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.  

Foreign to Familiar.

It just takes one step to go from foreign to familiar. One step off a plane into a country you call home. One step into the arms of someone you love. And today, one step into the local Starbucks. 

One second, I was in Thailand, and the next, I was somewhere so familiar that I stopped dead in my tracks. From tuks tuks, elephants, and idols to muffins, mugs, and the sweet smell of coffee. The menu was the same... well, except for "Coffee Jelly"... ? ... and the barista greeted me in Thai, but everything else was the same.

I've never loved franchises so much in my entire life. For a second I felt like I was sitting in the Starbucks on Kingwood Drive... just 5 minutes from home. Home. Familiar. Not foreign. 

Oh, by the way, Foreign to Familiar is a legit, practical book that has nothing to do with this post, but is a must-read before spending time overseas. 

Oman. Oh man.

I know, I know. Not many people would choose to vacation in the desert of Oman, but not everyone has friends who live in Afghanistan and jump up and down at the freedom found in this particular Middle Eastern country. After living in India for a while, this less-populous land was just what I needed to detox and process the last few months of my life.   

From overcrowded to desolate.

From endless colors to sand and sea. 

From to-dos to sweet vacation-induced oblivion. 

My heart raced as I rushed through the Dubai airport to find my sweet friend Allie Brill. Along with some of her fellow teachers from Afghanistan, we rented a sweet minivan... I mean, megavan... and headed down into Oman. Armed with a roadmap and somewhat keen sense of direction, it took about ten hours to conquer a six hour drive.

Mountains. 

Castles. 

Camels.

Dunes. 

Beachfronts. 

We arrived in the quaint little village of Fins that we called home for the week. A legit front porch. A five minute walk to a secluded beach. A ten minute drive to an intense sink hole. Surrounded by 'wadis' that are perfect for hiking and swimming. Sweet Omani fishermen share their day's catch as a "Welcome to Oman." Therapeutic walks along the shore looking for fun shells and dying of laughter as Al was "crab hunting."   

Refreshing. 

Delightful. 

JustwhatIneeded.

Monstrous March.

Let's face it. 


I'm 5'9", and I live in Asia, so I feel a lot like Elf some days.


Turns out, we have a lot in common.


When I wear my hair in a high bun (my personal favorite), I can't stand up all the way on the bus and my poor bun SMACKS into doorways. In my mind, I say, "High bun slapppp" every time it happens. 

I don't blend in very well... so I get stared at a lot... mostly because I'm white... and partially because I'm HUGE....

I have to concentrate HARD when conversing in my newfound language, so sometimes, embarrassingly enough, I bend down to listen. 

The owner of a guest house I stayed at last week was REAL worried because he thought the beds would be too short for me... "Sir, I'm big... but I'm not THAT big."

I don't take it personally. Really. But sometimes lately I have felt awkward... like there's no where to hide... or like there's a raccoon CLAWING at my face. 

So... I press on. Even though I'm taller than the next guys, and sometimes I sit in seats that are a tad too small...

...I love it here. 

Untold Stories.

Just the mere thought of human trafficking has always been something that has got my blood pumping.

But now, my heart no longer just beats faster because of trafficking statistics or news stories.

 

They're real people. Real friends.

Real tears. Real fears.

 

I hate sin. So bad. 

Families, misled. 

Boys, sold. 

Girls, raped. 

Hope, lost. 

Hearts, broken. 

Stories, untold. 

Safari.

This morning...

I rode an elephant out into the woods. 

And got to see dozens of rhinos. 

I discovered that elephants have these cute little hairs. 

I got to hang out with these crazy girls. 

And chill on the back of this Dumbo. 

 

I'm one happy camper. 

February. In journal entries.

Here are some snippets from my journal entries this month... some are prayers, some rantings, some random thoughts or happenings. You can read the whole thing... when I die one day. haha.

1st. Love of God, overflow. Permeate all my soul.

2nd. I don't know what I'm doing.

3rd. 8 Indian women. 12 colors of nail polish. Countless laughs.

4th. I have a love/hate relationship with being followed. Leading is a huge responsibility.

5th. Sometimes our expectations aren't met because He has something better in mind.

6th. You're not bound by my weakness or inexperience.

7th. People here are desperate to know Him whether they know it or not.

8th. I want to ride an elephant real bad. Ki korim?

9th. Tasks and responsibility. Lists and opportunity. Lord, use my to-dos.

10th. I roll out of bed on my knees.

11th. My sufficiency is from Him.

12th. Earthy.

13th. Monkey temple. Legit coffee.

14th. It's Valentines. MASH and no-bake cookies? Yes please.

15th. Day of meetings. Feeling feverish. Hmm.

16th. There's no such thing as an ordinary day. Not here.

17th. ... the ultimate legacy.

18th. Fathom the unfathomable.

19th. Vision, mission, and goals.

20th. Friendships bridge cultural differences and language barriers.

21st. I'm packing up & moving across town.

22nd. Contextualization.

23rd. Establish the work of our hands.

24th. Today is much bigger than me.

25th. Without you, I am nothing. I will not survive.

26th. We, the body, will join our voices.

27th. "Just invest in those who have the greatest desire to spread the Word."

28th. He came through despite of me... He always does.

Stillness at daybreak.

The usual chaos of city life is silenced by dawn. 

Tension fills the air as the day waits to start.  

Crossing the street is undemanding because 

the crowds are still tucked into bed.

Shops wait to be opened. 

Stories wait to be read.

Words wait to be spoken.  

The aroma of incense offerings waits to be inhaled. 

Chai stands wait to welcome the early riser.  

Stillness at daybreak.

It's almost eerie. 

January Snippets.

In January, I...

Learned some traditional dances.

Got a big girl job working for an NGO. 

I love it, but whatever happened to chillin at McDonald's with your siblings and calling it a day?

Wanted to ride a bike real bad... but I didn't have one.  

Was in India at the same time as my sister. I didn't get to see her, but we sure did Skype. 

Made some West African food with Indian ingredients. 

Made a partnership with a school for kids in the slums. 

Started reading through the Word chronologically. Read it. It'll change your life. 


Walked in a line of nuns for a mile or two. (I was holding the same bag in the same hand.... so I felt like a nun too. I might be crazy.)

Learned a little about farming. Chillies!

Made some new friends.

(Some are on my team.)

(Some randomly invited me for lunch... and into their lives.)

(One is my new partner at the NGO.)

Saw 3 random elephants around the city. (I stole this picture from scoot)

Found a legit coffee shop across town. 

Brought the pancake breakfast tradition to India.

Found a legit fresh flower supplier. 

Got used to public transportation with negative personal space.