Splashofjoy's travel blogs:
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Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to Taiwan I go ...
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Well actually, I can't say for certain that I'll get to go. But I am going to be pursuing the option and we'll see what happens. Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions.
Q. Taiwan? What the ....
A. Yes, Taiwan. It is a very small, yet delightful country in Asia.
Q. You know what I mean. Why would you move to Taiwan?
A. I have long wanted to move to Asia to teach English. It happens that I've decided not to renew my lease next summer and this seems to be a good transition time. Because I'm a loser and quit college before finishing my BA, I am unable to get a work permit for Korea or Japan. I can, however, teach in China or Taiwan with an associates degree and TESOL certification. As church is very important to me, China is out of the question. So Taiwan it is.
Q. What is TESOL?
A. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. In addition to my basic TESOL certification, I'll have an additional Children's focus certificate.
Q. What about your family and friends?
A. While I love them all dearly, they will not crumble away due to my departure. I assure you that they will be just fine. As for my family, they have been through this a few times already. I've lived in France, Zepher lived in Peru and is currently spending a year in Korea.
Q. Um, what about you? Not having your family and friends nearby?
A. Yes, I will miss them. Yes, it will be hard at times. Yes, I will probably cry many times, both before and after leaving. But I have the Internet and Skype. I can call, chat, email and even exchange (gasp) snail mail with everyone. No, that is not the same as having them near me. I understand. But going away doesn't mean I've lost my friends and family. And I won't be gone forever.
Q. How long will you be gone?
A. That is a good question. The contracts are for a year at a time, so at least a year. There are bonuses and raises for renewing your contract each year. I'd like to stay for two, but can't really say at this point. Two years would be enough (I think) to be able to get out of debt.
Q. What about the church?
A. My first priority will be to find a local church there. As a matter of fact, I'm already working on it in hopes that I can start building some friendships before I even get there. I know it won't be what I've come to expect from Sovereign Grace churches. The English speaking population is simply too transient over there, for one. But I can listen to messages on-line and play the type of music I enjoy on my computer.
The purpose for going to a local church is to get involved in one another's lives, serving God together and prodding one another on to grow in godliness, as well as sharing the gospel with those around us. I not only believe I can do that in Taiwan, I'm getting darn right excited about doing so. And when my time there is done, I'll be darn right excited to be coming back to a Sovereign Grace church!
Q. Will you come back to Gilbert when you are done?
A. Yes.
Q. What does your pastor think about this?
A. Hahaha - good question. At this point, he is still not sold on the idea (to put it quite mildly.) We had a 2 hour conversation about it and we joked and laughed a lot during that time, so there is no tension there at all. But there is a long time before I leave and I believe that we each inwardly expect the other to see it from our point of view before the time for my departure arrives. My church is currently going through a 3 month series on the importance of putting your local church first (after God, of course, but before other considerations) so my "homework" is to listen with an open mind, knowing that God may convince me to stay. I think that is what is so great about our relationship - neither of us feel the need to convince the other. Our faith is in God and hopefully we will come to an agreement about what God is calling me to do.
Q. Will you send me a post card?
A. Sure, just make sure I have your address.
Ok, so all lightheartedness aside, my wonderful roommate Bonnie (witty and adorable as she is) has been questioning me about this a lot - but in a good, no, actually in a great way. For her, the fact that I've wanted to do this for a long time wasn't enough. Why have I wanted to do this? What is it about this opportunity that I get so excited about?
There is something about being pushed way outside of my comfort zone that causes me to thrive. By thrive, I don't mean frolicking in the park. It is dirty and gritty and I sometimes think I'm not going to make it. I know that about 3 months into the trip, I will start to wonder what in the world I was thinking. Actually, that may hit sooner in Asia than it did in Europe. But being at the very end of myself puts me in a place to understand my dependence on God at a deeper level. And that is a good thing. At NA, one of the speakers said that more biblical characters failed the test of prosperity than the test of adversity. I don't take that to mean that we should all go throw ourselves in the face of adversity so that we can succeed. But I have to admit that I'm not doing all I could in the face of prosperity. Much of that is my own sin. But I believe that part of that is the desire that God has placed in me to be out and serving in a way that isn't so "easy." Couldn't I be doing that here in Gilbert? Yes, of course. And I probably should be doing much more than I am. But I truly believe that this is a desire that God has placed in my heart. As I said earlier, I didn't pick Taiwan because it seemed the most exotic or fun. But as I have researched this unique little country, it has grown on my heart in a big way. I'll share more on that later in the comments section, but at this point I'm tired of writing (and if any of you have read this far, I'm simply amazed!)
Let me just say that there is no "main" reason I want to go. It is a cumulative effect: good pay, lower cost of living, having my own apartment and still being able to pay off debt are all a part of it. So is the opportunity to travel to different countries throughout Asia. Not to mention that I love kids and think that teaching will be great (though hard - I am not minimizing the work involved!) Being a part of a small church, being pushed out of my comfort zone, serving in ways that wouldn't be my gifting or even desire :0) are all a part of the appeal as well. I know - weird, huh? I do covet your prayers, comments and questions.
Blessings,
Charissa
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