Staying with my
friend Josh here the full time was not normal, but I did stay one night with
him last year at the end of my trip, paving the way for this year’s decreasing
my expenses. Arriving late, not having
some time to adjust before jumping into the mustard, was not normal. Leaving while my dad faces what may be
cancer, not normal. My wife sending me
an email about being emotional all week because of my absence and my dad, not
normal. Getting to walk the streets of
Livno, often by myself, not normal…and sitting here feeling powerless, not normal.
I have learned that these trips will never be or go as I
expect. While I plan and prepare, I have
come to realize that my preparations will be accomplished, but they are not the
primary reason for the trip or the task.
This trip, as all others has been no different.
My time here, my eyes constantly scan the moments and the
times to peer deeply into all that surrounds me. I have found it easier to ignore the stares
and interesting looks I get from everyone, everywhere I go. The kids still overwhelm me, the crowd around
me and even afar off laugh, giddy as they see me. I love kids.
They are so obvious…just like the airport security guy in Munich.
I have been asked by Dr. Garner to return next year. I am hoping to bring Carrie with me as well,
as the team here sees the need to work to improve healthcare here as well,
having brought a nurse here from the states, and her husband who is very tech
savvy and administrative. I will be
praying that they stay, should the Lord’s desire be to improve healthcare
here. This place may be perfect for
Carrie and I to invest as a team.
Once again, I feel connected and effective here; imperfect
and not well polished, but effective;
Partly from the jetlag, partly because I am a bit out of practice in the
classroom, but just like riding a bike or skiing, it comes back, requiring more
effort and with a little less fluidity, requiring more concentration, but
coming back none the less.
Something tells me that there will be a ‘next year’ here in
Livno, and nothing would thrill me more than bringing my bride with. God has forged a partnership in us. You who read and pray, but also with the
right hand lady of my life. She is,
contributes and empowers much of what I am able to accomplish in life and on
trips such as these. Yet she herself has
a great deal of skill and talent that could be effectively used here in
Livno. Healthcare has a long way to go
here, even basic healthcare. The quality
of equipment, what little they have here is poor, down to the scissors that
would have difficulty cutting paper, no less bandages.
And so, the power now back on, things ‘return’ to ‘normal’…until
the next entry…maybe.
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