Occupation: Unknown

I am safely on the ground in Peru and have survived one day of moving stuff around, cleaning up in preparation for the first team to arrive, and (you guessed it) shopping ministry.

I had a wonderful neighbor on the 6.5 hour flight from Atlanta to Peru. A wee little Peruvian woman travelling back to Lima after visiting family in Utah sat next to me. But she didn't just sit next to me. I had the privelege of fixing her headphones. And loaning her a pen. And helping her fill out customs paperwork. And translating with flight attendants. And getting her bags. It was actually quite fun (and for those who've seen Justin McRoberts in concert lately, reminscent of his story about sitting next to a young kid... sometimes people just interfere with your personal space, with your alone time and bring you back to the knowledge that we're all in this together).

It was also a really good chance to practice my Spanish. At one point she asked me "what do you do?". It shouldn't be a hard question to answer. But I'd just spent several minutes debating over how to fill out the blank on the immigration form labeled occupation: ______________

I mulled over my choices. Unemployed? (not really true). Volunteer? (not so much an occupation). Development worker? (a flat out lie). I thought about writing 'disciple' or 'lover' (Shane Claiborne style) but decided I didn't feel qualified enough for either of those, or really excited about facing possible questions in immigration.

Ultimately I settled on 'student'. And that's what I told my Peruvian friend, too. In some ways, it's true. I'm still learning. I've still got a lot to learn. Just because I'm done with college doesn't end that. In another sense though, it was just the easy way out. I knew how to say that in Spanish and I knew I wouldn't get questioned in immigratin and I knew no one would look down on me or think I was weird.

Sad that even the opinion of an unknown customs official or the sweet little lady next to me intimidate me from the truth.

I'd like to live up to the title of disciple. I'd like to be a "professional" lover someday, to be occupied with loving others. But, for now, I'm working on it.