Consumed by confusion and frustration during the early part of
Peru, I had to make a change and pro-actively seek a new attitude and answers to my questions.
The breakthrough I experienced looked nothing like I ever would have imagined.
I pictured it would happen in the mountains away from everything, a place to see and hear God with no distractions.
The mountains were an amazing experience but, not the breakthrough I was waiting for.
God showed me that He can use the very place I am, the same place of my frustration and anxiety to provide fresh air and an ear to ear smile.
As we were setting up for our children’s festival in the park the question; “Will anybody be a clown?” echoed through the noisy park, like an empty canyon.
I came here to be stretched and pulled away from my comfort zone so I made the move and spoke up.
15 minutes later, my face was painted with metalics, I had a RED nose, matching suspenders and Katie, Eric and I were dancing in the center of the program like a bunch of crazies.
The children were a little hesitant to trust crazy gringos with red noses, but after a couple cartwheels and a game of leap frog, we had more friends than we knew what to do with.
The very moment that all my pride was set aside, I was able to love unconditionally.
It was the first night that I was almost too tired to walk home and still felt more joy than any other time. My spirit was awakened and I was able to see color in a black and white world.
I am unable however, to pretend that things were perfect after that.
The very next morning I woke up to maggots in the house from the mountain of garbage in the kitchen.
Thus started the beginning of a bad day;
-
at 8:30, my watch was stolen right off my wrist
- the milk carton burped all over me
- I was pooped on by a bird
- I had an asthma attack at Lomo de Corvina while being a clown
-
I had a chicken
toe in my soup at dinner -
And when all was said and done, I just wanted to listen to my music, clothes my eyes and fall asleep,
my I pod battery died!
Fortunately the remainder of my time here went back to “normal”.
I still wake up in a sand box, take freezing cold showers and have to ask God for a good attitude every morning.
I have learned that no matter where I am, in the mountains, or in the city, there are things to distract me from being close to God.
This month I had to make an effort beyond usual to find God and now as we prepare to leave I feel closer than I did when I arrived.
I am amazed that while God was working through me, he was doing a greater work in me!
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We are leaving for Macchu Picchu on Friday morning.
Pray for safe travels and an effective debrief!
Thanks for all of your prayers this month you helped me to get through alive.
