It's happened. My squad is home and I'm still in Romania.
There was a cheesy activity my squad leader, at the time, had my team do in Rwanda. She pulled out apple juice and small candies from a bag and said fill your cup and take as much candy as you want to represent what you feel at this moment: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically.
Looking around my team we were all in different places: cups anywhere from half full to just a drop, to a hand full of candy to just a few.
We then proceeded to take what we had and give to each other from what we had, as we spoke life giving/encouraging words to each other. Sometimes completely emptying our stash of precious candy and apple juice in-order to “fill up” or encourage the other person. We went probably an hour transferring words/juice/candy to each other. Truths about one another found in scripture, truths about one another’s character, to verbally appreciating/ notice things others have done….basically anything encouraging.
Cheesy. I know.
But just the same I went to bed “full” the same way I left Y squad on Monday.
Literally, my bags where physically fuller/heavier than they have been, my wallet was fuller because of the love offering world travelers, who haven’t worked in over a year, decided to give me. I was sent out in prayer. I was given words of encouragement. I was sent away from my family full because they decided to show me some needed love amidst my fear.
So I said my goodbyes and this “solo” adventure started. (I call it that….but really it’s not).
I rode the subway, train, ate dinner, and slept alone for the first time in 11 months. It’s a weird feeling that I’m not sure I like. Independence is overrated.
In the first 30 hrs: I’ve emptied my bags to find the notes written from my teammates. Then when I found them proceeded to cry. I then was a fool the evening I arrived I said put me to work the next morning , so we met making my schedule for the next 10 days, went shopping for 1, took a nap, went to 2 of 4 villages where I will be teaching English daily, then I was treated to dinner. Arriving home by 930 pm. I wised up and said I needed a day to regroup and prepare, he graciously gave it to me.
I’ve found I don’t know how to shop for one, load my phone with minutes, or keep my phone from being lost in a field (it’s found). I’ve made friends with a family of 9, ate the first watermelon of the season, seen the need for encouragement, hugged my grandma, air punched with Uly, typed out my schedule and realized it starts at 830 am and ends at 930 pm and I’ve locked myself out of the house. Life without 5 other people being able to laugh with me/at me is going to be interesting.
Go speak some life into the people around you today. Let them leave your presence fuller instead of emptier.
Prayer Requests:
– For easy transitions back into America for Y squad. They did a job well done and I’m excited to see how God uses them at home. Bravo family, I’m proud of you.
– I find my rhythm here in Romania.
– That I have strength to teach 4 English lessons a day in 4 different villages. (I have great respect for teachers, which is no joking matter).
– That I know my limits, but that I would complete the tasks given to me well.
– Wisdom.
– That I remain a Mary and not a Martha.
– That the families that are already here would be encouraged, strengthened, that their hope would remain in the Lord.
– That more workers will come to this land rip for the harvest.
– My plane lands in Chicago September 18th.
Love from Romania,
Megan
