I heard yesterday that a cyclone was coming, and first didn’t think it would really affect us at all. But for the first time since I’ve been here, a cyclone really is hitting the north coast of Mozambique (like north of Quelimane) and Nampula province is feeling it a bit. Cyclone Jokwe is a Category 2 hurricane, for those who know what that means. Coming back from the orphanage yesterday we were sure it was going to pour, suddenly got very dark and quite cold, but it only really started raining later. Today rain has been mild and consistent, but now (about 14h00) the wind is definitely picking up. Nevertheless, Henri and Scott have moved most of the boxes and crates in the house to the Turnbulls’ to be stored there, and I feel quite bereft and useless now that the seemingly endless stream of work is actually at an end. Could have gone over to the flat to paint, but somehow that seemed incredibly depressing, so have just been hanging around, visiting with Scott and Laura and the guys, and hopefully building up some emotional and spiritual reserves for tackling the coming week with some more gusto! Another discouraging day at the orphanage yesterday, and it’s one of those situations where you don’t know whether you should simply persevere or whether you’re doing something wrong… So thinking a lot about priorities and how they constantly need to be re-evaluated.
Would really appreciate prayer, still very scatter-brained, feel I can’t concentrate on my “actual” work at all. My routine is all topsy-turvy and consequently I get days that I just don’t care anymore whether I do something or not. It has been a great privilege helping my friends and meeting wonderful people. and maybe the Lord is just showing me once again that I need to find my sense of worth and all my happiness in Him, not in what I accomplish! And, like Dallas Willard says, one needs time of silence and solitude, one needs to sometimes do nothing in order to be prepared for a day when you can suddenly do nothing. I know I need a lot more of this discipline in my life and am probably not profiting from this time as much as I possibly could. Therefore, may I use this time in a way that is nevertheless fruitful and ultimately God glorifying, even though it seems so empty and valueless to me.
