Well there are a few items I forgot to share in my last blog. Its sometimes overwhelming and hard to remember it all in one sitting.
So I thought I knew what being mentally tough was all about--let me tell ya---i had no idea! After 5 days in Africa I'm beginning to understand! :) so as I posted before our living conditions are less than mediocre. I was walking back to my "bunk" tonight after dinner and I'm staying on a the 2nd floor of a building when I walked in the door and started up the steps 2 huge brown rats came running down the stairs. Now I wasn't sure if I should scream, cry, run or what!!! So I just stood there frozen as they zipped by me! Ugh! I think after all I've seen here I'm just a little numb. I'm almost positive I could handle anything thrown at me at this point.
I'm trying to really use this time to grow as a person and really focus on OTHERS! I think so often in our society its all about ME ME ME! Me included. So, each day I reflect back on what I did for others, how much it meant to them and pray for the strength to do it all over again the next day! I KNOW that in10 days I get to come back to a wonderful and blessed life. The people here do not! This IS their life and I'm here to help make it a little better for them. They are such hard working, loving people and God loves them as much as everyone else! So thankful for this experience to serve.
That's all for now I'm sure more thoughts will come soon!
Kelli
we will welcome you back with open arms, we are very proud of you Kelli!
ReplyDeletenancy
I don't think a shower in our basement the next time will be much of a challenge after this trip!!!! love, mom in G Ctr
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking about you as we get ready for Citizen of the Year. You are our Citizen of the Year in Nigeria.We will be thinking about you tomorrow night. Doug G.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there was one night that stood out to me that I constantly remember and that took me back...mentally just like you are talking about. For me, I stayed at an congregation members house and on the way that night I had to walk through "orphan lane" as I would call it and they were lined up all down the road getting ready for bed. That image scars my mind and I cannot get over it. But most importantly, is once you have been educated on what it is truely like what matters is how we respond to it. Just thoughts for the day!
ReplyDeleteLoving to read your posts, Kelli. Keep them coming. They seem to bring a lot of oxygen to a lot of Hearts.
ReplyDelete-Jerry B.