Still cold in the AM. Marnelle lent me her ratty gloves and they really helped. In case you haven't noticed, I've been faithfully representing Matt's favorite team - Go RAIDERS! Unfortunately, no one here cares about American football.
We are very close to having the color completed. Black outlines and fill will finish it off maybe tomorrow or Friday, at the latest. A photographer from the Paarl Post newspaper came today... it sounds like we may make next week's edition. I'm flattered they find this newsworthy!
Tonight was particularly special. Ursula invited us to her home to have dinner with her family. As a gesture of gratitude for all her help, I brought the food - KFC. Nothing says an American "thank you" like a bucket of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and Coca-cola. Ursula lives in this 3 room home (living room, kitchen & 1 bedroom) with her 2 aunts, 1 uncle and 2 cousins. Don't you love the color of her house?
In general, Americans tend to define poverty by amount of monetary wealth or lack thereof. But rarely do we get a first-hand experience with the type of truly modest living that is common throughout Africa. I have heard it said that even the poorest American is wildly rich when compared to most of the world. But being a part of this community for only a week has deeply challenged my definition of "rich." In Ursula's neighborhood, everyone knows everyone. I don't even know my own neighbor's names. The entire community is in the streets talking, shuffling cards, and watching kids play tag. American suburb sidewalks are empty - everyone holed up alone in their oversized homes, playing in their privacy-fenced yards. Here they don't own much, but they are richer in relationship.
Tonight was particularly special. Ursula invited us to her home to have dinner with her family. As a gesture of gratitude for all her help, I brought the food - KFC. Nothing says an American "thank you" like a bucket of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and Coca-cola. Ursula lives in this 3 room home (living room, kitchen & 1 bedroom) with her 2 aunts, 1 uncle and 2 cousins. Don't you love the color of her house?
In general, Americans tend to define poverty by amount of monetary wealth or lack thereof. But rarely do we get a first-hand experience with the type of truly modest living that is common throughout Africa. I have heard it said that even the poorest American is wildly rich when compared to most of the world. But being a part of this community for only a week has deeply challenged my definition of "rich." In Ursula's neighborhood, everyone knows everyone. I don't even know my own neighbor's names. The entire community is in the streets talking, shuffling cards, and watching kids play tag. American suburb sidewalks are empty - everyone holed up alone in their oversized homes, playing in their privacy-fenced yards. Here they don't own much, but they are richer in relationship.
After dinner, we pushed the tables aside and began dancing!
What a blessing to be welcomed into this home and to share my time with people who have known sorrow, but remain joyful because they can rely on one another.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have.
4 comments:
Love the verse...how germane.
If life is a collection of experiences, some for better, some for worse, most no affect at all; this trip is certainly one that you will carry with you the rest of your life!!
Amen to Opa's comment!!!!!!
This is my favorite post so far. Ry & I remind ourselves of this "message" all the time... Being rich is sooo much more (& better) than having a lot of money.
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