Thursday Morning Reflection

Yesterday was a long day here. I woke up with a stomach bug and everything seemed to be harder to process than normal. Richard is out for the week. He is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo working to set up other economic empowerment campuses there, based on the Living Way model. Because of his absence, I have had the opportunity to wear many hats this week. Though it's been a good experience, I am exhausted.
The bakery had been having trouble with the slicer working and the repair man, Jeremy, came out to see what the problem was. Turns out the spring wasn't spring-ing like it should. I watched Jeremy take the tiny starter box apart and made a mental note in case I have to fix it in the future. After he finished replacing the part, he accidentally locked his keys in his truck. My heart sank for him! I know how awful and embarrassed he felt. I brought him back to the main office to use the phone and call his employers to see what to do. He was very nervous to call because this was apparently the second time he had done this. What ended up happening was that the employers refused to pick him up and he had to figure out the problem at his expense. We searched through the yellow pages and finally found one locksmith that was close by and affordable. Jeremy had to use the majority of the money that I paid him in order to pay the locksmith, now he owes his employers. I told him I would be praying for him as he left. The comment caught him off guard, but he politely said thanks and left. I do pray that his day improved. I thank God for the opportunity to be encouraging to Jeremy.
Everything else yesterday can be summed up in one word: drama. I was too under the weather to deal with playing bakery manager. I felt like an RA sitting in a circle while they played the blame game. Pray for them! They come from a place of hurt and anger, and they don't know how to work as a team. The deeper I get involved with them, more issues come out. I am praying that God gives me the wisdom to know how to handle each situation and the grace to see past the drama. I love them so much!
Thank God that my stomach is slowly settling down this morning. I woke up starving but have only had the courage to nibble at my loaf of bead and sip hot tea. So as I'm taking my communion, I will be thanking God for my friends at home as well as my friends here. I love you and hope that each of you are truly blessed today!