Happy and Sad

20.12.12

The last couple of days we have had a roller coaster of emotions!

Freight

 Firstly, our freight has arrived!   The man who said he was going to get it delivered to us got it here when he said he would so that was £100 well spent!  We were so happy to be reunited with our boxes on Tuesday night and relieved to have our precious personal goods safely here.  What an answer to prayer that was.  Yesterday we set to unpacking the boxes and finding places for everything and that was very emotional.  Each item we took out of the boxes reminded us of people, occasions and events back home and we cried a lot.  It is all part of the grieving process as we come to terms with this huge transition.  Now the house looks more like our home and it means we are staying! 

Christmas social

On Tuesday afternoon the people from the church here in Mahaica held a social for the elderly people of the village and we were invited to go along. Not because we were elderly I hasten to add, just because we are Rev and Mrs Rev!  They went to a lot of trouble preparing a three course meal for the folks and we sang some carols, then the guests were each given a gift bag (presented by Rev!) containing flannel and soap, cake, a can of drink and other goodies to take home.  They were so grateful.  Some of these people are very poor and it may have been the best meal some of them had all year.  It was very humbling and a great honour to be there amongst them and chat to them. 

Having a meal with the elderly residents of Mahaica



The Rev presenting gifts to the elderly guests

Eaten alive!

The number of insect bites on my arms and legs is increasing and each one is reacting pretty badly (even when I don’t scratch!) so please pray for those to heal quickly and for me to become resistant to the bugs!  Clearly they think I’m tasty!  Also, this morning when I woke up my left eye was all swollen and stuck together with some gunk so I am assuming I got some dust in it maybe.  I haven’t brought any Optrex or an eye bath so am just bathing it in clean water for now. Again, any suggestions from my medical friends gratefully received! 

Through it all…

Despite the ongoing frustrations and pain we believe we are in the place God wants us to be but we are really relying on his strength and help to get us through and bring us comfort.  It is for him we are doing this and we trust he will equip us where he has called us and that we will not only survive here but thrive.  Your love, support, good wishes and prayers are helping us do that.

Today I read these verses which I found to be a real help to me and I pray they may also help you with whatever you are going through today:

‘Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.  I’ve called your name.  You’re mine.  When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.  When you are in rough waters you will not go down.  When you are between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end because I am God, your personal God, your Saviour. I paid a huge price for you…!  That’s how much you mean to me.  That’s how much I love you.’  Isaiah 43 vs 1-4 The Message