Watermelon, Eggs, and Mushrooms...Oh My!!

Hello Friends,

It has been a while since my last post! I have begun working with refugees. One area that God is using me is in the area of soccer. I am now a soccer coach. Any of you who know me know that running and football are all I know--haha. This is truly an area where God will get all the glory. There is a team of Butanes teenagers that play soccer but are looking for a coach and an organized practice. They look up to Uncle Tom for this and he ended up bringing me into the mix as well--haha! I am learning a lot and we have only had two practices thus far. One thing I am learning is that English, when compared to other languages, is quite slow--haha.

Another way I am getting in with the refugees is the Sunday evening meetings. This is where Uncle, Aunt, Myself, and a few volunteers gather in an apartment and answer questions refugees may have about anything. The past few weeks I have just sat in a chair and listened. It is at these meetings that I have started my first sacrifice for the Lord besides leaving Jess, my family, and friends, which is my picky eating lifestyle. I have learned to swallow stuff whole while staring at a wall and thinking of nothing. Nothing weird yet-- just stuff that I don't like, such as watermelon, hard boiled eggs, and mushrooms. It would be impolite to refuse, so I thank God for the food, say a special prayer for my stomach and dive in. I love how these people are so willing to offer what they have to a total stranger. 

Today, my uncle and I took a refugee named Geet (J-eet) to a place to take an English exam to see if he could qualify to get into a culinary school in order to get a job. While they were in the office I sat on a bench outside for a little over an hour. There was not much to do, so I started to get impatient. We finally left and took Geet back to his apartment and had a meal. I explained my frustration to Jessica later. I explained that I was getting frustrated because I feel like I have not made an impact at all, especially today because all I did was sit on a bench. As she talked to me, She helped me realize that I didn't come to make an impact. I came because this is where God is at work and I am following His will. He will choose whether I make an impact or not. So after I refocused, I am now ready to sit on a bench all day if I have to. If it shows these people Christ's deep love for them, I am prepared to do that!

Much love,

Hayden