Cody and I went on a mission trip to Zambia together when we were still dating during the summer of 2007, but for two reasons that trip often feels more like a distant dream rather than a real life experience. Reason one is simple, it was more than five years ago now and some of it is starting to fade when I think about it. Reason two is not as easy to admit, but honestly I do not think I was fully "there" during my time in Zambia. I really believe I was called to go, I felt that strongly, and so obviously I did go. And I loved it and it was absolutely an incredible experience, but it came at a time when there was so much... just life happening back home, that I was never really able to fully leave that behind and immerse myself in the mission trip at hand. For that I often feel guilty when I think about the trip and truly regret not being able to put more of myself into what we were doing there. However, part of all of that going on, was a big reason I felt called to go if that can make sense. I truly believe had God not put that trip in my life that summer... well, I don't know what would have happened, but I think I possibly would have lost myself in way at that time.
What I was trying to get at, was that reading about Sue's experiences for the past two years and right now, always helps me remember my own experience in Zambia. And more than that, it helps me remember that there is SO much more of the world out there. It is far too easy to get lost in the daily routine of life with work and schedules and laundry. I frequently live in a way that I seem to be oblivious to people and life outside of the school I work at, let alone people on another continent. The pictures that Sue brings back, the stories of the children's faces lighting up, and hearing how such small things like a pair of shoes or medicine can so drastically impact and improve someone's life, all helps me remember there is such a bigger picture going on around us. This world is so much bigger than me and my life and my problems or accomplishments. It's good to be reminded of that.
If you would like to read about Sue's current mission trip to Uganda, here is a link to her blog. She is also going in October on a trip to Ethiopia and will be using the same blog to document her experiences there as well.
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