2 Million Things to Do

Day 2 and 3

Wow time really flies here at FPO. I was way too tired to write yesterday, and today I'm having to look back at the schedule to even remember what I did! All I remember are lectures lectures lectures. We were in meetings from 9-5 with only lunch to break up the monotony. Ah I just remembered. There was another break in the boredom that came during the health lecture when I became aware of the dozens of shots and blood tests I'll need! Good Lord help me… Really I'm not sure how I'll get through it other than just accepting that I'm going to be terrified and I'm most likely going to pass out/puke. Gah, I'm such a wimp! Oh well, I'll just accept that and get ready to be embarrassed in front of some poor nurses.

I do, however, remember in particular enjoying a sermon by the head of FPO on Jesus's prayer for believers in John 17. It's so touching to me to read about Jesus praying specifically for US – his followers! Jesus uses the word 'world' in this passage 18 times, and He focuses particularly on making disciples of His believers. It was also neat to notice that although Jesus spoke a lot about unity as a tool that is necessary to do His work, really His main point was reaching the world with the gospel. The speaker said that leading people to Christ and then forgetting to show and teach them discipleship is a lot like having a baby and then leaving it in isolation to grow up. I thought it was a really good point. I was convicted for sure!

Now I'm remembering another cool thing about yesterday. I shouldn't have sounded so negative! We had a meet and greet for the Africa team after supper and I got to meet a lot of M's who have served for years, and all of the Jmen going into the field as well. The former M's are always sooo excited to talk to us and hear all about the work we'll be doing. I met Mr. Hampton who is responsible for a really prominent guest house for M's in Kenya. He and his wife were really really sweet to me, and he remembered my name today and gave me some emails! Another great part of the meet and greet was the DESSERT! They don't serve sweets here because they want to encourage healthy eating, so I'm craving sugar already. I def scarfed down a cupcake and some peanut m&ms!

Today was really cool too. That same speaker talked to us about Jesus's ministry while He was here on earth, and how his primary focus was on spreading the good news. He really emphasized how as Ms, our main focus should be evangelism whether it's in our job description or not. I was also excited today because I feel like I'm starting to get lots of exciting information worked out in my head. I found out I get to do a few months of language training after all (very exciting). I found out I'll spend a month training in Ghana and Burkina Faso (suuuper cool). I also found out about a trip to Wash DC to practice witnessing (eh), and that I won't see my supervisor for like a month once I arrive (not so cool).

This morning we got about 3 hours of strait information that I'll never remember and 50 new homework assignments. The overwhelming side of my trip has definitely not yet abated. I am glad to be so freshly out of college tho, because the older people in my cabin were pretty much flipping out. At least I'm used to dealing with stress and the urge to pull my hair out right?

I've decided on a pen name. It's pretty exciting. I chose Zoe because it means 'life' in greek. And not just regular life, but from what I understand it means the new life that we gain with our salvation in Jesus Christ. Pretty cool eh? The last name was tough for me so I brainstormed with some of the journeymen on the bus from the airport and we all thought Sarah's suggestion of Allen was good.

Soooo: Zoe Allen. Mark it down.

 

That's really all I can think to tell you all for now…. I tried a new kind of chip today. It was called 'The Crab Chip." Not that great. Kinda spicy.. I'm thinking of creating a new blog specifically for my time working for the Board, but I'm not sure what to call it so I'm stalling. Any ideas?