Life and Times of Manny and Eric

I thought some of you may have been wondering how Manny (the other student missionary here) and I have been getting along here.
I was finishing my third month when he arrived and he's already been here two. It has been a real blessing to have a companion especially
in tasks like market shopping and traveling. The culture study definitely is much better with his help. We have accompanied each other to markets
and next week to a small village for more studying. It has almost been my privilege to help him learn the language and teach him how
to do this and that in this culture. While it would have been nice for him to be here from the beginning. It was an advantage that I learned
the ropes and now can pass it on to him. He also helped me gain perspective as I look at the society here. His fresh ideas and suggestions
are great. Indeed I am more of a thinker and Manny is a bit more of a get it done person. So working together we can make great decisions.
The challenge has been learning to live together, cooking is the main thing. I had been on my own three months and the three years before that
at high school and college. Sure I lived with a roommate, but you do not have to work your schedule around each other, you eat when you want
and such. Here we take every other day to cook and then the days you don't cook you do dishes. It has worked out nice, but it has challenged me.
If I go someone I let him know, or if it's market day we have to plan when we will both be available to go. I have much more respect for marriages
now let me tell you that, especially in my case food is really our only common point, in the sense of working it out together (for the most part), but a
marriage encompasses your entire life. It's a good perspective to have, especially here the ideas on relationships and marriage are not
that great (very loose you could say) and thus being a youth leader, I am to train them on these things for the most part! In conclusions,
Manny and I are getting along well, and we both know without doubt God brought us here and is using us greatly! That's the most important part.