I had not realized it had been quite as long as it has been since I've updated our blog. C's mom, Glenda, was visiting us for two weeks and during that time I don't think I touched the computer all that much. We were too busy seeing the sights, meeting up with new friends, or just relaxing around our apartment. It was wonderful to spend more time with Glenda and get to know her more and learn about C's childhood and family as a whole. Glenda arrived with tons of treats from the States which we tore into as soon as we arrived home. One interesting thing I've learned about my husband is that he is a book addict like me. My dad sent him a John Grisham book and we didn't hear much from him during his 48 hour read. Can't really blame him, I do the same thing when I get sucked into a great plot with creative twists and turns.
The spring semester for C's academy will begin on Sunday. After being here for 6 months, C received the word that he has been 'approved' by the board and they extended to him an official contract. Until this time, we have been on a probation period. I was a bit teary in the car when C told me the good news. Now we are officially here! YEAH! For those of you who have the question, "how long will you be there?", we don't know. We do know that this is the place for us to live and cultivate until we are moved to another city and country. We've both made friends within the community and have a strong sense that this is where we are to serve.
On our last blog update, I asked you to think of C as he was going out to the desert with his fellow teachers. I'm attempting to attach some of those pics so you can get an idea of what happens out in the desert. Once he got to the edge of the desert, he waited for a friend to come and get him and a few others in a jeep. After a 15 minute ride over dunes and bumpy 'roads', they arrived at a huge tent--complete with play station and other electronic devices. Many people will spend the entire weekend in the desert and thanks to generators, they enjoy most of the comforts of home. The guys played volleyball, watched the dare devils going over the dunes, and cooked lamb and chicken over the small charcoal grills. It was a cold evening and by the time they all left, it was raining. Our Nativa looked as if it had been spray painted with a light coating of brown mud. YUCK! Thankfully, it rained the next several days and washed most of it away.
It doesn't look as if I'm going to be teaching the conversation class this semester. Admittedly, I was bummed out and disappointed by the news. How was I supposed to meet local women if I couldn't sit with them in the classroom? Answer: the GYM! I was waiting outside the 'spinning' class this week and soon struck up a conversation with a local woman. She had spent some time in the US and was eager to practice her English. She asked me if I would meet with her and a friend for coffee in order to help them with a book they have been reading. H asked me if I had ever read, "Chicken Soup for the Soul". Sure! The next day, H sent me a text with an invite to a family engagement party. There was no way I was going to turn it down! I'm out of writing time now, but will give a full update soon on the most elaborate party I've ever experienced in my life.
What's coming up for us:
--C begins his Spring semester of classes on Sunday
--E is meeting with a small group for a marriage study. Learning so much from women who have been married 20+ years.
--C/E heading to a Valentine's dinner in less than an hour! (I've got to get ready FAST!)
--ask that E will be able to meet with H for coffee sometime soon.
--ask that we will focus on the ONE who sent us and not the cultural collisions that rip through our days unexpectedly.
--ask for our marriage to continue to be strengthened through our prayers together and personal study time
