Oh, the life of missionaries. We’re definitely used to the first two by now. They are the main ingredients of every meal and have become a comfort when I sometimes don’t know what else I’m eating. But the last two are new encounters.
As you know, a World Race team (theworldrace.org) came this week to stay here for one leg of their trip. We love them and are so excited they are here! They do a lot more traveling than us, and have been staying in some places quite rougher than our humble abode. They are thankful for beds and decent showers and padded couches.
However, they brought a few friends along with them.
There’s a lice epidemic on the girl’s side of the house. We’ve checked our hair, combed lice out, washed our sheets, checked our hair, washed our sheets, thrown out pillows, and checked our hair again. So far, I’m clean… and I’m praying it stays that way. Is your head itching yet?
I’m sure you’re thinking why in the world I’m here in some of these conditions. Better yet, I’ll be your wondering why in the world I absolutely love it. Well, I can’t exactly explain it. It’s God. That’s the only answer.
There’s something else I can’t quite explain, I can’t even understand it. The things Paul went through to spread the gospel. Just read any of his writings and you’ll find he went through far worse—prison, homelessness, ridicule, persecution, and, did I mention, prison? I’ll bet he would have loved some rice and beans on many occasions. Yet, he rejoiced because of these things so that many could know the great news.
And, there’s something far greater that I’ll never be able to explain or understand. Jesus and what He went through for us. It’s God. God went through that for us. He came from His glory to live on the earth, with rice and beans and lice and fleas, to be with us and bring us to Himself. He was whipped and tortured and crushed and pierced for our sins. And He rejoiced with the Father because of these things, so that one day, we can rejoice with Them.
So, what we’ve got going on here is nothing. I’m spoiled and living the good life compared to many missionaries whose lives are in danger for what they’re doing. A monotonous regimen of rice and beans and an invasion of lice and fleas… no big deal. Because Jesus is a big deal.
