This is something that is key
when you do both at the same place. I would like to feel like I work from home
but the reality is that I live at work, which is becoming tiresome after over 2
years. However, I need to first stress that compared to other YWAM situations I
have it very good here in El Refugio, we prepare our own meals apart from lunch
Monday-Friday when we enjoy the amazing culinary skills of Sra Esther, we have
no real curfews and I only share a room with one other person not seven! However,
having just turned 36years old I am becoming frustrated about the lack of independence
I have living here, and also always being with people I work with in the place
I work.
Since the beginning of this year
I have been able to get out and meet non-ywamers, when you look at the number
of people I invited to our joint birthday party who are not part of YWAM
compared to my colleagues and friends who have been in Cartagena for many more
years, you see this is quite a feat. But this is just the start of my feeling
at “home” in this city, but visiting these friends in their apartments and
houses just makes me feel more enclosed living within these 4 walls. I have
never liked living within a “holy huddle” only mixing with one group of people
especially a group that is as transient as YWAM, people generally only stay for
a year or so before moving on, so you are left with not many close long term
friendships. I want to build my life here; I want to feel like this is my city,
like I belong here, I want to have friends in all areas from different spheres.
I want to know Cartageneros not just YWAMers. It is time for me to put down
roots, build my nest, and have a place to call “home” maybe even get a cat!!
However, there is one problem £££
or rather $$$ at the moment I don’t get enough regular income from supporters
to rent an apartment, this city is not cheap and I wouldn’t want to live in a
cheaper area due to the dangers, nor a building without a security guard. There
is a chance of sharing with another YWAMer from a different ministry but that
is not certain, although that would bring the cost down. I have worked out I
would need about £200 a month more to be able to get my own place. The other
option would be to rent a room with a Colombian family; this could be closer to
work and a cheaper option. There is a nice gated community nearby that has a
pool and everything, there are often rooms to rent there.
So this is my challenge at the
moment, a motivation for prayer. God has been faithful with me financially in
the past, but with recession having a tight grip on the UK, where my support
comes from I know not many people have enough to spare to be able to take on the
sponsorship of a missionary and with my visa I cannot receive money for any
type of work here. Therefore it is a miracle I am praying for. It is a good
thing I believe in a God of miracles!
Birthday blog with photos coming soon
Blessings
Petra
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