Three little boys do keep me busy! Days just fly by and I find myself racing along without even a minute to catch my breath let alone reflect. A lot has happened and is happening so here are a few highlights:
- We attended the wedding of one of our local staff in January. It took us about two hours in our pickup truck, packed full of puking people (the locals are not used to traveling by car) to get to her village. She is 18 years old and her mom died three years ago. Now her father has married again, her new 'mom' is 18 years old...Very strange.
This was the first time I attended a Christian wedding here and it was partly hilarious to see how they had incorporated many of the Western aspects of the ceremony (including 'you may now kiss the bride') into the celebration.
Marriage is hard work and when I see people here make that commitment I wonder even more just what their next few days and weeks and months and years will be like. In a culture where you very rarely talk about feelings or communicate expectations clearly many marriages fail and end unhappily. But this couple started out on this journey with Jesus and so I have hope.
- We went on a staff outing to a waterfall, about 45 minutes outside of town. Again with a pickup full of puking girls. :) It was a great day and what really amazed me was that for many of them it was the first time to visit this beautiful spot even though they live nearby. We brought fish and grilled it and the girls made papaya salad and it was just a nice day of fellowship.
- Dylan, my firstborn son, turned four years old on February 18th! I am so proud of this little guy, his humor, his creativity, his loving heart and joyous energy. I love watching him being such a great big brother and watching out for Elliot and Ayden. And I so enjoy having this opportunity to teach him. He is curious and loves learning and it's been so cool to discover new things with him and see how he incorporates what he is learning in daily life. I pray that he will continue to follow Jesus and will become a man after God's own heart and mighty light for many!
- We had a birthday party on the Saturday after Dylan's birthday and invited all the kids in the neighborhood. It was a fun afternoon with cake and drinks and games. I explained all the games to them and it was funny to see how they interpreted or understood my explanations and made up new games. :) Adults here rarely play with children so it's always a special treat for them.
- Ayden will be 6 months old in just a few days and has just graduated to pureed apples and other Baby food. I can't believe the little guy has been with us for half a year already. He is such a sweet boy, full of joy with an easy smile and laugh and full of curiosity, discovering the world around him. He is itching to join his big brothers in play and loves it when they come and snuggle (or wrestle) with him. He grabs everything within reach and would love nothing more than to be running around with the big boys. I'm thankful for this little bundle of joy!
- Elliot is at such a cool age now. At 2 and 4 months he is such a relaxed and easygoing fellow and very much able to express himself. It's fun to see him discover new things daily, too. Dylan is his hero and it's sweet to hear them talk with each other and just enjoy each others' company. He has a great smile that spreads right across his face from ear to ear and I'm glad he's part of our family.
- In the last few weeks and months we have been thinking a lot about our future and have made the decision to move back to the capital. It's been hard to make that decision and my heart is heavy when I think of leaving our little town and the people we have started building relationships with. Life in the capital will be very different. At the same time I am looking forward to the community we will be a part of here. So change is coming.
There are days when I feel frustrated, stuck in a rut, stuck in circumstances, helpless, hopeless and just plain annoyed but overall I am grateful for this season I am in, knowing that it is a season. I know that each day is there for a purpose, to teach me humility, love, compassion, patience and joy in spite of all circumstances. And so today, once again, I resolve to embrace this season and to be a good student, willing to learn from the Master.
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