Posts

Showing posts from May, 2016

The Last Leaving

Image
I was reminded again, today, that it is coming. December 2017. We should be officially 'done' with our Nyungwe New Testament. There will follow months of publishing activities and there will be a big dedication... and then... we will go. This "last leaving" flashes into my mind every once in a while. When a friend leaves and reminds me that our time will come. A lump rises in my throat and a tear wells in my eye, and if I let my thoughts dwell there a little longer, I hear myself sigh as the tear falls. "Not just yet," I assure myself. "You have time to get ready, and lots of things will keep you busy along the way." I have left many times and said good-bye to many friends. I have gone and come back to many places. Somehow this place isn't quite "dear enough" on its own to make me dream of visits in the future. Most of what makes this home is very transient: people come and go, houses and homes have changed, church friends have gr

In over my head... or "feeding the 5000"

A month ago my housekeeper explained that kids at her children's school were fainting in class because they were hungry. All the parents had been called in and told to feed their kids before sending them to school. Of course, there were no plans made to address the situation leading to hunger at home. No plans were made to help families meet the needs. Just informing people that if you are a good parent, your kid will eat before school. I felt a little connection click in my various worlds: lots of people I know WANT to help kids in need., but it is hard to find the needs that are greatest. There are lots of big and small donations to a few known orphanages around town. Even a person searching intentionally for groups that provide for needy kids will have a hard time locating one. The orphans are actually the ones who have it pretty good. Food, clothes and beds... all provided. They go to school every day and have help with their homework. Pretty ok, actually. You don't actua