It's hard to believe...

It's hard to believe that I was home just two weeks ago. It's been a long two weeks. First a week overflowing with excess time because or political unrest and cancelled school. Then a week of half-days that felt like whole-days. Now 2 months and 16 days until I come home again.

I've been struggling today... Teaching is often a ministry in which you sow a lot and reap a little. I have to trust the Lord to work in these students' lives and to teach them something through me that will impact them long-term. I have to trust that my time here is valuable and that it is worth patiently enduring days when I would prefer to be in my comfort zone. And I also know that the Lord is using this to work in me, possibly even more than He's using me to work in others.

One thing that really helped me this afternoon was going on a "walk" with two of the other teachers who live here in the apartments. Really, it was more of a hike on the dirt/rocky road UP the mountain. I'm pretty sure that would be a physical challenge for me no matter what, but at this elevation - I found myself panting throughout much of the journey! I know I'll be sore tomorrow, but it will be great if we can go often enough so that I can actually get good at it. The company and conversation was just what I needed, along with some peaceful time outdoors in what mostly just feels like the woods...

As usual, God is really showing me that only He knows what is in store for my future. For many of us, this year is the only thing that is certain in our lives, and with the recent political struggle, even that has seemed unstable. The question to stay or to leave is often in the back of our minds. If the answer becomes go, then more questions burst forth about where and what and with who... I guess I just want to live "present tense" and to trust that the next steps will come together in the right time.