August 25th and 26th: Back Up and Running!

Saturday, August 25th:

Arrived in Erbil around 3:30 pm with Andy, Lisa, Zander, Zephie, and my new roommate, Sarah. It seemed much easier to navigate the airport than last time, but I think it must have been because there were three extra sets of hands and a lot more experience! Driving from Erbil to Duhok, it didn't seem like we'd been gone all that long.

Bus ride home:

Sarah and Zephie

Andy and Lisa

Lisa and Zander

We got to our apartment about 7:20 pm after stopping at Newroz Telecom to pick up an internet card (so thankful they were actually open!)

We were greeted outside our door by the neighbor kids who promptly helped us take our bags up to the apartment. Andy turned on the water for us, we switched on the electricity and in no time at all everything was up and running. Sarah unpacked and moved into her room. I set up the internet and was successful in creating an adhoc wireless network for both of us to use - hello iPad!

Went to bed around 10, but couldn't fall asleep until after 2 am. It was hard to come to terms with the fact that I am really back here, that I am jumping into the ring again for round 2 with no guarantees that it will be any easier. As I lay in bed asking the Lord for help, I was reminded of a conversation with my best friend, Jessica. She was telling me that as we re-enter the arena God has called us to (whether it is having your 10th child or going back to a foreign country), we tend to remember the difficulties and trials, when we should be focusing on all the grace (at times extraordinary grace) that was given to meet those struggles. I pray that these next ten months will be evidence of that grace and the goodness of the One who provides it.

Sunday, August 26th:

Slept in later than I had planned, but Sarah and I got ready quickly so we could run our errands before the day got too hot. We left at 10 am and it was already about 90 F. I showed Sarah around the market and we picked up a new faucet for the entryway sink, a showerhead, and some miscellaneous items. I had to mentally prepare to face the barrage of staring eyes, smells, and feelings of complete cluelessness. I don't often pray for strength, endurance, and wisdom as I park at the grocery store back home, but it is something I do here every time I go to the market. After dropping off our things at home, we went to the nearby shops where we picked up some groceries - peanut butter, juice, water, chocolate (the essentials) :)

In the afternoon, I switched from tour guide to handyman:

Sarah and I cleaned house, hung up some pics...

...then rested during the heat of the day. I wasn't really feeling motivated to unpack, but dove in and got the job done. John and Mary had been delayed by a day, so it was a relief to hear they were in a taxi and on their way. Bishops, Sarah, and I met up at Sarky's for dinner, then brought back a pizza for the Nelsons. It was fun to hang out as a team again. I finally felt at home and able to thank the Lord for bringing me back. Missing Dan, Julie, and Stacy, but excited to see what this new year will bring.

January 7th and 8th (Days 1-2)

My Room

My Room

TV Room (Next door to my room)

TV Room

Western bathroom (off the TV Room)

Laundry/shower (on the other side of my room)

Shower

Living Area

Front door is to the right, Eastern toilet by the door

Kitchen is on the left

My room is behind and off to the right

Eastern toilet

Living area (from the front door)

Kitchen

Kitchen

Arrived safely in Duhok last night at 7:30pm. The neighbor brought us some soup for dinner and our fellow team members, Dan and Julie brought us some soup as well. Stacy and I ate, then I unpacked my bags a little before we went over to another neighbor's house where we visited with the two daughters. Came home and finished unpacking, then collapsed at 11:00pm.

Woke up this morning, took a shower which was an interesting experience (see picture), ate some yogurt and bread, then off to school. I got to meet one of Stacy's classes and see how things are run. They are definitely cute kids (I will post pictures soon)! Then we went to the market - every thing is an adventure right now and I am trying to be quiet and take it all in. I ask Stacy plenty of questions when we get home and then I'm exhausted.

The market was filled with colors - bright fruits and vegetables, decorated towels and rugs, gold trimmed dishes - and every so often we would pass by a vendor selling savory spices. Getting a cell phone proved to be an ordeal (and would've been much more complicated if I hadn't had Stacy by my side.) They wanted a copy of my passport and a passport photo (why two pictures? I don't know!) otherwise they were going to charge me $100 instead of $2 for not "registering" my phone. The ordeal completed, I signed the registration with my thumbprint, and was once again readmitted into the world of instant communication. After getting my internet card and a few household items, we came home for a lunch of rice wrapped in fig leaves with garbanzo beans (very flavorful, but not bitter). I set up my internet and played with my phone for awhile until we left for the "Holland" store where everything is imported from Holland. It was easier to find some of the more modern conveniences (air fresheners and toilet bowel cleaners - which the Western toilet is desperately in need of!) and I will definitely be going back for some of the Dutch specialties - Melk chocolate sprinkles, for one.

Everything is within walking distance, so it was nice to get all the exercise. Enjoying a relaxing evening at home, before beginning the adventure again tomorrow.