I have a family tradition at home where during dinner, we all go around the table telling what the best and worst part of our day was. I am going to take that tradition and expand it to what the best and worst part of my first few weeks out of the country have been.
Upon arriving, we were warned by our ministry hosts of Agape in Action, Sally and Irv, about what foods to avoid, what water to drink (only bottled or boiled), and that we should drink more water than we are used to because of the altitude and physical labor. We were all stoked, set upon not being a squad to get sick, setting up our tents so closely that we could hear when the person next to us was asleep cause their breathing pattern changed, and diving into community living as best we knew how. As I have mentioned previously, I had never left the country before and I had high expectations for what this first country would be like.
There are many challenges that I thought I was prepared for, both mentally and physically, but soon learned I was not. There are about 5 ministries that the 8 teams are working in. They include, but are not limited to, demolition, reconstruction, painting, child care, old folks home care, and cleaning. We did not get to choose our ministry site, for they were prayed over and assigned to us by our squad leaders. My team was assigned to a daycare containing 170 children all under the age of 7. Those that know me well, are aware that I have struggled with my feelings toward children for a long time. I have been in the 6 year old class, and all they want to do is talk to me and tell me stories. Unfortunately, even after many years of classes, my Spanish is very limited. After my first day at the day care, I left feeling like I had been beat up and was overall exhausted in everyway.
Since that first day, I have prayed that God gives me strength and patience everyday. The bottom line is that every single one of those children are precious in His sight and they need love and attention from us while we are there. I hope that this next year is a pivotal turning point, in that, I start seeing children the way Jesus does, and all I need to do is have an open and willing heart.
There are also small struggles I am having. Every time I walk past a stray dog (which is around 30 dogs a day), I have to practice enormous self-control to not go up to them and pet them or hug them. I am not going to lie, I have probably pet around 10 total, and that is a huge leap for me. There is also the challenge of learning how to acclimate to living in a community. I have never experienced having people around me all the time that live in such a small area, have so many different personality types, and react to situations in so many different ways.
The last thing that the team as a whole is dealing with is sickness. Although people have been trying to follow all the recommendations that our hosts talked about, we have started dropping like flies. Parasites, food illness, and colds are going around. It has been hard on the individual who is sick, their team in missing a member, and the squad having less people to do ministry with. I have been spared thus far, but we are in need of desperate prayer for those who aren’t at the top of their game.
I know that this blog may not be what was expected, but I wanted to share my challenges with you as well as my celebrations. As always, I am very thankful for all your love, prayer and support!
(P.S. See blog Part 2 for a more upbeat outlook on what I have experienced!)
