ready for the one month update?

It’s been a month since I arrived here in Macau and most of it has seemed to fly right by! A few days ago I found myself giving someone directions on which buses would take them where and I realized that yes, in many ways I am at home here. I do miss things like sandwiches (they don't really believe in bread here) and I miss the stars (too much light pollution- and other pollution too for that matter), but I am getting by with watching the bright city lights, eating dumplings and using chopsticks.
Life is starting to fall into more of a pattern here, admittedly a somewhat patchworked pattern that changes at times... I am taking Cantonese classes twice a week (and still trying to figure out the six major tones, suddenly Mandarin with only four tones is looking downright easy) and I am working with the school debate team and a literature translation class. The rest of my time is spent helping with the Xinjian students and various projects and classes as needed, and that all keep me busy as well.
Life is not all work and no play though! Recent adventures have include visiting Zhuhai in mainland China (a fifteen minute bus ride away) and braving the pushy salespeople there, venturing over the waters by ferry to visit Hong Kong for a fancy American Consulate dinner consisting of 13 courses, booking airline tickets and planning a trip to Singapore for this next weekend (and learning that chewing gum is illegal there so to leave it at home), watching Macau’s international firework competition, visiting museums, hunting for traditional tea shops, and trying countless and nameless foods of every shape, size and color. So far as daily life goes, I am enjoying hanging out with my apartment mates Allison and Hannah, I have found a few places to go running, I have acquired a guitar with which I can play worship songs and try to not forget everything I know, and I have been enjoying spending time with God and learning how He is faithful and our shelter wherever we may be. He is good and His love endures forever! May He be glorified. Amen.
So yes, to those of you who have asked, things are going well at this end of the world! I have more stories and I’m sure you do too, so send me a note if you want to know more and I would love to hear what you are up to as well! I miss all of your lovely faces, but as time has already been flying by I know I will see you all soon :) I hope you are all doing well!

Love always,
or as they often say here: Thank you for your kind attention,
-Bethany


pictures: a street shrine, traditional tea shop, two views from Caloane village, the Macau tower