I started writing this a few weeks ago, but because it took me a while to write and internet is down periodically, I haven’t posted it yet; but without further ado...

I have been in Congo for three weeks now. It has been a very interesting time, gaining a different perspective on life. How something simple, like running water and electricity, when absent complicates so much of the rest of my life. I knew these luxuries would change things when not available, but I guess I hadn’t really thought it through completely. For example, how am I supposed to wash my clothes by hand, when we are rationed to 100 litres (sounds like a lot, but when you have to cook, clean, shower, and flush toilets with this water, it goes fast) of water a day? And 100 litres is if someone comes to fill up our water jugs. The vast majority of Congolese have to do this, but I cannot manage to wash my clothes with the little water we have and not have them still smell like soap afterwards. Maybe I should have gone to boy scouts when I was a kid…

The place we moved into here in Kinshasa has no running water; the neighbourhood has been without for 7 months. A pipe has burst, and because the government will not pay the workers anything up front, they will not fix it. Rolling blackouts, usually at the peak hours of the day, you know, those times when you want to cook, hit fairly often, and we have had to move our pots and pans outside to the charcoal fire many times.

I hope I don’t sound to much like I am complaining, it is really not that bad once we adjusted, just a bit unsanitary with having to ration water to flush with (it takes a surprising amount of water to really flush a toilet). It was a huge adjustment at first though, how much all the time added up with extra cooking time, extra washing time, longer showering time, everything takes way longer.

The situation has made me think though. I have known many Congolese, and Burundians, who have a deep understanding of what God does in their life. They sincerely thank God for what they have. This attitude of realizing that everything they have is from God and thanking him for it has really impacted me.

Living in Canada it has been really easy to take for granted the gifts that God has given me. Things like clean, running water, an education, a job, a vehicle, or even a washing machine and stove. I endeavour to not take these things for granted anymore, but come before God with a grateful heart. But more than that, I think that gaining a deeper understanding of the blessings God has given me should change the way I live my life.

If I am truly living the life Christ set forth with his example and – as Paul said – consider my life worth nothing except for the sake of the gospel, then I should use the blessings and gifts God has given me to bless others. With all the conveniences in Canadian culture, I think one of the greatest blessings we have is time. In Canada, I don’t have to spend 6 hours a week doing laundry, or 2 hours to cook one meal.

What do I do with all my extra time? I spend it on myself. There are so many things that kept me occupied. There are movies, TV, video games, concerts. Even if the diversions aren’t “unconstructive” – for example going to the gym or doing a hobby – I still was not using the blessings God has given for his glory.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with movies and TV or other such things, but since I have been reflecting on how the Congolese are thankful to God for what they have, I have desired to focus more on God with the blessings that I have, particularly my time, and not to squander his gifts on things that I use purely for myself, with no growth. With God’s guidance, I hope to live a life that is more outward focussed, on God first, and others second.