I’m not going to sugarcoat this – it’s tough to adjust to living in another country. I’m sure everyone would like to hear a ramble of the list of complaints that Jaimie and I have been annoying each other with, but I’m going to skip a few of those and stay positive today! I’ll share some highlights. At the end of a hard day, it’s getting easier for Jaimie and I to count the good things that happened, especially when I read scriptures like this:
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. – 2 Cor 11:23b-27
I think the most difficult thing Jaimie and I had to endure so far is that our ceiling fan is broken + we don’t have air conditioning in the living room.
Focusing on what we do have
1. Colored Cows
I was so lucky last week that on one of my 100-degree walks home, I was accompanied by these colorful cows. Not only that, I heard a story yesterday that one of my co-workers here was hit by a cow while driving a scooter (the cow hit him). And our driver nicked one once. There are cows everywhere. Most of them look a little dingy, but beautiful cows like these almost outshine that rooster with earrings we saw three weeks ago. That’s right! A rooster with earrings.
2. Toilet Paper in a Random Bathroom
We went to a place that serves Dosa (look it up). They had 100’s of choices, even an American style. (I didn’t want to break their hearts and let them know there are no American Dosas.) Anyway, after dinner, we went to wash our hands (because silverware is hard to come by here), and we found toilet paper in the bathroom! We’re halfway through our fourth week, and this is the first time I’ve seen it in a public facility.
3. Color & Cookies in the Apartment
Jaimie did it! She made chocolate chip cookies and added some color to our living room. It took two weeks to find chocolate chips. Don’t think now they came in a packaged bag; these mini chocolate chips came in very small ziplock bag (we’re still wondering where they really came from). And we bought a bed sheet and hung it up by tape. Any better ideas out there?
4. Went to the Lake & Watched the Sunset
A couple of co-workers took us out to the lake, got us ice cream, took us for a drink, and then dinner one evening last week. We had a great, great time. Until then, Jaimie and I have been busy with lots of other things and spending time with our hosts (which is such a lifesaver and a great blessing!). But last Saturday we had the chance to enjoy the company of some new folks and make some new friends and see some new things. Even a giant rat joined us at the lake. …ahhh, memories.
Last, but not least, I Got to Drive in India
I had no idea how much I missed driving until I tricked someone into letting me. Just kidding – one of my friends from work graciously let me drive his car. The steering wheel is on the right side, and all the traffic is backward from me, but I didn’t care (which may have been a problem). You can see the joy in my eyes from the photo Jaimie took.
Last Words
Oh! I almost forgot. The best moment last week was when I was asked what the spots on my skin were (freckles) and if there was a solution for them. We all had a great laugh.
