have you thanked God for your toilet today?

So, I have decided to write a blog about one of the hardest and scariest parts of this race that I have encountered – THE TOILET.

It is funny to me how, the longer we travel, our conversations regarding this become more matter of fact and less of a surprise.   Walking into a bathroom to find no soap, no toilet paper, no water, and no toilet – has started to become the norm.  On the off chance we do find a western toilet – no matter if there is any of the other amenities or not – it is a cause for celebration.  

I have gotten used to the fact that there are not as many bathrooms, in other parts of the world, as in the U.S.  I have gotten used to carrying toilet paper in my bag because that is even harder to find than a bathroom.  I have gotten used to dirty hands and hand sanitizer.  I have gotten used to washing my hands with anything and drying them off on my clothes.  However, I have NOT gotten used to the fact that I pee on my feet at least once a day…

I have started to have dreams of American bathrooms… the one at my house… the really nice bathroom in Boarders at the mall.  I have started to envy the fact that there is a bathroom that could be used in any gas station or restaurant anywhere in the U.S., and very rarely would an American have to resort to the great outdoors if they didn’t want to. I fantasize about clean, tiled floors, and about sinks with running water and soap and hand towels and toilets that can be sat on.  I look forward to bathrooms that are free from bats, rats, scorpions, roaches, flies, and bees.  I can’t wait for the day when I won’t have to walk outside in the dark to find the bathroom or have to take my head lamp with me because there is no electricity.  I am excited to flush a toilet again – no more pouring buckets of water down.

It has been a real challenge for me to just use whatever is available and even harder for me to have a thankful heart in these situations.

Here are a few pictures of some of the toilets that we have had the privilege of using so far:

The other day we were eating at this cafe near the Nile River.  It was a tourist hang out with internet, a gift shop, real coffee, and a bathroom.  On the inside of the stall door was a poster.  It said this: