February Newsletter

Follow this link to view my Newsletter for February:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/27755418/February-Newsletter-3

Enjoy!

New

Webster’s Dictionary defines “New” as: “discovered recently; already existing but seen, experienced or acquired recently or for the first time; just beginning and regarded as better than what went before.” “New” is a good word to describe my day-to-day existence. My life now seems like a series of “news”... new friends, new language, new culture, new food, new surroundings, new job...

Some days, as I go about my day, my “new life” seems so foreign. I’ll think to myself incredulously, “I live in Africa” and am sure it couldn’t possibly be true. But it is. Things that, at home, I took for granted, suddenly are things that I have to learn to adjust to. Like planning ahead when grocery shopping--there’s not a Publix just around the corner that I can run in to if I find myself out of milk. I can’t just stop by the produce section and pick up some apples--I have to go to the market with a friend and do the shopping, because if I go alone, I’ll be grossly overcharged. Everything from the menial tasks to really important decisions have to be handled with care. Things I wouldn’t have even given thought to now must be analyzed and prayed through. This “new” thing isn’t for those who hate change, that’s for sure.

But there are equally as many days in which this “new life” seems like I’ve been living it all along. I feel comfortable, at home, at ease with new surroundings and friends. Some days I walk through town and don’t even think about the fact that this looks so very different than what I’ve know for the past 24 years. I don’t even realize people are starring at me as I pass by. I don’t notice that I stand out until I see another white person in a crowd of dark faces.

I think what I failed to realize when I was preparing to come was that I had a couple major “news” that coincided, further complicating my adjustment. Not only do I have a new job, in an organization that I have basic knowledge of, I also live in a completely new place. Yes, I’ve been here before, but once again, that understanding only extends so far. I have to think long term in things that I do here. I must think in terms of doing only that which is sustainable, and not setting precedents that I can’t uphold long term. I can no longer assume that people understand my actions, because really, I’m quite an oddity here. The burden of adjustment is on me--and while I have many good friends here, I still have to work hard to maintain those friendships.

On a lighter note, I have started learning Kiswahili, and am pretty pleased with my progress. I have a tutor who is the Kiswahili teacher at the school on our compound. I’m settling into my job, and we’ve just had our first team. It was a learning curve, but I feel much more confident in my ability to successfully manage the next team that comes in April. I’m working on several important document issues, like applying for an international drivers license and a work permit. I’ve begun shopping around for vehicles, trying to find the best option for me.

Thank you so much for reading this, and for your prayers...keep you posted!