Living with 60 people this month and even reflecting on moments from last month, there have been various opportunities that small annoyances presented themselves. Hopefully this list doesn’t seem too whiney but just thinking of examples (with the help of teammates), I wanted to share. As you read, keep in mind, some of these things present themselves together!
Frustrations on the race include, but are not limited to:
– Having lodging expectations then learning you’re assigned to your tent in an area full of cobwebs & dead centipedes
– Kids pulling your hair in 3 different directions, I mean braiding and putting beautiful twists
– Scheduling and transportation miscommunication, “Africa time”
– Rotten eggs sprouting maggots in the pantry
– Dinner sliding off the table because a table leg collapsed
– People not cleaning their toothpaste out of the sink
– Cluttered common areas
– Others’ music taking over yours
– Only having 15 minutes of wifi
– Dirt. On. Everything.
– Coordinating your quiet times with everything else that needs to happen in a day
– Every noise at night/early morning: squeaky sleeping pads in night squirming, people up talking, dogs barking, roosters crowing, trucks on the freeway, military chants
– Hot day, cold day, hot day, cold day (sweaty sleep vs great sleep)
– Getting switched ministry sites more than half way through the month
– Not pulling enough cash out for the month and debating if the $5 ATM fee is worth it
– Biting my tongue when I want to be sassy
– Imbalanced hormones from being with 50 other women
– Wads of hair and mud in the shower
– Hair in the kitchen or in food, somehow
– Uniform friends, I understand your pain being required to wear a skirt every day
– Wanting to go on a walk/run but no one else does & we’re not suppose to leave the base alone
– When your shower water supply is connected to another source such as: the kitchen sink or water pump outside
There will probably be more, but let’s stop there…
When these things happen, it can so quickly affect your mood. But here is what I’ve learned. I HAVE A CHOICE. I can let my anger fester, grow, and “ruin” my entire day. Or I can turn to Jesus in these moments and ask for patience, peace, and grace. Seems easy, but at times it is tough. Many people do not understand the power Jesus has to instantly change your emotions if you just ask. We live in a culture that justifies pouting, ensuring you get your way or that everything should be “fair”. But guess what? That’s a lie. Do you perceive yourself as the victim in these situations and get frustrated with the things affecting you? Or do you accept these things as they happen and instead focus on the things you can have an impact on?
I am mostly writing this blog to myself. I am sure I will need to reflect on in many times in the 9 months to come (yeah, thats right, almost another month in!). I also wanted to be vulnerable with struggles. In all of this, prayers for emotions and attitudes for myself, teammates, squad mates, hosts, leaders, etc. would be graciously accepted.
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Chist that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
We will be at our next ministry in Pretoria, South Africa sometime toward the end of next week. I will post another blog about our time here in Swaziland and pictures then!
