Watch the Walk

Drinking from the tap is fun! “You must have really loved it to be going back!” I’ve heard that idea expressed countless times, yet I continue to take issue with it. Yes, there’s a part of life in Africa that gets me and pulls me back. But if it had to do with loving a particular place, I certainly wouldn’t stay on Clove Island. It’s not a very easy place to live. I dread the nosy questions of strangers, the weird smells, the inconveniences, frustrations, and being at the mercy of somewhat capricious authorities and seemingly capricious circumstances. I love the people, but not always because they're being lovely. “What a wonderful calling!” I’ve never felt like my calling was location-specific. I’m called to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow.” But aren’t we all called to that? I’m called to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. But aren’t we all called to that? As a young, single person I’m uniquely capable of being mo...

One ocean to another-- Africa's far away! Long-distance friendships aren't always easy. When you're getting off work and want to connect, it may be 4 in the morning where your friend resides. Or you're good at making phone calls, but those are expensive, so you have to write emails. And writing isn't your favorite thing in the world. But you care about the friendship, so you try. Well, today I'm going to share some ways that help in staying connected even when sitting down for coffee together isn't possible. Figure out what works, and do it regularly.  Phone? Skype? Instant messaging? Handwritten notes? Don't diss it until you've tried it all. I've found that different friends are better at different types of communication, but if you care about staying connected, you need to find something that works. Listen to understand. Even if you can't relate to the scenarios, listen to what's going on and learn your friend's environment. It pa...

In case you haven't noticed, today's Election Day in America. You knew that? Okay, good. Just checking. But let's do a little compare and contrast between elections here and elections on Clove Island. Timeframe: Clove Island -- Candidates aren't allowed to start campaigning until a certain date, normally about a month before the ballots are cast. You know when the campaign has started by the deafening noise around town. You know when the campaign has ended (a day before the vote) by the deafening silence and the fact that you can hear other things again. Timeframe: America -- you think the election's over? Just kidding, let's start the next one! The sounds: Clove Island -- music in the streets. Candidates pay songwriters to put new words to old music and support their party. These songs are then blasted from loudspeakers. And where are the loudspeakers? EVERYWHERE. Empty storefronts become campaign headquarters and blast their music any time the power is on. Lou...