Out of My Control

Within a few days, a lot happened all at once.  Some good, most bad.  I've been challenged like I knew I would be...my privacy, my things, my peace and quiet, my sleep, my eating habits, my time.  I think about how I have to let some things go in order to live in a big community with children but also protect that which is near and dear to me. 

For starters, there are rats in my room.  I freaked out but someone came to the rescue and killed the first one with the whip of a towel!  When I found the next one in my bedsheet we bought traps and I slept somewhere else.  Then, my computer broke.  The only way to get internet access in Nejapa without a telephone landline is to buy a broadband USB device.  I had mine for one week and it is gone.  Yep, gone.  Unfortunately, I witnessed someone getting into my purse in my room and decided I had to make some changes.  I thought about all of things I wanted to protect and secure and how all of that had been compromised some way.  The truth is...there are many things I can't control.  They all happen for a reason.  I've been challenged to see how I can get over these disappointments when my most favorite comforts are taken away.  Really challenged.

Now we have created a "missionary room" which is one a different level from the kid's rooms.  There's more privacy and security for our things there.  We painted it and made it our own.  Although I'm sad to move out of the "house family", I'm not sad to see the rats go.  Part of my experience here so far has been that I have to protect myself and that means my time.  I came primarily to be an administator for the home.  Quickly I noticed that it's hard to do that and be a house parent.  With the kids having 24 hour childcare, my role is to participate during meals, morning devotions, bedtime stories and stay in the "house" on the weekends.  I adjusted it to make it function better for me and for them.

I love the job that I am doing.  By far the best part is working with Rachel (director).  We get along well, work well together and have been able to share with each other in many ways.  I really love and respect her for who she is and who God has called her to be.  My day to day has been keeping her on task, reminding her of her priorities, scheduling the home's events (dr. appt's, meetings, special visits, lessons, etc.), working with the lawyer to do staff contracts and start a new Salvadoran non-governmental organization, interviewing and hiring a bus driver and meeting with other professionals who fit the profile of a Board member for the NGO piece and organizing team visits and missionary schedules.  This role fits me well I think.  I like to organize and I especially like working with the Salvadoran people.  It's a honor to serve them in such a way.  I really respect their hard work and love developing relationships with them in Spanish. 

It seems weird that it's late July.  The weather is nice here, hot but comfortable as of late, it's rainy season so the evenings are wet but cool, perfect sleeping weather.  I eat lots of icecream!  I have been able to have beautiful journaling mornings with coffee after I do a workout DVD (Jillian Michaels rocks!), then I start my work day.  One thing I will have to learn is to drive... yikes!  I will need to run errands and do business meetings for Rachel so me driving will help be more productive.  Maybe next month!  Ha!

I feel like I've been learning so much from God's word and from the people around me.  I was reminded today that this life is meant not for selfishness but for serving others.  It's easy to take on the attitude of guarding things I want for myself like my time or things but I am reminded that everytime I stop doing for myself and read a book to a kid, play a game with a group, ask a "tia" how their day is and have coffee with her or wash the dishes for the cook when she's not looking, it makes a difference in their life.  There's never a dull moment here to make a difference in lives.  I love that the most.... because they make a difference in mine too.