I was walking down the street yesterday and pondering how life was pretty darn good. I had just eaten a delicious lunch with my team and enjoyed a time of fellowship with them. In my hand was a freshly made crepe filled with warm Nutella and white chocolate I bought off the street. It was only 100 leke, about $1 USD. The air was crisp but my black jacket soaked up the afternoon sun and warmed me right up. Not to mention the warm, ooey-gooey goodness oozing out of my crepe…that warmed me up too.
One of the many delicious crepes made in Albania. This one has white chocolate, bananas and some graham cracker crumbles. Yum!
I leisurely strolled down the cobblestone streets off the main drag, taking in all the sights and sounds of Korce. The road less traveled is definitely my preference; much quieter, less people, slower pace.
1 hour. My coveted “alone time” between campus ministry in the morning, team lunch/meeting and campus ministry in the afternoon. I was in no rush, just enjoyin’ my crepe and the beautiful town.
Korce is filled with character; my favorites include cobblestone streets and grapevines growing everywhere!
But after eating 2/3 of this delicious sweetness, I’d had enough. What’s wrong with me? I thought. You don’t want to finish a dessert? Wow… But I did. And had a belly ache to prove it. All that sweet sugary goodness was too much.
Too much of a good thing…
That got me thinking. Due to the culture and ministry this month, I’ve been consuming more than my fair share of a few things. On an average ministry day in Korce, I will probably consume 3 coffee drinks and eat 2 apples.
No really, it’s true. Yesterday I met with 2 freshman girls in the morning (separately, at two different coffee shops, with an Albanian staff gal). Our team meets in a coffee shop in the afternoon but I opt out of more caffeine. In the evening, we head to the dormitories to talk to more students. In each room we are offered more coffee and fruit. Usually we stop in 2 or 3 rooms each evening.
Albania is known for it’s hospitality and I couldn’t agree more with this claim. But, by room 3 in the dorms, my teammate Jamie and I were “eating by faith.” I cut up our third apple into quarters and we slowly nibbled away as we shared parts of our story and the Gospel with these college students.
Here I am using Soularium, a picture survey to get to know students better. Notice the large bowls of plums and apples on the chair that were offered to Jamie and me.
I’ve concluded that when you have an abundance of something, good or bad, you don’t appreciate it and often take it for granted.
So this probably means I’ll miss all the coffee and apples after this month is over…
On a more serious note, I’ve been realizing how much I’ve taken community for granted, because I had so much of it. Before the Race I came out of an incredible community- I had my Crusade staff team that became like family as we worked side by side; I had my roommates that became like sisters; I had disciples that sought me for wisdom and guidance; I had a church family that welcomed me with open arms and my family was always encouraging and supportive of my decisions.
Too much of a good thing…
I had community in abundance and it was good. But I think I took it for granted and didn’t always appreciate it. Now my community has become my 5 teammates and the few English-speakers that exist in Albania. Don’t get me wrong, I love me team. If you watched our introduction video, you can clearly see we love each other (and we’re a bit crazy). But going from lots to little is a transition, and it makes you appreciate what you’ve had.
In crepe terms, I’ve gone from ooey-gooey goodness gushing out with each bite to one dot of Nutella somewhere in the middle. And it’s a good dot.
To think all of this came out of me not wanting to finish my crepe… I’m telling you, taking the road less traveled gives you more time to ponder!
So I encourage you to think of what you have in abundance and thank God for it. Maybe it’s food. Maybe it’s time with your kids. Maybe it’s a job. Maybe it’s community. Maybe it’s space. Appreciate these things. Don’t take it for granted.
Too much of a good thing… can be a good thing. Or a God thing.
College roomies- forever P.A.L.S!
Central Wisconsin Campus Crusade for Christ staff team 2010-2011
My Fam- Mom, Dad and Matthew
