Grace Like Rain (or The Worst Night Yet)

When the power went out, I was alone in my room writing on the laptop. So even though it was 8pm and already dark outside, I had light and stuff to do thanks to the blessing of a battery. At first I thought, no big deal, all I’m going to do is sleep, tomorrow it will come back.

But I was wrong. I thought I was going to sleep. I had no idea how much I relied on the fan for the necessary level of comfort to sleep. Instead I sweated. And rolled over. And sweated some more. I listened to the dogs all around town barking at each other, the cats yowling outside my window, and the crickets chirping. Then some people started to sing video-oke. Karaoke is a favorite past time here. So someone must have had electricity, not too far away. As I’m about to drift off I hear the buzz of a mosquito heading straight for my ear and I spaz out. With all the adrenaline now in my veins, I go back to listening to the dogs, crickets, cats, and karaoke. I can only make out about one song in four. I start to nod, another mosquito zeros in on my face, and I again flip out, spastically waving my arms around my head. But wait, was that a mosquito or just a high note on the karaoke? Now I’m paranoid that the mosquitoes are just in my head.

About 2 am I hear the blessed sound of rain falling. And the temperature cools off slightly. And for the first time I really fall asleep. Amazing. But then, at 4, I wake up and no more rain. And it’s hot again. Spent the last few hours tossing and turning and sweating and drifting in and out.

Let’s just say Saturday was hard. I walked around in the hot sun, interviewed four pastors, who also had no power, interviewed about 25 children (mostly I let them ask me questions) at FH tutoring, and then interviewed a whole youth group. It was a long day, and I was very tired. Then I hurriedly packed my things (no simple process), hoisted my 60 lb pack on my shoulder, got on a tricycle, had an hour long bus ride, and another tricycle ride. At this point I don’t feel so good. But then, I’m carrying a huge pack and I haven’t slept much in the past 48 hours, so it’s not surprising. I get to the house of two Korean HungerCorps workers about eight and Kuya Arbee and I wait for a while as they prepare dinner. Let’s just say… I’m very thankful for their hospitality, but I’m also thankful that I have Filipino food for the summer. Seaweed and kimchi (sp?) are just not for me.

I was glad to collapse into bed. But when I woke up at midnight and I felt cold, but my head was hot to the touch, I realized that the not feeling so good might have been a little worse than just being tired. Slept pretty well, but woke up and didn’t feel nearly as good as I was hoping. In fact, I still don’t feel too good. I’ve got a nice little fever going so I’m just staying in this house until I get better. I’m not too bad, but I definitely appreciate prayers that this goes away quickly. No worries, I’m being well taken care of, and my spirits are still high (hey, first day off and internet on the laptop) but I’m hoping this doesn’t put a major dent into my week.