One Year Ago Today...

It's been exactly one year since a dear friend, Dr. Kim B. walked into my office and proclaimed that he had the 'Man' for me. HA! I didn't believe him until he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Mr. Man. To my horror, he answered. This is exactly what Dr. Kim said, "C, I'm sitting here with your future wife, you need to get to this city and meet her." In the meantime I had slunk off of the couch and was completely red with embaressment. If you don't believe me, call Tanya R.--she witnessed it all.

To everyone who has been ultra supportive through words, actions, and thoughts, we can not thank you enough. Most of all we would like to give praise to our Father for bringing us together at just the right time in both of our lives. We learn more of one another (and our differences) each day. Much laughter is heard through our walls as well as loud music and the smell of good Mexican food escapes through our windows countless nights each month. We are daily being stretched in so many areas that most days we collapse from exhaustion. The only thing we both know today that we knew one year ago is our Father and his love for us. All else has changed in our lives. I need a day at the spa like never before!

Today I'll be leaving for another country and will be meeting with many new friends. Please ask for protection for both C and I as we are away from one another for 4 days. Also ask for discernment and wisdom as I make connections with those that I meet between now an Saturday. We covet your conversations with our Father. It is for Him that we have chosen to live and serve where we do and we honestly could not imagine being anywhere else.




The two pictures were taken the other night when C and I took a walk down by the water. As we walked quietly steeped in our own thoughts, a group of SE Asian men stopped and asked if C would take a picture with them. Random! We couldn't resist, so we took a couple of snaps with them and continued on our way. The man on a jet ski gives you an idea of some of the water sports in this area. I haven't been on one yet---but it will happen in due time.


Points to Ponder:
C- 4 days without E...relaxations, deep times with the Father, and new ideas for his classroom
E- traveling for 4 days; insight, wisdom, open mind/heart to learn
E- begins tutoring a college student next week; ask the Father for 4 more women to sign up for morning class so we can begin...the center needs 8 to make the class

Sunsets

The beauty of the setting sun in soothing and peaceful. One hue fades into another as the light slips into darkness. The darkness calls out to stars which answer with their billiant light. Upon glancing up, I am gently reminded by the desert night's sky of the promise made to a man centuries ago in this very region. A promise that continues to be fulfilled through the lives of all who are willing to count the cost of obedience. As I strained my eyes at the scene set before me, I realized attempting to count the stars would be futile. My thoughts were full of praise as I dug my toes into the thousands of grains of sand and sang out while gazing at the stars He threw out to us as a visual reminder of His promise.

Desert Duning

A favorite past-time for most expats and locals alike is desert duning. This requires a 4wd/SUV, seatbelts, dramamine (for those who suffer from motion sickness), and whit at the wheel. We inaugurated our baby Nativa into the sand during the Eid holiday by driving out into the desert. A caravan of 10 cars filled with 50+ people took off into the desert for an hour long drive over dunes and paths paved by the brave duners who had gone before us. Our destination? An inland sea which creates a natural border between this country and our neighbor. Once we had driven for an hour on the highway, all SUV's pulled off of the road to release air pressure in the tires (down to 18-20psi) and all the women of course took the chance to use the last available 'facilities' for the day. After that, we went off road...as in no map, no road, only the trails in the sand were our guide to our desired destination.

C did an excellent job handling the dunes and even got gutsy towards the end. I just held on to the handles and screamed at each peak before sailing down the other side. We commented in the car as to which family members would enjoy it or hate it the most. Carl, Andy, Jason, Dale, and Dad...you made the cut for driving and absolutely loving it! I don't think Jason would ever leave the dunes if we got him out here. Come out and try it anytime...we would love to see you. As you can see Rachel, Camella, Steva, Denise and GG (Glenda Grace)...you all made the cut for "just get to me the beach in one piece".

Once we all set up camp, the kids and some adults went swimming. Others lounged in the beach chairs or threw the frisbee around. Sunset came around 5:00pm and the bonfire began. Some people went all out with their dinners. One family brought marinated steaks and potatoes and another brought a charcoal grill (with side boards) and grilled up chicken, burgers, and fresh garlic bread. C and I went the easy route and had a package of local turkey franks (of various lengths), bbq sauce and buns. We borrowed skewers and enjoyed our meal or hot dogs and chips as others labored over elaborate meals. However, I must admit that I loved the tea kettle one family brought to make fresh mint tea over the fire.

After s'mores and songs around the campfire, we began packing up to leave and C & I almost took home our first pet...a field mouse. C noticed it scurrying over to our cooler and I admit that I screamed a little. Okay it was a lot! We moved the cooler, but it then scurried under our beach mat. It didn't help matters when a mob of children began trying to catch the mouse. Needless to say, the field mouse did NOT make it to the city this time.

Driving back to the city was an adventure because we were being led only by the moon and the tracks in the sand. Thankfully, the lead car had an experienced desert duner at the wheel and we were all led back to civilization after 30 minutes of careful navigation. Our first duning excursion was a success and we will be heading out several more times this season.

Speaking of season...we are happy to share that we are now in the low-mid 90's each day as opposed to 100-115 each day. There is even a chance of an 89 later this week!

What's up next for Mr. and Mrs.?
--C is back on schedule at the academy; 8th - 10th grade boys; 9 classes each week; 9am-5pm each day
--C is developing more relationships with teachers and students
--C is still waiting to watch his first OU game of the season...
--E will be traveling next week for 4 days; keep them both in your thoughts
--E will hopefully begin tutoring a junior high student as well as a group of local women
--E has auditioned for a role in an upcoming theater production of "The King and I"...results later this week

Counting the Cost

Here is a brief idea of what the 'cost of living' is in our part of the world:
-gas = $0.21 USD per LITER
-phone calls to US = $0.50 per minute
-filtered water for home = $3.30 per water jug delivered (we use 2-3 per week)
-electric company deposit = $550
-movie ticket at a VERY nice theater = $8.00
-fresh CARAMEL popcorn at movie theater = $1.91
-fresh loaf of bread from bakery = $1.91
-men's hair cut at "Men's Saloon" = $5.50
-four chicken breast at market = $5.50 - $8.00 (depends on what is available)
-box of name brand cereal = $5.50 - $8.00
-pint of name brand ice-cream in store = $7.00 - $8.00
-pecans in shell = $26.00 per kilo or $11.18 per pound
-red/yellow bell peppers per kilo = $7.12
-small can of diced green chillies = $3.80
-1/4 kilo of deli lunch meat = $7.40
-1/4 kilo of deli sliced cheese = $4.10
-Starbuck's Caramel Machiatto = $4.65
-Out to dinner for 2 = $17.00 (ave for local food) ; $27.00 (ave for american food)
-full-time housemaid for one month (40 hour work week)= $275 per month...not a misprint
-one month (2x per week) of car washes by our apartment security guard = $13.69 per month (a luxory I'm more than willing to pay!)
-one year of schooling at local private school (ave) = $10,000 per child (kindergarten - grade 12)
-fine for running red light = $1000 USD...not a misprint
-tax on any alchoholic beverage = 18%...typically only westerners buy alchohol in this region/ forbidden to locals

*This country does not use 'change' on a regular basis. In fact we have been given small boxes of 'chicklets' or small candy bars instead of recieving the .25, .50. or .75 in return. I did hear of a local woman who received several boxes of 'chicklets' instead of change. She then returned to the store and PAID for some items with her boxes of 'chicklets'. I'd better start saving my candy bars and chicklets. Imagine what I could buy with a KING SNICKERS bar!

More Living Abroad Quirks

Friends living abroad have commented on my brief list of quirks about overseas living. Since then a few more things have been brought to my attention:
--only nationals may legally own a vehicle with a 'bed' in the back (ie. a TRUCK)...this was sad news for Mr. Man seeing as he loved his old truck in the US
--you can always tell when a national has purchased a vehicle because they leave the plastic protective covering ON the seats for months. This reminds me of the performer Minnie Pearl who used to leave the tags on her hats. We received strange looks from the car dealership when when I began ripping the plastic OFF of the seats as soon as they brought the car around to us.
--driving through the security gate of one compound there is a sign warning drivers of what they might encounter..."DEAD SLOW CHILDREN PLAYING"
--a school has their name boldly painted in blue letters on a bus "PILIPINO SCHOOL" (guess the painter did not use spell check)
--If you would like to get your hair cut, make an appointment at either the "Men's Saloon"; "Women's Hair Saloon" or the "Children's Saloon". All those under 21 will be carded before receiving their shampoo and trim.
--our home phone line was installed, but only in ONE room...if you would like to have a phone line throughout the home, you must indicate as such and have a technician come and connect the wires for EACH room. Of course this was not explained to us by the man who could not speak English who came to our apartment. Guess what cue I'll be standing in this week. :)
--when you ask a person from this region "would you like a _______(fill in the blanks with whatever you like)" the way in which they say 'no' is by simply saying, "thank you" and nodding their head 'yes'. This is quite confusing for my southern upbringing where "thank you" typically means 'yes' and nodding your head up and down indicates 'yes'. Not so in this world.

...stay tuned for more living abroad quirks in the months to come