Oh how time is flying by...
I have a roommate in South Africa with fellow Western Washington University students and professors teaching valuable skills to those who are less fortunate
AND
My brother in Niger, Africa; building (and/or designing) a hospital (and or additional phase) for the people of Niger....can you tell I am lacking information.
In my last post I was in awe at the surrounding people in my life, well that wasn't even counting my family nor was it counting those of my family and friends that are traveling around the world offering themselves to those who are in need of their talents...or just in need for more sets of hands!!!!
SOOO....
Here is my news, I thought if I couldn't beat em, join em right? Well I might be having my own opportunity to travel to Africa! And though this is not something that is set in stone, I know if I am accepted or rejected, just the seed of travel the application has planted will grow into tree of other amazing opportunities.
I have no doubt that everything in my life happens for a reason....no matter good or bad at the time, I have watched myself struggle and succeed, and in the end prevail, and in looking in the mirror after the ordeal is over, I love who I am more then I did when I started. Everything has been given to me for a reason, whether opportunity or obstacle, I am who I am because of those experiences and the people the accompany them; and because of them I am stronger, happier, more courageous, and full of unique wisdom. I always come out the other side determined and knowing that no matter the task, I will complete it.....and my energy once again flows freely.
This trip to Kenya would fulfill my required sociology credits and would keep my graduation date where it would have been anyway, right after summer quarter.
I am someone who didn't want to do a typical tour of a foreign land, but instead get dirty, work with my hands, and help people who need it....and then here was this trip. I would be visiting cities without electricity and running water, I would be a living as an active part of the tribe (which is such a rare experience that's normally fostered by relationships that take years and years to build within the community)....
...But here is the best part: I wouldn't be coming in to share with them talents of my western culture like reading, writing, technological advances, or sources of environment sustainability.... I am learning from THEM....THEY are teaching ME. I am the one there to learn how they live, survive, entertain, and love. I will be the one learning to live the simple life.....where food is for fuel not taste, and water a privilege not a right.
Kenya could be the door to open the experience I have forever been searching for, something that will push me a bit out of my comfort zone (seeing that task is quite difficult since my comfort zone is so abnormally large) and give me education that is so valuable and as a whole, give me an experience that is literally priceless.
If I go, these people will be my summer professors as I will continue to play the role of the student. I will be the extra set of hands they need to feed the extra mouth; and the extra labor to continually replenish the extra body....
SOOOOO, this is what I will hope to be announcing by mid-February, that I will be joining my brother and roommate's tracks into Africa. But if it doesn't happen, it's not meant to be, and the excitement that there is something better out there- when this seems perfect- excites me to the core.
Oh life is good. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I go through this period of change....<3
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