I have the foreigner pass

Quite the waterfall, eh?

The month of fasting has begun here, and every time I go anywhere I face the same question:

ARE YOU FASTING?

I'm sure it's an area of curiosity for everyone because they're not used to having someone different around to talk with. Everyone, and I mean everyone here, fasts.

The other day I started to dread going home because I knew I'd run into a host of people who would all ask me that question. And if I was lucky my answer would spark a continued discussion. Which is a beautiful opportunity, yet sometimes feels more like an inconvenience, especially if you're exhausted and have had that conversation a dozen times already that day.

I feel the pressure. Everyone wants me to fast and they don't mind guilt tripping me into doing it. (Oh "You're not able to fast?" "Just do one day!" "You're not strong enough?" "Even the children fast a little.") And I am fasting a few days-- when I'm breaking the fast with someone I fast that day. And it's funny, because when I tell someone that I'll fast whenever I'm breaking fast with an islander... well... it often results in a dinner invitation. 

But in the end we all know that I'm different. My skin is white. My hair is blonde. My language skills are growing but not all there yet. And when I'm ready to, I'll go home... to another country where it's not the norm for people to fast the daylight hours of an entire month.

But there are people here who share my belief system for whom this is home. They've always lived here, and they've lived with this pressure on a consistent basis.

And if I feel the pressure from neighbors, friends, and acquaintances, I'm sure they feel it worse.

Yesterday, on my way to the market, I had three different people tell me to change my belief system. It's extra points for them to persuade someone to change their beliefs. And since their supreme being's eye is on them more closely during this time it's even more important to do "high points" activities.

Of course, I'm not going to change. But I start to worry about those who live with the constant pressure day in and day out. Those who believe as I do yet are the only one in their family to believe that way.

Will you join me in praying for the local brothers and sisters, that they can stand strong in their beliefs during this time?


P.S. Want a prayer guide for this time of fasting that's targeted towards islander needs? Send me an email: abby.turner113@gmail.com

Posing on a hillside.

That moment when...
-- you check the World Cup schedule to see when the power might be expected to come on.

Longing

I'm pretty sure that everyone longs for something.

People here long for wealth.
They long for education.
They long to be free from fear.
They long for lasting change.

Women making flower/greenery necklaces

I long for my friends and neighbors here to know the One who has changed my life.
I long for them to be changed too.
I long for opportunities to share truth with them.

And sometimes opportunities create themselves.

We're quickly approaching the month of fasting here on the islands. Everyone's talking about it. During that month people try to dress more carefully and portray themselves more carefully. One of my language helpers told me that everyone stops listening to pop music and only listens to re1igious music. This is all a reflection of culture and tradition... but it's also a reflection of longing. By fasting and observing the special month very carefully they believe they'll get closer to their goal of escaping "the place of fire" (as it's termed in the local language). It's a product of longing. And every day as they long for food and water it's a reminder that they long for greater things too.

I long for greater things. And I've found the Greater One. The One who brought me from sin and self-centeredness into His glorious light. 

As we enter this period of fasting (beginning around June 29th) let's seek together that their longing would result in good conversations and I'd be able to share more boldly about the One I've found.

My handiwork

Praise: 
-- The power situation continues to improve! Thanks to the World Cup we now have power starting with the first game of the evening (6 or 7 PM) and running through the middle of the night. Most mornings we also have power. My fridge is COLD! 
-- Continued language improvement. It's easy to get tired of the routine but I have been seeing my language skills get better.
-- English class details coming together.

Pray: 
-- For open hearts during this upcoming month.
-- For more boldness in my own sharing.
-- For perseverance during the next 3 weeks before I get a break. The daily grind is really getting to me and there aren't a lot of options for changing things up here.

---------------
That moment when...
-- you spend a minute pondering why the power company shut off the electricity after only 22 minutes... then realize it was just your computer that was unplugged.