Obviously, I have been working quite a bit. At work, people have asked me questions on my leaving for service in less than three months and I've come to realise a few things. Hopefully, the next few paragraphs will help others that think I'm crazy know that I am going into this with my eyes wide open and heart in the right place - not just on a whim.
1. It will be a HUGE lifestyle change for me. I work nights. I'm a night person... From what the current volunteers have said - 6am is considered sleeping in. When I first started at the hospital, it only took me 2 days to realise I didn't want to be getting up at 6am. However, living in a group home for people with disabilities requires you to function in the mornings so I am capable of adapting. It just may take a bit to having to be functional at 6am.
2. Third world country: bucket showers, no running water, unreliable electricity, and trash burning. Honestly, the only thing I wasn't sure of adapting to (that I'm already making progress) is not as much trash accumulation. The only problems I have had before in not having something I'm accustomed to in the States is air con in hot weather. Of course, air con requires reliable electricity but due to living in Australia - I can deal in hot weather without much air con.
3. Mud houses/huts to live in with another family. The only thing I have discovered over the years that I require to live is a place to sleep lying down. I have slept/had my room in a pullout couch in a garage for a year - I'm fairly certain I can handle whatever I end up! As far as living with another family? I have lived in group homes and currently live with my parents so I have experience with close living quarters relationships.
4. My community role. This is what makes me the most nervous - my job. My experience lies more in direct patient care rather than education, although I have taught topics in Sunday school, Bible studies, and etc.
You know, as I type this I am realising that I need to rearrange my focus. Rather than thinking my role as a nurse aid responsible for education, I should look at it as my teaching topics in health and etc. like I have done in Sunday school and Bible studies. My experiences as a nurse aid should only enhance what I teach rather than having me be responsible for patient education, which is more of a nursing role.
All this being said, I don't know how things are going to look until I get there. I'm fairly certain I'll be able to adapt just fine to everything, although some might take more time than others. However, the truth is that I haven't been in something like this for an extended period of time like I will be. What I DO know is that beginning in September, this is what God has called me to do so the Peace Corps is what I will be doing until November 2016.
Please feel free to leave comments about other questions you have that I have not addressed!