The following conversation is a
paraphrase.
I wandered through the booths enjoying the
different students and their cultures. While walking around, I bumped into
my friend from Korea. We chatted awhile and then, out of the blue, she
asked me "Do you have some Bible verses on fear?"
"Yes, there are many," I replied.
"What are some examples?"
I shared Joshua 1:9, one of my favorites,
and then asked what she was afraid of. Knowing my own personal dealings
with guilt and fear I added some examples.
"Yes, I think maybe it's a little bit of
all those,”she said. "Is fear a sin?"
"Yes," I replied, “but the Bible does talk a
great deal about fearing the Lord.”
"I think that's part of my problem," she
said. "I fear God."
"Well, we should fear God. That's the
beginning of wisdom, to have a proper understanding of the Lord and to fear
Him. However, He did send His only Son on our behalf so we should look to
Jesus whenever we're afraid."
"Thank you so much, Joanna. I'm so glad
I met you."
Following this conversation, I met with a
student who needed to complete a school assignment. She had to
interview someone from a non-profit. (I'd already done this same interview
with another student the day before so I knew what to expect.)
"The teacher told us we needed to interview
someone from a non-profit," this student said. "But we are all students
and it's hard to get off campus and to find someone, because we international
students don't know as many people."
I explained I was more than happy to help her,
and after, figuring out how to tape the interview, (she was worried about her
English and not being able to catch it all I think) the interview began.
The questions and my responses included
...
1. What does a typical day look
like.
Everyday is different. It depends on whether I have meetings with
students, or am planning activities, or am emailing or calling or meeting with
supporters or volunteers. Usually weekends are busy with a Bible study at
my home and a Friday night gathering.
2. What are some of the challenges you
face.
Different things are challenges at different times. Sometimes it's the
fact that I don't get a normal salary, I have to ask people to help be a part of
helping me and then people give to the organization and the organization gives
to me. Sometimes its challenging when you put a lot of work into something
and only one student shows up, or students cancel at the last minute. Sometimes
it's knowing how to make the work effective for students.
3. You need to be flexible, but also disciplined.
Outgoing and friendly. A working knowledge of computers. Patience.
4. How do you balance your work and your life with family, friends, and
hobbies.
I try to take a day off during the
week to rest. I also try to keep a schedule, going to bed at around the
same time and waking up at around the same time. But I love my job, my
work is play, so that helps a lots.
5. How many hours do you work?
Usually 40. Sometimes 50, or 60 depending on
the week or if I take a vacation it's closer to 20.
6. What do you love about your job?
I love international students!