The Land of Our Sojourn

The first few weeks here in Ethiopia have not been easy. Writing this almost makes me laugh. Of course it hasn’t! But I think there is the expectation that the beginning stages will be that of an adventure. And then some time before “culture shock” sets in. With us, I noticed that we skipped over the adventure part. Some of it has been the convenience factor. Living in Africa for just 3 weeks now has shown me that I have come to idolize convenience. In the States, we have gone to great lengths to make everything convenient. We have a Starbucks inside the Target so we can shop an endless variety of goods and get a latte under the same roof! Here, the “simple” act of purchasing one item – say, a mop – may take all morning. To find the shop (that even sells mops), to get cash (because that is the only way to pay), to get to the shop (on 3 minibuses), etc. We are getting the hang of it. But when my frustration seeps out, I see how much I have come to expect that things be made convenient for me. Then, I realize that 80% of the world lives without this convenience – and they function just fine.

God is also teaching me through His word – in particular the latter chapters of Jeremiah addressed to the exiles. (I have been reading through the Bible in a year. Still in Jeremiah and it’s almost February of the next year. Oops!) I realized as I read these passages that I was really connecting with them. Something about living in a foreign culture brings new light to Scripture written to exiles. I was taking particular comfort for example in Jeremiah 31, where God tells the exiles repeatedly not to fear and that He will “turn their mourning into joy.” And it occurred to me that we are all exiles, and that this earth is not our home. It’s just that when I am surrounded by the comforts and conveniences that I am accustomed to, I lose sight of this. When I am plunged with my family into a foreign culture and forced to “figure it out,” it brings awareness to the fact that was there all along. This world has some amazing things in it – indeed created by our loving Father. But as the late Rich Mullins sang, it is the “land of our sojourn.” We are awaiting the far better country. May I long for it no matter where I am and long to lead others there too!