"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
~Genesis 28:15
Graduation? Check! The rest of my life? Ummmm... I just spoke with a former professor today, and he advised me to start gathering all of the people who have loved and supported me in all of my missional ventures, and communicate with them while I wait to go on the field. So here you are! I am currently in southern California completing my final placement of student teaching.As I apply for jobs my heart and mind are all over the place. Will I be able to get a job and work 2 years in California to get my permanent credential? Do I get a few years' experience teaching in a Missionary school in Ethiopia or Thailand instead? How can I go ahead networking with Italy and North Africa; the region on which my heart is set? I don't know.
Over the years God has focused my heart on two things: teaching "third culture kids" (Children who have parents of one or more cultures, but are raised in another culture. Like expats, MKs, etc.), and aiding/mobilizing North African immigrants and refugees in southern Italy. I'm not sure how these will flow together. I am willing to move to North Africa eventually, but will likely start in Italy and start with teaching. In short, this is the "big picture" I am working toward. Although I am not able to go on the field yet, I want to be planning, preparing and networking now.
So, here are some present issues:
~ I've applied for a position in Glendale teaching at an Italian Immersion school. Waiting and praying. This would allow me to improve Italian, teach, complete my credential, be close to my grandparents.
~ I've begun applying to 2 MK schools (Ethiopia, Thailand). Would this be helpful experience?
~ I look every day for teaching jobs in SoCal but they are scarce.
~ I am contemplating going back to school for my masters.
~ I am going back to Italy as a companion to an elderly lady and to improve my Italian during the first 3 weeks of June. What great good does God have in this?
~ In January I met with YWAM director in Italy and he put me in contact with workers in southern Italy. Wondering how I should utilize them.
Please, if you think of it, lift me up before our Heavenly Father. I want to focus on Him and His will for my life, not mine! We are all wanderers on this earth.
