ATTENTION! ATTENTION! WE ARE ALIVE!
We made it to Cote D’Ivoire about a week ago and my team is just getting settled into our ministries in this beautiful country on the Ivory Coast of Africa. This is my first time setting foot in the motherland and I had no real expectations of what it might be like on such a foreign land. However, what I learned very quickly was possibly more about the state of being of America and how I have been living my life.
I was given a rude awakening probably as soon as we set foot in Cote D’Ivoire realizing I couldn’t understand a thing people were saying. How entitled I was to just think, “Hey, I’m sure there are tons of people there who speak English!” Honestly, I feel like maybe the biggest brat in the world thinking this way. Who am I just walking into someone else’s country not knowing a lick of their language or culture and still thinking that was okay? What a rude awakening that was….Maybe two days later I was reminded yet again about how unbelievably privileged I am with even the most minute things. American culture is surrounded by a major theme of living with an excess of things. not only that, but for the most part, people in our culture are used to having an unlimited amount of practically anything we want when we want it. Some of these may include having unlimited access to free wifi, having fast food and drive throughs literally on every corner, and not being all that concerned about the amount of toilet paper you are using.
After three days of traveling and another day of starting ministry, my team and I were beyond excited to hear the news that we were getting wifi in our little home. With access to wifi, we could finally get in contact with our families telling them we finally made it to our first destination. Little did we know that, that excitement was very short lived…Within a matter of about fifteen minutes we used up all of the data…
Now looking back, it seems so silly of us to think that the data was unlimited and we could use as much as we wanted with no extra cost. However, I guess it isn’t so far fetched for us to believe that since we live in a society that unlimited data is the norm, eating things “American sized,” is expected, and drinking water from a faucet is generally okay,( Please, don’t forget that Flint, Michigan still doesn’t have clean water).
So all that to say, I’m writing this not to be all Barbie Savior on you and say , “Oh look at all these poor African, people who are living such a miserable life!” Because that is not the case at all. I have been surrounded by such generous and grateful people who’s lives are beyond beautiful in itself. But maybe to say to those living in excess, that we don’t necessarily need so much stuff! Our lives will be just fine if we don’t get the newest smart phone, or spend all day on Instagram and snapchat, or eat meals that have portion sizes that are way bigger than our body actually needs. All these things are good and enjoyable in moderation and partaking in them is generally such a great thing! However, whenever we look at things as little treats to indulge in, it somehow makes it even more beautiful.
Peace and Blessings,
K.L.M.
