When It Rains It Pours

During the rainy season, my daily walks around the seminary track sometimes look like this. By the time I'm finishing my last lap I'm a little more tired than usual from dodging the puddles and mud; from searching for dry paths for my feet.

Picture one is the view near the front of the seminary. Believe it or not holes were filled in this past year with brick and stone. The second picture involves walking on the grass on the right-hand
side. When I told the young man walking away from the camera that Tracy and I called this one Lake Malawi, I then asked him what he would call it. "Lake Daka," he replied. I think that must be his last name!

Okay, so why am I showing you these pictures? Well, as I thought about being more tired after dodging lakes and ponds after a heavy rain, I was reminded of Michael Oh's summary of a missionary's stress level. He
compared it to  walking backwards for 24 hours, talking backwards for
24 hours, looking at everything through a mirror for 24 hours, and then sleeping standing up. 

Not every day is like that. Some days are easier than others. But the really hard cultural days feel like that. Like the rainy season~paths are not always submerged in water. But, there are days when it feels like Michael Oh's assessment.

Do I write this so you will feel sorry for us, or other missionaries? No, I just want to help you to better pray for your missionaries. Life is stressful on the mission field. We're out of our element. Things constantly change. At times we long for "normal." We cannot stand without your prayers. Thank you!

PS--Oh, and by the way, do you happen to know a contractor out there that would love to come and fix the seminary's road? Just thought I'd ask!