Top eight things I have learned from volcanoes

Being in Africa, for any amount of time, brings lessons of its own. I realized that my current role as fearless leader has led to some rather boring posts lately, and that's a shame, because there is so much wonderfulness that has taken place in my life over the past three weeks.

So, what is the big memory from this trip?
Is it the memory of watching our teams dig deep in their own lives and pour out a living offering to the streets of Kenya? Is it strategizing and watching things fall in to place over and again declaring the faithfulness of our God? Or, is it the stinking volcano?

Here are the top eight things I have learned, as the captain of the ship, from the stinking volcano:

1. Volcanoes make you self indulgent again: after spending time giving of yourself everyday, a volcano can bring you back to your true self in no time. Apparently, I am still in need of grace.
2. Don't ever pray for flexibility. It's like the arch rival of praying for patience.
3. Volcanoes are powerful. They make Europe and global economies crumble out of a scientific terror of the "what if."
4. Volcanoes give your team ample opportunity to bite and scratch and make each other bleed, or come together in an unwavering unity and love for each other. Lately, I have seen both (hey, we need grace, right? see #1).
   
5. Volcanoes can dominate any memory of what God has done in your life, the life of others, and in your future, if you allow your gaze to be deterred by the floating ash.
6. Volcanoes gives me, as a leader, more time to hang out and get to know the people on my team. I admit, I have enjoyed listening to the journal entries and laughing at the creativity of these people.
   
7. Volcanoes provide an ample opportunity to use the phrase, "kiss my ash", over and again to the prepubescent delight of all immature and comedic geniuses on our team (myself included).
8. Volcanoes cause some team members to rise to the occasion, whether it be taking on the planning of team meals and cooking, providing leadership where uncertainty seems to dominate, or lending a listening ear and support. It's fun to see us work together.
   

All in all, we're doing very well. There are a lot of stories, laughter, and character buried deep within this team. I hope that, in our return, you are privy to some of it. I will surely be sharing more.