I have a lot of options right now, because I have a dual major in elementary education, and special education. I can tell you for certain that whatever I decide, I will not be staying in Nebraska, much to the dismay of my father. He is constantly asking me “What’s wrong with Nebraska?!”, and as I’ve come to realize, Nebraska is a pretty great place. However, Nebraska doesn’t seem to value their teachers enough to pay them well, and lets face it, I’ve got loans to pay. Illinois seems to be the place to go if you’re a teacher, in terms of salary and cost of living. Wyoming is another option, and they are in serious need of special education teachers. In all honesty, I’ve pretty decided that I will be applying for jobs in Wyo when the time comes, but I will still explore other options for teaching.
Now here’s where I hit a snag. When I was a sophomore I heard about the Peace Corps. I was an agri-journalism major at the time, and a guest lecturer reference his work in Africa with the Peace Corps. I thought it was pretty cool, but I sort of shrugged it off, thinking that I could never be that far from home for so long. But the idea lingered in the back of my mind. I researched it from time to time, and thought a little about what it would be like to travel to another world to work with children and adults living in poverty. I never discussed it with anyone but it sat there in the corner of my mind, slowly growing. In January of this year, I ran in to an old friend, whom I met when I was a freshman in the J-school learning community. Christina had just graduated, and I asked her about her future plans. She told me she had joined the Peace Corps, and would be heading to Namibia in the spring. I cautiously shared with her that I was interested in joining, and she told me what I should do if I was ready to apply. At the end of the night I filed the conversation in the back of my mind and returned to real life where I had lesson plans due the next day. I didn’t give it much more thought until the day that my finals were finished. My Lit Block professor asked me what my future plans were, and without even hesitating I blurted out, “I think I’m going to join the Peace Corps before I teach in a school.” I kind of shocked with what I had just said, but at the same time I felt good saying it. So for the past week, I have been contemplating, researching, and mostly praying. I feel a very strong pull towards the Peace Corps. Every time I pray about it, I end up at this verse in the bible:
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This passage is known as The Great Commission, in which Jesus tells his disciples to go and spread his teachings to all the world. You may wonder what joining the Peace Corps has to do with The Great Commission, as the Peace Corps is not even a Christian Organization. But the mission of the Peace Corps is simply to help countries in need, and I am lead to these verses in the bible which help me to understand why I feel so strongly about joining.
1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Jesus wants to love and take care of our neighbors!
Proverbs 11:25One who waters will himself be watered?! How cool is it that if we help other people, God will help us!
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Galatians 5:13-14
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
I’ve often been confused by the Christians I meet who are out shoving the bible down people’s throats and thinking that they are doing Gods work by judging people, when as far as I can tell we were just put on earth to love and care for each other. I’m getting off topic a bit, but the long and short of it is that I feel that “loving my neighbor” is being a disciple, showing people Jesus through my actions.
Have you ever felt an overwhelming urge to just be a part of something? That’s how I feel right now, when I think about joining. When I think about my future, I think about living a in an African village or a city in India, helping primary and special education teachers develop curriculum and lesson plans for their classrooms. Right now I cannot imagine NOT going to another world to help.
That’s not to say that this decision doesn’t come with a negative side too. First, there is the application process. I may not even get in, in which case none of this would matter. Then, there is the fact that where ever I go, I would be a two thousand dollar plane ride away from my family and friends. There’s no running home for a weekend to visit mom and dad when you live in Africa. And finally there is the financial situation. Most of my loans would be deffered until I returned at the end of my service, and the Peace Corps provides you with a stipend and a transition package for returning to the states, but there is still the fact that I would have no real income for that two years.
In addition to all of this, I know next to nothing about world politics, I don’t speak a second language, and I’m not sure that I could survive two years without being about to watch Glee and Gossip Girl and eat Amigos!
So there you have it, I have a decision to make. If you’ve managed to get through my ramblings and scattered thoughts, you are probably wondering why I’ve written this blog at all. I did not write this blog because I want to hear everyone’s opinions. I know that sounds rude, but what I really want from anyone who reads this blog is prayer. Prayer for guidance and courage as a I make my decision! So please pray that I make the right choice!
Love, Kels
