Home Again - Joanne Best

In 2002, when my 33-year marriage was formally ended, I had my mid-life crisis and ran away and joined the Peace Corps. I casually mentioned to Father Joe Cooper that the following Sunday would be my last for a while and explained why. That following Sunday, during the service, Father Joe told the congregation what I was doing. Then he asked me to come to the altar and then invited the congregation to come up and lay their hands on me.

Never had I felt so humbled.
Never had I felt so strengthened.

Joining about 65 others, ranging from recent college graduates to more mature volunteers, I made my way to Bucharest, Romania. After an initial orientation in Ploiesti we were broken into groups of 4 to 6 individuals and sent to different smaller towns for 10 weeks of language and culture training. I was assigned to Campina with four other mature female volunteers with the expectation that we would bond and support each other over the next two years.

Nancy was the first of us five to depart, after less than one week. Diane insisted that she would teach only the most advanced students; however, she left before teaching even one class. LaHoma left after a month because her elementary students said they would behave during class only if she brought them candy every day. And Carol left in November because she was so depressed in her town. So much for my support group. But my Lithuanian stubbornness enabled me to complete my two-year commitment.

And then I quietly returned to Wilmington and my church. During the Prayers of the People, Father Joe offered thanksgiving for my safe return.

He remembered me.

He recognized me.

I knew then that I was home again.