too much to process

Written by Dan King

Christ-follower. husband. father. author of the unlikely missionary: from pew-warmer to poverty-fighter. co-author of activist faith: from him and for him. director of family ministry at st. edward's episcopal church. president of fistbump media, llc.

June 4, 2009

plushvalley

I’ve been home from my mission trip to Kenya and Uganda for several days now, and I am still struggling to fully process everything that I’ve experienced over there.

So many memories.

So many emotions.

So many ideas.

So many questions.

First of all, I want you to know that I think that Kenya and Uganda are both amazingly beautiful countries. Everywhere we went, I was blown away by the scenery. Rolling hills and mountains rich with crops of pineapples, bananas, coffee and tea. It was some of the most beautiful land that I have ever seen in my life.

The people were amazing too. There are lots of words that I would use to describe them all…

Resilient.

Resourceful.

Loving.

Beautiful (especially the children).

But the extreme poverty that we experienced there simply rocked my world.

I feel somewhat guilty now that I am home and get to take a shower in my nice, clean bathroom. Then I can go sit on my big, comfy couch in my air-conditioned living room while I catch up on TV shows recorded on my DVR while I was gone.

Then I go back to work, and sit in my nice office… the one with way more desk space than what I really need, and where I complain about how my chair squeaks when I move a certain way.

If there is one thing that I am able to process right now, then it is the fact that even those of us who are in ‘rough’ shape here in the United States are still extremely blessed.

We are blessed more than we realize.

For me realizing that fact only prompts more questions in my heart and my mind. I begin to ask myself things like what I will (really) do with the many blessings that I have. And with the things that I have swirling through my head right now, questions like this only stir it all up even more.

What is a blessed child of God to do?

I can tell you that I am not going to take things for granted anymore. I consider myself very blessed, and I will certainly remember to be more thankful for the blessings (and opportunities) that I have (that I know others don’t have).

13 Comments

  1. Julie Gillies

    I imagine that a trip to Africa couldn't help but profoundly touch any American, Dan. We are SO blessed here. The poverty there grieves me deeply, especially where the children are concerned.

    God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. I believe it is our responsibility to help others.

    Reply
  2. BibleDude

    True… it IS our responsibility to help others.
    How'd they say it in Spiderman? Something like, “with great power (think blessing) comes great responsibility”…

    Reply
  3. BibleDude

    True… it IS our responsibility to help others.
    How'd they say it in Spiderman? Something like, “with great power (think blessing) comes great responsibility”…

    Reply
  4. Julie Gillies

    I imagine that a trip to Africa couldn't help but profoundly touch any American, Dan. We are SO blessed here. The poverty there grieves me deeply, especially where the children are concerned. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. I believe it is our responsibility to help others.

    Reply
  5. Julie Gillies

    I imagine that a trip to Africa couldn't help but profoundly touch any American, Dan. We are SO blessed here. The poverty there grieves me deeply, especially where the children are concerned.

    God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. I believe it is our responsibility to help others.

    Reply
  6. BibleDude

    True… it IS our responsibility to help others.How'd they say it in Spiderman? Something like, “with great power (think blessing) comes great responsibility”…

    Reply
  7. Tom

    Wow, that would have been an amazing experience. I can understand your feelings of guilt. I felt the same when I came back from Cambodia. We can be so wasteful sometimes.

    Reply
  8. Tom

    Wow, that would have been an amazing experience. I can understand your feelings of guilt. I felt the same when I came back from Cambodia. We can be so wasteful sometimes.

    Reply
  9. Tom

    Wow, that would have been an amazing experience. I can understand your feelings of guilt. I felt the same when I came back from Cambodia. We can be so wasteful sometimes.

    Reply
  10. BibleDude

    It's hard to describe the feelings sometimes… It definitely makes me wonder what life would look like here in the US if we all had to live on the means that they do in much of Africa.

    Thanks for stopping by Tom! I appreciate the comments!

    Reply
  11. BibleDude

    It's hard to describe the feelings sometimes… It definitely makes me wonder what life would look like here in the US if we all had to live on the means that they do in much of Africa.

    Thanks for stopping by Tom! I appreciate the comments!

    Reply
  12. BibleDude

    It's hard to describe the feelings sometimes… It definitely makes me wonder what life would look like here in the US if we all had to live on the means that they do in much of Africa. Thanks for stopping by Tom! I appreciate the comments!

    Reply
  13. BibleDude

    It's hard to describe the feelings sometimes… It definitely makes me wonder what life would look like here in the US if we all had to live on the means that they do in much of Africa.

    Thanks for stopping by Tom! I appreciate the comments!

    Reply

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too much to process

by Dan King time to read: 2 min
14