The first couple weeks after we had arrived in Belize we realized life was going to be a little different and an adjustment. We had a two bedroom apartment with cold showers (or bucket baths) whichever you prefer. We had to warm water on the stove if you wanted anything to be lukewarm. Our fridge was the size of a dorm room fridge and our stove was like a camping stove, but it had an oven attached. We had to walk up two steep flights of stairs to get to the top and once we were in, there was no air conditioning or glass in the windows, which left the apartment open to little creatures. Snakes were prevalent in the area, however prior to leaving we prayed for the Lord to keep us protected and to not allow us to see any snakes. God is faithful and did just that!
I'm by no means complaining about our living conditions, considering some of the homes we visited throughout the country we were very privileged. We had the basics and that was really all we needed to get by. The best part about the apartment was from our back porch landing was a wonderful breeze right off of the Caribbean Sea. We were only a mile or so away and it was beautiful. I loved sitting out there during the evenings drinking tea, eating something sweet and chatting with whoever was around, plus it was the only place I could sit and pick up any internet connection at all.
We found out quickly that things were not going to be as we knew it back in the states. We had to walk our trash out to a field and have it burned. Guess what are in those fields, you got it SNAKES. We usually paid Junior to take our trash out or I would run like the wind, (for me a quick jog is about as fast as I can run) to throw it in the pile and make a bee line back to the cement sidewalk.
Then it happened.......the rain started. We were new to the rain situation and Belize and oblivious to the fact that our apartment filled up with water quickly when heavy rains came. This would explain why the floors were cement. A rainstorm came that bordered on a small hurricane! I was awakened by rain pelting me in the head and Aunt Carol saying oh so calmly, "Monica, you may want to get up your room is filling with water." Ugh, what a sight. We spent hours sweeping the water out of the house and mopping and drying the floors with towels, it was a mess. Through all the rain and mess that needed to be cleaned we never once said, "Lord, why would you let this happen?" We had not been there very long, couldn't He just wait to give us something like this to deal with. No, we knew we were supposed to be where we were and whatever came our way would be of the Lord and for His purpose.
It taught me a good lesson that day, even when you're in the Lord's will, you still might get soaked! It builds character when we have to deal with things that are unusual or even unpleasant. God wants us to be well rounded people able to rely on Him in all situations, but not surprised by any, whether it be inches of rain, feet of snow, loss of anything important to us or even someone not speaking kindly about us or to us.
I was thinking upon this scripture lately and trying to figure out what God is really trying to say. "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45 It's good to know when the sun and rain come, He is my father and I know it's coming from Him and His protection will be there also!
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