Getting My Hands Dirty

5.19.15

Last night, the Convoy staff was briefed us about our next day. It will be a day to make relationships and to weed the cornfields. In all honesty, I really did not want to do any gardening or weeding. I realized my flaw and I read back on my notes in Celebration of Discipline. It says, “When we set out on a consciously chosen course of action that accents the good of others and is, for the most part, a hidden work, a deep change occurs in our spirits” (Foster, 130). When we serve others, it is beneficial for us and for those that we serve.  I’ve always said that I wanted to help others and make a difference. How could I make a difference I wasn’t willing to even get my hands dirty? In order to make the change that I want to make, I need to make a change in myself first. 

This morning, we arrived at Ngaramtoni and I was already familiar with many faces. Many students were already calling me by name. We all laughed with each other as we walked to the cornfield. I was ready to help the kids out! The students all had weeding tools in their hands and I must confess that it was very intimidating. Many of us tried to communicate with the few Swahili phrases that we knew. Even though there was a huge language barrier, I was still able to share much laughter with the kids. They taught me “Let’s go!” in Swahili which was “Tondoke!” We chanted this the whole time!

If I chose not to help out because I didn't feel like getting dirty, I wouldn't have made the relationships that I made in that cornfield. Though our sweat and hard work, we had a great time. It was a great time of fellowship.