A few years ago we were discussing "thin places" at a house church gathering in Minneapolis. A thin place is "a place where the boundary between heaven and earth is especially thin. It’s a place where we can sense the divine more readily." In our discussion we shared of places where we had felt a strong sense of God's presence. Many of us shared that places away from home, whether it was a mountain pass, a calm lake, or rocky beach, were places where we could more readily rest in God's presence.
For me, Rwanda is a thin place. There are less bright lights, smaller patches of concrete, more people walking from place to place. People are more rooted to the earth here. For the majority of the population, the fruits of the earth are their livelihood. Storms seem stronger. The green is greener. The sun seems brighter. Smiles seem a bit brighter. Maybe I connect to God more strongly in this place because I am away from what is familiar, what is normal.
It's interesting, though, because after almost two years in this captivating country, the things that used to be novel and intriguing have become a part of my normal landscape. I no longer gawk when I see someone carrying a huge volcanic rock on their head. I look straight ahead while driving instead of admiring the man pumping his bicycle up the hill - with 100 kilos of potatoes strapped on the sides. (Let's be honest, I should be looking straight ahead while I'm driving ALL the time!) The newness of this place has worn away, and things have become normal.
In the normalcy is where I'm challenged most to be grateful and to seek God. It becomes more of a discipline, something I must make effort to do. I'm trying to do that. And the amazing thing is that God is present - everywhere. There is not one place where He isn't alive and working. I need to be willing, though, to see it and be apart of it. I need to be grateful for what is in front of me right now. Here are some pieces of my everyday life, for which I am grateful, for they come from God.
26. The bird that flies into our bathroom window every morning.
27. Encouraging letters from second graders.
28. Skype calls with good friends.
29. Homemade hot chocolate.
30. Reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory to my class - and their completely spontaneous impersonations of Grandpa Joe when he got out of his bed and danced. The look of wonder on their faces as I read Road Dahl's words is so great. I love how stories can move us.
31. My students' parents: their encouragement and generosity.
32. Peter, Laura and Oliva are coming - TONIGHT!
33. The anticipation of sharing Rwanda with three people I love dearly.
34. A roommate (yes, that's you Nat) who makes fantastic bread and bagels, and shares them.
35. Cribbage with (previously mentioned roommate).
36. Morning walks.
37. Coffee.
38. Baby geckos crawling across the porch.
39. Rock candy that actually crystallized!
40. A student wearing 17 shirts and 8 pairs of pants for Wacky Wednesday.
41. The sun that dries laundry so incredibly fast.
42. Fruit trees: lime, orange, mango, avocado, and papaya trees. All in our yard.
43. Yoga outside, at night.
44. Morning workouts with Janelle.
45. A new classroom arrangement. (I've always loved rearranging furniture.)
46. Old clothes made new.
47. 80 degrees in March.
48. Heavy rain (also in March.)
49. A scooter to get around on.
50. Beautiful people who I call friends and family.
