I don't think we realized how long this transition would actually take. We have certain markers on the calendar that note a particular change. Each one brings us closer to the BIG change of moving to Hawaii. But when someone asks us, "When are you moving?" it's been difficult to answer. The actual answer is Sept. 2- we fly from Chicago to Kona via San Jose. But, we literally "move" several different times. On July 1, our home will be packed up and shipped to Hawaii. It's hard to believe that it's only 2.5 weeks away. On July 3rd we go to North Carolina to be with Eric's family, and then we move back to Nashville for 16 days, living with a generous host family from our church. On July 27, we'll head up to Michigan for the month of August. So much change/transition/instability!
But this week, we're feeling this transition more than most. Last Friday was Eric's last day working with East Nashville Cooperative Ministry. (You can read his good-bye letter at the end of this blog). This marked the beginning of a new job for Joy, as the Director of a 5th & 6th grade Summer program in the Preston Taylor neighborhoods. Which means, we switched roles. Joy is now at work during the day, and Eric is staying at home with Justice, taking Monday and half a day Tuesday for church work. On top of this, our church's VBS was this week, running from 6-8pm four nights in a row. And tomorrow, we're having our BIG Moving Sale.
As you can imagine, we're tired. At the end of the day, we just want to sleep. We're a bit overwhelmed with organizing into categories: sell, giveaway, throw away, and take to Hawaii. And yet, tomorrow is another marker for us, another day that brings us just a little closer to our goal. And at times, we have to take a step back, reflect on the good relationships we've cultivated, and practice saying good-bye. Here are some words from Eric to the community associated with ENCM:
After three incredible and fruitful years working with East Nashville Cooperative Ministry, it is with a mix of both sadness and anticipation that I say good-bye and resign as the Development and Volunteer Manager. My family will be following God’s leading in our life, relocating to Kailua-Kona, HI to work with a local Nazarene church for community development and discipleship efforts. ENCM has been for me an important and formative organization. Not only was I personally introduced to healthy and locally grown foods through ENCM (losing 20lbs in the process), but I also had the distinct honor to introduce our friends and neighbors to an organization that truly believes communal health is the work of the whole community. I have learned that poverty is a form of communal unhealthiness. I have also learned our low-income and homeless neighbors have much to offer us. And I am grateful for their trust and friendship over the past three years.
Ultimately, East Nashville Cooperative Ministry allowed me the space to gain experience coming out of grad school. It was in this small 807 Main St. building and our multiple community gardens that I began to work out the head knowledge I attained in practical seed-in-the-dirt kind of ways. I have witnessed children touching and tasting a tomato straight from the garden for the first time; I’ve played a role in educating our community about the importance of local economies; I’ve helped move unhoused neighbors into housing and friends enslaved by addictions into rehab; and I’ve watched fast food addicted volunteers transition to more balanced eating habits. I will be forever indebted to this small community driven organization and will carry the lessons and memories with me into a new ministry.
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