I think Sabbath was the most difficult and intense day so far. There was a lot that went on, and it kind of all just piled up. We left for church at 9:15AM and the service went on for 2 hours. The service itself was fine. The praise team did something interesting by singing the song in English and Finnish. They would switch languages every once in a while. I thought that was a very unique way to include everyone. After the service, they had sabbath school, which I did not end up attending. The chairs they have had sides so you are forced to sit upright, and that just did not agree with me. Instead, I went and helped roll up silverware for the potluck.
After church, we went on a walk through a park. It was a beautiful park and I wouldn’t mind going again. Part of it was on the water and there was a deck that also had some diving platforms. It would be fun to come back sometime, in swim clothes instead of church clothes though. We also saw a really cool, big, rock that was eroded in such a way that it is just like a big hole in the ground.
We were told, however, that it would be a “short” walk. I believe we may have different definitions of “short”. It was a 6,000-step walk. What that is in kilometres, I have no idea, but it felt very long, and I did not feel great by the end. My joints today are suffering 🙁
Getting back to the house after that, I think, is the first time I have felt homesick since getting here. Back home, when we are done at church and get home, the house is always filled with sounds of people playing video games and *usually* happy screaming. It was really weird for that not to be the case when we got back. Everything here is so orderly, and I miss the chaos of home.
Later in the evening, we had all the girls come to our house, where there were probably 20 of us. We just went around and shared how we were doing, and we had a lot of people share their stories about how they ended up at ARISE. For only knowing these people for less than a week, it was surprisingly emotional and deep. It was good though and I look forward to how these relationships will evolve over the next 3 months
We ended around midnight and that was my first Sabbath here.
3 Responses to “Sabbath”
Oh Ah!💜💜💜 I love your perspectives and what you are already taking in. I can hear your voice in your entries🩷🌸
It does truly look Muskoka-ish! Find a photo of the tallest tree if you can.
Sabbath sounded wonderful, and knowing His daughter, God flooded your home with heart felt noise.
Praying over you, beautiful.
Ahnikha, you tired me out with your telling of your Sabbath Day. Round the clock busyness one has to be young for. You are blessed to have a family back home that you miss and I know that they miss you too. Am looking forward to your next blog. Stay safe.
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but if you can avoid spending too much time talking to people at home, on the phone or texting/video chatting and really focus on building those budding relationships, you’ll have an easier time with the homesickness in the long run. Being away from home for the first time is haaaaaard
Sending love!