Blessed to be a Blessing

        So, like most people, I tend to be defensive when people say things that I feel aren’t true about me or generalize a specific group of people. So when my translator started discussing how we as Americans have opportunities just handed to us and we only have to know English and we don’t take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to us and take our good fortune for granted, naturally I started to go on the defense. He explained that we expect people to know English wherever we go and don’t attempt to learn the local language and that we don’t take advantage of all the options we have.
Of course, this is not always true. But after my pride recovered, I realized that a lot of his points are valid.

         We do grow up learning the universal language and we learn another language in school but how many people actually keep that up after high school graduation once they’re not tested on it anymore? We are blessed when we travel since most people worldwide, at least in major cities, know English. And, after all, we are the land of opportunity. Do I think each American has a life dripping with opportunities and financial abundance? Certainly not. But honestly, compared to the majority of countries in the world, we are rich. If you make over $32,400 per year, you are in the top 1% of the world’s richest people.  It’s humbling coming to these countries and seeing how generous they are towards us when they have so little compared to us. Our hiking packs and day packs with our gadgets and clothes are worth so much money to them and we feel like we’re bringing the bare minimum on this trip around the world.

         I was sitting in a taxi in Ghana and a man was trying to sell us something and we said we didn’t have any money because honestly we hadn’t gotten Ghana currency yet as we’d just arrived. He responded, “Money shows on your skin.” Touché Sir, touché. But honestly, people see $$$ when they look at us because of our skin tone. It is frustrating because they compete for our business (yelling at us and vying for our attention) and expect us to give them money or to get away with ripping us off because we’re white so we must have unlimited bank accounts. But we’re here on mostly fundraised funds and none of us have jobs currently. But to be able to be on the World Race assumes a certain financial status and as Americans from the middle class, we are abundantly blessed with financial security, education, health benefits, and a plethora of opportunities.

          So, thank you Elvis, for reminding me of all the ways the Lord has blessed me by giving me my American heritage. I don’t think I need to feel guilty for all the opportunities and wealth He’s bestowed on me. Instead, I want to steward everything well and use my gifts (time, money, talents) to help others in need and bring light and hope to those around the world who need it. I’ve been given a platform because of my heritage and light skin and I want to use it well to glorify God and share Jesus’ love. So thank you, Lord, for how you pour out your blessings on me and help me to pour into others you put into my path.
Love y’all,
Raina

P.S. Keep the prayers coming!! So grateful for all my supporters ??