Saturday, October 18, 2008

Day 161

finally, some upswing.

it's been just over a whole twenty-four hours here and i already feel comfortable. the town is small, to be sure, and adam and i spent most of the afternoon walking around the busier sections talking to people and handing out resumes at various locations as we look for immediate labor work.

but first.

this morning, we headed up the mountain for the job fair. after filling my forms and feeling inadequately prepared with my country's conditions and methods (my work permit can't be fulfilled until this present stage has been) i applied and scored a second interview. the mountains are clearly visible now and, although the nearby slopes themselves are still a humid yellow, there's already snow on the tips of the higher rocky peaks.

the second interview flowed from the beginning and i was able to make personal connection with the interviewer after i followed up on a tiny bit she told me about herself in introduction. the rest was fun, positive, and after answering that i would be an eagle if i could choose to be any animal, we ended up talking about these birds and hiking and i walked away a few moments later with a job on the ski hill for the winter. this means a pass, gear discounts, and cheaper food. the best part in all this is that they were made fully aware of and willingly agreed to create the necessary documents to now gain a legal work permit- just as i had told the first canadian guard when i'd been rejected on suspicion of illegal employment. i wish i could send him a postcard, but that's probably not a good idea. all in all, the five of us that needed winter work got it today.

we've already begun living life on the cheap side. lunch- two bagels, two bananas, and a drink- were picked individually from the supermarket for only $3.15. dinner was just over $4.00. adam and i sat on the concrete bank along the street and munched as cars drove by and people walked the sidewalks. i started to realize that it makes sense that orphans in africa could be sponsored for so cheap of a north american price. this is happiness to me and inspiration for simpler living. we applied in the store too. while walking the town tonight, i found a ten dollar bill in the grass. i was glad. happy. i remembered those kind of 'wallet tracts' you'd see on big city sidewalks and realized that i'd have been really put off if this bill had some sort of message attached to its sly attraction. why do we do that? i'd be angry if i needed money to survive as bad as i do and i had found fake cash with a gospel message.

i'm not making money yet from a job, but things are coming together so well. even in this one day, we've met so many chill people and with the solid crew that we have, i really am excited about the impact we're going to have in this town this winter.

right after the job with the lodge was confirmed this morning, i happened to open a Bible to this verse. i still need to recross the border to get the permit, but the hardest part of finding a willing employer is accomplished.

psalm 20:4-6

4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

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