Desert Life

Today makes one week since I departed New Orleans for Abu Dhabi! Today is also the first day of my stay in the third hotel since my arrival. I am now in the community of where I will be living and teaching. For those of you who googled to find pictures of where I would living in Abu Dhabi, you can delete those images from your phone and your mind! :-)

My view from my first hotel in Abu Dhabi. The city life!

That is not where I will be living. As I stated in my first blog, I am located in the western region of Abu Dhabi, which is far removed from the city life! I am literally living the "desert life". The picture below is from my first trip from the western region back to the city. As you can see in the picture, there is lots of sand and very little greenery. This is a just an example of my current surroundings.

A view from my current location.

If you noticed the sign on the window (of the bus) it reads "Ladies Only". This sign was on the first two rows of the bus to let passengers know that only ladies are to sit at the front of the buses. As I got on the bus, I didn't notice the sign, and was headed further to the back to sit, until a male passenger directed me to the front seats. Just another adjustment to this life!

Today I also received my keys to my new home away from home! I'm looking forward to moving in by the end of this week. The area I live is very quiet and rural, so there's not much going on. However, it's where I believe I am supposed to be and for that reason I am content.

In my previous blog, I mentioned that I see God's hand in my placement. I truly believe that my placement is a divine appointment. As I sat in the teacher orientation on last Monday, I saw faces of people from the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada! All of them here for the reason of teaching Arab children. As I sat there, I wondered how many of them believed they were here on purpose like myself! Of the hundreds of teachers that were sent to teach in Abu Dhabi this term, only two of us have been sent to this VERY REMOTE area (more details to come later). Actually, there were three of us, but one lady was resistant to her appointment to this area and initially decided not to come. The two of us who did come, realize that God has a greater purpose for sending us here. I am reminded of the scripture Matthew 22:14 that says "For many are called, but few are chosen." I know I have been "chosen" by God to be in this place!

Below is a picture of the two of us (from group two) who were sent to this region together. We live in the same complex, and will be teaching at the same school. We both share some similarities in our life stories. Also, she is a real CERTIFIED hairstylist! Yes, God gave me my own personal hairstylist even in this remote area of Abu Dhabi to help me maintain my new cut and style! Isn't that amazing!!!! Oh, how He loves me!

My new sister/friend and hairstylist, Shina

Tomorrow is the first day back to school for the teachers. Yes, tomorrow is Sunday! The work week here is Sunday through Thursday, and the weekend is Friday and Saturday! This is my first time in my 23 years as a teacher ever having to go to school on a Sunday, but I'm looking forward to getting started with my reason for being here...teaching! Although I'm still not sure of God's purpose for sending me to this part of Abu Dhabi, I know that my assignment/mission here is a great one! I'm excited about what's to come and to see God's hands continue to orchestrate my path! Thanks for your continued love, support, and prayers! I will continue to walk by faith!

I am His,
Faith Walker

My Transition to Abu Dhabi

Written Saturday, August 13, 2016
As I sit here in Chicago on the plane waiting to depart for Abu Dhabi, I am filled with thoughts of God's plans for me in this next step of my journey! The past few days have been a test of my patience with actually getting to this point.

On Wednesday, August 10th, I received an email saying my flight for Thursday, Aug. 11th had to be rescheduled due to overbooking.  At that time, I was scheduled to depart on Friday (Aug. 12th).  On Friday I arrived at the airport and boarded the plane to Dallas, Texas; after about 30 minutes of sitting on the plane, we were told we had to get off the plane and wait about 90 minutes to depart due to bad weather conditions in Dallas.  After being off the plane about an hour, we were then told the flight had been cancelled and we would have to go to the ticket desk to receive a new itinerary and departure flight. This meant I had to spend the night in New Orleans and leave out the next day, (today, Aug. 13th).

So here I am finally headed to the destination of my next assignment/mission.  I'm reminded about the story (in Daniel chapter 10) of when Daniel prayed and he didn't receive his answer until about 24 days later (thanks to my Pastor Mike Newcomb for the recent reminder) from the angel who said God had sent him immediately when Daniel first prayed, but the angel had been held up.  Like Daniel, I too have been praying about some things and waiting for the answers.  I'm believing this step in my journey is going to activate some things that has been held up.  I'm believing I am about to receive some answers to some prayers I have prayed (more than 24 days ago)! I'm believing God has some great things He's about to release in my life! I'm excited about God's plans and purpose for sending me to Abu Dhabi! For those of you who don't quite understand why I'm actually going, just know that God is in control and His purpose will be revealed in His time. Side note: Teaching is my reason, not my purpose! I know God has a greater purpose! He always does!

Thanks again for all the prayers, love, and support! I love each of you and thank God for my eternal connections!
I am His,
Faith Walker

Abu Dhabi here I come!

Written: Monday, August 15
First day/night in Abu Dhabi...

I arrived in Abu Dhabi about 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, August 14th. After getting settled into my hotel accomodations it was time to find something to eat! So, a new friend and I decided to go to the Abu Dhabi mall and find the food court to see if we could find something we might like to eat! And what do we find....a Popeyes in Abu Dhabi! Yes!!!!!! God is good in Abu Dhabi too!!! So my first meal in Abu Dhabi was some good ole fried chicken just like back home! 

Love that chicken from Popeyes

Teacher Orientation (today, Monday, August 15th) 

Although we missed some orientation things on Sunday due to our late arrival, today was the first official day of orientation. We were greeted by the General Director of the Abu Dhabi Educational Council. He began his speech speaking in the Arabic language, which was a sort of a culture shock of being the foreigner in a country. I couldn't help but think that this is what it feels like for foreigners who come to the U.S. His speech was very encouraging and inspirational (and yes, he was a muslim). 

Today I also received my school placement. I am one of the few people who have been chosen to be placed in the western region of Abu Dhabi.  This region has been described as being a VERY REMOTE REGION. The support team members were very delicate in telling us about the region and encouraging us to be open minded about what we might experience in this particular location that is far removed from the city of Abu Dhabi. One of the support personnel told us that it won't be strange to see a camel on the back of a truck because it may be a family's pet! Yes indeed!!! I see God's hand in my placement! I'm so excited and looking forward to what's to come! 

My FAITH is greater than any fear!
#pursuingpurpose
#chasingdestiny
#walkingbyfaith
 I am His!