No privacy allowed in this big beautiful home we call our own here in Panajachel… With 15 people representing 3 different countries living under one roof, there is never a dull moment…
From the food to the sleeping arrangments this is all a new experience for me..
So many different personalities and ideals, Im already forgetting my own.. hehe
I have always been rather shy, but shy is not practical in these circumstances..
I have always tried to be a lady and was taught that certain things just were not polite to do outside the bathroom doors but i am forced to live with others that do not see the world through my rose colored glasses..
On time one of the boys in my group apologied BEFORE he released noxious gas loudly on MY bed during a group prayer meeting.. Everyone but me thought it was hilarious.. I dont mind that they do that but on MY bed.. Ewwwwwwwww!!!
They intend to make me act like them before the trip is over and i promised them their intentions would not prevail… My glasses may be scratched after this trip but i will make sure they remain rose colored.. hehe
The food is interesting…. from guacamole sandwitches to pasta with boiled carrots pored over the top to corn flour porage for breakfast i have been eating everything set before me.. Not always desiring to eating it again, but eating it never the less.. Our budget is very tight and beggers can not be choosers.. So, i get really excited when we have tortilla night and we get black beans and eggs..
In my room there is only 3 girls.. Me Sarah and Kimmy.. In the ajoining room there is 4 more girls.. across the hall is 3 men, and down the hall is 3 more people.. and down stairs is 2 more plus Wan, the young man that works in the candy shop infront of the house..
With the only running water from 7am to 8am, we have to wake up and fill large buckets with water and place them in the rest rooms so we can flush the potties and take sponge baths..
There has been a stomach flu going around our house and so many times our bathroom water runs out very fast and the smell from the settled waste in the sewer pipes always creeps up and inflicts torture on the noses of the innocent tooth brushers leaning over the sink..
Going to bed when i would like to go to bed is a thing of the past now… I now go to bed when the last person in our room decides to go to bed..
Private time with the Lord is almost impossible.. Infact, the only time i have had alone with the Lord is when i got sick off some food i ate and got to stay home for half a day.. hehe I LOVED IT!
Maybe i will go eat there agin soon.. hehe jk
Being an introvert doesnt help things for me.. My only saving grace is that i love people.. And hearing the prayers and bible studies going on around me is like music to my ears, it helps me to deal with the not to beautiful sounds that their bodies make at other times..
Sarah lets me barrow her music player soemtimes and i can put in those earphones and just close my eyes and pretend im at Gods feet dancing for him..
All the people and noses around me disappear as the world around me transforms into a garden in pradise, with angels singing and flowers and grass dancing around me, i can feel the warmth of the sun shining on my face, and looking up to realize it is just the glow from the face of Jesus looking down at me dancing at his feet..
So, although i live with 15 very odd people, i sometimes sneak out to Jesus garden and have a private picnic with him.. And when i get back im refreshed and ready to return to the reality of 15 spritual leaders all living under the same roof..
Praise be to God,
Lady Tauna*
