Welp, after reading over my last update I've decided I should probably start proof-reading these things...especially because this is accessible to many via the Beyond Borders website. My apologies for the many typos, friends. Anyway, on to bigger and better things...
Things seem to be happening and moving along as far as the ASL program goes! I have moved out of my apartment in Norristown, PA into my parent's house in Chesterfield, NJ. Quite the change, I must say. After living on my own for the past three years, moving back in with my parents can prove to be pretty interesting. However, I'm certainly glad I have been able to do so, and will be able to spend my last two weeks here with my family. February first is my move-in day for D.C. and I'm pretty dang excited about it...I think. Of course I have mixed feelings and really just want to get my butt to Haiti, but I have come to peace with the fact that, well...its just not going to happen as fast as I would like! Courtney will arrive Feb. fifth to D.C. We will be working in the Beyond Borders offices there for most likely a month or two while Carla and Coleen work on preparing our host families and communities for our arrival to Haiti. The regular conference calls with Beyond Borders staff plus Courtney and I have really been helpful in feeling and staying connected. I'm hoping that there is less snow in D.C. than here in Jersey...I am certainly not a fan.
This past Sunday was my last Sunday (for now!) with my amazing family at Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia (www.broadstreetministry.org). Luckily it was the choir's turn to sing, so I got to squeeze in one last Motley Order Choir performance. Over the past few years of my attending the church I found myself continually amazed at the fact that every Sunday I found myself to be uncomfortable, whether it be because of the two, large and intimidating homeless men I found myself sitting between during the service, the person sitting across from me having an in-depth conversation with someone who was not there, or because the sermon and service really hit home that I felt completely exposed and vulnerable...I could go on (but I won't). I would never, ever trade any of those uncomfortable moments for it was in these that I grew the most, and it proved that I would feel these deep, digging, moments up until my very last Sunday there. As I was singing my solo during communion, I looked up and immediately made eye contact with a man I had not seen in years. I met him my first year at Eastern in downtown Philadelphia. He was homeless. This man was someone who I truly looked up to and enjoyed spending time with, who walked around the city with me, because, in his words "a little white girl like you can NOT walk around talkin' to homeless guys by yourself...I got your back". Later that year because of a misunderstanding in our friendship, he became frustrated and angry, and I stopped seeing him every week...no one saw him anymore. As I looked up on Sunday while singing we both made eye contact, and with a slight nod, kind smile, and a small wave, I immediately knew who he was. It took everything out of me not to forget everything I was supposed to be singing and just start crying. I made it through, and immediately went over to talk to him. It was really great to see him, and while he is still homeless three years later, I know he is alive, and I know he is relatively healthy, and in a wonderful place at Broad Street. (sorry this is getting long...if you've held on this long, I congratulate you...but I'm gonna keep going) As I made my way back to Norristown I couldn't stop thinking about how crazy it was that on my last Sunday there, I saw someone who had such an impact on my life that I had not seen in years, and truly did not think I would ever see again. I refuse to think that it was simply just a coincidence, and something that I have learned from my friends in Haiti and the people there is that you need to pay attention to the seemingly minute details of life, and that there ARE signs there, God IS communicating with us. It is simply up to us to recognize and acknowledge it. I believe that this was God's way of reassuring me that this was not the last time I would see these people, and that there is a reason that I spent four years of my life going to downtown Philly spending time sitting on the cold, hard, concrete talking to homeless men and women who I thought I would never see again. Perhaps things really do come full circle, and perhaps these scary changes and transitions are here to tell us who we really are to really learn about and love each other the way we are supposed to. I think I'm beginning to be okay with these changing seasons of life...
