Bathrooms

It's hard to believe I've already been here over two weeks. To be honest, I'm exhausted. My first week of teaching is officially over! My students are really sweet so far and funny. Today I had my first accident, maybe not the kind your thinking of but a motorbike accident. My hands and legs are covered in what they call road rash. They burn but I was pretty lucky. Of course I never drive very fast but for some reason it made me think of the bathrooms around town. Maybe because that is where I clean myself up. Some our downright disgusting so I chose not to picture those. Here are a few fun photos.

 

Notice that they even have a separate handicap bathroom!

I've conceited that I'm in survival mode. It's okay. I just have to remind myself that it takes awhile to adjust. I also pictured bathrooms because anyone traveling in another country knows you have to always be prepared!

Right now my mind is so tired of processing things and Lao. Sometimes I can't tell if I'm understanding or misunderstanding because they talk so fast. I just nod my head and smile!

Ants in My Pants!

This is my fifth day in Laos but it seems like it has been so much longer! Sometimes I feel like these ants below. I'm racing around just trying to survive but it's okay. It will get better! I'm just still tired but so thankful to have the next two days to relax before my schedule begins. Whoever coined the phrase "there's ants in my pants" must have visited Laos. 

My room won't be put together for another week but that is okay. I really love the family I am with. They are so kind to me. The one thing that probably frustrated me the most the first day I was here was that we had no towels to dry our hands on. I bought some but was frustrated with the quality  and then my roommate went out and bought some that work much better. I'm pretty sure they are scarfs but they actually dry! Towels here are horrible! I am so glad I brought two with me. That is one thing that hasn't changed but a lot has.

There are skyscrapers. I went with Camille to a conference for one of her jobs yesterday and the hotel it was at had six floors and it was gorgeous! Here is a picture of us at the hotel. Below wasn't even the lunch it was just a snack. The city has grown but I feel I'm getting my barrings. 

        

I also feel that the Father has been teaching me so much and stretching me to trust in His faithfulness. He is my provider and strength. He has provided one of my housemates to work on Lao with me while I teach her English. I was a little bummed at first that in most of my classes I am just teaching writing but I have one pronunciation class and will get to work on sounds with my housemates. I also have a thing with numbers if you haven't already noticed. 

The number 9 was present in my life in 3 series before I left. I was at training 9 days, on vacation 9 days and then I left for Laos 9 days later.

One site says- The number 9 is the number of judgement. It also means fruit of spirit or the divine completeness from the father. Nine is the ultimate which contains the forces of all other numbers. In the Word the number 9 stands for a complete cycle of growth. The nine generations from Adam to Noah (ninth from Adam) and Noah to Abraham (ninth from Noah) represents the stages of development and growth. Abram was ninety and nine years when he received covenant from his dad and his new name Abraham. Therefore symbolically his name reduces to number 9 indicating the period of time in which the spiritual cycle is completed. Also the addition of H to Abram’s carries a vibration 9. 

I believe this might be his way of encouraging me about the potential for his family to grow in Laos. It is also after 7 years that Nebuchadnezzar turned to his father with a loving heart. I've been gone 7 years and been keeping those I love in my thoughts.

The other number is 4. It has always been my favorite and at every restaurant I've eaten at since I've come I've always been number 4. I don't believe that is a coincidence! One site says-Number 4 is the number of stability, order and completion of justice. Number 4 is the number of the earth and mankind.Number 4 is the number of the square.Number 4 symbolizes building a strong foundation.There are four cardinal points:North – South – East – West. There are four winds.There are four phases of the moon.There are four seasons.In the West we have four elements: earth – air – fire – water.  Number 4 – A Perfect Number. The four-leaf clover is believed to bring luck to the finder,especially if it is found unexpectedly. Each of the four leaves symbolizes  special:hope – faith – love – Luck

The Pythagoreans believed the number four, the Tetrad, was a perfect number.They taught that the Tetrad symbolized God.In Pythagorean philosophy there are four parts to the soul:mind – opinion – science – sense. It also has many meanings in the word but perhaps my favorite is this- The fact, therefore, of the living creatures being four (and no other number) marks them as connected with Creation, and as a symbolical representation that its hope of deliverance from the curse is bound up with the blood-shedding of the coming Redeemer.

I don't know if you all connect the dots but good things for Laos I believe are in store here for me and others! He is my foundation, his judgement will someday come, but it is in his timing that He will I believe and hope graciously use me to grow His family!