In a few short days - or, as I was reminded today, in two sleeps - my family and I will embark on the adventure of a lifetime. We are traveling to Tanzania to volunteer for three weeks in the village of Boma Ng'ombe near Mount Kilimanjaro.
The brain child of one of my daughters, this trip is now about to become reality. Bags are almost packed, passports and visas are in hand, baby sitters have been found for the pets and itineraries have been distributed to people who need them.
As we prepare for our journey I marvel at the details that require our attention. We are no longer a society that can move easily. We are tied to jobs, homes, friends and situations. Through technology we can remain connected with each of these if we choose or we can embrace a new culture and a new way of being.
What will it take to break those ties? How long before we are molded by African time and tribal ways?
We plan to blog about our journey. We know that we will go to the internet cafe in Moshi town each Monday and Thursday and that on these occasions we will update our friends and followers. I invite you to join us on this journey.
Will Africa change our hearts and our ways? Will we be able to make enhancements to the lives of those we meet and work with? No one will know for sure until we get there and perhaps, as many of us have experienced, the real changes will be seen and felt at times even further in the future.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Race
For twenty-two days each July I become a racing fan. Many mornings and every evening, the television shows beautiful mountain vistas or the narrow streets of long established villages or rows of maturing vineyards.
Passing through each of these scenes the riders of the Tour de France battle the elements and each other for the precious yellow jersey.
I cannot claim to understand the intricacies of bike racing. I rarely ride my own bicycle.
Instead I am repeated captivated by the human spirit.
What moves a person to compete on his machine every day for twenty two days (minus two rest days)? What powers those human legs to push up a steep mountain pass? How do they sustain mental alertness to carefully traverse the winding downhill course? Where do these men find the physical reserves to drive to the finish line after four hours of mountainous road in the blazing sun?
Although, I may never have the skill of the racers in the Tour de France, but I can learn from their shining examples.
Set a goal, stay focused and never give up - tomorrow is another day. Each new day is an opportunity start anew while having learned from the lessons of the previous days.
Remember, until we are called Home, the race is not yet won.
Passing through each of these scenes the riders of the Tour de France battle the elements and each other for the precious yellow jersey.
I cannot claim to understand the intricacies of bike racing. I rarely ride my own bicycle.
Instead I am repeated captivated by the human spirit.
What moves a person to compete on his machine every day for twenty two days (minus two rest days)? What powers those human legs to push up a steep mountain pass? How do they sustain mental alertness to carefully traverse the winding downhill course? Where do these men find the physical reserves to drive to the finish line after four hours of mountainous road in the blazing sun?
Although, I may never have the skill of the racers in the Tour de France, but I can learn from their shining examples.
Set a goal, stay focused and never give up - tomorrow is another day. Each new day is an opportunity start anew while having learned from the lessons of the previous days.
Remember, until we are called Home, the race is not yet won.
Perseverance
A sturdy helmet protected her head, warm mittens covered her hands and her tiny frame was dressed in a beautiful sparkling fuchsia outfit. It would have been a pretty picture but for the look of terror on her face.
She was a timid beginner skater encouraged to try the sport because of her older sister's interest.
On that first day she 'skated' for 55 minutes. Together we made it around the ice surface at the arena three times. She learned to fall and to get up, to take baby steps and hopefully to enjoy at least some of these successes. Remarkably, despite the number of occasions when her feet flew from underneath her and she found herself laying on the ice, she continue to try and never shed a tear.
Two practice sessions later my little friend circled the ice twice without falling.
We have so much to learn about perseverance from my little friend. How many times do we fall and believe we will never be able to get up again? How often do we give up after trying for just a short while? How many times do we talk ourselves out of trying something new before we take that first step?
I believe that at times we are given difficulties to test ourselves. Our challenges present themselves not for success or accomplishment, but as opportunities to learn and to grow. Next time you are faced with a problem, what will you do?
She was a timid beginner skater encouraged to try the sport because of her older sister's interest.
On that first day she 'skated' for 55 minutes. Together we made it around the ice surface at the arena three times. She learned to fall and to get up, to take baby steps and hopefully to enjoy at least some of these successes. Remarkably, despite the number of occasions when her feet flew from underneath her and she found herself laying on the ice, she continue to try and never shed a tear.
Two practice sessions later my little friend circled the ice twice without falling.
We have so much to learn about perseverance from my little friend. How many times do we fall and believe we will never be able to get up again? How often do we give up after trying for just a short while? How many times do we talk ourselves out of trying something new before we take that first step?
I believe that at times we are given difficulties to test ourselves. Our challenges present themselves not for success or accomplishment, but as opportunities to learn and to grow. Next time you are faced with a problem, what will you do?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Little Girl, Big Lesson
“Moss-key-toe” she said with enthusiasm, her big blue eyes framed by curly golden locks. She had the look of an angel, “I love how that word feels coming out of my mouth”.
It was February and we were skating. Those pesky little flying insects were the furthest thing from my mind when she shared this thought with me. Although it has been years, I cannot help but watch those little creatures each summer and recall those words.
For most of us, mosquitoes are a nuisance or even a conveyor of disease. For this little one, the mere utterance of the word itself was to be reveled.
How often do we take the time to feel how words come out of our mouths? Can you feel the hum of the “m” or the smile as you pronounce the “e” or how about the pursing of your lips to speak the “o”? Do you consider your cadence when you speak? Do some words themselves bring pleasure just to speak them?
We are often so busy communicating our message rarely do we take the time to consider the words that we are using. How do our words feel for us? How do they feel for the listener?
This little angelic child offered a huge lesson for all of us that day.
Take a little time to really consider your words next time you speak them. Enjoy each enunciated syllable. Come to appreciate the ability to feel words as they come out. Perhaps as we slow down long enough to feel our words, we will also find time to appreciate other things in our lives as well.
It was February and we were skating. Those pesky little flying insects were the furthest thing from my mind when she shared this thought with me. Although it has been years, I cannot help but watch those little creatures each summer and recall those words.
For most of us, mosquitoes are a nuisance or even a conveyor of disease. For this little one, the mere utterance of the word itself was to be reveled.
How often do we take the time to feel how words come out of our mouths? Can you feel the hum of the “m” or the smile as you pronounce the “e” or how about the pursing of your lips to speak the “o”? Do you consider your cadence when you speak? Do some words themselves bring pleasure just to speak them?
We are often so busy communicating our message rarely do we take the time to consider the words that we are using. How do our words feel for us? How do they feel for the listener?
This little angelic child offered a huge lesson for all of us that day.
Take a little time to really consider your words next time you speak them. Enjoy each enunciated syllable. Come to appreciate the ability to feel words as they come out. Perhaps as we slow down long enough to feel our words, we will also find time to appreciate other things in our lives as well.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Over a Rainbow
"But I'm not done yet!"
After a minute long pause to admire a full arched rainbow, I was greeted with that response as I tried to re-engage the girls in soccer practice.
Our soccer practices are fun with a purpose. We rarely do drills. Instead we use skill developing games. Most games and races are played with a soccer ball but we throw in the occasional kick-line or leap frog race just to keep it interesting. Laughter dominates our practices. At times we get more players at practices than at games because we have so much fun.
This day was a rainy one, typical of our Northern Ontario weather this year. Drizzle would fizzle, the sun would peek out only to be hidden by the next cloud that would break open with a torrent of rain moments later.
The 12 and 13 year old soccer playing girls were soaked and cold. But when the sun illuminated the Eastern sky and a full rainbow reach across the horizon, we felt obliged to call our game of "Maze" to a halt to admire the beauty.
It was wonderful to hear the exuberant compliments for this celestial artwork. Young voices exclaimed praise and appreciation for this dance of light on damp skies. The group's expressed desire to slow down for one minute more to marvel over nature's display filled me with gratitude for the gifts these ladies bring to my day.
I know I am privileged to spend time with these very special young women, but on this day, as I learned more about their appreciation for God's handiwork, I was filled with a greater love for all of creation.
After a minute long pause to admire a full arched rainbow, I was greeted with that response as I tried to re-engage the girls in soccer practice.
Our soccer practices are fun with a purpose. We rarely do drills. Instead we use skill developing games. Most games and races are played with a soccer ball but we throw in the occasional kick-line or leap frog race just to keep it interesting. Laughter dominates our practices. At times we get more players at practices than at games because we have so much fun.
This day was a rainy one, typical of our Northern Ontario weather this year. Drizzle would fizzle, the sun would peek out only to be hidden by the next cloud that would break open with a torrent of rain moments later.
The 12 and 13 year old soccer playing girls were soaked and cold. But when the sun illuminated the Eastern sky and a full rainbow reach across the horizon, we felt obliged to call our game of "Maze" to a halt to admire the beauty.
It was wonderful to hear the exuberant compliments for this celestial artwork. Young voices exclaimed praise and appreciation for this dance of light on damp skies. The group's expressed desire to slow down for one minute more to marvel over nature's display filled me with gratitude for the gifts these ladies bring to my day.
I know I am privileged to spend time with these very special young women, but on this day, as I learned more about their appreciation for God's handiwork, I was filled with a greater love for all of creation.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
A Good Laugh
"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people"
Victor Borge
It is said that children laugh hundreds of times each day. However as these children mature into adulthood that laughter quotient lowers to about 25 times each day.
We have all been there: an elevator, a bus stop, an office or even place of worship; a space shared with many others, some familiar, some not quite, but all wearing the same blank stare. In a space shared by children giggles and even belly laughter can erupt in mere minutes, but with adults giggles may not happen at all.
Science has proven that a few minutes of laughter will relax the body, enhance the immune system, lower blood pressure and even improve the functioning of the heart. Our brains are wired to interact with others. With shared laughter 'feel good' chemicals flood the spaces between brain cells. Laughter has very positive physical consequences.
In our own lives we we can relate personal experiences in which laughter has brought us closer to another person. A good chuckle can reveal more about another person than hours of conversation. It is that building of relationships that is the essence of our journey.
Laughter is one of our greatest blessings. Take some time to reach out, close that distance between you and one other person today: share a joke, make face, or tell a humourous story. Sharing the blessing of humour.
Victor Borge
It is said that children laugh hundreds of times each day. However as these children mature into adulthood that laughter quotient lowers to about 25 times each day.
We have all been there: an elevator, a bus stop, an office or even place of worship; a space shared with many others, some familiar, some not quite, but all wearing the same blank stare. In a space shared by children giggles and even belly laughter can erupt in mere minutes, but with adults giggles may not happen at all.
Science has proven that a few minutes of laughter will relax the body, enhance the immune system, lower blood pressure and even improve the functioning of the heart. Our brains are wired to interact with others. With shared laughter 'feel good' chemicals flood the spaces between brain cells. Laughter has very positive physical consequences.
In our own lives we we can relate personal experiences in which laughter has brought us closer to another person. A good chuckle can reveal more about another person than hours of conversation. It is that building of relationships that is the essence of our journey.
Laughter is one of our greatest blessings. Take some time to reach out, close that distance between you and one other person today: share a joke, make face, or tell a humourous story. Sharing the blessing of humour.
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