I think I have figured it out. My life is normal now. The little things that used to be so different and funny and interesting are now a part of my everyday life. I actually was thinking the other day that I assumed missionary life (the daily living and housing situation) would be a lot more difficult. I love my apartment. Except for the color of the walls and the tiles. But it is cute and it has 2 rooms. I have never had 2 rooms to myself!
But when I really think about it, it can be difficult. The walls are cement and there is no central heating or air conditioning. This means if it is cold outside, it is cold inside. And man does it get cold up here! So I put towels under the cracks in the door and cuddle up on my couch with a bunch of blankets. But I didn't have enough blankets at the beginning. And I spent many months on an air mattress on the floor before I was given a donation that helped pay for the couches.
The running water is not drinkable. And I live on the second floor. This means about every week I have to carry those stupid heavy water jugs up the stairs, wipe off the top, and then try to put the bottle on top of the water base without getting water everywhere. It is a pain.
Speaking of running water, I only have it outside. My kitchen has no sink or counter or cupboards built in. So when I crack an egg or am baking and need to rinse off my hands, I have to go outside to do it. This is an even bigger pain. I have made my kitchen into a very nice space. I love it. But I wish it had running water.
I have metal bars on all my windows. I have to, for safety. I see past them now but they were difficult to get used to. It is weird being on the inside of a cage.
I don't have a dryer. In the rainy season it takes 2-3 days to dry my clothes. I hate it. But I am ever so grateful and thankful and blessed to have a washing machine. Really.
I can't go out at night alone. And I can't run alone in the day. It isn't safe. It is funny how you get used to fear.
There are spiders in my house. Enough said.
And this is just my house. There are many more things that make it difficult to live here. I encounter them on a daily basis. I just have to leave my front door! And don't even get me started on how it is to do any kind of paperwork here!
And yet this is not a post where I am complaining. Like I said, the other day I thought about how easy it was to live here. So why do I think that? God's grace. He has given me grace to tolerate things that before would have beaten me down and made me crazy in the process. I just love being here.
So I am sorry if I don't have any good stories anymore. Seeing men pee on the side of the road has become all too common. And diarrhea stories aren't as funny anymore. They have happened too often. Although, I was telling my friend in Canada a couple of stories the other day and managed to make her laugh. :)
The kids are amazing. I just need to post more about them. And I will. Once I have all lured you back into my blog!
Goodnight and God bless!
