the giant rocks and green foliage on a peninsula in Lake Victoria, Tanzania,
sits a selection of homes. Terracotta shingles above while columned walls.
Twenty windows next to the rotunda. Uganda to the far left, Kenya to the far
right. There is an amazing morning breeze, only to be complimented by the fact
that I am overlooking this amazing view from a lawn chair beside a rooftop
pool. There is a cargo ship coming into dock and birds flying overhead. Some
Norah Jones playing on my iPod and a cold glass in hand. The pool rippling
beside me as I catch some rays, and did I mention it’s not even 10 am yet?
Sounds
pretty amazing, I know. To be honest, it’s more amazing than words could tell
you. It’s bliss. It’s God’s beauty sitting before your eyes, as you sit atop
man-made creation. It’s for the celebration of a birthday and a moment you
would prefer never to end. But in the back of your mind, you know the number of
minutes until you go down 9 flights in a mirrored elevator, to the life we
currently call ours. A life where you can’t see the water, or feel the wind, but
sweat immediately over takes you and you see the trash piled on the ground. You
smell sewage and body odor, not the lime from your glass or your fragrant
sunscreen. You see cabs and matatos and hear 7 people yelling ‘mzungu’, not
just the two other Caucasians and a bar tender upstairs.
But
this is my life now. Not that.
longer get a big cozy bed with real pillows and a comforter, draped by an
ice-cold air-conditioned room. Instead I have a tent acting as a sauna on a
concrete floor in a living room, lined with my sleeping bag.
longer can stand in a hot shower with water pressure for as along as I want,
and dry with a giant fluffy bath towel. Instead I have a bucket of cold water
if any, on a tile floor next to a squatty, followed by a paper-thin 2×3
shammy-towel.
I no
longer get to relax poolside with a book and amazing breeze. Instead I have a
plastic chair on a dirt porch, with a book used as a fan and fly swatter.
longer get amazing views over looking the coast and city lights. Instead I get
to stare into the dark wondering who is lurking in the cemetery across the
fence.
But
this is my life now.
A
life consisting of your workout being door to door evangelism in villages.
A
life of perfecting talents like squatty potty aim.
A
life where your lunch consists of beans and rice regardless of the week day.
A
life where you can’t get sick without someone needing to come in the bathroom.
A
life when your female teammates get weaves so you don’t wash your hair for a
month.
A
life where bug repellent becomes your new perfume.
A
life where recycling your soda bottle is required, not optional.
A
life where your spoon becomes used as a knife and fork.
A
life that hasn’t seen fast food in months.
A
life where being pursued is left to God, not the opposite sex.
A
life where date nights are one on ones with your teams.
A
life where relationships are forbidden, so your marry Him instead.
A
life where you carry all you own on your back.
A
life that means when you fly, you most likely need to leave things behind.
A
life that means your toothbrush, deodorant, and shampoo are your major
toiletries.
A
life where you carry toilet paper in your purse, and hand sanitizer if lucky.
A
life where you sit in the dirt, but leave your shoes outside so the floor stays
clean.
A
life where you drink 3 liters of water a day just so you can pee clear.
This
is my life now…
A
life of fulfillment in seeing fruit from the seeds which have been planted.
A
life in service of those who have nothing, asking nothing in return.
A
life of bringing Kingdom to the ends of the earth, even if it starts with one.
Glad you enjoyed your surprise hotel Nicole!! Happy Birthday!
