Feelin the Heat

Today I'm a bit discouraged. The heat is really getting to me and my entire back, chest and face is burnt and itchy. There is no air conditioning in any of our housing or kitchen (only in the lecture hall) so sleeping is uncomfortable and sticky too. I go through at least two outfits a day because I sweat through them, or get them dirty during chores and I cannot do laundry because I have absolutely no cash, and cannot get any more until my credit/ATM card arrives in the mail.

I got to sleep in until 6:30am this morning, because I did not have morning run today and I had showered last night. The extra hour of sleep was a blessing. I was also excited because today is Wednesday, meaning it's a base worship and intercession prayer day! -- But it turned out that they cancelled worship, and instead we went down to a giant warehouse that my base recently purchased and is constructing into a youth center. I spent 3 hours there scraping off the rust and peeling the siding off of train boxcars that will be painted and turned into offices. Except for the 100 degree heat, it wasn't too bad of a job. But it was dirty! Danny, Live, Christina and I kept each other fine company during the task. A bunch of rusted metal did fall on my head though-- luckily it wasn't at all heavy, so I wasn't hurt, I only had pieces of dust and metal in my hair and eyes for a bit, but it came out all alright!

I also sat through a 2 hour "lecture" about the runnings of Youth Street. I kinda had a bad attitude during this because they were restating what they had said during orientation. It was literally one of those things that they could have EASILY said in 15-20 minutes, but instead it took ages. I wish I could say that I learned something new. But I really didn't. HOWEVER- tonight we're having a lecture on the Fear of the Lord, and this speaker I really admire, and I'm excited to hear about this topic. So the boring stuff should be over!

For dinner tonight, Faith, Kim, Brooke and I made Roast Beef w/ mashed potatoes and gravy with cooked carrots and green beans. We peeled heaps of potatoes. Heaps. Also, our food shipment from the Food Bank came in, and we had to carry in all the boxes and put it away in the kitchen which was a much larger task than I could have guessed. We had to do all the dishes from lunch, and on top of all of this, the health inspector is coming tomorrow, so, of course, we had to fix the kitchen up as well! It's been a long, hot, dirty day.

I just got up to get my laptop charger, and a staff member named Kate (who I've only said a few words with) pulled me into the back of the kitchen, and shared with me a secret banana split that she had just bought and made. It tasted so good. It was the first time I have had ice cream or something that cold since I've been here. It has made my day heaps better! I am tired and a bit discouraged over today, but even so, I enjoy being here. I'd rather go through hard days like this and be here, than to spend easy days elsewhere. So if you could keep me in your prayers for my strength daily, an open attitude and for me to show some heart towards Youth Street, that would be sick! (sick = "awesome" in Oz)

And that was my Wednesday!