Summer in Georgia

So...this doesn't necessarily show what my summer here in Georgia is like, actually...not at all. I saw ice in drinks at the beginning of the video!, where's the animal slaughter?, or the marshutkas filled with 26 people when it has seats for only 18!?  Haha, but they do make Georgia look pretty good. I gotta admit. Anybody want to come visit?

Hello? Anybody?

My 1 minute and 19 seconds of fame

Last March, a couple of volunteers and myself were asked to be interviewed and photographed for Peace Corps Washington D.C.'s marketing department. The video interviews were about an hour and a half long, and they asked questions regarding practically every aspect of your service. Then I guess when they finally start cutting the footage they pick a certain a theme they want to portray and stick with that. My theme apparently was 'How Peace Corps trained me to become prepared for my service', which is unfortunate because I feel like other parts of my interview were much better...hahah. Oh well. So...finally my video is edited, and even though I look goofy it's cool to be a part of Peace Corps' archives (Who Volunteers?). I could only find my video and another couple who are volunteering in the city of Rustavi here, but hopefully I'll be able to get the others and add them later.

And I guess I'm 26 years old now?

One

Whoa…I have lived in Georgia for exactly a year from today.

I can’t believe it.

Looking back on my first blog post and remembering all the worries and apprehensions about coming here reminds me how much I have learned and seen in my 1st year: I can now speak Georgian (I still use the term ‘speak’ loosely, but am at least able to finally get my points across to them now), I can also read and write in Georgian, I have made great friends both with fellow volunteers and with host country nationals, I’ve participated in several events and helped out with local and community projects, I’ve written a successful grant for my organization and plan on writing several more, I've traveled the country and seen things that date back hundreds and hundreds of years, and I have my sights set on many exciting and up coming projects…

I always think back on the daily devotion I read the day I departed for Georgia exactly 1 year ago, feeling that it spoke directly to me:

June 15^th

God’s Road Map

I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. Deuteronomy 29:5

If we are honest, most of us will admit that we can deal with things that have a precedent, but walking into uncharted territory provokes fear. It is awesome to consider the thoughts that can fill our minds as we look into a future for which we have no road map. There are some things that God used to strengthen His people, and these things are available to us today as we face our challenges as well…’

As much as it was exciting and invigorating to start a new job in a country I knew nothing about and to learn, live, and help the peoples of that nation…it was still extremely nerve-wracking. But, It's comforting to know God is watching and helping you to brave through the unknown if you simply just trust in Him. So, having survived the first year, I feel so comfortable with life here and hope to use the skills I have obtained to further my work and make the next year just as great…if not better than the first.