Teaching, the Ocean and the Flu.

Teaching, the Ocean and the Flu.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us."-1 John 5:14

I have spent the last week teaching both music class for all grades and then bible class for 12th grade. I really didn't expect to be teaching bible. It caught me off guard. Honestly I can't really say that I know the Bible all that well but that didn't stop me from trying it out anyways. One of the first verses I lay my eyes on is one that I already knew because of a song. 1 John 5:14. It is such a beautiful verse and I repeat it everyday as part of my personal devotional. 

It feels strange to have left almost all of my (de)vices back at home. It's like what I imagine a very mild rehab clinic would be like. I don't spend as much time on the internet, watching movies, or even listening to music as I normally do. There are children and people here who rely on my to do my job and walk the talk. Most of my life has just been talk. I plan to do this or that but when the time comes to deliver I just flop and pretend like I never said anything. Or at least that is how I feel like most of the time. 

The other student missionaries that are here with me really make all the difference. If I was here by myself I don't think the experience would be close to the same. I recently had my birthday this past week and the people here some of which I only have known for a week went ahead and made it something special. Well special being a relative term, they soaked me with water balloons. They later made up for it with some delicious fettuccine alfredo. Which I don't have a picture of because I don't want my computer getting wet with my dribble. 

In Majuro the sea is the owner. Everything from clothes to coral is subject to the weathering that comes from the sodium rich air and water. The trade off is that you can admire its beauty and live off of it. 

The snorkeling around here is "choice" and I have already broken the 30 ft mark of free diving. I can't really explain it but I feel like this is always something that I was supposed to be a part of. In the ocean you are just a speck that can be tossed and turned whichever way. But when you dive. It's like  nothing I have ever really felt before. I am at peace. You can really appreciate the beauty of God when you are in its presence. Both in and out of the water you are surrounded by beauty. 

The animals around here are also a big part of the landscape. There are many dogs around which make me nervous sometimes because at night they can't recognize you that well and start to chase you which is a little invigorating. Then you find the cockroaches (not pictured...thank the Lord), geckos, moths and the trillions of ants all over the place. We managed to catch a smaller gecko and gave it a small photo shoot. We hope he makes it big in the world like his green skinned cousin already has (Geico).

 Everyday waking up in this place is getting to be normal now. I am beginning to realize that I am going to be here for quite a while. I could get used to this. It isn't paradise but it is really close. 

Anyways, I have the flu right now. I had to skip classes today but the kids made me Get Well Soon cards. So I should be getting better by tomorrow. 

Fin 10/8/2013