I Have Been Here One Month!

Well, I have been here for a month now. It's hard to believe it. The time has gone quickly, yet I feel like I have been here for a long time. Since I have arrived, teams have been here. That has been very much a blessing, but also tiring! I think having people from home has helped me adjust to life here quicker. While I will miss them, I am looking forward to establishing my routine here. Life at the compound is very different without a team.

A couple weeks ago I expressed the difficult feelings I had regarding my role here. I am happy to report that I am doing better now. I have been encouraged and prayed for by many people at home and here (Kristi and Kristina were especially encouraging). They have reminded me that God has a perfect plan and role for me here. He wants to teach me and use me to help others. It may not be through the way I originally thought, but that's ok. Sometimes we wonder why hard times fall on us. It seems so rough at the time, but God sees the bigger picture and works out things for our own good. Even when we can't see it and don't understand it. I am really trying to wake up each day and ask God “what do you want to do through me today?”

Huggins left this morning so I am began to cook today. For lunch I did beans on toast (a English favorite of Suzy's) and for dinner we had spag bol (spaghetti bolognaise), garlic bread and salad. Fortunately Sheena was there to help me with dinner. I have never made spaghetti before! I will admit I had a moment of “I hate this! I'm too tired and hot to cook.” But I adjusted my attitude quickly. I just have to get in the habit of not dwelling on those feelings until they stop coming to mind.

In addition to the cooking, I will help oversee the compound staff, assist with triage and registration at the clinic, help with the money and bookkeeping (nerd alert!), work on various organizational projects and do whatever else Sabet and Suzy need.

More and more this feels like home. Sabet, Suzy and the kids feel like family. Hannah, Jed and Agum are so funny. Mark provides the comedic relief and keeps me cracking up. I was worried I wouldn't have anyone to laugh with. That proved to be untrue! John-Paul is wonderful to be around and having Sheena here is like having a sister here. I enjoy going to the clinic to visit with the patients. I try a little Dinka and they laugh at me. It's a consistent and fun exchange I have with every person I meet!

God continues to be merciful and gracious to me. He continues to teach me complete dependence on him. Sometimes when I am exhausted and feel like I can't go on, His strength pulls me though. God is so good.