Check Yourself
It’s been a busy couple of days in Madagascar. National elections were yesterday so we were unable to travel to our training site due to security concerns. This gave us a free day to explore the areas around Antananarivo. Of course, the first thing I asked about doing was seeing some lemurs. I have a thing for monkeys (I know lemurs aren’t monkeys, but they are primates!). Fortunately, our host knew exactly where to take us. Driving through the capital city’s winding streets and alleys we passed rice fields and beautiful lakes, while old French taxis whizzed by us at breakneck speed. As we ascended to the higher elevations around the city, we drank in the beauty of the incredible vistas that opened before us seemingly at every turn. Classic French buildings in the Baroque and Gothic style dotted the streets giving the city a much more European than African feel.
Having made our way through the chaos of Antananarivo we found ourselves in the open country underneath the bluest of skies, windows down letting in a sublime breeze from the perfect 72-degree weather and feasting upon the incredible scenery. Soon we were at the National Lemur Park where we were able to see six different species of lemurs in their natural habitat. I even got to meet King Julian of Madagascar fame. No, I’m just kidding. But we did get to see and interact with the famous ring tale lemurs. I love wildlife so this was a bucket list item for me. On the way back to our hotel, we snaked our way up to the highest peak in the city upon which is located the royal castle of Rova, the 17th century grand royal palace of the Monarchs of Madagascar. The scenery from the apex of the city was quite stunning.
After a surprisingly wonderful dinner experience with the Spaghetti Bolognese in the hotel restaurant and a decent night’s sleep, it was up at 6:15 for the drive to our training site in Ambohimandroso. What was supposed to take only two hours, however, took about three-and-a-half. I didn’t mind at first, as I was enjoying the scenery as we ascended higher and higher into the mountains. Having stopped at a small hotely (restaurant) as it is called in Malagasy, my associate and I had coffee while our Malagasy trainers accompanying us ate the typical Malagasy breakfast of rice in a soup like liquid with Cassava leaves. It looked like Cream of Wheat but much thinner. As our host said, “We Malagasies eat three meals a day. Rice for breakfast, rice for lunch, and rice for dinner.”
As the time approached 9:00am, which was to be our starting time to begin the training, I began to get antsy. “How much longer?” I asked. “Maybe an hour,” came the reply. I did my best to hide my annoyance. But the later we were the more I steamed. “We only have three days to train,” I said to myself. “Every minute is precious.” When we finally arrived at the training site about an hour-and-a-half late, we walked in, and several things were not as I had expected them to be only adding to my agitated state. So that by the time introductions were done and it was time to begin teaching, I was not in the proper frame of mind to be teaching anyone. In addition to my irritation, it is always difficult the first day of training because you must find the appropriate rhythm with the translator, break the ice with the students, which is often very awkward, and figure out the best way to communicate contextually with the audience. Typically, it is not until the second or third session when you finally find your teaching rhythm and feel more comfortable, and the students relax and begin to respond.
In the Lord’s providence, our first lesson was on the importance of prayer. I mentioned in the teaching that prayer is an attitude of the heart that reflects our relationship with God. When the coffee break came after the second session my trusted friend and ministry associate who was teaching with me took me aside and said to me that what really impacted him about the lesson was that our attitudes must be right. Pow! Right in the kisser! His words were like a flaming arrow that pierced my heart.
In that moment I was deeply grieved over my poor attitude. In the words of the rapper Ice Cube this was one of those “Check yourself before you wreck yourself moments.” Did not the Lord know who was coming to the training? In His providence did He not allow us to get to the training site late? Of course He did. He is in control and I’m not. So, I decided to release control and a wonderful thing happened–my attitude changed!
The rest of the day was thoroughly enjoyable and an outstanding learning experience both for the leaders present and for the teachers. I’m grateful to God for His patience with broken vessels and for friends who are willing to say you need to check yourself before you wreck yourself.
On a less spiritual note, it is cold here in the higher elevations of the mountains and I did not pack for cold weather! I have been traveling internationally for years now and I still cannot get packing right. I suppose it is my lot in life to aimlessly drive around in parking lots and not pack the right clothes for a trip. To top things off the hotel in which we are staying does not have heat. It’s not that the heat is not working. It does not have heat! Fortunately, I brought a blazer to wear Sunday, but because my associate only brought short sleeve shirts, I gave him my blazer to wear. I think this might be the first time I will sleep in my clothes since the last campout I went on when I was a young teen. But I am not complaining. I am privileged to be here and to be a part of what God is doing in Madagascar.
Until next time…Good night from Ambrohimandroso.
P.S. Anybody got an electric blanket I can borrow?