I don’t want to give the wrong impression about this month; it has been an awesome ministry and such a great experience in the rural village life. However, I have to be honest, it has taken a toll on my body and mind. I felt so weak and fatigued everyday while in the village unlike my energetic, go-getting self. I can blame the sinus infection for part of the time but also struggled with indigestion and nausea; I have always took pride in my great immune system and tough stomach yet this Indian cuisine was no match for me.
Every meal centered around this bowl…
Konchem! Konchem! My phrase at every meal which means, “A little bit!” in Telugu. I am not a rice eater…doesn’t do anything for me and literally every meal was a mountain of rice with some sort of curry on the side. This also meant finding every sneaky way possible to see my chunks of rice appear my teammates plates who so graciously helped me out so I wouldn’t insult the host. This problem also lead to not receiving much nutrition or energy to run off of; rice (the little I could get down) is really just a filler, the body burns it off fast and is not sustainable energy. Which lead me to feeling weak and tired throughout the long, hot afternoons.
I got frustrated. Where was my energy?! Why couldn’t I even get myself to play with my brothers or want to initiate a game? Why was I laying around so much? I cried out to God on a daily basis asking for help, energy and health- comfort. He always showed up exactly when I had almost hit my breaking point which challenged me in putting complete reliance in Him as my sustainer.
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22
One night, feeling terrible, I was up to share my testimony at a service in a nearby village. God gave me the strength to pull through and gave me the right words that tied into Abby’s message perfectly. Apparently I looked like a sweaty, hot mess about to faint yet I pulled through and felt calm throughout my whole time holding that mic. Thank you Lord for giving me fight; using me in my brokenness.
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
Saying all that, this month has been hard for me physically which lead to struggles mentally and spiritually. Yet I asked God for the uncomfortable so I could experience Him more; rely on Him and Him alone. Still processing and recovering, back in the city, but I can say I am so grateful for my team and the community we made these past few weeks. We haven’t laughed as much, talked as much or grew as much together before our time here in the village. It shows just how important it is to slow down, dive into the simple life and enjoy who is around you. Love ya team Tidal Wave- we have made a huge riptide this month!
Fun Fact: No such thing as silverware at the dinner table here! Plates are passed and everyone served a pile of rice with some sort of curry on the side. Technique/ spread the rice with a patting motion and pinch together clumps of rice with the curry after stirring it up a bit. The clump goes on the tips of your fingers and your thumb comes from behind to flick it in your mouth (no sucking on those fingers!) Be sure to only use your right hand and no worries a bowl of water comes around before and after the meal to wash that spice off!
