Closer to the Son

It has been awhile since my last update, which means a lot has happened since then. I cannot possibly highlight everything that has gone on, but I will do my best.

I love the conversation classes I am teaching. These give great opportunities to have great discussions where I can learn about them and their culture and they can learn about me and my culture. I have had one distinctly interesting conversation with one of my students. He came to me saying that he had a dream. It is amazing the detail of this dream that matches up with “The Woman at the Well”. So, I got to share this story to him from the Word. He seemed fascinated the entire time I was telling him what his dream was about. There is no doubt that this dream was given to him through our Father. Michael and I both went on a walk with this student after class. We talked more about this and why we thought the Father chose him to reveal more of Himself to. I wish I could elaborate more, but that is all I will say for now.

My favorite class consists of about 7 to 12 students in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. A couple of them are in their 40s. They all work for the national news station here. Some are journalists, reporters, and some are newscasters. It is funny having a class with well known “famous” people that you do not really know are famous. This class is easy to get talking, and many of them know each other, so they all joke around with each other and with me. Last week one of them was even bold enough to give me homework to study the history of the country so we could talk about that next time. I thought I was done with homework when I graduated in May, but I have not found that to be true here. I am glad to learn about the country here though. It has been horrible learning of the deep tragedies they have been through in this country. They never gave up fighting for their independence though and received that with great triumph. They may be free as a country, but they are enslaved in so many other ways. My eyes have been opened to more of the oppression here. The women are shown respect in public such as on the metro and the bus if there are any men sitting and women standing, the men will no doubt get up and offer their seat to the woman. However, it is sad to hear of the intense oppression the local women go through among their families behind closed doors.

One American man who lives here said “The mountains we face…Paralyzing hopelessness that nothing will ever change… and a crippling despair that nothing I do will ultimately matter.” This is what the families working here are facing. Not much is glamorous about this kind of life here, but the peace that the Father gives to these families working here is evident.  And after having said all of that…This is somewhere I could see myself living in the future. We have enjoyed our time with the American families living here. There are so many cute children running around. Many card and board games have been played. It has been great just sitting around talking and soaking up information and stories from the families living here. We learn about how they cope, interact, raise their families, and just do life here together. I know that in the future I desire a community as strong as they have here.

I wish so much that I could speak their language. We have taken a couple classes of language, but you can only learn so much in such a short amount of time. There have been countless times where someone says something to me, and I just have to stare at them and give them an “I have no idea what you are saying look.” Sometimes it is nice seeing how nice someone is without them even talking to you though. Sarah and I workout with one of the American mothers two times a week. We go to the back of this salon where there is a treadmill, an elliptical that feels like it is going to crash onto the floor every time you make a move on it, and a stationary bicycle. There are also yoga balls and a few weights. The woman that runs this salon/gym is very sweet when she looks at you, but she does not speak any English. The American mother we go with speaks the local language very well, and I know wherever I go someday I will want to learn the language as well as she has. The lady who owns the salon stays in the workout room with us the entire time, and she monitors you when you are on the treadmill. She pushes the buttons to make you go faster and slower. She also directs on what to do with the weights. It is just funny how we are used to working out on our own in America when we go to a place like this, but she monitors everything you do. Apparently the women here need monitoring because they are wimpy when it comes to working out and sweating even a little. This is what I hear. I am right there with them though because sometimes I need an extra push. I love working out here as it relieves emotions and stress that I carry. 

My own personal life has been growing tremendously. I have been faced with the reality of some issues that I have just been pushing aside and trying to bury. The Father is bringing them out and healing me. I am growing, learning, and feeling closer to him here than when I was back home. I continue to see my desperate need to seek Him more and more each day.

Tonight we are going bowling with a few students. Hopefully they don’t think all Americans are as bad at bowling as I am. I miss you all and hope everything is going well back in the States.                  

                                                           

The flame that has been naturally burning for 600 years. Well we were told 600 years, and I looked it up and it might be 60 years, but 600 sounds better

We went with some of the local students

Eating dinner along the Sea!

Day at the Beach. It was so nice just having a day to relax and play in the sea with all of the American families here. We rented a bus that fits 26 people and filled it completely.

I am so glad to share this experience with Michael. 

Some things are challenging, but we are growing :)

Me with one of the girls who wants to be a teacher at the school I teach at. She is very sweet. We have down time where we just chat with the other local teachers and workers at the school.