Ok, so this story is too powerful NOT to share.
We all know that flying comes with it's own instant set of complications and stresses. In true Bangladesh style, the things we expect to be easy are anything but, and the simplest of tasks can become odious and stressful.
Take tonight, for example.
Upon leaving the airport after dropping Esther and cori off, I recieved a phonecall from my very amazing canadian roomate. Because Cori's Dad had paid for her flight with his credit card, the airline she was travelling with were refusing to let her fly because she didn't have the credit card with her. Now, logically, one would notice that Cori was headed HOME, TOWARDS the card, and that obviously, she wouldn't steal someone's card and then fly directly towards the person they'd stolen it from. I would think that the fact that her last name was the same as that of the card-holder, it would be of little consequence who was flying, as long as they had their Visa and Passport. Apparently, this is a very silly assumption to make, considering that I am not in the west, and therefore, my western mindset is out of context.
The only way Cori was able to get on her flight and start the very long journey home, was through the prayers of close to a dozen people here in Dhaka who were following Cori's progress from the first phonecall alerting us to the bad news.
Friends, God is abundantly good and faithful. When will I stop doubting the wonder of his never ending promises and plans? On the one hand, I could put my often lack of faith down to the fact that I'm human. I'm sorry if you disagree, but that is the biggest cop-out EVER! Our calling is to be imitators of Christ. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jesus never doubted the plan. Sure, he didn't want to go through with it, he even begged for an alternative, but he had faith that his actions would provide the ultimate gift: A new beginning for those who love and believe in him.
Being in Bangladesh has taught me alot about faith, trust, integrity, encouragement, love and true openess. Each day has the potential to fall apart. With language barriers (honestly, I listen to what Esther says in Bangla, and I try to duplicate the noises she makes in the hope that I'm speaking Bangla that can be understood, though it means I speak Bangla with an Irish accent!), a new culture and the general differences that still astound me, God is teaching me daily about relying on HIM and HIS strength. I have seen too much evidence of God's faithfulness here. Whether it's someone coming out of a coma after being declared brain dead (they woke up with no problems, by the way!), people surviving horiffic accidents, surgeries back home, Visa's coming through when they shouldn't technically be granted, packages that defy the odds and make it into Bangladesh... God is working, and he loves Bangladesh. No matter where you're from, God is faithful.
I have a wonderful teaching assistant in my class this year. She is awesome and lovely and takes immense care of me. She's helpful, loving, kind, gentle and a constant encourager. She's the sort of person who sees you in the morning and praises God for the good health that has allowed you to get up each morning and go to work. I've got to say, God surrounds us with the people we need the most. I'm accumulating sisters here, and this is the time in my life that I need a sister (or 4).
Merry christmas, everyone! next time I blog, it will be from the comfort of Sydney, with clean feet, ankles showing (ooh la la!), a pleasant lack of mosquitoes in my bedroom and my family within hugging distance at all times. I am so blessed and can't wait to see those of you who will have time to see me over this holiday season!
Love and hugs,
Kim xx
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Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tangible answer...
Ok, so this story is too powerful NOT to share.
We all know that flying comes with it's own instant set of complications and stresses. In true Bangladesh style, the things we expect to be easy are anything but, and the simplest of tasks can become odious and stressful.
Take tonight, for example.
Upon leaving the airport after dropping Esther and cori off, I recieved a phonecall from my very amazing canadian roomate. Because Cori's Dad had paid for her flight with his credit card, the airline she was travelling with were refusing to let her fly because she didn't have the credit card with her. Now, logically, one would notice that Cori was headed HOME, TOWARDS the card, and that obviously, she wouldn't steal someone's card and then fly directly towards the person they'd stolen it from. I would think that the fact that her last name was the same as that of the card-holder, it would be of little consequence who was flying, as long as they had their Visa and Passport. Apparently, this is a very silly assumption to make, considering that I am not in the west, and therefore, my western mindset is out of context.
The only way Cori was able to get on her flight and start the very long journey home, was through the prayers of close to a dozen people here in Dhaka who were following Cori's progress from the first phonecall alerting us to the bad news.
Friends, God is abundantly good and faithful. When will I stop doubting the wonder of his never ending promises and plans? On the one hand, I could put my often lack of faith down to the fact that I'm human. I'm sorry if you disagree, but that is the biggest cop-out EVER! Our calling is to be imitators of Christ. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jesus never doubted the plan. Sure, he didn't want to go through with it, he even begged for an alternative, but he had faith that his actions would provide the ultimate gift: A new beginning for those who love and believe in him.
Being in Bangladesh has taught me alot about faith, trust, integrity, encouragement, love and true openess. Each day has the potential to fall apart. With language barriers (honestly, I listen to what Esther says in Bangla, and I try to duplicate the noises she makes in the hope that I'm speaking Bangla that can be understood, though it means I speak Bangla with an Irish accent!), a new culture and the general differences that still astound me, God is teaching me daily about relying on HIM and HIS strength. I have seen too much evidence of God's faithfulness here. Whether it's someone coming out of a coma after being declared brain dead (they woke up with no problems, by the way!), people surviving horiffic accidents, surgeries back home, Visa's coming through when they shouldn't technically be granted, packages that defy the odds and make it into Bangladesh... God is working, and he loves Bangladesh. No matter where you're from, God is faithful.
I have a wonderful teaching assistant in my class this year. She is awesome and lovely and takes immense care of me. She's helpful, loving, kind, gentle and a constant encourager. She's the sort of person who sees you in the morning and praises God for the good health that has allowed you to get up each morning and go to work. I've got to say, God surrounds us with the people we need the most. I'm accumulating sisters here, and this is the time in my life that I need a sister (or 4).
Merry christmas, everyone! next time I blog, it will be from the comfort of Sydney, with clean feet, ankles showing (ooh la la!), a pleasant lack of mosquitoes in my bedroom and my family within hugging distance at all times. I am so blessed and can't wait to see those of you who will have time to see me over this holiday season!
Love and hugs,
Kim xx
We all know that flying comes with it's own instant set of complications and stresses. In true Bangladesh style, the things we expect to be easy are anything but, and the simplest of tasks can become odious and stressful.
Take tonight, for example.
Upon leaving the airport after dropping Esther and cori off, I recieved a phonecall from my very amazing canadian roomate. Because Cori's Dad had paid for her flight with his credit card, the airline she was travelling with were refusing to let her fly because she didn't have the credit card with her. Now, logically, one would notice that Cori was headed HOME, TOWARDS the card, and that obviously, she wouldn't steal someone's card and then fly directly towards the person they'd stolen it from. I would think that the fact that her last name was the same as that of the card-holder, it would be of little consequence who was flying, as long as they had their Visa and Passport. Apparently, this is a very silly assumption to make, considering that I am not in the west, and therefore, my western mindset is out of context.
The only way Cori was able to get on her flight and start the very long journey home, was through the prayers of close to a dozen people here in Dhaka who were following Cori's progress from the first phonecall alerting us to the bad news.
Friends, God is abundantly good and faithful. When will I stop doubting the wonder of his never ending promises and plans? On the one hand, I could put my often lack of faith down to the fact that I'm human. I'm sorry if you disagree, but that is the biggest cop-out EVER! Our calling is to be imitators of Christ. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jesus never doubted the plan. Sure, he didn't want to go through with it, he even begged for an alternative, but he had faith that his actions would provide the ultimate gift: A new beginning for those who love and believe in him.
Being in Bangladesh has taught me alot about faith, trust, integrity, encouragement, love and true openess. Each day has the potential to fall apart. With language barriers (honestly, I listen to what Esther says in Bangla, and I try to duplicate the noises she makes in the hope that I'm speaking Bangla that can be understood, though it means I speak Bangla with an Irish accent!), a new culture and the general differences that still astound me, God is teaching me daily about relying on HIM and HIS strength. I have seen too much evidence of God's faithfulness here. Whether it's someone coming out of a coma after being declared brain dead (they woke up with no problems, by the way!), people surviving horiffic accidents, surgeries back home, Visa's coming through when they shouldn't technically be granted, packages that defy the odds and make it into Bangladesh... God is working, and he loves Bangladesh. No matter where you're from, God is faithful.
I have a wonderful teaching assistant in my class this year. She is awesome and lovely and takes immense care of me. She's helpful, loving, kind, gentle and a constant encourager. She's the sort of person who sees you in the morning and praises God for the good health that has allowed you to get up each morning and go to work. I've got to say, God surrounds us with the people we need the most. I'm accumulating sisters here, and this is the time in my life that I need a sister (or 4).
Merry christmas, everyone! next time I blog, it will be from the comfort of Sydney, with clean feet, ankles showing (ooh la la!), a pleasant lack of mosquitoes in my bedroom and my family within hugging distance at all times. I am so blessed and can't wait to see those of you who will have time to see me over this holiday season!
Love and hugs,
Kim xx
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