Sungai Ara and Bandar Seri Begawan

Tomorrow will find us driving around the hills to the other side of the island to attend church. Ben will be preaching at Sungai Ara Christian Centre. Two weeks from today we will leave for Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan) to serve at a church where we have been several times before. Really looking forward to that and seeing friends again.

The Every Day of Schooling and Markets and Swimming

I find Malaysia a very social place. When we go to the market the man that sells rice cakes remembers me from 3 years ago and even remembers which rice cakes we like. The lady at the fruit stand remembers that we (Mariah and I ) like durian. The man that sells pork asks me where I've been so long, and the lady from the outdoor restaurant where we like to eat remembers all the kids and what we like to eat. (and she invited us to her wedding)! That's just the way things are here in Malaysia- If you are willing as a foreigner to adapt to the lifestyle and make friends and eat the local food, people will enjoy your company. Of course the lovely, balmy, hair-curling weather also contribute to socializing year-round.

Even though we are on the same island as we used to live, we do not live in the same neighborhood or town, so we haven't been able to see old friends on a daily basis. However, we've enjoyed meeting new people and being in the area where we are.

We haven't eaten at this place yet. What do you think? Would you try it? I hadn't seen this place before and we had to confirm with the chinese gentleman that it was actually made with real frogs, which he confirmed.

Waving palm trees, ocean waves within view, and sticky hot weather aren't really good motivators for studying. We experienced some rebellion with that this week. I'm thankful for those ladies that said they would pray for my patience level as we attempt do a semester of school here.