What have I learned after spending a month in Nairobi?
Well, I would say patience and living each moment among other things. Here in Kenya things run differently. Never can you know what will happen that day and you must always be ready for dramatic plan changes at any given moment. At first, this culture of seemingly unknown chaos was overwhelming. Yet as time goes by I realize more and more that looking past minute frustrations, there is a way of life that is teaching me a lasting lesson.
New adventures. Exciting journeys. I realize that I focus on the future and on my plans all too much. What about each moment? What about the small happenings of every day life? I think many people feel how I did. Always looking for a new adventure and not realizing that at some point that adventure becomes you present, daily life. When the newness wears off and life sets in, what do we do? I looked for something different. Something more thrilling.
This is not how I am called to live my life.
Let me elaborate on how patience is a necessity and how I am learning.
This past Saturday all the inters took a day trip to Naivasha to visit Crescent Island for a walking safari. By 9am we were on our way. We visited a lookout viewpoint, took pictures, laughed and enjoyed the gorgeous view. After piling back into the bus, we hit a larger than usual bump (which you'd realize is quite an accomplishment if you've ever driven on Kenyan roads). Soon after we smelled the odor of gasoline -- we made it to a gas station all the while leaking fuel down the mountain. While we waited for the bus to be fixed we went to lunch thinking surely it would be done by our return. No, the part needed to fix our only means of transportation was nowhere to be found. Well, like any group of friends out on an ill fated adventure, we played games, laughed and fellowshipped to pass the time.
Later on, we realized our bus was going nowhere. So, we were able to hire a matatu (public transport van) to take us where we wanted to go. Many turn arounds and a confused driver later, we made it. Now, we were supposed to have most of the day to spend on the island so we could explore and take our time discovering animals and experiencing the area. Well, due to our mishap we ended up with a little less than two hours to spend. Even in this short time, we saw giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, gazelles, monkeys, waterbucks, and various incredible African animals. It was an amazing demonstration of the creativity of God. Absolutely breathtaking to experience.
Despite the fact that we were pressed for time and the day did not go according to plan, I found myself exceedingly thankful. I truly enjoyed the day and I will cherish the memories forever. There were many times when I could have been frustrated and many moments that could have ruined the day. A few weeks ago, that may very well have been the outcome. Now, because I have been living in a place where the unpredictable is every day life, I can see more clearly the value of treasuring moments like these.
I tell this story because for me, it shows how I am learning to take life as it comes. To enjoy each day and find the beauty and fun in every mishap, every plan change, every unpredictable, astonishing moment.
Life is unpredictable and when we wish away the struggles, the annoyances, the mundane, we miss the chance to learn contentment. See, I always assumed that contentment came when we were accepting of how things played out in life. While this is true, it is so much more. The very definition is "a state of happiness and satisfaction". Contentment is a choice. If I am only content when things go right or when I am experiencing a new adventure, it is only a hollow word. True contentment requires a daily decision to embrace and love where you are.
Living in Africa this summer is one of my dreams. I guess you could say it was on my bucket list. Yet this does not mean I have been content. I was confused as to why I was wishing for something new when I was experiencing a life long goal. Then I realized contentment is not linked to the happiness of achievement but the happiness given by the Lord as we accept where we are and see the depth of His love wherever that may be.
Eventually, the newness of any situation wears off and the adventure becomes the every day. I am learning to embrace the trips to work, attending church, having dinner and all the things I do regularly. My time in Kenya has taught me that life is made of small moments and big ones but if we jump ahead, we just might miss the things that give life to our lives. I love Africa and most of all I love that while here, God is teaching me ever more about Himself and the wonderful world he has created.
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