This morning I went to 7:15 am mass, had oatmeal for breakfast, and then went to school. Julia and I continued to organize and clean out the giant dumpster container and will finish this project by tomorrow morning. We had a half day at the school because of our cooking lesson! Anthony, the man who cooks the meals for the Friars, agreed to give us a lesson on cooking some of the staple foods that we have been eating. Chapatti, secuma, and ugali.
The source of this lesson stems from the lofty plans that Julia and I made for next week. We were brainstorming what would be a good, edible treat that we could make for all 220 students. After contemplating making cookies, brownies, and a few other ideas, we decided on making them chapatti. We plan on surprising all of the students on the Saturday the 10th. This is the day before we leave Kisumu.
While waiting for the chapatti dough to sit, I finished the book “Nickel and Dimed” which I have been absorbed by the past few days. After completing the book, I kept thinking about how easy it is to take thing for granted. In the US, the number of people who have a job and still struggle on welfare is extremely high. Many times the poor in the US go neglected because the wealthy are in denial of this extreme problem. Being on my trip, I have seen more than ever that there is no job that is ever beneath me. Certain jobs are definitely more glamorous than others. But the unpretentious ones are often the most necessary.
One of my favorite books is the “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. He opens his book with the lines:
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.’”
The American Dream of working hard to earn a successful, prosperous life is not how the equation always works out. It is necessary to walk in another person’s shoes to know what their life is comprised of. Barbara Ehrenreich, the author of “Nickel and Dimed”, is admirable for her willingness to take a chance and leave her fairly comfortable life as a journalist to experience and document the struggles of making minimum wage or below minimum wage while paying for rent and food in three different cities.
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Here is the recipe for Chapatti that I jotted down while it was being prepared (serves 28):
- 1 ½ packs of flour (2 kg)
- 1 table spoon on salt
- Cornoil
- Milk
- Optional: finely grated peppers, carrots, onions
- * Warning: we did not measure the oil, water, or salt! Use with your discretion.
First mix the flour and 1 pack of flour. Pour about 3 tablespoons of corn oil. Rub the contents together until it is a sandy texture. Pour lukewarm about ½ a cup of water and ¼ of a cup of milk into the mixture. Mix with your fingers and add more milk if it feels dry.
Then, flour a surface where you can spread the dough and knead it together toward its center. Flour the pot. Place the ball of dough in the pot and lightly sprinkle oil over the dough to keep it moist. Let the dough sit for 40 minutes while it is covered in the pot.
Then, knead the dough, add flour, and roll the dough with a rolling pin. Spread oil with over the dough once it is flat. Cut the dough with a knife or pizza cutter into 10 thin, long slices. Roll each strip into a ball. Cut some of the strips if they are too big. Try to have 14 balls of dough. Then roll each of the 14 balls until they are flat and thin.
Blanching: Heat a frying pan on medium heat. Put the circle of dough on the empty pan, let it heat for 30 seconds, and flip once it starts to bubble. For a fluffy, drier taste, skip the browning!
Browning: For a moister taste, continue! Put the chapatti back into the pan one at a time. Add oil and spin the chapatti in the pan and flip (Anthony’s tip: just like a dj spins cds).
Lastly, cut each circle in half. Either fold the chapatti or roll it up. Enjoy :)
Monday, June 28th -- Love Never Fails
Today is Julia’s 20th Birthday! We ate breakfast and then went to the school where everyone was so excited to wish her well on her special day. Julia went into town to pickup her friend Michelle who is coming to visit for the day. She is spending 10 weeks in Kenya working for Maasai Girls Education Fund. The fund gives families of girls the amount that they would receive in a dowry for an early marriage in the form of a scholarship for education. Many Maasai girls are not educated and this program seems truly brilliant in their work.
I went into the giant construction container (basically a dumpster with a top on it) at the school. It was donated to the school and is being used for storing stray books. I began this large organizational project of taking inventory and sorting through the hundred of dusty books that were all mixed together in sacks and cardboard boxes. I separated them by subject and grade level. “Pole, pole” (slowly, slowly) I made a dent in the stacks upon stacks of books. These books will eventually be able to be a library for the students! Since I uncovered a surplus of text books in there, many teachers will be able to use these in their classes so this will also save the school money. What could have been painstakingly tedious and mundane in the dark and stuffy dumpster was not that way at all. I kept thinking about how wonderful of a resource it will be once it is organized and cleaned.
One part of life that has been difficult for me to grasp is the use of cell phones. The poorest of the poor have cell phones. Many land lines are no longer in existence. The homes on top of the hill where we are located do not even have the option of having a landline. About 2 years ago, the landline companies were unreliable because people used to steal the cables that connect the bottom to the top of the hill. The cables are valuable items to sell. They were phased out over time since the phones would only work 50% of the time. Also, the poor keep their phones since that is their only means of being contacted if work is available. Some homes with electricity charge 5 shillings to let people charge their cell phones for those that do not have the luxury of electricity. Hence, cell phone companies are thriving!
Two of the girls stopped by our house with a card for Julia. I went with them to play football (soccer) on the field. It was one of the most intense games I’ve ever played. I can honestly say this after playing on competitive teams from the age of 7-18. The hard ball we used was very worn out with the stitching for the seams no longer in existence. The field was solid dirt which did not phase anyone. Everyone wore their school shoes, flip flops, or went barefoot. No shin guards. No water breaks. And certainly, no orange slices at half time. These teams were relentless, competitive, and filled with raw talent. Knowing too well how so many boys and girls on Long Island spend hours upon hours with private trainers, special select teams, top of the line equipment, and so much money spent in the pursuit of becoming a better player. The boys and girls I played with today are much more talented without any instruction than so many people I have played with. If they are given any of the perks we have at home, their potential would be outstanding. Being around all the boys and girls for a few weeks, I am not surprised by how tough they are. The ball we played with was so hard it really hurt every time I kicked or headed it. Rather than complaining, if someone really felt the ball hitting them like a bullet, they would just laugh it off. No sympathy points in the football games.
I showered quickly and then went with Julia and Michelle to the Sister’s convent for our weekly Monday dinner. Mango and banana pancakes with potatoes and chicken sausage were on the menu for tonight. The sisters picked a bouquet of flowers and made a banner for Julia. We sand Happy Birthday and had cake #2. Before dinner, we said Grace and Sister Remea picked out a special reading that she read out to us with soft music playing in the background. This reading, which is often read at weddings or funerals, has always been special for me but has taken on a whole new meaning for me.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the TRUTH. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
This was very fitting for the time and place. I feel like I have joined the family at Our Lady of Grace. The love they have shown me is apparent in every second of every day. Love keeps belief, hope, and endurance alive. The interests of one person are the interests of another. Failing to believe in the truth is not even an option. The love here is selfless and invigorating. Whether it is in giving my teammate a high five after her goal, rocking one of the babies to sleep to give her mom a break, or encouraging one of the boys in class, I hope so much that what Julia and I are doing here is nurturing them in some way. It’s hard not knowing what I do or say will sink in and stick with them.
I went into the giant construction container (basically a dumpster with a top on it) at the school. It was donated to the school and is being used for storing stray books. I began this large organizational project of taking inventory and sorting through the hundred of dusty books that were all mixed together in sacks and cardboard boxes. I separated them by subject and grade level. “Pole, pole” (slowly, slowly) I made a dent in the stacks upon stacks of books. These books will eventually be able to be a library for the students! Since I uncovered a surplus of text books in there, many teachers will be able to use these in their classes so this will also save the school money. What could have been painstakingly tedious and mundane in the dark and stuffy dumpster was not that way at all. I kept thinking about how wonderful of a resource it will be once it is organized and cleaned.
One part of life that has been difficult for me to grasp is the use of cell phones. The poorest of the poor have cell phones. Many land lines are no longer in existence. The homes on top of the hill where we are located do not even have the option of having a landline. About 2 years ago, the landline companies were unreliable because people used to steal the cables that connect the bottom to the top of the hill. The cables are valuable items to sell. They were phased out over time since the phones would only work 50% of the time. Also, the poor keep their phones since that is their only means of being contacted if work is available. Some homes with electricity charge 5 shillings to let people charge their cell phones for those that do not have the luxury of electricity. Hence, cell phone companies are thriving!
Two of the girls stopped by our house with a card for Julia. I went with them to play football (soccer) on the field. It was one of the most intense games I’ve ever played. I can honestly say this after playing on competitive teams from the age of 7-18. The hard ball we used was very worn out with the stitching for the seams no longer in existence. The field was solid dirt which did not phase anyone. Everyone wore their school shoes, flip flops, or went barefoot. No shin guards. No water breaks. And certainly, no orange slices at half time. These teams were relentless, competitive, and filled with raw talent. Knowing too well how so many boys and girls on Long Island spend hours upon hours with private trainers, special select teams, top of the line equipment, and so much money spent in the pursuit of becoming a better player. The boys and girls I played with today are much more talented without any instruction than so many people I have played with. If they are given any of the perks we have at home, their potential would be outstanding. Being around all the boys and girls for a few weeks, I am not surprised by how tough they are. The ball we played with was so hard it really hurt every time I kicked or headed it. Rather than complaining, if someone really felt the ball hitting them like a bullet, they would just laugh it off. No sympathy points in the football games.
I showered quickly and then went with Julia and Michelle to the Sister’s convent for our weekly Monday dinner. Mango and banana pancakes with potatoes and chicken sausage were on the menu for tonight. The sisters picked a bouquet of flowers and made a banner for Julia. We sand Happy Birthday and had cake #2. Before dinner, we said Grace and Sister Remea picked out a special reading that she read out to us with soft music playing in the background. This reading, which is often read at weddings or funerals, has always been special for me but has taken on a whole new meaning for me.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the TRUTH. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
This was very fitting for the time and place. I feel like I have joined the family at Our Lady of Grace. The love they have shown me is apparent in every second of every day. Love keeps belief, hope, and endurance alive. The interests of one person are the interests of another. Failing to believe in the truth is not even an option. The love here is selfless and invigorating. Whether it is in giving my teammate a high five after her goal, rocking one of the babies to sleep to give her mom a break, or encouraging one of the boys in class, I hope so much that what Julia and I are doing here is nurturing them in some way. It’s hard not knowing what I do or say will sink in and stick with them.
Sunday, June 27th -- Hippo Point!
Julia and I went to 7:30 am mass at Our Lady of Grace. Like always, the mass was very lively and upbeat even at such an early hour. The students do a terrific job of orchestrating the music. During the songs, everyone is waving their arms in the air and clapping to the beat of the bongos. A group of 6 girls are liturgical dancers on Sundays. The girls wore very pretty navy blue and gold sarongs. Mass is a bit longer here is Kenya, but everyone stays attentive even when they are dancing in their seats. During the masses and their days, there is a time for everything – whether its concentrating or rejoicing.
We came back to bake a two cakes for Julia’s birthday. One is for tonight and one is for tomorrow when we eat at the Sister’s convent. We did not realize how ambitious of a plan it would be. We made the cake without measuring cups so we resorted to our best estimates. Also, they do not sell icing in Kenya so we decided to use Nutella. The slight problem was that the super market did not have Nutella so we then chose chocolate peanut butter. To complicate things a little bit more, the peanut butter here is much more natural so it is not as delicious as Skippy! As you can guess, we probably looked like Lucy and Ethel trying to make this cake with the oven with the severely fading temperature gauge in Celsius.
Father Kevin, Sister Remea, Sister Alvera, Julia and I went to Hippo Point at Lake Victoria. On our drive there, we passed by the mud hut that Father Kevin and some of the older boys at the school built. It has an earth floor, sides made out of mud and stones with slim timber beams to support the hardened mud, and a modest tin roof. The two room house was built for a widow and her five children who suffer from the foot disease jiggers.
Lake Victoria is only 80 m deep but covers an area of 70,000 sq. km. It has shores on Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. At Hippo Point, we took a small boti (boat) out to see the hippos. They only come up for two seconds as their eyes and ears emerge from underneath the water. In the middle of the night, they come to rest on the shore. The average kiboko (hippo) weighs 3 tons! We luckily caught a few quick glimpses of them just as it started to drizzle. Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world! From the boat, we could see a few impalas at their sanctuary. There were also beautiful canary yellow birds flying among their nests along with otters in the water.
The Lake is harmed by the water hyacinth plants that are especially apparent starting in December. Water hyacinth stifles the fishing industry. The plants tie themselves together to form huge mats. It is a big financial burden also since it is so costly to control. We also saw a shipment of sacks of coal from Uganda coming in by boat. The quality of coal from Uganda is very good. The Lake is a popular tourist spot. On our way back, we stopped at a market. My bargaining skills have improved since I was somehow able to talk my way into getting the best prices. Good news: our vanilla cake with chocolate peanut butter "frosting" and colored sprinkles was a big hit at dessert! Phew.
Julia’s blog is www.juliagoestokenya.blogspot.com.
We came back to bake a two cakes for Julia’s birthday. One is for tonight and one is for tomorrow when we eat at the Sister’s convent. We did not realize how ambitious of a plan it would be. We made the cake without measuring cups so we resorted to our best estimates. Also, they do not sell icing in Kenya so we decided to use Nutella. The slight problem was that the super market did not have Nutella so we then chose chocolate peanut butter. To complicate things a little bit more, the peanut butter here is much more natural so it is not as delicious as Skippy! As you can guess, we probably looked like Lucy and Ethel trying to make this cake with the oven with the severely fading temperature gauge in Celsius.
Father Kevin, Sister Remea, Sister Alvera, Julia and I went to Hippo Point at Lake Victoria. On our drive there, we passed by the mud hut that Father Kevin and some of the older boys at the school built. It has an earth floor, sides made out of mud and stones with slim timber beams to support the hardened mud, and a modest tin roof. The two room house was built for a widow and her five children who suffer from the foot disease jiggers.
Lake Victoria is only 80 m deep but covers an area of 70,000 sq. km. It has shores on Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. At Hippo Point, we took a small boti (boat) out to see the hippos. They only come up for two seconds as their eyes and ears emerge from underneath the water. In the middle of the night, they come to rest on the shore. The average kiboko (hippo) weighs 3 tons! We luckily caught a few quick glimpses of them just as it started to drizzle. Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world! From the boat, we could see a few impalas at their sanctuary. There were also beautiful canary yellow birds flying among their nests along with otters in the water.
The Lake is harmed by the water hyacinth plants that are especially apparent starting in December. Water hyacinth stifles the fishing industry. The plants tie themselves together to form huge mats. It is a big financial burden also since it is so costly to control. We also saw a shipment of sacks of coal from Uganda coming in by boat. The quality of coal from Uganda is very good. The Lake is a popular tourist spot. On our way back, we stopped at a market. My bargaining skills have improved since I was somehow able to talk my way into getting the best prices. Good news: our vanilla cake with chocolate peanut butter "frosting" and colored sprinkles was a big hit at dessert! Phew.
Julia’s blog is www.juliagoestokenya.blogspot.com.
Saturday, June 26th
This morning I made French Toast and a cup of coffee after mastering the manual coffee pot. We went to school at 10:00 am when the children were on their cleaning hour. One of the maintenance men was cutting the grass using a humongous machete looking tool. He just took giant swings back and forth getting quite a workout. It made me think how often at home Americans take for granted the use of a lawn mower.
Julia and I went to the grocery store with the Sisters Alvera, MM, and Remea.
On Saturdays, 2:00 pm – 5:15 pm is strictly set aside for entertainment. They wait all week for this. Everyone gathers in the dining hall, clears the chairs to the sides, and lets loose! The African music is blasting and everyone is dancing non-stop. Those who aren’t dancing, are sitting around in a big circle clapping or stomping their feet to the beat. Each age group seems so have their niche. The older boys are the djs. I was dancing while holding one of the babies who was giggling the whole time. Then three of the girls insisted on braiding my hair.
After dinner, Julia and I setup and supervised the showing of the Disney movie, “The Princess and the Frog.” We turned the dining hall into a movie theatre just like last week. The projector that Sister Mary brought has been such a treat for all the students to facilitate them watching movies once a week. I hope that the US wins in their game tonight against Ghana!!! Everyone at the compound is split between cheering for the US and Ghana.
Julia and I went to the grocery store with the Sisters Alvera, MM, and Remea.
On Saturdays, 2:00 pm – 5:15 pm is strictly set aside for entertainment. They wait all week for this. Everyone gathers in the dining hall, clears the chairs to the sides, and lets loose! The African music is blasting and everyone is dancing non-stop. Those who aren’t dancing, are sitting around in a big circle clapping or stomping their feet to the beat. Each age group seems so have their niche. The older boys are the djs. I was dancing while holding one of the babies who was giggling the whole time. Then three of the girls insisted on braiding my hair.
After dinner, Julia and I setup and supervised the showing of the Disney movie, “The Princess and the Frog.” We turned the dining hall into a movie theatre just like last week. The projector that Sister Mary brought has been such a treat for all the students to facilitate them watching movies once a week. I hope that the US wins in their game tonight against Ghana!!! Everyone at the compound is split between cheering for the US and Ghana.
Friday, June 25th - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Today at school, I requested a list of the children who are either not yet sponsored or are no longer being sponsored. Bright, one of the women who works as part of the administrative team, is compiling that for me. I stopped by the babies rooms this morning to see them. One of the babies, Leon, has malaria but is already on medicine for it. Unlike many people who visit the country, many Kenyans do not take malaria medication. Once they are sick, they go to the hospital and are put on medicine then.
At lunch time, I started to read the book, “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich. It is a novel about how Ehrenreich leaves her somewhat normal life as a journalist to live in low-wage America. She leads a different life by working in Florida, Maine, and Minnesota working as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and Wal-Mart associate for about a month in each state.
On our way walking back to the school, Julia and I got caught in a downpour. Luckily, we had brought our rain jackets with us. The ground was wet from the rain earlier. I sunk into a big, hidden mud pile about 4 inches deep. Then, a huge truck flew by us on the highway and splashed us with mud! Ten seconds later we had to backtrack because a man was herding three of his cows down the tiny dirt path we were walking on. We had a very comical span of 10 minutes. As soon as we arrived at the school, the rain stopped. The children were all laughing hysterically at how we looked with my once yellow poncho covered in mud. You can’t sweat the small stuff.
At school, Julia and I watched the drama club perform a segment of their play from “Dreams of My Father” written by Obama. It was mostly Primary School students involved. They are such naturally talented singers, dancers, and overall performers. They have won awards for being one of the best groups out of all the Kenyan Primary Schools. I went with some of the girls to the field for “games and sports” time. We didn’t have any equipment to use so I decided to have a track practice with them. Together, we did drills, sprints, and an Indian run. They LOVED it! I’m hoping that I can start a running group with those who enjoy it especially for when they don’t have a soccer ball to use. They have speed, coordination, and awesome potential. Just as it was about to rain again, I walked the girls back to school. I quickly showered and then went to Vespers, dinner, and Compline. I’m happy that Julia finally was able to share her love of drama with the students and that I was able to coach the girls on some running techniques.
At lunch time, I started to read the book, “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich. It is a novel about how Ehrenreich leaves her somewhat normal life as a journalist to live in low-wage America. She leads a different life by working in Florida, Maine, and Minnesota working as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and Wal-Mart associate for about a month in each state.
On our way walking back to the school, Julia and I got caught in a downpour. Luckily, we had brought our rain jackets with us. The ground was wet from the rain earlier. I sunk into a big, hidden mud pile about 4 inches deep. Then, a huge truck flew by us on the highway and splashed us with mud! Ten seconds later we had to backtrack because a man was herding three of his cows down the tiny dirt path we were walking on. We had a very comical span of 10 minutes. As soon as we arrived at the school, the rain stopped. The children were all laughing hysterically at how we looked with my once yellow poncho covered in mud. You can’t sweat the small stuff.
At school, Julia and I watched the drama club perform a segment of their play from “Dreams of My Father” written by Obama. It was mostly Primary School students involved. They are such naturally talented singers, dancers, and overall performers. They have won awards for being one of the best groups out of all the Kenyan Primary Schools. I went with some of the girls to the field for “games and sports” time. We didn’t have any equipment to use so I decided to have a track practice with them. Together, we did drills, sprints, and an Indian run. They LOVED it! I’m hoping that I can start a running group with those who enjoy it especially for when they don’t have a soccer ball to use. They have speed, coordination, and awesome potential. Just as it was about to rain again, I walked the girls back to school. I quickly showered and then went to Vespers, dinner, and Compline. I’m happy that Julia finally was able to share her love of drama with the students and that I was able to coach the girls on some running techniques.
Thursday, June 24th -- Running!
Today I woke up at 6:30 am, and I went for a run outside of the compound and through a maize field! This adventurous run was exactly what I needed. Where we are in Kisumu is on the top of a hill so it is a little difficult to breathe while running. The path I took was down the dirt road that is covered in rocks which reminded me of when I ran cross-country in high school. I'm going to incorporate going for more runs into my routine. The weather here is very predictable. From about 7:00 am - 3:00 pm it is usually in the mid 80s to about 90 degrees. Then at around 3:00 or 4:00 pm, it will rain for about an hour. By night time it gets a little cooler.
I showered and had breakfast before going to school. At school, I helped out with the babies!!! I have been getting much closer with some of the older girls. Catherine, the mother of baby Shakira, is sick with malaria. I spent a lot of time in her room making sure she was okay and playing with Shakira. I also was with Marylynne who is Maxine's mother. I really enjoyed helping in this aspect today. The babies are recognizing me more and more each day.
Later on, I helped teach 11th grade English with Madame Jemima. We taught the class about conditional clauses and reviewed on of the books they have been reading. The students here have very good grammar and speak very well in English.
I showered and had breakfast before going to school. At school, I helped out with the babies!!! I have been getting much closer with some of the older girls. Catherine, the mother of baby Shakira, is sick with malaria. I spent a lot of time in her room making sure she was okay and playing with Shakira. I also was with Marylynne who is Maxine's mother. I really enjoyed helping in this aspect today. The babies are recognizing me more and more each day.
Later on, I helped teach 11th grade English with Madame Jemima. We taught the class about conditional clauses and reviewed on of the books they have been reading. The students here have very good grammar and speak very well in English.
Wednesday, June 23rd -- The Invitation
Many people have sent me motivational quotes and poems. Here is one that I really like a lot. Its called "The Invitation."
"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own. If you can dance with wildness and let ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or remember the limitations of being a human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even if it's not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from God's presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver moon, "Yes!"
It doesn't interest me where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary, bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you are, how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside, when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today I was thinking about how strong the women are here. They carry up to 20 liters of water in a basin on their head while carrying their baby in a papoose wrapped around their back. There is a tap of clean water outside the compound where the Friars and Sisters take turns supplying clean water to parts of the community. The women transport it back to their homes which are not always very close.
Another little fact…there are a ton of insects here. The mosquitoes we try to keep away to prevent malaria. I have been taking medicine to prevent malaria every day that I’ve been here. There are many geckos here that are about 4 or 5 inches long. They are harmless and eat the mosquitoes. In a strange way, its encouraged to disregard them if they’re in your house!
"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own. If you can dance with wildness and let ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or remember the limitations of being a human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even if it's not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from God's presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver moon, "Yes!"
It doesn't interest me where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary, bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you are, how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside, when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today I was thinking about how strong the women are here. They carry up to 20 liters of water in a basin on their head while carrying their baby in a papoose wrapped around their back. There is a tap of clean water outside the compound where the Friars and Sisters take turns supplying clean water to parts of the community. The women transport it back to their homes which are not always very close.
Another little fact…there are a ton of insects here. The mosquitoes we try to keep away to prevent malaria. I have been taking medicine to prevent malaria every day that I’ve been here. There are many geckos here that are about 4 or 5 inches long. They are harmless and eat the mosquitoes. In a strange way, its encouraged to disregard them if they’re in your house!
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