I realize that some of you reading this didn’t get to hear the whole story of how I have found myself in Saipan teaching Kindergarten. I am writing this blog to tell the story for those who missed out on the how and why of this story.
I’ve looked at teaching overseas off and on through the past few years. Nothing ever came of it though. Then God moved and he moved fast. One day I was browsing the World Race Alum Facebook page. A fellow racer posted a job opening at a Christian school in Saipan. I got in touch with the principal and we chatted some. She sent me an application. I spent a few days considering things and praying. I decided that if God wanted this to happen the door would open and if not then it would close so why not fill out the application. (Note, I said this about the World Race too. I should have known what was coming) A day later I was setting up an interview. The next day had my interview, the next day I accepted the position.
The crazy part was I had about 10 days to prepare to take my whole life about 7,500 miles away. God worked in that so much. The school provided flights there and for shipping costs which was a huge blessing. I was able to get myself into the eye doctor in that short time so I could keep my drivers license up to date for when I’m home on vacation from school. Everything just fell into place. Even the struggle of my flight getting canceled the night before I left and having to postpone things for two days ended up not being stressful and was in reality a huge blessing. It gave me 2 days with family and friends where I wasn’t trying to prepare to leave, but I could simply be present in the moment with people I love.
I realize many of you probably have no idea where Saipan is nor do you know much about it. It’s actually a commonwealth of the US. If you come through Hawaii and Guam you don’t actually need a passport to get here. This use to be a Japanese island until World War II. The Us got the island at that point. Later the island could choose to stay as a part of the US or become their own country and they chose to stay. The island is small. About 12 miles by 5 miles in total.
So now I live in Saipan and teach Kindergarten at Saipan Community School. More to come about my life here!
