Sunday, August 24, 2008

cross cultural stress

in orientation last week, we learned how the term "cross cultural shock" is not as appropriate as "cross cultural stress." this is definately what we have been going through this past week!

on monday, i got pretty sick. bech and i left orientation to go to the clinic then went to our apartment for me to rest. his bag was left unattended in an on campus house for maybe 20 minutes. in those 20 minutes, someone stole our digital camera and his ipod.

also we are car-less, which is not fun. we were able to borrow the academy car for almost 2 weeks, but now people are on campus and they needed the car back. we were going to look at a car on friday, but alan shaba's (he's the one helping us by a car and the one who was going to be showing us this car) son became very sick with malaria. pray for him...he was unconscious, which is not good...

then saturday our internet messed up (i'm up at the school posting). after bech got back from going out to the village with our friend mvuto (i'll let him tell you all about that), i just broke down...and then, while i am upset, the power goes out. it does that alot here...just goes out for 2 or 3 hours every other day or so. it comes back on by the end of the night, but it can be very frustrating.

so i say all this not to complain, but to ask for prayer. we are tired after this past week, and school is about to start! we are both nervous and want to be good teachers. plus we feel so vulnerable...no car, our camera was stolen, etc. living in a 3rd world is definately harder than you might think (but more rewarding too!)...we are just really feeling the harder part right now.

i am thankful for the people reading this blog and so thankful for the prayers we know we are getting from faith and christ pres!

also, pray for our friends the ketchums...they had a week like ours. laundry was stolen off of their back porch, josh's car was broken into and some papers (not really of a monetary value, but stuff that took a long time to compile) were taken, etc. plus they live off campus like us, so their power goes off when ours goes off.

oh, and needless to say...no picture updates for a while! we will try to get another camera sent with a team coming out here in a couple of weeks...

9 comments:

BubblesandMoney said...

I am one of Katy's friends. She told me about your blog. I have been praying for you and will especially pray for these 'harder' times that you are going through. Your witness must be powerful for these attacts to be happening.

Katy Robertson said...

i love you tons sister and was excited to talk to you today. sorry that we did not get to talk longer. I am praying for you and missing you tons. literaly i moped around my apt last week in oxford because i couldnt call you and bech to play a game or anything. oxford is lonely without you. I can not wait to talk to you again. good luck on your first day of teaching!!

Liz T. said...

just wanted to let you know that Christ Pres has been praying for you guys. And we have been too!

Courtney said...

Wow. Sounds like you guys have been having a really rough week. I hope it gets better soon. And I hope you're feeling better. I love you and I miss you!

Anonymous said...

Oo Marley! My heart aches for you, but rejoices too. You and Bech are going to be pure gold after surviving these trials. You are right, the security of prayer encompasses you always. (so very sad about the camera/pictures!) but thank you for taking the time to post... i love you friend!

Lain and Tatum said...

What a rough week. I am so sorry. God never gives you more than you can handle so I know things will be fine! Hang in there! I am praying for y'all. Marley, Georgia is getting so big. Check her out on my blog. Take care. Love, Lain

RCO said...

Wow...what a week! Thank you for "telling it as it is." It helps us to know how to pray for you. I think I'll share your post with the elders tonight. We are standing with you in prayer, and we know that the Lord will see you through. Isaiah 43:1&2

Courtney said...

I wish I could have seen you, too!!! Hopefully the year will pass quickly and we can be happily reunited when you return.

Unknown said...

Marley and Bech,

What an inspiration you are to us. Such a strong faith in such a young couple. We are praying for you and your requests. We love you both immensely and appreciate you posting to the blog

Uncle Bob and Aunt Marva