Dili, East Timor

Wow! I realize that I haven’t blogged for a long time and I apologize for that, but things have been rather busy here. I arrived here in East Timor September 13^th. That makes it about a month that I’ve been here. Time flies for sure. It’s been an amazing experience! It’s so fun to see so many new things and learn more about other cultures. I love the beaches here. It really confuses my brain though, seeing all the palm trees. I’m so used the cold waters in Canada or Alaska.

When I first arrived here they were having a bike race, called the Tour de Timor. It’s a mountain bike race and since there aren’t many social events here in Dili (the capital of East Timor), there were LOTS of people there to see all the racers finish. That’s what the first pictures are of. My student’s father was actually a contestant in the race. However, I didn’t manage to get a picture of him.

Teaching has been a good experience in a different way. I won’t lie. It’s been very challenging for me and my character is being refined a LOT. But I’m very glad I came! There are times when I think being in the US would be easier, and it would, but I wouldn’t grow near so much. I thank God for bringing me here.

I think that’s the issue with a lot of people. We think we’re good. We don’t seem to fail, but in reality we’re simply comfortable. We take the easiest path and are never challenged. We never really grow at all.

So, we shouldn’t be discouraged when things are hard or we fail because that means we’re trying. We’re growing. Proverbs 24:16 tells us that the righteous man falls seven times. It doesn’t say that the wicked fall at all! In some ways it may feel like he’s doing better than you, but really he’s just stagnant and complacent.

Anyway, enough preaching.

I’ve also learned how much I really depend on my friends and family. Due to the time difference, I can’t just talk to them whenever I want. It really helps me to appreciate them more.

Well, I’m going to end this for now. Hopefully I’ll be able to blog again sooner than later.