The week ended in a manner I should have anticipated, given how it began. I spent 4 hours talking to 5 men who were talking over me about installing an HF radio. It is hard for people to accept that a young woman might know a thing or two. In the end I had to call over a UN technition, explain what my plans were (that I have been working on all week) and have him tell me I was exactly correct... THEN everyone agreed with HIM. I was pretty fed up. On top of it all, to prove I knew what I was talking about, I had out my iPhone, on which I recorded the whole thing being assembled by Clément this time last week. In all of my distracted brilliance, I put my phone down on the very very magnetic black box of the heart of the antenna. iPhone down, forever.
Gone are the recordings of conversations I have had here that I was hoping to reference. Gone are photos I had yet to post. Gone are any hope of podcasts while in Ango. Gone are recordings of thunderstorms. Gone are games of Words With Friends with my parents and friends. Gone are my midnight news checkups when I cant sleep.
Gone. All gone.
Maybe it is better this way. Everything I brought with me to the Congo I knew I might loose to the Congo... just didn't expect it to be my own lame fault.
I contemplated taking a long shower at the end of today, after Skyping with (aka complaining to) my mom while everyone else played volleyball and left the broadband free for my use. Instead, I went out and sat next to the volleyball match, hoping some of the endorphins might waft over in my direction. No endorphins wafted, but the children did... I counted 40 in a matter of minutes.
I made them all sit down, as they were kiiinda making me feel claustrophobic. I began to make rings with grass and toss it onto a stick I stuck into the ground. A few of the kids tried to play ring toss with me, but really, it didn't go over as well as I might have hoped. Mostly the kids just stared at me and ran when I extended my hand.
Eh, well, cant win em all... especially this week.
But tomorrow is Easter. I love Easter. It always feels like my own personal new year. A day to remember that I am indeed washed clean. That I am indeed under the watchful eye and protective hand of my God.
I have spent many Easters brunching on the beach, hiking mountains at sunrise, spending time staring at the horizon. Few Easters have I spent in church, well, in the buildings we refer to as churches. I don't quite know what to expect tomorrow. No horizons or beaches or mountains in the jungle. There are churches. Perhaps I will mix it up and go there.
The glory of it all is, no matter what, tomorrow will be an excellent day to remember that I am so fresh and so clean clean. That despite the battles that defeat me in an instant, in the end I have the victory. To remember that I am given strength for each new day by the One who knows exactly how much I will need. That His mercies are new every morning, which is good, because mine are not. I can remember (as I should daily) that I have every reason to declare God's loving kindness every morning and His faithfulness every night.
Happy Easter Eve
Gone are the recordings of conversations I have had here that I was hoping to reference. Gone are photos I had yet to post. Gone are any hope of podcasts while in Ango. Gone are recordings of thunderstorms. Gone are games of Words With Friends with my parents and friends. Gone are my midnight news checkups when I cant sleep.
Gone. All gone.
Maybe it is better this way. Everything I brought with me to the Congo I knew I might loose to the Congo... just didn't expect it to be my own lame fault.
I contemplated taking a long shower at the end of today, after Skyping with (aka complaining to) my mom while everyone else played volleyball and left the broadband free for my use. Instead, I went out and sat next to the volleyball match, hoping some of the endorphins might waft over in my direction. No endorphins wafted, but the children did... I counted 40 in a matter of minutes.
I made them all sit down, as they were kiiinda making me feel claustrophobic. I began to make rings with grass and toss it onto a stick I stuck into the ground. A few of the kids tried to play ring toss with me, but really, it didn't go over as well as I might have hoped. Mostly the kids just stared at me and ran when I extended my hand.
Eh, well, cant win em all... especially this week.
But tomorrow is Easter. I love Easter. It always feels like my own personal new year. A day to remember that I am indeed washed clean. That I am indeed under the watchful eye and protective hand of my God.
I have spent many Easters brunching on the beach, hiking mountains at sunrise, spending time staring at the horizon. Few Easters have I spent in church, well, in the buildings we refer to as churches. I don't quite know what to expect tomorrow. No horizons or beaches or mountains in the jungle. There are churches. Perhaps I will mix it up and go there.
The glory of it all is, no matter what, tomorrow will be an excellent day to remember that I am so fresh and so clean clean. That despite the battles that defeat me in an instant, in the end I have the victory. To remember that I am given strength for each new day by the One who knows exactly how much I will need. That His mercies are new every morning, which is good, because mine are not. I can remember (as I should daily) that I have every reason to declare God's loving kindness every morning and His faithfulness every night.
Happy Easter Eve
1 comment:
Aww man! I pray for perfect peace for you Courtney and patience with people who don't realize your amazing intelligence and capabilities like we do!
Death to the iPhone! Oh Lord, is this the sacrifice you require of Courtney? heehee
LOVE YOU! I speak blessings over you this Easter-may your spirit be revived and resurrected!
Post a Comment