Hinduism and Hugs

I've been coughing and sneezing so much lately. I thought I had caught a cold yesterday, but today I realize, I'm allergic to the dust on most of the books and walls here. I found out that I'm also allergic to my sheets, so I took them off before I slept. It's much better now. I slept much better last night. 8 hours!

Sleep comes easier than I thought it would. Since I'm a light sleeper, you'd think I'd be up all night with the noises outside my walls. The 4-6th grade boys who live in my dorm complex shout, laugh and pound about like elephants. Wild dogs bark, growl and fight outside noisily from dark until about 3 a.m. A Hindu call to worship, an Indain singing voice on a loud speaker, wakes me up every morning at about 5 a.m. It sounds so eery and demonic, it disturbs me and I can't get back to sleep. I'm so thankful that our God is more powerful than any false one, and much more powerful than the evil one himself. I put my ipod in my ears to drown out the Hindu singing and pray for a few more hours of sleep until I have to get up at 7:30. I haven't been able to sleep past 6 yet, but it's ok. Birds start chirping and keep me company at about 6:30, and I enjoy getting dressed early and going out to the gardens outside.

I haven't been hugged by anyone since my parents and boyfriend hugged me goodbye. Aaron was the last person I hugged, really, the last person I touched, minus the cordial hand-shakes I've politely received. I'm very concerned about being culturally appropriate, so I know that it's not permissible to touch a man. But even with women, I'm not sure yet, is it alright to hug the women I've become friends with? Is it acceptable to ask a girl for a hug goodnight? Is it alright to hug a student goodbye after we've had a conversation in her dorm at night? I've never gone a couple of days with out a hug, and I'm learning that even though physical touch isn't one of my main love languages, I do need it. It's one of the ways I feel love.

I love my students!

It's beautiful here! I love my kids, and the teachers. praise him!

This school is much more overtly faith-based than i thought! They have a morning assembly each day, in which there is a devotional. We pray, and the kids pray out loud too. They are very mature kids, especially for 10 year olds. They welcomed me and introduced me in the assembly, and one of the girls prayed for me. It was so powerful and encouraging.

My luggage got lost in Singapore, and I still don't have it. I might get it on Thursday, but there's no guarantee. One of the things I miss, that I packed in my checked luggage, is my American snacks. I'm learning a lot about myself...All of the "stuff" I use, and consume, to get me through each day. The Father is gracious in revealing things to me. Even though i dont have the familiarity of the food I packed, my stomach is doing OK with the spicy food. I like it so far.

I observed my class today for the first time! It turns out that Standard 6 is equivalent to 5th Grade, which is my favorite age! It was a total surprise to get 10 and 11 year olds! I love lvoe love love them already. i have 22 kids from all over the world. Most speak 2 or 3 languages. It's amazing! One of them lived in Calcutta for 10 years, so i want to talk with her about that city soon. And the American kids in my class feel really excited about me being there. There are only 2 of us, on staff, from America, so they told me I'm a piece of "home" for them. It's awesome!

I got to play the piano for a bunch of them during our hour-and-fifteen minute lunch break (really long break!). I played a few faith based songs from the piano books the school owns. Connecting with them through song, while they sang along with me, was so good for my soul. I'm falling in love with these kids so much and its only my first day with them! It was so fun!

Technologically Challenged

...At least I can spell it, right?
I thought there was a problem with my power adapter, but it turns out I just wasn't using it right! Big surprise, huh. The nice lady at the electronic store explained it to me. You'd think I'd remember, after using adapters 4 times. Oh well.

It's been a good layover. I worked out for an hour, slept in my hotel room, talked with Aaron online and read my book. When I woke up in my hotel room, I thought I was in my bed at home. I reached over for my cell phone and realized I was in Singapore! A big smile spread across my face. I'm so excited to be in Asia!

When I finally had an appetite (after 24 hours of not eating) I ate a bowl of soup and a starbucks latte. I wanted to buy my mom a Singapore starbucks gift card, but they are only redeemable in Singapore. I got a pedicure next, per mom's suggestion. The women working at the airport here are nice, and fun to have conversations with.

I'm here at my gate, 2 hours early. It was so easy to find because it was directly beneath my hotel!

3 weeks out

The trip is getting closer, and I'm feeling so much regarding it. Each day I feel different toward it- Sometimes scared, unprepared, or too tired to go, and sometimes happy, excited, and deeply thankful to have the opportunity and support.

Am I ready?

Fear creeps in often. I'm scared of traveling alone, with no one who is familiar to me. I'm scared of finding my way through international airports, and catching planes on time (I'm directionally challenged). I have a weak immune system, I realize, as I sit here, taking a sick day, sick with an infection I caught from my students. Will I get sick in India, I wonder? I'm exhausted. I don't know if I have the strength to do this. But I do know that God in me does.

I am going to send in my passport for my VISA today. I finally got all the things together in order to send it. I've been to the doctors for some much needed sleep medication. There's a lot of anxiety rising up in me because of student teaching, preparing to leave for India and keeping up with the dozens of other commitments I have in my life right now.

Dr. Marla Campbell, my favorite teacher from Biola, met with me and treated me for coffee. She imparted some wisdom about going overseas and teaching there. It was so great for me to process my thoughts and worries with her. God is going with me on quite an adventure, she reminded me. This is an opportunity of a lifetime that will probably go by so quickly. I am going to learn things and go through experiences I could never have gone through here. Thank the Lord, I'm excited about that!

I'm going to miss someone really special to me. My best friend, my boyfriend. He brings me to truth, points me toward God and loves me unconditionally. I'm thankful I have a Father who will show me those things especially while I'm away from everyone familiar to me. My best friend, Ruthie will also be truly missed. She meets me right where I'm at, speaks wisdom to me and comforts me in the toughest times. I'll be feeling the lack of these two loved ones. I pray that while I'm gone they will find in God a source of true joy, a refuge in times of trouble and worry.

What am I excited about? Adventure. Teaching. Meeting children from all over the world. Interacting with a British staff, and discovering ways that we relate. Making friends with fellow teachers. Spreading God's love to people in the ways He allows me to. I feel peace about it all, God is bringing me on this trip!

Hello Blogosphere

Yeah, I used the term. I actually googled it to make sure I used the right spelling...My boyfriend's geekiness might be rubbing off on me.

I am new to this.

I asked Aaron to help me make this blog, for one main reason. I want to blog when I go to India. Exactly six weeks from today, I'll be arriving in Ooty, a town in Southern India, to teach a 6-grade class there. Some of my experiences, discoveries and thoughts that I want to share with friends and family will be posted from now on.

This decision to go to India all by myself for 6 weeks is one of the most sure, God-led decisions I've ever made. Biola University offers the opportunity to complete the last 9 weeks of the student teaching semester overseas, anywhere. It's not a well-promoted program, so I heard about it through one classmate who, in passing, mentioned she was going to China last Fall. I said I'd be interested in going to India and finding out more about it, and she looked doubtful. "Tomorrow is the last day to apply for overseas student teaching in the Spring." I thought, and prayed, then turned in my completed application with a sure heart and steady soul.

I was accepted, and with in a month, given the name of a school in the country I requested: Beautiful India. I'll be teaching 6th grade in a boarding school that is Christian, not by name, but by ownership. I'm flying (in the air for about 23 hours both ways) alone, and living in India for 2 months with people I have not yet met. Teaching 6th grade for the first time is a scary thought, but also utterly exciting.

Preparing for this trip has been bringing up so many things within me so far. God is sifting through my heart with me, growing me in certain ways, and developing in me a deep desire for adventure with Him. Having gone 3 times in the past, I have a heart for this country. The photo above portrays a bit of my love for India, and I know my love for those precious children there will continue to grow over time.