Input, Processing, & Output

Moving to a new country has many challenges and joys. One of them is processing the enormous load of input and then spitting out rather simple, confused, and slightly nonsensical sentences into a new language. So I decided to draw this picture:

Here is the text under "Processing": It is so good to be back. I am so glad to see everyone. They are going through a hard time right now. I hope I can be a good friend. Should I stay when I know they can't afford much? But they seem to enjoy my company and seem offended if I leave. Perhaps I didn't communicate that well. I am remembering lots of words but not enough. I like my language lessons. My brain feels full. Time to take a walk but I should avoid that street. Am I really back here? This is great but at the same time not. Ooh! I should draw that...

Cowering in the Cold

Ahem... I've been a bit remiss in my blogging. This is not from a lack of stories, but rather an inability to read Arabic. One would think it would be easy to find the setting that changes the language from Arabic to English, but I assure you that when all of the categories are listed in a language you don't know well, it becomes more guesswork than anything else. However, here I am, currently hiding from the cold under the weight of a sleeping bag while contemplating a mad dash to the gas heater to turn it up to the next setting, and enjoying the wonders of control buttons that are in English. 

As you may already know, there is no central heat in most of the buildings here, my flat not excluded. Their walls are meant to trap coolness, which I can guarantee they do quite well. So when the weather outside (and scarcely different inside) is 39 degrees Fahrenheit and rainy, I rediscover an undeniable fondness for my heater and bed. The weather is as fickle here as every northern state in America claims exclusively. Last weekend I walked around without a coat in 60 degree F sunniness -- oh, so lovely...

All right, I believe I have geared myself for the mad dash to the heater. Ready in one... two... THREE!

Mission accomplished. I even found the resilience to make a foray across the room to grab my camera so I could take this photo of my friend heater. Later I will need to be even braver and remove myself entirely from this position to welcome company.

In case you are concerned, not all of my posts will comment on the weather. Life here has many quirks that I am readjusting to and hopefully now that I have regained access to this site in English, I can relate some of them to you in time. To summarize: I have experienced jet-lag, remembered a spattering of the language, found old friends & created new, heard people pouring out their hearts to God in prayer, twice have been asked if I am Arabic while walking on the street (with my hair color, really??), scoured my second-hand carpet of hair (not mine, ugh!) for about an hour, and disturbed a cat from its resting place in a dumpster... among other things. Anyway, 'tis time to emerge from my cocoon -- enough cowering in the cold.

"Your Deliverance Is Coming Today"

1 January 2012

It’s a small group of people gathered at my church on New Year’s Day. I am tired (I did stay up past midnight to welcome in the New Year after all), but my attention is caught by the speaker. He is telling stories of God’s miraculous provision. I know God still performs miracles but I never tire of hearing how He is working. I recognize that the message is apt as I am in the position of waiting on His provision to go overseas. My thoughts also turn to what will happen after I arrive. Then, as I sit there listening, a prayer comes to mind: “Lord, will you give me a story to share for every week I am overseas and then for every wedding I miss (the count is currently at six), may someone I know come to realize who You are.”

31 January 2012

Today was my planned departure date. I curl up on my sister’s sofa-bed reading through the book of Acts and praying. I am waiting. I’ve been waiting for over a week now for something to change. My passport was sent to the embassy for my visa and it has yet to return. My support has remained unchanged at 85%, so close but not enough. I still hold onto my faith in His provision but there is definitely a longing to just end the uncertainty and go. Then as I pray, this phrase springs to mind: Your deliverance is coming today. I know who the message is from and I immediately turn on my computer to check on the postal service tracking number for my passport’s return envelope as well as my support. Nothing has changed but in my email inbox there are at least 10 messages from people letting me know that they and those around them are praying. I am encouraged, but at the end of the day there is still no sign of what this deliverance might be.

1 February 2012

I am now in the kitchen with my sister drinking tea while she sends out a text message to her church and circle of friends asking for prayer regarding my visa and support. As she sends out the request to each group of people we hear a knocking on the door downstairs. Thinking it’s the neighbor I go downstairs to answer it. Instead of the neighbor it is the US Postal Service with an envelope from the embassy. I run up the stairs yelling, “It came! It came!” My passport with its visa had been sent last night from the embassy, though it did not show up in the postal service tracking system. My deliverance was coming last night but did not arrive until the morning. I sit down beside my sister again as she reads off at least 8 responses to her texts. In each is an assurance of prayer.

My lesson: This is not the result of just my prayers and faith in God’s provision. It is much bigger than that. It is the result of the prayers and faith of many.

So concludes the first of my weekly stories…