Life in a 3rd world country has many challenges. Speaking a different language is tiring. Driving to town, shopping for groceries is tiring. One day recently Roy spent 5 hours in the market looking for a part for our fridge. In the states it woule have been a quick trip to any appliance store. Some days we are only able to get one or two things accomplished. On those days we especially pray for good rest and hope the next day we have more energy.
The winter months here are brutal for catching germs. With Abby in school she will pick up new germs and share with the rest of us. It seemed she shared small colds with her daddy two or 3 separate times in the last 6 weeks. We encourage her to share, but not share colds!
Roy had a nasty bug for 3 days that pretty much kept him in bed during that time. He also had a stomach bug that lasted over a week. In the midst of that he (and Denise!) was able to teach the children during our spiritual life conference in January. We had 10 kids learn how God knows us, hears us, comforts us and forgives us. 4 VBS lessons in a day and a half! We had so much fun.
Now that we are back in our normal routine, we are still having to pause some events because of sickness. Roy was scheduled to start again with his men's neighborhood group, but there was a death in a family. Then a mother got sick, then a son. We hope to gather again very soon.
In moments like these I want to push myself through. Even at 80% I want to learn language, visit neighbors, translate stories in 2 separate languages, and guard kids. Those things take all my energy when I am at 100%! So much of life here is learning patience and fexibility. Learning what we can and cannot do. Learning to listen to our bodies and have the freedom to say no.
This post is simply a remark that even in the times I have to wait for others and wait to take care of myself, God is still at work around us. And he is still at work in me.
Thank you all for your prayers for our family.
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