Some are discouraged because they weren't able to go home during Christmas break.
Some are discouraged because they DID go home ... but had to come back.
Some are discouraged because their vacation was to another country in this region so, though it has more freedom than we have here, it was too much of the same.
One of my students says she's falling asleep all of the time ... sleeping for hours during the day and then again at night. Her husband works "in the field" for a couple of weeks at a time. He told her to go shopping. So, she grabbed her abaya and hopped on the bus.
Each of my students who did go home for Christmas had at least one child cry miserably when they had to come back.
Words that come up in conversations on a regular basis:
prison
prisoner
trapped
freedom
restrictions
black
prayers/mosques/noise (all together!)
sleeplessness
boredom
weight gain
can't (as in "I can't load the book I wanted onto my Kindle from here." "I can't get out often enough." "I can't Skype my parents." "I can't stand it, here!")
For the most part, I've been able to reach a fairly stable and pleasant state in this place ... thanks to much help from Above! But I'm slowly realizing the important role that I can have in encouraging (speaking courage into) the gals around me.
Jim and I really noticed it when our friends/co-workers returned from their trips home -- complaining, whining, and more complaining!
When we were here, pretty much alone, during the break ... we made it work. In fact, I had quite a pleasant time!
That's due, in large part, to my very low expectations. When we expect it to be a struggle and it's not ... well, we rejoice and are actually excited about something that would otherwise be ... well ... expected! ;)
So, the key is:
keep expectations low
keep joy high
Because then I can spread the joy around to those who are low ... and struggling.
Please join me in prayer for that very thing --
low expectations and high joy ...
so that I can be a blessing to those around me ...
2 comments:
For some reason it's been a while since I looked at your blog, Sharon, and it seems I've missed out. I quite agree with you on the subject of contentment. It most often is a matter of deciding to trust the Lord that He has you where you are, and you can rest in that. Within that state can come an eagerness for the days - what are we doing today, Lord? In the 70's we used to say, (did I really ever say this?!) "Bloom where you're planted." It seems so trite, but dang if it isn't true! The obvious signs of depression that you see around you are real and I'm not belittling them - been there big time. I'm glad that you are able to shine the light of the peace of God into lives around you there in that oh so spiritually dark place. That's quite a ministry you have.
Thanks so much, Zona. With discontentment comes all manner of messes -- women fighting women, segregated groups with "sides" taken on the silliest of things. I'm trying to stay out of it enough to avoid the gossip and in it enough to be able to be a blessing.
Prayer is greatly appreciated!
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