What you might not have known...

The past few months have been a crazy ride of blessings and uncertainty. And I haven't posted the uncertainties as much, so that you may be able to see all the blessings I've been given here! But now that the storm is past, allow me to fill you in on some of the challenges I have been facing...but have since worked out for the better!

In August, I was hit with a terrible case of culture shock!! This isn't talked about very much, but is such a huge part of living in another country. And I never thought I would go through it! I felt lonely and out of place...wondering how I was possibly going to get through another 9 months by myself. Unfortunately, the church members saw my difficulty, and asked me to decide in two weeks whether I wanted to stay or not. I think I called my parents more in those two weeks than I have the rest of the time I've been here! And at the time, only God could understand why I chose to stay. But now I'm glad I did!

Then in August, I began my au pair work. Long story made short, it wasn't working out for either of us. She felt uncomfortable with my muscle weakness, and I felt uncomfortable because she felt uncomfortable. So after a long, open talk...we decided that I should find another option. However, that presented a problem legally. My residence permit was specifically for au pair work for this particular family, and as far as I knew, I would have to go home if I didn't work for them. So the church was informed, and the men immediately began to look for another way for me to stay. For a couple weeks, I truly believed I was going to have to go home...and this time, I didn't want to! 7...I repeat...SEVEN people walk into the church off the streets during that time and signed up for English Bible studies with me. It was incredible! I couldn't go home now! It was a sign from God!

So last week, the men met at the building while I occupied my time in the kitchen, nervously waiting for the decision. After they were done, one of the men came and sat me down (which scared me!) and told me that one of the men had found a way for me to stay. Yay!! He said that the only reason they worked so hard at finding a solution was that they really appreciated the work I was doing and they have seen me grow a lot while I've been here. Who would have thought??? So now I am able to stay until the first of April. It's a month shorter than was planned originally...but every extra day is a blessing!

The months are just flying by now, and I always seem to have things to do! My main focus is still the Bible lessons and planning church activities (which have gone SO well!), but I'm still teaching Bible class, writing the weekly church newsletter, painting murals, spending outside time with my students and fellow Christians, and now I go two days a week to help a man in a wheelchair. And I quite enjoy that. So if my updates are further between...forgive me! I'm still learning how to become a well-balanced woman. But I'm learning! I don't think God will let me leave this country until I do! :)