Culture

I can't believe how quickly the days go by. I have many things I want to post about, but then it's nearly a week before I get back here again! Ministry has been going really well here. Though my direct involvement in it is very small, the students are doing an awesome job. God continues to open doors for students to share the gospel. We had a sharing time last week where students just shared stories of what they were seeing God do, and last Wednesday alone they shared the gospel with 21 students! It's so fun to hear about! And one of our guys has met with 2 students who are super interested in Jesus. I wish I could just write all the students are sharing about - it's incredible. And even though it's been super hot here (mid to upper 90's the last few days), they're still persevering and connecting with students. Seriously, so hot here though - and no air conditioning. From what I hear it's cold back home - wish I could give you some of this :).

So 2 brief cultural stories: We have 2 markets a few blocks away that we go to almost daily (still no fridge by the way - there's a restaurant next door that we eat from once a day and then I go to the market to buy just what I need for one meal and cook it. But the Lord's provision is that our freezer is almost as cool as a fridge - so we're able to keep things for a day or so). Anyway, so the people at the markets know us (and overall it's culturally normal to go to the market once a day). Aaron goes to one last night, and the guy waves him over behind the counter with an open container of ice-cream and a few spoons. So Aaron and him share some ice cream and chat for a minute. Would not see that in the states. Aaron apparently Aaron said there were some more spoons so the other employees were sampling it as well :).

At the other market, the check-out girls know me and LOVE Livie. They're super friendly to children here in this culture - men and women alike. My favorite was one of the girls sneaking up behind Liv and picking her up. Liv just had this look on her face like, "What in the world is going on?...." And if I go in without her, they ask where she is. It's so sweet - they're such sweet girls. I wish I had more language to talk to them better. And on the busses, people ALWAYS give up their seats if you're older, pregnant, or have a child. So they always let me sit with Liv. On Sunday night a grandson was sitting with his grandpa, and the grandson gave up his seat and let me sit there. He stood right in front of us and kept talking to Liv, and the grandpa was talking to her as well. They're just so sweet to kids here. I used a little of my language to talk to him a little bit. I kept trying to get Liv to say hi, but she's so shy in those situations.

So I'm super tired and need to get to bed. Thanks so much for praying for us - we need it and the Lord is working through those prayers. Much love from the Joneses!