Teacher: Colombia

Stepping out of the plane into the Fort Lauderdale airport, I was greeted by a large American flag with a sign below it, welcoming me to the United States. I view my American citizenship and childhood as a God-given stewardship to be taken advantage of in order to bring blessing to other nations. God blesses us not so we can spend our lives augmenting our comfort level, but so that we can bless others. I've had access to certain opportunities and privileges here in the USA that I wouldn't necessarily have had, if I had been born in another country. Those blessings must be spent, not on myself, but on others, in other countries. Particularly in Colombia. Coming back to the States this last time, I've been thinking about the other side of the coin - the things I've learned in Colombia, thanks to Colombia, that I didn't learn in the States. Some of these things were common knowledge in the States (I just didn't catch on at the time), others were things that I couldn't have understood very well in an American context. Here's a list, in no particular order:


1. I learned to be flexible. My Stateside life was set in stone. Change was a major big deal. Although I still have work to do, I've learned to "go with the flow."

2. Along the same lines, I've learned by experience that people are more important than time is, although by nature I'm still a hopelessly task-driven American.

3. I got over my fear of cooking. And let me tell you, I was afraid of it!

 












4. Overcoming my backwoods hillbilly roots (don't misunderstand me, I'm proud of them), I managed to figure out that it would be beneficial if I learned to dress in something besides old jeans and a t-shirt that were two sizes too big.

5. On the other hand, I realized that if I had to look frumpy on some occasions in order to be all things to all men, it was worth the embarrassment.

6. I learned that all people have a story.

7. I learned to expect anything and count on nothing (like finding yourself "live" on radio programs with absolutely no advance warning whatsoever).

8. I learned to be grateful for friends who loved and helped me unconditionally, even when I couldn't or didn't reciprocate.

9. I learned that I am not a great missionary and much less a great Christian, just an ordinary person with ordinary problems; I am in Colombia because I serve a great God.

10. I learned not to throw in the towel just because of a bad day.

11. I learned that kids don't have to petrify me. In fact, I learned to like them.

12. I learned how to deal with interpersonal conflict and the importance of unconditional love - one of the hardest lessons!

13. I learned that if a person wants to reach the world (at least the Americas and Europe), they should move to Manizales, Caldas and open a backpacking hostel.

 

14. I learned that in spite of the heat and bugs, I love the jungles of Colombia more than any other place on earth. 

15. I learned that I really want to see the Gospel brought to the people of rural Colombia, whether or not it's dangerous and difficult and crazy. 

16. I learned that life is really hard, but that the grace of God really is sufficient for life.

17. I learned that I can eat practically anything I'm served, although my Waterloo remains the jellied cow hoof in Chiquinquira (this isn't it)...

18. I learned that some of the greatest people in the kingdom of God are unknown to the Church at large. 

19. I learned to see more the kindness of God in the small stuff (like getting long-coveted motorcycle riding lessons). 

20. I learned to just laugh about some things, not to try to make sense of them. 

...These are just a few of the lessons that God has used Colombia to teach me. They're not arranged in order of importance, and there are more. I'm grateful for this adopted country of mine!