So, what do YOU do?

Don't you love that question?

It's innocent enough, but I must admit that when I, the officially uneducated one in this family, get this question I begin to panic internally and wish I had some sort of career, degree, or at least specialized training to pull out in response. Perhaps this is in part because the conversation generally begins with chatting about my husband, the General Surgeon with 12 years of training. And oh yeah, he also has a computer engineering degree.

And, what do you do?

I've got nothing.

I mean, it's not that I have done nothing, but as far as "official education," well, it's just not my thing I guess.

So, suffice it to say, I still kind of dread this question. But because it's generally something others want to know, I will do my best to tackle this question.

Part of what makes this such a challenge to answer is that I don't have a two-word title that neatly sums up what I spend my time doing each day. Maybe that's what it's like in the "support" role! My job depends on the day and the needs at hand. It's more like "mother-wife-teacher-cook-cleaner-hostess-responder of a million questions-organizer-superviser-and anything you can think of" person.  See? Not so neat and tidy.

But actually it IS pretty neat when I reflect on how so many aspects of my life leading up to our time here has equipped me for this season. It may not look like a pretty little package, with a title that deems me "invaluable", but I am continuously reminded that He has not called me here to have a title, but rather, to be who He created me to be in whatever place I find myself.

OK, that sounds really vague and doesn't answer the question.

Some of the many roles...like "meal-maker"

Here in Burundi, there are a couple things that generally take the majority of my time. The first is running our home, and the second is helping my children (and others here on our compound) with their education. As we have adjusted to this life, those have gobbled up most of my time.

With no grocery stores around us, no bakery or shops, everything is made from scratch (as noted in my last blog post), so that tends to consume a sizeable amount of time. It's getting smoother, but it's taken me some time to discover what can be made, and trying to include some variety within our limited and highly vegetarian diet. Thankfully, we have someone who helps us with this (but that's another post subject!), so as long as we don't mind eating some variation of rice and beans every day (a challenge for a foodie like me:), we are in good shape.

"Teacher"

Because of the help we get cooking and doing dishes, I can be freed up for other areas, such as playing "teacher". We are blessed (and I mean BLESSED) to have 3 full time teachers that help teach the core subjects to the 17 missionary kids on the compound (insert promotional bit - we need more teachers next year if you know anyone who might be interested - they can find more info here, or email me!). However, because the kids span 7 grades, all us mothers still need to pitch in. Therefore, I have become the PE, French, and Bible teacher.

To say it's been a challenge is an understatement, but nearly 7 months in, it's getting a little easier. The biggest challenge has been coming up with a french curriculum, considering I only learned french myself last year! That, followed closely by the fact that I never was very good at PE, leaves me feeling rather unqualified. Thanks to YouTube and Pinterest, I am getting by (and hoping the kids are learning SOMETHING at least!).

Aside from home stuff and teaching, I am also continuing to invest in learning the local language here. My Burundian friend and language tutor comes a couple of times a week to graciously endure helping me learn Kirundi, from french. Let's just say it's a mental workout!

"Cake-maker-party-planner"

In addition to that, we as a community are very involved any time there are visitors to our site. Having no restaurants or hotels up here has opened up opportunities for my favourite role, hospitality and visitor coordinating. I manage a couple of our visitor apartments, and we get to host people from around the world who come to visit and serve. It can hardly be called "work", I love it!

This all brings me back to the idea that in spite of not having one specific educational focus, God has in fact equipped me with a variety of skills that can be put into use. Being creative helps us work with resource limitations, being a planner means my kids have the right size shoes available that we sent out 3 years ago. Knowing how to cook helps us enjoy what we do have available, and even investing in french last year has opened the door to teaching french class this year. Who knew?!?

It's a great reminder as I seek to be content in the sometimes mundane tasks of raising a family here. God's equipped me to be here, and will continue to use me in whatever context I find myself.  I hope to live with my eyes open to those who may come across my path and find ways to serve and love others joyfully, right where I'm at.

"Meal-server"

"Plant-selector"

"Home-visitor"

"Food-collector"