I AM HERE!

I now wake up to the sounds of gecko lizards and dogs barking.  I feel the hot salty air on my skin and it feels sticky with my sweat.  I go outside and am met with the smell of incense, fish, and trash.  As I walk down the street, the fishermen are busy sorting their nets and I hear people saying "Selemat Pagi!" which is "good morning!".  They smile and would help me if I ever needed it.  The people are dark skinned and stern looking but their hearts are friendly and relational.  I am reminded why I love this country.  I am where I am suppose to be!

My room

I share this room with an local girl who knows English very well so she's been helping me with language learning.  

This is our "ceiling fan"

Well, after 3 days of travel I am finally in SE Asia and settled into my new (temporary) home.  

For those of you who have never traveled overseas, let me learn you about something.  It's called "JET LAG"......it's of the devil!  Let's take my travels.  There is a 12 hour time difference between North Carolina and where I'm at.  That means, I feel like this

for 2 weeks.  Your body is like "what? what?".  You go to bed at 8pm, sleep until 1am, become very productive for a few hours and then you feel like the above picture the rest of day.  Then.....repeat.  Eventually, you body adjusts to the new time difference and you can function normally (I'm finally there!).  Of course, I HAD to decide to come where I'm jet lagged during my first week of language school.....not too smart

In other news, I have started my language study.  I just finished the first week of beginners' level and I'm encouraged.  Because I had been here before and studied while in the States, I am functioning at a level 2 now and so far, this class is easy.  Of course, I'm glad I'm taking it since it's strengthening my foundational language.  

At my language school on the first day.  I got a Papaya juice for $0.50!

When I'm not doing language, I'm working on preparing for the move to the other place next year.  Prayer and a lot of relationship building is needed.  

As an added bonus, I have agreed to help the base here with one of their training programs.  The program begins in January so I am needing to do a lot of admin work to prepare for it.  This is a huge blessing as most of my needed team will come from the students in this training program.  

That's mostly it.  Requests are at the end of this post.  Learn more about the culture here below

I KNOW! It's weird to post a picture of a toilet, but here it is!  The infamous "squatty".  I won't insult your intelligence  by explaining the name.  This is the cleanest squatty I've ever seen!  What you DON'T see here is the trash can in the corner.  Not just for general trash...it's to throw away your toilet paper since the plumbing here can't handle it :) Fun!
Also, you might notice the little hand spray hanging by the toilet.  This is called a "bidet" inspired by the Dutch who used to  occupy the country.  Since many people don't have toilet paper, well, this is how they get clean.  

Interesting fact: those countries who use the squatty think our standard sit-down toilet is unsanitary.  If you think about it, they're right.  So, many asian people who come to the States tend to squat on our seats.  There ARE a few sit-down toilets here because of all the tourists.  However, they usually come with a picture of how to SIT on the toilet for those who don't know how to use. 

AND THERE!  I have now exhausted the topic of toilets.  Good readings!

This is a Hindu temple right down the street from where I live.  It's very sad to see so many laying down sacrifices to these many gods (you can see an basket of food there by the idol).  These temples and carvings are everywhere!

Unlike most of the country, this area is Hindu so you'll see these little sacrifices of rice and snacks in front of every home.  This is sad and gross as it attracts very large rats (one crossed my path yesterday in broad daylight).  It breaks my heart to see them go through so many rituals out of duty and fear.  I see it in their eyes....there's no love for these gods they serve.  It's tradition and they must do it.  Then I wonder how many people in the church do things mainly out of duty and tradition instead of love.  Let's not be like other religions and make our sacrifices count!

To develop relationship with some of the staff here, I planned a girls' night.  We had popcorn, donuts, and I taught them Dutch Blitz.......a speed card game.  At first, they were apprehensive because in their culture, it's shameful to not know how to do something.  But that did not last long.  By the second round, they were all over the game and even played it after I went to bed

As with all girls' nights, there were some guys who just HAD to crash so we tried to dress them up as girls.....um, I think they better stick to their own gender.

Until next time!


Requests:

1) For my team
My team is not set yet.  I need to get the word out to staff about what I'll be doing and I'll be asking them to pray about weather to join me.  Please ask that the ones God has chosen will hear from Him clearly about going with me.
Also, pray that some local people are called to join me

2) Travels and safety
I will expand on this more in my next post, but driving a bike here can be very dangerous.  I've had several near-misses. I can see God already protecting me as if I had not reacted fast, I would have been in a bad wreck.  The problem is, if I try to drive "safely", I WILL get in a wreck. You have to drive fast and fluid.  Please pray for continued protection
NOTE!! I DO wear a helmet :)