There’s no malaria in Nairobi, yet I’m awakened at least a couple times per night by the sound of mosquitoes buzzing in my ears.
My family has a shower and hot water, yet the water doesn’t work most days due to community-wide rationing and the current Kenyan drought. (I’m such a pro at bucket baths right now!)
I’m absolutely exhausted, yet the thought of ‘wasting’ a couple of hours to take a nap is unfathomable.
Thoughts of home enter my mind—especially thoughts of my mom’s cooking when I’m being served ugali for the 3rd night in a row—yet I wouldn’t give this opportunity up for anything.
Kenyan time is relaxed and slow, yet I’ve never felt so pressed for time in my life.
Challenges pulling me back to the States threaten to bring down my spirit, yet this is the strongest and most present I’ve ever felt.
Walking through Kibera and playing with kids at Nazarene Primary School, I realize that the people I see are living in the most terrible abject poverty, yet they are also some of the happiest souls I’ve ever met. It’s the most powerful lesson for me—circumstances don’t have to define happiness.
What great pictures! The smiles on the kids are infectious. Nazarene Primary School seems like a perfect place to volunteer. It sounds like you will have an opportunity to really influence the lives of the kids you will work with and they, in turn, can influence you and your life.
ReplyDeleteThe contradictions you mention are thought provoking. Maybe they are demonstrations of the recurrent discrepancy between superficial appearances and fundamental reality.
Thanks for another insightful blog entry (but I would recommend occasional naps...)
Love,
Dad
You make me so excited to go to Peru!!! You should probably write an inspirational book. PS I think you should post the I need Africa more than Africa needs me video on here. :) miss you! call soon!
ReplyDeleteMol! I love reading your blog. I'm so glad things are going so well and that you are so happy! Keep exploring and keep writing. Love you! :)
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