We began vespers with prayer, and passed out the delicious snacks. Somehow I was deemed the leader of song service, but it didn't bother me. (Let's be real, I hate being in the lime light. God had calmed my nerves). I chose and lead four songs then sat back to watch the video.
To bad we weren't able to finish the movie. A heavy wind swept through the compound and knocked the screen over. We tried everything to keep the screen from falling, but nothing worked. It was like a sail caught in the wind. The approaching storm hindered the service.
We decided to stay and talk with each other, refusing to be stopped by the storm. The wind tore violently through the pavillion as the temperature plummeted. Lightening lit the sky and dark clouds pronounced our pending doom. (Too dramatic?) In the end we dispersed, trying to beat the rain.
As usual, Josh walked me to my hut. (My hut is on the way to his house and I can't walk by myself after dark). It was pitch black. The moon wasn't out, and the storm clouds hid the stars. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn't see further then an arms length away. All we could do was light the path we walked and pray for the best.
We made it to my house safely. Josh began running so he could beat the rain and I turned towards my compound. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a shadow headed straight for me!! I scared myself even more by screaming so loud. (Let's be real, if I was able to see whatever was running towards me then it was way to close!!) I didn't even have time to run. I braced myself as the shadow lunged towards me.
Instead of pain I felt something wet on my leg. Opening my eyes, I realized my attacker was a dog. Not my host family's dog, but a friendly dog. (My family dog usually barks at me because I return to my hut after dark). My heart was racing as sweet relief flooded my viens.
My house family was sleeping outside and quickly responded to my scream. They ran over to see what had happened. I was so embarrassed. I just smiled at them and tried to play it off. Smiling I waved to them and asked how they were doing. I continued to walk to my hut avoiding their questioning looks. I continued attempting to calm my nerves as I unlocked my door. I entered my hut and, being a creature of habit, I turned to open the window. (I always sleep with the window and door open to cool my room).
I don't know how I contained my scream. Sitting next to my window was a spider the size of a softball. (It had bright yellow and brown strips.....DISGUSTING!!). Praise God I slightly broke routine. I enter the door opposite of the window. I would have walked straight into the spider's web if I entered the door on the window side.
In all honesty I was so shaken up I ran right out of my hut. I lost my last shred of dignity. I sprinted straight to my house dad, quietly yelling in english. (I had enough control not to wake the kids). I either forgot or didn't care that he didn't speak english. I just wanted him to kill the spider.
I don't think I got the right message across. He sprinted to my hut ready to kill every monster in my closet. He definitely laughed when he saw the spider. I thought I was doing well with all the bugs and random animals in Tchad, but I was wrong. I could live in harmony with the small insects and precarious creatures, but nothing else. Anything that has a body bigger then its legs (or looked poisonous) makes me itch. I now understand what Daniel feels every night he sleeps in his hut.
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