Sabbath

March 29, 2008

Last night there was the biggest and most tremendous thunder and lightening storm my years have ever seen. The flashes blinded me momentarily, making me see the shapes and forms of things outside even after my eyes had closed. The booming thunder vibrated through everything, including my bed. Its intensity clasped my heart until I felt like a weight had been set upon my chest. Yet somehow, I felt as if I was floating, my love and curiosity of big storms rising in my again. I stayed awake pondering, peering out my small window and occasionally being treated by seeing the ominous flashing of lightening and the deafening clash of thunder soon after. Everything here seems intensified. Like the birds and trees, like the storms and heat. It is very intimidating here for one who is soft to difference. But I could see myself coming back even though it sometimes breaks through my comforting bubble. It is through the trials that we come across that strengthen us and create a stronger person. Personally, I have fallen for this rugged exotic place. The ocean captivates me, the diverse species of animals draws my attention, the ground shaking storms and pounding rain raise feelings in my heart that have only been capable of being unleashed by the wonderful gift of nature. Others would find a cozy fireplace and a soft couch a more suitable getaway, but as for me, I find no greater joy than spending my personal time with myself, others and God outside where I can really let my heart breathe. There is something magical about nature that begs to be discovered. I am one person who would like to make that adventure mine.

Thursday

March 27, 2008

Well, my day had been so very exciting. So far, I have gone on a boat ride on the South China Sea, been invaded by a horde of monkeys, stood almost face to face with a humongous wild pig, seen a just recently dead stingray on the beach, went swimming in the ocean, got pinched by a very angry crab, and got stung by a truly unhappy jellyfish! Talk about a wild day!  A friend and I were swimming out and riding the waves back in when I suddenly felt a hard pinch on my foot. I yelled because it surprised me but then laughed because it was quite funny. My friend couldn’t stop laughing at me because I had made such a scene, but about five minutes later, as we were headed back out to the ocean we saw a bunch of boys from our group heading back to the beach in a hurry. We both wondered out loud what they were doing when instantaneously I felt an excruciating sting on my ankle. After seconds, my whole ankle and part of my leg and foot seemed to be on fire! It is the worst feeling I have had in a very long time. My friend couldn’t stop laughing though because she thought I had gotten pinched by another crab. It didn’t take her long however to figure out that it was much more serious than that. At once we left the ocean and headed in to find someone for help. We later found out that several others had gotten stung by jellyfishes also. When we got back to the Veranda I was told that there really wasn’t much to do for it except to put vinegar or charcoal on the sting. So I let the pain simmer on my ankle for hours it seemed. It hurt pretty badly but was not unbearable, which I am thankful for. 

We played Mafia on the veranda this evening with Mr. Blankenship, P. Freddy, Mr. Wade, a whole bunch of students and this guy named Miguel that we had met that afternoon. It was tons of fun! Bats kept swooping over our heads for hours because of all the insects congregating at the lights. I played Mafia until 12:30, the others stayed at it for at least another hour or so.

Monday

March 24, 2008

I was sitting with Pastor Ham at worship when all of a sudden he shoved me to the side. I looked back and right where my right shoulder had been there was a gigantic bug! It had antler-like antennae on its head and it was about half the size of my hand! The elders looked really worried and I knew that when they look at something with caution, it’s dangerous. I asked Pastor Ham about it and he said it spits poison that burns through skin. We ended up putting it in a bag with another poisonous beetle (also huge) and letting them go outside. It was so scary! And just before that there was a huge cockroach inside my bedroom! Talk about the attack of the scary gigantic bugs!!!

Sabbath

March 22, 2008

Yesterday we went down to the river with the people. We took longboats upstream and through a really cool part of the jungle. We got to this one part where we had to get out and walk through some mud and trees to get to this amazing waterfall. It was so awesome! It had so many different pools that were way over my head! It was gorgeous there and I even got to spend time with Jenny, my little hostess girl. She is such a sweet and funny girl. Anyway, after messing around up there on the top part for a while, I went down to the bottom where the river started again. Some young men came after me and wanted to get me in some of there pictures. I guess it is the same to them as it is to us, we are just as strange and different to them as they are to us. It was loads of fun and Norman caught me a green tree frog. It was one of the really interesting Amazonian looking ones with the big eyes and long-toed feet. We had to leave soon after that and since I was already muddy, I decided to hike back barefoot. It was so much fun and I only slipped once! That was one pretty awesome Sabbath!

Friday

March 21, 2008

When I woke up this morning, my host had hot green tea and yummy crackers for us girls. Even though we could not communicate except to say “thank you” or “eat”, we still had an awesome time speaking through signs and expressions. I wish that there wasn’t such a language barrier between us, it would be nice to know what they like to do, how they feel about things, what there views and opinions are and so many other things.

I was talking to Felicia this morning when I happened to glance up and on the wall was this gigantic spider! It about the size of my fist! It was brown with I think white and black patterns on its body and legs. It climbed up to the ceiling and after a few minutes started climbing back down on its web. It landed by Felicia’s bed and crawled under my bag! It ran so fast! After a while, it crawled out so I killed it with a deflated basket ball! I feel better knowing that a possibly poisonous spider isn’t creeping around my room. The boys found a scorpion in their longhouse! I hope there aren’t any in here!

To tell the truth, I wasn’t very thrilled to be here at first but after meeting all the people and making friends with the children, I know that I am going to be sad when we have to leave this place. There is something about the mysterious beauty of the jungle that draws me in. It is like taking a glimpse of something long desired but then having to leave it untasted. I know I will miss it so much so I am going to enjoy the landscape, culture and people as much as I can while I have the chance. Perhaps God will lead me back here someday. If so, I can honestly say that I will have been blessed. It has been my dream and motivation for a very long time to spend a period of my life living in the rain forest, studying animals. I love how extreme things are here; like the bugs, animals, weather even the people. It is so unique from anything I have ever experienced before. There are times when I have been intimidated by it here, by feeling uncomfortable or by not having it my way. But I have fast learned how to cope and fend for myself in this different world.

Thursday

March 20, 2008

I accidentally left a little hole in my mosquito net and I feel like I’ve been eaten alive! I don’t ever want to do that again! We are about to eat breakfast and if it is as good as yesterday’s breakfast, it will be delicious! We had these amazing noodles that we so yummy!

Today has been quite a good day. It was very very hot, almost unbearable to work in. All in all, we finished about half of the church! It looks so nice! Right when we were about finished for the day it started pouring, it was so awesome! It felt like being right smack dab in the middle of a monsoon. We were in the church with a roof on and walls partly up and still the rain came pelting in horizontally. Walking back was a ton of fun too. The road had turned into a small stream bed in minutes, making us have to hop from patches of land to another to get back to the longhouse. It was raining so much I decided to shower in the rain! So, with the help of Kayla, I was able to wash my hair and get my arms and legs rinsed off before the storm let up. I feel so clean right now. I love how the rain comes and brings a gift of cool air to ward off the humid heat.

I feel like I am fitting into the culture better now. At first it was hard to adjust with everything but now I am having so much fun with the people. I met a new little friend. His name is “Tree”. I think his real name is Ramón, at least that is what I hear all the other little boys call him. He is a real nut! He loves interacting with us and being hilarious. And he knows some English too. I know my few days here are going to be good and fun, definitely! Although I miss my peeps back in America, I still love it here. Its rugged, exotic beauty is a real amazing thing and I find myself falling in love with it here.

We saw a huge centipede yesterday while walking back to the longhouse. It was so big and cool looking, and then a boy threw a rock at it! I guess to them it is just like killing a pesky house spider back at home. I absolutely love all the beautiful and captivating butterflies here! They have the most intricate wings with incredibly vibrant colors and patterns. I also saw a gecko climbing up the wall last night during worship, it was really neat. All these interesting things are going to be unforgettable, I love how memories are made.

I am having so much fun right now! We are all waiting for dinner to come and Chelsea and Keith are teaching “Tree”
how to play Uno. It is so humorous! He is actually doing quite well.  : )

Wednesday

March 19, 2008

It is so pretty here! It rains sporadically and the temperature has not been unbearable yet. We went to the river yesterday and had tons of fun! It was a little scary at first to think that there could possibly be crocodiles in the water, but the current was strong and we enjoyed floating down over and over again as our worries washed away with the falling leaves. 

Whew! We just came in for lunch and it is hot!!! We’ve been working in the extreme heat for about four hours and we are all bushed! It is now 12:00 and we are about to eat but the heat makes eating seem less appetizing. They have the fan going that Josh brought in and it is about the closest thing to Heaven right now.

 I just got back from the river; it feels so good to be all washed up. The river is flooded way over its banks due to the rain. I have been told by the doctor that I am not allowed to go in the river for the remainder of our time here because of the cuts on my feet. So, since I was just in the river, I will have to go get all cleaned up and disinfected all over again. Oh joy.

Tuesday

March 18, 2008

Actually, I’m not sure what day it is. This time zone stuff is confusing. We have been in the air for over ten hours now, heading for Taipei, Taiwan.

It was fascinating to see the change that came over our group as we left UCA. It was as if walls fell away, and instead of a group of students we became a family. The stress of this last week faded as the miles rolled away, and everyone seemed to relax.

I am really excited. I am filled with an overwhelming feeling that God has something big planned for me on this trip. It’s as if He were here beside me saying with eyes twinkling, “Just wait ‘till you see what I’ve got planned.”

Monday

March 17, 2008

Right at this very moment I am flying over Japan! This trip has been a very interesting with all the hustle and bustle. I am super excited to get off this plane! We have been on it for about eleven hours and we have approximately three hours left. I am so anxious to get to Borneo and meet all the people and see the area. I know it will be an awesome experience.