God, Europe Sucks!
This is not, exactly, the thought I’d hoped to entertain within the first few moments on my fourth, and final, continent of The World Race. Alas, after no more than thirty minutes in the Bucharest (Romania) airport, my mind was made up.
God, send me back to Africa. I’ll eat rice and beans without complaint. Cold showers really aren’t that bad. I could get used to wearing skirts 24/7, honest! Anything but this, God. These people don’t even want us here.
Talk about culture shock. Though it is a little tough to admit, I’d grown accoustomed to being quite the celebrity throughout the first eight months of the Race. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve very pointedly stood out. Frankly, “white” means “money” in many cultures, and whether you really do have money or not, it earns you quite the popular status if people think you do. I’ve had marriage proposals, invites to be best friends with multiple people, requests to help people get American visas and even the question, “Are you Alicia Keys?” It can be a little overwhelming, but somewhere along the way, I allowed myself to become a little flattered.
Why, yes, people of the world, I did come here to help you. I’m glad you see that and you want to be my friend. You accept me. You are okay with what I’m doing. Now let me tell you about Jesus…
Reality check. Interactions with a barrista, a pizzaiola, a few airport security employees and a very disgruntled (and slightly manic) bus driver quickly affirmed (for me) that Romanians didn’t care who I was or what I had to offer.
Lord, this might take a little more work than I’m used to, eh? I’m not sure anyone clued these people into their desire for You… And they sure as heck don’t want to hear about it from me.
Frustrations bubbled over as I navigated the monthly process of deciphering conversion rates. After purchase of a particularly over-priced (not really!) drink, I made the following profession to my best friend:
Romania so far = Expensive and a little rude.
Cue an opportunity for God to speak; I got merely a one-line response.
Eyes open, heart out.
“For the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve.” -Matt. 20:28
Oh yeah.
It never ceases to amaze me that I have found family in every place The World Race has taken me. The Kingdom of God allows for that, and it helps make me feel welcome and loved no matter where I land. That said, this isn’t why I chose to come on this mission. I didn’t anticipate “easy.” God showed me a need for people, throughout the ENTIRE, world to know His love, and He gave me an opportunity to deliver that. Even to people that might not readily accept.
One of the good things about God is that He likes to help us out along the way. Once we accept (and sometimes this takes more than once) that the world isn’t all about us, He gives us sweet little reminders that He’s always fighting for us. He’s in our day-to-day, all day, everyday! He’s in every interaction. He uses people like our Hostel hostess, Cici, who go above and beyond the call of duty to make life easy for travel-weary missionaries. He uses cab drivers who don’t readily know the address you want to go to, but willingly stop at multiple locations and drive around for an extra 20 minutes –at no charge! He uses sweet old ladies who hand you flowers for no reason. He uses friends who drop unexpected notes on your pillow. He uses strangers who send messages reminding you of why you do what you do…
Our hostel hostess, Cici, picked me flowers on my 24th birthday!
Expect God to be good. Anticipate the good in people, too.
Eyes open, heart out.
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
