Joyful Journeys

I recently returned from my first trip out of the country (thus my blogging hiatus), my first trip since moving here a couple months ago. The trip came at such the right time and I absolutely loved it. I was blessed to hear amazing testimonies, meet new friends and spend time with friends from back home.

Here are a few snapshots from the trip, with some (brief) commentary :)

First, the places we visited were beautiful, even if it did rain the entire time we were there. Literally. And of course, we didn't know rainy season started this early so none of us had any rain gear. We finally stopped one day, the day we rode across the river in a boat, and bought ponchos that were about 10 sizes too big, but my "cape" was better than nothing! Especially considering our mode of transportation was a tuk-tuk.

The first photo on the bottom left is my view out the back of the tuk-tuk. Had to capture a very rare dry moment!

First photo is the view we were rewarded with after an hour
tuk-tuk ride and 30 minute bike ride up the mountain.

At one point in our journey to a village we rode in the tuk-tuk about an hour, then took a boat, and then a different tuk-tuk for about 45 minutes. One day we had to briefly abandon the vehicle - you can see why!

Lots of rain = lots of mud!

The homes in the villages we visited were simple, most made of bamboo with no furniture or beds, just mats to sleep on. Not many outsiders come to these areas, and we certainly got some interesting looks. And not many locals ever leave their tiny village. But the people were warm and inviting and really liked having their photo taken.

The guys in this photo are fishermen mending their nets.

In one town where we stayed for several days "Western food" wasn't an option. So I ate lots - and lots - of rice. The town was definitely a fishing town - and I definitely do NOT like seafood. One morning we were up at 7 a.m. to visit a fish market. The fish pictures I got aren't great, but it's the closet I got to the fish! We also went to other food markets similar to ones in my country.

Of course, the towns and villages we visited are very spiritually dark. So many people investing their lives in worship to idols and spirits. A reminder that we must pray for Him to tear down these strongholds and reveal truth.

The Dreamer

Quite a few years ago now a co-worker gave me the children's book Frederick. I had never read the book, but it quickly became one of my favorites.

Frederick is a mouse who is called a "dreamer" by the other mice because he would sometimes sit quietly, seeming to be asleep.

"Are you dreaming, Frederick?" the mice asked. 

"Oh no, I am gathering words," Frederick would reply. "For the winter days are long and many, and we'll run out of things to say." 

Frederick liked to stare at the meadow, just soaking in all the colors. He liked to sit in the summer sun rays, remembering and savoring their warmth.

When winter came and the mice took to their hideout among the stones in an old stone wall, they quickly became sad. The joys of summer - the meadows, the sun, the cornfields - all seemed a distant memory.

That is, until the mice asked Frederick about those "words" he liked to gather.

As Frederick spoke of the sun the four little mice began to feel warmer. And when he told them of the blue periwinkles, the red poppies in the yellow wheat, and the green leaves of the berry bush, they saw the colors as clearly as if they had been painted in their minds.

Words have the power to leave an imprint on our hearts and minds. They lift up or tear down. Words help us dream of a new reality. They can help move us from dreaming to reality.

I love when words tell a story and bring people into a story. Whether verbal or written, words can help us remember who we are, where we have been and where we want to go. Our words can paint a picture of truth and grace. Sometimes we may think we don't have much to offer, but our words can be a priceless gift.

Sunday Nights

I've been wanting to write a "market" post and one of these days it will happen. We have day markets and night markets; markets are anywhere and everywhere! When I actually took my camera to the Saturday market a week or two ago I realized why people told me to take a bunch of photos soon as I arrived - because before you know it "new" becomes "normal." I stood in the market that Saturday and told someone with me that I really had no idea what pictures to take! In looking around, it just seemed like a market. So...I decided that from now on when I go to markets the camera goes with me and I will do my best to give you a sense of what it's like.

For now, here's a quick tour of a craft bazar that is held every Sunday. Several streets are blocked off and you can spend hours just going from booth to booth. Everything is handmade, and you really get to see the skill and talent of people on display.

You can find just about anything here, from lanterns to dog outfits (yes indeed, that would be the bottom right photo):

Art is a popular item to find at most any market, and the Sunday show is now different:

You can also find lots of jewelry, shoes and hand painted mirrors and dishes:

Of course, what would the evening be without food?? Mango sticky rice is popular here, and you can get it at a stand, or just wait for it to come to you:

Anything you could ever want on a stick, we got it:

This next photo features my favorite: smoothies, of course. Just pick your fruit, and they give it back in smoothie form!

It's a little hard to see, but in the top right photo, the backdrop to this Sunday night experience is a beautiful mountain landscape:

I ended the night with a watermelon smoothie and some corn
(odd combo I know, but quite good!)

Across the Street

Earlier this week I met a lady who lives across the street from me, just down the road a bit. Her son was out riding his bike and when I passed by on my way to the market, she stopped to talk. She speaks English, but I introduced myself in her language, told her I moved here last month and was studying language.

I ran into her again the next morning and she invited me to her home "anytime" that evening. I'm learning that in my new country "time" has a whole different meaning than it does back home. It's more or less a suggestion. Like when I first got here and the guy driving said, "So, how red is that stoplight?" as he proceeded through the light.

I bought a dessert, practiced saying in the local language, "I did not make this I bought it at the bakery," and planned to go over "sometime" after dinner that night.

I get to her house and no one is home. The lady next door tells me she had to go across town. So I take the dessert home, quite disappointed, as she is the first person in the neighborhood I've met.

But the next morning at the gas station I see someone waving at me and it's my neighbor. She says that she had to pick up her daughter the night before, and invites me over that afternoon.

We didn't have much time to visit before my language class, but she shared her heart and for that I am grateful. She does not know the Savior and I am praying that He will give divine moments and opportunities for her to hear Truth.

Somehow it seems fitting that the first local person I have meaningful conversation with is right across the street. Reaching our neighbors...seems to be what we are all called to do no matter where we live...

Speaking of across the street, here's a photo I took one morning on a nearby street of people making their offerings and praying. It's hard to see, but a monk is seated in the back of the truck (I couldn't get too close):

Feet May Fail

A frequent tune on my playlist lately is “Oceans,” by Hillsong. Here’s a preview:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever you would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

If there's ever been a time in my life when I could relate to these lyrics, it's now. Moments come when everything seems hard, even the little things, or when a task seems quite impossible. 

Sometimes you just have to laugh during those moments, like at dinner last night when my roommate and I ordered - in English - grilled cheese sandwiches (don't judge the menu choice!) which somehow was understood as goat cheese... 

But I'm learning it's ok to work through the challenges, because He who called is faithful. A verse I've been holding on to is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: 

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Last week in church this was the first verse read to open the service and the song that followed was all about how His grace is enough. If we didn't have challenges we would never know His mighty power and steadfast love. So I'm grateful for the times when I'm weak, because then He is shown strong. 

*Since blogs are boring without photos, here is my view while I wrote this post today (love that I can walk here from my house!)

First time in a long time it's been clear enough to see the clouds!

Waterfalls

One of the "touristy" things I've wanted to do since moving is go to a waterfall. My city has quite a few, and so today we decided to venture out and find one...and venture we did.

The GPS led us astray on our first attempt, so we stopped at a temple along the way. The first photo is of a monk's house behind the temple. The Buddha statue in the last photo was just before we came to the temple.

After visiting the temple we continued on, following the directions of the locals (we had someone with us who spoke the local language). We followed signs for the waterfall through the countryside, through villages and up a mountain. When we got to the end we parked and started walking up the "trail" (last photo). It didn't take long to realize that this trail was not going to lead us to a waterfall. But, along the route we met a nice lady who gave us mangos, saw some pineapples and traveled through beautiful villages in the country.

After lunch we ventured on, following signs to a different waterfall, and finally made it. We climbed stairs and more stairs, and stairs and more stairs, until we reached the top. "Let your glory be over all the earth!"

Derek

This is Derek:

Note that Derek (my roommate named our truck) is parked in front of our house. 

Now, look at Derek again:

Yes, Derek is now parked in front of the gym where I played basketball tonight. And guess how he got there? 

I drove stick shift for the first time solo!

Granted...it wasn't pretty (and my basketball game was quite terrible). But living overseas I'm learning to celebrate the small victories. And this is one I will gladly take :)