Lessons from Jesus

    I fear that I have neglected tell you all what God has been specifically teaching me since I left. I apologize for that. One of the greatest things about this journey that I am on is that I have to fill myself with Jesus every morning and even throughout the day. In America it can be easy to look past this need because some days I do nothing with my life but watch House Hunters and bake cakes. Here I am doing something for Jesus at all times and I am reminded of how dependent I am on Him because I am such a foreigner here.

                 This picture is for my mom, Jessie and all you other crazy people who are obsessed.

   With the help of Experiencing God Day-by-Day I have learned that in our Christian walk we often settle for just a touch or a little look of Jesus. We settle for so much less than He wants to give us and have with us. Two examples in scripture are Zacchaeus and the bleeding woman. Zacchaeus climbed up that tree and only wanted to see Jesus, but Jesus said, "actually I want to come to your home for dinner and build a relationship with you" (paraphrased). The bleeding woman knew that if she only touched the hem of Jesus' robe she would be healed. However, Jesus felt her and knew her so He called her out of the crowd and talked with her as an individual and not as another sick person looking for healing. We must not settle for a paltry version of what our relationship with Jesus could be if we surrender to Him.

             We had three blackouts in one day! It is funny to hear and watch the natives responses.

   As most of you know I never think I am good enough for anything and I have a difficult time extending myself grace. While here, I compare myself to the summer interns and wonder if I will ever be at their level. As always, this comparison comes only from me and not from the people around me. Today, God brought me to John 21:18-23 where Jesus predicts Peter's death and Peter wants to know what happens to John. From this passage God said to me, "Melissa, it is not for you to compare yourself to others or to try and be or do something that I have not asked you to do. I have a purpose for you as an individual here and you need to focus on that. What I do through you will be different than what I did through others because you are uniquely made." That was a comforting slap to my face and ego.

How kind that they include a spoon?

On another note, I have found that the native people have short and tiny legs so their pants often do not fit me. So far, I have had to sacrifice three pairs of pants on the alter of being appropriate. I am an oaf in a country of little people.

 His name is Richard and he is adorable. The natives likes having white people hold their children.

This little girl is a spunk! When the team came last year she danced in front of all the other kids and I was happy to see her again. I hope that we will become friends because I like her style.

The getting here part.

Hello friends!

   I am happy to say that not only have I arrived to SE Asia, but I have internet! Woo hoo! Being off the radar for that many days means that this will be a slightly longer blog than will be usual because I have a lot to catch you guys up on. I promise to include lots of pictures.
 
   My adventure started by saying good-bye to my family. That was extremely difficult and I consoled myself by looking at funny cat photos in my terminal. I slept the whole way to DC and then safely nestled myself into my next terminal. The 13 hour plane ride to Dubai gave me plenty of time to think, lose my mind, become brain dead, and pray. I only slept for about 3 hours and I did not watch any movies. I read an entire book and dreamed up a soap opera involving all the flight attendants. They were all quite attractive and sounded as if they came from all over. We had an Australian man, a Canadian man, a British lady, and some ladies from the middle east to name a few. Emirates, the plane I flew on, knows how to do business. I highly recommend them. The food tasted delicious, the service was kind, and we all got goody bags that included socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and those eye cover things.

    

 

                                                                  Lots of leg room!

    In about the 9th hour I started to get cabin fever and nearly went crazy. I doubted my trip, my plans, and my hopes. I wanted the plane to turn around and take me home. I want you to understand that being a social person the fact that I was alone for about 27 hours barely talking to anyone had me low in spirits, but my God is good and He is faithful. He held my hand and let me talk about my fears and doubts without judgement.

  The airport in Dubai exudes swankiness. The stores served the high class and ranged from Armani to Gucci. They also loved perfume and cologne. A constant mist cloaked the airport and at times I felt like I was in a preppy upper crust boys private middle school locker room.  At this point I changed into my Asia get up and found my terminal. Here I felt like a total outsider because I was a minority for my age, gender, and ethnicity. I also got stared at a lot so I found a quiet little terminal with only a friendly African family and sat there until I boarded my final flight.

   I made a friend on this flight. He lives in New York and is going to back home to Asia to visit his sick mother. He was further proof that God is good. I needed a friend by this point! This plane food was jank nasty. My choices included cottage cheese balls or fish in curry sauce. I ate a Fiber One bar.
I made it through customs, collected my luggage, went to a fancy Pizza Hut and then ended the day at the hotel.

   Shannon and I left the hotel at 5:30 am and drove for about 4.5 hours to get to my home for the next 3 months.

 

   Joining up at last with the rest of the Ramsey family blessed me and encouraged me. Since I already have a relationship with them I feel as if I slide in with their family quite nicely. I had wonderful talk with Mrs. Kathy, laughed watching them open their "care-suitcase" from Kelli Naugle and a touch of the Cobb family, and enjoyed have a book  discussion with the kids. We will be reading Lord of the Rings for school! Holla!

 

Rice farm.

   While here I hope to eat at Nandos, drink 7-layer tea, go to a wedding, stop biting my nails and be able to have a small conversation in the native language.

                                                                      My room!

  I also hope to grow in my knowledge and love for scripture and to become a stronger person of prayer.  My curfew is at 6:30 so I will have plenty of time to spend with Jesus and to pray for the people here and the people at home. I want to experience Jesus as I never have before and to abide in Him at a whole new level.

     Ruby the patrol dog. She keeps away danger and scares me slightly. Her home is right outside my window and I fear that someday I will peek outside and she will jump at my face and I will die.

   It is quite easy to get dehydrated here as you are constantly sweating. Therefore, it is so kind of the boys to keep me hydrated and healthy.

Have a wonderful day!
Love,
Melissa