April, 2011
Dear friends and family,
Our Servant Team arrived mid-February and they are doing pretty well. They are enjoying their host families, falling into a routine, and doing their best to avoid getting sick. We are enjoying their presence with us and getting accustomed to having them around at the House of Hope.
Since our last update, we have moved (half-way) to an apartment in the South Zone. Adam mentioned last month that we noticed my nausea was lessened, if not gone, when we visited a couple thousand feet lower (the South Zone) than El Alto. We still have our apartment in El Alto and haven’t moved all our belongings. We are living with two North-American teachers, so Adam and I have our own room, but sharing everything else. It’s not ideal, but I feel better and am able to function where before I really couldn’t accomplish much other than resting and trying not to throw up. And it’s nice to have a few luxuries for now like a washing machine, warmer weather (it’s warmer because of elevation), and hot water on tap. Now we have to decide whether to apartment hunt down here, or if we still have ambitions of moving back up after our little one arrives.
All these changes and decisions sort of have me reflecting a bit on stress. In fact, I think I have kind of been in survival mode for some time now. First, all my efforts and energies were focused on not throwing up, trying to eat well, and resting when I could. Then, when I discovered I felt better at lower elevation, I started taking oxygen three times a day because the nausea turned out to be more related to oxygen than normal morning sickness. So I became somewhat functional, but then we were preparing for and receiving the Servant Team members, taking them to the doctor when they got sick and helping them learn how to get around El Alto and La Paz. Then we moved (making our commute about an hour and 15 minutes), conducted a retreat with our Servant Team a few hours bus-ride away (thankfully I made it on this bus ride without wetting my pants), where I picked up some sickness that gave me… well, you can probably guess. So I think it’s safe to say it’s been a little crazy and we’ve had a few stressors piled on us lately.
I’m feeling better now and finishing up my medication for the bug I had. But it’s caused me to stop myself a bit and evaluate our schedule, responsibilities, and stress-load. I think I have to admit that with the stresses of living over-seas and being pregnant on top of it, I have greater limitations, even though I feel better now living down at 11,000 feet. It sounds so obvious writing it down, but I think I’m slow to realize and accept it. Thankfully, God is patient with me and my thick-headedness.
We know prayers are being prayed on our behalf. We are so grateful for them and for all of your support. As you continue to pray, we ask for your prayers specifically in these decisions and changes we are experiencing.
With much love,
www.BoLiving.blogspot.com
– Becky (and Adam) Thada
becky.thada@wordmadeflesh.com