Things I Like

Ah, it’s late, but the internet is working, so I must take advantage of it! It seems like when I don’t have time, it’s working fine, and when I do have time, it’s down. Grr. But it’s a lot better than it used be, they tell me.

First week down, and I can honestly say I am glad I am here. It’s challenging, but in a good way. The students are getting used to me, and I am getting used to them. The SMs here are wonderful. We had a birthday party for one of them tonight, and it is always fun just to hang out with them. Several of us also went to town yesterday, stopped at about five stores, because they knew which ones sold what the cheapest. The evangelistic series finished tonight, and there is a baptism tomorrow, with several new interests tonight. I think it will be awesome to see a baptism in the ocean! We’ll have church and potluck first.

That’s a quick summary, but also wanted to give some of the top things I like about Yap so far:
1. Going barefoot most of the day. Everyone takes off their shoes if they are not outside…even in the classroom and evangelistic meetings.
2. Their sense of time is much closer to mine. Basically on time, but often a few minutes late. Although school does start on time, actually.
3. Yapese singing. It’s beautiful! And all the songs are slow, so you think about the words and just relax.
4. The cool breeze at night.
5. The view from the playground. It overlooks an inlet from the ocean, with lovely green hills.
6. Huggy second-graders.
7. An apartment that is free of rats, and I’ve only seen one roach. Have seen several geckos, but I don’t mind them.
8. Second graders singing “Oh Fill it Up” at the top of their lungs.
9. Cold showers. I don’t have a choice, but believe it or not, I enjoy them here.
10. Singing at staff worship in the morning.
11. The SM guys downstairs bringing us samples of their cooking. (Which is quite good, actually.)
12. Feeling God’s presence in such a practical, every-day kind of way. Each day is made up of many prayers and many answers to prayer.
13. Hearing roosters in the morning.
14. Giant frogs.
15. Drinking cold coconut milk straight from the coconut.
16. Eating bananas that church members bring us from their trees.

I guess I can continue this later. I do need to get to bed soon. Hope you all are well. Thank you again so much for your prayers and encouragement.