A Lesson in Humility #1

When we were at MTI, they reminded us regularly that we need to be prepared to make at least a million mistakes in our new host culture. In preparation, I decided to start chipping away at that 1,000,000 by having my first stick shift driving lesson this week.

Driving a manual car is a life skill I've been wanting to learn for years. But, it was hard to find people in the U.S. that even have manual cars and my desire to learn wasn't big enough for me to really search out those opportunities. Well, necessity came knocking as I learned that there is a "singles" car in Bundibugyo. My desire for mobility and knowledge of driving stick in case of an emergency won out and I started looking for the chance to learn.

My dear brother, Tony, has a very dear brother-in-law who offered up his new Jeep Wrangler for my practice. Tony then offered to give me my first lesson. Woo hoo!

As the day for our lesson came closer, I found myself feeling legitimately nervous. The last time I had driving lessons was when I was 16 and I did well pretty fast, considering that I had spent countless hours in the car during my growing up years. I think I felt even less confident at age 21 sitting behind the wheel of that Jeep than I did when I sat behind a steering wheel for the first time ever. Isn't this a step backwards? Can't I just be independent and learn this through osmosis or something?

My pride had to take a hit as I told Tony, "This is pretty terrifying to me" and sat down in the driver's seat. To make a long story short, I think I did pretty well. I didn't stall out the first time or even a few times after that. When I did stall out, it seemed to come in rushes and I would stall a ridiculous numbers of times in a row. But, I managed to get the car out onto the road and even managed to go in reverse and start on an incline. Tony can now add "spectacular stick shift instructor" to his long list of talents.

I know that my 1.5 hour lesson is only the start of a lot of learning if I do end up driving in Uganda. While it was good to practice in the U.S., I'll be driving on the left side of the road, using my left hand to shift, and also driving on Ugandan roads which I hear are full of goats, kids, and potholes. Quite the obstacle course. I have a feeling my driving pride will be chiseled down to powder by the time I learn to drive in Uganda, if I learn at all.

Sometimes I look forward to the adventure of learning new things in Uganda, whether it be driving or buying groceries or anything else. Other times I wish I could shelter my pride a bit and remain independent, competent, and knowledgeable. Either way, I am excited to see all the ways God works in me and brings me to a new understanding of Him through these lessons in humility.