It is hard to believe that only a week ago I was saying goodbye to dear friends, and giving final hugs to my family at the airport, before walking through the security gate and embarking on this new chapter of my life.  I had rehearsed the above airport scene in my head countless times before the day arrived, but trust me, it did not make it any easier and the departing cry was as ugly as I expected.  This first week flew by, as it was filled with many new experiences and opportunities, and new relationships are beginning to form.   Thankfully, within the past couple of days, I have purchased a new SIM card for my phone, and arranged Internet access within my home, which will enable me to update this site frequently.  As a quick aside, my Canadian phone number has now been disconnected, so, if you are not an iPhone user (yay iMessage!), you will have to send me an email. 

I have just returned from the bazaar, conveniently located at the end of my street, where I will be purchasing the majority of my food this year.  While walking home, I thought the experience of my first week here in a Central Asian country might be of interest to some of you, as it has been radically different from the life I was living in Canada.  I am not yet use to changing into the traditional clothing upon leaving my house, however, I am sure in a matter of weeks it will become my new normal.  In a small way, it reminds me of when the Apostle Paul says, “To the Jews I became as a Jews, in order to win Jews.  To those under the law I became as one under the law that I might win those under the law.  To those outside the law I became as one outside the law that I might win those outside the law” in 1 Corinthians 9. 

Sunday, my first day in this country, I experienced a traditional local meal at a restaurant nestle among trees and a pathway on the side of a river.  I received my first crash course on how and where I sit at the table, along with various other customs I must adhere to when eating with the local people.  A picture is attached in the next post.  Shortly thereafter, we headed to my host family’s home fellowship group, which meets Sunday afternoons and is composed of only a few other families.  I am looking forwarding to reflecting and writing more about experiencing “church” and community here, but I will save that for a later date. 

I hit the ground running on Monday.  I had the opportunity to be apart of a four-week film project here, which is based on the prodigal son narrative and set in the local context.  Local people were used as actors, as the intended audience of the film is a minority language group, but I was also given a role to play.  During the part of the film where the prodigal son is squandering his wealth in a local nightclub, you may catch a glimpse of me with my dancing shoes on. A team of three was brought in to shoot the film and it was lovely getting to know them over the course of the week.  It was their final week shooting the remaining scenes, but they had been in the mountains the previous three weeks capture footage for other parts of the film.   Returning home to my Host family on Monday evening, I experienced my first power outage, which lasted a number of hours, but forced an early bedtime upon us all. 

Tuesday was full of completing the necessary medical tests required for obtaining a working permit and visa extension, and I visited a nearby bazaar to purchase the food for the film crew.  We all ate lunch together throughout the week and I really enjoyed learning how to prepare a few traditional meals.  My host Mom and I also spent some time reviewing orientation materials and discussing some opportunities for this coming year. I am excited for the possibilities that lie ahead, but please continue praying for the Lord’s leading in all things, and for Him to keep me weak so that I may depend on Him wholeheartedly.  Later in the day I moved into the house I am renting – shared with two other ladies – and got to know another like-minded girl (lets call her “S”) across the street from me. She kindly took me back to the bazaar, which is located at the end of our street, as well as the grocery store (picture a No Frills or Food Basics, then downgrade a few more notches).  In the coming days, I will post a few pictures of my humble abode. 

Wednesday morning I met with my Host Mom again, and we pieced together a rough teaching schedule and discussed the courses I will be teaching her two girls.  The girls are currently enrolled in an online school, as well as taking a couple of courses here in the city, but I will be supplementing their schedules with some mandatory courses in the Ontario Curriculum.   “S” then picked me up from my host family and walked me back to the medical clinic where I received the results from the medical tests yesterday.  I am in the clear and good to go!  After lunch, I returned to the nightclub and filmed a few more scenes for the remainder of the afternoon and evening. I joined the film crew for dinner, but made them promise to deliver me back to my doorstep after dinner, as I had still was unsure of my surroundings, or even how to get home.  It will take some time for me to learn the various public transit options and for me to have my get my bearings.  I am looking forward to regaining my independence and not having to be so reliant on others for simple tasks.  I know it will take time, though. 

Thursday seems to be a bit of a blur, at the moment.  I remember it being odd waking up and knowing I was at the mercy of other people to come and get me.  At that point, I did not have Internet set up or working cell phone, but I figured someone would eventually come get me and we would tackle the day together.  It was weird not being able to contact anyone locally, but people managed just fine prior to the invention of the phone or Internet.  Not surprisingly, my friend S came to get me after finishing her language lesson, and she spent the afternoon translating for me so that I could get my cell phone connected locally and by an internet package.  Not knowing the native language, knowing only the basics of the culture, and having limited knowledge of the Muslim religion, it can make the days quite challenging.  I have made a few mistakes – such as asking the cell phone store employee (who spoke some English, but was a man) if there was a washroom available for public use – but I know I need to be patient with myself.  These mistakes and challenges are simply fuelling my desire to quickly learn the language, and to work hard in the evenings, reviewing my notes and completing the homework from language lessons. 

Yesterday, my host Mom, S, and I travelled almost an hour to another huge bazaar, but apparently saw only one-quarter of all the vendors in the 5 hours we were there. It would take many hours to see it in its entirety.  My words will not give the sites, sounds, and smells of this bazaar justice, so I be sure to post pictures in the coming days of this particular bazaar.  Note to self: do not leave the house door open, as stray cats will wander into your kitchen and throughout house.  I just about fell off my chair while typing this post, as two stray cats all the sudden appeared in my living room.  I think my reaction scared them more than my initial fright, though.  I should mention (primarily for the sake of my Dad’s blood pressure), my house door was only SLIGHTLY ajar and it opens into something resembling a courtyard, which is all behind a LOCKED gate.  Anyway, I spent Wednesday and Thursday evening with the film team, and we enjoyed one last dinner together prior to their departure late Friday night.

And today, Saturday, as previously mentioned, I have just returned from the bazaar at the end of my street and will begin the process of unpacking and settling into my new home.  That’s all for now!