Evidence of What's to Come (an update from jamin)

Being a rookie on this trip, I’m well aware culture shock is undoubtedly in the cards. I don’t want to diminish its effect by aimlessly speculating on what that might look like. I’d rather share its effects once it does and let God do his thing. However today as we’re a little more than a week away I am tying off the final ends and had a little realization. Of course among the tasks are packing, preparing, shopping for the tiny bottles the TSA will let you pack, and looking into currency exchange.

 

It was at the currency exchange that God pricked my heart. The fifty US dollars I was thinking of exchanging will at this writing exchange for 3,985 Kenyan Shillings. While this might seem like an obvious and trivial sum it hit me how long I have been sheltered in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

 

I remember it being big news on Christmas day in 2002 when due to U.S. national debt the dollar broke even with the Euro. Commentators were ecstatic. What would we do if our currency continued to fall? Currently the U.S. Dollar is worth 87 cents on the Euro, and I still have an apartment and clothing. I haven’t missed a meal, though my Big Mac cost me about 20 cents more than it used to.

 

In twelve days I’ll be in a country where their currency is worth 1.2 cents of my dollar. It’s a place where they don’t worry about the extra cost that would add to a Big Mac, because most will never be rich enough to buy one. While we worry about things like cost of living, they worry about living at all, and I wonder if perhaps they have a better grasp of life for it.

 

I’m excited what God will do in our hearts in the coming days. I speak for the whole team when I say we beg your prayers!

 

Soli Deo Gloria

 

Jamin