Madison Hudson's Archive

Pura Vida

11 Commentsby   |  07.16.11  |  Uncategorized

So this is my first blog of the trip. I’m 5 weeks in and a little over 3 weeks to go. I thought coming here I would have a lot more time on my hands than I really do. Going to language school 3 hours a day and having church at least 3 times a week keeps you pretty busy. I have met some amazing people at the language school. Most of them are missionaries and are spending one year learning spanish before diving right in to their mission work. I honestly had no clue why I was coming down here and living here for 9 weeks, other than that I had that desire to discover new places and see new sides of God and serve in whatever way I could. I haven’t been able to just dive right in to a ministry and serve away because there aren’t very many kids at the church I attend and my language is still pretty bad even though I am a lot better now than I was when I arrived. All I pretty much knew was basic vocabulary words like colors, clothing, and foods. Needless to say, this journey has been mostly about deeper self-discovery and trusting God. There have been those moments where I have completely no control whatsoever and have no choice but to rely on the Protector and Provider. And guess what, He pulled through of course. There was a time when I first arrived here and still didn’t know my way around and lost my partner walking home in the pouring rain. 45 minutes later, I found the house and thankfully my host mom heard me and came to open the door because I didn’t have a key.

Suffering.. well I can relate to that a little more. I became sick for 3 of the most painful days of my life. I had an infection and my stomach was really upset. One night I couldn’t sleep and (ok maybe I’m a little dramatic) but I literally thought I was dying. The next morning my host mom took me to a doctor and He gave me some injections and medicines but none of them worked. I realized that all of this sickness and stomach pains started when I realized I had some tension with a few people but didn’t want to confront them about it because I didn’t think it was that big of a deal so I just kept it inside. On the 3rd night of my sickness I decided to confront the person and release the tension I had. So we talked and she was so understanding and I know it brought us closer. Later that night, my symptoms stopped and the next day I was fine other than being so hungry from not eating. I believe God was showing me his urgency of wanting to make me whole, not in a punishing kind of way but in a way that shows His power and He is willing to push me when my eyes turn from his face and my heart loses the burning desire. He loves me that much that he is willing to do whatever it takes to turn my eyes back on Him and make me more like Him.

Anyways, that is just a taste of what is going on down here and I’m sure there is more to come.