From the beginning

So I think the best way to start this out is to explain how I got to this point in life, the point where I am preparing to go abroad for a year to teach English in a city in Poland, and to fill in a little bit of my background.

Since the end of the ninth grade I knew that I wanted to be a pastor. This revelation came from working with a Christian outreach program called FootSteps and being a camper at Lutherlyn. For many years I thought that I would go straight from college to seminary, with nothing in between. I had (and still have) no desire to have a regular job anywhere in America. Then during my sophomore year of college, at Roanoke College, I learned that there was another option for in between college and seminary: service. My dear friend and sorority sister, Becca, had decided to go across the country to New Mexico for a year of service. I started opening my mind to the this idea, realizing that in order for me to make such a commitment it would have to be the perfect fit for me.

That following May I travelled to Central Europe with a May Term Intensive Learning Course and fell in love with Slovakia. I knew I had to go back, and I saw the way back as teaching English in some school. I learned that the ELCA had a program to do just that, so I tucked the thought into my mind and let it grow until my senior year of college.

By winter break I had been approved by my synod to go to seminary. Though I was still thinking about Slovakia, I wanted to keep my options open in case I changed my mind. Also, if I did end up going, I wanted a swift transition into seminary with no working time in between. Another influences was one of my friends, Meredith, had accepted a YAGM position in Jerusalem. By talking with her and reading her blog, I began to trust myself to really commit to the idea of international service. Over winter break I started my Global Missions application and had it submitted early in 2009.

After many months of prayer, anxiety, patience, frustration, breaking down to the point of applying to seminaries, and hope I finally learned in May that I would not be going to Slovakia after all. The only position they had open was for a biology teacher. I have not taken a science class high school, so clearly this was not the fit for me. However, in the same conversation I was informed that there was a new opening in Poland and if I was willing, I could be considered for the position. I felt disgruntled at first, but as I let the news settle that night I knew this was an opportunity that I did not want to miss out on. The lesson being I can plan and scheme all I want, but at the end of the day God may provide something else and I have to either accept that new plan or reject it. I trust that God is leading me and working me into His plan where I fit best. In late May I flew to Chicago to interview and meet the young woman, Sarah, who would become my partner in the journey ahead. We both accepted the positions and have started our preparations for the fall. My excitement and passion for this endeavour has increased greatly over the past month. Any disappointment over Slovakia has faded, and I am fully ready to embrace Poland.

These are the basic stats of what I know so far:
-I will be teaching English conversation at the Evangelical Lutheran Lyceum in Cieszyn, Poland to middle school and high school students. You can look at the city on Wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cieszyn. The school website is here: http://lote.tecieszyn.pl/ang01.htm.
-Sarah and I will live near to the school in furnished apartment/s.
-I will leave America on August 16th and go to Bratislava, Slovakia for ELCA orientation. Then we will travel to Poland to move in and get settled. Classes start September 1st.
-I am considered a volunteer through the ELCA but will be paid a small stipend from the school to cover living expenses. Therefore the most expensive cost will be the plane ticket.
-My return date is cloudy at this point. Late June or early July seem to be the general idea. My hope is to be back in time for Family Camp at Lutherlyn next summer, but we will wait and see if this happens.
-I have deferred my acceptances to seminaries until Fall 2010.

I am unsure of how much I will write over the next two months as I prepare for travel. My main goal here was starting the story and letting people hear my history. I wanted something on this blog to start the ball rolling. Also, I need something from you in order make this the best experience possible. I ask that you pray for me and the mission I am a part of. And let me tell you my story.

Blessings,
Colleen