If you guys are on Facebook, I'm sure some of you heard about my little misadventure with my foot two weeks ago. If you haven't, let me fill you in…..
BEFORE
AFTER
For those of you that know me, it may come as a shock to find out that this exceedingly graceful and coordinated girl should break her foot playing soccer (I hope you caught the sarcasm there). The story really isn't that interesting, suffice it to say I will be more careful when trying to learn new tricks next time I'm playing soccer. Turns out the human foot doesn't fold very well.
Through this experience, I have learned a lot. Here are a few:
- Think you get stared at a lot when you are a gringa? Try being a gringa hobbling on crutches.
- Plastic bags tied over your cast DEFINITELY don't work when you go swimming.
- If you want to be real cool, try out the newest fashion…. One leg tan, the other leg white.
-
I bet you didn't know the translation of the song "La Cucaracha" goes as follows:
Spanish English La cucaracha, la cucaracha, The cockroach, the cockroach, ya no puede caminar can't walk anymore porque le falta, porque le falta because it's lacking, because it's lacking las dos patitas de atr�s. the two little feet from the rear. Yeah, now that the local kiddos think it is a suitable song to sing to me, I know it REAL well.
- Crutches make for excellent long range weapons of mass bruising.
Those are just a few of the lessons I have learned since breaking my foot. But along the more serious lines, God has used this as an opportunity to teach me humility. Since my mobility has been impaired, I have asked for more help and special favors than I ever have in my entire life. Now, I am more than willing to serve people in the simplest of ways, but to ask for help in something I have always done myself? Impossible. Except now I can't even carry a stack of books on my own from one room to another… My hands are kinda full with the crutches. I've had to learn to be honest about what I need, and to be honest with how I'm feeling physically, instead of just saying, "I'm fine!". It's been incredibly frustrating not being able to walk as fast as the group, or not being able to carry my own bag and it's been incredibly humbling learning how to be honest about my needs. And yet, my team has continued to honor me by tirelessly serving in the little things, and even going above and beyond to make sure I'm taken care of.
My broken foot has also been revealing to me my stubborn nature: "I can do it!" Just the other day, I was tired of watching the team work, and I stubbornly found a job I felt that I could do. I mean, I can stand on my foot now without pain, so surely I can stand to paint metal beams perfectly fine? Kacie decided to go all "mom" on me, telling me that I needed to rest, that it was not good for me to stand for a long time…. She even had the wagging finger going on. Let me just say, I responded much like a stubborn, bull-headed little girl (that was for you Lucas) and insisted on doing the job. Later, when my foot was swollen and sore and my ankle hurting from the unusual strain, I had to take back my words and apologize for my attitude to Kacie. I'm learning that just because I CAN do something, doesn't mean I NEED to.
But it has truly been a sweet learning experiencing. Once I have been able to swallow my pride long enough to let others honor and serve me, I have been amazed my the incredible things I've seen and ways I have been loved. On our travel days to debrief and back, Kacie made sure she was always behind me, no matter how slow I was hobbling: "I've got your back" she informed me confidently. And I always knew she did. That same day, I had a Nicaraguan man assist me down the last step of a bus, but rather than holding my hand so I could hop to the ground awkwardly onto my good foot, he lifted my by my waist, setting me gently on the ground. I felt so honored and respected. Last night, I missed dinner with the team, and Ryan (though he was fasting), made sure my plate was made and heated up and stayed to talk and finally do the dishes when I was finished. Never have I been served so completely.
And only with humility, crutches and a broken pie (foot) have I been able to experience all of this.
"We wouldn't be Team Pies Hermosos without you and your broken pie (foot)!"
– a note from Allegra
