playing high

Hi friends!

I'm back in action with the blog, after too long of a break! We are well into second semester now, and let me tell you - it's going great! This semester I am teaching one less class than last semester, and my job is a bit more manageable. It is still a challenge, and it definitely keeps me on my toes, but having one less class to prep for has enabled me to have more of a life of my own outside of school.

I have joined a choir at church, and we are going to be able to perform a few concerts in the Basilica in the Centro Historico down town and other old, cool churches with great acoustics. I have been running again, and spending time in fellowship at a young adult group from church, and with other work friends. I even got to play Ultimate Frisbee today ("playing high" is in reference to that, and the altitude).

During the week my days consist of school, some kind of stress-relieving activity after school (running, music, friends), dinner and more work. It can be tedious at times, but there is a certain beauty to be found even then. I love my students so much, and as I see them learn and grow, I am realizing that it's going to be really hard to leave them come June. But that's so far away! So I'll stick to the present for now!

Presently it is the season of Lent, and I have found myself once again reflecting upon the meaning of this season - a time of surrender, sacrifice, and preparation for Easter and the celebration of Christ's selfless death and victorious resurrection.

In Ecuador, the few days before Lent, that is celebrated in some parts of the states as "Fat Tuesday" or Mardi Gras, is called Carnaval. And because Ecuador has a high Catholic population (and Lent is especially celebrated by Catholic brothers and sisters), Carnaval is a pretty big deal here. It is a national holiday, celebrated with parades and "playing Carnaval" with water fights and foam fights. During Carnaval, strangers throw buckets of water on you, carry water guns to soak you, and spray scented foam all over you - presumably as one last wild "hoorah" before the discipline of Lent sets in. My friends and I were at the beach during Carnaval. We discovered that our white skin made us even more of a target for foam and water, but all in good fun.

Upon returning from the Carnaval festivities and the nice little break it gave me from work, I've been thinking more deeply about the meaning of Lent and its contrast with the wildness the typically precedes it. While I know that it is not necessary to give something up for Lent, I have found it to be a very beneficial practice, especially if I add something in its place. It is a practice of sacrificing something small - a little piece of myself - so that I can focus on something bigger: the power and beauty of truth and what it means to know and discover it. If this is something you have never done, maybe you should give it a try :)

Speaking of the present, this week is also Spiritual Emphasis Week at school. This week happens once a semester, and it consists of a modified schedule with Chapel everyday hosted by a guest speaker or group. Please pray that it is time of growth, learning, and earnest questioning/seeking for our students.

And looking foward just a bit - next weekend I will be running another 10k, and I'm pretty excited for it. It will be my first race since Christmas. Then we will already be coming up on the end of 3rd quarter at school already! And as Lent comes to an end, my wonderful parents will pay me a week-long visit. Phewie... time flies... let's stay in the present for now.

Thanks for reading, and come again soon. ha.

Love and hugs,

Katie

Bloom Where You're Planted: a Christmas reflection

*Dear Blog-readers, before I delve into my Christmas reflection, allow me to apologize that I have been HORRIBLE at updating my blog regularly. There is no excuse other than the fact that I have been lacking inspiration to voice my thoughts efficiently and the time to do it effectively. However, in the New Year, I will try to do better, and in the meantime, here are my thoughts on my year in Ecuador:

"Bloom Where You’re Planted: A Christmas reflection from a first-year teacher and missionary"
John `1:1-18, Romans 5, Psalm 66

When I first embarked on my Ecuadorian adventure back in August to go serve as a missionary as a high school literature teacher at an international school, “bloom where you’re planted” was the optimistic motto I planned on holding myself to. I jumped in with both feet, knowing that it would be a challenge, but driven by a fierce spirit of adventure which served as a rose-colored lens that tainted the realistic situation that this job would be the most difficult challenge I have ever accepted. Although this has been exceedingly difficult, I am not at all regretful of that initial eagerness and air of excitement that I felt. Had I not been “blinded” in a way to the weight of the trials that I would face, I wonder if I would have even come. And even more, whoever said that being pressed beyond what I believed I could handle is a bad thing? After all, according to our good buddy James, we are called to be joyful in trial because the testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1:2).

I know this is true deeply, and I hold it to be true firmly. Yet, knowing that there is truth and goodness in suffering does not make one happy in suffering, nor does it make suffering easier. This has been the struggle for me. The initial sparkle and shine of an exciting new adventure quickly lost its luster as I became more and more aware of the impossible demands that my job placed (and still places) upon me. This, I believe is to be expected with many life experiences. How often do we eagerly accept a calling or an opportunity with great ambitions and expectations, only to find that there are unexpected obstacles and hurdles that must be overcome? Certainly this is not the first, or the last time, that I will have this kind of experience. But I pray earnestly that this is the ONLY time that I will have this kind of experience at this level of stress and difficulty. However, just as promised in James, the testing of faith produces perseverance, so if I am to face a trial of this type again, at least I will do so with indomitable spirit and perseverance!

As an English literature teacher, one of my biggest pet peeves is ambiguity in speaking or writing, so at this point I feel that it is necessary (for your sanity, but also for my own) that I depart from the use of ambiguous phrases as “the most difficult challenge,” “impossible demands of my job,” and “this level of stress and difficulty” so that you can begin to understand my struggle, and more importantly, what I am learning and becoming because of it all.

So to prevent that this speech seems like a rant or a plea for sympathy, I will tell only what is necessary for you to understand my basic situation, so that you can more fully share in the lesson that God is revealing to me. My struggle is this: I am being stretched spiritually, emotionally, academically, mentally to the point where I literally have nothing more to give. Having come to Quito with the tag of “missionary,” with hopes of using my God-given strengths, talents, and passions for youth, literature, and education in order to make an eternal impact in His kingdom, how frustrating it is to continuously feel inadequate in every way due to forces beyond my control. Yet the problem it is not that I am actually ill-equipped for this calling. In fact, my situation is quite the contrary. God HAS called me here for “such a time as this.” I AM blessed with a passion for and gifted understanding of literature and language. My passion for young people and education truly IS purposeful in God’s kingdom plan. I know these things not because I have succeeded with facility and expertise in my calling, but because I daily experience my calling and the role of God’s grace within it. That is to say, were it not for all of these previously mentioned truths, there is no way on earth that I would be able to face the challenge of teaching four very different upper-level literature classes with little-to-no curriculum as a first year teacher in a foreign country, while also trying to live and serve selflessly as a servant in the Lord’s name.

So if my challenge is facing my own calling in a place and time that is apparently exceedingly taxing in many ways, what is the purpose in this and what is the purpose in my sharing it with you? Many are the purposes, my friends. As my story is still unfolding, and I am only at the midpoint in my first year of teaching, concrete purposes are quite hard to identify, but I am confident that purpose is apparent, and will continue to become more and more tangible and knowable in my story. But even so, I will share with you the truths that are becoming solidified for me and the profundity of the questions and the wonder that are an inherent part of growing.

Truth number one: Grace is real. Beyond knowing this in a metaphysical manner of understanding that it is God’s grace, or His unmerited favor and love for us, that saves us from our sin, I am realizing that grace is the reason why I can continually face myself as an imperfect being, face my job in all its trials, and face my God in all His beauty. God has been and always is gracious with me, thus I am to be gracious with myself and with my students. Grace is double-sided. After accepting it as an idea that saves us (for we are saved by grace through faith, and not by works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)), grace can become a means of humility, surrender and growth.

Paul reflects on the depth of God’s grace for us as he writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecution, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV)).

This very completion and fulfillment, stemming from grace, that Paul speaks of when he says “when I am weak, then I am strong,” corresponds powerfully with the second truth that I am coming to know in a deeper way: Redemption and Sanctification stem from great suffering. The idea that God allows us to pass through trial and fire in order to bring us closer to Him is a Biblical truth, and a beautiful one at that. Purification of precious metals passing through the fire is a classic Biblical metaphor that symbolizes the refining process of becoming more Christ-like. Just as a refiner’s fire (see Zec. 13:9 and Psalm 66:10) removes the dross and infirmities from precious metals, God tries us in a similar way by allowing that we pass through the humbling “fire” of various tribulations so that we might be broken down in our flesh and built up in Him.

Yet within this process of experiencing grace and pressure, a third truth grasps my heart: questions and weeping are 100% necessary for growth and surrender. Many are the days and nights that I have found myself broken in tears, in frustration, in loneliness, wondering “Why am I here,” “Why does this have to be so hard,” “How could I ever have thought this to be a good idea.” And while I know my emotional instability can be analyzed as a symptom of sleep deprivation and an unbalanced lifestyle, I believe that even more, it is a symptom of my literal cry for help as a broken being attempting to please God. It is in this time of utter weakness and dryness when I feel that I have nothing more to give, that I can really know what it means to allow the joy of the Lord to be my strength.

At Christmas we celebrate Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection as the principle means through which we can know and experience God’s grace, redemption, and the painfully beautiful process of sanctification that begins when we surrender ourselves before the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, the Great I AM. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this miraculous grace and its indispensable part of the Christmas story as he compares Christ’s merciful coming to Adam’s tragic fall. He writes,

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who is to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by one man’s offense, many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from on offense resulted in condemnation but the free gift which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:14-17 (NKJV)

This year as I celebrate Christ in the Advent season, it is only natural for me to think about my own struggles, questions, and personal battles in light of the promises that are being fulfilled daily as I experience God’s grace in diverse ways over and over again each day. Yet as I look back towards my original hope for my mission, I must ask myself: am I “blooming where I’m planted”? I suppose that depends on our definition of blooming. If we take “blooming” to mean something that has already flowered and is flourishing healthily and abundantly, then perhaps I am not. But if blooming is budding, unfolding, growing, being pruned of dead parts, and sprouting new stems, then yes. And if this is the case, which I believe it is, I hope I will bloom forever.

cactus for sale

Hey team!
It has officially been one month since I arrived. I feel that I should apologize for not updating my blog, but better late than never, right? Today marked the end of the 3rd full week of school. It is tiring and stressful, and requires loooong days that turn into long nights, but I am learning. I am growing and being stretched in many ways, and will continue on like this with my chin up and my boots buckled. I mean. I'm not wearing boots. And I don't have any boots with buckles. But if I was and if I did, I promise you that I would.

So let me start this update by telling you about the things that are most pressing in my mind. First of all, I bought a cactus today for my house. It's real cute, about yay-high and its name is Cristóbal. I bought him at the grocery store. It's great to have a new addition to the family. Secondly, I am running my first international race on Sunday. It's a 10k and I am STOKED. I got my race packet today, and I am chomping at the bit to run it. There will be over 6000 people, and it will be basically be big running party. Thirdly, today for lunch I went out with a couple of teachers to a big authentic market place. We ate in this large cafeteria filled with about 15 booths all selling the same food. We ate "hornado" (roasted) pig that was served on top of a pile of potatoes with salad and avocado and pork rind. It was the most cultural thing I've done all week, and for that I am glad that I did it. In fact, I will make you a deal. If you come visit me, I will take you out for hornado so you can experience the fun yourself. I might even buy you a jugo de mora (blackberry juice) - the most heavenly juice in the world. :)

Although I haven't had the chance yet to travel much or jump off of anything cool or climb any mountains, everyday is an adventure of its own. "They" say that the first year teaching is the hardest, and I reallllly hope that "they" are correct. At the same time, I love my kids, and I really am enjoying teaching and ministering in this way. Additionally, I am helping to lead a group of students once a week to go minister at a food kitchen called Pan de Vida (Bread of Life). We had our organizational meeting this Wednesday. This will be a good way actively get out into the community and serve, love, and grow alongside my students.

I will try and do better at keeping you all updated, but in the meantime, do me a favor and remember with me that "life is not a trajectory". So keep spinning. :)

pitter patter afternoon

Hola,

First of all, thanks for taking the time to read this blog entry. I've been here just over a week, and things are rolling. Our apartment is furnished with a table and chairs, some free, borrowed couches and end tables, and and my free bed and bedside table. As far as furniture goes, we have been blessed. We have a moldy fridge that we paid $50 for (SUCH a blessing!), that I think will do the job after we bleach it a few more times, and we bought an old stove as well. The only necessity that we are missing is a washing machine and dryer. This will be our biggest investment, and we may have to wait a few more weeks to get it.

But really, my life here is more exciting than furniture. We had 4 long days of orientation last week, and we have 3 days of work time this week before school starts on Thursday. Speaking of Thursday, last Thursday I went to a wedding for a friend that I had made when I was here student teaching. It was outdoors and rainy, but oh so lovely. It rains a lot here. It's raining now, and I like it.

I don't really have any exciting culture stories because so much of my time here has been work-focused so far. The Alliance community is a great one, filled with lots of beautiful people with wonderful talents, but it is a strange sub-culture of its own. One thing I am pretty excited about is that the English department (my department) this year is going to be great. We have all new people, but so many good ideas and good leadership. I have a feeling that it will be good. I will keep you posted.

Now for some interesting facts: Today I took a bus alone for my first time. Don't worry, mom. It was safe and during mid-day. I really like milk boxes. They are like juice boxes, but milk instead. Cheese empanadas are my favorite and I could drink jugo de mora (blackberry juice) every day of my life and never get tired of it. I'm glad a I brought a raincoat. I need to stop eating hamburgers here because they always make me sick. Rain and jugo de mora are comparable because I like having them both on a daily basis. I am excited for school to start.

I guess that's all for now. If anything exciting happens, I will be sure to share. You please do the same. Keep it real, spotted seals!

Hello friends,
I'm happy to let you all know that I arrived safely. I am currently sitting in my new bedroom, in my new apartment, on my new-to-me bed (which was given to me by a friend). The only furniture that my housemate, Jessica, and I own are our beds. Tomorrow we are headed out first thing to look for a refrigerator, a couch, a table and chairs, and a washer. We also are buying a stove from a friend. Please pray that we are able to find these items at an affordable price, as appliances tend to be extremely expensive here in Ecuador. Some friends of ours told us that the cheapest refrigerator they could find was over $500. I do believe that with patience and God's help we will be able to find what we need, and will hopefully be able to afford it.

So far my time here has consisted mostly of sleeping, eating, running errands, and meeting some of the other teachers. We've been eating out a lot because we don't have any way to store or prepare food (which will hopefully change soon), which has resulted in some interesting adventures for my stomach and some very happy taste buds :). Today we had Ecuadorian pizza and Chinese food. I've also been drinking lots of chocolate milk. Mmmm.

Today I went for my first run, and it wasn't pretty. But hey... 9,000 feet is a lot higher up than Fargo, ND. And I've got to start somewhere! It will be good for me to have running as a kind of outlet once school starts, as well. Speaking of school, we start orientation on Tuesday and classes start the 25th. We have a lot to do before then, but we will buckle down and do it. I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to contact me or leave a comment.
Much Love from South America

ready, set... move to Ecuador

Hi friends! Here I sit in Fargo, ND, just a mere 2.5 days from my departure at 6 am on August 12. I can't believe the day is almost here, after such a long, full summer. My bags are pretty much packed, and I'm feeling pretty ready. I recently found out that my housing plans fell through, but I have also learned since then, that there are other options for housing. I am confident that it will work out fine - and it may even be more economical this way.

"They" say that missionaries should raise most, if not all, of their support before leaving on their mission. Although I have only raised 10% of my calculated needs ("calculated needs" is here referring to the part of my budget that my stipend will not cover -- approx $2300 for the year), I feel confident that in combination with a simple lifestyle and a God who provides, everything will work out fine. If you have more specific questions about how you can support me prayerfully or financially, please email me at burrows.kh@gmail.com.

Mostly I'm feeling a strong pull to get up and go and fly and explore and love and serve and share and learn and blossomflourishbreathesingdancespin. Of course saying goodbye will be hard, but onto the next adventure beneath the skies. I think of people as flowers. We bloom where we are planted, but we bloom differently in different kinds of soil. So I'm going to go be planted in some mountain soil in Quito, and bloom there. It's bound to be an adventure. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Let's go bloom.

Preparations

Greetings to you my dear friends and family!

Welcome to my blog. As you may already know, on August 12 I will be leaving to go teach high school English at Alliance Academy International in Quito, Ecuador. I will use this blog to post updates about what I am doing, what I am learning, and how I am doing. Feel free to check back periodically or become a "follower."

I'm currently in the midst of preparing for my coming journey. This includes filling out vast amounts of paperwork, praying, sending lots of emails, and working two part time summer jobs to help finance my trip.

Soooo basically I'm pretty excited for this blessed opportunity to serve in a way that combines my passion for young people, literature, hispanic culture, traveling, adventure, and service. I won't start posting regularly until I depart, as my life in Fargo, ND is not terribly exciting (although it is a beautiful chance to spend some quality time with my precious parents). That being said, check back in mid-August and throughout the 2011-12 school year, and I will keep you updated! And I'd love to hear from all of you, so feel free at anytime to leave comment, send an e-mail or set up a skype date with me.

Love!