the things I will miss

Here are some final images of some of the girls at AG Home!

I cannot believe how fast this trip is flying! I have reached my 6th of 7 countries. I have spent practically one week of my 6 sitting in airplanes and airports. Although I have had many moments when I have been “babysat” by very generous individuals, I have also had much alone time to think, read, and pray. As of late I have been thinking of the things I will miss when I return as well as the trade off the occurs for those things.
I will miss the hospitality of complete strangers and the sufficiency of simply knowing someone they know being enough to take care of a stranger. It is amazing how knowing one or two people can be so effective in the body of Christ. I will miss the greetings of people all of the world. I kind of stick out like a sore thumb and all want to greet me. Although some are not sincere, many truly are and want to talk and show me hospitality. I currently miss the silence of old friends, being able to sit and not talk, not explain myself, not make small talk unless I want to. I also miss those same old friends and the ease of conversation that flows when we are together. I miss hugs!
I will miss the variety of foods my taste buds have experienced. I already know I will have to venture to the Korean restaurant in Pittsburgh for a little Kim Chi, Bulgogi, etc. and I will miss mangos terribly as I have gotten used to eating them in every country at little or no expense (unlike the US). I currently miss a steaming cup of coffee (that can accompany or not accompany those old friends) as well as simply cooking for myself.
I will miss the fervor of worship in various countries and contexts. It is amazing to see people of different languages and races crying out to my same God. The world and the Church is not so far apart after all! I miss worshipping in English. Not only do I miss this, but I especially miss the gifted leadership of friends like Kelli, Megan, and Lori who God has gifted in many ways to lead me into God’s presence through worship: song and prayer.
I will miss the significant time to brood. Being alone for 6 weeks has been good, challenging, lonely, exhilarating and much much more. I have enjoyed the time to think and pray. My journal is full of thoughts and prayers more so than I ever do journaling when I am at home. I will miss this time alone because I know that in America the schedule will fill up quickly whether I want it to or not. I have had more time to read than 3 years in seminary (reading that which I want to, I should say). I will miss the quiet time. I currently miss the down time. The time when my mind does not have to be working in overdrive. I have never thought much about American culture, especially pop culture but I miss the opportunity that my culture affords to just shut off for a short time. I look forward to an evening of a movie or two, a large bag of popcorn, and darkness, no thoughts, or broodings, but just some down time (any takers from my Pittsburgh people, let me know) is welcome.
Although I have not missed my cellular phone and enjoyed the freedom from it I also have missed the option of having the ability to call my friends and family. I have spent more than 6 weeks apart from my family in the past but I appreciate so much more the ability to call just to say I am thinking of them or tell them a funny or profound story. Although I hope and pray I do not revert back to the American way of having the phone glued to my ear I do look forward to catching up with my friends and family in the US upon my return.
I leave you with some pictures from my time- this has been a long blog because it may be my last here in Malaysia. I have limited internet access until Monday. I join my sister (who leaves 7 am Eastern Standard time to go to Thailand) on Tuesday the 7th of July…until then…

love and God Bless,

beth

ps. as I write this "I will survive" is playing on the radio in the office I am in- STRANGE!
This is me in front of a missionary monument here in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. This is a predominently muslim nation but the government paid for this monument....