Making the Move

I returned home to Washington on March 24^th. I think my parents knew something was up even before I said anything.

“I think I might be moving to Bolivia,” I said.

“I don’t like it,” said my dad.

“We figured this would be coming someday,” mom reminded him.

“I still don’t like it.”

I was on a disaster relief ship tied up in Port Au Prince, Haiti for my 27^th birthday. I wish I could find the email my brother sent all those years ago, but since I can’t, here’s my best recollection:

“Happy Birthday, Jake. I hope you’re having a good day all the way down there wherever
you are. You should come home and quit trying to save the world. Your nephew is going 
to grow up without you. Your family misses you and needs you. Love, Luke”

Those memorable words still blessing me, I was apprehensive about telling my brother, especially now that I had three nephews. Luke had changed in seven years, however, and when I told him my thoughts, he replied, “Well, you have to do what you have to do.” Wow, that was almost supportive!

I figured some people at the hospital might be onto me as well, but only one person talked to me about it. I didn’t have a solid offer from the school, so I couldn’t quit the hospital or give my notice. (I did that in the wrong order once, and it almost turned out very bad!)

I went to a hospital conference in mid-April. I love my job! There’s so much potential. I want to help build the new facility. Think what it would do for my resume! I could be a big shot. . .  maybe get a “C” in front of my title? I was a captain of ships – could I be captain of a hospital? What about my call to preach? But Bolivia – Jennifer, the kids at the homes, the kids on the streets, the kids at school. What’s more important: advancing my career or maybe having a positive eternal impact on a new circle of kids? Hmm, but I am already involved in the lives of quite a few kids – wow, it is going to be so tough to leave them!

Meanwhile, Jennifer and I were still writing. We talked on the phone a couple times. She is one in a million, one in a billion! Our philosophies of life are in agreement to a remarkable degree. She’s an avid reader, just like me. She started orphanages in South America – who does that! She appreciates my sense of humor. I appreciate her independent yet tranquil spirit. (My best friends have always been the quieter types – I’m the one who gets to be loud and obnoxious.) How could she be so comfortable leading and yet also desire so openly to be lead? For each of my advances, she responds positively. No red lights or red flags yet. . .

Friday, May 11^th: Ms. Alma, the director of the school, offered me the job in Bolivia. I had already done all my wrestling about it. I accepted.

I just knew he already knew, so his gasp when I gave notice the next week surprised me. I told my CFO that I had accepted a job as a science teacher in Bolivia. He was completely blindsided. Oh. Wow. Sorry, Bob. I wanted to exit well, so I gave nearly seven weeks’ notice. I sent an email to all my industry contacts, some 200 by that point, and it was from this email that we found our man. I was even able to participate in the interview process and then spend my last week completing a turnover with the new guy. Still I was torn with joy for the future and sadness for present. I did pray for discomfort to drive me deeper in my relationship with God. . . be careful what you ask for!

I flew to Tennessee to see Jennifer again and meet her family. Isn’t this too soon? Meeting her parents? We’ve spent less than a week together! Am I moving to Bolivia for the girl? Well, yes, but for more, too. What if it doesn’t work out? Back to sea, of course, always my default escape plan. But I really think this girl is the one. The widow is open to meet her parents, but only for a short time – I need to jump through it!

Ten pounds. I gained ten pounds in one week in Tennessee! Mr. and Mrs. Thompson own three cookie shops, and they’re very generous. The cookies are super tasty too, so that doesn’t help much. I was 21^st overall out of 232 racers in a sprint triathlon at the end of June. Upon returning from Tennessee, I was 78^th out of 80 racers in the Vashon Island X-terra triathlon. The flat tire on my bike and spare tire around my waist both conspired against me! I floated well, though, so I still swam pretty fast.

Oh yes, and the Thompsons were very nice. My Pappy always says, “You marry the mother. Get to know the mom if you can, and you’ll see what your girl would be like as a wife.” I especially enjoyed conversations and spending time with Mr. Thompson. By the end of the week, our truer colors were all showing, and still the good feelings persisted. Ok, I really think this is it! I found the girl I’ve been looking for since I was 13!

My final weeks at home in July were a whirlwind. I baptized three youth in Lake Chelan right where I had been baptized 25 years earlier. It was a tremendous honor. My final hurrah with the Youth Group was a rainy long weekend at the Creation Music Festival. I worked hard to pack everything I needed for a move of indefinite length and pared my heap down to 350 pounds in five suitcases. I sold one of my Persian carpets for a little extra cash to make the move. I had already sold my Jeep, and was driving a dented, noisy, stinky, rusty, multicolored old Isuzu Trooper. It’s just a car, right? Selling my Jeep was way harder than I felt it should have been, however.  It’s tough for a rich guy to enter the kingdom of heaven.

“Are you excited?” well-meaning friends kept asking me. Well, “excited” isn’t exactly the best word to describe how I felt in those last days in the States. I still could not believe what I was doing. I’m going to be a teacher? I’ve only been a substitute! I don’t know what I’m doing! Will it actually work out with Jennifer? No red lights, but I have to squint to see the green lights. This could be incredibly good, or incredibly bad. I’m bringing my cat – will he run away or catch some mysterious Bolivian disease and die? (He almost did.) Will it be quiet and peaceful where I live, a sanctuary like the cabin? I do know it doesn’t snow down there. I’m sad to be leaving my family. My dad will never be able to visit; his lungs won’t work at the altitude. Yeah, but Jennifer sure is cool. . .

God has called me, this I’m sure. He gave oh-me-of-little-faith so many confirming signs that I scarcely have room for doubt. Apprehension maybe, but not doubt.

So I flew south, way south, on July 25^th.

What am I getting myself into?