Love Me On the Outside

1 Peter 2:5

"you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

If I was part of a house I would like to be part of a warm cabin in a cold landscape, made out of stones or logs. It would have one floor only and it's windows would be dressed with curtains hung up by careful hands. Inside there would be a fire and a cozy sofa in which people are slumped comfortably. There would be a wooden table, there would linger the smell of home made bread, there would be wine, candles and music. The floors would be covered with soft carpets and there would be room for everyone who wanted to escape the bitter cold winter weather. 

On the outer wall would be fixed a front door light to light up the path and help people find the entrance. A light to let people know they are welcome and expected. 

If I was part of a house, I would like to be that lamp. It would pain me not to be able to participate in all the wonderful things taking place inside, but if I moved inside I would keep looking out the window wondering who walked past not knowing they were welcome. They must know they are welcome.

All Love

My Favourite Attribute in a Man

Attraction is a fascinating phenomenon; highly subjective and uniquely wired for each person it affects each of us whether we are aware of it or not. For us women it can be found in the mud covered face of a rugby player, the soulful voice of a vocalist, the rough hands of a carpenter or the warm smile of a mailman. Personally, I always loved a man that could make me laugh, and I find a unique set of teeth incredibly charming. There are many things that play our strings of attraction, but lately I found this: Few things are as attractive as a man that works hard, that without complaining sets about to perform duties small or big, hidden or visible; that cheerfully volunteers to assist when help is needed and inspire others to do the same. This man does not consider himself to be above others, he respects each position and acknowledges the work done by the smallest member of the team. 

If this man knows to walk in humility, knows to put others in the centre rather than self, then he has the potential of becoming a great leader. And if he fears God, there are no limits to what he can become. I will always admire this man.

All Love

One Hell of a Moto Ride

Imagine you're on playstation or your x-box playing a thrilling motorcycle game. You're going fast, so fast you can barely control the bike. When you catch up with other vehicles (which of course you do constantly) you go around them, either on the curb side or by heading into the lane of oncoming traffic. You hear a constant sound of beeping horns as you swish past the other vehicles, and people are shouting as they hurry to back off not to get in your way. You're facing the staring headlights of oncoming traffic so often it soon appears normal. You don't have time to stop or slow down; if you are forced you will leave the main road and head into the community, through shops and through people's yards, finding an alternative route in order to reach your final destination. If the road is about to become blocked you speed up rather than slow down. You have too many near-misses to count. You get chased by the police and go even faster; it's thrilling and exciting.

It's even more thrilling when you experience it live from the back of a mototaxi in Africa, no protection and completely in the hands of the driver. It could be described as a 1, 5 hour long cat and mouse game with death, or one of those nightmares you cannot wake up from. Many times I was afraid my knees would get knocked off, speeding through a chaotic midline at 70 km/hr. At times I could feel tears from the driver being blown into my own face as we reached a bit of clear road and hit the accelerator so bad we could hardly feel the speed bumps as we flew over them. I think I said a prayer for every blind corner and prayed that God would keep us alive all the way to the port as we were speeding up through the city in order to get away from the police who didn't appreciate our close-to-death-entrance into a roundabout. I still wonder if our drivers were trying to help us commit suicide, because it sure felt like it. I can assure you we felt very alive as our feet finally touched solid ground, adrenaline rushing and our faces covered in dirt and dust. Oh, and did I mention we were two passengers on each bike?

In all this, I have to say there was definitely some pleasure in this; I do love speed, I know I tend to go a little bit too fast most of the time myself, just not in such a suicidal manner. Despite the pleasure, I feel like it will probably be a good while until I'm ready to take a mototaxi heading into the city again....

All Love

Graduation Day

The road to Kindia

Wednesday morning me, Kevin and Koffi set out at 5am in order to reach the farm in Kindia on time. It was the day of graduation for the farmers, and I had been asked to attend. It was a pleasant journey through a stunning landscape, clothed in morning mist and awakened by a beautiful sunrise. We were driving past children going to school and women walking to the markets carrying heavy loads on their heads. The only disturbance was the massive pot holes in the road, and my reactions to them greatly amused my Togolese travel buddies.

We arrived at 9am, were given a good breakfast and warm greetings. It was so nice to see the owner of the farm and the boys again, and the joy was mutual.

There were speeches held and certificates handed out, we toured the farm and had a delicious lunch to the sound of drumming. In the afternoon the time had come for most of the boys to return to the farms where they were originally employed, and there were many hugs and tears as friends were saying goodbye and a time of close fellowship had come to an end. It was an honour to be there and take part of such a big day; the end of a season of learning and fellowship and the beginning of a new season where everything they have learned will be put into practice and tested. They made me promise I would come and visit them again at their new locations, a promise that was not hard to make as it would be my pleasure to do so. We said our goodbyes, exchanged numbers and then me, Kevin and Koffi started the long journey back to the ship.

Picture from my first visit at the farm

Graduation Day

All Love

The Common Cold

Today I am not very attractive. Maybe it's the red nose, swollen face or the sea of tissues that I'm bathing in; the common cold can be brutal when it hits you. It wasn't that long since I recovered from the previous one, I even know the word for "cold" in the local language, which is sad in itself. I had to cancel all my plans for the day and spent pretty much the whole day in bed watching House.

I said many months ago I would become better at resting, setting off one day a week to rest and focus inward instead of outward; I have to confess it wasn't very successful. So when I refuse to rest it seems like my body's forcing me to rest, like today. And I feel God is siding with my body, which makes me a little bit grumpy.

Conversation of the day:
God "How was your day of rest?"
Me "I don't like being sick"
God "If you get better will you still make tomorrow a day of rest?"
Me "Eh I, I have stuff to do and I planned to..."
God "You might want to cancel your plans and buy another box of tissues"

He always wins

All Love

Shirtless But Not Heartless

This weekend I visited the island Fotoba with some local friends of mine. There I met Alseny, a 10 year old whom when he got to choose said he wanted to be my husband rather than my son. He is now owner of my favourite shirt, the one I used to wear all the time. I put it on him after our swim as he was shivering, and he later asked me with sad puppy eyes if he would have to return it before I left. Of course he could keep it, if someone loves that shirt more than I do I bet it's him!

Here's a little video from our post swim dance party on the beach...

All Love

Kindia Video

Last week I left Conakry to visit the farm where our agricultural program is located, about four hours drive from the ship. It was a great time and I really enjoyed being off the ship and surrounded by nature rather than metal. 

 Music by the American/Guinean duo Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate, from their album Faya.

All Love