Hi Everyone!

I am half packed and almost ready to go. There are only three days left of school, and my time here is coming to a close. It is hard to believe that almost a year ago today I accepted the position here, and began to conceptualize this journey to Bangladesh.

I have learned a lot here. Things that only living here will teach. I am looking forward to the journey home and all the possibilities that come with that. One thing I do know for sure is that no matter where you are on the globe, it is your friends who make your home. I have met some amazing people here who have helped me, who have laughed with me, and who have cried with me. I have taught some lovely children, who have inspired me to stay young. Most importantly, I have really learned more about the heart of God, as I have more openly needed Him more than I ever have previously during this year.

No matter who we are in life, no matter our stature or job, our skin color, or our residence, we all come to a point where we need to say goodbye.

As my final days wind down, I am going to sign off on my year long blog, and call this my final post. I thank you so much to those who have stayed with me and prayed for me. For those who read my little posts and care about me. I have needed you here, I still do, and I appreciate it.

Please continue to pray for my return, as it has many mountains for me to face, and many unknowns that I am praying hard for God to work out in His way.

Thank you for reading, may the Lord keep you and Guide you all the days of your life.

Serving Him in Bangladesh,

Cori

Hello Everyone,

A last weekend I took a solo trip out to Cox's Bazar. It is said to be the longest natural beach in the world, and I wanted to see it before I left. It is located on the Bay of Bengal as shown here in the picture!

The trip itself was not the best, to be honest, as I rather scarily took a Bengali local bus alone at night, both ways, and was the only woman aboard each time. There were a few incidents I won't mention here...but overall I did see the beach, and I have some pictures. Want to hear the whole story? I'll be home in 10 days.

Talk to you all soon, only a few more posts before I head out, thanks to many of you for your prayers...

In Christ,

Cori

Hi Everyone,

I felt like writing just a small post to say that I have hit the point of less than 20 days left here in Dhaka. It is so hard to believe. I am starting to do things for the last time, and beginning to reflect on that. It is funny to realize, that no matter where you are, it is your friends who make your world. I will really miss the people here.

I just finished lunch with my Korean roommate, it may be the last lunch we have together until we are worshiping God in heaven together. It is a sweet thought to realize I will spend eternity with these other Christians, yet still sad to see them go.

I am leaving for the weekend alone to Cox's Bazaar and will write more then.

In Christ,

Corinne

Hi Everyone!

Just this last weekend I had a chance to visit the Dhaka Zoo! Although it was a bit sad to see, as they have over 15 animal deaths this year due to the corruption (staff stealing money and food rather than feeding the animals, and I believe the latest giraffe death was due to a live electrical wire hitting the cage), however, I was able to snap a few photos of the animals that were there. This consisted of several monkeys (no pictures necessary as they are often also found outside our windows and roaming the streets), two bengali tigers, a leopard, a lion, and a crocodile. Notice the water surrounding the crocodile is an awkward green color. It was actually quite sad how small the cages were and how skinny the animals were. Nonetheless, the tiger was eating when we were there, so he was being fed.

Only a few weeks left here in Dhaka, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

In Christ's love,

Cori

These last few weeks I have been trying to get myself ready to come home.
It is very hard to believe that I only have 30 days left here...

Nonetheless, I had a chance to visit some of the markets again here, one of which is called New Market.  This is a place where stall-like shops span several blocks and you literally can find anything you want if you are willing to search, and bargain.

On the right I am standing in the Sari part of the market, where you can purchase the sari material (usually 100% hand woven silks) for about 200 tk (usually around 6-7 yards), which is about 3 USD.  It is a wonderful experience full of color and culture.  Most people are excited to see foreigners there (usually because we will pay more), and are therefore quite helpful.  Although you have to be a little more careful with your belongings in such a market, it is still a great experience to see.  I have a few more pictures posted here below.

Overall, I am starting to wrap up here in Bangladesh, I have started packing (to see if it will all fit!), and have started organizing my notes and lesson plans for the next teachers.  I really cannot believe a year has passed.  It was almost exactly 1 year ago that I really began the process of telling people I was moving here, and now I am preparing to come home.

I will save most of my reflections for later, but for now, enjoy some pictures!  I have appreciated your prayers during these tough semesters, and I am looking forward to sharing stories and pictures when I am home.

Serving Him in Dhaka,

Corinne

Everyday, every morning, I walk into my Year 7 classroom and my heart is lifted when I say 3 little words... "Good morning everyone!"

They all immediately yell at me in their loudest voices, sometimes nearly bowling me over  "GOOD MORNING MISS CORINNE!!!"

It makes my day.  I am immediately cheered up, picked up, and lifted....to be honest, I need it most days.

It got me thinking...most of the time, in the last few months especially, I haven't been enjoying those little things... I have been so focused on the future and what is going to happen that I have been completely missing the present.   So many times I have looked forward to "when things are better" or "once this is over" or "once I can have my Starbucks coffee..." that I have missed so so so many things here.  It actually makes me sad to think about.

These last months I have much to be thankful for.  Faithful friends who have prayed, and a faithful God who hasn't left me.

God says in Matthew 6:34:


"Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof"

God says, What are you doing!!!!? Don't BOTHER worrying about tomorrow, don't you have ENOUGH for today?  ...... He is right....

...

Yesterday on my way home I saw a woman who had just been hit by a car or CNG or something....she was laying just off to the side of the road in the gutter, while her son, perhaps around 8 or 9 years old was screaming and screaming next to her....no one stopped, no one turned their heads.....no one shuttered....

We have no IDEA what is going to happen to us, not a clue, let's face it...we have enough to worry about with today don't we?   I know I have heaven to look forward to, and that is the one thing that God promises us, that there will come a day, when each and every one of us will go to one of two places, heaven, or hell.  I don't know what will happen tomorrow, or even 5 minutes from now... someone could call me and I could proceed to spill my well brewed coffee all over this MAC and my post could end here, ...but we do know one thing.... God has reserved a place for us in heaven....

So then I leave you with this for now:

John 14: 1-3.. Jesus says:


"Let not your heart be troubled:  you believe in God, and believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also"


Thank you for your prayers,

Cori

Today Bangladesh celebrated Pohela Boishakh, which had the city draped in colorful flags and it's people in traditional red and white sarees.  There were many celebrations included in the day, including a New Year parade, a food festival, and traditional Bengali songs and dances being performed in most of the parks.  Most celebrations started on the 13th of April and continued on until today.

It was interesting to see how Bangaldesh celebrates, people all dressed up, places with nice lights and banners... very similar to the west.  Here at school we had a day off to celebrate, yet most students still showed up today in red and white sarees. 

Lately school has been going well but has been quite busy.  I apologize for the lack of updates, but ensure you that I am enjoying my time here serving Him who sent me.  I look forward to finishing the year, and being able to look back and appreciate how good God has been this year.

See you all soon, 7 weeks to go,

In Christ,
Corinne