Do you remember playing the game "Fortunately, Unfortunately"? Everyone gets in a circle to tell a story. Someone gives a one sentence story starter.
For example,
"One morning, Johnny woke up to start his first day of school".
The next person is to continue to story by adding a sentence beginning with "Fortunately, ......"
"Fortunately, he woke up on time and was able to have a good breakfast before he left."
The following person builds on the story by adding a sentence beginning with "Unfortunately, ...".
"Unfortunately, he took too long eating breakfast and missed the bus."
And the story continues.
Fortunately, Unfortunately.
Fortunately Johnny's mom was able to drive him to school. Unfortunately, she got lost. Fortunately she had a GPS and turned it on. Unfortunately, the GPS took them to the wrong school. Fortunately the principal of that school could direct them to to other school. Unfortunately they were very late.
You get the picture?
The story usually takes a number of twists and turns, with a lot of good laughs. The story usually ends with some outrageous and complicated plot that is impossible to wrap up with a, "And they lived happily ever after."
I want to tell you such a story today. But instead of using "Fortunately, Unfortunately" I will use "I look forward to", and "I am not looking forward to" as my sentence starters.
So...here it goes!
Today I return to Nigeria.
I look forward to having all my bags packed. (A big thanks to those who gave money for me to pay for excess baggage so I can bring more teacher resources!)
I do not look forward to the LONG plane ride. (Ottawa-Frankfurt-Abuja (via Malabo) = 30 hours travel from doorstep to doorstep)
I look forward to seeing my friends!
I do not look forward to leaving my family.
I look forward to connecting with the teachers and schools I work with!
I do not look forward to slower internet and less than reliable electricity.
I look forward to spicy foods, pidgin English, and bright and colourful cultures.
I do not look forward to leaving the conveniences of shopping and driving.
I look forward to leaving the snow behind!
I do not look forward to humid filled days.
I look forward to sleeping in my own bed!
I do not look forward to leaving the cozy living room with the gas fireplace and blanket I am wrapped up in.
I look forward to new stories of how God is working in the lives of teachers and their students.
I do not look forward to news of security concerns.
I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me as I rely on Him!
Ok. So this part of the story doesn't share all the twists and turns, and all the good laughs. But you can be sure that there will be plenty. This story, my story will have some outrageous and complicated plot twists, and it will be impossible to wrap up with a, "And she lived happily ever after."
I would rather choose a different ending. Something like, "And God said, 'Well done good and faithful servant.'"
I guess that IS 'happily ever after', isn't it?
