PARTY!!!

Today was an amazing day. I woke up around 8 o' clock, had some french toast made by Shemole! Then, Alexis and I worked out in my room. Then we went to Kings Confectionery. Oh man, it was sooo sweet smelling. The entrance to the building was really sketchy. But as you climbed the stairs, sugar and coffee filled your nose. We entered to restaurant and it was bitter cold. It felt like an ice box compared to the 70 percent humidity with 85 degrees F. It was wonderful. I picked up a tray and some tongs. I was able to pick whatever I wanted and place it on my tray. There were sweet rolls with meat, delicate cakes, pound cake, tarts, doughnuts (beside elaborate cakes, kings is known for their doughnuts), and many other delicious items. I chose a large doughnut that was half white frosting with nuts and the other half pure peanut butter topping. MMMM it was delicious. I went to the counter to pay and I also ordered a REAL CAPPUCCINO! Oh how I love real coffee that is bitter and sweet at the same time. The we sat down at a table and corrected papers for school. It was the best two hours of my life. What could be better than a fancy doughnut and coffee in a cool place? But that is not all!
This afternoon I had all the boys from 4th grade come to the house. All 13 boys came! It was wonderful. We played soccer for a half hour. There was this wasps nest by the swing set and multiple times we hit the bar and they wasps were everywhere. There were many nice saves and blocks done by the boys playing. I didnt get any pictures because I was too busy playing. After that we went up stairs and had cold mango juice with ice cream sandwiches, watermelon and chips. Oh it was delightful. Well sort of... they boys were quite rowdy and loud. But none the less they were cracking me up. Then half the boys went back to play soccer and the other half played LIAR with me. They had never played before but they thought that it was a really fun game. Then when 5:30 hit, I ushered them all outside. We continued to play more soccer and basketball. Oh it is a hoot to watch these kids play because they are not used to using their hands... so funny! I was given a VERY lovely present by one of my students. It was a beautiful orna and a wonderful bracelet. I cant wait to wear it! I am so glad that I had the chance to bring the boys over. Next week I am planning a tea party with the girls from 4th grade. We will have small sandwiches and tea in china cups.
The times seems to be winding down but I still want to be useful and helpful. I will have more time to interact with my students as more as an auntie rather than their teacher and that is really exciting! Anyway, Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. I shall see you all soon!

Shobo Nobo Borsho

Happy New Year. Last Wednesday was the New Year and it was a blast. I relaxed most of the day. I was invited by some girls ( a language student, and a second grade teacher from WCA) in my building to visit one of the librarians at school. I knew of the librarian and thought that it would be really fun to go and visit her at her home. Her children also attend the school, grade 5 and 2. On the new year most people wear red and white, I didn't have any lol. We hailed a baby taxi around 2:30 in the afternoon. Lots of people were coming back from DC Hill where the nationals go to celebrate the new year (it wouldn't be safe for foreigners to go). It was a sea of red and white that lined the streets. Whole families would dress a like... kind of reminded me of when families in the church get matching Christmas sweaters :) and take pictures. Anyway I saw lots of Saris, punjabies and shalwar chamises. They were all dressed very nicely. I even saw some more traditional dress, with bright heavy makeup, jewelry in their hair and around their neck and wrists. These women usually have loads of flowers adorning their head to keep their hair all knotted in a bun. They looked like painted dolls. Finally we arrived to the house. It was a small two roomed house with tiny kitchen. She welcomed us into her home with open arms. Her two beautiful daughters were there as well, they were timid to see some of their teachers at their house (two rooms, one for the living room and the other for sleeping) These nationals all usually sleep together in the same room. They did eventually warm up to us once they got to know us as aunties rather than their teacher. It was a hot day and luckily the fan was running and they gave us cold water. Although we had already eaten lunch, the mother insisted that we eat what they had for lunch. It was vegetable mush (a specialty during this holiday) with rice. It was quite good actually, very flavorful. I ate a little to please her :) We were all so delighted to be hosted by the librarian. We sat on plastic chairs and two cushioned chairs. There wasn't much room but it suited the small group quite comfortably. When we finished, they brought out more cold water. They also brought a pitcher of water so that we could wash our eating hand (they don't use cutlery). Then the father of the librarian came out and brought sweet fried things (they are like a thin pastry in the shape of a flower and deep fried. They were so good ( I ate four). Then they brought out some specialty snacks for the new year. I didn't much care for these because they were like balls of hard packed sand (really just rice flower packed) that had a hint of black licorice (I am not fond of either). I bit off a hard chunk and then took a gulp of water and swallowed it hole (I had to repeat this process several times before I finished the snack) I didn't feel so good after that. Every thing else was wonderful. They also showed us some video's on their computer of their girls on a TV program. It was wonderful. She also feed us Cha with is homemade tea with milk and sugar. It was the best Cha I have tried! Then the oldest girl took down her harmonium and played a song. She sang as well with the piece. It was beautiful! What an amazing gift she has. By the time we realized what time it actually was, it was about 5 o clock. It was such a good time that we lost track. The whole family was so hospitable! I love it! I thank God for allowing me to do what I have wanted to do and that was going and visiting. God knows the desires of our heart and if we wait and be patient, he will eventually grant us the desires of our hearts! I hope this has shown you how hospitable and loving these people are. It is a blessing to be so blessed with food and good company! Happy New Year

28 Days Left

I have 28 days left here in this beautiful country. As I contemplate living here, my time has been a blessing but I have had some frustrations. I have not written much because I have been reflecting on a lot of things. Last week, I hit a wall. I was so frustrated at the fact that I could do nothing independently. Although I would prefer to go places with people, I am not free to leave a party when I feel like it, I have to depend on someone else to take me home. I have also been frustrated with not knowing the language. I had wanted to get into language lessons but it never got off the ground for several reasons. I was frustrated that I didnt have anywhere to go or do outside of school really. I have wanted to go visiting to other peoples house (nationals) but I have not been given the opportunity. While I have gone out shopping or to an American's house for dinner, it is not the same to go to a nationals house and speak with them about their culture. I wanted to immerse myself into their lives and glean from them but that is not how it worked out. So I basically recluse myself and watched movies on my computer and read books everyday after school. If I wasn't doing those things I was working on student teaching, trying to distract myself from my frustrations. I believe people here could tell that I was not really myself. I didn't want to express my emotions because I didnt know how to express them myself. I tried to trick myself in believing that everything is okay. I had the opportunity to speak to a friend from back at school and she explained that it was culture shock. I didnt want to believe her because I didnt want to have it. It is not that its a bad thing, but to me it shows weakness that I cant handle it. But she tried to point out that it happens and its not a sign of weakness but a sign of adjusting to a life style that you arent familiar with. I told her that I wasnt ready to accept what she had to say to me. So to say the least I was numb the rest of the week to my frustrations.
I continued to seek the Lord for guidance and wisdom for teaching and for the future when I return to America. I continued to read the Holy Scriptures and I came to realize something today. I know that I cant teach on my own and that God has to give me the strength to teach effectively. However, I ignored the fact that I not only need dependence on God for teaching but also for my life and spiritual well being in the here and now. While I tricked myself in believing that I was dependent on him for those things, I was not. Most of you know that I like to do things on my own time, I like to do them the way I would like them done and I like to be independent. And a few days ago, I realized yet again that I can not live anywhere without dependence on him. Although God has tried to teach me this multiple times, this time was on a grander scale that I didn't think was possible. So to say the least, God yet again revealed himself to me and reminded me of Ephesians 5:15-33. In verse 15 Paul says to be careful on how you walk, to be wise and understand what the Lord's will is. Then in verse 21 to submit to one another out of reverence for Him. He then jumps into the whole wives submit to your husband. I believe that verses 22-33 are not about the women being a lesser sex but a picture of how He loves the church and how the church should Him. It is His delight to love us, give himself up for us and sanctify us for the day of his return. It is the church's response then to submit our lives unto Him who cares for us in every way. It is in this way that a marriage works between Him and the church. So should that not also occur among the husband and wife when they merry? Anyway, I found myself reevaluating how well I submit (depend) on Him. I need to depend on him out of respect and reverence because of what he has and is doing for me even though I do not deserve it, even if it is as simple and depending on Him to provide a way home for me. I should be grateful for the care that these workers here have taken care of me. I have been selfish. I ask for forgiveness for my selfish desire to be independent of the body of Christ which is ultimately being independent of God. I thank you father for the opportunity to live here and meet so many amazing people. Despite my stubbornness, you have provided many spiritual encounters where you have spoken through me and used me for your glory. It is unfathomable why you would use a human (corruptible)to carry out your perfect will and work. But I thank you for using me anyway. I feel honored and humbled. I welcome these frustrations in hopes of learning more about you and leaning closer to your breast to hear your heart beat! I pray that you continue to give me the strength and desire to depend on you and your people to complete the work you have for me here in these last couple of days. Do not punish my students for my stupidity. May I have even more opportunity to speak your name and the truth that you have given to us! Amen