The Unexpected
Unexpected was the word that came to mind when we arrived to our station Kapsowar, Kenya. We had been planning for this mission trip for several months and we were not sure what to expect. Of course, this was not without our presuppositions of what we thought it might be like. Endless jungles, malaria-stricken mosquitos, and terrible living conditions were just a couple of the thoughts we had, in anticipation for this trip.
Yet when we arrived, we landed in a pleasant compound surrounded by modern houses overlooking the mountain side of a beautiful landscape. The temperature was consistently in the mid-70s, and it even took us a while before we could see any mosquitos. When we got to our guest house, also known as the “top house,” we were greeted by friendly faces eager to see who we were. We found out that one of them was the wife of the doctor that my wife would be shadowing, and she was accompanied by several children. Shortly after we stepped into the house, we were greeted by even more people, who were part of the hospital team there. They helped us move our things in and advised us on the ins and outs of the place. We were grateful for their help and got better acquainted at a meal, later that day.
We shared our different missionary experiences and bonded over the different food, we enjoyed around the world. The next day we found ourselves busy working at the hospital and helping missionaries with their daily tasks. But what happened the next day derailed all our plans. I started to feel weak and feverish with no motivation to do anything. And after taking a test, we came to the dreaded conclusion that I was covid positive. Soon after, my wife tested the same. We never expected this to happen and the great journey to get here felt so abruptly interrupted. We felt that our time would be wasted here just quarantining in the home. Nevertheless, I believe that God works all things for the good. We may not always get the outcome we expect in life but we know that when we put our trust in Him, we can have faith that it was for the best.
During that week of quarantine, we were able to spend some much-needed time together and with God. We were able to recognize that things like this happen but our attitude towards them can be different. After the quarantine, we were able to meet with one of the missionary couples that had been there for 20 years. They shared that they just had the exact same experience when they went to Chad, a few weeks ago. They also got Covid and were not able to do anything during the week they were quarantining. They didn’t even get to go back to their son’s wedding in the states because of it. As we got to talk with them and got to know them better, we realized that they were used to this. They were able to show us that our circumstances don’t have to dictate how we act and feel. Rather, their trust in God was what brought them through moments like this big or small. They were able to live comfortably in the unexpected. They found peace in the moments of long hours at the hospital, missing out on all family events back home, and the difficulties that come with living in an area with no electricity and running water. Yet, through their perseverance, through these difficulties with God’s help, they were able to establish a place like the compound that others could enjoy.
Now as I reflect on our experience in Kapsowar, I will remember the lessons God taught us, in the unexpected and the testimonies that were shared by that couple. We cannot control the outcome or the circumstance, but we can put our trust in the one who is in control. So when you find yourself in the unexpected, put your trust in Him and know that He can make all things for the good.
James Lee recently moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife, Victoria. Currently, he is planning on going back to school, as well as work part-time as a Bible worker at their local church. He enjoys playing basketball and building creative puzzles.