So here's a quick update: I'm currently living and working in Alexandria. I have a full time job as a receptionist at a clinic. I drive to Natchitoches most weekends to go to church... I have no idea when I'm going back to Africa... That might sum it up...
For the past few months I have had a friend who has generously been letting me use her car as I do not have one... It has been a huge blessing and I cannot believe her selflessness in letting me use her car. That being said, I don't have it any longer and today has been my first day without a car. As I've told a few people this they have kind of acted like it's the end of the world in a "how will you ever survive not being able to go any and everywhere you please whenever you want to" type of way.
These are the times I miss Africa and loathe the society I live in... Do you know how many people in the world live without a car..? Well, I don't either, but in Uganda: a lot.
The thing I dislike most about America is that most people expect a huge amount of comfort in their life without ever thinking what if it weren't there?
What if you didn't have air conditioning? What if you didn't have cable? or a tv for that matter? What if you didn't have 4G everywhere you went? What if you didn't have a microwave, stove, oven and you had to cook on charcoal? What if you didn't have electricity or running water or health care?
I know that seems extreme, but that's the reality for a large part of the world. We live in abundance. We live in excess. We live in paradise. yet, what do we do with it? We complain. We want more. We keep wishing for better and coveting what other people have. We complain about what other people pray for.
So what started all of this. I don't have a car. My home and my office are less than a half mile from each other. I can walk from door to door in 7 minutes. (yes I know it's hot outside. it's Louisiana and summer. it's hot, I get that.) I have 2 grocery stores less than a mile from my house. There's a McDonalds and a Wendy's like a block or 2 away. I don't have it nearly as bad as most people without cars. Most things I need are just a short walk away.
Sure, it's inconvenient and so unAmerican to not mind walking in the heat. But honestly, it's one thing I seriously miss about Uganda... just walking places. And while I could mope and cry and feel sorry for myself that I don't have a car right now, I'm choosing to see how lucky I am for what I do have. That God knew my need before I did and had me move to an apartment where I could do without a car. That He put me in a place that I can walk to everything I need. That He gave me experience in Uganda of walking places that I really enjoy.
So what I'm saying is... I'm blessed and I'm thankful and I'm choosing to be unAmerican and just be happy for what God has given me. And I hope you will be too!
until all have heard,
lauren michelle gross
