Congratulations! you made it to the field. How do you get started on the thing that you are called to do in this new place? As it turns out, and as my friend told me once or twice, you have to be flexible. I spent the first week staying with my current team lead, where I took the above picture. I have officially been here for 15 days and it has been great to meet new people and get settled a little, as I adjust to the crazy roads(and driving from the right side) and inability to clearly communicate at times. A lot has happened in the last weeks. With the help of my team, I was able to acquire a vehicle and lease a place to call home for the next couple of years. Also, I was able to spend most of the week days out on the farm and getting a acquainted with the people, places, and equipment I will be surrounded by as I seek to serve here. Although these new experiences have been good, it wasn’t the original plan. I was expecting to have a couple of weeks of language training prior to engaging in the work but that plan unfortunately didn’t pan out. About half of the workers on farm speak some English and so that makes life a little easier. But having to drive around looking for parts in this part of the world when the guy that is with you doesn’t speak English and you don’t speak their language, poses a bit of a challenge. But with God’s grace and most of the day, we were able to find what we needed. We are still looking into formal language training but for now I have signed up for a mango languages account to get things going.
Looking back on the first days of this time I can see that my time here will look a little different than I imagined but it will be one of the most growing experiences of my life. A verse that has been on my heart of a long time has become a prayer for me on almost a daily basis. James 1:5 says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask for it from God and we will receive it. I don’t know what changes and challenges are ahead but I know where I can turn to at any time.