In the past ten days, I have…
- Used the back of a garbage truck as a mode of transportation
- Poured steaming milk into my cereal. After a couple bites I decided dry cereal was best.
- Acted as the doctor at a makeshift clinic
- Walked in a torrential downpour to buy tamales for supper
- Been asked to sew the polyester mats used for physical therapy. Um, after two days of sore fingers and futile stitches, I asked if Guatemala had duct tape. The answer was yes.
- Visited a Guatemalan hospital and bought 3x as much medication as needed because the pharmacy would only sell me the antibiotics as a package
- Acted as a pharmacy for the rest of my teammates who also acquired amoebas
- Utilized gum as a snack before supper
- Gone to bed not sure how many ticks had made it into my tent
Just some experiences from Guatemala so far.
The ministry this month has been at an orphanage for children with special needs. There are ten children on the compound. The routine includes diapers, drool, wheelchairs, tube feedings, small steps of progress, and a whole lot of joy.
The days start early and end late. Frankly, I am feeling kind of exhausted.
I was trying not to fall asleep on my team leader’s shoulder the other night when she challenged me to change my perspective on rest.
“Don’t view rest as the amount of hours you sleep.”
I nodded my head with my eyes still closed, but I have pondered the thought over the last couple days. Sleep keeps me the perky, smiley, I-eat-rainbows-and-poop-butterflies Rachel that I am. How should I get through the day if I have no energy?
Ah yes, but sleeping is not the only source of energy.
And no, I am not talking about caffeine.
I am talking about Jesus.
I have a purpose for why I am here, not just at Los Gozosos Orphanage but also in the grand scheme of things. We all do. Jesus gives energy, joy, and patience to the weary so that His love can be shown to others.
I went on the World Race so that I would have to live outside of my abilities. My “abilities” include feelings of being awake, happy, perky, energetic.
Sometimes it does not matter how I feel, the work still needs to be done. I think a lot of moms can relate to that. : )
When I find myself weakest, that is when Jesus’s strength can shine through. Tiredness. Hunger. They will still be present, but they do not have to be powerful and all-consuming.
May I never do life on my own strength.
And may my rest come from Him and not from me.
