The Final Countdown

I am coming up on my last month in this village.  Yesterday officially marked the last 1-month marker.  Only 30 days left on my contract before I enter into that strange realm of funemployment.

I am eagerly looking forward to coming home, feasting on BBQ and burritos, speaking English in my "normal" English, and knowing people understand what I'm trying to communicate.  I am looking forward to a big refrigerator and eating at a dining table.  I am looking forward to take-out and dessert.  I am looking forward to being home...home.

But I realized how much I'll miss village life.  Although it's cold for 8 months of the year, it was my first chance experiencing the changing seasons.  I watched an entire village change from vibrant green to burning red to pure white and back to green again.  I wore a Jordan T-shirt, Nike Dunks, and my snapback baseball cap to work today.  I don't think I'll get to wear that uniform back home.  I play basketball 6-7 days a week; I don't know if I'll ever do that again.

I'll miss the toothless cashier at the supermarket who criticizes my unhealthy purchases every time I show up.  I'll miss the look of sheer terror/concern/confusion on the bank teller's face every time I walk in.  I'll miss the post office lady who knows all of my mail goes to America.  I'll miss the lady at the stationary store who gives me oranges.  I'll miss the baker who comes to one of my schools and our conversations about church.

I'll miss the quietness of the village.  I'll miss walking by the river in the moonlight.  I'll miss sitting on Pegleg's porch and staring at the stars.  I'll miss my morning walks to the office and the first deep breath of fresh air.  I'll miss laying on the floor talking to God about my work day, the crazy kids, and the crazier teachers I worked with.  I'll miss date night.

I'm reading a book called Wild Goose Chase, and I'm starting to think that life here became too comfortable.  The job and pay are comfortable, the clothes are comfortable, the people are comfortable, and I can't really say I have things working against me.  I remember in December being torn about my contract.  I thought staying would be easy, nothing would change, and that was fine because I don't like change.  But God asked me to trust Him enough to leave.  So I turned in my papers with a plan, a new game strategy...and then life changed.  I came home in May and seemingly threw my plan out the window.  Or maybe, just maybe, it was God.  Because I like having a plan.  I like having things on my calendar and a routine and a schedule.

But now the only thing on my calendar is "Come home."