Still Here

I’m glad I’m not a giraffe. Debrianna differs with me, thinking she would love to be a pink giraffe with the lovely, long lashes … or so she says.

Writing this feels more like an extension of the last article I penned (or rather clicked, letter-by-letter on the computer).  Gone seem to be the days of relaxed, reciprocal writing, back-and-forth phone calls and letters. Now are the days of clickety-clacking our communication on laptops — or better yet (seriously?!), pocket-computers, otherwise known as mobile phones (presently my mode of communication). If reception is available, nobody needs to be disconnected from their circle of acquaintances or interests no matter what time of day or night. 

When I last wrote we were still in “missionary-house-sitting” mode. As each Monday approaches we anticipate the possibility of perhaps hearing this week of our acceptance into Australia. With the close of the weekdays comes also the close of our hopes for that week. In a way it is a blessing to have a few days of freedom from the checking, the wondering. With no opportunity to worry about it I find it easier to focus on serving and worshiping the Lord during the weekend. Then comes Monday again.  {Sigh…smile}

Meanwhile, the Lord has faithfully provided both temporary housing, a vehicle, and opportunities to minister. When I feel the itch to complain I’m reminded of a saying common among some missionaries here:  “That is a first-world problem.”  Many of the things we worry over or complain about are commodities and conveniences the majority of people around the world only dream about. Shame on my complaints over petty irritations which pale in comparison to the troubles of so many around the world!  I recall the despair of the homeless here; the squalor of the squatters camps; the shanties so close you could borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor without leaving your house; the disparity of the abundance of “stuff” we still have, even after giving so much away; the helpfulness of an automatic washing machine, running water, a solar geyser (hot-water heater) that allows nightly bathing with aromatic soap, even if the tub isn’t full; an electric kettle to heat water for washing my hair in the morning and dishes when needed, as well as for what it is designed: hot water for coffee and tea!  (By the way, solar does not heat the water tank at night, nor very well on cloudy days, I’ve discovered…)

So, yes, we are still here. We are still where we should be: waiting on the Lord.  And when God sees fit to move us on, whether it is to Australia or Africa or America or Above (to my heavenly home), I trust we will “still be here,” wherever here may be, doing God’s will.