Bangladesh Update #3

Well this is my 3rd week in Bangladesh and enjoying every minute of it. We were originally going to head to the hilltracks area after our 3 weeks in Cox's Bazaar but due to political unrest we are not able to. But the Lord always has a plan and alternate plans were made with ease. We will now be heading to Kolna which is by Dhaka for a week then to another village in the area where we will be pioneering ministry for a week. Then an extra week added to our stay in Dhaka. Christmas here was hard being away from family but good. For New Years Eve we had a party in our hotel with way to much caffeine and sugar! There was a party/concert on the beach by our hotel but it was to crazy for us. At midnight they set fireworks off on the beach which we could see from our balcony, then we went to bed. We were in bed for maybe 20 minutes then we heard loud bands and saw brights lights, after going back to our balcony we found out that our hotel was setting off more fireworks from the parking lot a short distance from our room! We have such a variety of ministry here that no day is ever the same. We have visited quite a few Buddhist and Hindu temples were we do pray walks. It is crazy how big these temples are and how ornate their sculptures are. We continue to do a lot with kids here as they love to hang out with us even just walking down the street. We have found a KFC near our hotel that serves legit milkshakes, everywhere else it's funny tasting milk with flavouring. We have made a few trips there on free afternoon. A group of us were stopped on the street and filmed for national television, it was quite ridiculous with not understanding their English and trying to answer their questions. Over New Years Eve I realized this year has been a year with a lot of firsts. First year with out Dad first father's day without Dad my first birthday without Dad first time in Maui first time having roommates first time opening up after Dad died first time being an adult First time in Bangladesh /Asia first Christmas and New Years Eve away from home and without Dad and the first year Dad is free from all pain and suffering. I am thankful for this year, a year that has been a tough year but a year that has stretched and grown me so much. So much that sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder what happened and how it happened in such a short time. I know this trip will continue to stretch and grow me and I take every opportunity to try something new. I hope you all have a great new year! Thank you for all your prayer and support! Love Melissa