In Less Than A Week

I have...

1. Become the official translator of our team even though my Spanish is shaky at best.

2. Accidentally signed up for wifi for 18 months instead of 10. Awesome.

3. Cried almost every day.

4. Gotten mosquito bites all over my shins and feet.

5. Officially rented an apartment. And it's beautiful.

6. Gotten a working phone.

7. Taken a tour of campus and been to all 3 CRU student led meetings.

8. Sweated so much that the dye from my jeans rubbed off onto my skin.

9. Ridden in a "wawa" [public bus. crazy driver.]

10. Had to rely on Jesus each moment of the day.

Can I be honest with you?

This is…painful. I miss my family and English and tap water and cool air. My body physically aches for home. I repeat the phrase “God is good. God is trustworthy” to myself over and over again. I pray constantly about dumb things, like “Please let this wifi work” or “Please show me how to get water.”

I’ve been totally blindsided by the fact that I am a stranger here. This isn’t a place I’ve come to know or love yet, and I often wonder, what am I doing here? Was this the right decision? Can I even find the energy to make it?

Even still, Jesus speaks to me and His banner over me is love. He reminds me of the city of Jericho, that the city had to crumble first. He reminds me of the parable Jesus teaches in which you must fall on a rock and be broken into pieces in order to be restored. And He reminds me that He is the Good Shepherd, that none of His children can be snatched from His hand.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake." -Psalm 23