The Bubble has burst!

I wish you could see what I am seeing.

I wish you could have your eyes opened as I have these past 2 days. Most of you know that I live in a 'bubble' - I don't watch the news, I don't read the paper, I'm not a follower of current events. Well, that bubble has been burst. Since Thursday was a strike day - Holly and I were kept indoors to be safe. We spent the entire day (which was sooo hard cause it was 80 degrees and sunny outside!) inside the YWCA guest house (where we are staying.) We had wonderful conversations with 2 ladies from Norway and a journalist from Singapore. We talked for hours at every meal. People all over the world know the daily (big) events of the U.S. - they followed our presidential election more closely than I did. The Christians of other countries prayed over our election with much heart and concern. They also know what goes on all over the world. We in the U.S. are so self absorbed - we don't seem to care (much) that there are other people on this planet that live differently than us - yet are so much like us. It's good for me to realize this....

We attended church on Friday morning. Friday is church day here - it's the day off (much like our Sunday) We arrived early - half-way through the Bangla service (which we didn't understand) - but we never-the-less got to be a part of Bangladeshi Christian worship and taking communion with these, our brothers and sisters in Christ. This was very special. We then took tea (I'm having to get up three times a night to pee because of all the tea we drink!) and went to the next service, which was in English. I was moved to tears during worship. There were people in that room (about 200) from every culture - Africans, Europeans, Americans, Austrailians, Asians, etc - all worshiping the same God, the same Christ. Our unity was in Him. A little picture of Heaven which brought my heart so much joy. And a conviction that brought humility - how small I try to make God sometimes. How American I try to make Him. I am guilty of thinking that because we have the freedom to worship whoever we would like in the U.S., because the majority of people are Christians, because we have access to Christian books, Christian music, Bible colleges, - that my understanding of the Christian faith is somehow better, somehow more 'correct.' How broken I became in that room - watching people from other countries - many of whom have been beaten or tortured for their faith in Christ - watching them praise the One they know. They KNOW Him. They love Him - for He is he One that has saved them from a life of no hope. They might not know all the theology, but they know Him. How I pray that my knowledge of Christianity doesn't stand in the way of my knowledge of Christ. That is my prayer for myself while I am here - that I may come to a deeper knowledge and love of Him whom I serve joyfully. :)

Today and tomorrow are strike days - we will resume work on Monday. Holly and I are enjoying each others' company very much. We are getting lots of reading done and continue to learn how to wear our new 'dress' appropriately. :)

Praise report: I got my other bag!!! Yeah! It was like Christmas... clean socks, clean underwear, my blessed JIF peanut butter and Goldfish! I wasn't allowed to go to the airport to retrieve it (strike day, not safe) so Gilbert went to get it for me. Gilbert works for WC and it was quite risky even for him to go out - but he did it anyway. How well looked after and cared for we are. :)

Thanks to all of you who have become 'Bloggers' in order to make comments on here! (Go Dr. B!) It does encourage me! For those of you who want - you can email me. I am able to check my email daily - but can't always write back(the keyboard is terrible, and it just takes soooo long!) anmldoc@email.com

We are finding that the most important aspect of our 'work' here is training with Lawrence. He's the livestock officer for World Concern - and has been dealing/treating animals for 22 years. He has been trained by several American vets and is very knowledgable. He is a Christian, though not all the staff of World Concern are. (Some are Muslim, some are Buddhist) We think that a lot of our ministry will be with the muslim staff at WC, as well as the women farmers. There are three 'portfolio officers' who are in charge of 7 women each at WC who are not Christians. You can pray for them. Jin tu is a Buddhist - who recently married a Muslim. Her English is good - so we can communicate with her. Parvin is a muslim - she took us shopping for our Bangladeshi dress - her English is not so good, but she is very friendly. Teetu is another muslim in the office - her English is good. Pray that we can share our faith with these, that in turn the gospel of Christ can be passed down to thier workers, and then to the women of the slums that they work with.

The driving here is just.... unreal. I have shot several videos on my digital camera - both of a Rickshaw ride and a car ride. There are some things that words just can't do justice for. :) Look forward to sharing that with you.

We had supper last night with Prodip and his family - his wife Florence and his daughter Jenny. His son, Caspar, is at college in Seattle, WA. They are a wonderful Christian family and we already feel very loved and at home with them.

It may be a few days until I can write again.

I miss you all - I miss work (!?!) and am so thankful to have the ability to keep in touch.

Much love and grace and peace to you all....