Christ's Sacrifice Once For All

 Hebrews 10:1-18

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. ² Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. ³ But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. ⁴ It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

 ⁵ Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

   “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
   but a body you prepared for me;
⁶ with burnt offerings and sin offerings
   you were not pleased.
⁷ Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
   I have come to do your will, my God.’”^[a]

 ⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 ¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. ¹⁴ For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

 ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

 ¹⁶ “This is the covenant I will make with them
   after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
   and I will write them on their minds.”

 ¹⁷ Then he adds:

   “Their sins and lawless acts
   I will remember no more.”

 ¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. 

  

Two Months

The days just seem to fly by, and I forget to update my blog! Now it has been two months since I have been here! I feel much more adjusted. I have been making friends with students from the center and a few others that I have met elsewhere. It is exciting to finally feel settled in a little bit more, but at the same time I only have about five weeks left! I am trying to keep my focus here as I am also excited to be home for Christmas.

This week is a holiday, so we have no classes or anything. We are just going to be visiting people, going to parties and resting. I am most excited about visiting people. It is such a cultural thing here. Everyone visits everyone and you simply just show up, either for a meal or just tea. Which I am learning to love almost more than coffee again.

This is a picture of a city we went to a few weeks ago. We went to go visit friends of some of our team members. This city had a much different feel than where we live because it was more remote and less Westernized. Everyone was extremely friendly and hospitable. I am still getting used to being admired as a foreigner, because we stand out here unlike I did in Russia. This next picture is of inside the house. We sat on their concrete floors in the biggest room in the house. At least 12 people live in this house. They all sleep on the floors. They were so hospitable although they have so little. I was very amazed at their lifestyle, and felt guilty for having so much, and taking it for granted sometimes.

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This next picture below is from our Center Picnic. We went to the mountains, where many people fled during the persecution of the late 80s. Many of these caves served as hospitals, bases, or shelter for hundreds of Kurds. It is crazy that now we just come and run around in these places that were once so serious
.

The Kurds love picnics, so many of our students came to ours. It was a really good time of just hanging out with our students and getting to know them better.Some non-student friends came too.

Just yesterday, I got to visit the University in our city. It was very exciting because there were so many young people, and the social aspect was just so different compared to other places in the city. This is a picture of the cafeteria building on the campus. There is more grass on the campus than anywhere else I have seen here!

We also met several students who stopped to talk to us because we are American...

It has been good so far, I can't wait til I have more to update you with!

Already a Month!

I have been here for a little over a month now! I can’t believe it has already been that long. My first weeks here have just flown by! I have been learning a lot about Kurdish culture and the work that is being done here.

English classes have been going very well lately. The other day it seemed as if my students all of the sudden work up! Everything is beginning to make sense and I am having more conversations with them before and after class.  Coffee Shop nights have been going great as well. I have been able to meet more people outside of my class, and join in good and insightful conversations. One in particular stands out to me. Two weeks ago, I had a long conversation with a guy who takes English at the center. We talked about the differences between Islam and Christianity, and I was able to use some the verses from the Bible and the Koran that I had learned from my classes at Nyack.  I am excited just to be able to have these conversations.

I am adjusting to living here very well. We have been having difficulties with our hot water and electricity lately, but it has not been too bad. Thankfully it is not too hot or too cool outside right now. I have also been learning how to bake here as the ovens are different. I have had a few failures, but with more coffee shop nights I will get better!

Being here has made me think a lot about where I am going with my life. As of right now, of course I don’t know. However, I am learning more about things I like and don’t like. I am also learning about how I relate to people. It is very insightful and confusing all at the same time, but I am glad to have this opportunity to grow. 

From the picnic a few weeks ago. Ethan is adored by everyone here!

Random picnic site picture

Practicing our traditional dancing...

 For some reason I can't upload vertical pictures. I have a bunch more, but this will just have to be a preview for now!

Bazaar, Picnics, English Classes and More

 Almost two weeks ago I had my first trip to the Bazaar. It was very interesting, such a mix of modernity and antiquity all wrapped into one. It feels older because it's a market, but electronics are sold among clothes, jewelry and food.  Some men wore the traditional clothing and others looked completely European (with the exception of the unibrows that are so common here). Stacy (a single fulltime worker here whom I love) and I went together. While it was safe for us to go, we did get a lot of "I love you"s and such as we are obviously American and fair-skinned. It was quite the experience and I hope to go back to get some souvenirs for myself, friends and family.

We also went on a  picnic with a family whose children go to our center. We drove about 45  minutes outside of the city, and picnicked by a lake. The picnicking was done much different than in America, but I enjoyed it. We went to a place by the river where you rent "pavillions". The mother of the family had made yaprach, or stuffed grape leaves. It was delicious. We ate and drank tea. Then we went closer to the river and paid to ride on a speed boat, which was also fun.. and helped with the 90 degree weather. Many people, including a few of us, wore the traditional clothing. I have yet to buy some.


English classes have been going well. This past Monday was a bit crazy. Student always have suggestions during the break, and it is hard not to feel compelled to take them into consideration. However, I keep telling myself that I am the native English speaker. Class if fun though. We often learn things about American culture from the curriculum, but then I get to ask them about their culture. Our previous unit was about food. The students are very open and eager to learn. However, sometimes they do not tell me if they do not understand, but we are working out all these minor problems.  I really enjoy the coffee shop nights because we get to hang out with our students rather than stand up front and teach them.

I also started my own language learning with a tutor. So far I have learned numbers, directions and greetings. I am not learning how to read and write as I am only here for about two more months, but it is nice to be able to shop and get around on my own.

I have been reading Exodus, and the passage about God sending the mana is one of my favorites. It reminds me that God is going to give me everything I need to get through the day. It is important for me to take things one day at a time. It is easy for me to look ahead to the future and miss people back home, but God is going to give me what I need for each day. 

Adjusting

Adjusting to the way of life here hasn’t been too bad. The electricity is only on at sometimes. The neighborhood has a generator and the government also supplies electricity during part of the day. We can only use the washer, blow driers and other appliances when there is government electricity though.  I am also learning to get used to cold showers.  Thankfully, the weather here is very warm and dry.  

Many things here remind me of when we lived in southern Russia. Some of the products at the grocery store are the same, and we are lacking in the same things as well. I actually learned how to make my own bread the other day!  The food here is pretty good though: lots of rice, bread, vegetables and fruits. They do use a lot of oil however. The tea and pastries are amazing. 

I have gotten to know my team here pretty well so far. They are all very nice and helpful in terms of adjusting and learning about the culture here.  

English classes have begun. We teach on Mondays and Wednesdays. My first class was a little bit shaky, but I know it can only get better.  We have our coffee shop night on Thursdays, so that our students can come and practice lots of conversational English and that we might build relationships with them in order to share with them.  I am also learning how to make cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos. I am excited to start baking for the shop as well. 

It has been a little difficult trying to figure out how to act, what to say and how to simply live in this new culture. It is also challenging for me to be outgoing sometimes, as I am often shy. The Lord has placed several verses on my heart

Psalm 37:3-7 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will act.

Psalm 34:4-5 I sought the LORD and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Out in the Country

Housing for widows from the occurrences in the late 80s

The black parts of ground are due to fires in the summer.

The faint faint faint mountains in the distance are the mountains of our neighboring country. No worries, we did not go hiking and wandering...

Local food!

First Update

I am just about finished with day 5! I arrived safely and so did my luggage. I have been adjusting, seeing the city, learning new things and learning even a little bit of the language! I can count to 5, say hello and goodbye and I know how to say a few days of the week!

We have had three days of registration for English classes. I administered tests for a few people and got to have conversations with them afterward. We have about 80 people signed up for classes that start this Monday. I am going to be teaching level 3. Good thing I know English!  I also am learning how to make coffee, cappuccinos, lattes and other things!

Adjusting has been going well. A lot of things remind me of southern Russia when we first moved there. I actually learned how to make bread just this afternoon.

I have taken just a few pictures so far:

This is my room :)

This is the view from my room

This is the view of the city from one of the mountains that surrounds it on all sides.

Stacy and Michele are the other single ladies here. We went up this mountain on my first day!

More to come! Thank you for your prayers!