Trust wall

When we arrived at our new house, on one wall there was a 6 foot long
reed mat. Most missionaries use it to hang pictures of family and
friends. We brought our pictures digitally, so for a few weeks it just
hung there bare. Then I had an idea, I would make it a "trust wall."

You see I am in the phase of culture shock called "withdraw," or as I
like to call it "blah." The four stages of culture shock are the
honeymoon, anger, withdraw, and acceptance. We are in the awkward stage
of language learning when you can say a few phrases and understand bits
and pieces, but by no means can you carry on a full conversation, let
alone one of importance. So it is tempting to retreat and watch American
movies or dream of eating sushi.

To bring myself back to reality and learn to trust God more, I made the
"trust wall." On it I have put little sticky notes to remind me of ways
God has blessed us since we have been here. The idea is to remember what
He has done and have confidence that I can trust Him with whatever
happens today.

An example of a note on the wall is one that says "eggs." When we first
got to Gamboula, I didn't know how to go about getting food and we don't
have a car to drive us to the market. One morning I prayed, "Please
Lord, bring someone to my door who is selling eggs." Everyday people
come and sell fruit and vegetables, but no one had ever brought eggs.
That day someone came with eggs!

Yesterday I added 2 more notes!

For the last month, there has been a young, female, medical student here
working at the hospital. It was such a blessing to have someone my age
to pal around with. Yesterday, she left a few weeks early. I was really
bummed. Withdraw set in again. We love all of the other missionaries on
the station here, but they joke that we moved to the "retirement home."
There is just something about having friends your own age, especially in
a foreign land when you already feel so different. You just want someone
that understands you. Not an hour passed after she left that we heard
the Huntleys were coming to visit for the day! They are a young couple
with 2 little boys that live about 2 hours away. It was so great to have
lunch with them and talk while our kids played together! I intend to
make sure we hang out as much as possible! The Huntleys have made the board!

The other note says, "English lessons." Josh and I have been talking
about what we want to do when we can communicate. I say, "Something with
kids." It is frustrating to be so close physically to the people we
desire to work with, but yet so far linguistically. But God surprised me
again! He literally brought two boys to my door- who wanted me to tutor
them in English a few times a week. It is great- I get to work with kids
and they can help me learn Sango. God can still use me even though I
only know Sango "kete kete" (a little).

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own
understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make
your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6