The World Race is hard. This may be the most obvious opening line of any blog I've written, but, I think I need the reminder, even if you don't. The beginning of the race has what I'd like to call the Novelty of New. New people! New places! New foods! New languages! New currency! New! New! New!!! All the new things seem to create an unending supply of energy for the next new thing. But all that energy is ultimately unsustainable. By Month 9, the Novelty of New has faded. I am still excited when we meet new people and go to new places, but, it is a cautious excitement. It's an excitement that knows by the end of each day, I am tired.
Tired of remembering how to say “thank you,” in the language of the month.
Tired of dealing with temperamental internet (or having no internet at all).
Tired of finally knowing how to travel around wherever we are a week before we leave, knowing that we'll just have to learn it all over again in a new place in a few days.
Tired of figuring out how to do my laundry wherever we are.
Tired of not being able to cook my own food, my own way, in my own kitchen.
Very, very tired.
At times like this, I think about Jesus sojourning on the earth, and I marvel at how Love compelled him to endure through circumstances far more substantial than the trivial things that are distracting me. And what about in the worst of times? “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross,” the Bible tells us. Jesus was tired once, too. But he endured, because he knew what was coming, and we're encouraged to do the same.
I know that some of my tiredness is perfectly normal; but, I think that maybe I've been going on my own strength a little too much, a little too often. I wonder what the rest of the WR, the rest of my life, even, would look like if I was truly motivated by Love and by Joy. I have hopes that this is part of what God is bringing to me in this season of reaching the end of my own strength. I'll keep you posted.
This past weekend we had two different adventures. On Saturday, we visited Lake Atitlan, which National Geographic has described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Unfortunately, our view of the 3 volcanoes surround the lake was obstructed by the overcast weather, but, we still had a great day exploring the area. Then, on Sunday, we hiked up the Pacaya Volcano. It was hard work, but we were rewarded with amazing sights that made it all worth it! I commented on Facebook that if I've learned anything from the race, it's that the best views in life (both literally and metaphorically) come after a really treacherous hike! Enjoy the pictures!
At Lake Atitlan. Imagine a volcano or two (or three) behind me.
The lovely ladies of Z Squad and the mouth of the Pacaya Volcano. (If I didn't mention it, the women and the men are split for ministry this month. These are the beautiful women I'm spending the month with.)
Maybe the most amazing view God has given me so far on the race!!!
Yay Teachers! Ashley, Jamie, Shannon, Majil, and Me
This month, I am travelling each day with our contact Luis and 4 other women on my squad to teach character education classes. We are having a great time planning lessons and working together, and it's nice to visit the same schools each week and form relationships with the students. We are working in a variety of different schools, including public schools, private schools, and an indigenous school located high up in the mountains. It's fascinating to me to note all the differences and similarities both among the schools here as well as what I'm familiar with in the states. Below is a short video that I took in a public school that has over 400 students, with anywhere from 40-60 students in each classroom… wow!
