Lessons

What have I learned here in Africa? From life lessons, hard and painful lessons, to small tips and tricks, and rules of the culture… Way too much to put into a blog post – it would have to be more like a whole book, which is actually not a bad idea. Maybe someday you’ll see My African Adventure by Lydia Wilhite on a shelf in a bookstore. For now though I’ll just share a few things that I’ve learned that stand out in my mind at this moment.

~When you’re going to make a cup of coffee in Africa make sure and check for ants in the coffee tin, coffee maker, the spoon you use for the sugar, the sugar bowl, the creamer, and MOST importantly – check in the coffee mug!!! Ants are not very good swimmers, however they do tend to float to the top of your coffee as I learned the hard way;) I really believe that the whole continent Africa is just one giant anthill!

~ If you happen to hear gunshots outside the window, wait until you’re off the phone with your mom to go and check it out – it saves her a few white hairs and a small heart attack!

~ Look before you step – snakes, lizards, spiders, and especially if there are eight dogs on the property (personally, this is the worst next to a snake).

~ Don’t leave your make up bag in sight of your twelve year old cousin when you fall asleep if you don’t want tic-tac-toe or a mustache drawn on your face.

Seriously, now…

~Learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. This one takes a lot of time to learn, but getting out of my comfort zone was one of the best parts of the trip.

~Sometimes the best source of encouragement is to just listen and pray.

~The culture shock is not in what you can see, but in the things you can’t see. Not in the surroundings or the actions of a people, but in the why behind the actions and way of life.

~ Letters, phone calls, and emails became so much more precious to you when you are far away.

~ Hey, life does continue to go on back home – babies are born, birthdays and anniversaries pass, weddings are celebrated, and deaths are mourned. I had to learn that I couldn’t be in two places at once, and to rejoice in where God has lead me, and to “rejoice with those who do rejoice and weep with those who weep” from this side of the ocean.

~ Our God is an awesome creator, and Africa is one of His greatest masterpieces. From the smallest anthill to the most magnificent mountain, or from the Lion to the lizard, He designed them all.

~ LIONS AND ELEPHANTS DO NOT ROAM THE STREETS HERE – THEY ARE ONLY IN THE GAME PARKS, LOL!!!

There are so many more things that I could have included, but as I said, they are too numerous for this post. Our God is a great God!