During my last two weeks in Nepal I slipped on a rock while crossing the river on our way back from chvrch. It hurt so bad, I cried a little to myself but refrained from saying how much it hurt at first. After an hour or so I finally said something. One of my teammates asked if I needed to stay home and rest it for the rest of the afternoon while they went on to m1n1stry.
Of course not! I told her I would be ok, and went on with them that afternoon. We walked about a mile down the road to another river to have Amad time(quiet time), when we finished we hung out, skipped rocks and splashed in the river for a few minutes before heading out again.
When we got back that evening, we calculated it and I had continued to walk on my hurt foot for 6 hours. Yeah, I know… crazy!
My friend Matt who is an EMT checked my foot out and said it was either severely bruised, possibly sprained or broken. More than likely just a bad bruise. He wrapped it up for me and I took some pain medicine.
Throughout the rest of the week I continued to walk on it everyday, it hurt really bad and I walked with a limp. We hiked another mountain, (10 miles) walked about 2 miles or so to a youth service and walked about 20+ miles total that week.
Now, the first day I hurt my foot I had gotten some positive feedback from more than one person on my team about how they didn’t hear me complain at all and that they were proud of me for sticking it out even though it hurt. I began to become not only prideful in that but also super cautious with what I said because I was afraid I would complain too much if I wasn’t careful because it seriously hurt so so bad.
I cried multiple times on my hike up and back down the mountain, and multiple times on the way to the youth service, again hiding my tears because I wanted to be strong.
Many people from my squad that are on other teams also mentioned to me how good I seemed to be doing despite the pain and pointed out my lack of complaining.
I appreciated these words and still do but I let them define the way I acted. Instead of being honest with my team and squad and telling them how I felt so they could pray for me, I held it in unless I was asked. I’m an independent person and I don’t like asking for help unless I am completely incapable of whatever the task.
I imagine J3sus was looking at me over the past two weeks and shaking his head. Saying “Kierstin, I gave you this amazing community this year. I didn’t give them to you for nothing! They are here to pray for and encourage you but you aren’t letting them. What is wrong with you girl?!”
My foot wasn’t healing… it had started to improve for a few days but upon arriving in Vietnam, it began to hurt again. And this time, it was worse.
My teammate Alyssa gave me a hard time the other day for not telling them that the pain had gotten worse since we’d be in Vietnam and then the rest of my team did as well. Yesterday my team leader Malia said I should really get it checked out at least just to see what exactly happened when I fell so that I would know the best way to care for it and let it heal properly. I agreed and we talked to our host about a time to see a doctor. She said her uncle could come to our house(which we call the bungalow) and check it out for me.
He came this morning while my team went on to m1n1stry. They all prayed for me before they left and told me to rest. Malia said “I know you don’t want to miss out on m1n1stry but right now, taking care of yourself and your foot is your m1n1stry.” I had never thought of it that way. I believe the L0rd allowed this to happen for something greater that I can see right now.
I spent 3 hours here at the bungalow by myself while my team went on to teach English to the local college students.
Our hosts Uncle came by, and after some interesting Teriyaki sauce treatment told me I need to stay off my foot for at least two days or until it’s healed.
I was rolling my eyes in my mind. Really? For two days I have to stay off of it completely? I went back upstairs, got in bed and after a small, tearful pity party had a long conversation with the L0rd.
It was marvelous! We talked about everything under the sun. Before long I was totally and completely thankful for this time, I felt more like myself than I have the entire race. I talked to G0d and I even talked to myself a little. ?? I spent some time in the w0rd, Journaled and did some things I needed to get done.
My team came back, I filled them in and they are strictly enforcing the rule to stay off my foot. I had lunch brought up to my bed, my water bottle filled and was told if I need to go to the bathroom I MUST hop there. Every time I look like I’m about to get up my teammate Paige gives me a look and says “Kiki, carful.”
(Kiki is the ever so endearing nickname I’ve received from my teammates.)
While it’s not like me to ask for help or stay still, this time has already been a sweet time with the L0rd and also super refreshing. It may get difficult but I’m learning to be ok with this moment and trying to seek what G0d is trying to show me and teach me about sitting still.
I know some of you have been praying for me already, I appreciate it so much! Please keep praying. I will give updates in future posts.
Here is another video from the villages in Nepal. Enjoy! 🙂
