Only human beings can find reasons to be upset when they have so many things to be thankful for. That’s where I was at the beginning of the month. Despite the hot showers, comfy beds, beautiful view, and amazing people, all I could see was the jet lag, rainy climate, lack of introvert time, and long-winded, offensive old man who was our contact.
On top of that, I was wrestling with some questions regarding the Christian faith. For example, why does God require sacrifices for our sins? He required sacrifices in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, He sacrificed His son for our sins. What’s up with that? “You disobeyed your maker, so now you have have to kill a sheep for me.” That seems like such a bizarre and illogical concept, but after much study and meditation, I think I’m finally starting to understand it. As Romans 6:26 states, “the wages of sin is death.” That makes sense. If things like envy, hatred, and pride are sins, then I don’t see how life could ever rise up out of sin. In that case, if sinful people like us are ever going to receive eternal life, then what happens to all that death we earn every time we sin? It has to go somewhere (thanks, Jesus).
I’m still far from understanding Biblical doctrine as thoroughly as I want to, but I feel like I have been making lots of progress this year which has been satisfying. By the second week, the jet lag wore off and the sun came out. By the end of month, our long-winded offensive contact had even shown us his kind side.
Overall, the month of Albania was a great month. The whole squad worked together on the property of a summer camp facility on the outskirts of Lezhe. I spent most of my work days giving the place a fresh coat of paint, but I also worked in other capacities such as inspecting the udders of pigs while holding them upside down by their hind legs. You know… the usual.
