…how do you think you can handle the big stuff?
Oh what to say, how to start? First, the Lord has diminished my anxiety!
How? By forcing me to go out to places with people. One of the rules on the Race is that we always have to have a buddy. On the weekends, people are constantly walking in and out of the hostel in pairs or groups. So, I had to ask if I could join. Some of my anxiety comes from a mindset of being a burden. What if they say no? What if they laugh at me? What if what if what if? I’m a people pleaser, which is where the burden part comes in.
But I had to swallow my pride and ask if I could join. And guess what? None of those scenarios happened. On the contrary, people said yes, and even looked happy for me to join! Wow!
I’ve been out to 7-11, the night market right by the hostel, the big night market by 7-11, the Sunday night market by the temple, and the mall. Each time, my anxiety quieted a little bit more.
Take that what-if scenarios!
Some other things: we’re finally starting ministry! Yay! Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures to show yet, owing to how we don’t have our phones during the weekday for the first month. I honestly think I’m going to leave my phone behind for the second month as well- it’s easier to focus on our work without it.
That being said, we are s-w-e-a-t-i-n-g while working. We’re helping in a home for women and children who have been victims of violence. Right now, we’re helping tend the garden – pulling weeds, planting trees, spreading compost and the like. But it’s so very different than if we were working in the US!
Here, we work for about half an hour, and then are given an hour break and a snack. So our schedule goes, starting at nine: half hour working, one hour break with snack, half hour working, one hour break with lunch, half hour working, one hour break with snack, half hour working, and then it’s the end of the work day at four o’clock! I always nap during the break- it’s just that hot.
But it’s extremely humbling to do this work. As an American, one tends to think that one has to make a big impact. A missionary’s work has to be all or nothing. Instead, God makes the biggest impact on US. Tending to the garden is a small thing, which helps the staff take care of other matters in the home.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~Margaret Mead
That’s all for tonight! Remember, God always has a plan for you. You may not know what it is, but isn’t that exciting? God has the plan set in place, but He needs you to work in it.
Drowning in the Word and sweat,
Cheyenne
“Stay faithful in things large and taking on the world, but stay faithful in those things small – because remember it’s the small things, the size of a mustard seed, that ultimately moves mountains.” ~Cory Booker
