How South African Trash and God are Related
What an experience. It is so hard to wrap all of this into a blog post, but I’ll try my best. After taking some time to process, I have narrowed it down to three points that have had an impact on me, which were faith, determination, and trash. The people of Door of Hope are some of the most faithful individuals I have ever met. David, one of the leaders of Door of Hope, talked to me about how he left his job to help continue the great works of Door of Hope. I really admire this. I don’t know what it’s like to leave a successful career behind to follow God’s call, but one day I hope I can listen to God like David.
There are many tensions currently in South Africa. Unemployment is around 30%, whites and blacks are still in heavy disagreement, and people are getting robbed, among many other issues. But through this, Door of Hope is staying in South Africa to help these babies and help these parents that can’t provide for their children. So much faith. During the week, I had the opportunity to work with a man named Anesu. He taught us how to put together the molds for the concrete blocks, how to make the concrete, carefully take apart the molds once it dried, how to build a fence for the garden, reusing materials for the fence, etc. He is a hard worker and wealth of knowledge.
Anesu is the definition of determination. He had many obstacles that week back home, but managed to help us finish our projects. He also didn’t want to stop for a break until we reached an appropriate stopping point. He helped us see the project through while giving us guidance, joking with us, and also encouraging us to learn about each other’s cultures. This doesn’t really apply to this topic, but he left me with one piece of advice that I pray sticks with me. He said “David, seize the day and every moment in it. If you want to do something, don’t wait. Just go ahead and do it.” This was said after his many encouragements for me to go and get a girlfriend. Thanks Anesu!
Lastly, how South African trash and God are related. The other day, I was telling one of my friends about this whole experience and he said “tell me how you saw God.” Well this was a loaded question because the whole time over there I felt God’s presence. The sun setting behind the ridge of mountains as we walked to dinner every night, getting to know some amazing people that I wish I knew earlier in my college career, cabin chats with the other guys, etc. But when I really thought about it, my faith got flipped upside down and there was only ONE thing I could compare it to, which was trash.
After every meal, we had to separate our trash. Plastics go together, compost pile, all the paper products together, etc. We all had to do it. I related this back to faith. At home, I don’t take enough time to unpack or separate what good and not-so-good things are happening in my life. Are there things in my life that I can compost? Can I let them go so they can grow (or so I can grow) into something else? Or are they worth just throwing in the trash. We all had to do this for meals and the same goes with faith. My favorite passage stuck with me the whole trip, Isaiah 43:1-3. I encourage you to read the passage…super good. But, it talks about the Israelites being watched over by God and that’s how I felt since being on the trip and being back home. I need to take time to separate different aspects of my life and consciously find God in everything that I do. I wish I didn’t wait this long to go on my first Chowan mission trip because I think this has been my favorite college experience. But, God’s time.
What an experience. It is so hard to wrap all of this into a blog post, but I’ll try my best. After taking some time to process, I have narrowed it down to three points that have had an impact on me, which were faith, determination, and trash. The people of Door of Hope are some of the most faithful individuals I have ever met. David, one of the leaders of Door of Hope, talked to me about how he left his job to help continue the great works of Door of Hope. I really admire this. I don’t know what it’s like to leave a successful career behind to follow God’s call, but one day I hope I can listen to God like David.
There are many tensions currently in South Africa. Unemployment is around 30%, whites and blacks are still in heavy disagreement, and people are getting robbed, among many other issues. But through this, Door of Hope is staying in South Africa to help these babies and help these parents that can’t provide for their children. So much faith. During the week, I had the opportunity to work with a man named Anesu. He taught us how to put together the molds for the concrete blocks, how to make the concrete, carefully take apart the molds once it dried, how to build a fence for the garden, reusing materials for the fence, etc. He is a hard worker and wealth of knowledge.
Anesu is the definition of determination. He had many obstacles that week back home, but managed to help us finish our projects. He also didn’t want to stop for a break until we reached an appropriate stopping point. He helped us see the project through while giving us guidance, joking with us, and also encouraging us to learn about each other’s cultures. This doesn’t really apply to this topic, but he left me with one piece of advice that I pray sticks with me. He said “David, seize the day and every moment in it. If you want to do something, don’t wait. Just go ahead and do it.” This was said after his many encouragements for me to go and get a girlfriend. Thanks Anesu!
Lastly, how South African trash and God are related. The other day, I was telling one of my friends about this whole experience and he said “tell me how you saw God.” Well this was a loaded question because the whole time over there I felt God’s presence. The sun setting behind the ridge of mountains as we walked to dinner every night, getting to know some amazing people that I wish I knew earlier in my college career, cabin chats with the other guys, etc. But when I really thought about it, my faith got flipped upside down and there was only ONE thing I could compare it to, which was trash.
After every meal, we had to separate our trash. Plastics go together, compost pile, all the paper products together, etc. We all had to do it. I related this back to faith. At home, I don’t take enough time to unpack or separate what good and not-so-good things are happening in my life. Are there things in my life that I can compost? Can I let them go so they can grow (or so I can grow) into something else? Or are they worth just throwing in the trash. We all had to do this for meals and the same goes with faith. My favorite passage stuck with me the whole trip, Isaiah 43:1-3. I encourage you to read the passage…super good. But, it talks about the Israelites being watched over by God and that’s how I felt since being on the trip and being back home. I need to take time to separate different aspects of my life and consciously find God in everything that I do. I wish I didn’t wait this long to go on my first Chowan mission trip because I think this has been my favorite college experience. But, God’s time.