Sweet Texas, great job, amazing family, Jessica Alba single and head over heels, shooting tin cans off a saw horse, Shiner Boch, Dad's venison, rooftop with my brother and sis, driving my car, three-day weekend vacations, fantastic PhD program, new friends, sausage egg and cheese McMuffin, Shipley's kolaches, fast internet, iPhones, old friends, people just magically understanding what this past year has been without me having to try and explain... That will work for starters.
Just the other day in the bus on the way to Ndola I looked out the window and realized, as if I had forgotten, I am in Africa. This is the place that people dream of visiting and it is where I live. I live in Africa. I have sen things and been a part of a more global community. I have shared life and laughter with these people.
I had an interview this morning for a job with the Shasta County Health Department in Redding, California (way northern Cali). It was a bit sketchy on the cell phone a world away and I don't know for sure how I did but, that they would even consider me for the first interview in encouraging. If I get the second interview it will not be until July 7th or 8th and they said that they would be happy to work with me there. That was encouraging though I am not holding my breath. The Lord continues to provide for me in the most perfect way.
I am sorry that I have not been in touch. Between Dr. Allen being here, the new students, and my job consistently asking more than I can give I have been distant. Know that I do miss you and I can't wait to get back. There are a few things that might bring me back here short term. It is possible that I will be able to work a consultant job with the Zambian Pop Council. Jacquee, my old flatmate, may need a laboratory rep for a training that she will be involved with. It will be a fun, CV building job, most importantly ZEHRP-free.
Will try to keep you updated. There are things that I see on a daily basis and think, I should write about that but, I don't. My goal is to bring together the little tidbits that make the experience more real to you guys and make for more complete memories for me later on down the road.
May be headed to Cape Town in a couple weeks! Pretty pumped about that. It is a heck of a trip but, I am confident that it will be well worth it.
All is well. Hang in there just a few more weeks. There are only four links left on Katy's chain, one burns tomorrow.
Great post Jake.
ReplyDeleteNothing like not having certain things in your life to REALLY appreciate them. You have quite a list there!
Good news about the left coast thing.
Hope is a Good Thing.
Love
Uncle Bill
There was a movie years ago called SUpport Your Local Sherrif with James Garner. He became the sherrif in a town but insisted that he was just passing through on his way to Australia...
ReplyDeleteYour living in Africa has been passing through on your way in life. I do not know if you will get homesick for the job, but much like the hold Texas A&M has on me, you may get homesick for the place... you'd not want another 'first quarter year' in Africa any more than I'd want to be a fish in the Corps again...but what memories of events and the PLACE hold.
In an earlier blog you staed there is a big difference in VISIITING a place and LIVING in a place. And now that the end of living in that place is drawing to a close, your perspective will surely change. It will be OK to miss Africa. And I know you will find a way to return if the call is strong enough. You have lived the life George Bailey, in his mind, wanted to live. And just like George Bailey you have had struggles with purpose and have yearned for success or closure or progress. ZEHRP is very similar to Bailey Building and Loan... and you Jake (George) have made a sizeable difference in thousands of lives.
Some(former AS2)Clarence is very grateful.
I know I am grateful for the difference(s)
you have made.
pap