Big trucks, flavored coffee creamer, casual dress, expensive cell minutes, quiet streets, no 4 am prayer calls, 24 hr stores, check bank balance at an atm, cowboys and country music, real coffee from a drip machine!!!, 2% milk, clean animals, no bartering, road rules, no line buding, snow, talking on the phone, driving not walking, movies, drive thrus, looking at people instead of looking at the ground and ignoring when guys say "hi" on the street...life is so different here and it's good to be home.

Worst Airport Experience Ever

So I finished the first year of my internship and I sit in Scotland, the beginning of my life on the field. I have 2 days to pray into some decisions and just take a breath before I head to Canada to face the fact that things have changed, and are changing all the time. I don't have a house anymore, or a car, or anything that shows I have a life there. Friends and family are always there, but I don't have a routine job or anything says "I live here". I have possessions in 4 different locations plus what I carry with me at the moment.

Yesturday I had the worst travelling experience yet. It may not sound like such a big deal but I feel humiliated. Ok so I was leaving Israel and went through the routine questioning that only those having been there know what I'm talking about. "What was the purpose of your visit? Do you speak Hebrew? Why do you have so many Israel stamps in your passport? Do you have family here? Did you meet anyone? Did anyone give you a gift? and on and on it goes...I felt like things were going pretty well. Finished the questioning, sent my luggage through the x-ray machine then went to have my bags opened and swabbed for gun powder residue or who knows what, but before my bags were opened the security supervisor came over and re-questioned me on the purpose of my visit. I didn't feel nervous or anything cause I had nothing to hide. For whatever reason they figured I fit a certain "profile" that they couldn't discuss to me about and would need to take my laptop for further scanning or testing or who knows what. I was so mad and upset. I've heard of lots of stories of people's things going missing never to be seen again at this airport. They didn't even want to turn the lap top on or even look at files. I felt like I was going to pass out at first and then started crying which I couldn't hold back. I probably stood there for an hour crying on and off as they swabbed my bags and got the computer ready for their testing. I was totally dazing in and out starring off into space unaware of things going on. I felt like I was dreaming and this wasn't really happening. At the same time aware everyone was watching me cry and feeling very humiliated, powerless and like I had no rights. I don't know why I felt so upset. Maybe cause my computer is my connection on everyone I know and it has all my personal info and is just so part of me. I must say the guy swabbing my stuff treated me as if he felt really bad and was really caring. He gave me tissue from his pocket and arranged for someone to walk me through security so I wouldn't have to go through anymore hassels and took me to the ticket counter and made sure everything went ok. He bubble wrapped my laptop asked if I wanted more or if I was ok with how much he put on it then put it in a box. It's suppose to be at my final destination when I get there, but who knows.

kenya

I have now experienced my first Christmas in heat and humidity.  We had a lovely day Christmas eve on the beach enjoying a bbq and swimming and a lovely boat ride on Christmas day as well as a great meal and gifts. We are staying at a hostel that overlooks the sea and has a sea breeze that blows though the place. God is teaching me how to lead and challenge the students. We have encountered many spiritual battles and helped at an orphanage with babies. Prayer seems to be our biggest focus as we bring the light into a very dark part of this city. God is good and we are all in good spirits.