Beyond Adventure

Culture, Christmas,

Travel and Teaching

Teaching

I have had more opportunities to teach in our spiritual training schools. I teach a full week with students from all around. I HAVE DISCOVERED A NEW PASSION!!

I was suppose to teach the students on "church history" but we ended talking more about the foundation of our relationship with God.

"What is sin?"

"How to please God"

"How to hear God's voice"

"The Character and Nature of God"

Many of the students grew up in church but couldn't answer the basic questions so it turned into an amazing week!!!

me....the "teacher" and the translator

Group sharing what they think God thinks of them

Here, the culture is

at the end of each class, the student will come up to the teacher, take the hand, and put it to their forehead.....it's a sign of respect.

HOWEVER.....being Southern, after they did that, I enveloped them in a big ol' hug. At first, they were shocked! it was weird for them. But by the end of the week, they would put my hand to their forehead and open their arms waiting for their hug....they LOVED it!! If I forgot to hug them, they would remind me.

Culture

I'm always amazed at the culture here. Indonesians are some of the best people who know how to have fun....they love fun and laughter.....I try to learn from them.

A common site for birthdays. They will tie up the birthday person, kidnap them and do things (one guy got tied to a street post for 15 minutes).....it was hilarious! Sometimes, they crack an egg on your head....or mayonnaise. Sometimes, they throw you into the ocean or dung your head in the toilet.

I LOVE their fun spirit

This is what I call making the most of every opportunity

(the guy sleeping on his bike.....waiting for his wife)

A popular Indonesian dessert: deep fried sponge cake, chocolate, peanuts, cheese, and condensed milk

The coasters go on top! to keep the flies out

Touch is a big love language here

Engagements are a family affair...not private. You have an "engagement party" where the guy officially proposes to the girl (that's my roommate).

This is for my dad.....

by showing hospitality to our special guests......they even iron their underwear. the girl was too embarrassed to be shown.

Travel

My parents surprised me with a ticket home for Christmas. I went through Dubai....

where I got to see the tallest building in the world

What "McDonal's" looks like in Arabic

First time to see a foam bear

Our leader.......supporting Liverpool

(for my brother-in-law)

I'm told he's the only other supporter (spoken from a South Africa fan)

I was at a restaurant in Bali and saw this guy wearing this shirt....

He wasn't even from Pell City (the town I grew up in)....

He was from Australia!

Christmas

I was SOOOOO excited my parents surprised me for Christmas by bringing me home for 2 weeks. Sometimes, I get focused so much on the work, I don't realize I need a break. But going home and being with my family showed me how much I needed a break.....so thank you Mom and Dad!!!!