Days Go By...

Sunday is my last day in this country - with the girls, with my newfound friends and family...where did the time go? I have been avoiding thinking about leaving, but I can't anymore. I have to think about how I am going to spend my last few days here, who I am going to see, saying goodbye, packing... I haven't even left yet and I am so ready ready to return. Don't get me wrong, I am excited about seeing those I love and care about in the States, but I dread the thought of leaving everyone here. I know, however, that going back to America is God's will and I completely trust Him.

While there isn't much I miss about the States, living here has made me appreciate a few things about my native country that I used to take for granted:
1. order and structure
2. efficiency
3. (enforced) traffic laws
4. sidewalks
5. politeness (thank you, please, etc)
No culture, of course, is perfect. There are some things I absolutely hate about this culture, but then there are things I really love. Much of it, I am really going to miss. Especially the 36 smiling faces I got used to seeing almost every day:

Freedom in Restrictions

I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but it is true. If we did not have rules, laws and restrictions to abide by, our freedom would be limited. I was reading in a book about this very point. The reason freeways are free is because we have traffic laws. These laws give us the ability to quickly and efficiently get where we need to go. When people do not abide by the rules, accidents and jams happen and chaos ensues. I see this play out in the driving here. This country has traffic laws (I am pretty sure), but no one follows them because they are not enforced. As a result, people can drive anywhere and however they want. Mix this with our sinful human nature ("me first" attitude) and you get very chaotic and awful driving conditions. There are no lanes, so people just drive where they please, dodging and cutting from one side of the road to another. Stop lights aren't obeyed, so people cut each other off to get where they want to go. The bigger your vehicle is, the more leverage and "freedom" you have. This "freedom" in driving, reduces speed because you are always having to dodge other vehicles and other pedestrians. Therefore, traveling is not quick and definitely not efficient.

God's Law works in the same way. God gives us rules to obey and commands to follow. When we heed His Word, blessings ensue and we have more freedom to live the life He intended. On the other hand, if we disobey His Word and choose to do our own thing, we fulfill our selfish ambition and desires, but then we are a slave to whatever consequences that entails.

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16

Christ Jesus has set us (who follow Him) free from the Law through His death and resurrection. By doing so, He allows and empowers us to have a relationship with our Creator God and to live in a away that both satisfies Him and our God-given moral consciences.

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you1 free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

Diminishing Time and a Divided Heart

Yesterday, I completed my final visa run. My time here is winding down faster than I would like to admit. This past week, though, has been rather tiring and discouraging. My visa run, for once, came as a welcome change. My favorite thing about having to leave the country once a month is that it gives me an excellent opportunity to spend time completely alone with Jesus [of course, flying over the Himalayas isn't that bad either :)].

While I was reading a book recently, I came across this quote by Jim Elliot:

Wherever you are, be all there. Live life to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.

These words really stood out to me. Partly because I see them playing out in my own life and partly because I see them not playing out in the lives of others who have recently come here. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that God brought me to serve Him here and, as a result, I have poured all of myself into this place. My fear, however, is that not all of me will return to America. God is preparing my heart to go back to the States (for which I am very thankful) and I know that it is His will for me to do so, but the work He has called me to here and the relationships I have built have captured my heart in a way I cannot explain. But as they always say, "all good things must come to an end," and such is the case for my time here in South Asia. I have two weeks left in this country and three weeks in this region of the world. Pray that I finish well.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

Sea World, Safari, Shopping, a Story & a Social Network

These past few weeks have been filled with lots activities and ministry opportunities. Last Thursday, we took the girls to Sea World (a water park). They had so much fun. There were 25 girls who were eligible to go and 16 adults. Each adult was responsible for at least two girls. My two girls were so well-behaved! We had a lot of fun together. I would take them home if I could...

I, of course, took my camera with me. I wrapped it in Saran Wrap and put it in a Ziploc bag to keep it dry. I took quite a few pictures before my precautions fell through. It stopped working temporarily, but, thankfully, it started working again later. I let it sit in a bowl of rice overnight to soak up any remaining moisture and now it is as good as new. :)

Last weekend, I went out of town to visit a safari. My roommates and I planned on riding elephants, but, to our disappointment, there were no elephants there to ride. The monkeys got out of the cages though (not the one below)! One came pretty close to me and I am pretty sure he would have jumped on me if I hadn't moved. Some of them chased and tried to attack innocent bystanders. It was quite the experience...

Shopping is not usually an activity I enjoy in America, but here it is different. I really didn't think I would like bartering with the salesmen, but I do. I think it is because I like to win...or I am just stubborn and won't give in to their prices. ;) Since I am a foreigner, they think they can sale me things at a much higher price, but I know better. They also liked to tell me that the price is fixed, but I tell them there is no such thing as a fixed price in this country. Today, I bought two pairs of earrings. The salesguys wanted around 100 or so for them, but I talked them down to 30 and 40 each (about 50 cents in US currency). If only I could barter like this in the States...

I have been reading a Christian fantasy trilogy by Ted Dekker (The Circle Trilogy). I am currently reading the third book in the series called White. I usually do not read fiction, but my sister recommended it and I thought it would be a good way to wind down instead of reading deep, theological books that require a lot of concentration. I am amazed, however, at how JC is using these books to make me love the Gospel even more; to grow my faith; and to teach me more about the Lord I serve and love so much. Dekker's imagery in describing pure worship, the fall, the trinity, God's love, Christ's sacrifice, the darkness of sin and the love of Christ for His Bride, the Church, has help me love and see and appreciate and understand the Gospel in a whole new way. I have set the book aside for now to focus on language learning, stuff for the Center and discipleship stuff, but I cannot wait to pick it up again.

So I found out today that this country has blocked Facebook as of today. Apparently there was some anti-M*hammed stuff posted, which they were not too pleased with. I am interested to see how all this plays out...

Spread the Love

I read this sermon this morning about God's love. It was something I needed, so I wanted to share it:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2010/4593_Consider_Your_Calling/

At Just the Right Time...

This evening, I was feeling overwhelmed with my schedule for the weeks ahead, but the Lord sent His Word to help me refocus. During my quiet time with the Lord, I listend to a sermon and it spoke directly to my circumstances. I was both challenged and comforted. I am always amazed at how God always brings His Word at just the right time. His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11) and He has given me much to think and pray about.

Last weekend, I joined my supervisors for a trip to a nearby city. We also went to the beach. :)

R2D2 Battles the Forces of Evil

I am affectionately known here as R2 among the other Americans because one of my roommates/teammates and I share the same name. Katelyn likes to call me R2D2. I find this kind of funny since I have never seen Star Wars...though I did play Star Wars Monopoly!

Over the past two weeks I have been battling viruses on my computer. It seems the Enemy has chosen to leave my health alone and attack my computer instead. It is so annoying and completely wastes my time as I try to remedy the situation. After many hours of researching and downloading programs to heal my computer, I think I have come out victorious. Computer viruses are proof of our sinful nature. Mankind is bent on destruction (Romans 3:15). Why else would someone create ways to destroy the computers of people they don't know and will never meet? It's just evil. But praise be to God for Jesus Christ who is the Great Remedy for all mankind and for His grace in helping me to endure such trying times!