Contrasts

Friends,

It’s been a while since my last post. We’ve been transitioning back to American life.

I cannot even count the ways that God’s mercies and favor have enveloped us these past few weeks, and we are so grateful.

 As I carry our former world in my mind, and live in the reality of our present world,

 I seem to measure the day’s events in terms of “contrasts.”

These days, I'm found driving my daughter 30 minutes to her school in our borrowed vehicle  - as opposed to walking down the street, dodging goats, cats, wild dogs, trash, naughty crowds of boy, dead animals and cars, 

    .  .  challenging our sanity in the early morning hours.

Nor are we waiting for a taxi to come, then sitting in the back seat, listening to Qur’anic verses being chanted as we’re driven by a man that we don’t know, or trust.

 We are now blasting worship music on our long commute, and singing along in the safety of our own little space.

I’m no longer walking the tiny, narrow aisles of our mom and pop grocery stores, wondering if I’ll find the needed food item that I’m aware might not be there for another week 

                   or month 

                              or ever again.

I am now walking into a university-sized supermarket that I am sure has enough food to feed Somalia .. and looking at the excess in every direction, 

  and then 

      feeling as though I want to run into a corner and cry.

On the other hand, I appreciate having everything written in English, 
and if I stand still for a minute or two and look bewildered, 
a handful of kind folks WILL run my way to offer help!

The fruit and veggies I now purchase are always
    large, luscious, colorful and yummy. 

No more picking off bugs and worms, scrubbing and dipping!

Food doesn’t spoil quickly in my fridge. 

All of the faucets in our home, work. 

Toilets always flush. 

Our clothes come out of a dryer so fluffy and warm and wrinkle free! 

The oven works perfectly.

 I have water and electricity daily and can make the temperature in my home whatever I want it to be! 

ATM machines never run out of cash.

Reliability and excellent service is the norm.

In most restaurants or stores, toilets flush themselves and water runs from the spigots without even the touch of a handle! 

Coffee machines, ovens, curling irons . . .all shut OFF on their own! 

It seems that I don’t need to think much at all in order to do anything these days.

These are welcomed changes as we venture into this time of rest and peace . .

However,

        HOW do I live with the constant awareness that much of this world is without these conveniences every day? 

And then there are the few precious ones who have given up these conveniences to serve those who are without them.

I will chase away the bewilderment of it all by praising Him for our present reality, 

and hopefully remember that these things are NOT our ‘rights,’ but gifts from a gracious God.

I will also not forsake praying for, giving to, finding ways to serve those who struggle to make it through a day in the parts of this world where He’s brought us before.

Let us all strive to

   GIVE THANKS

      GIVE TO OTHERS who are in desperate need!

         Praying for them, 

            without ceasing!