We sit in a crowded restaurant in Panajachel, Guatemala. The menu choice was simple for a change: Tipico or Continental. We choose "Tipico y café, por favor." We sit and enjoy our breakfast of coffee, scrambled eggs, fried plantains, wonderful slices of warm bread with New Zealand butter, a watermelon wedge, and frijoles fritas ... Okay, maybe not the frijoles fritas. We haven't yet acquired a taste for the black bean purée that is often served cold.
Our "simple choice" this morning makes us think about choices we are making in this phase of our lives. We can simply choose to live in victory or in defeat. Defeat is easy to choose. We are very often weary - learning a new language is hard. Adapting to a new culture is difficult. Dealing with physiological changes brought on by a foreign diet that contains things our bodies are not used to just adds to the challenges. We have both had our days of sitting and feeling sorry for ourselves, longing for a home we no longer have.
But we chose this path because the Lord has called us to serve Him in a different place and in a different way. Our transition to the DR will most definitely include difficulties and challenges as we deal with "different" and we must choose to walk in a way that brings honor to Him.
We were challenged this morning by these words from Oswald Chambers, from May 15th: "First Peter 4:12 says, 'Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you ...' Rise to the occasion - do what the trial demands of you... May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality - a readiness to face anything He brings our way... We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others." To borrow some words from a good friend, "Easy to say, hard to do."
But we will attempt to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and get busy with the task that is before us - Honoring the Lord as we learn Spanish, as we are constantly accosted by Mayan woman peddling their wares, as we attempt to check out of the local tienda, and as we bump into people who ask us questions we can't understand. Lord, help us to be broken before you.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
9 comments:
You guys continually inspire me. May you both take courage in your heart... You WILL learn, you will adjust, you will get by. Some days you will get by with great ease, other days you will drag through... but those long days shall pass just as the short ones. You'll make it. You are learning so much about yourselves and about the greatness of our God.
One faith filled moment at a time... moment-by-moment decisions of faith lead to faith-filled lives! One day at a time!!
Hi MaryEllen ...you are experiencing "culture shock" it will pass in a few weeks. One blessing is that you have your husband to hold during your confusing times and the lords blessing because he knows your inner strength !
I see real progress in your most recent post. You are beginning to write (and I imagine speak) Spanglish, which is to insert Spanish words into your English writing or conversation -- a common habit of gringos in a latino environment. You may have a long way to go, but you are making good progress. Keep it up.
Love you,
Oh my goodness, my heart goes out to you! It reminds me of the early days we had in Virginia -- ok, they don't speak Spanish but living in a southern environment was just as foreign to us! LOL. Halie is right - you are learning so much about the greatness of God! We love you and are praying for you! Oh and we miss you so much!
"Rejoice in your suffering. Suffering brings perserverence-perserverence brings character-character brings hope which God gives us through the Holy Spirit" loose interpretation from Paul's letters to the Christians in Romans.
God has chosen you two and given you this path but He chooses the right path for all of us everyday. Most just make the choice not to listen to God. But you two chose to listen to Him! Not very many do listen and even fewer act!
It would have been so much easier to stay where you were but never experience the truth of God's discipleship! That truth is still ahead of you!
Seek and ye shall find! Lots of interesting plans ahead for you-searching is never easy. Discovering is the reward!
~belinda
Well - I logged on to see what was going on with you, and found, to my surprise, words that encouraged and comforted me in my present situation - yes, right in the good ol' USA! Right now God has chosen to have me serve Him in a different place and a different way, and I needed to hear what Holy Spirit had to say to me through you. I love you, miss you, and am cheering you on as you follow the narrow road where only few choose to go.
Love you Mom and Dick. I'm so proud to call you guys my parents! Every day I share with almost all of my clients what you two are doing and I can't tell you how many people in Saint Lucie, Martin County and who knows where else, are praying for you. I know that God has such big plans for you two and I can't wait to see and hear more of how God is using you!
I ditto what Heather said! I'm proud to have you as mis padres! I'm encouraged by the life you are choosing and it makes me want to follow in your steps. Thank you for taking a step out into the unknown so that others can come behind you. Love you!!!!!
"He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others" Love this verse.
It sounds as if you're getting somewhat acclimated to the changes, tho' not sure I could eat cold frijoles : - ( What you are doing is an amazing act of love, and I send you both hugs, and Blessings ♥♥♥
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