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!
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