Grace for the Road

I am away from the hospital and pharmacy this week, and in Abidjan. Abidjan is the big port city in Cote d'Ivoire, and is the economic capital where business is done. It is noisy, dusty and crowded in traffic - yet, very interesting. It is much different from Ferke!

Yesterday, another missionary and I went to get some car papers. We ended up in a used car parking lot eating fresh coconut that was hacked with a machete, with a congressman. The combination seemed funny to me.

In Ferke, it costs 200 CFA to take a taxi ride. Here it has cost us between 1900-2500 francs. Yup, we're in the big city. We have taken opportunities to eat out at some restaurants and have Vietnamese "nems" to our heart's delights. We also had cheap street sandwiches of grilled meat and onion skewers in baguette with beef bouillon sauce.

I thank God for this opportunity. He has taught me more about himself, and trusting Him. He has provided friends in the midst of lonely times, and healing after bouts of viral sicknesses. He has given "enough" language ability to function in my role, and he has definitely provided grace for the road of life in this time.

The sights I have seen, the feelings I've had, the people I have met, they have combined to impact my heart deeply and permanently. In such a different country from the U.S., I see Christ's influence working into lives in many different ways. Even in taxis and on bumper stickers, I have seen much evidence of the Gospel's spread in Cote d'Ivoire.

Personally, I have recognized my own humanity! I am weak, but He is strong. As I'm reading a missionary biography currently, I think it is ironic how I used to think of missionaries as spiritual giants. Although I still appreciate them greatly, I have come to know and understand what mission life is like by "staying a while"; the struggles are the same, but added with the totally different environment and culture!

I could use prayer for life direction, but I truly believe He will give that direction. To have a deeper understanding of His love and to learn to share that abudantly with others to make disciples is what I desire on this journey. He is the best, He gives the best, He deserves our best.