So some guy knocked on our apartment door, because he does maintenance stuff and was coming to check on our whole cockroach issue. (I almost didn't want to let him in because the last time they said they were fixing things, it just got worse like a day later.) But we let him in and then awkwardly remembered that we are missionaries and aren't supposed to be in a house alone with a man, but it was our house and it was his job and he was already inside. So we had about two long minutes of feeling out of place in our own apartment as we waited for him to leave. I don't think he actually did anything, because we never saw anything, except for bigger and more numerous cockroaches.
We laughed a lot after he left. I hope that ours was the strangest apartment he had to go into. No TV, three maps on the wall, lists of names and Spanish vocab on whiteboards, two desks, two tables, a collection of bike tires in the corner, a puzzle on the floor, and us sitting around wearing our skirts and nametags and warm fuzzy socks as we are studying.
The thing is, our apartment isn't even the strangest part of our lifestyle here.
Someone cut in front of us in the McDonald's drive thru because they just wanted to order ice cream cones and then drive away. WE were there buying a McChicken after eating dinner with vegetarians. (some things are just necessary)
We found a half-frozen-but-still-living gecko while we were knocking doors. So at the next door, we did a 10 question survey while Hermana Pollock was holding a gecko and trying not to let the lady inside see it or let it climb onto her coat as it came back to life. We tried to help it sneak into another house, but it was too slow.
We got a text on our phone telling us that someone in our area had requested a bible online. When we got to the apartment, an African lady opened the door and was really confused because she said she didn't ask for anything. Also, she spoke French and not much English. We shared a scripture with her and asked if we could pray before we left. Her response was "Of course. If you read, you must pray." Even though I don't understand the logic behind it, I can accept it. We also got to hear her chastise her son in French. It was so funny to hear because it reinforces my believe that mothers scolding their kids sounds the same in any language. And when they are immigrants whose children know more English than they do, it turns into "jpsipeihosih is enough. haodiiook dns stop it adooinlknweedsf please go!" So funny.
Socioeconomic whiplash. We teach lessons in some areas that are probably best avoided at night. The people are hoping more for financial support and I think are rather disappointed by our gospel message. Then we drive past houses/mansions the size of a whole apartment complex. I have probably met the wealthiest people I have ever known in the past few weeks. It messes with your mind a bit, and you almost stop believing in the existence of a middle class.
We walk into Mexican markets, and I can't tell if everyone is staring at us because we are missionaries, or if it is because my companion is the only white person who has walked into the store in the entire day. "Or maybe they can just feel the Spirit when we walk in." Haha right.
"Sorry, can you girls come back another day? I'm on the phone with my family right now."
"Sure no problem. Here is a card. Have fun talking to your family!"
"You too!"
If only he knew.
I keep my chocolate orange in the microwave so the cockroaches don't get to it. The problem was that it was pushed to the back and Hermana Pollock didn't see it. And it has a metal foil wrapping. But don't worry, it was rescued before our microwave sustained permanent damage.
So basically, we laughed a lot this week, because what else are you going to do?
I got this poem in an email, and I thought it was really amazing.
http://www.joshharris.com/the_room_my_dream.php
I don't think much about why I am out here, like my reasons behind everything. Mostly, I just work. There are some moments when it all clicks. There are some moments when the things we teach every day become more than just theology or nice ideas, they become part of who I am. There are moments that are too beautiful for words, just smiles and tears. I'm not even sure sometimes what I am doing. But I know there is nothing else like it and I am amazed to be here.
Love,
Hermana Pace