The Norm's
Living overseas has transformed our ideas of what adventure looks like, and has reshaped our understanding of “normal”. Buying unrefrigerated meat, eggs, & milk, looking up at an intersection to see a man walking his water buffalo or goats, and fitting 3 people on a moped ride into town has become our normal. The week for us was full of our normal gatherings, expeditions, and lunches with those around us. It is weeks like these that really make this place feel like home, and that we are right where we need to be.
Chris went on an all-day bike and hike trip with some boys and ended up chasing a mountain stream to search for the source. To their sadness it was never found; however, they did discover some really good swimming holes along the way. Throughout the day there were many conversations about Buddhism, the Son, His Father, and where it all started. This all came from Chris asking the boys, "Which two men walked on water?" It really helps to know where the local beliefs stem from, and how you can bring them back to Truth.
Many of you know about our 92-year-old friend, Mr. W. He continues to be such an inspiration and encouragement to us. Mr. W grew up attending a school that was run by North American M’s. He spent his childhood learning English and hearing the Message but never had any interest in accepting the Son. He spent much of his adulthood as an interpreter for the US Army and his English skills never cease to amaze us. It wasn’t until he was 84 that he accepted our Savior and he has been walking with Father ever since. His testimony encourages us to remain steadfast in our relationships with students on campus and to not give up on the boys we have in our home each week. This week, we spent an afternoon with him laughing and sharing about what the Father has been teaching all of us. He shared with us that the night before we came to see him, he was “talking to his L-rd”, and telling Him that he felt lonely. He asked Father to give him some friends to visit with. He said he was so thankful to see us and that we were an answer to his pr. He also said that even if we didn’t come to see him, he trusted in his L-rd to provide someone else to come. He said he relies on the timing of our Father.
One thing we love about him is his way of telling stories. One day while he had nothing to do, he starting cutting out pictures from some magazines. He then took these pictures and placed them on his wall to tell the story of how Moses came from a child in the river to the leader of the Exodus. For being a Brother in the great family for only 8 years, he has more to offer to us than any person we have ever met. We were saddened to hear fireworks being shot off during our visit with Mr. W that signaled that a death had just occurred in the nursing home.
