going on around you? Have you ever been
doing something and it just all of a sudden hits you and you wonder…how did I
get here?! I have those moments many
times on the race. When my teammates and
I , or even my squad, will be doing something….I often have to stop what I’m
doing and just take in the moment. Sometimes that moment is when you’re in Garrissa, Kenya and you are
walking down a street lined with filth and trash and any other kind of debris
you can think of…and then a man points to a cow and says…”cow…cow…we
call that a COW!” You just smile
and move on. And then you can’t help but
think…is this really my life?? Is this
my reality? Or is this just a different life and my real life is waiting back
home in America? It makes me think of the song that goes…”back to life, back to
reality”. I can’t remember who sings it
or any of the other lyrics…but I can remember exactly how that line goes lol.
On the race, we often refer to life back home as “real life” and the race as
something totally different. But the
truth is…the world race is my reality! It is my life right now!
Or how about when you are on a 28 hour bus ride
and you get to see things as beautiful as the Rwandan countryside? Or maybe it’s in El Nido, Philippines where
you are surrounded by some of the most amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Or maybe when you are snorkeling in the ocean
and see clown fish…and you can actually get close enough to try and catch
them! I’ve had those moments every week
of every month on the thing we call the World Race.
This is my reality right now…
My reality consists of 37 other squad mates.
We openly talk about bodily functions…you can’t help it!
I do my “business” squatting over a hole in the ground..
I eat rice, pasta, chips (fries), fried sweet potatoes, boiled bananas, and
cabbage twice a day…everyday…
I take tea at least 3 times a day…it’s hot (I don’t like hot liquids),
and usually made with milk…
It isn’t a strange occurrence to cattle in the road…
I wear the same clothes multiple days in a row…currently, the shirt I’m
wearing has been worn the last 3 days in a row…
My “shower” consists of a bucket of water and a concrete slab…
Church is a tin barn with 3 walls…
My feet will never be clean again…
We do tree to tree ministry…
When we go to church…we are greeted like celebrities…
We are followed around all day be an entourage of children…
I can’t remember the last time I washed my hands with soap…or even warm
water!
I never know if the tan line on my feet is from the sun or if it’s just
stained from the dirt…
Water is never free…never cold…and what the heck is a refill??
Winter doesn’t exist…which means I’ll freeze when I get back to
America…
I have forgotten what a cotton towel really feels like…
I’m convinced African’s are born with rhythm…and
they start dancing just after they are conceived…
how I look in the “mirror”…
We call
out the greatness we see in each other as well as the garbage that pollutes our
walk with God…
True community is definitely not easy. But it is oh so beneficial! Real growth comes when you learn to embrace
community and when you aren’t afraid of what other people think. There’s no room for offense. You learn quickly how not to be offended by
everything and everyone…it’s a process and not always easy…but there is so
much freedom that comes from it. What a
great life to be living right now! Are
you enjoying life…are you taking in your reality??
Have a blessed week my dear friends!
Much love from Rwanda,
Michelle
