Soto

Last night I stopped to get soup for my small group. I stopped at my favorite street vendor that sells this chicken soup, soto ayam. As I'm standing there waiting, this tiny old Chinese woman walks up to me with all of the confidence in the world, points to me, then points to the stool and says, "sit down!" I sat down. I had to. Then she proceeded to speak to me in Indonesian. I only understood a few words, and she quickly retreated into silence when she realized this. Oops. Should I be fluent by now? I don't know, maybe?

Then. The two young men who sell the soto began having a conversation. They were trying to figure out whether to call me "Miss," "Mister," or "Mrs." I'm so proud of them for choosing "Miss."

I live in such a funny country. :)


On a side note, it only cost $4 to buy soup for 13 people. Amazing, ya?

Home for Christmas

Shout-outs from Christmas break in America:

1. Nampa really does smell bad. I’d grown used to it and had even defended the city to non-Nampanites.  I’m sorry for having been so defensive.  Now I know. 
2. I got GIGANTIC hugs from my nieces and nephews. They are the most wonderful kids in the whole world. 
3. For months I dreamed about the food I would have when I visited America. Strangely enough, when I returned, I had no appetite for about 5 days. Now that I’ve returned to Indonesia, I’m regretting wasting those 5 days.
4. I stayed in five different houses and drove three different cars. Thank you Mom, Dad, Lori, Randy, Chris, Jen, and Nikki for being so generous!
5. I was able to connect with many people.  I feel so blessed that so many found time in their schedules to spend time with me while I was home.  Time went by so quickly though…. Too quickly.  I didn’t see enough of a lot of people.
6. It was glorious to go shopping and find clothes and shoes in my size. I live in a land where I am a giant. They don’t make things for giants here.
7. Flying M.  It was nice being a regular here again.
8. Being with my church family at Crossroads…….well… there are just no words.  There were so many warm embraces and wonderful people I was able to talk with.  It is my home base. It’s the place of countless prayer warriors who’ve supported me and encouraged me while I’ve been in Indonesia so far. It was refreshing and rejuvenating.
9. Tony Dailey made me laugh each and every day.

A Visitor

Double takes. Shrieks. Disbelieving expressions. Friendship bracelet. Waist hugs turned death grips. Gasps from students performing on stage. My December 20^th was filled with these!

I visited my school in Nampa when I was home for Christmas. I grabbed a “Visitor” sticker and wrote, “mischievousness” as the reason for visit. (Don’t act surprised…. Am I really ever up to anything else??) That Tuesday was so nice to experience from the standpoint of a visitor. No classes or behaviors to manage, no last minute party preparations. No giving students the “eye” when they were misbehaving during the Christmas assembly.

Actually… I did give the eye. When you’re a teacher, you just can’t always help it.

I ate lunch with my teammates and it was just like old times. Random. Perfect. I have to say that these people are top notch teachers and I have missed collaborating with them with all my heart.

I ended up staying at the school for 5 and a half hours. Long past when all the children went home. There was so much to talk about. Teaching children in Indonesia is so much different from teaching children in America, and it’s almost impossible to find the words to express what it’s like here. I became grateful all over again for the educational foundation I received at this school, their interest in what I’m doing, and their support and belief in me as I am overseas. It’s the kind of support that is almost overwhelming.  In a good way.

Those shining faces (kids and adults) were so refreshing and exciting to see. At a point in my life when I’ve never been so thoroughly sure of my calling to teach, it was special to see students who have found their way into my heart.  

The truth is: I love this school. If God brings me back there, I wouldn’t mind in the least.