Rivers and roads, rivers and roads, rivers till I reach you...
-Rivers and Roads,The Head and the Heart
"You can't step into the same river twice."
-Plato, as quoted by a good college friend
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled
by,
And that has made all the difference.
-The Road Less Traveled, Robert Frost
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step
onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you
might be swept off to.”
-The Lord of the Rings, J.R,R. Tolkien
So I've been thinking a lot about rivers and roads. In some of the
best literature, music, and art in human history, these two things have
represented both the journey to places unknown and the journey home. The Bible
quotes extensively about both roads and rivers-there were so many quotes about
rivers that I couldn't pick one. Most significantly, Christian tradition talks
about a river as the ultimate ending to our journeys: the river Jordan
(symbolizing death) as the last barrier before reaching Paradise. Rivers and
roads both represent life choices, adventure, joy, grief, leaving behind all
familiarity, and returning to it once again. But despite all these meanings,
they have one thing in common: the people who travel the rivers and roads of
this world, whether mental or physical, never return unchanged.
This topic has been near to my heart and thoughts lately. Over the
past year, I have seen 5 couples who are dear to me commit to each other for
life. I graduated from college, got engaged, and planned the wedding and this
Bolivia trip simultaneously. At some point over the summer, I realized that my
journey is leading away from many cherished aspects of my life over the past
four years: living with some of my best friends every day, learning as my
primary job, adventuring for the summer in far-off places, and having my
relationships stay the same. And I’m coming to the realization that I can never
go back (I know, it only took me a year, right?). But I can journey on, knowing
that this will make the reunion in both my earthly and heavenly homes sweeter.
What does all this have to do with teaching English in Cochabamba,
Bolivia for 2 ½ months? That’s a great question! (which is what I’m constantly telling
my English students). I’d wanted to live abroad on a more long-term basis since
the beginning of college and had been actively seeking opportunities to get
back out on the road since graduation. It’s sort of a long story, but it’s
enough to say that God definitely came through and provided this opportunity.
The Guerreros graciously agreed to host me for 2 ½ months, the mission board
accepted me, and family and friends overwhelmingly provided me with the
resources to be here. All since the beginning of August. It’s been a wild ride,
but I am so happy to be here during this time of journeying on and letting go.
This trip is a fulfillment of my last remaining college dream, but is also a
bridge into other journeys, other rivers, other roads…
I know this blog post has been really delayed, but between trying
to adjust and having a major case of writer’s block, this first post has been a
process. Thanks for your patience and your prayers. I will try to write again
with more about my activities shortly. J
Ciudad de Refugio (the place where I'm working)
