hiking!

tour...hiking!
I hiked to the top of my island today! (They call it a mountain, but nothing here is close to what I am use to being from Colorado...)
I went with some other volunteers and local kids.

Our guides name was JackieChan Tokyo! (love it!)
I can now add hiking an island jungle to my list of hiking trips!

It was an adventure!
It was actually really steep up to the top.  One thing I love about Fefan, whenever you need a drink or a break you just stop for a coconut!
The view from the top...was absolutely amazing!

I can not believe this is my home!
I felt so at home hiking today. It was an amazing day, blessed by God with great company and spectacular scenery!

random thoughts...
I love giving my camera to the locals and seeing what they take pictures of! I have over 700 pictures most of which are from the viewpoint of locals!

what do i know of Holy

tour...What do I know of Holy?
This is my new favorite song by Addison Road.

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
So What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
So What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
So What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
So What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it's name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?
So What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

It has been hard for me to blog lately-I do no know how to put into words all of my experiences-words just do not seem to do any of them justice. Neither do pictures...
I am beginning to enjoy the slow pace of life. One of the things God is teaching me is to be still and I have plenty of time to be still!

random thoughts...
-my favorite day of the week is Monday-I have weekly phone calls with my family!
-as my hair is getting longer I am mastering the Chuukese comb!

a little walk...

Tour…a tour of my island

I walked around my entire island today…it took 7 hours!

My tour guides were Johnny (the current Peace Corps), Sonson (my cousin), Enlet, and Mureno (Johnny’s brothers).

It was nice to get a lay of the land.

My island reminds me more of a jungle than a tropical island. For a majority of the walk I never saw the ocean.

There is actually a tiny bit of sand…on the other side of the island!

There is a road (that is barely visible) that goes all the way around the island.

It is crazy to think that about 20 years ago there were cars here!

In true Chuukese fashion…it rained the entire day. (rain is so common here; people still go about their daily routine)

I like my little island, it is simple quiet and the people are very kind!
I made it all the way around the island without injury (the road can be very slippery when wet) I was about twenty steps from my house, I was staring out at the amazing view, lost my footing and...fell! I cannot believe I walked around the whole island and then I fall on the part of the road I walk everyday! (do not worry it was just a little cut on my knee...and now I will have a scar to always remind me of my time in Chuuk-these kinds of souvenirs are the best for memories!)

the call

tour...following the call

I have had amazing days and I have had frustrating days. I know this journey would have its ups and downs, that is part of the call from Jesus.
I am reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship.
I am reminded page by page what it meand to follow Jesus when He calls.
The call is simple...come, follow me.
The answer is what is difficult for us.
My answer was yes I will follow You.
"The old life is left behind, and completely surrendered. The disciple is dragged out of his relative security into a life of absolute insecurity (that is in truth into the absolute security and safety of the fellowship of Jesus), from a life which is observable and calculable (it is, in fact, quite incalculable) into alife where everything is unobservable and fortuitous (that is, into one which is necessary and calculable), out of the realm of finite (which is in truth the infinite) into the realm of the infinite possibilities (which is the one liberating reality)."
Jesus wants to show me His people and share His love with everyone I meet.
"Discipleship is not limited to what you can comprehend-it must transcend all comprehension" (Luther)
I am not even going to try to figure out what Jesus has planned for me...
He called me to join PC, I listened, obeyed and left me old life to simply follow Him.
He will guide me way!
I am only about one month in at my site, and I am so excited to see where He leads me in the next 2 years!
Stayed tuned for more adventures!

church

Tour…1^st all day church event

There was a newly ordained priest, so he came to our church (which I am told is the biggest in all of Chuuk) to give his 1^st mass.

We spent all morning waiting for mass to begin…Chuukese time!

As with all Chuukese events there was food!

After mass there was a special meeting, some people spoke and then the real fun began! Each sub-parish danced and sang and it turned into a huge celebration! The crowd was throwing candy everywhere!

It was a fun filled day complete with a boat ride home!

Random thoughts…

Instead of the sound of cars driving by, I hear the roar of motor boats

I love falling asleep to the sound of rain on a tin roof

It doesn’t matter how hot it is outside…the 1^st bucket of a bucket shower is always cold

I have a new “favorite” food…rice…I eat it at every meal!