the language barrier is incredibly difficult.
the cold showers make me wish i had a warm shower, but when i step out i'm sweating.
as soon as i step outside, the wind is blowing red dirt all over me which makes it impossible not to always be filthy.
i to walk miles upon miles to get to town everyday to do errands and eat lunch in 90 degree weather makes me wish i had my car with it's consistent air conditioning.
the shop owners in town always try to overprice me on items that i know aren't really that expensive.
when i want to go for a nice walk on my own, i'm always surrounded by hundreds of children heading home from school and sometimes the children are so dirty they actually reek.
when it rains, the muddy roads make a treacherous journey for anyone out and about and make it nearly impossible to get anywhere.
many times for meals we eat posho, which is corn-flour boiled in water until it is thick and pasty. it tastes a little worse than elmer's glue.
joy, my waitress at the cafe, always tells me they are out of everything unless it is rice or avocado (everyday).
the painter for our house was supposed to be there to paint our house today at 9. we waited until 3 and he still never showed up which is making us push things back a day.
on my walks home, i'm hit on by crude, disgusting men, almost 20 years older than me.
on sundays we go to church out in the village and listen for four hours to words i don't even understand.
seeing sick children everywhere i go makes me want to weep because i know i can't save them all.
and to you, those sound like complaints. they are not; this is me, rejoicing in the Lord. because you see..
i love my job. i love the hot sun on my face. i love my bed, cozy under my net after a long day. i love my home sweet home, all its creatures included. i love the people that work hard to help me. i love my long walks home, day or night, rain or shine. i love the beating, cleansing african rain. i love my african meals, prepared with such love and generosity. i love to be hugged and touched and jumped on by the dirty street children. i love the cool, dusty breeze in my hair. i love every african sunrise, the cool and calm of a new morning. i love each and every day, each and every moment that i spend in this beautiful country; i rejoice in each breath that i take.
This is the life I am called to.
Of course it's ridiculously hard,
but it's so worth it.
Katie Sandy
My prayers are with you daily. It is a hard life that you are experiencing. God is using you in more ways than you know. Your writing skills are great, I think God will use these too. I wish there was a way for more people to read your work. Your honesty and spiritual growth are so meaningful and heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteLove you!
When you return, we will catch up on spoiling you! You deserve it!