Back In The States....and trying to adjust

Well, you can probably tell that we have been a bit busy the last several weeks.  We returned to the US in mid-May and since then have been running around to various meetings.  Seeing so many family and friends has been a huge blessing.  But coming back to the States is not without an element of culture shock.  Probably the biggest eye-opener to us is how convenient everything in the States seems to be.  In fact, I received an email from a friend in South Africa stating that they are now beginning to install drive-up ATM's there, something that Americans have enjoyed for well over a decade now.  In fact, the idea is so new to South Africans that they had to post instructions.  It goes something like this:

MALE PROCEDURE

1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.

FEMALE PROCEDURE

1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with
the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate
card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its
excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the
inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back
of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the
slot provided.
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.

I'll try to post a bit more regularly as we continue our travels here in the US.  Thanks for your prayers for our family and for the ongoing ministry at Restoring Hope Village.