First Impressions

As of today I have been here in Tbilisi for two whole weeks and I can't believe it's been that long already. Time seems to fly past and creep along at the same time.

For a brief recap of everything. I arrived three weeks ago, not knowing really what to expect. I left my mom at the airport in Philadelphia and after 14 hours in the air I arrived here. Sadly the same could not be said for my luggage. As far as I can make out, the second of my two bags missed the transfer in NYC. Though it eventually caught up with me, standing at that luggage belt waiting and waiting and seeing nothing more coming my way induced a mild sense of panic. It didn't help that I was on one side of the customs glass and my host family and the school director were on the other side waiting for me as I paced back and forth hoping that my bag would miraculously turn up. Try as I might, I greeted my new family, the school director and the vice principal in tears.

One might think that this all would seem to point to a grim beginning but the Lord is good and he provides abundantly. I have literally been adopted by my host family here. I can't imagine what I would do without them. Tamaz and Eka have taken me into their home with such open arms that I am daily in awe of them. Nino is my new "kid sister" and friend. I would be lost without her. Beka is my new brother. His English isn't very good, but if I speak slowly with him, he can get most of what I say.

As far as the school goes, I really like it. It's going to be hard work I can tell, but then I was looking for a challenge so I can't complain. Like my host family, they have opened up the floodgates to the seemingly unending Georgian hospitality and I find myself quite at home already. We shall see what the year brings.

I've started my Georgian lessons at the school! As of today I know 27 of the 33 letters in the Georgian alphabet and about as many words. But still I am starting to get the gist of conversations from the few words that I do know. I can't respond, but it's a start. My favorite time of the day is the time when Nana, Mariana, Valeri and I trot off down the hall to an empty classroom and delve into the next Georgian lesson. I feel like the 1st graders that I teach...sounding out each word is a struggle but it is so exhilarating to be reading words from a new alphabet!

Overall, so far so good. I am so thankful that I am here and I find myself eagerly anticipating what the year has in store.