Settled In

Hello from SEA! I hope this fall season is treating you well. I know that the beginning of October has brought a sense of settled-ness into my time here. Of course there are still new things everyday and a “regular” schedule doesn’t really exist but mentally a new mindset has arrived. The realization that I really am living here, not just visiting for a bit is setting in. It feels good to know that with all I have been investing in the past months, I still have three here to grow in relationship with those around me.

This past week Leah and I took our language mid-term. It consisted of a one-on-one interview with a local who tested our language abilities. I enjoyed finding out where my limits are and look forward to the feedback he will give me. This week is our last week of language school. This means that we will have to be diligent to continue language study on our own and push ourselves to consistently move forward. Please praise the Father for the progress He has already granted and lift us up as we continue on outside of the classroom.

The last few weeks have been busy as we continue to invest in the relationships we have established. Time is spent each week with the individual families and shop owners in our neighborhood. Three times a week we teach English in a formal classroom setting and are continually encouraged by our students. Two of our classes are taught at schools for the Good Book and one of them in a village outside of our city. Our small group continues to go well and we confident that the Father is working in the time as He chooses. The website I am creating for the water filtration business is coming along- despite my inexperience. I am confident that it will be completed by the time I head home.

Us and some of our small group friends

This past weekend Leah, Julie (one of our supervisors), Mia (her youngest daughter), and I took a mini weekend getaway to a popular tourist destination here. The weekend was filled with fun as we got to ride electric bikes, eat some great Italian food, and even swim in a saltwater pool! It was a blessing to continue growing our relationship with these two sweet women and get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city. The weekend, however, was also a reminder of why we are here, in this place and time, seeking to share the Truth with all we meet.

The area where we went is filled with over 3,000 pagodas and temples built across centuries. Some are crumbling and abandoned but many are still active sites of Buddhist worship and prayer. One evening we climbed to the top of one of the temples to watch the sunset. It was breathtaking and heartbreaking. As we looked out across the plains we could see thousands of physical reminders of the lostness that has pervaded this place for hundreds of years. I was reminded of the great need for Truth that can be found in so, so many of those I see each day. Thank the Father with me for the opportunity to take this trip and be refreshed and re-energized for the work that lies ahead. Ask Him also to continually cast His light into the darkest reaches of this place.

A common site throughout our country

A woman at a mountain top pagoda- deep in prayer and darkness.

A sunset view filled with hundreds of pagodas in the distance.

Cultural Corner: This time I would like to share about a very interesting element of the culture called beetle nut. This nut is found on a tree and has been chewed by the people here for hundreds of years. Beetle nut is harvested, chopped up and rolled into leaves pasted with lime powder paste. This is not lime as in the tiny sour green fruit but as in the white chemical powder. The whole little packet is then stuffed in ones mouth and chewed, much like tobacco. The lime acts like the fiberglass found in chewing tobacco and causes thousands of little abrasions on the inside of the mouth. These abrasions allow the taste and caffeine to be soaked up by the chewer. The amount of caffeine found in one packet of beetle is said to be the equivalent of 12 cups of coffee! Talk about a caffeine high! The beetle nut itself turns the chewer’s spit reddish brown causing quite a sight when they spit. When we first arrived I kept trying to figure out why there were splats of blood everywhere on the streets and sidewalks. I also couldn’t figure out why so many people had bloody mouths all the time. All this blood really turned out to be beetle spit. It sounds a little gross but you quickly get used to it. Culturally it is entirely appropriate to spit and especially to spit beetle so no one really minds. Both men and women chew it and the streets are lined with small stands selling packages of the little beetle packets. Don’t worry Mom- I haven’t and won’t try the stuff. I have heard it tastes nasty and is quite addictive so it will remain one of the parts of the culture I haven’t participated in. Still, it is an interesting and very cultural element I thought I would share!

The following are some special requests I have for you to be lifting up these next few weeks:

First is our friend Dee Dee*. She is the young woman who works in the salon near our house. She and her husband are both lost and have not yet joined the Father’s family. Over the last months we have been visiting her each week and have become friends with her and her husband. The last time we visited we asked about her latest ultrasound (her first child is due in February). Dee Dee shared with us that her baby has one leg that is far too small for its four months of development. The doctor is concerned that it will not fully develop as it should and leaving the baby with one disabled leg. He also instructed her to stop using chemicals as this may be contributing to the baby’s health issues. Sadly this is not possible for Dee Dee. As a beautician she daily works with chemicals to treat and color hair. She cannot stop working because her family needs the income. From now on she will use gloves and wear a face mask when she works with chemicals but this will do little to stop the fumes she breaths in regularly. Dee Dee knows that we are followers of the Son and we have told her that we will be lifting up her and the baby. On our next visit we will ask if it is ok if we talk to the Father with her right then. Please lift up this encounter- ask the Father to give her an open mindset as we ask, pray also that he will send His healing to her and the child as it grows. Ask that His power will be evident in the situation.

Next, I would like to ask you to lift up this coming Thursday (that’s Wednesday for you if your in the US!). This Thursday we will be taking a day trip to a famous Buddhist shrine here with our friend Mary Beth and Erin. Mary Beth and her boyfriend who will also be coming are not like-minded. We will spend the whole day with them- traveling, hiking, and viewing the sites. As we see several important Buddhist sites we will seek to ask questions about their beliefs and learn from them. We hope that these conversations will lead to opportunities for us to share the Truth with Mary Beth and her boyfriend. Please lift up this time and ask the Father to give Leah and I discerning hearts as we seek to naturally but boldly share.

An upcoming event you will hear me talk about a lot is a conference our team is hosting in November. This conference will be called Serving the Servants and is our opportunity to serve and connect our local partners. People from the many different groups and schools that we work with across the city will come together for a weekend of retreat, fellowship, and vision casting. Please begin lifting up this conference already as plans are being finalized. Ask that the Father will already begin working in the hearts of those that are coming.

Finally, I would ask that you lift up my visa situation. At the end of this month we will head out once again for a visa renewal. Thus far we have had no problems, which has been a huge blessing from the Father. At this point however, we are uncertain as to what my next visa will be. The problem is that the business license for the water filtration company I work for has expired. It is easily renewed but the process can take over a month- this would mean that it would not be valid again at the time I need to return on my next visa. I know that the Father has brought me here and will faithfully provide in this situation. But such problems can breed stress and concern. So, please lift up this situation. Ask that peace will be found and for discernment for our supervisor and myself as decisions about the next steps are made.

As always, thank you for the love and support! And for making it this far in my blog!  It is a joy to share about the work the Father is doing here and to know that so many at home are lifting up each day that I spend here. Please always feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Know that you are appreciated and loved!