a lot changes when you get off the plane

Life here is just not the same. We have a saying in our family that has been repeated by all many times in the last 8 days. "This is an adventure". Each time we step outside our door, I whisper words to the Father and expect to be surprised and amazed with each new experience.

There is so much in my head all the time and I am not sure how to get it out in comprehensible order. The mood changes are often, sometimes extreme, and continually exhausting. There is good and bad with each day and new experience.

We are kind of learning our way around our section of the city. Yesterday we set out to find the school where the kids will be attending so that we could see what it looked like and get a feel for that neighborhood. We did not have an address, but we did know the general location. We got in an auto rickshaw and off we went in the rain. As you ride around, the sights and sounds are captivating and sometimes entertaining. The boys were able to touch the cars on either side at the stop light.

We found the YMCA building where the school is located. Each accomplishment feels huge. Then we wanted to see how far it was to the neighborhood in which we have been looking for a place to live. We found it without too much trouble and let the kids play in the park (I use that term loosely) nearby. I noticed a girl (around 14-15) kept poking her head out to watch us and our children. I smiled, went closer to her and began a conversation. Most people, do speak British English, especially if they have been to school. Not too long into the conversation, she asked us to have tea with her. I met her mother, who offered to bring tea (chai) and biscuits (cookies) out for us. She was so kind. The daughter said that she had never met an American before and we had a great time with her.

We ended the day with ordering in Pizza Hut (crazy!) and a family game of Rummikub.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Seth and Dakota rode on the back of a motorcycle with a realtor looking at housing. Dakota loved his first motorcycle ride and that is all that I am going to say about that :) - they did come back in all one piece.

Another day and another adventure.

First Impressions

We have been in country for about 36 hours and here are some of our observations:

-It doesn't smell as bad as we thought it would

-Driving on the opposite side of the road is very hard to get used to and we aren't even driving yet

-Crossing the road when traffic is going different directions that what you are used to is like being in the game "Frogger"

-There is lots of honking and Karley jumps every time

-We have ridden in a car, the metro, and a rickshaw (three wheeled bike with a big seat on back), an auto (a rickshaw with a moped engine)

-Dakota was excited to go downstairs and buy vegetable from the man selling them on a cart in the middle of the street and he doesn't even like most of them (veggies that is)

-In the stores we been in, there are at least 5 men willing to help you

-The above translates into one man following you around the small grocery store asking how he can help

-There are less cows in this city than originally advertised

-Dominoes delivers and it was really good

-We have heard that you can get just about anything delivered to your house

-A city of 20 million people divided into many neighborhoods makes for a complicated auto rickshaw ride home (especially when you don't know the language)

-Poverty is a very difficult thing to deal with on a daily basis

-Hearing our son say that he is ready to learn the language

-Seeing another son give the guard at our building a high five every time we come and go

-God is with us

-He hears us when we pray

-We are expecting Him to do great things in and through our family

-He is at work all over the world

The Best Birthday Ever

Another birthday was successful. I still can't believe that Noah has had 14 of them. He said that this was his best one yet. I am not exactly sure why that is, but I was glad. I didn't know how this one would go since we are a little out of our normal element and with the broken arm and all.

He woke up early and had that look on his face that said, "what is the possibility of me being able to open my present before I go to school?". He did and was thrilled with the choices for the year. Whew - another success.

When he walked out of our door and into the great room of the quad we are living in, he saw balloons, streamers and a birthday banner. Some of our new friends decorated the night before. So sweet!

We went out for dinner; made a stop to spend some birthday $ and then he came home to his second cake for the day. Some other new friends surprised him with a lego cake - it was great!

I realized as we were all sitting around last night that this was very familiar. When we were at this same training center getting ready to move to Africa 9 years ago, Noah turned 5. I have a picture of him on the couch surrounded by all of his new friends. We did a

repeat of the same picture - well, same place, just all new friends. And he looks 9 years older.

A lot has happened in those 9 years. He is the same as he was and so much more. I really like who he is turning out to be.

henna and other art work

This should last about three weeks. Noah's about four.

Noah isn't nearly as excited about his art work as Denise and Karley.

A hard pill to swallow

I am continually amazed at the things I am watching God do all around me. He is moving and speaking and working all over the world, including this little corner in Virginia.

It is hard for me to watch my children struggle and this week was filled with both struggles and celebration. We had another shot day on Friday and we all had to get the TB test done. Our middle one was quite worked up about it and was not looking forward to it. He got through it, showed off his "cars" band-aid, and was recovering from the event when he was posed with a question. We needed to get a typhoid vaccine and it can be taken by injection (which last 2 yrs) or by 4 doses of a pill (which last 5 yrs). Well, Dakota has not been able to master the swallowing of the pill task in his very full 12 years. But he was faced with a great dilemma, get another extremely dreaded shot or learn to swallow a pill. To my surprise, he choose the pills (I guess he hadn't recovered as much as I thought).

There are certain guidelines for the timing of the pills and it had to be taken in the morning, one hour before eating. We woke up yesterday and coached him as much as possible. We gave the pep talk. I had been praying for him, believing that he would be successful. I even found some applicable verses and he was ready to try. And he tried, and he tried some more. It was an anxious time for us all. He struggled for 45 minutes and felt the pressure of needing to swallow the pill while he body was not cooperating the way he wanted. He cried out saying that this was the hardest thing he has ever tried to do. I couldn't argue with that and I felt for him. Again, it is hard to see my children struggle.

I have to say that I was confused as to why my prayers were not being answered. I went for a run to sort it out. I went back to the things that I know; not my feelings about the situation. I know that God is good and that He has a plan. I know that he is not a divine vending machine - putting in just the right combination to get what I want. I did not understand, but that was okay. My son was worried about disappointing his momma and I had to assure him that was not at all how I felt.

After lunch, he came up with a plan. He was going to practice by swallowing nerds. He worked on it all through watching a movie and got nine swallowed successfully. He had a renewed confidence. And this morning he woke up and swallowed the pill on the second try! He did it! I was so proud and bursting with joy.

In the midst of the struggle just 24 hours before, I was discouraged and dismayed. I did not see a solution and was just sad when I looked at the circumstances. I did not want my son to get his view of God based on what happened. But then the morning came and it was a new day. Our Father is sovereign and His ways are not my ways. I will trust Him and praise Him and wait for the morning when I have a hard pill to swallow.

Thanks for sharing in the journey with us,
Denise

supporters and partners

Today we are talking about supporters and partners. If you are reading this blog you probably already support us. We need you and are so very grateful for your prayers. A few of you want to do more with us, partnering. You may even want to come over and work with us. We are looking forward to making those opportunities known in the coming months.

The presenter today shared a story of a man who was often awoken at night finding the need to intercede for an overseas worker he knows. When asked, this partner said he felt he needed to be before God on behalf of his friend. Until peace came, he would stay up and pray.

In my own life, I must confess that I have rarely had this kind of experience. I have often been more consumed in my own business than the business of God. His desire is that everyone has a chance to hear. How can they hear unless someone is sent? Some of you have sent us and are giving in order to send others.

Today, I want to say thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for taking a moment to pray for the workers in South Asia. And, I pray that all of us will be consumed with the things of God, to the extent that He interrupts our lives day or night for His purposes.

A Day in The Life of Us

This is our 3rd week in Virginia and here is a glimpse of our life right now:

*The kids went to their own classes and learned about how other cultures see the world, how to share the story of their own personal journey, etc.

*Seth and I spent the morning learning about the basics of Hinduism, which is the main religion practiced in the country where we are moving. I was struck with sadness as I learned about the lack of hope and peace, all the while being so thankful that we have the opportunity to share what our Father has done for us and them.

*Lunch was a "special meal" which meant that we were not given a choice of food and we ate a meal from North Africa. It consisted of meatballs and veggies, eaten with flatbread; only using your right hand to eat.

*If you know our son Dakota, then you might be aware of the challenges he has with some foods. He had a great success today and tried the food at the special meal! I know that God helped him and it was so thrilling to see his face of victory after lunch.

*We spent the rest of our afternoon session continuing to learn about Hinduism and how we can be most effective in that culture. There are some great leaders who have gone before us and are willing to pour into us, sharing their experiences; the good and the bad.

*I spent some of the afternoon watching the kids play on the playground. It made this momma's heart happy to see Karley playing and singing with her new friend and the boys playing a never-ending game of tag with whoever comes out to play.

*We ate dinner with 100 of our new friends - great food and encouraging conversations about challenges and lots of questions of what lies ahead for all of us who will be dispersing to several countries all over the world in a short time.

*After dinner, the women had a tea/dessert with some ladies from our organization. I had the privilege to be sitting at a table with a precious woman of God who committed to pray for four of us over the next year. I treasured this sweet time and am thankful.

*The kids had fun tonight at "open gym" which means that they can be dropped off at the gym (on our campus) and will be supervised by another adult. I went for a revitalizing run while Seth nursed yet another headache :(

*When I went to pick up the kids, I found them behind the gym with a bunch of the college aged girls/guys (they were supervised) pushing a car up a slight hill. The guys had come up with a fun activity - timing each other to see how long it took to push the car a certain distance. It definitely was entertaining!

*As we were getting the kids ready for bed, Karley read a book to Noah which was the sweetest thing I have seen in a long time.

*I think my favorite time came at the end of the day, when we were all crowded in our bed praying together. The kids have been learning about a certain method for prayer in their classes. It uses the acronym A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). We all took turns praying for each part of the acronym.

*I am so thankful for facebook and email to help us stay connected. I love reading about all that is happening with so many who are precious to us.

*Now I must get on to some reading in prep for tomorrow.

Denise