A Tough Day

Day 4 (July 4) was the inevitable let-down after the great day we had visiting our sponsor child on the 3rd. There are some days that you start to feel yourself sinking emotionally and struggling to snap out of it, try as you might. This was one of those days.

When we planned this trip, we knew there would be challenges, things we'd need to adjust to, roll with, and not worry about. But having a 6- and an 8- year old along on a cross-cultural extended mission comes with the need to be extra-gracious, extra-flexible, and EXTRA-patient, with everyone including yourself!

On Wednesday afternoon, we 'hit the wall' of culture shock, complicated by fatigue and some minor ailments.

One major factor was meal times. In Ecuador, the day starts with a fairly normal breakfast (typically the lighter variety), but lunch happens closer to 1 or even 2 pm, and dinner at closer to 8 pm. For our girls, this has been one of the biggest challenges so far. When they get hungry, they crash emotionally, and it becomes very difficult to re-settle them especially if we aren't sure when we'll have our next meal. In chatting about it, Carina and I are realizing we need to plan mealtimes ahead with our hosts (who, I must hasten to add, have been awesomely understanding!) and that we MUST have snacks in our daypacks and with us at all times in case mealtime is going to be delayed. On Wednesday we had a couple of over-hungry, grumpy and overtired girls on our hands, which then drained us emotionally as we dealt with them.

Playing into this was another factor, that of uncertainty. One thing every missionary knows is that nothing can be considered 'for sure' when it comes
to schedules and plans. Our hosts are in the midst of preparing for the Creekside team (arriving on Saturday) besides their usual work and ministry routines, and plans they had for us to drive down to the coast kept getting pushed back as some urgent business needed attention. We were on standby with bags half re-packed for the warmer coast weather and the beach, plus living out of our suitcases, which meant we weren't quite sure from one hour to the next what was happening. The girls were excited about going to the coast but our departure time changed once, then again, then got bumped ahead one day. Once our kids have the idea that something is going to happen, they have trouble coping if it keeps getting delayed. Carina and I were also struggling as well, which of course added stress. We were glad that our hosts were so gracious to take time to play with the girls, and they also enjoyed watching some TV for some down time. I kept reminding myself to relax and enjoy the time, chatting at the kitchen table with Grace and their kids.

And finally, health issues, were factoring in. We are being as careful as we can to make sure to guard ourselves from food or exhaustion- related sickness. Amanda had a cold before we left Canada that was still stuffing her up, Kayleigh has been struggling with a persistent cough, and I managed to develop a sore throat as well, so we were physically depleted. The altitude (9,000 feet) can wear you down as well. This contributed to our tough day too.

We realized the girls needed the safe space of our bedroom to be able to 'emote' and express their frustrations to us in private. On Wednesday afternoon we had a family chat to try and get everyone back on track, (just as important for Carina and I as well).

And what else can we do in those moments but pray? Carina and I took some time to ask God for strength and wisdom, and re-affirmed before the Lord our purpose and desire to be and do all that He wants for us in this time.

And while Wednesday was tough, there were lots of good moments too. As husband and father, I want so
much for Carina and the girls to enjoy this adventure, to have a sense of wonder and discovery as we see more
of Ecuador and her beautiful people. When things are 'going south' ;-) I find I get discouraged so quickly. 'Refreshing ourselves in the Lord' together and focusing on all the really good stuff we are doing and seeing, as well as the deepening friendship with our hosts the Erazo's is vital to the success of this month ahead.