Good Reads, or, An Update of Sorts

I highly recommend to anyone interested in missions--and by "interested in missions," I really mean anyone reading my blog--the reading of missionary biographies. I'm currently reading Give Me this Mountain by Helen Roseveare, which was suggested to be by my grandma (thanks Grandma!), and I have been astounded by the story of this woman's conversion and growth in grace. Where I am in the book, she hasn't even gone to Africa yet. In case you don't have access to a copy because you live in a country without bookstores (haha. that is I, not most of you), or have already read it, let me recommend a few others for you:

• If I Perish, by Esther Ahn Kim
• Shadow of the Almighty, by Elisabeth Elliot (prepare to be dazzled)
• Evidence Not Seen, Darlene Diebler Rose
• The Woman with the Book, about Gladys Alyward, by someone whose name escapes me
• Peace Child, by Don Richardson, which I'm currently reading with my ninth graders
• The Savage my Kinsman, again by Elisabeth Elliot
• Beyond Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot (if you haven't already, please consider reading everything written by Elisabeth Elliot)

I love reading these books. These are people who spent their lives obeying the Lord, whether that meant missions in a country far from home or going to prison for Jesus' sake. God revealed Himself to them with amazing examples of grace and mercy, supplying their physical and spiritual needs in the most awful circumstances. And the best part is? We serve the same God. Maybe we aren't going to be imprisoned. Maybe we won't spend two years with indigenous Ecuadorians sans electricity, water, and walls. Maybe we're called to something that looks utterly different, like teaching on a safe, comfortable, Christian campus in Malawi (again, that would be I). We are still called to love and serve the same God that performed miracles in places far away. He still reveals Himself with that same grace and mercy to us in the everyday and ordinary.

In other news, this week was marked by my first shopping trip [almost] on my own. Actually, I wasn't on my own at all. I relied very heavily on the sense of direction and driving skills of my housemate, who has lived in Malawi on and off for several months now. At any rate, we had a great morning running to different stores--including a fun farmer's market, where we bought lovely crafts and vegetables. I also finally made something in my kitchen (my housemate also cooks pretty much all the time. I finally made cookies. And Mexican rice.) and gave my classes their first quiz. I went out to the village with some other teachers and had lunch in a very generous Malawian woman's home. Who in America has people over and welcomes and feeds the strangers they tote along with them? There are so many things here that simply aren't done at home, or at least not done very often, or at least not done very often in New Jersey. 

My housemate and I also hosted our first get-together of the teachers on campus. Have I mentioned that my housemate cooks? She fed us all homemade pizza and cookies. I helped too. I grated the cheese and sliced the peppers. I tell you, she's amazing!

Ready for a photo? Here is my KitchenAid and the cookie dough. Oh. You don't see the KitchenAid? That's awkward.

Here we are on our shopping trip. I didn't take photos of the farmer's market because I felt like such a tourist already. But here we are within the confines of the car we use from ABC. Did I tell you we had a great time? I bought a cute chitenge apron. Come over when I'm home for Christmas and I'll wear it while I make you tea and cookies. With a KitchenAid.

Finalmente, I can tell you I currently love teaching here. I know not what challenges lie ahead that may change my current paradigm, but right now, I love getting up in the morning and heading to my classroom. My classes are a great mix of students, some impossible and some incredibly sweet, and many in between. I love seeing them every day and trying to be the best teacher I know how to be for them. That may sound a little, well, airy, idealistic, impractical, sentimental, and overly optimistic, but just now, it's true. Just so you know! 

If you find a great missionary bio that's not on my list, alert me to its existence!