On it comes...

Less than two months and I will be flying off to Akron Pennsylvania to start orientation for my year of volunteering. Every now and then it hits me that I'm going. I'm so excited! and, yet, super scared.

MCC sent me two books to read to help prepare me for working overseas. They're called 'Ministering Cross-Culturally: Second Edition' by Sherwood G. Lingenfelter (kind of a cool name) and Marvin K. Mayers and 'Foreign to Familiar' by Sarah A. Lanier. I really enjoy reading them both. They're interesting, informative, easy to read, and all that good stuff that books can be. The books talk about becoming incarnate in the culture you're living in/going to. Jesus became incarnate and fully human when He came to earth. And, this is what we need to do when we head to a different culture. We become incarnate in the culture. We take on the values and norms of the other country. It's like Paul said in 1 Cor 9:22, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." This action will gain us a more intimate relationship with the people and give us insight to why people do what they do. It help us become less judgmental and more accepting, which creates such a greater opportunity for sharing God's love! I think everyone should read these books. Even those who have no plans to travel. Canada is a multi-cultural country and these books help you understand the different actions of those from a different culture.

Well, so far I'm struggling along to learn the basics of Spanish. It's pretty difficult to learn a language in two months. Too difficult. I don't think I will learn it all before I go - although it's possible; God can do anything - but I still hope to understand the basics. When I get frustrated trying to learn the language, I'm told that when I'm immersed in Spanish it will come super easily. I'm kind of skeptical about that, though. Does that really happen? How? How can being immersed in a language teach me how to conjugate verbs? I'm scared I won't make good progress learning Spanish. I will try, though.

There is so much to think about and do before I go. I got my last travel shot this morning. Yay! I leave for home in 18 days. I'm really excited to go home. I'm excited to pack. heh... which reminds me: I've received all my itineraries for my flights to Victoria, Akron and Santa Cruz and had to have a laugh at my luggage requirements. For my flight from Calgary to Victoria I am allowed 2 checked bags at 60lbs (I believe it was), my next flight is from Victoria to Akron. For this flight I am allowed only 1 checked bag at 50lbs. My final flight from Akron to Santa Cruz allows me to take 2 checked bags at 50lbs. Hm... I think this means I can buy a whole suitcase of stuff in Akron. :P OK, maybe not that funny, but I thought it was.

Adios for now!