Mitch and I returned to our work. We now have 4-6 hours of language a week, a decrease from the 15-20 we were doing. And are now spending the rest of our time in our human resources jobs. I have been doing a lot of editing of documents, reviewing orientation materials, and reading the most recent books I can find about supporting families and children in transition and third culture kids. I think this is work that there is often no space for, so I am grateful for the time and space to do this background work. I have also done a couple of annual reviews and exit interviews for expats. This has been a good way to learn to know people and the organization better and to consider how the orientation and support programs can actually best support the people they are made for.

Mitch has returned to A LOT of emails. He is learning a lot about keeping updated files for all the current expat staff, the steps that people who want to come need to take to get here, and keeping track of each piece of paperwork as it is returned on the journey to have an actual person working here. He has also been working with our colleagues to figure out visa questions, tax questions, and sending agency questions. There is a lot to learn here and it is so very different from teaching. However, the flexibility, organization, and follow-through of teaching are still needed, and Mitch has brought those skills here.

Together we have hosted folks who are coming through Kathmandu on their way for summer trips, or to find a new sending organization, or still in town for their language training. We are saying goodbye to one colleague who has welcomed us and shown us around. We are looking forward to a retreat with Mennonite Mission Network in Thailand in July and to planning a retreat for the UMN expats.