Teaching teachers to teach.

The truth is- I've never been a real teacher.
I mean, I got an education degree.
I did student teaching and all that jazz.
But I've never been a bulletin-board-decorating, parent-conference-facilitating, standardized-test-giving teacher.
And that's okay.
Because, surprisingly, I still get to teach teachers to teach.
You know-- teacher workshops.
The fact that students learn differently is mind-blowing to some educators around here.
Simple graphic organizers like the venn diagram or or a bubble chart are innovative tools in these parts.
AND learning that it's acceptable, and even necessary, for teachers to go 'outside the book' and instill legit character qualities into the lives of their student.... now that can set a person free.
So, though I don't have much real-life-expeirence, it's exciting to see teachers grasp concepts that can help them shape the minds and hearts of the next generation.

 

An Indian 2011.

Turns out, I lived in India for all.of.2011. And I will never be the same.

It's real hard for me to process through all I've learned and experienced this year, but I think I can come up with a list of some sort.

Hit up Oman, Malaysia, and the UAE.
Thought on my feet.
Danced with the tribes.
Learned some language.
Treated Thailand like a home-away-from-home.
Made some LEGIT friends.
Drew a little henna.
Took buses, autos, rickshaws, metros, trains, planes, and truckers like there was no tomorrow.
Trained some teachers.
Loved on some babies.
Hurt with the hurting.
Ate enough rice for a Chinese province.
Accidentally picked up on Indian English.

Will never be the same.

Betty, is that you?

Okay, okay... guys, it's not Betty Crocker. It's just me-- Liz. But, boy oh boy, I sure did feel like her on Thanksgiving. It was such a sweet day to spend with fellow-Americans here and thank Him for all He has done for us. 

And I got to practice my cook-from-scratch skills. 

And, yes, this IS homemade cinnamon coffee creamer. Yumm.  

I promise I'm not just promoting my potential wife skills, but I kinda wanted to show off my ability to follow a recipe. hah. 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Indirect culture? Yes... and no.

Indirect communication around here is all about being friendly, not offending anyone, and not imposing your own views on another person. It's great because you get that 'oooy goooy' feeling when everyone tells you exactly what you want to hear, but it gets frustrating sometimes too because it's hard to tell what the truth is.

Here's a recent example:

FRIEND: Meet me tomorrow around 8 am at the so-and-so bus stop.
ME: Deal. Will be leaving your house at 8 or arriving at so-and-so at 8?

FRIEND: I'll be there at 8, and don't be late, okay?

(the next morning at 8:30 am...)

ME: (on the phone) Hey! I'm at the so-and-so bus stop. Are you on your way?

FRIEND: Yes! I'm coming! I'm coming! Just wait. I'm coming!

(8:50 am...)

ME: Hey, it's me, Liz. Where are you?

FRIEND: I'm coming! I'm coming! Are you waiting? I'm coming!

(9:20 am...)

ME: Hey girl, I'm still here at the bus stop. Are you on your way?

FRIEND: Oh yes, yes! I'm coming!

ME: Are you 'coming' like you're on the bus, or are you 'coming' like you're still at home?

FRIEND: Well, I am still getting dressed, but I am coming. Please wait!

ME: Haha. Okay, I'll grab some tea at the little shop. Just call when you get on the bus and I'll meet you.

This also happens with directions. Even if someone is unsure, they'll point a certain way or even give details directions. I've learned to ask 3-5 people for directions when I need to get somewhere without a grand adventure.

In general, South Asia has an extremely indirect way of communicating, but they're SO direct about appearance and personality. I can't tell you how many times I've heard these phrases-- if not to me, then to the next guy. 

"Ohh.. you are looking so bad. Are you feeling sick?"

"You are looking too fat. Are you having extra calories?"

"You are looking too thin. Here-- eat this."

Just in case you were wondering, those are my thoughts on the communication that goes on around me everyday. Indirectly direct-- it's a crazy combination, but it's fun to figure out how to function well here. It's like a game.

"We're just people"

When I was saying goodbye to my grandma before I left the States, I told her I'd miss her, and she said, "We're just people. There are people everywhere." Hmm. It's hard to think about the ones that hold chunks of my heart in their hands as "just people," but the more I travel, the more He provides people to love on me and encourage me. It blows my mind that He uses "just people" to remind me of His love over and over again. 

"Just people" sent me out and promised to love me forever. 

"Just people" do life with me.

"Just people" come visit me. 

"Just people" let me live with them for 6 weeks in Thailand. 

"Just people" Skype in just to say hey. 

        

But, you know what? They're just people. It's true, but the One who sent me on this journey is with me every step of the way. 

"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place." 

— Elisabeth Elliot

To be cool.

The #1 rule to being cool is to appear to be un-phased.


I'm not very cool. 


There's no way to be un-phased in this place. 

BAM. April Acclimations.

From India to the ole UAE, Oman, and Thailand... my ability to acclimate to new cultures has been officially tested and tried over the last month.  

Somewhere along the way, it hit just like that. The dreaded “wall.” I had been warned, but I guess I thought I could avoid the flow of tears and sense of paralyzation that comes with it, but no, I am not above the “wall.” 

Once I got to Thailand to apply for a new visa, I had enough time on my hands to process life in India, and honestly, thinking through my experiences was more overwhelming than the experiences themselves. The intense spiritual darkness. The heartbreaking stories. Poverty. Overcrowded streets, shops, homes, temples, and mosques. Beautiful friendships. Bold believers. Oppressive noise levels. Dysfunctional school system. Abundant need. 

I didn’t realize how worn out I was until I had time to rest. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I had time to breathe again. I didn’t really think I needed a break, but who is in control here? Good thing it’s not me. I’m SO thankful that “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”  Though I felt like I came kicking and screaming (well, I’m not that dramatic), He is using this time to restore my spirit and to renew my focus. 

Why do I love Him? Because He loved me first. Why do I follow Him? Because He told me to. Why does he love me despite my flesh and pursue me even when I’m lost in my own world? I have no idea, but I wouldn’t trade this relationship with the King for anything.  

Seas of Faces.

I got off the train the other day to find myself in this intense crowd. After about forty minutes of wading through the masses of people, I finally got to a higher platform/a spot that I could pull out my camera and snap a shot of the confusion.

Some were getting off the train. 

Some were trying to get on. 

Some were selling chai tea. 

Some were loading cargo.

Some were begging for money. 

Some, I felt like, were just standing.  

When I was literally stuck in a sea of people, it finally hit me: 

There are a LOT of people in South Asia.

I'm used to being around a lot of people. I mean, shoot, I'm from a family of eleven, but living here has changed my view of what "a lot" even means. 

Everyday I see a sea of faces. Faces of friends. Faces of strangers. Faces. 

Faces. Created by a Creator who knows them just like He knows me. 

Today: I choose...

Love.

No occasion justifies hatred. 

No injustice warrants bitterness.

Joy.

I will refuse the temptation to be cynical or bitter.

I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by Him.

I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see Him.

Peace.

I choose to live forgiven.

I will forgive that I may live.

Patience.

I will overlook the inconvenience of the world.

Instead of cursing the one who took my place, I will encourage them to do so. 

Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will take moment to talk with Him.

Instead of clinching my fists at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

Kindness.

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.

Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.

Kind to the unkind, for such is now He has treated me.

Goodness.

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one.

I will be overlooked before I boast.

I will confess before I accuse.

Faithfulness.

Today I will keep my promises.

My debtors will not regret their trust.

My associates will not question my word.

No one I love will question my love.

Gentleness.

Nothing is won by force.

I choose to be gentle.

If I raise my voice may it only be in praise.

If I clinch my fist may it only be in prayer.

If I make a demand, may it only be of myself. 

Self control. 

I am a spiritual being-- after this body is dead, my spirit will soar.

I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal.

I will only be drunk with joy.

I will only be impassioned by my faith.

I will be influenced only by Him.

I will be taught only by Him.

I took this from my sister Ruth's blog because it resonates with me today. 

I live in a place where it's easy to get overwhelmed & to function in survival mode, but I'm not called to just survive. I'm called to follow Him hard and to let these characteristics flow out of my life. Oh, that people here might see Him in me. 

Today: I choose Him. 

Language.

I’ve been living out in the middle of nowhere for about a month now, but I’m back in the city for a few days for a little Thanksgiving (I’m giving thanks for a real shower, a little internet cafe, and a cup of instant coffee). 

I'm living in a village to try to catch onto a new language and build relationships with the people who live there. Language learning here is a lot different than Spanish class back at ole Kingwood High School. Instead of a classroom, I have a village. Instead of a textbook, I write down the words I here in my handy dandy notebook. Instead of tests, I try to effectively get my point across. And my teaches come in all shapes and sizes. Here are my most consistent language instructors: 

I've got the skills of a preschooler right now (I can greet people, ask them questions, talk about what I've done that day, beg people to stop feeding me, and tell a few really short stories). I head back out there on Sunday, and I hope to move up to Kindergarten before Christmas. haha. 

Here we go again.

Transition is becoming the new norm. 

Home is where the heart is, right? haha. Over-spiritualization. I'm learning that my earthly home is wherever my head hits the pillow.

These are a few things that help me to feel 'settled.'

- knowing where the bathroom is. 

- spreading out my little teal blanket over my bed. 

- taping a few pictures to the wall. 

- looking out the nearest window and taking a deep breath. 

- going for a stroll around the neighborhood. 

Tomorrow, I'll be headed to my new home on the other side of this sweet country. 

To learn a language I've never heard. To live with people I've never met. To know my Father in a way I can't imagine. 

Goodbyes.

Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I thought it would be. 


I have to admit, I've sobbed like a small child over and over the last couple days. Through all of the tears, I kept on thinking about what life might look like if it wasn't hard to leave home. What if I didn't have anyone to hold on tight and not want to let me go? What if I didn't have any friendships that were hard to leave? I realized that I wouldn't trade the tears for anything. I am so so blessed with a family that loves me unconditionally and friends that show me how to love authentically. 


I hope it's always hard to leave. All the people I befriend. In every chapter of life. 

Bidding farewell to material things isn't the hard part. Watch:

Goodbye house. 

Goodbye Sopapilla.

Goodbye big plate of cookie dough.

It's walking away from people I love, people so close to my heart, that hurts so bad. 

I'm learning how to drop my nets and follow Him with absolute abandon. (I'll probably be learning this my whole life)

Prep Under My Belt.

I have....


1. Met a lot of South Asian people. Who are awesome.

2. Got the book Where There's No Doctor. Now I feel confident enough to give stitches and deliver a baby. I'd recommend it.

3. Opened a grown-up banking account.

4. Learned how to give a legit hair cut.

5. Watched some YouTube videos that helped me to dive into culture. =)

6. Learned a ton about myself. I'm an ESTJ.

7. Got my ESL certification.

8. Got my visa, baby.

9. Vaccinations. Enough said.

10. Read through the Lonely Planet book on India and Culture Shock: India, so now I won't have culture shock, right? 

11. How to blend in even if I'm using a travel/language guide. Thank you RealSimple. 

12. Learned why it's so important to learn language and NOT rely on a translator. 

Prepare. Me. For. Whatever.

There are some things I need to learn as I move around the world. Really. There are.

I need to learn...

- Language. Enough said. I want to know the heart language of my new neighbors and friends.

- Boldness. Confidence. Fearlessness.

- My role as a woman in a new, less liberating culture. Learning to look down, bow a little, and respond to instead of initiate communication with men.

- How to fit into a 'right handed culture.' The right hand is for all things clean (handling food, money, and most normal things). The left hand is for everything nasty (mostly a toilet paper replacement).

(I have clean hands for now, don't worry)

- How to cook some awesome curry.

- How to be a learner. Hardcore. I go in knowing just about zero about how to talk, walk, or even eat... and can learn from people of every age and background. Two-year-olds are my teachers.


And the list continues.

He is the Potter. I am not.

Sojourn.

I've honestly been sitting here for ten minutes trying to think of a name for this blog. I typed out a few things, but nothing looked right. I resorted to google, searched for synonyms of 'journey,' and sojourn caught my eye.

Sojourn is:

to stop temporarily and wait for

brief travel

a stay at temporary residence

Isn't that exactly what this life is? Temporary. Brief. A sojourn. I take life too seriously, and not seriously enough. I get caught up on little, insignificant things and lose sight of what's really important. I want to live more like my Lord. I want to get up in the morning just to bring Him glory.

I've never really blogged, but I want to learn how so that I can share life. What I learn. Questions I have. Places I go. People I see. People I get to know. What I get to do during my sojourn on earth.