Comfort and discomfort, Known and unknown

I've been in Guatemala now for nearly 11 years and I've lived in the same house for all of that time. Honestly I think I've used it pretty well. I've lost count of the number of people who have passed through. Usually it's been the first step in Guatemala, a place to recover from jetlag and ask questions before being immersed in their work placement or language learning. They've often returned when they've needed a few hours away from 100% spanish or a slice of carrot cake, or a hot shower, or to be listened to as they talk freely of all the cultural struggles, or a dose of vegetables, or for company when they've needed to see a Doctor, or to access internet that works. They've come to borrow books and DVD's and sleeping bags and adapters. They've come to catch up with others going through the same process of cultural adaptation. They've come with questions. They've come to offload and to reflect. They've come to pray. They've come for hugs, for someone to cry with, and to laugh with, and to eat more cake. It's been a place where people have felt at home - of course most of them have had keys! It's been my home too.

I've never been all that attached to things. I didn't bring much with me to Guatemala, and didn't buy all that much either - just enough for it to be comfortable for those that pass through. I've made use of furniture that was left behind and made do. But over recent years the house has got a bit fuller - other people's furniture when they've left Guatemala and bits and pieces 'that will be useful for someone or something in the future'. Books that previously I would have taken to a second hand shop ended up staying because someone left me an extra bookshelf so I had room to keep them.

There's a gradual change from living lightly and passing things on, to holding on to stuff. But this year I've had a real sense that there's a move on the horizon.

It's funny when you're a missionary people back home seem to think you're doing new or challenging stuff every day. When I was in the UK this year, I was amazed how many people talked to me admiringly about sacrifice and living outside of your comfort zone. However I've lived in the same place for 11 years now. Honestly it's more than comfortable. The unknown and uncomfortable can quickly become known and comfortable. We humans are fairly adaptable.

But God does ask us to leave comfort and what we know, in order to trust Him in the unknown. Peter getting out of the boat to walk on the water wasn't really about walking on the water in itself. This might be heretical but I'm sure that with a bit more time and a bit more practice, Peter might have got good at walking on the water - he might even have got to the stage where it felt natural to him - but walking on the water wasn't actually the point. Trusting Jesus was. As soon as we get anywhere close to knowing what we're doing, we lose our need to focus and trust in God.

The point is to keep on hearing and responding to Jesus' call, every day in a new way - wherever that might lead.

And I'm struck by how many biblical examples there are of God asking people to leave their home before telling them where they should go. The 'setting out' on the journey seems to be the point of obedience rather than the arrival at the destination.

And that's where I am now. I sense that God is calling me onto new things and new places. Over the last year in my work I have been transitioning between different roles and am developing new things which I'm really excited about - but I think this stage of change will also include my home as well.

I don't yet know where I'll go next or when exactly, but I want to be ready nonetheless. So I'm having a clear out: letting go of stuff, passing things on, getting prepared for living more lightly. I don't know what I might need for the next stage of the journey - but it's always been my philosophy to pack light for an adventure!

(PS. Friends in Guatemala - let me know if you want anything you're seen in my house!)

San Marcos La Laguna

Just back from a great break in San Marcos La Laguna .... didn't do much.... here's some photos!!