Expectations of my new "situation."

One of the questions on the Language, Culture and Miscellaneous Information About Yourself survey that I filled out about a month ago asked about my expectations of my soon-to-be experience working abroad. I've given that question a lot of thought since then, and I've come to realize that I don't expect glitz, glamour, or facilitating world peace while I'm in Morocco. In fact, I'm not sure if I even expect to do much tangible work while I'm there.

A lot of the blogs that I read, and materials that the Peace Corps has sent me, say that one of the biggest frustrations that volunteers face while serving is the fact that change does not happen overnight, or even in two years. Change doesn't always come in form you're expecting, either. English lessons for 12-year-old boys may not manifest as "change" until years and years later, when they're old enough to decide to pursue an advanced education. A latrine system may fail at first, but may flourish at a later date when the resources and village support are more sustainable.

The Peace Corps has three goals for its volunteers:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Nowhere in these goals does it mention anything about creating or facilitating sustainable projects, or making life for the villagers "better," or changing anything. I am serving as an educator of the American spirit, a student of Morocco and an educated set of hands.

And that could, very well, be it.

I will, of course, be working with the local sbitar (health clinic) to further their work in the community (whatever that may be). I also hope to set a few new ideas into motion. I can't expect to touch hundreds of lives with my work, though. I can't expect to save the starving children of Morocco, or to introduce electricity into villages without. It's unfair to assume that my lifestyle is the lifestyle that everyone should be living, and I look forward to the opportunity to look at my American-ness from the perspective of an outsider.

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Update on Natalie:
As of this afternoon, she was stable and in good spirits. She had a seizure early this morning, but doctors say that the blood clot in her brain has dissolved. Please keep praying. Gurl, if you're reading this, feel free to comment and keep us updated as well!