Reflections From My Travels
“Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified
for the Lord your God goes with you and
will never leave or forsake you.”
--Moses to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 31: 6)
“We must learn to let go as easily as we grasp
or we will find our hands full and our minds empty.
Though every hello is the beginning of a goodbye, do not lose heart;
for every goodbye may also be the beginning of another hello.”
Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 63
On the second full day in Rwanda we visited Village of Hope, a part of the Rwanda Women's Network to promote and improve the socio-economic welfare of Rwandan women. They have a simple store where we had opportunity to purchase goods they had made. I found a tablecloth with matching place mats, coasters, an oven mit, apron and clothing. I decided to purchase it for a minimal price. When one of the women saw my decision she came to me with tears in her eyes and, through a translator, let me know that she was going to make more money that day than she had in two months. Cost: $22.
I don't think I'll ever forget that “hello-goodbye-hello” moment. Today as caregivers we will again discover the “hello-goodbye-hello” saga. Enjoy gaining all you can from every encounter with another person of God’s creation.
A prayer: God, keep me receptive. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.15.08
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment