Two months in the country, and I feel like the best way to summarize my time here so far is to kick it old school, take the 7th grade approach, and make a list of the most important things to note.
-squatty potties: some say "sanitary" hole in the ground, I say balancing act of terror.
-sunshine: you appreciate it so much more when you only get it once every few weeks.
-sunshine: you appreciate it so much more when you only get it once every few weeks.
-panda bears: both adorable, and funny to watch as their sweet, rotund bodies balance on a 2" branch to get "the good leaves" 12 feet off the ground.
-personal bubbles: they don't exist. Just try the subway, street, or standing in line when there's only 3 people in it.
-personal bubbles: they don't exist. Just try the subway, street, or standing in line when there's only 3 people in it.
-Asian diet: they may call it a midday snack, I call it chili-sauced duck esophagus (pretty tasty, actually)
-smells, oh the smells: Walking down the street you'll catch a whiff of roasting chestnuts, car exhaust, "la jiao" (hot, Sichuan spice), sewage spots, and fresh fruit. Quite the palette.
-tonal faux-paus: despite words being spelled the same way, they can have multiple meanings. For example: the word, "ma" can have different meanings. It can be a word for mommy, a numbing spice, or a horse; but watch your tone. I once tried to tell a friend that her mom was beautiful and kind, and instead complimented her horse.
-there's a reason why they call it a language BARRIER. But, it sure does make for funny stories of getting "that look". Most of the time I've gotten it while trying to order food. I end up with something I didn't intend to order (and am never quite sure of what I ended up eating). My favorite though is laughing about the barrier with some of my co-workers who don't speak English. We can't understand each other, and we both know it. So the hand gestures, pictures, and inflections in our voices prove to be a comic relief.
-the Holidays: spending them away from family puts why you celebrate that holiday in the first place into perspective. As much as time with friends and family, and celebrating traditions are wonderful, that's not what they're about. Thanksgiving isn't about your favorite dishes, or the parade on TV, or football, or the joy of leftovers; it should be about being thankful for having breath in your lungs and the blessings you do have. The meaning of Christmas is one I embarrassingly so easily lose sight of. It's not about the presents, the traditional breakfasts, or the Christmas movie marathons on TBS. It's about celebrating the birth of a new life, and our new life, that He would one day sacrifice Himself for so that we may have.
I know what some of you may think, "Oh hey Debbie Downer. Is there anything you do like about living there?"
Why yes, yes there is. List #2 brought from me to you, honey boo.
-Everything is different. I can't rely on things to solve my problems or make me happy. If it's an especially polluted day; don't be irritated that you have to wear a mask. Be thankful for the breath in your lungs and that you have the option to wear a mask.
-the internet: and a special shout-out to Skype, Face Time, iMessage, and email that I can still keep in contact with people.
-Sichuan spice: still have a low tolerance and a possible ulcer from it, but hot dang, it's delicious.
-supporting local business: we're talking buying produce straight from the farmers, mom and pop food stands, and massages from blind people (one of only a few jobs they can have).
-Asian babies: squishy faces and small eyes made smaller when they smile with their squishy faces. It's adorable.
-the local church: it's growing like you wouldn't believe, and the boldness of local believers to share the Gospel is inspiring and convicting.
-God's heart for this country. He's already won the battle over evil when Jesus died on the cross...so you'd better believe He has BIG plans for this place if the Enemy is trying so hard here to keep people from the Truth. (I'll share soon stories I've seen and heard about people getting healed in Jesus' name, Christian business owners doing God's work through their business, droves of people coming to Christ, and Tibetan monks wanting to know more about God....it's AWESOME!) Speaking of God...
Up until moving here, I had always thought 2 things about religion in EA: being a believer in this country was dangerous, and that it was illegal for anyone in this country to be a Christian. I've since learned the truth of both: it's not as dangerous as I had thought, and it's not illegal. It is, however, illegal to share the Gospel outside of the "government-sanctioned church" (don't get me started on those). It's also illegal to share the Gospel with anyone under the age of 18, whether in a church or at home. Despite the good news that house churches are "safer" than what I had thought. The threat of the Enemy is still real, as he is everywhere, but we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus has already won against him, and we're just dealing with the last remnants of his influence. I am especially thankful that where I'm living specifically, the local government doesn't really care if you are a Christian. They have a more laid-back attitude towards everything and as long as you're not disrupting business and day-to-day life, they don't care who you worship. Good news for us! It's freeing that I can talk about God and don't feel unsafe when sharing (although I still exercise precaution when in certain areas of town or around certain people.) This gives believers in the city (both foreign and local) a lot more freedom than many other places in the country to share and express their personal devotion. It may still be a long way before there's complete freedom to do so, but we all have faith that that day will come; but doesn't stop anyone from doing the Lord's work now.
So all in all, 2 months away from everything comfortable, familiar, and easy starts to put things into perspective. Patience in the unknown is something I still struggle with every day, but thank the Good Lord for His. There's still so much to learn and do here, but I'm thankful for the breath in my body, and the opportunity to step out and see what He has planned.
-tonal faux-paus: despite words being spelled the same way, they can have multiple meanings. For example: the word, "ma" can have different meanings. It can be a word for mommy, a numbing spice, or a horse; but watch your tone. I once tried to tell a friend that her mom was beautiful and kind, and instead complimented her horse.
-there's a reason why they call it a language BARRIER. But, it sure does make for funny stories of getting "that look". Most of the time I've gotten it while trying to order food. I end up with something I didn't intend to order (and am never quite sure of what I ended up eating). My favorite though is laughing about the barrier with some of my co-workers who don't speak English. We can't understand each other, and we both know it. So the hand gestures, pictures, and inflections in our voices prove to be a comic relief.
-the Holidays: spending them away from family puts why you celebrate that holiday in the first place into perspective. As much as time with friends and family, and celebrating traditions are wonderful, that's not what they're about. Thanksgiving isn't about your favorite dishes, or the parade on TV, or football, or the joy of leftovers; it should be about being thankful for having breath in your lungs and the blessings you do have. The meaning of Christmas is one I embarrassingly so easily lose sight of. It's not about the presents, the traditional breakfasts, or the Christmas movie marathons on TBS. It's about celebrating the birth of a new life, and our new life, that He would one day sacrifice Himself for so that we may have.
I know what some of you may think, "Oh hey Debbie Downer. Is there anything you do like about living there?"
Why yes, yes there is. List #2 brought from me to you, honey boo.
-Everything is different. I can't rely on things to solve my problems or make me happy. If it's an especially polluted day; don't be irritated that you have to wear a mask. Be thankful for the breath in your lungs and that you have the option to wear a mask.
-the internet: and a special shout-out to Skype, Face Time, iMessage, and email that I can still keep in contact with people.
-Sichuan spice: still have a low tolerance and a possible ulcer from it, but hot dang, it's delicious.
-supporting local business: we're talking buying produce straight from the farmers, mom and pop food stands, and massages from blind people (one of only a few jobs they can have).
-Asian babies: squishy faces and small eyes made smaller when they smile with their squishy faces. It's adorable.
-the local church: it's growing like you wouldn't believe, and the boldness of local believers to share the Gospel is inspiring and convicting.
-God's heart for this country. He's already won the battle over evil when Jesus died on the cross...so you'd better believe He has BIG plans for this place if the Enemy is trying so hard here to keep people from the Truth. (I'll share soon stories I've seen and heard about people getting healed in Jesus' name, Christian business owners doing God's work through their business, droves of people coming to Christ, and Tibetan monks wanting to know more about God....it's AWESOME!) Speaking of God...
Up until moving here, I had always thought 2 things about religion in EA: being a believer in this country was dangerous, and that it was illegal for anyone in this country to be a Christian. I've since learned the truth of both: it's not as dangerous as I had thought, and it's not illegal. It is, however, illegal to share the Gospel outside of the "government-sanctioned church" (don't get me started on those). It's also illegal to share the Gospel with anyone under the age of 18, whether in a church or at home. Despite the good news that house churches are "safer" than what I had thought. The threat of the Enemy is still real, as he is everywhere, but we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus has already won against him, and we're just dealing with the last remnants of his influence. I am especially thankful that where I'm living specifically, the local government doesn't really care if you are a Christian. They have a more laid-back attitude towards everything and as long as you're not disrupting business and day-to-day life, they don't care who you worship. Good news for us! It's freeing that I can talk about God and don't feel unsafe when sharing (although I still exercise precaution when in certain areas of town or around certain people.) This gives believers in the city (both foreign and local) a lot more freedom than many other places in the country to share and express their personal devotion. It may still be a long way before there's complete freedom to do so, but we all have faith that that day will come; but doesn't stop anyone from doing the Lord's work now.
So all in all, 2 months away from everything comfortable, familiar, and easy starts to put things into perspective. Patience in the unknown is something I still struggle with every day, but thank the Good Lord for His. There's still so much to learn and do here, but I'm thankful for the breath in my body, and the opportunity to step out and see what He has planned.
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| beautiful and sunny day in the city, a rarity! |
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| visited a panda reserve just 30 minutes north of the city. This is the only place in the world that they're native to! |
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| care for some glazed duck for dinner? How about their necks or intestines for a nice snack? |
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