Top Ten Reflections on Four Days in DC
What might Iowans reflect upon after a few days in the DC area speaking at a special needs ministry conference? Here’s what I’ve been thinking about the trip.
10. The bushes around the Pentagon have been trimmed with military precision. Imagine the standard military haircut. On a bush.
9. Savoring a really good cup of decaf coffee during an airplane delay makes everything better.
8. The overwhelming number of people of color in service positions at airports, hotels, and restaurants waiting on an equally overwhelming number of Caucasians is troubling.
7. Sometimes, Iowans have to travel all the way to DC to meet people who live only 45 minutes from them to learn that exciting special needs ministry events are being planned in our home state.
6. A dawn trip to the airport on a route that go past the softly lit Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials is a wonderous experience. Much prettier than the opening credits for House of Cards.
5. When Midwesterners shake hands with people of Asian, Indian, and African descent during the “say hi to your neighbor” portion of Sunday worship, they realize they’re not in Kansas anymore.
4. Anyone who presents a workshop at a conference really should bow down and kiss the feet of the tech people who make sure equipment runs properly. But they won’t let you. Don’t ask how I know this.
3. Rule of thumb for speaking at special needs conferences: The speaker will cry at least once. Possibly more.
2. When co-presenting a workshop with Katie Wetherbee, it’s like being at a party.
1. Going out to supper with friends only seen once a year, after 36 intense hours at a special needs ministry conference, is an amazing blessing from God.
Have you ever been to DC? What do you remember? Leave a comment.
