Note: This blog is written by Shes (Shesita) Rivera, the Guatemalan physical therapist working with me with TCI.

What makes you feel uncomfortable?  What do you do when you are uncomfortable? 

Last week during a mission trip with ASELSI to a village called El Esfuerzo, I was reminded of things that make me uncomfortable:  being around a big group of people all day, mosquitos, sitting for long periods, not being able to take a shower, not having electricity, and not having alone time to unwind at the end of the day. I found myself complaining in silence, frustrated with myself for the way I felt.

Returning home after a nice and warm shower, with some quiet, alone time, I thought about my experience. I thought about the three children with disabilities we saw in that village, wondering how many more children and adults with a disability are in that area. Many are kept hidden.  I remembered Silvia, one of the mothers we met, and her son with cerebral palsy. Silvia told me she didn’t sit comfortably, waiting for help to come to her, but she got up and went looking for it. She walked three hours to the next town just to catch a bus. Then she and her son rode for two more hours to get to the closest rehabilitation facility. She did this for as long as she could, but eventually she couldn’t do it anymore because of the time and expense and the neglect of the rest of her children. 

I felt like the Lord ask me, as I reflected on this experience:  Was I willing to be uncomfortable for a couple of days or weeks to train people in the village to help people like Silvia and her son? 

There is nothing wrong with comfort. The Lord has blessed me with places and things that make me comfortable. I enjoy them, but I also know I need to be willing to leave my comfort zone and follow His call. That’s what He showed me on our recent mission trip to El Esfuerzo, as He prepared me for the places we have yet to go.