What I have learned from one week without water
- Living with little water is very difficult
- Carrying around buckets of water is a natural form of exercise
- Hanging up laundry in the star light is not as magical as it sounds
- There is not just clean and dirty, but really it is more of a scale from very clean, clean, mostly clean, could use a wash, would be really nice to wash, MUST be washed
- Shouts of joy often follow the sound of a trickle of water from even one faucet
The Sun Shines through the Clouds
The adjustment continues to be difficult as we struggle to survive during the process of making our new home more livable. Even though the transition is very difficult, we can see how this will be a very good location for us once we have made the adjustment. There are times when we get a glimpse of things that we will appreciate once we are settled into life here. Focusing on the good always helps to lighten the burden of the struggle, so I thought I would take a moment to share with you some of the rays of sunlight that we see.
- Our neighborhood is very quiet: I can barely hear the call to pray and often can only hear the sound of birds in the morning.
- Relationships: Life here is incredibly calm, which makes forming relationships a lot easier. We have already started building relationships with our neighbors which is encouraging.
- Our host family – We are within walking distance of our host family and already feel like we have the good beginnings of a relationship with them.
- Space: There is space around for the boys to run and play in the mornings and evenings when it is cooler outside.
- Abandoned new construction: There might not be any playgrounds, but an abandoned new house is almost just as fun to a 5 year old boy.
- Ministry Opportunities: Our goal is to eventually work in a village with a people group who still needs to hear the gospel. In our current location we are very close to many villages, which will allow us to be mentored by an African specifically in that type of ministry.
- Family time – It seems like one of the things we haven’t run out of is time together as a family. I am praising God that so far the struggles seems to bring us all closer together.
Pictures from our First Village Trip
Molly says
Thanks again for the great updates… I had missed this one somehow! Can you tell me what those blocks that Ethan is standing on are? My curiosity is peaked 🙂 What is the name of the town/village you are in now?
Mom says
What a great picture of the truth that the Lord wants us to understand about Living Water. Without water we cannot be clean and it is amazing the ways we adapt and live with our varying degrees of uncleanlyness.
I think of Jesus desiring to wash Peters feet and Peter not wanting his feet washed by Jesus and Jesus saying “unless I wash your feet you have no part with me”. Oh my dear daughter as the Lord shows you how difficult it is to live without good pure water. So is the diffculty of living with out Living Water. We are praying that as you walk through this time and know that the Lord is teaching as Jesus did his disciples in John 13: 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
One day soon you will be blessed to have a discussion with those the Lord called you to serve about the great need for Living Water so that they can be clean eternally.
Love you and am so so proud of you.
Carolyn Powell says
My heart is heavy for you as you suffer for His name.
May Jesus, the Living Water of Life, be glorified as He, in His infinite power and compassion, provides water to your household or neighborhood.
My prayer is that you will receive water and all the surrounding villages will acknowledge that our God deserves the praise!
May He prove Himself by His provision!
Amen and amen.
I lift you up before His throne,
Carolyn
And if He doesn’t provide water, may He give you His power to accept His will in joy! May His name be glorified!
Auntie Becca says
Aching for you guys in this time of ANOTHER transition, and one that is so physically exhausting and discouraging. Glad to hear about rays of sunshine too. SO FUN to see pictures! Miss you guys especially right now!! Love you all!
PS: happy that Ethan is getting to ride in the back-back! (that’s what we called the back of the truck as opposed to the back seat and it was one of our most favorite! We’d often beg to ride in the back-back! Til we got old and started to love AC. ha!)
Aunt Elisabeth says
Hi Andi, I find myself thanking God for the prvilege of living in this time period because of the marvels of technology! Only now can we all feel so instantly close and present in each others lives through blogs, email and pictures. As everyone else says you have a gift with your words and photography. I think your blog would make a great book. Your transparency is a gift from you to us and takes courage and humility.
As always you each have my love and prayers. Aunt e
Lori Moody says
From looking at the pictures, I would add to the list of “rays of sunlight”: Incredibly cute children – both black and white! I love your updates and pray daily.
Aunt Patti says
I have been praying for you all during your time of transition and will continue. Your house looks lovely, and I’m sure will begin to feel like home as you fill it with love and laughter and the peace only God can give. I love the pictures. You do such a fantastic job Andi! Love to all.
Lauri A says
I feel as if I am walking right along side you Andi. Your writing is real and helps me remember to constantly pray for you. I just love it. This is incredibly hard and God has a big plan to use you guys there. We are praying for this. As I look at all that dirt… after I just washed my kitchen floor… I just giggle at your description of dirty. I doubt I would last very long there. I love reading and continue to lift you before the Lord for extra grace as you make your house a home. I won’t take my faucet with nice clean water for granted tonight. I must admit though… does look like little boy heaven. Who else gets to poke a pig???
Carolyn Gaupo says
Hi there you McMartins,
I love the way you are always so honest with us and keep us so closely updated on your life and circumstanses both good and bad. The water here in my park goes out for a couple of hours a few times a month. This does not make any of us (residents) very happy. But after reading your situation I’ll try to remember to be greatful for all the blessings I have. Hot running water, most of the time. Praise God. How easily we forget to be thankful.
Thank-you, Andi, for helping me see it all in perspective.
God Bless you. I love your pictures. You have a real talent for sharing ordinary stuff and making it fabulous. Blessings again,
Carolyn
Ken Pitcher says
Your photos were incredible, and I’m so humbled by your boldness, faithfulness and persistence as a family. Andrea and I are praying for you and proud to be connected to your entire family. Love to you all.
Cindy McMartin says
I’m reading Ruth right now and as I read it today, I was encouraged as Naomi expressed a change of heart/attitude/spirit after Ruth has her first good day gleaning. Naomi says that the Lord has not stopped showing kindness to them. I prayed asking God to show you kindness and to encourage you in the difficult challenges you’re facing. I want to fix all the hard things you are facing, but God’s sovereign plan is perfect and so I keep praying for you and asking Him to give you wisdom, care for you and show you kindness in order to get thru these days of adjustment. I love you all. Thanks for sharing so well with us so we know how to pray.
Barb. Griffin says
It’s good news to hear you’re settling in. That you still see God’s hand in it all and come up with the blessings. Love the laundry. I will not complain anymore if I don’t have something clean to wear.