DISCLAIMER: Not for the person who has a sensitive stomach.
Growing up, road trips proved to be challenging for me at times. The bumps, winding roads, sudden jerks on the highway: they played tricks on my sensitive stomach. I knew that time was inevitable. My poor body would eventually succumb to the great enemy: car-sickness.
Amazingly enough, our first bus from Banos to Cuenca was probably the bumpiest, and I survived several ours in the back middle seat. I assured my teammates that as long as I had air flow, I’d be fine. And I was. We arrived in Cuenca, greeted by one of our teams ministry contacts from January, and enjoyed a lovely dinner of pizza, salad, and homemade cupcakes. Part of our team later got on a 12-ish hour bus ride to Chiclayo. Cue the enemy.
The bus itself was quite lovely. However, soon the roads began to wind. And we were told we needed to have our customs forms filled out by 2:00AM so that border crossing would go much faster. Well…let me tell ya, filling those little papers with tiny writing out on a bumpy bus ride is much different than when you’re on a plane. I could feel the nausea begin to make it’s ugly appearance. I told myself, go to sleep and you’ll be fine. Around 1:00AM I found myself awake once again. This time I felt unusually warm. The saliva began to increase. I though, “Oh no! It’s 1:00AM and everyone’s asleep, and I’m about to blow chunks”. (Sorry for the visual…but I find being blunt tells such a more entertaining story). I, of course am in the window seat, because that’s better for car-sick prone people, right? I quickly am looking around for something. Something to catch that delicious pizza and ice cream I had just hours before, because let me tell ya: It was going to reappear whether I wanted it to or not. I immediately reach down for the bag of team snacks that I was holding onto. As quick as I can, I reach into the bag, emptying snacks. But I was not fast enough. My dear sister Crystal, who sat beside me, had no idea what was going on. For that I am thankful. After emptying the contents of my stomach, I decided, “Okay, I need to get rid of this. There will be no saving any of the food”. So I get up to go to the restroom. That is when every turn and bump on the road hit the bus. I literally found myself shouting in the bathroom, “Really?!” The locals probably though I was crazy. All of this only to discover, there is no trash can back here. So I tried to calm myself, and decided I’ll head back to my seat and throw it away when we pass the border in an hour. After nearly falling on half the passengers, I make it back to my seat. Once I sat down I realized, my customs form is ruined with puke stains on it. I tell one of the guys I need a new one. Now I’m pressed for time and everyone is asleep. So what do I do? I fill it out again. And proceed to get sick again.
What I’ve learned. There are many bumps in the road. Sometimes it’s not easy, fun, or enjoyable. But I know I’m not alone, even when your teammates are sleeping through it all. Shout out to my team leader Bailey, who rubbed my back as I puked more than I have in a while. I am thankful that this has been my only health issue thus far. Please continue to pray with us as we enter into all squad month in Trujillo, Peru. It is much more poverty stricken. We are working with Savage Ministries (Joel & Maria Savage), with children and youth. This week we will participate with VBS activities. And each week may look a little different. Thankful to be serving with our entire squad. It is evident, the spiritual darkness, here. Prayer is key. I know I say this a lot. But there is so much power in prayer. And we couldn’t do this without your prayers as well. Pray for discernment. God has already given me some, in a what would seem crazy way. (Will try to write a blog on this soon).
I will try to write a real update soon. ?
Matthew 28:20 “And behold I am with you, to the very end of the age”.
