Things I give up

When my team met in Dallas for training (pictured above), we spent some time reading in the bible and reflecting on it. The particular passage we read focuses on not complaining. As we discussed this passage and our expectations for the trip, our training leaders suggested we all create a list. We were to create a list of things we were "giving up." The things we were surrendering and not longer having the right to. I dug through some stuff and finally found my list that I wrote out on that day, July 1st, in Dallas; here, I'll try to translate it to typed text as best as I can:

I'm giving up my right to:

- complain about the weather or other uncontrollable, insignificant things

- get enough sleep every single night

- be stagnant & ignore my journey of faith

- pick & choose who I think I should/would be friends with or get along with & instead be open to everyone

- talk about myself before listening to others

- worry about things after the trip (wedding, zoo, boys) that I can't control

- be picky about my food (spicy, coffee, etc...)

- plan and be on schedule - know what's ahead

- hot shower

- to stay dry & comfortable

I look back at that list and think about how I had to give up those things, surrender my right to be picky or to worry, to be able to fully experience Ethiopia. Without worrying or giving in to these trivial things, I was able to be completely present in the moment as possible - to let it all sink in and to give of myself, my attention, to these people as fully as I could. I look back at the list and realize how many of those things I did give up.

"get enough sleep every single night"

My mind wanders back to a night spent in the guest house (pictured above). I was downstairs journaling in the living room, as Keith journaled in a chair across from me and Geoff sat engrossed in his book. It was probably well past midnight already and I was in desperate need of sleep. The two soon finished their tasks and headed up to bed, but I stayed for what I thought would only be a bit longer. Another team member, Sarah, soon came down and we found ourselves talking until almost 2am (knowing we had to get up by 7:30 or so). That time together really was the start of our friendship though and was needed. We needed to be present and caring towards one another. Sleep could wait."be picky about my food"

Well, I was in Ethiopia where coffee was discovered. Nevermind I had probably only drank 3 cups of coffee in my whole life, I decided to embrace the culture and had coffee every time it was offered. You know what? I didn't absolutely love it, but I did enjoy it. It was all part of experiencing the country and was worth it. We even had the privelage of experiencing two coffee cermonies. The one pictured above was in our guest house, put on for us by Tigis, one of the guest staff, on our very last night in the country.

"to stay dry & comfortable"

On our last day of ministry, we went back to Hannah's Orphanage. This was our third day at the location and we went to help the children with their chores. The "chores" at one point entailed our eleven person team helping to wash dozens of children's clothes. We had probably six basins of soapy water that team members would scrub the clothes in, then another 4 basins of rinse water, and then lines upon lines of clothes. It was raining and dreary out. At the end of the endeavor, my back hurt and my sweatshirt, shoes, and shirt were completely soaked through. I was neither dry nor comfortable. What I was instead was content. I had been able to do something that I knew was a service to these people...a small token of thanks for sharing their lives with me.
"hot shower"

I specifically remember taking a shower in the Ambo hotel (view from our balcony posted above). The water was absolutely freezing. Sooo, very cold. I could barely handle the water. I found myself complain in my head about how cold it was. And then I stopped. I realized how incredibly selfish I was. Here, I had just spent the day with people who didn't even have running water in their homes most likely and I was complaining that I had to endure a cold shower, one day out of how many days? That's when the tears starting falling.

Now that I'm back home and have gotten back into the "flow of things," I have noticed myself falling back into habits. Habits like complaining about the weather or traffic. Why? There is no need. I have no control over the situation. I have to continually remind myself that the list of things I "gave up" before going to Africa doesn't need to be reclaimed again. I can be that person I hoped to be on my trip while I am back home. I hope and pray that I can always strive to be that person.