When I think about all the work that was done on my home, I’m exhausted, thankful and overwhelmed.

Exhausted because it was a lot of work (most of which I did not do myself), but mentally adjusting to the way a single woman must communicate did exhaust me.  It’s not appropriate for me to call the plumber, carpenter or mason, or even to talk to them alone.  So one of the men that works in our NGO office helped me manage all the work.  Needless to say working through a middle man (although i’m very thankful for him) is a big adjustment.

Thankful because there was a time in my first few months here that I and others were not sure that I would be able to find a home in the neighborhood were I work.  Everyone’s pretty sure I’m the only single foreign lady in a six mile radius that lives alone.  It’s no small thing to have a place of my own, close to my office, and enough space to hold large gatherings of friends!

Overwhelmed because when i think of all the work that was done to my home, it makes me realize that there were at least 10 people living in the home before me that didn’t have a kitchen or a gas line, or reliable water supply or good wiring for electricity...And i wonder where they live now.

Praying that this place would be a home of peace and retreat not only for me but for other ladies in my community.