My 3 month stay in “Colorful Colorado” is quickly drawing to a close. I leave the day after tomorrow. It is 10:30 pm, I have not yet started packing, but I feel the urge to write. I vowed that I would post on my blog one more time before leaving Colorado, and being the procrastinator that I am, I have waited up until the last couple of days. There have been plenty of fun things I could have and should have posted about. Plenty of adventures to document — two trips up the Manitou Incline, white water rafting at Royal Gorge, Mt. Herman, the failed attempt at Pikes Peak — and plenty of fun stories from daily life — walking to work, foxes and deer crossing the street, smoke from the wildfires, the funny things my kiddos have said... I have enjoyed every bit of it (except maybe the smoke), but I have not taken the time to share them with all of you — my apologies for my selfishness. There is one story, however, that I feel compelled to share...
My dear friend Missy requested to treat me to dinner tonight. After much debate and consulting our co-worker and local ethnic food expert, Jenny, we decided on an Ethiopian restaurant in Old Colorado City. Uchenna is discretely located in a small strip between a tattoo shop and a salon. Missy and I joked about how several of the Ethiopian restaurants we have been to are in strip malls next to tattoo shops. Upon entering, we were welcomed by an enticing aroma of spices. We took a seat at one of the 6 tables in the eatery and admired the handiwork that adorned the walls and shelves. Baskets, paintings, somewhat of a hodgepodge of African, Middle Eastern and American decor gave me the sense that this place was legit. After a short wait, an Ethiopian-looking woman greeted us with a particularly warm smile and samples of the specialty teas. She helped us through the menu inserting anecdotes of cultural insight and playful comments. As other customers finished their meals and left, two things stood out to me: no one left without a warm hug from “Chef Maya” as if they were regular customers, and there was a guest book that was provided to customers along with the bill. Something was different about this place. Our food arrived and Missy prayed over our meal. Not long after we were well into the salad, Maya came by to fill up our water and adamantly thanked us for the prayer. Each time she came by, her love for the Lord became more evident in little blessings, comments, and acts of kindness. As she served each customer, she took the time to show them how the food would be eaten in her culture and served with such joy and peace that it could be felt throughout the small restaurant. We paid the bill and shared our thanks and blessing in the “Book of Friendship”. Maya did not let us leave without a warm hug and briefly sharing with us in the richness that God has brought into her life. We went on our way filled up with a deep Joy that can only be found in the presence of the Lord and yummy food. Maya is a missionary. She loves people and serves genuinely, recognizing that by serving her customers she is serving God. Uchenna means “God’s will”. I believe it was God’s will for Missy and I to meet Maya tonight. He used the encounter to encourage each of us and fill us up with His Joy. No matter where I go, whatever cultural and language barriers lie in the way, when I cross the path of a fellow follower of Christ, I am with family. We are one in Christ. What a powerful testament of His love.
I do not know what God’s will is for me in the coming months as I continue on this journey. But I know that He is present, He is active and my path is His to direct. I continue to be richly blessed by the people He brings across my path and I cannot help but praise Him.
My dear friend Missy requested to treat me to dinner tonight. After much debate and consulting our co-worker and local ethnic food expert, Jenny, we decided on an Ethiopian restaurant in Old Colorado City. Uchenna is discretely located in a small strip between a tattoo shop and a salon. Missy and I joked about how several of the Ethiopian restaurants we have been to are in strip malls next to tattoo shops. Upon entering, we were welcomed by an enticing aroma of spices. We took a seat at one of the 6 tables in the eatery and admired the handiwork that adorned the walls and shelves. Baskets, paintings, somewhat of a hodgepodge of African, Middle Eastern and American decor gave me the sense that this place was legit. After a short wait, an Ethiopian-looking woman greeted us with a particularly warm smile and samples of the specialty teas. She helped us through the menu inserting anecdotes of cultural insight and playful comments. As other customers finished their meals and left, two things stood out to me: no one left without a warm hug from “Chef Maya” as if they were regular customers, and there was a guest book that was provided to customers along with the bill. Something was different about this place. Our food arrived and Missy prayed over our meal. Not long after we were well into the salad, Maya came by to fill up our water and adamantly thanked us for the prayer. Each time she came by, her love for the Lord became more evident in little blessings, comments, and acts of kindness. As she served each customer, she took the time to show them how the food would be eaten in her culture and served with such joy and peace that it could be felt throughout the small restaurant. We paid the bill and shared our thanks and blessing in the “Book of Friendship”. Maya did not let us leave without a warm hug and briefly sharing with us in the richness that God has brought into her life. We went on our way filled up with a deep Joy that can only be found in the presence of the Lord and yummy food. Maya is a missionary. She loves people and serves genuinely, recognizing that by serving her customers she is serving God. Uchenna means “God’s will”. I believe it was God’s will for Missy and I to meet Maya tonight. He used the encounter to encourage each of us and fill us up with His Joy. No matter where I go, whatever cultural and language barriers lie in the way, when I cross the path of a fellow follower of Christ, I am with family. We are one in Christ. What a powerful testament of His love.
I do not know what God’s will is for me in the coming months as I continue on this journey. But I know that He is present, He is active and my path is His to direct. I continue to be richly blessed by the people He brings across my path and I cannot help but praise Him.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
To HIM be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:8-11
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| A break in the rain clouds gave Pikes Peak a majestic glow this evening during our short pre-dinner hike at Red Rock Open Space. |
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