Today, May 14th, marks one year since Javier and I landed in the U.S. to start this chapter of our lives. When we were dating, we both knew Peru wasn't our permanent earthly home, but neither of us really knew how long it would be before we would move elsewhere. I was advancing my career at the school where I worked, and Javier had a steady job which paid well by Peruvian standards, so we lived quite comfortably and were in no hurry to leave.
Aside from our careers, we volunteered frequently at a local children's home, and we were highly involved in a church plant. Also, we were the sole caregivers of Javier's grandmother. To say the least, life was going really well. We were happy, and we truly felt we were right where God wanted us to be.
Then...in 2018 everything began to change. Which looking back, I truly believe was God's way of putting things in order for us to leave Peru; He was kicking us out in a way.
In early 2018, things at the children's home began to change. Situations weren't handled in the best way, and we, along with others, felt very disrespected. We were also disappointed and frustrated as we felt our voices and concerns went unheard. It basically came down to withdrawing our monetary support and visiting less and less. This pained my heart as the home was what brought me to Peru in 2007 and every year thereafter until I moved to Peru in 2013. The home was also Javier's childhood home, and still holds a very special place in his heart. In addition, Javier and I met at the home in 2009, so we grieved the loss of this precious place where we no longer felt welcomed. We still miss the children who were like family to us, and we hope to reconnect with them eventually.
In June 2018, Javier's grandma began to become immobile, and it was more and more difficult to attend to her needs. Out of nowhere, a cousin of Javier's offered to take grandma into their home to care for her. At first, we were unsure of this because we didn't want to take advantage of the family's kindness; however, it was difficult for us to attend to her needs since we were both working full time. Eventually, Javier accepted, and we moved grandma in with his cousin that July. It's been a great situation every since!
Also that year, our pastor who led the church plant announced that he and his wife would be returning to the U.S. This couple had known Javier since his late teens and understood his childhood situation which made them easy to talk to through various situations. They also did our marital counseling; they were an American/Peruvian couple and had become like family. It was hard to see them go, and while I trusted the new pastor to lead and guide us, our pastor and friend leaving, was another piece of the puzzle.
In September of 2018, things at Javier's work began to become more and more complicated for a variety of reasons. He eventually took a paid resignation, which was the last piece of the puzzle to kick us in the butt and get us to start the paperwork to leave Peru.
Thankfully, our pastor was/is an immigration lawyer, so before he left Peru, he was able to help us get started on the legal process of moving to the U.S. We began the paperwork in September, turned in the first round of documents in November 2018. We were approved for an interview in January 2019. By the end of March, we announced that we were leaving.
During the time I was in Peru, my family all moved to North Carolina, so we decided that was where we would go, too. We weren't sure what life would look like in this new place, a place we had only ever visited once. I began to apply for jobs, but without knowing the school systems here, I only prayed God would provide the perfect school. Javier was unable to look for work, so he began University studies to fill his time and learn skills that would hopefully help him find a job.
I eventually accepted a job after a Skype interview to find out only two days later that they no longer needed me...it was the most bizarre thing, but looking back it was only God who allowed that to happen because it really wasn't a school I wanted to be in. One week after arriving, I accepted the job I have now, which has been a perfect fit for me to use my Spanish by teaching English in a Dual Immersion program. God knew!
Javier had all of his formal resident documents by mid-June, so he too began to apply for jobs. He had a few interviews and eventually accepted a job as a bus mechanic with one of the local school districts. Ironically, we both started our jobs on the same day - August 12th.
I'm so thankful my parents allowed us to live with them and helped us out while we established ourselves here, found jobs, and eventually bought our house. God knew we would need their support through culture shock and reinsertion, and without an income from May-August, it was great to be able to keep our savings rather than paying rent. Of course, we did help out with some of the bills during this time.
Reflecting on the last year, I'm so thankful we left Peru when we did. God knew it was time. He made it clear to us that it was time. And he has provided every step of the way. Even on the bad days, it's hard to complain because God has been so good to us!
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
COVID-19 Week 1
It's been a while since I've posted here, but rather than make a long post on Facebook, I thought I'd revisit the ol' blog. God really placed this on my heart to share, so I felt I needed to be obedient.
I honestly believe this time of 'quarantine' serves a deeper purpose. A.W. Tozer said, "While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn't surrendered His authority." To put this into context, the Monday night, I woke up every hour all night long; I kept having terrible dreams of people I know dying, people fighting over out-of-stock items, or myself being on a ventilator unable to breathe. It was horrible, but then I saw the quote above on Tuesday. I've slept like a baby ever since.
You see, this time is scary, it's unique, and it's worrisome. We're living a situation most of us have never witnessed. We're not supposed to go out of our homes unless absolutely necessary, schools are closed, restaurants only serve to-go meals, and malls are empty. I've always joked that I'd love a job I could do from home, but I never imagined I'd actually be teaching for an extended period of time from the comfort of my own home.
Yesterday, while I was working I felt the Lord tell me to pray. I kind of brushed it off, since I was in the middle of emailing some parents, but I couldn't focus on what I was doing. Then I felt it again, but this time I felt the urge to get down on my knees and pray. I'm ashamed to admit that I've not gotten down on my knees to pray since I graduated college when I knew I was called abroad to serve, but I really didn't know how to get there...that's been over 10 years ago. I was hesitant at first, but I did it.
I started not even knowing what to pray for. I prayed for those who are sick, I prayed for those who will become sick. I prayed for protection over my loved ones and friends, and I prayed for our leaders to know how to handle this unique situation. I prayed for my students and their families, too. Then the words just started flowing...I prayed for an opportunity. An opportunity for what? I'm not sure, but I knew God wanted me to pray to be an instrument of Light during this time. By this point, I knew this was the reason I was on my knees in prayer.
Javier and I have spent the last two afternoons outside working on the lawn, pulling up the weeds and mulch from the flowerbeds, and freshening up our outdoor space. This time outside has allowed us to connect with some of our neighbors because everyone who walks by wants to see our dog, Orejas.
Then today it happened. The older gentleman across the street was outside mowing his lawn. I could tell he was struggling as he was going slowly and stopping every few feet. I looked at Javier, and I told him he needed to go help the man, so he hesitantly went over and offered to finish mowing for him. While Javier mowed, the man called me over to see if he could pet Orejas, so I took the dog over for a bit. We talked, and I learned this man 63-year-old man lives alone, his children are far away, and he suffered a heart attack 2 weeks ago. He should not have been mowing his lawn, but he knew it needed done, so he thought if he went slow, he'd be fine. While Javier mowed, I shared a little of my testimony...living in Peru, being a missionary, teaching, how Javier and I met, how we ended up in NC, etc.
Mind you, Javier and I were supposed to go to Florida this weekend to see his "parents" from Canada, but with COVID-19 running rampant, that trip got canceled. Had we gone, we might not have had the opportunity we had today.
I'm confident, God has a bigger plan for this time of "quarantine". I firmly believe this is a time for neighbors to help one another, families to come together, churches to grow deeper in His word and more (all while keeping an appropriate physical distance). It's time for the church to be the church and rise up to help one another.
Our church in Peru is having daily prayer times, our church here is live streaming services, and I know other churches are reaching the community in their own ways, too. It's time to stop talking about attending church on Sunday, but it's time to rise up and show the love of Christ to those around us every day.
God already knew COVID-19 would happen before it did. He knew it would spread like wildfire among all nations and peoples, and He has a plan behind it, too. Don't waste this precious opportunity to be the Light to someone else.
I honestly believe this time of 'quarantine' serves a deeper purpose. A.W. Tozer said, "While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn't surrendered His authority." To put this into context, the Monday night, I woke up every hour all night long; I kept having terrible dreams of people I know dying, people fighting over out-of-stock items, or myself being on a ventilator unable to breathe. It was horrible, but then I saw the quote above on Tuesday. I've slept like a baby ever since.
You see, this time is scary, it's unique, and it's worrisome. We're living a situation most of us have never witnessed. We're not supposed to go out of our homes unless absolutely necessary, schools are closed, restaurants only serve to-go meals, and malls are empty. I've always joked that I'd love a job I could do from home, but I never imagined I'd actually be teaching for an extended period of time from the comfort of my own home.
Yesterday, while I was working I felt the Lord tell me to pray. I kind of brushed it off, since I was in the middle of emailing some parents, but I couldn't focus on what I was doing. Then I felt it again, but this time I felt the urge to get down on my knees and pray. I'm ashamed to admit that I've not gotten down on my knees to pray since I graduated college when I knew I was called abroad to serve, but I really didn't know how to get there...that's been over 10 years ago. I was hesitant at first, but I did it.
I started not even knowing what to pray for. I prayed for those who are sick, I prayed for those who will become sick. I prayed for protection over my loved ones and friends, and I prayed for our leaders to know how to handle this unique situation. I prayed for my students and their families, too. Then the words just started flowing...I prayed for an opportunity. An opportunity for what? I'm not sure, but I knew God wanted me to pray to be an instrument of Light during this time. By this point, I knew this was the reason I was on my knees in prayer.
Javier and I have spent the last two afternoons outside working on the lawn, pulling up the weeds and mulch from the flowerbeds, and freshening up our outdoor space. This time outside has allowed us to connect with some of our neighbors because everyone who walks by wants to see our dog, Orejas.
Then today it happened. The older gentleman across the street was outside mowing his lawn. I could tell he was struggling as he was going slowly and stopping every few feet. I looked at Javier, and I told him he needed to go help the man, so he hesitantly went over and offered to finish mowing for him. While Javier mowed, the man called me over to see if he could pet Orejas, so I took the dog over for a bit. We talked, and I learned this man 63-year-old man lives alone, his children are far away, and he suffered a heart attack 2 weeks ago. He should not have been mowing his lawn, but he knew it needed done, so he thought if he went slow, he'd be fine. While Javier mowed, I shared a little of my testimony...living in Peru, being a missionary, teaching, how Javier and I met, how we ended up in NC, etc.
Mind you, Javier and I were supposed to go to Florida this weekend to see his "parents" from Canada, but with COVID-19 running rampant, that trip got canceled. Had we gone, we might not have had the opportunity we had today.
I'm confident, God has a bigger plan for this time of "quarantine". I firmly believe this is a time for neighbors to help one another, families to come together, churches to grow deeper in His word and more (all while keeping an appropriate physical distance). It's time for the church to be the church and rise up to help one another.
Our church in Peru is having daily prayer times, our church here is live streaming services, and I know other churches are reaching the community in their own ways, too. It's time to stop talking about attending church on Sunday, but it's time to rise up and show the love of Christ to those around us every day.
God already knew COVID-19 would happen before it did. He knew it would spread like wildfire among all nations and peoples, and He has a plan behind it, too. Don't waste this precious opportunity to be the Light to someone else.
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