Lessons Learned

Christmas has come and gone. It was a flurry of activity as we attempted to create some new holiday traditions here on this side of the world. We baked gingerbread cookies (kind of…), we played frisbee golf (not overly Christmas-y!), we hung snowflakes and lights, we had a feast on Christmas day, and we hung stockings for everyone early Christmas morning. Friendships were cemented, fun was had, and it was a good alternative to spending the holidays with my family at home. I definitely still missed them, but my first Christmas away from home was actually nice. We were also blessed to be able to share Christmas gifts with several children and women here in the Rumbek area because of the generosity of some of our supporters in the states. And most importantly, we were able to share the Christmas story with hundreds of people through the women’s Bible study and through a drama that Jamie and Laura helped organize with the youth from one of the local churches.
As we come to the end of 2008, though, I have found myself thinking through all of the changes that this year has brought. There were good times and bad times, happy and sad. Jobs changed and locations changed. Many miles were covered. Goals were made…some were accomplished, some were not. I’ve grown a lot, and I’ve learned a lot. So rather than recap this whole year and go through where I’ve been and what I’ve done…and more importantly, what I’ve failed to do…I thought I would share a little of what I’ve learned this year. So, in no particular order, here goes:
1. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I have learned since leaving home that this is true. To my family and friends back home, I am fonder of you than ever before. This also holds true with the Dinka occasionally. When I’ve had a rough day with the Dinka, if I leave them for an evening, by morning, I typically love them again…typically.
2. Some days it’s hard to love people. Some days it’s easy. The hard days are harder …obviously…but they are also much more rewarding.
3. Wasps don’t sting unless provoked. I think my parents tried to teach me this in childhood, but I never really believed it. Mom and Dad, I now know that “if you don’t bother it, it won’t bother you.”
4. I really like chocolate. Some might call it an addiction.
5. When an African says he will be somewhere at 8 am, you will be lucky if he shows up by 10am. However, if you say that “maybe” you will come visit tomorrow, he will sit at home for the better part of the day and wait for you to come...and be upset when you never show up.
6. The people come when the drums start playing. If the drums haven’t been played, how will they know that the event is starting? And as long as they arrive before the END of the event, they are on time.
7. Sometimes potholes just can’t be avoided.
8. Clothes that stretch are not ideal for places where clothes are washed by hand and hung on a line to dry. I now have many long shirts.
9. In Sudan, it doesn’t really matter if your clothes match. In fact, it’s even okay to wear socks with sandals.
10. If you leave a package of cookies sitting out and a mouse comes and eats them one night, you should always remove the package of cookies or the mouse will continue to come back night after night and eat through all of your things. He will start expecting milk, and then he’s gonna want some gum. And if you give a mouse gum, then he’s gonna start wanting peanut butter crackers and birthday candles, etc…
11. Just because you think you are saying something correctly does not mean that you are.
12. You should always avoid hitting cows whenever possible.
13. If you see someone who you don’t know taking clothes off of your clothesline, chances are they are not just trying to be nice.
14. Just because it looks like pasta noodles does not mean that it is indeed pasta noodles.
15. You should always open the door when DOOMing an enclosed space…unless you want to get high.
16. Not all snakes are bad. But most are just plain evil.
17. Here’s another “Dad-ism” that I’ve found to be most helpful this year: “Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do.” (i.e. Sometimes you just have to eat that termite, even though you don’t want to. Sometimes you just have to use the long-drop toilet, even though you don’t want to. Sometimes you just have to be nice to people, even though you don’t want to.)
18. Trips to the market…or anywhere for that matter…during bouts of explosive diarrhea are not wise. And when you live in Africa, you might as well become comfortable talking about it because it’s just a fact of life here.
19. Never put off until tomorrow what could be done today. Because tomorrow, it will pour rain from sunup to sundown, or tomorrow you will discover that it is yet another “explosive day”, or tomorrow the big man has gone to Juba and won’t return for a month…
20. And last, but definitely not least, I have learned that I am incredibly blessed. Beyond words. I am blessed by my wonderfully loving and supportive family. Blessed by my incredible friends and church family. Blessed by my terrific colleagues and supervisors. And blessed by the Savior who calls me His child. I am blessed.
Happy New Year everyone! Be safe, and enjoy the start of 2009! My prayer is that it is a blessed year for you all as well!