Recently, our church started a program, Passport to the Land of Enough, to help us better understand the daily lives of our brothers and sisters around the world. We started by learning more about Africa and then focused in on Nigeria. It was very eye-opening to learn about all the differences between our two worlds and see that, regardless of how little I have ever thought I had, it has always been way more than others have around the world. And, it has always been enough.
As part of our program, we were provided with different Missions we could complete throughout the upcoming weeks in an attempt to learn more about what daily life looks like for those living in Lagos, Nigeria, and elsewhere in Africa. I thought it would be neat to write about some of them as we complete them. I would love to hear your experiences with the Missions as well – should you choose to accept them…
First Mission(s)
Yesterday, our family had originally planned on doing Mission 2: Spend an evening at home with your family in only one room of your house. Eat, play, and sleep together in that small space. Then, we remembered Ellie had volleyball practice, and Brad had a work event until late. So, we opted for Mission 1: Spend only $2.50 on food for the day. When we talked about it as a family, we realized how difficult this mission really would be! Thankfully, we had made soup the night before that averaged out to $1.25 a bowl, so dinner was easy. But, to divide $1.25 between breakfast and lunch?? It seemed almost impossible. After doing the math, we figured we could eat an egg for breakfast and PB&J’s for lunch. (Some were more excited about the menu than others…)
So, with eggs in our bellies and lunches packed, we were off to a great start. Then came the call from the school nurse. Spencer had gone up against a metal beam and lost. Six stitches in his bottom lip and a trip to the orthodontist altered his eating plan for the day. So, Spencer and I were back to Mission 2 (because you can’t really do that one alone…). Apparently, this was the mission for which more lessons were needed. Interestingly enough, I am reading through Proverbs right now, and had just read this verse that morning:
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
At the end of the day…
That evening, when we were all snuggled in our blankets in our living room, we read through the Day 1 and Day 2 lessons. Day 1 was entitled, Am I Rich?, and had the accompanying scripture, Luke 12:13-21. In this parable, Jesus spoke of a rich man who, instead of sharing and giving away his surplus harvest, decided to “tear down my barns and build bigger ones.” This lesson was tied to Mission 1: Spend only $2.50 on food for the day. We talked through how that had gone for Ellie. Really, she was just plain hungry! She was so hungry, she wanted to add up the cost of everything she had eaten throughout the day. As it turned out, she still had 55 cents left over, so she scrounged the cupboards for just one more thing to eat. (If anyone is interested in the cost of 1 oz of Doritos, just let me know…) Even after exhausting her budget for the day, she said she just couldn’t imagine being that hungry all the time.
The Day 2 lesson’s scripture was Matthew 6:25-26
Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Spencer and I reflected on how it was nice to be together in one room just spending time together. We talked about how it could help us all get closer, but at the same time, may also lead to getting on each others’ nerves!
What I learned, and am still learning
As a mom, I can’t imagine how hard it would be to see your children hungry and hurting every day. I was so thankful that I had the ability to get Spencer something that would be easier for him to eat, and that Eliana didn’t have to feel that on a daily basis.
One of the biggest eye openers for Mission 2 happened at bedtime. My kids go to bed around 8:30. I don’t. But last night, there was no tv, no lights, and it was time for me to go to bed. I thought about how differently I would have to arrange my activities in order to make sure I had everything done by bedtime. The other thing that occurred to me was how little privacy there was. And not just privacy – time to be alone. There was nowhere to go take a minute for yourself or gather your thoughts. That would definitely get to me after a couple of days.
But, one of the best things came this morning… It was, by far, the easiest morning of waking up our kids! Not that they were ready to get up, but they were right next to us and we could nudge them out of their blankets!!
Both of these missions were very impactful for our family. We realized how blessed we are that we have plenty of food and snacks so our tummies don’t hurt and we aren’t hungry all the time. We also really do enjoy spending time with each other, but I am pretty sure we would feel the effects, (some not so pleasant), of living in that close of quarters for an extended period of time. I am so thankful for the room to have a place to go when we need time for ourselves, too.
Your thoughts?
What do you think? Have you or your family participated in any Missions like these? I would love to hear all about your experiences! I can’t wait to hear from all of you!
