Sabbath Rest

It has come.

I knew it would sneak up on me quicker than I anticipated.  And it did.

School has a way of doing that to you.

I can't believe it.  I'm actually in the program I've been pursuing; the program I've been aiming at for over 3 years now.  My goal is becoming a reality.  And I'm still dazed.

I was walking across campus today from having spent a few hours studying in the library, when I happened to look down and notice the scrubs I was wearing.  How can I describe the excitement that bubbled up in me?  Wow.  I'm in my dental hygiene program.  I'm actually in.

God is good.

But now I must add that this isn't any easy program I've begun.  Never did I realize how much anatomy is hidden in the oral cavity.  And trying to learn each tooth by a numeric system is incredibly challenging.  Just wait till I learn all the facial bones, muscles, circulator system and nerves.  And how about trying to learn all that, while also trying to learn how to take a perfect radiograph (x-ray) of the teeth, probe around your patient's mouth without jabbing them, and hold a mirror in your non-dominant hand.  Oh, I know it's possible.  Lots of hygienists have done it in the past.  My respect for them has tripled, to say the least.

My 5 other classmates - all girls ranging from 20 to 26 - are just as excited.  Yet, our enthusiasm seemed to quickly get smothered under the heavy load of books to read, assignments to complete, and exams to take.  I hear more sighs; I see more yawns; I hear more groans.  I try to remind myself of how blessed I am to be in this program.  Of how blessed I am to be learning all this.  Of what a help I'll be to people who need oral care.  Then, the book load isn't so heavy, the assignments not so burdensome, the exams not so tedious.

And, once in a while, when my screensaver kicks on as my computer dozes, I see pictures of India.  Then, I'm reminded of why I'm doing this.

Already, I've learned so much in the program (and it's only been two weeks!).  So many things I would do differently if I were to be in India again.  I can't imagine how much I'll know after two years of this!

How happy I am to have the Sabbath.  I really need it after an exhausting week of school.

Yet, I had two exams to complete online this weekend.  When I got out of class Friday at noon and realized that I only had a few hours till sundown and that I had hardly had enough time to study for my two exams and that the Sabbath was smack in the middle of my weekend, a sudden feeling of panic enveloped me.  Realizing my predicament, I internally freaked out.

But then, I remembered something.

Before school began, I emailed my lead professor and explained to her about my Sabbath and my desire to honor that day by abstaining from doing or thinking of school on my rest day.  I politely asked if there were any exams, assignments, field trips or the like that would fall on my Sabbath and would she please let me know ahead of time so I could make arrangements if necessary.  She replied sweetly that they would do their absolute best to work with me.

She then forwarded my email to several of my other online professors.  I then later found out that all the professors had gotten together and planned out their schedules to that all the exams and assignments would not be on Saturday, or would be over a two-day period so as to allow me to make each deadline.  Wow.  Isn't God good?!

So, I was talking with one of my classmates Friday about the weekend.  I made mention of how I would have to leave the library at 3 to get some things done before sundown and wouldn't be able to study till Saturday night.  She is familiar with SDA's and she asked me, "is it because of your Sabbath?"  I replied the affirmative.  She commented, "that's so cool that you just take a whole day of your week and not even think about school.  You must feel so refreshed after it."

I opened my mouth to respond, but closed it feeling a bit of shame.  How could I ignore the beautiful truth of the Sabbath rest?  She was right.

So I laid my plans for the weekend at His feet, knowing that He would bless my desire to keep His Sabbath holy.  I claimed His promises and entered into the Sabbath hours with nary a burden.  And I had a wonderful Sabbath indeed.

And guess what?  I got both my exams done Sunday morning bright and early.  What a relief.

"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath..." 

Another Day in India

For the first time in days, I can see the sun.  Oh, how it brightens your soul!  It takes the sharp bite of cold away and warms the lingering chill in the air.  I can still see my breath here in my room.  A heater with only one filament is vying to take the chill away and I’m sitting right next to it, in hopes of warming my fingers so I can type better.  I have 35 minutes until my English class begins.

  For those who are unsure what I’m doing here in India, let me explain…  I decided to take this next semester of college off since I was finished with all my prerequisites for the dental hygiene course I want to get into.  Since I have close to 8 months free (Yeah!), I felt it would be appropriate to do another mission trip while I have the ability to do so.  Through God-directed circumstances, God made it clear that He wanted me to go to India where some dear friends of mine, the Pozo’s, were working at a Lifestyle Center.  The Center is located way up in northern India near the boarder of Nepal, thus the reason most people here speak Nepali (in fact, most of the students at the Center are Nepalese). 

  Right now, the School is in the middle of a 6-month training course for women.  They give them a well-rounded education on a variety of subjects, including massage therapy, leadership in the church, math, English, sewing (or tailoring, as they call it), hydrotherapy, and more.  They have around 25-28 girls here (I’m not sure of the total number) ranging in ages from 12 to near 30.  A few are married, but most are single.

  My main job while I was here was to help teach classes (like massage therapy, English and something about ministering to the church) and learn to clean teeth.  So far, I’ve been doing all those things plus some!  It’s been such a great experience already and I’m only one week into my stay here! 

Heading to Nepal, all piled in a car!

  I was so excited this last Sunday, for I got to step into Nepal!  Sure, I was sitting around near the customs building, but I was on Nepali soil!  Uncle Aaron, Auntie Lori and Christian all left Sunday to work for a month in Nepal doing evangelistic work and encouraging the Bible workers there.  Krystle and I went with them to the border and were allowed to cross the border as long as we came back.  So, I can say that I’ve been to Nepal!

  I sure will miss the rest of the Pozo gang… the small two room building that Krystle and I are sleeping in seems so much more cold and empty without them.  At least I got to spend a few days with them before they left for Nepal.

Our group at the Nepal border
Bernice, Krystle, Senteal, Me, Rubina, and Sarita

  We’ve started training the girls in massage therapy here.  That’s been interesting.  Sandra Miss used me to demonstrate the face massage.  As soon as I lay on the massage table, I was immediately surrounded by all the girls.  Many of them cautiously touched me, as though they felt it was safe to do so now that I was “contained”.  As Sandra Miss worked my facial muscles, the girls started giggling.  Sandra translated to me that they were laughing because my face was getting so red from the rubbing.  They found it comical to see this white girl turn beet red! 

  I made Russian Borsch for breakfast the other day because Sandra Miss had beets and didn't know what to do with them.  The borsch turned out pretty good and was a big hit!  They want me to make it again!  Feels funny making a Russian dish in India! :)

  I'd better close... time for my class.