Wilderness

September 14, 2011 | by worldrace-blogs | 6 Comments | Views 2

There are so many adventures to write about our travel week. We’ve made it safely to Bolivia and travel to our ministry sites tomorrow. Once I get all my pictures uploaded, I’ll blog about some of the fun things we’ve seen along the way (floating islands and busses crossing rivers on barges may be included.) For now, though, I’m just going to tell you about something the Lord did in my life as we sat on the bus.

In case you weren’t aware, the ENTIRE western half of Peru is desert. Which means about 40 hours of driving in nothing but sandy wilderness. I’m not going to lie, it gets kind of old. It’s also typical World Race culture to do overnight bus rides so we don’t have to pay for hostels. Therefore, there are many sleepless nights spent sitting up, crowded, and hungry. And sometimes, that makes for a very angry missionary.

I was sitting in my seat, at about 2am, really, really frustrated. I was freezing cold. I hadn’t slept and was ridiculously tired. I was sick. We hadn’t eaten. And we had 30 more hours on the bus. I looked out the window for what seemed like the 487th time, and saw nothing but WILDERNESS. I couldn’t sleep because I was sitting next to a guy that I didn’t know that well, and felt bad sleeping on him (haha.)

Looking back, it seems silly, but I started getting really emotional (probably due to lack of sleep), and may or may not have shed a few tears. Here’s how my conversation with God went at that moment.

Very Angry Missionary: God, come on. I’m here serving you. I’ve given like, everything up, and all I get for it is to be uncomfortable, sick, tired, and hungry. And to TOP IT ALL OFF we’ve been stuck in the desert for way too long. I need sleep.

God: Ah, yes, my dear, complaining in the wilderness. I know some other people that did that before. Ever read Exodus? Those who I had chosen to be my people and bring my light to the nations just weren’t happy with my provision and my presence. Kinda feels like now, huh?

Very Angry Missionary: …………ouch.

God: Don’t worry dear, I wasn’t chastising you, just remember that I have given you all that you need. Think of all I’ve done for you. Think of all you have to be thankful for at this very moment. And I have good news! The desert ends, I promise. Just wait. Oh, and P.S. stop complaining.

Somewhat Grumpy Missionary: Sigh, okay, You’re right. I’m still not super happy about this, but help me to have a better attitude, and if you decide to bless me with sleep so I’m not a bad word to my squad tomorrow, that would be awesome.

… Squadmate sitting next to me: Hey, I noticed you can’t sleep. Do you want me to sleep on the floor so you can have both seats and be a little more comfortable?

Somewhat Stunned Missionary: yy….yyes? thank you so much! (Hey God, I just got schooled in having a servant’s heart, didn’t I?)

God: Yes, dear. I love you. Enjoy your sleep. And praise me in the wilderness.

6 responses to “Wilderness”

1. HUGE smile. Been reading exodus, and yea, we’re a lot like them.

   LoveLOveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLove

2. Hi Steph! Yeah and praise the Lord for your safe arrival. I thought it would be a couple more days before we heard from you. I can certainly relate to being sleep deprived, only I’m not on a missionary’s bus to Bolivia — though it does feel as though I’m in the desert at times, and the complaining is not something that you alone are guilty of. But you did the best thing by being honest with God — it’s all HE requires. (Pssst! He knows how we really feel and what we’re thinking anyway, so we might as well come clean) — and Oh how He does bless us, in big ways and small ways, like two seats on a bus in the desert to get some well-needed sleep. May God bless the squadmate who slept on the floor; and, may we always remember to praise God in the wilderness!

   I hope the scenery has changed now that you’re in Bolivia. Those desert shots can get boring (ha! ha!) I anxiously await your future photos and blogs.

   You go with Him — He goes with you, as you bring God’s Word and the love of Jesus to the children/people of Bolivia!

   With Love and prayers,
   Angela Martine

3. Dear “Somewhat grumpy missionary”,
   I never read your blogs without a tear coming to my eye and deep joy filling my heart. Evry experience you’re having is the hand of the potter molding you (sometimes breaking and re-doing you), forming you, etching His name on you, and ultimately filling you with His will and way. You may not always be able to figure out why or to what end… to buld character (the common answer), to prepare you for future ministry and life, to allow you to minister to another in a particular way and time,or to build humility in you as YOU are minister to by someone else. I pray for you and the team every day, and know deep inside that whatever your experiences, good or bad, it will be for your good and God’s glory. You turn things upside down! “Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,that the thing made should say of its maker,’He did not make me’;or the thing formed say of him who formed it,’He has no understanding’?”
   -Isa 29:16 Love, Dad

4. Thank you for sharing your wilderness experience – It is a reminder for me also because wilderness’s happen – maybe not in the desert as you faced but within the heart.
   God bless you and keep you strong in Him.
   Love,
   Marjorie K.

5. I really like this blog. A good one to return to now and then and remember this truth. Thanks Steph!

6. Thank you! 🙂 You’re the bomb dot com.