It’s been six days since my last post, but I feel like six months have passed. So many fun, beautiful, challenging, and funny moments have occurred in the last few days.
I finished the first week of classes and managed to be one of the few Study Abroad students who didn’t make any changes to my class schedule. Also, after only three hours of Introductory Lithuanian class and a few hours of practice on my own time, my Lithuanian is already improving quite a bit. Foreign languages have never come easily to me, but I think I might have success with this one! I am adjusting to all the other languages, too. At the beginning of the week, I found it very overwhelming to hear six, seven, or even more languages, none of them English, being used in one room. Now, I enjoy it. There is so much unity amidst all the diversity here. I love being immersed in so many cultures all at once. I have two roommates from Kaliningrad, Russia; one from Chicago, Illinois; and one from Wakonda, South Dakota. On my hall, there is a girl from Germany, a couple girls from other parts of Russia, one from Ukraine, a few kids from other parts of Lithuania, a girl from Dubai, a guy from Macedonia, my RA from Albania, a girl from California, a girl from Indiana, two girls from Connecticut, and a few kids that I don’t know what country they are from. Then there are my classes with students from Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Romania, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and all the countries also represented on my hall. It is amazing to walk into one of my classrooms and hear four or five conversations all taking place in different languages but then hear each person switch to English when class begins. It makes me wish I were fluent in multiple languages like them. On Friday, I went with my roommates, Pearl and Danielle, and another girl from our hall, Julia, to Akropolis (the big mall in Old Town Klaipėda) to get Italian gelato. I had never had gelato before so I was excited to try it. We walked all the way there and back, about 3.5 miles each way, in the freezing cold to get a frozen dessert. Yes, to most people, especially in the US, this was stupid and/or crazy… but the gelato was delicious! And, we had to walk around the mall for a while to warm up before we actually got our gelato, so with all our walking, we didn’t feel bad about eating it. However, when we got back to our rooms, our legs and faces were numb! It was a fun adventure though, definitely something I will remember from this semester! Yesterday, I went with a group of Study Abroad girls back down to Old Town, but not as far as Akropolis. We went to the Old Town Market with hopes of getting handmade wool socks, hats, and scarves. Unfortunately, none of us speak very much Lithuanian yet. So, we were not very successful. A couple girls ended up getting some things, but we decided we need to go back when we know more of the language. We might try to find a couple Lithuanian students to go with us to help translate, too. At one point, an elderly woman came up to a couple of us and started talking with us. She was very friendly and was trying to engage us in a conversation, but she only spoke Lithuanian and Russian. (“Aš kalbu lietuviškai ir rusiškai.” ... which means, “I speak Lithuanian and Russian.”) I understood that sentence. So we said, “Aš kalbu angliškai.” She looked so sad that we could not speak each other’s languages, but she still tried to talk with us for a few minutes. I appreciated her effort so much and did my best to understand what little bits I could and show her my desire to communicate with her in return. I wished so badly that I could talk with her in her own language! Though we never did understand everything she said, I felt like a meaningful exchange had taken place. After the market, we went to “Bandelės” (Lithuanian for “bun”), a pastry shop, and got some pastries. Lithuanian pastries are very different from American pastries. They are not nearly as sweet or buttery. Also, they have hundreds of different kinds here. Some have meat and/or cheese in them, some have spinach and cheese, some have fruit, some are caramel or cinnamon, some have cream, there are chocolate-filled ones (again, their chocolate has higher cocoa content so it is also less sweet), plus so many others. When I bought my pastries, I did my best to order entirely in Lithuanian, even though I knew the ladies behind the counter also spoke English. “Norėčiau vienas…” (“I would like one…”) I did pretty well, though I struggled to pronounce a couple of the words in the names of the pastries I got. They smiled big at my effort and laughed with me over my terrible American accent, then assisted me using both English and Lithuanian to help me understand. It was my second time going to this particular pastry shop. I enjoy it a lot and appreciate the kindness of the women who work there. I will definitely be visiting them many more times over the course of my time here. When we had all ordered our pastries, we took them down the street to a coffee shop called “The Coffee Inn” where we ordered warm drinks to help us thaw out while we spent some time just talking about our week. We discussed the things that have been the best and the ones that have been the most challenging so far. It was good to process these things with other American students. To end our Saturday morning adventures in Old Town, we went back into the cold in search of some good thrift shops. Lithuania has great thrift stores where you can find very nice clothing much cheaper than in “normal” stores. I found a tunic-style shirt, a pretty sweater, and a European-style sweater dress for 60 Litas total (breaks down to about $7.50 each). Brand new sweaters or dresses at a typical store here run something in the range of 80-140 Litas each. Since I was very limited in what I could pack, it made me pretty excited to have a few new things to add to my Lithuanian wardrobe! Now, I have fallen in love with this place and these people. Today, I attended “City Church”, a contemporary, nondenominational church here in Klaipėda. The congregation was so welcoming. As soon as we walked in the door, a woman greeted me with a Lithuanian welcome, a huge smile, and a warm hug. The two women who led worship had the most pure and gorgeous voices. The service was in Lithuanian, but English translation was provided. The system was actually pretty neat. One of the LCC professors spoke English into a headset from her seat as the pastor spoke. I was given a small device into which I plugged my own ear buds and was able to hear the professor speaking. The worship was all in Lithuanian, but they provided the English words at the bottom of the PowerPoint slides. However, I enjoyed singing along in Lithuanian. It amazed me how easily the words came to me as I joined in worship in a language which I barely know. I truly felt the Holy Spirit connecting us as the Body of Christ. It was beautiful and I couldn’t contain the smiles that came to my face. Another neat thing was that, at the end of the service, a woman announced that the Operation Christmas Child gifts had arrived from the United States. They are holding events on three Saturdays to give away all the shoeboxes to children of the congregation, the children in the orphanages, and children from the community. It warmed my heart to see this connection between “my” corner of the world and Lithuania. So, over the course of six days, a place that felt so distant to me has become so near. Though I am still on the opposite side of the globe from my home, family, friends, and church, I no longer feel so removed from “home”. I feel like a part of this place, and this place has become a part of me. Though I know there are still going to be ups and downs between now and May, I have this source of peace to keep in mind: God is evident here. I see His image in every person I meet here, no matter what country they come from or what language they speak. And thus, a big world suddenly becomes so small.
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Today was the first day of classes here at LCC. I only have two Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes, so it was not too overwhelming of a start for me. My first class was Neuropsychology. It was not bad today, but I have a feeling it will become very difficult as the semester goes on. Neuropsychology only lasts for seven weeks, then Behavioral Genetics Psychology takes its place. My other class today was Introductory Lithuanian I. This is going to be a fun class, though also very challenging. I am excited to learn more of the Lithuanian language and culture. Hopefully, it will help me get around a bit easier.
I have not started my work at the orphanage yet. Later this week, I will receive more information on that in my Cross-Cultural Seminar class. I also need to map out the bus route I will have to take… right now I have no idea! I am antsy to start with this, though. I can’t wait to spend time with all the babies and love on them as much as possible! Our roommates moved in yesterday, so we finally got to meet them! They are both from Russia… Kaliningrad to be more specific. It is the little “island” part of Russia that is surrounded by Lithuania, Poland, and the Baltic Sea. We talked with them for a little while last night. They asked us about our homes and what parts of the US we have visited. It is their dream to go to the US, but they said it is very difficult for Russians to get a visa into the United States. I told them about how it has been my dream to go to Russia since I was a little girl. It was interesting to see how we have “reverse” dreams, but I also felt humbled to know that my dreams are coming true while they have to work so hard for theirs, which may never be realized. I have an awesome story to share from Saturday night. Danielle (my roommate from Taylor University), Emma (a SALT student from Messiah College), Sarah (a German student), and I were all hanging out in the kitchen on our floor. We were talking about some of the differences between US culture and German culture. One of the topics led to them asking me a question that spurred me on to share my testimony. I was not expecting this at all, but I felt God tugging on me to be completely open with them, particularly Sarah. I talked about the things in my life that have built my faith and helped me trust God as my source of strength. After this, Sarah overflowed with questions. She asked us about faith, salvation, mercy, truth, why we believe our God is the One true God, forgiveness, purity, grace, and many other things. She said that she believes everything happens for a reason, and there is some “power” out there that makes things happen, but she doesn’t necessarily believe that “power” to be God. However, she also said she thinks she was brought back here (to LCC) for a reason. She goes to a university in Germany and was supposed to study abroad in Illinois this semester. After a summer program she attended here, she decided to come here for a semester instead of Illinois. She expressed how everyone from her home and university thought she was crazy for turning down a semester in the States and accepting a semester at a Christian university in Lithuania. Then she told us that she thought it was for a reason, and that maybe that reason was that she was supposed to become friends with us and talk to us about all these different questions. As we told her about our lives and how we came to have faith, she found it amazing that we could have so much trust in a God who we believed to be working in our lives but who we cannot prove to be present. I told her about how I still have doubts sometimes, but when I do, I think back on the times where I just knew God was with me or had done something for me… times when there is no other explanation but God. She still couldn’t grasp it, but I could see the “wheels” turning in her heart and mind. I am praying that conversations like these can continue to happen, and that God will open her heart and mind to the work of the Holy Spirit. Please join me in praying for this! I am doing well with taking each moment at a time and avoiding homesickness for the most part. I feel God strengthening me every time I ask Him to be with me. I am continuing to learn new things, as well. One little concern I have at the moment is that I am beginning to get a sore throat today. I have been drinking tea like never before and hope it does not get worse but that it goes away very quickly! May God continue to be at work in this place, giving me grace to carry on! It’s a short entry tonight but I am so excited to share some of the lessons God has been teaching me! I couldn’t wait to write about this so I had to do it tonight. As I was lying in bed last night, I started to think about what God has already been teaching me… today, these lessons became even more clear. Such a cool feeling!
Lesson 1: I MUST LIVE IN THE PRESENT. I am such a planner… I always like to figure out the future. God has been working on me for years trying to teach me to relax and let Him have the future. Well, He has brought me to a place where I have no choice. When I look to the future, I become overwhelmed and homesick. When I live in the moment, I experience more and am filled with joy! I’m still not very good at it, but I am working extra hard to take in one second at a time. Lesson 2: I MUST DEPEND ON HIM FOR STRENGTH. God is enough, and never too much. He is the One who gives me the strength to take each step one-by-one, and the One who will provide everything as I need. Though the people around me are a tool He uses to help me on this journey, they are not where my strength lies. Lesson 3: KEEP LOOKING OUT. When I start to look in on myself, that is when I start trying to figure out the future, seek to find strength within myself, and grow homesick. When I look out, I see God at work, experience all that He places in front of me, and find purpose in where I am at the current time. Along with these lessons, God blessed me with several people who gave me advice for overcoming homesickness today. I feel so much better tonight. However, I know that times of struggle with still come at different points thought my time here. But it is so wonderful to have these lessons to keep in mind. I continue to pray for strength and reminders of these truths when such struggles come. I know that many people have been waiting for an update... sorry it's been so long! I have been kept very busy so far. That has been a good thing for me though. Even with as busy as we have been, I keep getting homesick in the evenings. It seems like once the sun starts to set each day, I start to miss home. I hope these feelings start to pass very soon!
I spent Sunday and Monday in London. It was a really neat experience, and I got to see a lot, but I don’t think it was the wisest thing to do at the beginning of the semester. I was so overwhelmed and homesick that it took a lot of the excitement out of it. I have dreamed about going to London since I was little but while I was there I kept thinking, “This is overrated… it’s not that great.” I think it was just because I really wanted to go home. I did have fun though. I also took a lot of pictures (which will be posted soon… hopefully!). I went to Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Green Park, and Trafalgar Square. On Tuesday morning I flew to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. On the flight, I met another girl who is studying in the same study abroad program as me! In Vilnius, we met the rest of the SALT (Study Abroad Lithuania) group, although not everyone was here at that point. We had dinner at a traditional Lithuanian restaurant, which meant LOTS of potatoes. I had a potato pancake with pork inside. It was pretty good, but I have a feeling I will be tired of potatoes by the time I get home in May. We stayed in hostels in Vilnius since the university is actually in Klaipėda. My hostel was the “Doremi” (like the musical syllables do-re-mi), so it was all music themed. I enjoyed this time because it allowed me to get to know some of the other SALT students a lot more. On Wednesday, we went to the KGB museum, which was actually right across the street from our hostel. This was a shocking experience. The building is actually the same building occupied by KGB, Nazis, and Gestapo, and was used as a prison and location for interrogation/torture. The KGB moved out in 1991 and the building was turned into a museum in 1992, so it was kept just like the KGB left it. Our guide told us about things that happened there and it felt weird to know I was standing in the very place where many “freedom fighters” lost their lives. After the museum, we took a walking tour of Old Town Vilnius. It is a beautiful city! The old architecture is so fascinating. At dinner, I was able to meet even more of the SALT students who had just arrived that day. I met sever students from Taylor University. This made me happy because it felt like a little piece of home. I hope to become good friends with them. Today, we left Vilnius for Klaipėda. On the way, we stopped at Trakai, and old castle in northern Vilnius. This looked a lot like what I picture in my head when I think of a castle. It had a moat (drained) and everything. We also walked around Trakai a little and got lunch. Trakai is a cute little village full of small, colorful houses. It lies on the edge of a large lake. Now I am at LCC. It feels nice to be in my room and unpacked, though I had another wave of homesickness just a little bit ago. :( The room is much different than most dorm rooms, but it’s pretty nice (pictures coming soon). I have 2 SALT students in my room and 2 European roommates. The European students haven’t moved back yet, so I have not met them. It will be interesting when classes start on Monday. I’m hoping they will help me get in a groove so I don’t miss home so much. I am also excited to start working at the orphanage. I can’t wait to love on all those little babies! While home is receiving record low temperatures and lots of snow, Lithuania is receiving abnormal high temperatures and lots of rain. Normally, I like rain, but now I am tired of it. It has rained everyday since I left home, in London and Lithuania. I think my waterproof coat was one of the best pre-departure purchases I made. In London, I bought a waterproof messenger bag… the second best purchase! Well, I hope to write more, and post pictures, in the next 2 or 3 days. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, especially praying for strength, peace, and perseverance! Here I am. Send me. (Isaiah 6:8) It’s the end of the beginning! Today is the day I leave my home campus of Indiana Wesleyan University and embark on the next stage of preparation for Lithuania. I wanted to write this first entry today to express all the thoughts and feelings I have during this time of transition.
The last few days have been incredible… such a blessing! God has truly made Himself evident to me. This semester has been full of challenges, frustration, tears, and sleepless nights. It’s been one of those times in life when I am thankful for the lessons, but I wish I could learn without experiencing all the growing pains. As a result of all the low points, I have really been able to feel God’s presence, especially during the last week and a half. At the beginning of the semester, I felt lonely, unimportant, and inadequate. Last night, I smiled inside as I realized how God has been answering my sorrowful prayers of heartache.
So, the end of the semester has turned out to be bitter-sweet. The day that I thought I couldn’t wait for no longer seems so appealing. However, I know that what lies ahead is much bigger than me. This semester has served as a tool in God’s hand to help prepare me for the next four months. As I pack up to head home, I am reminded that there is still much to learn and accomplish before I board that plane in January. May God give me the grace, peace, strength, and courage to continue! |
AuthorHi, I'm Katie... just a girl, living this adventure for the glory of God. Thanks for reading! Archives
December 2020
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