The Seed

This story begins in Paris, which is certainly not a bad place to start.

Alors, being the Francophile that I am, I yearned to get to France, somehow, someway. And, I did, by God's grace. It took months of saving, tutoring 4 days a week after school, weekend photo shoots, and even selling clothes, jewelry and gifts (gasp), yes, even gifts, on Ebay, but I got there. And, after cutting up my credit cards in 2008 (again, by God's grace), I wanted even my European travels to be on a cash basis.

After months of research and many late school nights replete with google searches, the Lord had graciously given me a way to get to France affordably. It came through Apare, a fantastic means by which my time, energy, and muscles would actually pay for my accommodations and food, for at least one week anyway, beginning June 25. (I had the choice to do the full three weeks, but opted out as a dear friend, Teri, would be joining me in France on July 2 and she understandably didn't exactly feel like working...or camping, for that matter. I was the one with an 11-week summer vacation, so I had time and energy to spare.) The Lord also led my fast, little fingertips to just the right website to provide for our surprisingly affordable lodging for the next two weeks after the "chantier" (work camp).

One of the things I was anticipating most about my trip to France was the chance to actually visit The International School of Paris. {♫ ♪ Cue the lovely French accordion music now. ♫ ♪} Ahh, to actually walk in the flesh to my dream school was just that...a dream that I was earnestly praying would become a reality, if God willed. {Please, God, please!?}

Sadly, after visiting both campuses and learning that all the right administrators were away on their long-awaited holidays, I walked away (in the rain, I might add) cold and dismayed, yet at the same time very content that I had done all I could do: 1) applied for the position months ago; 2) sent follow-up emails; 3) made two impromptu appearances; 4) and most importantly, truly submitted my hopes and dreams to the Lord, who was far wiser and better than I could ever conceive. There was nothing more to be done.

The trip to France was absolutely ravishing and left my heart brimming with thanks to God for such an undeserved blessing. {I'm still shaking my head in wonder at His absolute goodness to me.} While Teri and I watched every euro and ate on $15/day, we spent lavishly on JPEGs, clicking photos every step of the way. I feel rich with memories, quite literally. {Now, let's just hope my computer doesn't crash from so many photos as I'm testing the limits of my precious Mac.}

One of the highlights for me in France was meeting a warm, easy-going couple named Charles and Marilyn on July 2, while I sat waiting for the caretaker of the Nice apartment to give me the keys. (Even her 2-hour delay was providential as I would've missed this couple otherwise. I love to see how God guides our every step as Proverbs 16:9 promises!)

We fell into easy conversation and happily discussed our love for France, our favorite little villages, and various other topics, but the most remarkable thing Charles offered (after hearing of my desire to move overseas again) was that his niece is the Middle School Principal at The International School of Geneva. Having this sovereign connection to another school in a French-speaking culture was just surreal and I was excited to see where it might lead.

Upon my trip home on July 15, I found a kind email from Charles, which included his niece's address, so I immediately got in touch. While she seemed genuinely eager to recommend me to the Lower School Principal, she gave me fair warning. Apparently, ever since 2002, when the bilateral agreement between Switzerland and EU countries came into action, work permits for non-Europeans are very difficult to obtain unless they can prove that they couldn't find anybody within Europe or that there is some particular additional element that is needed which only that candidate has. Oh, the rigours of Swiss bureaucracy! (I've since learned that France has even stricter requirements...quel dommage.)

Once again, I was disheartened, yet surrendered my desires to the Lord, knowing full well that He already had it all worked out and meticulously planned.

Well, hope springs eternal. :) My curiosity (and perseverance) got the best of me and I started doing a bit more research on American companies in either France or Geneva, which led me to an online forum where I could see various questions people had asked about getting a job in Switzerland. One post gave the suggestion to try Teach Anywhere. "Hmm, what's this? Interesting," I thought. So, I registered, uploaded my CV and began my search. "Maybe, just maybe, the right job is posted for me here." I pondered.

Amazingly, the job that first caught my eye was for a placement in Abu Dhabi, a place I had just learned about through my new British friend, Emma, who was camping with me the first week in France. I immediately thought, "Oh! I know where that is! Emma lives there!" I had an instant connection and was intrigued to know more. Curiosities were swirling around in my head faster than I could type:

• "Would I get my head chopped off for loving Christ?!
• "Can I carry my Bible around?"
• "Do they have a church there? If so, are there any decent ones?"
• "Would I have to be covered head to toe in a burka, especially in that sweltering heat?"
• "What language do they speak?"
• "How are women treated?"
• "Where is this again??!"

Needless to say, it was a late night/early morning and when I finally retired, I had trouble falling asleep, which is an enormous anomaly for me, since I am well known by my family and close friends as one who can fall asleep in less than 1 minute. Seriously. (I'm embarrassed to admit that my sister, Julie, has even timed me...oh, the pressure! ...and still, I was out in 30 seconds.)

The fact that my mind was racing and I was so excited left me quite surprised since I've only ever had zero desire to teach in the Middle East. Well, after a few minutes, I converted those thoughts into prayers, since all I ever want is for God's will to be accomplished in my life. I'm His, most entirely and completely. I was bought with the high price of the perfect, sinless blood of Jesus Christ and I know that my life is not my own. At the moment of my conversion, I repented from a life of sin and surrendered all my own hopes, desires, and ambitions to God. My constant prayer (when I'm not caught up in the daily battle of sin) is "Father, thy will be done." Truly. Nothing else matters more than pleasing God and living a holy life to glorify Him above all else.

As I began to finally drift asleep, I said to myself, "Ok, well let's just see how excited you are in the morning. This is just a little crazy!"

Sure enough, the first thought when I opened my eyes bright and early in the morning was this: "Ok, am I excited? (wait...wait...) Yes!!! I can't believe I'm still seriously even thinking about this!"

I immediately told Julie all that had transpired the night before (all while she was sleeping, no less) and then we called my parents. Surprisingly, they were very open to the idea and even excited about it as well! Really? Seriously? Hmm...Ok then. After a whole morning of discussing it more extensively, reading and praying, I decided to go ahead and just do something.

In hindsight, as I trace this all backward, I realized that had I never signed up to do the work camp in France, met Emma, and learned even just a little about her home in Abu Dhabi, I would have never even glanced twice at those positions in such a foreign, far-away place. It's incredible to me to see how God orchestrates every event, every meeting, and even every interest to bring about His good plans.

“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,

remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and

from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,

and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east,

the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;I have purposed, and I will do it."

Isaiah 46:8-11

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this story. I'm tired and think I just might fall asleep...in one minute. :)

PS. Here's a fun memory of Emma and I taking a little break from hiking the Saint Tropez Peninsula.