You would think by now that I am used to traveling to different countries, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and living in a new place each month. Yet month nine has brought some unexpected challenges.
As we arrived in Ethiopia, Africa a week ago I was expecting to adjust well and that the transition would be smooth. What I thought, was not what happened. Culture shock. New team shock. New continent shock. New team leader role shock. Month nine of the Race shock.
A lot of change has happened in the past two weeks. Man did I think that I was used to change by now. Wow was I wrong, change is not easy, it is not comfortable.
I desired change when I left home to head off to college. I desired change when I left for study abroad. I desired change when I graduated college. I desired change when I left for the Race. I was searching for more, for who I am, for what my purpose is on this Earth. I was seeking for purpose. But something I didn’t realize is that change is hard, it means I have to be uncomfortable when all I want is comfort.
Yet there is something important amidst the change. That among the change there is a constant, that constant is God. It is such a relief when I can know that God is constant, he never changes.
My team and I were sharing the other day at a little church in Ethiopia. The church was built out of bamboo sticks, tarps, mud floors and wooden benches. I was introducing our team and thanking them for having us. As I explained what we were doing this year, I shared that each month is new, everything is new. But among that newness, God has been the constant. He doesn’t change from country to country, from team to team, from age to age. He is the same yesterday, now and forever. Amen!
As things change in my life, and I realize that I can’t control those things. I come to realize that change is hard, especially in month nine where I’m craving consistency and routine. Yet that’s the cool thing, I have two and a half more months of this Race and a lifetime of change ahead of me, where my God is constant.
Africa is different. Africa is a challenge. Africa is beautiful. Africa is God’s creation. Africa is a change for me. God is constant.
Please pray for protection over my team, for us to love these people well and experience more that God has for us. Please pray that I will adjust to Africa and that I would be surrounded by comfort.
Blessings from Africa!!!
