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Comfort Zone?

1/25/2013

4 Comments

 
Where does one begin to relate an experience like this?  There are so many new experiences, so many new people, a different diet, a new way to bathe, and an outhouse which are all unfamiliar to me. 
A friend back home asked me a few weeks ago if going to Rwanda was going to be stepping outside of my comfort zone.  My answer – yes. 

In a later in a conversation with another friend about my comfort zone, I told him that I had to take time to get out of my comfort zone. The problem with my comfort zone is that it is mine.  It is all about me.  I should take more time getting out of my comfort zone within my own culture.  How can I expect to challenge others to step out of their comfort zone if I am not willing to do so myself?

Though ‘out of my comfort zone,’ I am really most comfortable here.  There are people here hungry for teaching from the word of God. They are open to the teaching and are filled with excitement about being taught from the Bible and the Bible alone.  And I love teaching, so this makes me comfortable. 

The people here are loving and welcoming, and though I can’t understand what they are saying, nor they what I am saying without our interpreter Theophile, we do communicate a common bond of concern for one another.  This makes me comfortable. 

They laugh when I talk (and not because of my southern accent), stare at my white skin, and probably wonder why I don’t take a big helping of some of the food I am served.  But the pursuit of Christ and his word we share in common, and this is all it takes to make me comfortable.  As the words to the old chorus say:  ‘We have joined our spirits with the Spirit of God, we are one in the bond of love.’

That’s a comfortable place to be.


Gene Andrews
4 Comments
myra reynolds
1/25/2013 03:26:10 am

Thank you Gene for sharing and getting outside your comfort zone.....amazing that this is just the place to be......
Aren't the brothers and sisters there amazing as they hunger and thirst for God's Word that we too often take for granted. You are in my prayers. May your teaching be multiplied over and over again among the church leaders there. Blessings

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Bethany Woodrow
1/25/2013 08:39:38 pm

Great perspective!

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Matthew Woodrow
1/25/2013 09:38:09 pm

Gene, thank you for sharing these words, I am challenged this morning by what you have shared. I know the pastors will be blessed because you decided to set out of your comfort zone. Thank you.

Reply
Rebekah Reynolds
1/26/2013 02:00:17 am

I thought my dad wrote this until I got to your name at the end, whoops! I hope you guys are enjoying some fanta and fresh pineapple!

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