WHAT DOES YOUR DAY LOOK LIKE?
I have been asked
several times, "what is your day look like?". Often that is
hard to answer because every day with 5 kids is full of surprises. AND
every day living in a third world culture is full of even more surprises!
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2 inch slug in our house |
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Ollie caught a lizard and a cricket |
I am still awaking
to a baby who has been stuggling with diarrhea(from a parasite/amoeba) and the wonderful rash it brings, a hungry toddler, and either fighting or laughter by the
oldest three. I begin to pray for electricity so the coffee pot works and
then do a quick 'floor check' in which I usually discover a slug or spider that
hasn't made it into hiding yet! Thankfully with gas stoves, we usually
have fire to do eggs ( we have power 12 hours or less a day. When we do have power it charges batteries that give us power the rest of the day. We have gone many days without the batteries/inverter working). Clean up from
meals is a must, unless you enjoy sharing your home with tropical
insects. We then attempt homeschooling.. the tempatation of lizards,
spiders, slugs, and roosters cockadoodling is overwhelming for young
minds. If that isn't distracting, the fact that we live in a community
house brings other things or people unannounced. Time for the baby's
nap...she must get a bird bath by mom because she has been crawling on the
dusty, dirty, and yes...dead bugged floor. It is a very dusty area and with no
air conditioner, windows need to stay open inviting the above in. (Good news, our bodies are acclimated better to the heat and I no longer look like I am in the middle of a heart attack with sweat pouring off me) Tim the tool man, Josh, built a nice card board baby gate since she fell down 4 cement
stairs!) Who needs Babies R Us?
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Ready for a walk! |
I start another
round of meals for lunch..do the dishes and sweep the floor for round 2...and hope the oldest three will nap at 2. Nap
time allows me to work with Tate on more school or catch up on things for the
ministy. Dinner follows and there are no options to grab
Chic-fil-A so I repeat my meal routine! If we don't have Bible Study at night or another commitment,
we start our nightly routine of Parlyn taking a bath in the kitchen sink (fill
with water, add clorax for 15 minutes, and sometimes boil a kettle of hot water
if we don't get hot water that moment). The older have learned to shower
themselves, although Miss Finley usually requires our presense or she will dump
the entire bottle of shampoo on the floor to use her little body to slide on
(Finley is our curious, determined, and strong willed child). Prayer time...and
buenos noches (good night!) kiddos. Josh and I then catch up on emails,
life, plans, or maybe an episode of 24 (we have no TV so we use dvds on our laptop that were
left or donated). And many times we just flat crash from the daily heat
and brain power used from learning a new language. This may sound similar
to many of your days- the busyness that is. When we have a team visiting
from the states...this whole schedule is different.
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Our street right outside the Mak House |
It is easy to
be frustrated because I am doing what I did in the
States...but with added inconveniences. I often wonder, "Lord, what
is my purpose here?" But He has been gracious in reminding me that
THIS is what He called our
family to do ( we asked, He
answered), we had peace about it, and He provided the ways to get here in just
4 short months. It is easy as a mom, through the daily grind, to feel
like you are accomplishing nothing and yet you are dog-tired by 8
p.m. It is easy to want to 'get out there' and think I am making a difference because sometimes that daily grind of nurturing 5 kids doesn't seem heroic. It is a continual mental battle to take those thoughts captive
and know that I have 5 disciples to minister too. And that will be
fruitful one day!
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Friends Sylvia, Miguelina, Ines |
People have told
me they feel bad complaining to us because of our what we experience
daily. The truth is that this is where God has us and therefore He will
provide if we are in His will. Now, do I do great at trusting in Him 100%
of the time? No! Do I let my thoughts over run me at times? Yes! Do I do
the things I wish I didn't do? Yes! Being on the mission field has just
forced me to face the things I struggled with in the States. I think if I
was forced to return to the states tomorrow, I would be hesitant in fear that I
would fall back into my trust in other things and not in the Father. So
for those of you faced with decisions to step out... it may be rough, it may be
lonely, it may get ugly when faced with your sin....BUT finding your joy IN HIM and allowing Him to prune you no matter what the cost will be worth a deeper relationship with your Creator.
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Main street in Los Ciruelos, Montellano. Walking through the neighborhood. |
Things I am learning: have JOY in the Giver
and not the Gifts, how to love the unlovely (psalm 133), repent more
often, have grace with my spouse, know that I am given grace more than I
deserve, many of you are teaching me about giving beyond, and to trust in Him in all things (meaning I don't need
to control all situations).
LESS SERIOUS NOTE:
Oh, I must share.
I now drive by myself (and my ducklings) to the La Sirena to grocery shop! At
first I was scared to death because the law of driving here is... well...there
is no laws from what we see. So, I have learned to pass on the right, honk as a
way of saying 'move over', run a red light if I feel like it, and cut people
off to not get myself cut off! I told Josh, I felt bad because I honked loudly
at a 'newbee" driver at the round about the other day. You have right away
if you are entering the round about and you don't if you are exiting. Well, the
newbee in front me sat in the middle of the road frozen and fearful of
entering....so I kindly gave them a loud honk to prevent me and the kids from
being rear ended. I felt bad and should of given grace since that was me a
month ago! Yet, I was proud of myself for being sucessful on conquering the
trip there and back DOMINICAN STYLE. Once in the store, we are stopped in every isle so the locals can pinch Parlyn and
Finley's cheeks. Which calls for another bird bath after the grocery
store trip.
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Holding the chicken |
"Finley Funny" We are teaching the kids Spanish and she is very receptive. She also uses it to yell at people.. As the ladies in the grocery store pinch her cheeks she yells, "no mas" to them (no more!). She also takes Parlyn's bottle out of her hands and gets in her face and says, "say, 'por favor! say, 'por favor!" demanding her to say please. (Parlyn only says 'moma' and can moo and meow!) No mercy for little P.
GOAL:
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At the Makarios School |
I am hoping to
figure out a way to be at the Makarios School more and in the community more to
build relationships. Today, I fit in a walk in the neighborhood. As I was
walking, a lady came out of her house and snatched up Finley and took her
inside to show her off I guess...they were rattling off in Spanish. STRANGE! I had to follow her in to make sure
nothing happened. I am learning this is part of the outgoing culture here.
(This happens often to Finley... not surprised people love her, but it is
making her very guarded.)
RECENTLY:
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Essentials for D.R. quiet time: candle, coffee, raid, bible. |
We hosted
Thanksgiving Dinner for all the staff. We did the turkeys and some sides
and others brought side dishes. We were concerned how to cook a turkey
for 4 hours in ovens that function with heat levels 1,2,3,4, or 5...and tend to
jump temperatures for no reason. Josh cooked the best turkeys I have ever ate! We all had a
wonderful fellowship and comida (food)!
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Best Turkeys Ever!! Found Butterball from NC! REAL Treat! |
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Thanksgiving with the Makarios Staff |
Also, the Miles
family, who had signed on this year to be the Principal of the Makarios school
have decided to part ways with Makarios. It is nothing that Makarios has
done, but their hearts are directed elsewhere in the D.R. Josh did a
great job in leading our team through this, focusing on the letter to the
Ephesians regarding the Body and how it functions with many parts. When
the parts are functioning correctly, then the Body can function as a whole.
The enemy could have used this to tear apart our team, but instead unity has
continued. Praise to Him.
Have a Happy
Thanksgiving!
Thanks for all the
prayers, emails, support, and cards!
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Chicken, rice and beans (not pictured) National lumch food. Seriously every day! |
Blessed,
Jen
Wow Jen!!! Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your daily life...I am having a hard time getting over the bugs and lizards and spiders!!! :) Prayers for POWER in your neck of the woods...Miss you all! ~Ang
ReplyDeleteI love the two to three "bird baths" a day for little P. I would do the same! It's crazy to think she will be almost Finley's age when you guys leave the DR. LOVE reading about your day. You are truly on an adventure, Jen! They say it takes about three months to acclimate to a new town- it's got to be more like 6 months for a new culture/country! Give yourself even more grace than you think... God is!!! Love you guys :)
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