London Calling

Statue of Peter Pan, Hyde Park - London

"Never Say Goodbye, because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting." - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

View from top of double-decker bus

It has been 10 days since I left Omaha on a plane.  I spent 7 days with 73 amazing young adults in Chicago.  We discussed everything from religious pluralism and LGBTQ issues to biases and privilege.  It felt like more of a disorientation than an orientation.  I was forced to look at myself and the world in a different way and it was difficult.  There were tears, but also laughter.  I was pushed by my small group to uncover the feelings I was trying to hide.  I will forever be thankful for these 73 individuals and the person they helped me become.



I am now in London for a short time in temporary housing with 4 other YAGMs.  Our placements did not start right away so we have some time to get used to Public Transportation and get rid of our jet-lag!  We started by seeing some of the important historical and cultural buildings in London, like Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Globe Theatre.  Tomorrow will be spent on another cultural aspect of life, called LAUNDRY!

Me, Jessie, Jess, Bryce, Hailey on the bus

My interactions with the locals have been positive so far.  After reading "A Xenophobe's guide to the English" by Antony Miall, I was led to believe that all the English would be cold and non-communicative.  I was pleased to find out on the first day, that Londoners are especially friendly, particularly to lost Americans.  They are so willing to help when they hear us sounding lost.  I am so thankful for these people, whose names I do not know, because it has given me a glimpse into their culture.  We often stereotype the English as cold, unfeeling people.  I have often heard of the English only showing emotion to dogs and horses.  Have you heard that stereotype?

I met Fiona, another resident of Chester House, last night while relaxing in the TV room.  She grew up in Greece and Scotland but has been living in London for a few years.   She told us that Londoners are very nice, but the city itself is so busy that they seem closed off.  I am very excited about getting to know more people and making my own observations, rather than relying on the observations of others.

Stay Tuned!

~~Lina

The Countdown Begins

14 days.

In 14 days I will head to training in Chicago before leaving the country for a year. 365 days. 525,600 minutes.

I'm trying not to think about all the important people, and events I will miss.  But it is difficult not to focus on that.  Yesterday at work two 4th grade girls bawled as I was trying to leave.   It hit them that it was officially my last week with them.  I didn't realize that I had that much of an effect on them.

I told myself I wouldn't cry when I left.  I lied.  I instantly started tearing up when I was trying to comfort those girls.  It felt like I had literally ripped their hearts out.  I'm dreading Friday.  It will officially be my last day at my job, and I fear that more kids will cry.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know how I can possibly comfort them, when I can't even comfort myself!

The most common question I get from the kiddos - "Why do you HAVE to leave?"  How do I explain to a 9 year old that I don't HAVE to leave, I CHOSE to leave.  I CHOSE to not see them for a year.  How do I explain that I'm leaving not because I don't love them, but because I need to leave for ME. I need a change.  I need to put myself in a new, scary situation to see how tough and resilient I can be.  How do I tell them, that I'm being selfish?  All they see is abandonment.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him, who gives me strength.

 Heavenly Father, please, give me the right words to say to these kids as I leave, and grant me the strength to walk away.

~~Lina