January 21st was the last day before the Lunar New Year holiday. I didn’t think that would be the last time I would get to see the students at my school.
I had it all planned out. I thought through the entire plan for my leaving the school when I handed in my resignation in November. This place has been such a big part of my life, that I wanted to make sure I left well. After much prayer and discussion, I decided that the end of February would be my last day. That would give me one month to get my things together to leave my home for the past five years before heading to the TeachBeyond conference in April then heading to America before beginning the new adventure in July. However, my plans didn’t factor in the coronavirus.
At the beginning of February, we learned of the coronavirus and the country jumped into action. The virus that was running rampant in China, had come to this country. There weren’t many cases, but there was enough unknowns that caused fear in parents. The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health decided to close school for the week by extending the Lunar Holiday. This was a shock to teachers as there was not a lot of information about the virus. Schools jumped into action by providing online learning and cleaning and sanitizing everything.
As the week continued, rumors started going around that school was going to be canceled the next week as well. Other cities had already closed for the next week, but we had to wait until Friday evening to learn that we would be extending the holiday for another week. School being closed for another week, without an increase in cases, didn’t really make sense and we complained. There was just not a lot of information. Teachers were missing students. We didn’t prepare to say goodbye to students for longer than the week and a half holiday. Now we were going on three and a half weeks.
Each week, the expectations that next week would be the week we would go back would be crushed Friday evening when the city would extended the holiday yet again. Soon school was canceled for the entire month of February (if you’re keeping track that makes 5 and a half weeks out of school). My heart sadden at the thought that the students that I have watched grow over the past five years would come back to school and I won’t be there. They wouldn’t even know that I had spent the past 4 months thinking of how I would say goodbye to them; how we would shed tears and share memories. I feel robbed at the opportunity to say goodbye to the students that have been a big part of the reason I came here.
The school staff did plan a sweet farewell party for me on my last day, 28 February, 2020. We played American Football with the staff. I love the opportunity to play sports with our staff, it is a great time of fellowship and team-building. Then they arranged a photo booth and sweet farewell videos for me in our gym. I loved the opportunity to spend time with staff that I have built relationships with. They also offered me the chance to come back to school when the students come back for a final farewell.
As March has come, the school closures continue. The news just came that students will be out of school until the end of March and school are preparing for the long term (end of March makes 9 and a half weeks out of school). The rest of the world has also caught on to the school closures as well as businesses are starting to close. I started to come to terms with not being able to see the students before I leave.
Every day I hear about schools closing in America and other countries banning travel for the next 2-4 weeks. I had planned to leave at the beginning of April to head to the conference in Europe. However, the conference was canceled. Then flights to Malaysia were banned. And now its not looking promising for flights to America. So I have paused travel plans and I am just taking it one day at a time.
These are strange times. But during these strange times I will continue to trust in the Lord. I know that He has orchestrated the next adventure as a Head of School. My plans for the summer might be changing but I put all my trust and plans in the hands of the Lord. I am thankful for the extra time to spend with my community here and I am praying that students will come back to school before I have to leave the country. But I know that there will be an opportunity for me to come back even if I don’t get to say goodbye this time. This country and these people have a special place in my heart. God is continuing to fulfill His promise of providing homes all over the world.
pictures in order from left to right:
1st row: ponchos on motorbikes, making nem and my other favorite foods with some amazing people, the trip to Bat Trang Pottery Village, Playing football with the staff
2nd row: lanterns in Hoi An with friends, farewell photo booth group picture, my empty desk at school, Sunday Fiesta for Woman’s Day at Salt N Lime
3rd row: Long Bien Bridge, Recycled trash, Office staff goodbye dinner at 4ps, some of my favorite girls from work