If you don’t remember part one of this blog you should check
it out here:
http://amandafackler.theworldrace.org/?filename=wind-in-my-hair-bugs-on-my-face
That was back in El Salvador when I discovered my
love for riding in the back of a truck. Obviously I am no longer in El Salvador, but I have found another experience
that I enjoy almost as much here in Kenya!
In Kenya,
we ride on the back of motorbikes or boda bodas. We call up this company who
has a lot of motorbikes working for them and they come to our house and pick us
up then drive us where we need to go. Usually that is to church which is like a
10-15 minute ride away. We hop on the back and hold on. These guys are so good
at what they do. Even with nervous, white Americans clinging to the back of
their dirtbike there is not even ever a hint that they will crash.
The first few times I rode in the truck in El Salvy I stayed
seated and was too nervous to stand up. I slowly worked my way up to standing
and holding on to the side. Eventually after a couple weeks I stood up at the
front with nothing in my way. My face got dirty, my legs would get tired some
times, my headphones almost broke multiple times, but I didn’t want to miss
that opportunity because it was a time I could connect with the Lord.
The first time I rode a motorbike I was with Moses. I didn’t
have time to be nervous because we had to get to the church. I couldn’t think
about it rationally like a normal American, wondering “where are the helmets?”
and “isn’t there a safer way to get there?” There was no other way for us to
get there so I swallowed my nerves and got on the back. I said a quick prayer
and tried to hide the shaking to the best of my ability. He turned and said
“Hi, I’m Moses. You can trust me.” That was it. I trusted him to get to where I
needed to go. I was trusting him with my mother’s “precious cargo”. It wasn’t
an option not to trust him.
It was really fun…
…until a bug smacked me in the eye.
Immediately I was taken back to El Salvador and how much the
motorbike reminded me of our rides in the truck. That got me thinking about how
I felt about my month in El
Salvador. So far El Salvador was the month where I
had the most spiritual growth. God truly met me in El
Salvador in ways I had never experienced before and I
have been waiting for a time when God takes me even deeper than El Salvador.
The second that bug hit my face, it was like God’s promise that this is my
month to go deeper. Kenya is
going to be the next level up from El Salvador. Honestly, I couldn’t
be more excited and scared all at the same time. I am ready. Stay tuned for my
blog about what Kenya
is doing to my heart already…
Much love,
-A
