Hey friends! Sorry it's been about a month since I've last written. I had intentions of writing, but so much has happened that it kept on getting pushed further down on the to-do list. Here are some quick updates:
1. Easter - Easter vacation came and I welcomed it with open arms. We had gone awhile at school without a break, so it was great to have a few days off. Ben, my longtime boyfriend, came to visit for the week and it.was.wonderful. After months apart and countless hours of Skype dates we finally could talk to one another face-to-face. We spent the week exploring Jordan -- Amman, Dead Sea, Irbid, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra -- we saw it all. It was so fun to travel around with friends, hike beautiful places and sit in coffee shops together. I don't think I can fully express to you just how rejuvenating it was to be with him again. Similar to when my parents visited at Christmas and when other friends from home have stopped through Jordan, it was great for Ben to be able to meet the people who have become my community during this season of my life.
Samira [my roomie], Ben and I at Petra.
2. The big news is that while Ben was here visiting.... he proposed! We're planning on getting married in the fall and couldn't be more excited!
Ben & I right after we got engaged.
3. I had four short days between when Ben flew home to when I flew to Cyprus. At the beginning of May, I headed to Cyprus with MCC for their yearly MCC EME retreat [a.k.a. Mennonite Central Committee Europe and Middle East retreat]. Cyprus was beautiful! I enjoyed morning runs [in shorts and a t-shirt!] next to the Mediterranean Sea, morning and afternoon swims in the sea, an afternoon exploring Larnaca with some wonderful friends, inspirational Bible studies and conversations, singing in English [!], a GIANT Dutch Blitz game, tons of game nights, long talks with friends... I could go on and on and on. Basically, I'm in love with MCC as an organization... it was amazing to meet all the MCC staff who work tirelessly throughout the Europe and Middle East regions for peace and development. They are people who love God & love people. They are people who have come to see those two things as the most important things in life and who work hard to love those within their communities where the Lord has placed them. I'm not sure where God will lead Ben and I in the future, but I would be honored if at some point we're able to be involved in the work MCC is doing around the world.
The other Middle East SALTers at retreat.
4. I arrived home to Irbid a week ago and have returned to work at the school. There are about four weeks left for students and about five left for teachers. We are busy preparing things for the graduation ceremony for our Kindergarten II class [those who will move up into the 1st grade next year]. I'm enjoying my work at the school and my interactions with the students more and more. It's funny how when your time somewhere is coming to an end it is then that you truly begin to appreciate it. I'll work at the school a few weeks after teachers are done, finishing up some office work and preparing some things for the next volunteer. Part of my next six weeks or so will include doing a number of reports for MCC. The school has reached the end of their term for funding from MCC, so I will need to fill out an "end of term" report, as well as a new report for continued partnership and funding. Although these forms are technically not due until December, I have been asked to complete the forms as I'm familiar with the school. This will [hopefully] make it easier for next year's volunteer to come in having these forms already completed.
5. With about a week left before I head back to the States, I will hopefully travel with a good friend to some near by countries. I'll post more on this later, as it all depends on the political situation at the time. Inshallah [God willing] all will be stable and we'll be able to visit other MCC staffers and good friends living nearby.
6. Since January, I have participated in a photography project with some friends and acquaintances called Project 52. The goal is to take a photo a week, each week focusing on a theme. Check it out for some recent photos of my time here and little narrations accompanying each photo.
More to come soon! Thanks for all of your prayers and support through the past 9 months. I can hardly believe that in two months I'll be heading back to the States. I can't wait to see you all and hear of what the Lord has done over the past year!
Peace.
