We left Côte d’Ivoire about two weeks ago. It is crazy to think that month one is already over. It passed by so quickly, but at the same time very slowly!
Check out this video below to see my last few weeks in Côte d’Ivoire…
My first month was very bittersweet. I was very homesick, but also overwhelmed by the work God was doing within me. The World Race states that most people will go through three stages during their time on the race: abandonment, brokenness, and dependence. My first month was truly abandonment!
The World Race defines abandonment as
Abandonment: We abandon our rights and comforts. We set our physical possessions aside, leave relationships behind and embark on a journey with the promise of something more.
That was truly how I felt my first month. Giving up my rights and comforts were difficult. Before arriving in Côte d’Ivoire, we knew how challenging the language barrier would be, but we could never imagine that even the simplest of conversations would be so difficult. We were blinded to the fact that we were arriving in a country that not so long ago was torn apart by war. Fear and sorrow ran rapid throughout the Ivory Coast. Being told it was unsafe to walk around without a translator hit like a ton of bricks. I found myself thinking, “I am an adult”, “I know about danger”, “I am strong”. Many times, I had to remember to abandon my pride and comforts. I was reminded of the scripture “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).
I abandoned my physical possessions. You never realize how dependent you are on technology, air conditioning, consistent water and power, or toilet seats, until you are required to do without. I was very hyper-sensitive to everything that was happening around me, if the water was not working, I noticed, if the power went out, I knew for how long, if the internet was running slow, I complained. Not saying that I am not sensitive to my surroundings now, but I am much more aware of my behavior within my environments. Something that became very prevalent while I was in Côte d’Ivoire was the power of choice. I have the choice to be happy and make this an amazing experience or the choice to point out all the things that I was doing without. Every country, everyday, every difficult situation I have to make that choice. It is not the easy choice, but the choice Jesus asked the disciples to make. When he called them to missions, he did not say, “Bring all that is comfortable to you”. When Jesus sent out his disciples it was said “Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food“ (Matthew 10:9-10).
Therefore, as I move from abandonment, I truly go with the mindset and promise that there is something more! I know that there is still a lot of work to do, but I am ready for all God has in store for me. As I continue my journey in Ghana, check my blog for more updates.
Coming Soon: NEW Blog post: ‘It’s Ghana Be A Good Month’ ’
