Questions I Never Thought to Ask
On three separate occasions while in South Sudan we went out to eat in local restaurants. Now normally when you walk into a restaurant you make an assumption – the assumption that the restaurant has food. But every time we walked into these restaurants, before we sat down, our World Concern host asked the waitress “Do you have food?” Even the need to ask that question shows that there are occasions when the answer is “no.” Hunger is real. Food security is not just a phrase thrown around by Humanitarian organizations like World Concern, it is significant issue, one that I will no longer take for granted the next time I walk into a restaurant.
And there are other questions I don’t normally ask in America, but I have asked each of these questions on this trip:
- What kind of a toilet is it? In developing countries, if they have toilets, they are typically squat toilets. These are not normal to me, and I can honestly say I would be a happy man if I never had to use one of these types of toilets again.
- Do I have my toilet paper? This is pretty self-explanatory, but I wish it wasn’t.
- Does the room have a mosquito net?
- Did I pack enough hand sanitizer?
- Did I take my Malarone today? See: mosquitos/malaria.
- How many clean shirts do I have left? (Now I have to admit that I have asked this question at home, but not because I had NO clean shirts, just maybe not the shirt(s) I wanted to wear.)
- Are those men with guns in the back of that truck the military or should I be concerned?
- What time does my UN flight leave?
- How do you say “Thank you” in Dinka?
- Is this the meadow where they did the food drop?
- What time does the electricity get turned on/off?
- Is the internet down because you’re using the copier?
- How many days since that child had a meal?
I don’t believe that followers of Jesus are called to be comfortable, and those are not comfortable questions. All these questions are why, I admit, I like coming to Africa – they jolt me out of my normal, comfortable life.
Random Thought #1: I know nothing of sacrifice
Remember how in my last blog post I mentioned how much I am missing my family after two weeks on Africa? Although that is VERY true, I am a whiner. Why? Because I met two members of the World Concern staff: Harun and Moses. Harun is married with two children and he not only works in World Concern’s Wau office, he lives there in one room next to the offices…by himself. His family? They are back in Nairobi where he is from and he hasn’t been back to see them for months. Sure, they call and even Skype, but they are a family divided because Harun feels called to the work in South Sudan. Now that is sacrifice – for both him and his family. For the last year has followed God’s calling on his life to work and live in Lietenhom, South Sudan as a Vocational Trainer with World Concern. He spends his days teaching auto mechanics to South Sudanese men and even one woman. He works under a huge fig tree and lives in one of the traditional homes of mud walls and a straw roof. Did I tell you that Moses got married just two years ago? His wife lives in Nairobi and they haven’t seen each other in months. Moses will be with me on the flight to Nairobi today and he will be met by his wife at the airport. I hope I get to see them kiss. They will have a three week furlough together and then Moses will come back again to Lietnhom in early September and stay in his hut and teach his students until his next break in December. These are Godly men who live out their faith every day. Me? I know nothing of sacrifice compared to these men.
Random Thought #2: Coke is it
No matter where I go in South Sudan I can probably buy a Coke…and even, occasionally, a Coke Light. This isn’t unique. With over a dozen trips to Africa under my belt, plus numerous trips to Haiti and Central America, I can honestly say that Coke can be bought in any place I have ever been. I’m jealous of Coke’s marketing penetration all over the world. I wish I was smart enough to help market World Concern like that.
Random Thought #3: Blessings out of no where
So our plans got a bit changed at the end of this trip and I realized that I had two free days in Nairobi before heading home. “Hmmmm,” I thought, “I wonder if I can get a flight up to Ethiopia and visit Lidya and Tsion in the orphanage.” Prayer, prayer and more prayer – and a lot of e-mails – and I got word that it was possible!! I booked a flight and a Guest House and so I’m off to Ethiopia for a quick trip and a chance to hug my daughters now that they know I’m their dad. I’m getting choked up already. I’m gonna be a basket case tomorrow when I see them again. Blessed? Words fall short to express how overwhelmed I feel right.
