I wrote this MONTHS ago, but forgot to post....
I was told that being a student missionary changes you. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm different. I don't
feel terribly different. I don't look different, aside from the scars from mosquito bites that I refused to quit itching, the tan and freckles I got from the tremendous amount of sun I got all year long, and my long hair that is begging and pleading to be cut (and I definitely didn't get any taller while I was away.....). I've been tempted to believe that I haven't changed, but I'm not convinced that's possible.
I'm sure I must have learned more or changed more than I realize right now, but I am unable to identify exactly how. But these are a few of the things that I did learn in Africa:
NEVER underestimate the power of a friendly greeting.
Happiness is found in helping others. Every. Single. Time.
When someone says hello, stop and talk. Don’t brush it off. Take the time to give the person your full attention. Value them.
“Maybe next time” is a much better response than “no” to somebody who is trying to sell you something. Hope is something that everybody needs.
Be respectful, in every situation.
Take time to relax. The slower pace of life in Africa is refreshing. It was hard for me to deal with it at times, but it lent time for relaxation, which was very refreshing.
I don’t have to be the one to get the best picture of everything I experience and see and still enjoy myself to the fullest and realize how extremely blessed I am to experience such wonderful experiences.
Being selfless and considerate NEVER goes out of style. It’s always classy.
If somebody cuts in front of you in the queue, let it go.
You need other people.
Getting packages or letters in the mail from loved ones is the most exciting thing in the world. It is just as exciting if the package is for your friend and not you. Being excited for others and what they have is good for the soul.
Character is important and will make more of an impression on others than anything else.
Life is not about me.
“Zikomo” - meaning “Thank you” - is a word used in every conversation in Malawi. Some could argue that it’s overused, but there is no such thing as overuse with a word like this.
Beauty is everywhere. To find it, you simply have to look for the positive and the good in everything.
Like the cheerful lady in the post office who is always laughing, joyfulness is an attitude one can choose to have every single day.
Giving away tangerines to the little girls in your compound is worth the smiles they give you afterwards, and nothing else.
Humility is the best thing to carry with you into every situation.
In life, simplicity is key. I don’t need the latest this or that, or a hundred different things, or even the coolest African curios to be happy. I can be content with what I have, because God gives me everything I truly need.
I know this is a classic, timeless one, and I did not just learn it during my time in Africa. My year did, however, enforce it in my heart and mind. The Golden Rule, from God Himself: “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12 paraphrased).
It’s classic. It’s simple. I’ve heard it all my life. It seems that more often than not, I don’t think about it and realize what it really means - I know I don’t always reflect this philosophy in my life. But as I’ve interacted with different people and observed different situations, I’ve come to realize that it holds way more value and importance than I’ve given it credit for. I could go more in depth about situations where I recognized the lack of this principle and it’s useful potential, but that would just be redundant. Following this golden rule in life has endless possibilities. It is so helpful is so many situations. Watching people not use it or use it has caused me to think twice about making a conscious effort to incorporate it into my daily life.
God is so good, and this past year has shown me that in many ways. Being a student missionary was a life-changing experience for me, and I’m so glad God worked it all out for me to go.
