When getting ready and thinking about coming back here for another year there was one thing that actually caused me doubt. It was the hard work. Now, I'm not the type of person who runs away from hard work but the hard work required to live in another country and work in ministry is different than any other hard work I've experienced. To live outside of America...I'd even go out on a limb and say living outside of your home country is just plain more work. Coming back this summer to America I realized how "easy" it is to live in America. I use this lightly because I know that there are troubles with bills and finding jobs, etc. But I mean outside of that...just plain living. Does that make sense?
As I have been slowly adjusting and reality has been sinking in more and more I am being reminded of this hard work. Communication takes more time and effort. Things change and standards are different living in another country, patience is tried in different ways.
ONE of the hard things that has been going on recently is that, my landlord called my director today and she wants to meet to tell me she wants to raise my rent and how much she now wants. This doesn't come at a particular great time...but of course that's how it goes. I have heard that other missionaries have dealt with this in other countries and being told on short notice doesn't help. I don't have my money collected for the year and this was an unexpected change in the budget. My director only is willing to go up a little bit. Over that amount the apartment isn't worth it so I'd need to move. I think it's interesting that so many missionaries deal with housing issues. As I was walking around town today I had some time to thing through some of my thoughts on the subject. What does home stand for with missionaries specifically? Usually it's a place of solitude and security (at least that's what I think :)). I think that satan plays on this and tries to get us in those areas of security. It causes chaos and frustration at times.
So my prayer tonight is that the new rent won't be much and that I can stay at my apartment for the next 9 months.
As I have been slowly adjusting and reality has been sinking in more and more I am being reminded of this hard work. Communication takes more time and effort. Things change and standards are different living in another country, patience is tried in different ways.
ONE of the hard things that has been going on recently is that, my landlord called my director today and she wants to meet to tell me she wants to raise my rent and how much she now wants. This doesn't come at a particular great time...but of course that's how it goes. I have heard that other missionaries have dealt with this in other countries and being told on short notice doesn't help. I don't have my money collected for the year and this was an unexpected change in the budget. My director only is willing to go up a little bit. Over that amount the apartment isn't worth it so I'd need to move. I think it's interesting that so many missionaries deal with housing issues. As I was walking around town today I had some time to thing through some of my thoughts on the subject. What does home stand for with missionaries specifically? Usually it's a place of solitude and security (at least that's what I think :)). I think that satan plays on this and tries to get us in those areas of security. It causes chaos and frustration at times.
So my prayer tonight is that the new rent won't be much and that I can stay at my apartment for the next 9 months.
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