The universal bubble

Growing up I've always been a place that is labeled a bubble-- the Brookie Bubble, the Lawrenceville Bubble, Southern Bubble, and I will be soon going to the Vander Bubble. The word 'bubble' tends to carry a negative connotation, which I agree it should. We say that we live in a bubble because we are not being exposed to 'real' life. The south is home to the infamous Bible belt, so we are sheltered from liberal views. At Lawrenceville our community was surrounded by a iron gate which only partly symbolized our bubble away from the surrounding area, Trenton and Camden, home to some of the worst crime in America. In America we say we live in a bubble because we are a 1st world country and don't see nearly the same poverty and disease as 3rd world countries.

But here I am in Africa, Ethiopia to be exact, where years and years of famine have ravaged the people and land, 98% people unemployed, HIV/AIDS rampantly spreading, the orphan and street children population is some of the highest of anywhere in the world, hundreds of people dying each day to common diseases of TB, malaria, and diarrhea. Yet I managed to find myself in a bubble.

I managed to get into my schedule here, waking up each day, going on our morning run, eating breakfast, teaching several classes at the youth center, lunch, teaching a few more classes, playing some games, then going home and cooking dinner. While it sounds monotonous, and it very well may be, I'm enjoying myself. But I see how it has become my personal choice as to whether or not I will be affected by the things I see, hear, and feel. I make a choice each time I walk down the street as to whether or not I will look to see and appreciate the old beggar woman or just look the other way. Ethiopia is at war right now with Somalia, yet I didn't even realize the extent and severity of the situation. It's only when I make a conscious choice to ask about it, or read a paper, or check on the internet. It's my choice whether or not I will live in a bubble, whether or not I will take time to notice the pain, whether or not I will see the hunger and be affected by it. I have to let my guard down each day to see the 'real' world, because it's all around me, here in Ethiopia, at home in Birmingham, Alabama and in New Jersey. Bubbles are not defined by my location, but rather my outlook. Perspective can be so hard to keep even here in Ethiopia. Pray that God will help me to keep perspective, to open my eyes and let my guard down to see and feel what others are experiencing in this life.

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Ashley S. Zeiger