Monday June 19, 2017
We’ve been in Myanmar for two weeks now. In my last couple of blogs, I mentioned about how God has been teaching me how to focus on the light and hope among the present darkness of things we encounter. This doesn’t just apply to spiritual darkness, but also applies to daily life and the present challenges you can come across. When we first reached our ministry site, I knew it would be physically challenging.
Twenty-one of us share one house, it’s very hot and humid (for those of you reading this from Texas know that it makes Houston feel like breezy fall day), there’s no AC, we never stop sweating and those of us who like to exercise know that when we work out we’ll be dripping and steam will be coming off of us afterwards, the mosquitoes and flies are relentless as usual, we’ve now witnessed two pigs get slaughtered, it’s rainy season so it pours several times daily and I’ve learned how to trudge through mud like I’ve never trudged before, it’s become normal to avoid the tadpoles in our bathing water as well as the snails and slugs from the buckets we use to wash with, and there are others things that’ve become a part of our daily routines as well—not to mention the day that goats decided to poop and pee on all of our shoes.
Even as I’m typing this list I can’t help but smile at it. I would be lying if I said that it doesn’t challenge me, and on some days I catch myself thinking about the comforts from home—I’ve even had dreams about it. But God has been teaching me how to be thankful for every good thing, and focus on that. He’s been teaching me the importance of focusing on what I need rather than what I want.
When I first came here, I remember having a conversation with one of my friends on the race. We talked about how we both felt like this is where we needed to be, and that it was what we need right now although it may not always be what we want (like the lack of AC).
There’s been much to be thankful for and I’ve been genuinely enjoying my time here and with the students. They’re all between the ages of late teens to twenties and it’s been a blessing to watch them grow in their confidence. The college they are attending focuses on teaching them the English language because there are few theological books written in Burmese. Our lesson plans consist of Bible lessons with an emphasis on allowing them to practice their English. I’ve even gotten the chance to preach, and I love the eagerness I see in their faces as they sit on the edge of their seat listening.
This past Sunday, we put on a women’s conference. At first, the only women who were in the church were the ones on our squad, but slowly the benches began to fill up and we had a full house. Each woman received a letter of encouragement we had written in advance, and before she left we washed her feet and prayed over her.
There are many dogs that run around freely, but there is one that we’ve decided to adopt and name Buster. Buster has a gentle personality and when we first met him we knew he’d been abused. He was so scared of us that if we so much as took a step in his direction he’d cower away. Now that he’s started to warm up to us, I noticed that he always attends church and class with us, and he settles in the dirt nearby to wherever we are. One night, I sat on the porch reading my Bible and Buster came and nestled himself next to me. Aside from the night that he decided to sneak into our house, stand in the doorway of our bedroom and stare at us, his presence has been a comfort and a blessing even.
The Psalms about creation praising their Creator has been given a deeper meaning for me since being here. We’re completely surrounded by creation, and I can’t ignore the peace that I’ve felt by it.
Although our circumstances may not always be ideal, there are treasures that can be found moment by moment throughout the day, and for that I am thankful for and blessed by.
