Friends, I want to welcome you to this, my first attempt at blogging. I hope that it will not be in vain, that you will find something worth your time, that you will pull up a chair and stay awhile.I am now settled in my new city. Palm trees line many of the streets. Flowers are starting to bloom on neighboring fences which serve as a daily reminder of the heat that is coming all too quickly. On clear days, we can climb on our roof and see the mountains in the distance. It's a beautiful, interesting, strange place.
With all its beauty, it can be difficult to live with the daily reality that it is dark here...very dark. And maybe I'm only aware of the beauty because I've only been here for a grand total of 6 weeks. They call it the "honeymoon" stage. Culture shock is a few short months away, I'm sure. I hope that each day, He will allow me to see the beauty and the darkness. Both are essential, vital, if I am going to make it here.
The past few weeks have been filled with travel, finally getting settled in, and a lot of language. Haley and I visited two different villages about a day after I arrived here. The visits proved to be beneficial and I think that we will go back to at least one of these places to tell more stories in the future.
I have been so abundantly provided for in my new home. Meeting new brothers and sisters and being so warmly welcomed into their homes and families has been such a sweet gift. I thank you for standing in the gap for me and lifting up my needs. Your partnership is so valuable. And what you do is so important. With that said, I hope you will stop by often. Leave a message if you feel so inclined. Make yourself at home!
