You know you’ve adjusted to living here when the smell of decomposing rat is detectable in your house, and you just modify your living routine around it.

We move bedrooms.

Buy some more rat poison for the ceiling.

And we know, by experience, that it will pass in a few days or so. So we just get on with things.

Decomposition occurs faster here - sometimes the heat is a blessing.

Every place on earth has the things you decide to live with, and compelling reasons to stay put regardless.

But the oppressive heat, and rats, and the other difficulties of living here are not outbalanced by frozen mangoes.  So what is it that keeps you here?

Perhaps it’s the money, or the opportunities. Maybe it’s family. Maybe it’s the ruggedness. Or maybe you don’t even have a choice.

Let me tell you why I stay: because each one of you matters to God. And I want to help you know that. A pastor friend has a poster which says “you are to die for – just ask Jesus”.

So we stay here because Jesus loves you and we want you to know it.

St Paul’s Anglican Church meets on Sundays at 9am with kids church. All welcome.