I had the opportunity to participate in a favorite activity this weekend-camping. I love being surrounded by nature, cooking over a fire and getting “away from it all.” Throughout the weekend, I couldn’t help but compare the daily lives of women around the world with what was my time of recreation.
Here are a few of my observations from the weekend:
- Firewood was easy to find. If it wasn’t-I could go buy it. If I failed in my fire-starting techniques, I had a gas stove to rely on. No worries there.
- I had a ready water supply. I never once thought about the amount I was using, where I would get more or how far I would have to walk to get it. I wasn’t even really concerned about the quality of the water-it was good, filtered water. If I was really concerned, I could go buy it bottled from that handy convenience store on the corner.
- The mosquitoes plagued me-but I never once thought about malaria, yellow fever or other diseases. I just sprayed on more natural, deet-free repellent. Did I mention that store in case I ran out of said repellent?
- I had a feast for food. I had a cooler stocked with everything I thought I needed. We ate three well balanced meals a day. And if I didn’t want to eat what was in the cooler? No worries-there’s a restaurant at the nearest town.
- My shelter was a bit sketchy-but it was ok. It would take a lot of rain to get into my tent. The air mattress I slept on kept me off the ground and comfy. My sleeping bag was adequate to keep me warm all night. And my pillow-well, it goes on most trips with me.
All weekend, I kept wondering why these comparisons kept coming to mind. Why did it matter? Wasn’t it simply a weekend to enjoy?
The comparison between my weekend and the lives of women around the world ends at one small point: at the end of the weekend I could go home. I could go back to a temperature controlled house, running water, appliances to cook on, a large soft bed, a solid roof over my head…on and on the list goes. Simply because of the great freedom and opportunities of the country I was born in and God’s great grace, I “recreate” while others “survive”. And for that I am both grateful and burdened.
A kitchen in Laos:
I am living in a country where the women gather fire wood daily, cook every meal over a fire or if they are lucky they have a gas burner, many carry water in jugs on their heads for long distances. I admire the work ethic and commitment to their families. I understand your comparisons, and feel so blessed with what I have.
Thank you for sharing! We are so blessed in so many ways, aren’t we?