Sun 29 Jan 2006
Thank you soon much for praying. I feel 100% better now than I did on Saturday. Saturday night? I went to bed and? slept about 13 hours, but when I woke up I was completely refreshed. I have no idea what was wrong with me, but praise the Lord He took whatever it was away.
Yesterday was a big day of firsts for me. To start off, it was my first day to have some one come cook and clean for me (other than my mom). I struggled with the idea of have a house helper or not. Every part of me told me it was wrong. For heaven sake, I was the one who came to serve these people not the other way around. But after much convincing from all the missionaries here I? gave in. The argument was that hiring a local lady to help around the house would cost me less than a dollar a hour (don’t freak out, that’s better than normal wage), that it would give me more time to focus on ministry and language, and that it would employ a Nepali person. Finally after the lady asked to work for me four or five times I realized she really wanted the income. And another nice thing is she knows how to cook dal bat (traditonal Nepali meal) and I have no idea how.
Yesterday was also my first day of language study! I now have a vocabulary of 15 words and can speak about 5 sentences (I bet your all impressed..haha). I started to get frustrated about half way through the lesson , but then I realized that after much drilling I finally got it all. One of the things I remember learning in language prep classes back home is that the number one key in learning a language is not your ability or natural skill, but a person’s motivation. Thus a person who is driven with a great purpose to learn, will learn the best. If nothing else I have a great motivation to learn the language of these people. Please continue to pray as God allows me to learn more.
My friend David is now home and if you know him I would encourage you to bury him in questions about his experiances.
January 29th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
So glad to hear you are feeling better. It is an extraordinary person that does not eventually suffer from the change of diet and water in a foreign land. Look at it this way, you have now made it through initiation!
I think that employing a housekeeper is a good idea — not because you can’t take care of yourself — but because both of you will derive benefit. Having her around may help you learn Nepali faster and she will see God in in the way you behave and comport yourself. Who knows, she may be your first convert!
I haven’t seen David yet, but be sure I will cross-examine him about your new life.
Missing you,
Mom
January 29th, 2006 at 11:02 pm
How ’bout everybody give me, like, at least a day before they “bury me in questions”…
January 30th, 2006 at 7:59 am
Nathan, so glad you are feeling better. John picked up David at airport. I have seen him yet but can’t wait to hear about the trip and see a big big presentation. Praying for you always. Love Norma
January 30th, 2006 at 9:36 am
I’m glad you’re well Nathan
David came by last night and showed some of his videos … perhaps he will be able to put some clips together for a presentation so that everyone can see where you live. Enjoy language lessons - I’m not sure I could ever get to just ’speaking’ without first trying to think through everything in English!
January 30th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Hello my friend,
I am glad you are feeling better. I have been “under the weather” as well. As a matter of fact, I have had a fever for almost a week. The first three days, I just ignored my symptoms and the last four days, my body would not let me ignore the symptoms. I have spent most of my time in bed, beacause I am not able to do anything else. I am learning that I need to let Him give me rest. He has a great way of teaching us when we can do nothing for ourself. I praise Him for His faithfulness.
Nathan, our family misses you a BUNCH.
Cliff