Okay, so Paul didn’t really include that in his second letter to Timothy but it has become Me and Joanna’s theme. And honestly, there hasn’t been a whole lot that we have had to “endure”. We feel blessed beyond what we ever thought.
Last week we were privileged to hang out with our first local friends, whom we have come to love. The girls have taken us around town and we have enjoyed it. They have accepted us and we have started to build a deeper relationship with them. On Thursday one of the girls invited us to her house for lunch. We had been walking around all morning and were pretty hungry. So, of course we would love some food and, other than our place, a chance to be in a local’s home for the first time.
It was a simple little flat. Because of the government here, she is the only child. Her parent’s were very nice and although we could not communicate to each other, they were very hospitable to us. Lunch was being prepared as we chatted with the two girls and watched the news (in English) and learned that a typhoon was coming. This meant that we would get rain and cooler weather! Yay! While we waited, we had fresh fruit. This is one of my favorite things about living here.
When Lunch was ready, they rolled out their dinner table from another room and we crowded around ready to dig in. However there was something on the table that was not at all familiar. They girls excitedly informed us it was duck tongue. Oh goodie! Joanna and I both knew that this moment would come sooner or later. So eventually we got up the courage to try it. Both girls said it was so good. We tried it. Yes, we did. I couldn’t get through very much of it, but that was partly because I had no idea how to eat it! Later I watched one of our friends as she cleaned the little bit of meat right off the bone! It must be a learned art.
After we had discarded our “finished” duck tongue, Joanna and I looked at each other with a smile of accomplishment. Later I told her while I was eating it that I was trying to decide what my blog title for this experience would be. We knew that if we didn’t try it, we would fail the ICS program and would regret it later. That next night we told our housemates what we ate. They wrinkled up their noses at the thought. In all actuality they had never tried it because it is so expensive. We were truly being honored during that meal.
Aside from the occasional duck tongue and awkward stares from people everywhere we go, we both feel like we have been called here for such a time as this. We have had busy days and down days. We have laughed a lot and cried only a little. But as I stated earlier, we just feel so blessed everyday. And its so good to hear from family and friends back home who are remembering us. You are not forgotten here either. Your thoughts are heard and so appreciated. Yet, we also look forward to seeing our friendships here progress. It’s much easier to fall in love with the people when you know them personally rather than seeing just a face on the street. We know we have not been given these friendships by chance. We want to use our time here wisely.
We are still in a bit of a transition and, therefore, trying to figure out all our plans and goals for our time here. Flexibility and patience truly is key, and yet we are learning so much as we go. So many adventures happen daily, but I will continue to relay the best ones to you. Thanks for following!
