Unexpected Joys

There’s been many times I’ve had unexpected joys since being on the World Race. One being when a kid said they wish I was their teacher after being thrown into a classroom to teach math. Another instance was when I went to a hookah bar cafe to use their wifi and drink some tea. The joy of the person working being able to meet someone from the US brought me joy. I talked briefly with the guy and next thing you know he wants to take a picture with me and wants me to say hi in videos to his family either in Jordan or back to family in Egypt or both. It was slightly hard to tell. 

In Romania there was the unexpected joy of eating McDonald’s. I went 7 years without eating McDonald’s, then I went on the World Race. Let me tell you, McDonald’s is far better in other countries than in the US. Gouda pillows, McFlurrys because the ice cream machines actually work, depending on what country you’re in the opportunity to buy beer at a McDonald’s (did not do this). In Albania there was the unexpected joy of being by the sea when doing ministry. In Kosovo there was the unexpected joy of being in a small village despite eating nothing but tube meat, tuna and bread. In Ukraine there was the unexpected joy of having three meals cooked for us by our ministry host every day except for Sunday. There was also the joy of cleaning a pool and filling up holes which was bizarre to me in regards to experiencing joy from doing this. There was the joy of being able to have Thanksgiving in Ukraine. Having Christmas in Jordan in Wadi Rum having a white elephant gift exchange (I scored some Turkish delight at the end of it). 

There’s even the joys of being able to take hot showers and having continuous running water that we in the west take for granted. Cause let me tell ya, we been having to let the yellow mellow. There has also been so many joys of meeting new people from around the world. Literally. In Romania we met people from Turkey and soon we even get to possibly see them again as we will be heading to Turkey soon. In Albania, Kosovo, and Ukraine I met people from back in the states. Kosovo I also met people from Belgium and England/London/UK (I know there’s debate on the area). In Jordan I’ve been meeting people from Syria, Iraq, Canada, Germany, Norway, Egypt. So many places. It’s been beautiful and amazing. There may also be unexpected joy of being able to play ultimate frisbee here in Jordan if my schedule allows it.