Living in a fishbowl
It was the smell that first alerted my slumbering senses, the unmistakable smell of unbathed bodies and breath from mouths that had never been introduced to a toothbrush or toothpaste.
The smell was followed by the feeling of hot breath of little children who were blowing and panting with all their might in a diligent attempt to blow back the drawn curtain to our bedroom window. Their success in parting the curtain to look into our bedroom became apparent when I heard the snickers turn into giggles.
The early morning observers said, “I see her! I see her (puff puff, blow blow). It’s the white lady sleeping in the bed” (puff puff, blow blow)." That is the true story of how I was awakened on my very first morning as a missionary in a tribal village in Paraguay.
Fourteen years later, I can honestly say, that although I am accustomed to it, I am still learning how to thrive and respond appropriately to the complete lack of privacy we experience by living in a village setting. I still wonder if the children can tell how fake my smile is when they press their precious smiling faces as far as possible into the screens of the windows to “watch the reality show” of our lives and leave designs as varied as the clouds by rubbing their snotty runny noses up, down and across the screens.
I am also still at a loss to know “What would Jesus do?” when I am using the outhouse and see a child peering through a crack of the wooden slats. Every word spoken, every gift given or received, every meal shared, every purchase, every action and reaction are all being watched, remembered and retold by young and old alike around the village and beyond. Someone is almost always watching us.
Being constantly watched can get old and even irritating. Oops! Did you think your missionary enjoyed every facet of their ministry? Well, we do love almost every aspect, but living in a fish bowl would not be counted as one of the perks of the job.
On the flip side, however, we realize that having someone always watching is an opportunity to be a “round the clock” witness for Christ. Our prayer is, that as our lives are being watched, the peace, joy, love, and contentment of God would radiate from the cracked, flawed (and sometimes even irritated) vessels of our lives.
Our prayer is that we can one day say to our observers what Paul said to his observers, “Do those things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me. And the God of peace shall be with you,” (Philippians. 4:9).
Our Tribal friends are not the only ones watching us. Thank God with us for the many ways He reveals His constant watch care over us. In ministry we continue to advance in Nivacle culture and language acquisition and are blessed with wonderful relationships with our tribal friends, both gifts from God.
Please pray for Jamie and Char Hunt as they build relationships and minister among the Nivacle people. They will soon be returning to the USA for a year of home assignment.