06 ː Ecuador-bound…

Much has transpired since I last posted on In Retɻoflect. This post is a longer one, so feel free to peruse as you wish with the headings below.

I returned from Costa Rica in December, completed my junior year of university, and am currently en route to a small Indigenous community situated in the north-central Andes as an intern with a Bible translation ministry.

I’ll start with my internship updates and then mention some highlights since last November.

Ecuador-bound…

Firstly, thank you all so much for partnering with me in this internship, financially, spiritually, and otherwise. My expenses were fully covered as of two weeks ago! I will be sure to write individually to all of you who have committed to shouldering the burden of finances and prayer alongside me. I’ve been moved by the words of encouragement from my family, friends, home church in South Dakota, and my growing communities in the Twin Cities.

I thank God for this opportunity to learn more about the mission of Bible translation and how I might be involved in the future. I am committing to posting short weekly updates during my internship, which will last until June 15.

Transition is hard. Community is worthwhile…

This semester has been one of loss and change. While I’m beyond grateful for the unique experience I had in Costa Rica, transitioning back to the States was harder than it had been arriving in Costa Rica in September. Beyond transitions of culture, language, and responsibilities, my life at home was to change in several impactful ways.

In January, my maternal grandmother passed away after having suffered from severe dementia for over ten years. Despite years of slowly saying goodbye, her death still felt sudden. My favorite memories include her teaching me how to read an analog clock, sneaking me sweets behind my mom’s back, and chastising my grandpa when he would chase my brother and me down and tickle us.

Though not as dramatic, I faced more goodbyes coming back to Northwestern. I had discontinued taking lessons from my bassoon teacher and was no longer reporting to my old boss, both of whom I had worked with closely since my first semester on campus. I soon learned that both my academic advisors were leaving, too. Most of my closer friends had graduated the spring or fall prior, as well.

The pandemic has certainly disrupted much (an understatement), as if the college season doesn’t already hold enough transition to disorient a student. These past years have been full of inconsistency, which has proven very difficult for me. Between long periods of quarantine, splitting life between home and school, living abroad, seeking community has seemed fruitless at times. However, there have been glimmers and glimpses. This semester I initiated community and was welcomed into new communities.

I recently joined a small Anglican congregation in Roseville and have been embraced and encouraged by many there. I’m becoming very interested in the Anglican tradition and more formal liturgy, which is new to me as an evangelical. I was invited to a book club by members of that church, where we discussed the process of creativity and its intrinsic interwovenness with faith. I was also able to more intentionally explore poetry and song-writing; one of my poems was even published by Northwestern’s literary magazine.

I began a linguistics and language-learning club on campus, which I’ve dubbed Ling/Lang. We’ve had encouraging engagement and a good variety of events so far, such as Linguistic Olympiad-style puzzles and movie nights.

I pursued mentorship relationships with several current and former professors and was involved in the formation of a new support group with Counseling Services.

I permanently deleted my Instagram and Facebook accounts. In this season, the utility of social media unfortunately doesn’t outweigh the distraction and anxiety they’ve caused me. I’m hoping to direct my extra time and mental bandwidth to my immediate, physical communities.

Beginning and joining communities is not a smooth process, or at least it hasn’t been for me. It’s awkward and sometimes feels forced. But, as my counselor continually reassures me, it’s so, so worth it. I’m hopeful. And I’m eager to pick up in the fall with these new communities.

In academic and professional news…

I had an intriguing blend of courses this semester:

• I took Theory of Second Language Acquisition (How does one learn and teach a new language?)

• Human Sexuality (What does a beautiful, wholistic, fulfilling, faithful, sexual witness look like?)

• Elementary Greek II (How do you conjugate all the verbs?!)

• Latin American Short Stories (What are important themes and styles of 20th century short-form fiction from Latin America?). I read my first Spanish novel, Más allá del invierno by Isabel Allende, and felt very accomplished.

A paper that I wrote my freshman year was published in the spring edition of the NHCH Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.

This summer my professor and I will submit for publication a co-authored report on glass bracelets uncovered at his archaeological digs at Shiloh, Israel—the site of the tabernacle during the time of the Judges. This was a great collaboration, and he even invited me and other student co-researchers to present at the UNW Faculty Scholarship Symposium at the beginning of May.

In the fall, I will be starting a new part-time position as a Spanish Enrichment Instructor with Futura Language Professionals. I’ll be teaching before- and after-school Spanish classes at area elementary schools. I have some experience as a college-level Spanish tutor but am very eager to learn and grow in working with younger kids.

Phew. I think that’s everything! :) Watch out for more frequent posts in the coming weeks, which will include my observations, experiences, and prayer requests related to my time in South America.

be well,

jcb