I made it safe and sound in Africa! Traveling took nearly two days but baby it feels good to be in Cote d’Ivoire!!
Only about a week in and I have been amazed by the hospitality of people. Our ministry host has been amazing and showed us around town, all the spots to go for local food, the mall, where to get WiFi, and taxis! Taxis are insane here!! Big vans are constantly going in this big loop from one side of the town to the next. That paired with the crazy traffic, it was unreal!
So they pull up and over ten people get out and we jump right in after them, they would jam pack it so much that the worker wouldn’t even be in the car when it’s driving, he would be hanging off the side door and holding on to a rope that is tied to the van. Crazy! I saw him not have enough room so he “surfed” and just glided on the street like a super hero. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. If they asked me if I wanted to give it a try, I’d be so down!! (sorry mom!)
On the first day of ministry we went to the port, which is where truckers wait for the next load of food/materials/etc. to arrive. Sometimes these people stay in the port waiting for months. There home is under the truck during these times.
When we went to start a conversation with them, 6 of the 8 people got up from there little bench under the truck to give us the place to sit. You don’t see that kinda of hospitality everywhere. Such generosity from people who you would expect have nothing to give.
Then the best part, the conversation. I have never talked with people so receptive to what people have to say, specifically about religion. Talking with them included a lot of questions, stories, and teachings. I learned that in America, we start off my getting to know them and after some time and connection we can talk about religion. But in Cote d’Ivoire, the talk about religion in order to form a relationship. It’s a kinda of thinking that I have never practiced but want so bad for myself. I have so much to learn from the people I am connecting with, the culture, and the teammates I’m doing this adventure with.
Challenge for myself- Be bold and step into situations that are not my norm. Start a connection around religion and talking about God. The people here are so receptive and I have everything to learn from them. And lastly, pray with authority over my teammates and the people we run into.
Thanks for reading!
-Breier
