A month or more ago, I did a post on things I have learned since arriving in Chad. I was thinking recently of things that my children are also learning here. These are lessons we would want them to learn anywhere, however, some things they are learning quicker or more acutely because of living in Chad.
- We can’t be wasteful. If you break something, I cannot easily replace it. If you lose something, I cannot go buy another. We do not have Wal-Mart, Target, Hobby Lobby, etc. anywhere in our country, so I cannot replace toys, art supplies, etc as quickly. We are learning take good care of our possessions. We also are learning not to waste things like water because it is a precious resource. Even my kids know to pour their bath water onto the trees and to not leave the faucet running when washing hands.
- We must be grateful. For water to drink, even if it isn’t cold. Many people have dirty water that makes them sick. For food to eat even if it isn’t our favorite. Many boys are on the streets outside of our home begging for any morsel of food they can get, so we will eat our food with thankfulness and also be thankful for our family who loves us.
- God loves us because He is loving, not because we are deserving. The people around us are fasting and praying to earn God’s favor. We know that the only way we attain God’s acceptance is to believe that He has provided one Way for us to have peace and reconciliation with Him, and that is through His Son!