Wow, my first full week working here in Galveston has been an eventful one! A group from a town near Seattle, Washington came in for the week. They were a friendly, hardworking group. I enjoyed getting to know all of them, especially Mike, Darrell, Jack and Galen. Jack and Galen had been all over the world doing volunteer and missionary work so I was trying to be like a sponge to soak in everything they were telling me. Jack spent some time in Bolivia which is where I'm heading in June with the Methodist college group from San Luis Obispo. I'm really looking forward to that!
I really learned a lot about myself this week. Being in a totally new place has been a more difficult adjustment than I anticipated. To put it simply, I learned that sometimes people don't respect you . . . initially at least. Sometimes you have to earn people's respect and I guess I'm just not used to that. I've always felt that my input is respected, that's just the way I've been raised. I came to Galveston on the heels of one of my biggest accomplishments, graduating with a civil engineering degree from Cal Poly. I gotta admit, I was a little puffed up, thinking I'm Mr. College Grad know-it-all. Well, I've learned this week that the people I'm working with don't really care about that . . . and that I've got a lot to learn. I learned this week that I've got to earn that respect from my boss and coworkers.
So here I am, ready to start the new week, but with a totally different perspective that I had at the start of last week. It's been humbling but I definitely needed it! Thanks be to God for situations like this! It really reminded me of what my purpose is here. It's not to show off how much I know, it's not about me at all!! It's about humbly serving God however I can. It's about sharing the joy that Christ gives me with others. Sometimes it takes situations like this past week for me to remember that.
I LOVE that shirt with the crowbar cross!
ReplyDeleteHey, it sounds like the adjustment is a a bit more than expected... Yes, sometimes you have to earn respect, and sometimes you have to demand it. You do have a ton of knowledge and experience under that corn husker cap. Share it. Use it! Good luck with your volunteers and projects this week! Be safe!
I had no idea you were already working, that's cool! Good luck
ReplyDeleteYea Tyler! It's so good to get this update from you - I've been bugging Carli for all the details! I always think that ministry helps you learn more about yourself than anything else...may your learning and growth continue to enighten and challenge you. You remain in my prayers. Keep blogging! Blessings, PJ
ReplyDeleteAwesome to hear about your experience thus far! We always need some humbling--although I've always found you to be one of, if not the most humble person I know. I'm sure you will gain the team's respect very quickly. Good luck with this next week and I look forward to your next update!
ReplyDeleteYou've really opened yourself for learning without the kind of boundaries we usually put around ourselves. That is truly a mark of faith and the possibility for deepening growth, a wonderful opportunity and probably something we often avoid. Congratulations for all the learning about being comfortable to just be yourself whoever you are with.
ReplyDeleteBarry Turner