Points of Discovery (Photo Edition)

There is no concise way to tell a story of America and as my two sons set off in discovery they soon learned that sometimes all you can do is enjoy, appreciate, and marvel at its vastness and diversity. Being accomplished discoverers they quickly fulfilled their initial dreams and rode cows.

They then became cowboys and tackled horses.

Like most dreams, the journey and achievement are merely a starting point for future accomplishments. This held true with the boys as the end of the dream became a happy beginning. With road animals ridden, and their cowboy quest conquered, they ventured further to discover the land of their parents birth. In this land they grew in confidence as well as knowledge. They…

Studied the people and customs and learned to speak to the strange inhabitants of the land.

Michael noted early on that people were not the same, so they tried many hats to assimulate first by becoming cowboy cousins then by becoming USC fans.

 

They learned that neither mask told of their identity completely and trying to be someone you’re not is exhausting. So they continued on.

They navigated the treacherous yard grass.

Met firemen and did their best to emulate them and their noble calling.

Watched the night air explode on command.

Conquered the raging waters of two states.

They questioned everything from the saltiness of the Pacific to the sweetness of the corn and saw red white and blue through it all.

Discovered that America values the sweetness of leisure. Which they could certainly appreciate.

And also values defense…yet saw no automatic weapons wherever they went and wondered if they were safe.

***They learned what it means to have loved ones on the other side of the world and in so doing learned the value of family.***

The boys became spongy chameleons adapting as best they could to daily changes and movement. They fought off fears and homesickness introducing themselves as African. Although young in years, they learned that death touches families in America just like Africa. They saw that God is there, and God is good, no matter how many people cry.

For seven weeks they lived and breathed America. Yet they maintained their cultural uniqueness. And as with all good adventures it’s important to know when to take your leave and return home. As Benjamin said to the airline stewardess, who he thought was the pilot, “Thank you for bringing me to my home in Africa.”

Africa may be home but America was also truly loved. The people, places and play of their American discovery have captured their hearts like Skype could never explain. However, in their TCKness they celebrated being home by eating on the floor with their favorite chopsticks from the land of their birth.

 

More than conquerors

We came:

The inception of our family outing began like any other bonding concept. Optimistically. Our goal was to create a unique experience that was not only special and memorable but also one to enhance and strengthen the family. On this particular day the venue chosen was none other than Starbucks. Kenya can hold their own when it comes to coffee and by most accounts produces better grounds than the barista chain in the States, but when in Rome… In addition, my wife has been looking forward to going to Starbucks for the better part of two years. Nostalgic memories of countries past mixed with aromatic desires pulls us toward the green logo more than this Iowa boy can count. Truth be told it’s more of an old friend. My wife misses her friend and the boys have heard about this mythical place and have wanted to know what “Mommy’s drink” was all about, so this was to be our cherished family outing.

We conquered:

Escaping the mid afternoon sun we entered the establishment like any family might. Slightly pausing as the chilly coffee permeated air assaulted our senses. With our boys’ failure to grasp the idea of the “inside voice” we ordered, found a seat, and did our best not to pay attention to those around us who seemed mystified as to why we were “invading” their space. Within two minutes Benjamin had finished his chocolate milk and was announcing for all to hear that he was hungry while Michael began to gag and make loud retching noises. Ah, another family outing starting off well. Michael eventually threw up but super mommy was there to catch it in her hand. I was mightily impressed with her ninja move but apparently a man sitting watching the incident was not as impressed. He took off his headphones, packed up his laptop and did his best to walk, rather than run, out of the fine establishment we were systematically altering.

After sprinting for another serviette to assist in the clean-up we began the potty phase. This is the part of the event where one child announces they need to use the restroom and when you get half way there the other child cries out that they’re coming too. Inevitably one of the boys will grab their crotch in an apparent attempt to let everyone else know that they’re on their way to the restroom. My wife commenting, “At least the shirt is dry and you can’t see the vomit.” seemed to be the least of my concerns as I held the hand of a crotch grabbing boy hobbling the distance of the coffee shop passing the trendy twenty-something crowd. After each of the two trips we made to the restroom, the boys came out talking about the loud toilet flushing all by itself and how frightened they were when the potty just exploded. I’m sure there were eyebrows raised as we walked by each time but my gaze was on the table where I hoped I could blend into the crowd and then we could get back to our cherished family outing.

There’s no sign that says kids not allowed, and I’m sure the company will make the claim that they are kid friendly, however the looks on their patron’s faces says this is certainly taboo. We kept getting glances from young couples and singles with either intrigue or a form of skeptic disgust. I actually felt that we had a magnetic pull with one young man who couldn’t take his eyes off of us. I guess his smartphone, nano-pod, and laptop could not hold his interest like an almost three year-old sucking back his applesauce.

We ran:

When Michael started making more loud gagging noises it was quickly decided that we should leave. As I led the retching boy outside with seemingly everyone in the place staring at us, I felt the family outing was a complete failure. In a busy summer schedule that was more about others than ourselves this was our moment to reconnect. All told we spent maybe 20 minutes in Starbucks. No joyful family discussion about the thrill of visiting America. No sipping our drinks remembering the past and sharing it with our sons. No more optimism.

Standing dejected outside of the green mermaid our only goal was to run away from the prying eyes following us through the windows. What was there to do?

More than Conquerors:

I see now that we accomplished our goals with this family outing. My wife said a brief hello to an old friend, Benjamin loved his chocolate milk, and Michael thought his applesauce was special even though it made him gag because he ate it too quickly. But the real highlight of the event for the boys was a toilet that flushes on its own. We strengthened our family as we laughed about our “failed” outing all the way back to Grandma’s house. It wasn’t the place, things, or the cool factor that mattered. It wasn’t about the gawking people or what they might or might not have thought. And it wasn’t about the coffee. It was really all about our family simply being together bonding over a shared moment. It wasn’t what we did, rather it was what we made of it.

 

Hide and Seek

We all know the simple concept behind the game of hide and go seek right? One person waits alone while the others go off and hide. Then the solitary one spends time searching until the lost are found. We may complicate the rules and specify the parameters of play if we like but in all honesty it is just a clear hiding and seeking.

In spite of the small living space we occupy in our house, playing hide and seek with my sons is always an adventure. Michael and Benjamin are often thought of as twins whenever we go out in public, however, when it comes to playing this game they are polar opposites. Michael hides, refuses to come when called or found, and almost plays with an attitude of “I’m better at this than you. Never surrender!” Benjamin on the other hand has a different agenda. For Benjamin the joy of the game is in the finding. One wants to be found the other refuses to be found. While I would greatly enjoy standing on the shoulders of theological giants and expand upon the attributes of God with this game, I think the real gem is in allowing Benjamin’s style to permeate my life.

It could be said that Benjamin is hiding but anyone who has ever played with the little four-year old knows, there is no possible way for him to be hidden. He is off “hiding” but you keep hearing him shout, “I’m over here” … “I’m waiting” … “Come find me!” He waits for a while but has even been known to come and find me, the seeker. Isn’t this an interesting twist to the traditional view of the game? Regardless of whether I find him on my terms, or he directly initiates the finding, there is much joy in “being found.”  In fact he literally can’t wait to be found so he keeps making sure that I’m aware of where he is. How is this not like God?

Throughout my travels I’ve met people who claim that God is hiding and silent and wonder if his existence in the game is even realistic. Many of them, whom I’ve listen to and spoken with, seem to be closed off internally while refusing to remove the jaded glasses of self-fulfilling prophecy. Sounds a lot like Michael pressing his eyes closed, with his hands cupped over his ears, refusing to acknowledge that you’re standing right in front of him saying, “I found you.”

If we’re serious about seeking, and not merely playing a game, then maybe the best course of action is to just look around. There truly is an enthusiastic voice calling out, “Are you coming?” … “I’m over here!”

***

Thanks Dad for your biblical worldview and pointing out the concept to me in my jet-lagged state of mind.