Watch the Walk

Students performing I'm not very good at talking with crazy people. I tend to stand there, nod my head as if I get what they're saying, and then say things like "why don't you go eat your food at home?" (this particular person was eating fish out of a mug and standing close enough to spit bits of fish at me as she babbled) In America we're mostly sheltered from those who have mental illness or are demon possessed. I totally get why Paul got annoyed at the demon possessed girl who was following him around and cast the spirit out. It's not convenient. Then again, sometimes I seem like the crazy person. I think that signs should mean what they say. I tell people that they can know for sure where they're going after death. I like to be on time and get fidgety when things make me late. I believe that prayer changes things. Maybe I'm a little crazy too. But I'm crazy in the best way possible. I believe in the power of Him who breaks the chains of add...

A ladies' music group. "If you carry two bags, that's jealousy ." "Put your purchases in a black bag so no one can see it. You don't want jealousy ." "When you travel, don't forget to bring back gifts for your friends. Otherwise there will be jealousy . Next time you travel, it won't go well." "Don't wear your island wrap inside out, people will think you're jealous ." "Cover the top of your market bag, otherwise your neighbors will have jealousy ." Why do islanders strive so much to avoid jealousy? I've decided that it's another incarnation of the Evil Eye. According to Wikipedia "The evil eye is a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware." Here on my island people fear what they call " jealousy ", not because envy is sin, but because they fear an accidental curse. Just because someone loves you doesn't mean they might ...

Let me ask you a question: how often do you check your email? In technology-saturated America-and-beyond, I'm guessing the answer would be "several times a day." Well, this story features an American (me) and a Tanzanian (undisclosed). One of them certainly does not check their email several times a day. Shall I begin? It all started with a plane ticket. In order to exit this island of mine I must deal with airports, security, capricious restrictions, unpredictable schedules, and language barriers... but all of that is precipitated by a plane ticket. Would you buy a plane ticket from a company that only accepts cash and wire transfers? Well, I did. I made the reservation online, set up the wire transfer with my bank, and waited confidently for the confirmation and official ticket. It never came. How long would you wait after sending money before worrying about not receiving a plane ticket? I was on vacation, so, after calling the company shortly after sending the transfer...

Not dressed for island life... As I bought some meat and veggies at a shop today I had a pretty normal conversation with the lady at the register-- Her-- "Whats your name?" Me-- "Abby, and you?" Her-- "Fatima. Have you given birth?" Me-- "No, not yet." Her-- "God will give you children." Me-- "God-willing." Her-- "So, you live here?" Me-- "Yes, I'm an English teacher. I live in M-town." Her-- "Oh, so-and-so wants to learn English." Me-- "Great! Here's the administrator's number." Yes, I'm back on Clove Island. And yes, this feels normal. I may need some help when I get back to America.

The weekend before I left "other Africa" I took a trip. You've already seen a few pictures from that trip, but now I want to share with you a thought that solidified as I was exploring. Fear is a powerful thing. It's powerful, not in the sense of being strong, but in the sense of making you weak. I saw the outworking of that during my weekend away. We went to a place that used to have a ton of tourists, but fear has pushed them away. Entire grandiose hotels sit empty because of fear. We prefer to think that we can guarantee our arrival at our vacation destination. Minimizing risks, maximizing profits, vacation-wise, at least. Now, I'm not saying that people should be stupid. It takes a special type of thinking to knowingly risk death on vacation. But when it's not vacation, it's for other reasons, can we trust the Father to make us brave? Bravery is choosing to be strong even when fear tries to make you weak. And just as the Christmas story repeats over an...

This last weekend I took a trip with a couple of friends to another part of my "other Africa" experience. We took a van, a ferry, a bus, a car, and walked a lot too. A lot. Makes up for all the delicious food we ate, I guess. It was a really neat weekend, although short hours of sleep and lots of untangling Arabic made for a very tired Abby by the end of it. Here are some picture with quick explanations: Taking the ferry across. The pickup below is piled high with sacks of olives. Henna in the henna market. There were tons of piles of henna just like this. It changes color when you get it wet, but dry it is this light green color. Other spices for sale in the henna market: tumeric, ginger, 4 spice, pepper, and more! Boat building. I found this process fascinating! Local food-- it's egg and parsley deep-fried in a paper-thin wrapper. Couscous, a local favorite (and absolutely delicious! They cook it by steam, with a rich broth below. Then serve by pouring the broth over th...

Learning a new rhythm Draw up a chair, grab your favorite coffee, or tea, or beverage of choice: it's story time. Once upon a time there was a girl named Abby. Now, this girl liked to do a lot of things, but she especially liked to go on adventures. And one cold January she went on an adventure to another part of the continent she'd been living on for a couple of years. It was a new part of the continent, but similar in a lot of ways to where she had been living. She discovered good coffee. And we all know how important quality coffee is. She discovered fun music. And we all know how much she enjoys new musical pursuits. She discovered a new language. It was new to her, at least. Making mint tea over a charcoal fire She discovered new friends. And we all love to have new friends whose hearts burn for the same things. She discovered new food. And food is important for life and relationships. And most of all, she discovered that she really likes where she lives most of the time, ...