"Yo estoy enfermera, I mean, yo estoy enferma."
The last few days have been full of stomach pain and nausea. Not fun. Being sick is not enjoyable, but being sick in a third world country, without your family, is extremely not enjoyable. This week was pretty difficult. I spent many days laying in bed, contemplating life and sleeping. I even lost my appetite for a lot of foods. For example, the sight, smell or thought of bananas would make me nauseous (which, if you know me, you know that means something is seriously wrong haha). Today is the first day that I feel really really good. I woke up without nauseous and with an appetite. What a beautiful thing. Feeling so awful the past couple of days really brought my spirit down. I felt even more homesick and kept wondering if I was actually supposed to be here. How am I supposed to make it through two more weeks here, I wondered. Maybe I should just go home, I thought. But as I started to slowly get better and see the light at the end of the tunnel, I realized that I am here for a reason. I knew coming into all of this that I would be tested in many ways...but I don't think I realized how much I would be tested, or what that would look like. Yea, it's hard; living on your own, away from family and friends. It's especially hard being sick when you feel alone. But that's okay. It's okay that I've experienced this loneliness and this homesickness. It just makes me realize that doing this isn't an easy task. It showed me the reality of this life. Being a missionary in a foreign country is terrifying. It can be scary and lonely. I think I subconsciously always pictured it being laid back and even kinda glamorous. But that's not the reality. It's hard and difficult, but the rewards outweigh the negative. I greatly admire people who are pursuing a life of mission work overseas. It's so easy to think that their life must be amazing, but we often forget that they gave up a lot to do what they are doing. Week one and two were adventurous and exciting. Week three was real. This past week was filled with sickness and discouragement. Living here has become a little more normal and a little mundane. It's been more tiring. But isn't this the reality? Doing mission work will not always be exciting and fun, sometimes it's hard. But it's still amazing. My eyes have been open to how difficult this all can be, but I've been able to see the beauty through it all. I love serving. I love playing with children even when I am exhausted. I love organizing donations even if it gets boring sometimes. I love that everything I do can be used to glorify God. I'm happy. Even though sometimes I don't feel happy. I'm learning to lean on God with everything. I'm learning to appreciate my family and friends more. I'm looking forward to what these next two weeks will bring. I'm looking forward to what God has in store for my future. So yes, once again, thank you for your prayers and for caring about me. Life is going well, even if there are a couple bad days thrown in. God is in control and God is good. ... Also, if you don't get sick for a couple days, did you even really live in a third world country for a month? P.S. The Chipotle cravings are strong.
4 Comments
Continue pray for you. Really appreciate your "Journey"s Much love ,Hugs & Blessings, Margaret
6/13/2016 01:08:31 pm
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Lisa M PLummer
6/15/2016 12:51:05 pm
My Sweetheart! Healing is the children's bread!
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Yes Dear, that was indeed a dose of reality. I lapplaud your perspective of it and that makes the difference in how you handle it. Way to go !!!!! Prayers are with you all the time. Mission work is indeed tough and sacrificial. Love from Auntie Jen
6/13/2016 02:14:42 pm
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I love you Chantel. I see you as a beautiful, colorful flower in a field. I hear the Lord calling you His Precious One. Yes, capitalized because you are precious and His. Continue to trust Him and lean on Him as He guides you for He is priming and re
6/17/2016 02:21:41 pm
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