House Hunters International

Today marks three weeks that we have been on the ground here and we feel as if our bodies have finally adjusted to the time difference and schedule of S. Asian living. We have a praise that our house hunters international has come to a conclusion as we have signed the lease on a house and move in sometime this week. We believe that the house we decided on is in a strategic area of growth in the city where relationships will be formed with our current neighbors and those moving into the area.

Andrea has already had the opportunity to use her Spanish here as a team of eight from Paraguay came this week to conduct medical and dental clinics in the red light district. The work in the red light district is also an ongoing ministry that Andrea has been able to get plugged into from week one.

Andrea on her way to the market in an auto rickshaw

The last week has been packed full as we were taking language classes, assisting with the team from Paraguay, and spending every afternoon going around in a taxi as we tried to find necessary household items. It will be nice to finally feel like we are settled since we have been living out of suitcases since July.

Here are some immediate requests that you can be lifting up to the Father:

• Intentional conversations with our neighbors at the house warming party.
• Continued learning of the language.
• Patience with each other amongst cultural frustration.
• Adequate time to spend with the Father and his Word.

New Year, New Adventure

Happy New Years everyone! Our new year started off with quite the adventure as we left for S. Asia on New Years day. We flew out of Charlotte on the late morning of the 1st and then Newark that night. We arrived in our new city on Tuesday morning, which was a week ago now.

So far our days have been filled with learning the city, where to shop, how to get around, and house hunting. Perhaps the most important thing we have done in the week that we have been here is start language immediately as we value being able to communicate with the people in their heart language.

                                     (Matt & Elliot going to the market)

Here is a list of unexpected surprises in the week that we have been here:

• Subway for dinner our first night (Not our decision)
• Chris Tomlin playing in Subway
• Manger Scene in the mall (A great opportunity to share about Jesus)
• Visiting with friends from the Summit (This one was expected, but still a nice surprise!)

                        (Andrea & Elliot making friends at the mall)
Our supervisors have been gracious to us in letting us slowly adjust this first week, but we know starting next week we will be given more freedom, but there will also be much more expected of us. So please "ask" for the following:

• Quick adaptation to culture
• Quick language learning (I mean I don't care if you believe in the gift of tongues or not, but just pray we get it!)
• Finding a house
• Learning how to drive here (Matt is crazy enough to drive here and our supervisor is crazy enough to let him!)
• That we can form meaningful relationships in our neighborhood.

May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Psalm 67:3