RAIN! The smell, the look, the sound, the puddles--we have it all today! I have taken a few pictures for proof. In the first one you can actually make out the outline of a few clouds against the grey sky. Too bad for C, he is headed for the desert for an afternoon and evening with his fellow teachers. It's an end of the semester celebration of sorts and only the male teachers were invited. If you get this early in the morning, please say a few words for him as he travels and has conversations with his friends.
On C's first day back after winter break I heard him say something new and unusual. As I pulled up to the curb to pick him up, he threw his backpack in the back seat and climbed into the front while saying, "E, I got my first kiss today." Wow! Not something you would typically want your husband to say at the end of the work day. But seeing where we live, this is truly significant. Men, who are considered friends, will greet one another with a kiss on each cheek while shaking hands. C had not had the kiss greeting until the end of December. He was all grins while sharing with me how the teachers congregated in the halls before classes began and exchanged greetings, kisses, and handshakes. THANK YOU FATHER! (Note: the teaching staff is 99% male.)
We are approaching our six month mark of living overseas and eight months of marriage. Many of you have taken time out to write to us, call us, send us snail mail, and talk with our Father. For that we are grateful. The oppression in our land is more dense than that of where we came. On certain days are hearts are heavy with the darkness surrounding us. It is your words spoken directly to us or on our behalf that move us through those days. For me, fighting through a few bouts of oppressive depression has not been easy for me. Nor for C who quietly sits beside me as I share my heart or release more tears. Thankfully, I know that I serve the God of joy and therefore cling to His joy each morning as I begin another day.
Five times a day we are reminded how different our relationship is with our Father. As the cries ring out around the city, my heart cries out for the Light to dawn within their hearts. That His love would wash over this land as the rain is washing away the dust outside. We recognize that we do not struggle with that which we can see, but with the unseen. Although at times, the 'seen' gives us as much head and heartache as the unseen. Continue trudging with us on our journey. In the years to come, we will joyfully sing as we bring in the harvest our tears, thoughts, and love have cultivated. (ps-126) Imagine the glorious scene when you will stand next to a man or woman from this region and rejoice together as family. His heart is for all nations. His love was freely given for all nations. Our lives are to be a light to all nations and you are enabling our lights to be more brilliant with each word, letter, email, postcard, thought, and phone call. May His peace wash over you today. Our thoughts are with you.
What's coming up:
--C's desert trip today; 2nd week of finals begin on Sunday
--C's BIRTHDAY on Jan. 13th
--Glenda's arrival on the 19th
--meeting with sports reps soon; ask for favor with the few entities with whom we are meeting
--E-teaching at learning center will hopefully begin in February; (local women have inquired about the Conversation Class)
