Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Oz versus Africa...you pick
Today has been a stressful day...I worked 6 hours on quotes for home and car insurance, info on refinancing my house, and trying to resolve my medical insurance dilemma that has hung over my head since March 2010. After 4 weeks of 2 calls per week, I received that lucky call today. I found the people i used to think were peers were/are really not that at all...they are disrespectful, blaming, rude and mean...they pretend to be powerful and almighty like the great and mighty Oz...leading me from one task to another, phone numbers, people, meetings...none of which helped me. It was like the promise that Oz gave to Dorothy and her posse...just bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. I followed through and when I anxiously "presented the Wizard the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West" there was yet another assignment...one they said they had told me...and I had forgotten? Soon my conversations to these "helpful" people will be recorded for Quality Assurance purposes...I was sad.
Then, I heard the beep of my computer which means I received an email blog from my son in Niger, Africa...a portion of it read...
I walked through Galmi Hospital today, a day of traffic, a day where hundreds of people covered the ground, trying to get in, waiting to be examined. Everyone there was hurt, a hurt within themselves or hurt from seeing their loved one hurting. And no one leaves another’s side. Family is next to the bed, tending to feeding, clothing, washing old clothes. I sometimes think their culture is more advanced than my own…
I saw two women preach in a maternity ward. Though they were singing in Hosea, if I wasn’t converted before, those women might have done it for me. They brought in their wooden pulpit, set it on one end of the room and began singing. The room was quiet with new mothers and newborns everywhere. My eyes watered. Because those two women cared about each individual woman personally and cared personally for each of their souls.
THEN another beep...a blog from my daughter...a portion of it read...
A trip to Kenya which would fulfill my required sociology credits and would keep my graduation date where it would have been anyway, right after summer quarter.
I am someone who didn't want to do a typical tour of a foreign land, but instead get dirty, work with my hands, and help people who need it....and then here was this trip. I would be visiting cities without electricity and running water, I would be a living as an active part of the tribe (which is such a rare experience that's normally fostered by relationships that take years and years to build within the community)....
...But here is the best part: I wouldn't be coming in to share with them talents of my western culture like reading, writing, technological advances, or sources of environment sustainability.... I am learning from THEM....THEY are teaching ME. I am the one there to learn how they live, survive, entertain, and love. I will be the one learning to live the simple life.....where food is for fuel not taste, and water a privilege not a right.
And so...I am humbled...if only through blogs...I will not be brought down to the level that the Great and Mighty Oz people want to bring me...they will not bring me to the point of giving up. My new friend Sonnie sent me the video link above (just click on the title of this blog and it will take you there.) It, my son, and soon daughter reminded me...these people are happy, caring, nurturing, blessed with their family and friends...they do not connive or manipulate...they are grateful. I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME
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