Staying open to new and uncharted journeys

The two vows that transformed my life

Two vows in my life transformed me in ways I never could have imagined. The first vow was when I got married on December 21, 1992, and said, “to have and to hold from this day forward” to my husband. The second time, when I swore in as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer on May 29, 2024, I vowed “to well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office.”

Both commitments marked new chapters. Both required stepping into the unknown with a promise to face whatever unfolded—come what may.

When I married Philip, we built a life over decades filled with love, challenges, and simple joys. From raising three children to navigating careers, we faced the routine and unexpected with the promises we made to each other, over 27 years. Those vows held us through every moment, even when life dealt us the unimaginable—Philip’s diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer.

When Philip passed away in March 2020, I felt untethered, lost in a chapter I never expected. Retiring early from nonprofit management, I craved meaning in this new phase of life. That’s when I remembered a long-buried dream from my twenties: to join the Peace Corps.

A new chapter with Peace Corps Response in Namibia

I applied for a yearlong assignment with Peace Corps Response, and soon, at age 61, I was stepping off a plane in Namibia. A country I barely knew became my home as I took on the role of Grant Writing Training Specialist for Namibia’s Department of Lifelong Learning, Arts and Culture.

This new chapter felt daunting. I was embracing a new culture, learning Afrikaans, trying unfamiliar foods, driving across the vast Namib desert, and navigating the everyday challenges of development work. Yet, like my first vow, this new promise taught me to live in the moment and adapt to uncertainty. “Get comfortable with the uncomfortable,” my kids have heard me say often.

The work is rewarding yet complex. By day, I assist staff with writing grants, developing manuals, giving presentations, and creating tools that will, hopefully, bring sustainability and efficiency to the Ministry's grant writing efforts. By night, I reflect on issues of scarcity, inequality, and resilience that I encounter daily. It’s humbling to witness the strength of communities despite limited resources and connectivity.

Traveling with the Directorate of Adult Education through Namibia has also been transformative. From the coastal towns of Lüderitz to the remote villages of the Himba people or deep in the bush to meet promoters (teachers) for the San people, I’ve met individuals whose stories inspire me. Whether I’m sharing grant writing tips in a formal setting or swapping smiles with locals in the bush, each interaction reminds me of the shared humanity that connects us all.

Technology remains a significant challenge here. Many colleagues rely on WhatsApp for communication when service allows, and internet access is often scarce. I’ve learned to pause, breathe, and embrace the slow pace, knowing that every small step forward makes a difference.

A promise to embrace new beginnings

That’s the essence of a vow, isn’t it? A commitment to keep trying, even when things don’t go as planned. For me it also meant embracing the unknown and giving my best.

While my Peace Corps service is finite, it carries lessons that mirror my marriage. Both vows required patience, compromise, and the courage to step into the unfamiliar. Both taught me the power of love—love for a partner, and now, love for a mission of peace and friendship.

Philip’s memory gives me the strength to face the new chapters in my life. Though I miss him deeply, our years together, infused with his love and unwavering support, remind me to live fully, no matter the circumstances. And so, from this day forward, I promise to keep stepping into the unknown, whether in love or service, and to embrace the new chapters waiting to unfold.