Language Barrier

I live in an environment where the native tongue is not my own. This can be amusing at times.. forcing me to just laugh at my circumstances. On a daily basis, I find myself reverting back to my days of picture books (as, that is how I read most labels on the goods I purchase.) With two failures in two weeks, I'd say I'm doing a pretty decent job so far..

1. Mistaking fabric softener for detergent

2. Mistaking a local food, labneh, for yogurt ...both, not horrendous and easily fixable. And, let's be honest, just.. funny!

But, I know the other side of not knowing the native tongue. This side, is not humorous ...it's heart breaking.

I live in a community where my position as a foreigner can sometimes be seen as arrogant. Selfish. Stubborn. Closed-Minded. Unloving. Indifferent. Impersonal.

All things Christ is not.

I'm here to be that salt to the tasteless world that surrounds-- to be the light in this dark place.

How can I do this if I cannot speak with these people?

Action. John 3:18 comes to mind:

"Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth."

This is my prayer. I pray that God would use me to show His love for ALL peoples.

Praying this becomes my lifestyle.

Praying that I am not fearful to act out of God's love.

Praying that what is seen is my heart, and not my flesh.

Praying for grace, favor, mercy, and love from the locals here.

Praying the Spirit would continually speak and use me to reveal truth.

Eye of the Storm

Sources tell me that the calmest part of any tropical storm is dead-set, in the middle. This is also known as, the eye. It can be described as having clear, blue skies that would make even Judy Garland sing and light winds that would make any sailor's eyes joyfully gleam.

My friends, welcome to the center of my storm.

I'm at a funny place to be as I have missed my first day of classes (due to visa issues), and as the teacher-- that is saying something, ha! I can see the many hours of preparation done to make this first day a success (the first half of the storm), and can see the many hours that lay ahead to ensure that my kids are ready and able to strive for greater things in life (the second half of the storm).

They have the potential to make great, great changes for this community.

They have the potential to love and abandon all for their brothers and sisters.

They have the potential to let God guide them in everything-- to know him personally.

These things, and more, are my prayers.

For these next few months, a lot of things are uncertain.

But, as I was reminded by several friends today, I serve a God who is constant, in control, and has all authority over my life. He holds my future, and as long as I lean and depend on Him fully... I should be fine. He is my captain, and I am his sailor.

So, I say, prepare the sails; I'm ready for an adventure!

Things Unseen

Now, I am sitting in my living room, windows open, gazing out at the nightlife that surrounds. It's a simple, quiet life tonight for the locals. I hear a few cars whizzing by, kids playing in the streets.. (side note: Wow.. it makes my heart giddy to hear kids playing, at all times). And me, I am here with Phil Wickham on my computer battling the call to prayer for my ears' attention (and an empty coffee mug at my side). Typical evening.

Yesterday I wandered around town with two others here with me. We stumbled across a run-down, forgotten building that seems to be screaming the same thing as the locals here.

Notice me.

Care for me.

Instead, barbed wire surrounds its windows and the building is empty, hollow. The perimeter is one of little to no invitation as it is amidst a bed of thorns. Dry, dry thorns that attack with brutality. This, I feel, is a representation of the lives of those I am to teach.

My kids need the wellspring of life... for their souls are dry.

Lord, please use me for this.

Praying for wisdom, discernment, and an overgrown heart.

Rear Window

One of my roommates and I are watching "Rear Window" tonight as we wind down, and I realized that I had not shared with you MY window's view.

Enjoy! :)

Is it hot in here?

Ok, so let's just be honest with one another... This post, is not me complaining.. more, me stating facts.

(You have to get it out somehow, right?? And, what a great entertaining piece for you!)

So, it's a little hot here across the way (a whopping 102-109 degrees Fahrenheit, to be exact!..slight discrepencies between sources). And it's quite comical to realize that when it's hot:

1. One may find one of my roommates walking around the apartment in her moo-moo-- at all hours of the day.

2. The distance traveled has a direct correlation to your distance from an indoor fan.

3. Ice cream becomes a new food group-- with approximately 8 suggested servings a day (minimum).

4. Your dwelling place suddenly turns into Batman's cave, as the lessened light provides a nice, "cool" atmosphere.

5. You suddenly find local kids confusing your puddle of sweat for the new public pool.

So, yes.. this is a very comical way of stating that it's a little hot today. And so, would very much ask that you pray for my classroom as we start school next week. Pray that the attention span of my 23 young ones does not venture away as the heat drags on. Pray that the Lord would provide me with strength to carry on all tasks necessary, and to extend love, grace, and mercy at all times. Pray that I would not look to teaching as a burden (because of the heat)-- but that God would so much be my consistent joy.

Pray that God would be my oasis in this desert place.

My Beloved Book

You would think that having just arrived, I would be bombarded with people who match the description poured out from the media.. or that I would be fearful for my life. On the contrary, I have met nothing but generosity.

I have felt welcomed from all directions. And I am learning more, every day, what it means to not judge a book by its cover.

On the outside, the restaurant I enjoyed today looks like a tattered, forgotten book. Perhaps, even an attic filler. You know the ones. The books that your great, great, great grandparents passed down, and you just can't seem to 1) get it back in its mint-like state or 2) toss it away because of the sentimental value attached. Either way, it appears ...well, junky to the average Joe. This restaurant was that book. But, stepping inside, I'm greeted by something completely new, transformed, and beautiful.

Greeted by a warm, cozy environment, I have to just smile as I realize what I had done. I had put this restaurant in an ugly box, and did not know that what I would find would go beyond the borders I had created in my mind. Yet another way Jesus speaks to me.. Look not to the body but to the heart, to the soul. Look not to what the media is saying about these people, but to your experiences. Look not to their actions but listen to their hearts. Listen. Listen. Listen.

Judge not, just love. Love them like I love them.

With this love I give to you, they may come to know me.

Thank you to my little alcove of an eatery to reiterate one of God's great commandments. Love like God loves first.

Lord, give me your eyes-- always. Allow me to see people as you see them. Worthy of your love.

Hit the Ground Running

Well PTL!

I arrived with nothing but good things to report.. I was able to network while on my first flight with a lady who has promised to send me teaching resources via E-mail (yay!), I had the WHOLE row to myself while on my long flight (which, if you've ever traveled on these flights-- it's a rarity to definitely lavish smiles over), and didn't lose a single piece of luggage (um, hello big BIG praise!)!

I'm still digesting all of the differences here. It's strange because I feel like it should be jumping out at me like a large, red elephant in a stark, white room.. but I honestly couldn't tell them all to you because.. well, I myself am still soaking it all up.

What I do know: I do know that my boss has a sister who can cook a mean meal of Mlukhieh, I feel like I belong.. as though I am visiting long lost family, coffee is coffee anywhere around the world (and does a great job with bringing conversation and building relationships), and classroom preparation takes some time (no matter where you are around the world..).

Thankfully! The teacher I am replacing left a LOT of teaching materials for my use (posters, stapler, glue, etc. etc.) and I am so SO grateful for this! A week or so to go until I am saying hello to all of my now 23 students! Wow.. so many emotions and thoughts!

Still in awe that God would use me in such a way.. but am loving every moment (with all of 29hrs invested so far...ha!) Will keep you posted (more or less) on the 7587 (ish) to go ;)

Pre-Journey Thoughts

So many questions are filling my mind right now as I close my suitcase for the final time before boarding the plane...

What will my third grade class think of me?

Will I be accepted quickly into this foreign culture?

How much will change while I'm gone?

Will I stay in touch with those I hold close now without feeling as though I'm straddling two distant lands?

Will I give my everything?

How much is enough, and can I keep on giving past that point?

Will I love like Jesus loves?

Will I let him take control at all times, and not me?

...so many, and more, are swirling about.. But I know I'm ready.

I'm ready to take the plunge.

To feel so inadequate.

To meet new faces.

To open my eyes wider than I thought ever possible.

To learn a new surrounding.

To smell the many smells that make up my soon-to-be home away from home.

To visit the markets that will soon become my means of survival.

To be the clay pot for God to fill, use, re-fill, and re-use.. repeat.

To love so much it feels as though I could burst and fill the air with millions of tiny, miniature hearts.

I'm ready to re-learn how to live.

Now, first thing's first.. I've gotta get past security..