I was asked by a friend a few weeks ago, "What is the coolest thing you've learned this year?" My thoughts quickly rushed through the year, reminiscent of a movie where scenes flash through the protagonist's mind as they remember their life.
The things I've learned run deep & wide: lessons about communicating cross- culturally... with Arabs, with Germans, with Sri Lankans; how to make my favorite oh-so-delish Jordanian food; about Islam and interfaith dialogues; how to best avoid shebab; how to control/teach a classroom full of 1st, 2nd or 3rd graders; how to dance the Debke; how to train for a half marathon and a 150 mile relay race while living overseas; and how to love when it is hard to love. Although I still have time left here in Jordan, I am at the point where people are asking me to begin to reflect on this year. At the MCC retreat in Cyprus a month ago, I was given the opportunity to share with my fellow MCC workers what this year has looked like -- my day-to-day life, host family, challenges, joys. Lessons learned. I could go on and on with the list above, but part of me knows that many of the things I've learned here and the ways the Lord has stretched me might not be realized until I'm home. And even then it might take a while for some of this year to sink in to the point where I can look beyond the frustrations and disappointments - as well as the joys - and more deeply understand those lessons learned. One lesson stands out as "cool". Meet Miss Maha. She is one of the wonderful teachers at AES and she holds a dear, dear place in my heart. It is with her [and a few of the other teachers] that I would spend some of my breaks each week in the tiny kitchen in the school... we would laugh and chat - some Arabic, some English - and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee together. It is with her where I learned probably the "coolest" lessons from my time in Jordan: to read and write Braille. For a few weeks, we sat together during school breaks and she would slowly teach me each letter and symbol used in English writing. I just started learning Arabic Braille... it's nice because some of the letters are the same [for example: the English letter "b" and the Arabic letter for the "b" sound are the same Braille letter].
For a few years, my dad worked at a school for the blind in Ohio. When I was younger, I would see his different Braille books around his office and often try to read the letters. It's neat now thinking I can write my dad a letter in Braille and he'd be able to read it. I think I especially enjoy Braille because it isn't a spoken language, and therefore I don't have the hurdle of learning to pronounce new sounds and letters. I loved learning this language and loved having Miss Maha teach me. She is brilliant, kind-hearted and patient with my Arabic.
