Watch the Walk

On Clove Island, life is lived in the conditional. Even with seemingly definite plans. If I tell a friend, "I'll see you tomorrow!" They always reply "If God wills." "My birthday is tomorrow!" "If God wills." "You'll have a great trip." "If God wills." "I'll see you at 3." "If God wills." It's also used for more serious things. "God will give you children." "If God wills."  Anything said that references the future is typically tagged with an " if God wills " at the end. I can even guarantee it when giving a speech. "And I hope to see you all in level 2 next month."  "If God wills," responds the entire crowd. When I think of the future, I tend to insert that phrase into my thinking. But sometimes it just becomes a phrase and I forget what it really means. Do I really hold all of my hopes, dreams, and even the definite plans with an open palm,...

It's funny, life in America is really different from life in Africa, but I get joy out of the same sort of things. It's often not the big things that give me the most joy, it's the little stuff: Flowers on the side of the road. A successful cooking experiment. Music. Heart to hearts with friends. Learning something new. A long walk and a chat with my Maker. Quality coffee. Quiet and stillness after a long day.  Family. What gives you joy?

Boxing parties This month back on the island my friends have been partying like crazy. It's the month of picnics, boxing matches, theater productions, concerts, and more. But why? Because this next Sunday or Monday the month of fasting begins and they believe that the eye of Gd will be watching during daylight hours. They won't be able to eat or drink, smoke or do other pleasurable things from sunrise to sunset for the full life of the moon. So right now they have to "eat, drink and be merry", for tomorrow the fasting begins. I have fond memories of the pre-fasting month. Last year I went to a whole series of parties and community events. I even ended up going to multiple picnics in a day because people were running out of time for their merriment. There were SO MANY chicken wings! Food prep at a picnic But why am I talking about this anyway? Because this coming month is very spiritually significant. It's a time when islanders focus on following their religion mor...

My almost-warm toes Some days I forget about socks. No, I don't mean that I forget to wear socks, although that's the result of me forgetting about socks. I just forget that the uncomfortable feeling in my feet is them turning to blocks of ice. And I forget that socks exist for the purpose of warming said blocks of ice. I forget about the existence of wearing socks as an everyday sort of thing (unless for some strange reason I'm putting on tennis shoes). Yet I'm willing to bet that a lot of you also forget about socks. You forget their existence, even though you're wearing them day-in and day-out. Because socks are normal. They're not normal for me. But that's okay, because there are a lot of things that are normal for me which I haven't yet experienced in everyday America. Like hopping in a taxi with a bunch of random strangers. Or being stared at because of my skin color. Or having people start conversations with me just to practice their English. Or r...

Saying goodbyes at the airport As most of you have figured out by now, I'm home in the US for a few months. I haven't been in North America since 2013. Do you remember 2013? That was the year of "What does the Fox say?" So it's been awhile. And although America hasn't changed a whole lot, it still feels different to be experiencing it again. Let me just list a few of the "normal" things which seem strange to me: -- Vehicles consistently have the driver on the left side: there's no guessing game of "which side is the driver on in this car?" Nope. Just hop in and go. -- Fridges are huge: and you can open them and stare at the contents, knowing that the consistent power supply will bring them down to temperature quickly. -- Evergreen trees: yes, I live in the Evergreen State, and there's a surprising lack of palm trees and banana plants here. -- English everywhere: I keep swiveling to stare at people when I hear them speaking English....

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 ...