Living a Lesson

It’s amazing how time flies once you get into a routine, even in a foreign country.  It’s hard to believe that we have already been here for over 4 months.  It’s even harder to believe that December is almost over!  First, the weather is so warm that it still feels like October.  Second, no terrible seasonal music, annoying commercials, noisy bell ringers, or awkward greetings that come along with Christmas.

In another way, however, it seems like we’ve been here longer.  With all the people we’ve met, places we’ve been, and events we’ve attended, it’s hard to believe it could all be crammed into four months.

In honor of our time here, and seeing that we are nearing the half-way point, here are some of the personal benefits this opportunity has already given us:

·  To more fully relate to the people and places in the Biblical narrative, walking where they walked, seeing things they saw, etc.

·  To feel more connected with the work of God, living His way of life as an example for the world

·  To feel more connected with the people of the world as God’s children, knowing that we are all created in His image, having the same incredible potential

·  To more fully understand the concept of living as pilgrims in this world, realizing that our true home is nowhere in the cultures of this present age

·  To better deal with different personalities, standards, and expectations, knowing that our problems, like us, aren’t going anywhere soon

·  To better appreciate the challenges faced by the small groups of believers scattered across the world

·  To better understand the cultures and traditions of the world, looking toward our future roles as kings and priests of God, guiding and healing all men

·  To better understand the pressing need for the Kingdom to come, both on a global and personal scale

·  To more fully envision the amazing changes that will take place in the Kingdom through the healing of the earth and its people

We look forward to the remainder of our time here, knowing that we will learn these lessons more deeply, and hopefully have others to add to the list.

Thanks for all the love and support from back home,

Darren and Amber