Recession Blues?

My friend Pastor John from Rwanda is visiting with us and our congregation this weekend. Having been to Rwanda 3 times I have a sense of the lifestyle of many Rwandans in contrast to the lifestyle many of us live in the US.

When I picked John up on Saturday from the airport I pointed out to him the new Cardinals Stadium. I mentioned the shops and restaurants going in around that and Jobing Stadium. But I also said that here in the states we were going through a recession. He's been to the US many times and has been here three weeks already this trip. He's heard about our recession but it was evident that he was having a hard time understanding what a recession means in the midst of such affluence. I told him about our gas prices and he said they pay about $2.00 per liter or almost $7-8 per gallon! He saw the new homes being built (whether they are selling is another story) and was awed. I took him to see Kung Fu Panda at the mall and he commented on how busy the mall was and how great the shop keepers seemed to be doing (the mall was jammed!)

John lives in a country where the average salary is around $300 per year. Many people live in huts or shacks. Most can't own cars because they can't afford them or the gas. He went on and on about how great it is to be able to take a shower every day here and that the water has some pressure to it! Not so in Rwanda.

The point is not to make us feel guilty but to put into perspective how blessed we really are in this country. Times are tough--no doubt! Gas prices, food prices are rising as is unemployment. But still, in comparison to places like Rwanda, we are the wealthiest 10% in the world, even in an economic dowturn.

So while we are all trying to cope with new economic realities, it's good to be reminded that we are indeed fortunate. There is much to be thankful for. And guys like John remind us of how blessed we really are (including having airconditioning in buildings and cars when it's 110 degrees 9 days in a row!)