I am so excited to be able to get involved and work with the African church down the road. I will be honest though that today I was dreading going to church. I wasn’t looking forward to being jammed into a hot room with lots of people in a language I don’t understand trying to keep my children quite through a really really long sermon. I was praying to God asking him to help me have a better attitude. It is still important to start building relationships, because these are the relationships that will motivate me to work on language. Well you can imagine my surprise when I walked into the room and felt the cold air conditioned air blowing on my face. I stopped right there and said a “thank you” to God. It was just what I needed to change my attitude and enjoy the service. I still had no idea what was said and still had to work with the boys to stay quite, but just that little bit of comfort made worshiping God easier. The service was still longer than we are used to, but we met people here. People who told us that they are praying for us as we learn language (pretty humbling). I will say that one thing that I have noticed about being here is that it is a lot easier to notice the little blessings. The little gifts that God sends us.
Things we have successfully done on our own
These might not seem like much, but everything we learn to do on our own is a mile stone for us. A small step to helping us become part of the life here.
-Bought: bread, eggs, juice, yogurt and other food type options
-Rode the “city bus” or car
-Fixed our broken fan
-Found our local “hardware store” and “grocery store”
-Bed time rituals with no power or running water
Wow, you guys are fast learners. I am so impressed at how quickly you’ve gotten out and figured things out on your own. I can’t believe they don’t have someone there to show you around or something. All I can say, is “way to go!” You are making incredible progress. It took me much longer to get anywhere on my own. (Part of that was for lack of time and energy, I guess.)
It was encouraging to hear about your first church visit. I’m thankful for the little surprise of AC in the building. That would be unexpected.
Its neat to hear that people over there in your new city are also praying for you as you walk the journey of language learning! Blessings, Laurie T
Praise God for AC!!!
I can understand the dread of never ending church in a foreign language with small children.
And I SO remember the helplessness of feeling incompetent at the most ordinary things. Glad you count each of those “ordinary” things as the amazing milestones they are! You are amazing missionaries!!
Praying for you!!
Glad church is air conditioned…that at least makes things more tolerable even if one doesn’t understand the language. I prefer Joel-type sermons; substance and brevity; so much better than the alternative.
Each outing is an adventure. Fix it projects; hardware stores…sounds like the typical routine at home in the states does it not?
All the best.