the little things

Culture shock paid me a visit last week. It wasn't pleasant. I've been here almost two weeks and already there have been a couple days where I've wondered, "What the heck am I doing?!" There have been times where I would certainly prefer curling up on my couch with my dog with a glass of wine in hand and fall asleep to a movie over battling stomach issues, being in a place where I can't understand the language being spoken, and sometimes having no running water. It's the little things that I miss. Yes, I miss being a phone call away from my family. I miss randomly showing up at friends' houses to watch Friends. I miss my church and the familiar faces inside it. I miss coaching softball. I miss being able to watch my Hokie football dominate on Saturday and my Dolphins more than likely lose on Sunday. I miss being a short drive away from Panera and ice cream. I will admit I miss getting back scratches. Yes, I do miss these things. I miss what's comfortable and familiar. Guess what? I'm human.

However, once the wave has rolled over...

I remember what God did to bring me to this exact place. I remember all the things that He has provided. I remember that's it's not my own strength that helps me through. I remember that it's not a passion that I gave to myself, it's God's passion for these kids that becomes my daily strength. It's the little things that remind me why I'm here. It might be one of the boys running into the office to give me a hug with a huge grin on his face. It might be the squeal of a little girl next door as she runs over wanting to give the mzungus (white people) a hug. It might be the "What did you learn in school today?" or "Be good and have a good day at school tomorrow!" that comes out of my mouth and I realize that I'm practicing to be a mom already. It might be seeing the dependency that the people here have on God and how it makes me re-examine my own dependency on Him. Most days it's knowing that the next 50 boys coming through the program will be changed throughout the next year.

Every day it's knowing that the work that I'm doing here for a year is worth SO MUCH MORE than enjoying what's comfortable for the rest of the time.

My little thing for today:

Seeing all the boys in their school uniforms on the first day of the term.

Keep praying. I'm in for a ride. And I yearn to keep my eyes on what is above throughout it all.