Seth and Rochelle Callahan
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When Life Pukes On Your Parade

October 18, 2017 by Seth and Rochelle Callahan

We are out of the jungle on break right now. Well, we’re out of the jungle, anyway. Since arriving out at our mission center, our family has spent the last 12 days battling a stomach virus that has been waging war on multiple fronts. It’s been mainly a losing battle. The enemy has taken control of food intake as well as output, and has wreaked havoc with both. Our clothes and bedding* have been liberally soaked with food and drink, in various stages of digestion. Men, women, children…the carnage transcends description.**

Anyway, we think we might be finally coming out on the other side of this mini-epidemic, so it’s OK. Of course, that conclusion is predominately based on my desperate desire that it be true, rather than on empirical science. As I type this, Griffin is asleep on the floor, partially dehydrated from prolonged diarrhea, and Rochelle is collapsed on the couch, talking like she thinks a relapse is coming on.

But, like I said, it’s OK. Everything is fine. I mean, it’s not like we were COMPLETELY DESPERATE for some R & R, or anything. It’s not like we were expecting to get emotionally and physically rejuvenated while we were out here, or something silly like that. No, good thing for us that when we Callahans go on break, we’re mainly looking to drink and puke out Gatorade in an endless cycle of family fun. If we’re really looking for a good time, then we make sure to have the kids wake us up several times each night needing help with gross, labor-intensive activities that require us to change our clothes afterwards. If I’m not having to watch where I step to avoid bio-hazard in my vacation getaway, then I’m not having fun!

If you are one of those people who is skilled at “reading between the lines,” then you might be sensing a subtle underlying tone of dissatisfaction in my prose right now. I’ll shoot straight with you, this whole thing is kind of bringing me down. I know sickness is an unavoidable reality, and I know that it isn’t good to have too many expectations fixed on a specific event or experience, but we were dead beat when we left the bush a week and a half ago, and we’re really having trouble thinking about going back into that pressure cooker*** in less than a week. It’s been a fairly demoralizing blow.

I know you haven’t heard a lick from us in a pretty long time, and this is kind of a lame post after months of silence, but this is where life is at right now, so I thought I’d give the current family status before I did any recapping.  I’ll try to bring you up to speed on the last couple of months in another post later on. For now though, it’s enough to know that we are sick. Sick and tired and in need of a break…from our break.

Thanks for praying. 😛

[P.S. Rochelle says that this post is too whiny and not “uplifting.” Just two hours ago I witnessed this same woman wiping someone else’s diarrhea off of her foot, so though I get where she is coming from, I feel that this post is carrying the appropriate level of encouragement. If it helps, be encouraged that you are far away from us and our disgusting problems.]

*Actually, the bedding belongs to the guesthouse. Good thing they gave us our own washing machine to use, or the house help might have quit. 😛

**I’m telling you, it was bad. My sphincter’s performance became so erratic at one point that I resorted to using a feminine pad in my boxer-briefs as added protection…and what’s worse, it proved to be a wise decision.

***Originally, I was using this as a metaphorical allusion to the stresses of remote, cross-cultural church-planting efforts, but it is also an apt description of the meteorological environment of our jungle swamp.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Ethnos360

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Comments

  1. Erica Savoy says

    January 3, 2018 at 11:25 am

    What a trial this was for you and your family!
    In my last post to you about the 4-year-old burn victim and his father, I evidently typed an extra “s” in our email address. This time I’ve sent the corrected email attached.
    Praying good health for you and your family!

  2. Aunt Sally says

    October 19, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    The joy of sharing should not extend to illness! I am so sorry you are facing this trial – all of you. I hope you at least get some family time in in the next few days before returning to your swamp-land! You can whine whenever you want! lol I am sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. I love you all!❤️❤️❤️

  3. Joyce says

    October 19, 2017 at 9:39 am

    Oh, Seth, Rochelle,and boys, We are SO sorry for this trial. We have great empathy. We were volunteering at an Answers in Genesis conference a couple years ago when the same sort of virus hit our whole family and we were entirely knocked flat. It was awful and we feel for you deeply. We will pray for restoration and healing. Hugs from NH!

  4. Kim Shay says

    October 19, 2017 at 5:52 am

    Aw man, I’m so sorry you guys are fighting this awful virus! Praying for healing and strength for you guys.

  5. Martha Callahan, aka "Mom" says

    October 18, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    Aaarghhhh!!! The iPad edited me! Those are NOT my question marks. Technology is just weird.????

  6. Martha Callahan, aka "Mom" says

    October 18, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    Oh, Seth, I’m so sorry that you’ve had to go through this, when you so desperately need a break! I’m praying for all of you to get well, rested, and renewed in spite of this sickness setback. I’m also praying particularly for your language acquisition and for the struggles back in Iske Land.????

  7. Danae Engelbrecht says

    October 18, 2017 at 9:44 am

    Oh dear Seth, Rochelle, and boys! I’m SO sorry to hear about your much anticipated, hoped-for relaxation, break! I pray that God restores all of you to good health, a good body-weight again, and good spirits, and SOON! I’ll continue my prayers doubly for you–and I’m GLAD you shared your struggles in your usual, humorous way! We need to know your “downs”, as well as your “ups”. Tell Rochelle that we want to be reminded to keep on praying for you ALL the time, even when we don’t hear from you for a while!
    Much love, sympathy, and prayers,
    Danae

  8. June Berg says

    October 18, 2017 at 9:29 am

    Talk to Michelle yesterday and she gave
    Me a
    Update of the family need for prayer and
    Healing of this bug.
    So we here at First Baptist of Albion are
    Praying for you all. May God Bless all

    Update on Pastor Tom health, things
    are about the same. There is no new
    growth. He is currently serving our Lord
    Faithly.

  9. Lois Knight says

    October 18, 2017 at 9:09 am

    Yikes! Just think…you’re making memories that you will laugh at 10 years from now…okay…maybe not until 20 years from now. ANYWAY…I’ve been wondering about the long silence. Will look forward to hearing more detail about your activities in the bush.May the LORD GOD BE YOUR HEALER.

  10. Angela says

    October 18, 2017 at 7:40 am

    This is incredible. No one should see that much “situation” on their “break”. You are a trooper for even taking out your laptop to tell us about it. I’m praying for you all right now. Hugs!

  11. Peter says

    October 18, 2017 at 5:39 am

    That sounds horrible is there any way you can take more time before going back?

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When Life Pukes On Your Parade

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History in the Making

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