Why am I here?

Dearest Persons,

I learned a lot today. We met with two different government officials here in Egypt and I feel like I learned more about this region and politics and history and religion and conflict in such a short amount of time than I have in all of my life studying history in school. (Probably because I've never really paid attention.) At the same time I feel incredibly inadequate. If you know me well you know I've always hated history and have never been interested in politics... as I sat there today I felt so privileged to be in the room with the other students, and yet so out of place. I could list for you at least 15 solid people right now that love history and politics and would be so much better at this than me, and I don't quite understand my role here in this region. How did I get here and why am I intensely studying politics, history and religion when I have never seemed to care before? I can definitely feel myself growing and being stretched and I know that God is using this to work in my life... I can feel him asking me, "Kara, are you ready to be obedient and learn what I want to teach you?" And I want to say yes... yet staying in my little boat sounds so much more comfortable and less shattering. (Boat reference to that very first blog entry while I was still in the States.) But I do not want to stay in the boat... so I guess I'm jumping into a tidal wave. I already feel like my core is starting to be challenged and questioned and I'm a little apprehensive, but I'm trusting that as I pursue a passion for politics, religion and history that I will become a better and fuller person and Christian and maybe make a difference in this world! :)

So wanna hear a funny slash not funny story? I took a shower last night without my eyes in... no glasses or contacts... and I TOTALLY wiped out in the tub. :) LOL. Well, I guess it's not really funny but I totally knocked over all of our shelves and landed under the water as it just poured out on me and I couldn't quite turn it off. It's a bit painful today but it definitely made for a good laugh. (Oh and I am perfectly fine by the way... I don't think I even have a bruise!)

Y'all should be really proud of me. I ate a WHOLE piece of fish today!! Every last bit... and it was GOOD!! I'm learning. I've always liked the smell but could never stand the taste... but I feel like the day is coming where I will not be afraid of fish anymore!! (That is choking on a fishbone and dying thus I avoid eating the stuff.)

I went grocery shopping today and spent a fourth of my weekly food allowance on peanut butter. Just one jar... isn't that crazy? I justified it in that I can use it for more than one meal and hopefully several weeks. I just thought about it as I was putting my food away and am awed that it was so expensive... which really is the same as in the States for a jar of peanut butter... here everything is way less and so peanut butter stands out. Can't wait to eat it though!

Welpers, it's time for me to retire for the night as I have service projects in the morning... Pray for me... I'm teaching an English Conversation class to Egyptian Adults tomorrow afternoon and I am TERRIFIED!! :) But it'll be fun.

I love you much!
In His Mighty Grip,
Kara Joy
*Matthew 5:6*