Watch the Walk

Quite the waterfall, eh? The month of fasting has begun here, and every time I go anywhere I face the same question: ARE YOU FASTING? I'm sure it's an area of curiosity for everyone because they're not used to having someone different around to talk with. Everyone, and I mean everyone here, fasts. The other day I started to dread going home because I knew I'd run into a host of people who would all ask me that question. And if I was lucky my answer would spark a continued discussion. Which is a beautiful opportunity, yet sometimes feels more like an inconvenience, especially if you're exhausted and have had that conversation a dozen times already that day. I feel the pressure. Everyone wants me to fast and they don't mind guilt tripping me into doing it. (Oh "You're not able to fast?" "Just do one day!" "You're not strong enough?" "Even the children fast a little.") And I am fasting a few days-- when I'm breaki...

I'm pretty sure that everyone longs for something. People here long for wealth. They long for education. They long to be free from fear. They long for lasting change. Women ma king flower/greenery nec klaces I long for my friends and neighbors here to know the One who has changed my life. I long for them to be changed too. I long for opportunities to share truth with them. And sometimes opportunities create themselves. We're quic kly approaching the month of fasting here on the islands. Everyone's tal king about it. During that month people try to dress more carefully and portray themselves more carefully. One of my language helpers told me that everyone stops listening to pop music and only listens to re1igious music. This is all a reflection of culture and tradition... but it's also a reflection of longing. By fasting and observing the special month very carefully they believe they'll get closer to their goal of escaping "the place of fire" (as it's ...