It’s a beautiful Sunday here in Mombasa…which I’ve now
realized I am just in awe with this place…so naturally it is going to be a
beautiful day any day, in my opinion. Yesterday it rained and rained…all day, and
yes, it was a beautiful rain indeed ;) I woke up this morning, made some tea,
and read the newspaper. I need to do laundry…and no I don’t mean throw a load
in the washer. I need to go round up the laundry buckets, fill them with water,
and wash my clothes….piece by piece. I’m convincing myself that I should just
wait until tomorrow evening because it is slightly overcast here…and with my
luck I’ll hang that last piece up and poof…down pour. Or it could quite
possibly be me searching for an excuse so I don’t have to do it…I mean Sunday
is supposed to be the “Day of Rest” here…right? Haj
It is weird…we were at the super market the other day and I
was looking through the book selection searching for a new one (because the two
I picked up at Barnes and Noble before leaving are DEPRESSING (I couldn’t get
past page 150 on either of them)…and who wants to read a depressing book while
in one of the most beautiful places in the world?...not me! So, while at the
supermarket I saw that there is a sequel to the book “Eay, Pray, Love.” And I
was SO mad at myself because I HATE watching the movie before reading the book…and
what do ya know, I watched the movie before reading that book…and I really want
to read the second book…So I told myself if I wanted to thoroughly enjoy the
second book…I must read the first one. So I bought both books. (So back to the
weird part…) Here I am in Africa…reading a book about a woman who was depressed
and lonely so she decided to pack up and travel to three different countries
for a year, (How nice would that be if we could all use her form of therapy…?)
Italy, Indonesia, and India. I’ve only finished the first section, Italy, and
can hardly put it down. The main character, Liz, tells the story of meeting
people and truly engulfing herself in the Italian culture, through learning the
language, learning how to live like the Italians, and meeting all kinds of new,
lifelong friends. This story is really motivational and is encouraging the way
I spend every day over here in Mombasa. I love to travel and have been very
fortunate to have been to 3 different continents before my 23rd
birthday (can you say blessed?). Anyways all of this has gotten me to thinking
and I don’t like to admit to agreeing with my dad very often (HAHA) and at
times I will argue with him until I’m blue in the face, or just pretend I agree
and end the conversation… but he once told me “The more people you meet, the
more places you’ll get”…Helloooo… I have an ENTIRE other family over here in
Africa, and yes I’ve been here one week and include each and every one of them
to be part of my family. How lucky am I?!? Everyday just gets better and better
than the one before…I mean come on…something seriously bad has to happen to me
soon…because I am just not this lucky of a person (I think the “bad luck” gene
is genetic…most of you know my father). So anyways I’m over here in Africa…reading
a book about a woman’s journey through three other countries…it’s like I’m
traveling the world!
I’m sorry I don’t have anything exciting to share on this
day…I wish I could just stuff each of you in an envelope and mail you over here
so you could see it for yourself. Then I think you would understand my
inability to put sights into words…I’ve never been much of a good story teller
or writer.
I’ll share the only thing I’ve really done that has been any
sort of productive today. With the money and donations received, most of you
know I brought a suitcase full of items over here just to give away. I gave
most of the things to the orphans school…but I also kept some items to hand out
to random children or parents I meet. For example, I sent some flip flops,
coloring books, toys, and colors home with my house mother for her babies, Liam
and Leon. And this morning when I woke up there was a women and a little girl…I’m
guessing around the age of 10 or 11 (reminded me of my little cousin, Steph).
The woman and the daughter have been cleaning other houses all day in order to
get ready for the 20 students that are coming here in June. While making a cup
of tea I looked out the window and saw the little girl sweeping and scrubbing
the stairs. So I went to my suitcase of goodies and got her a book, pack of
crayons, flip-flops, and 3 dum dum suckers. I took them over there and the
smile on her face just melted my heart. Who would of thought 5 dollars worth of
items from dollar general would make a girls day...probably week honestly. So…your
guys support is being spread over here to the people of Kenya and I am so so
thankful for each and every one of you. Whether it be a donation of money, a
couple of prayers for safe travels, or just reading this blog in general to
keep up with my journey…it’s all an act of caring. It makes me think of all the
times I am guilty of getting upset over not having an “cute outfit” to wear out…or
having to go to work for the night, where I receive plenty of money, or driving
by the homeless man that stands on the off ramp of Interstate 74 and not even
thinking about giving him just something…that I clearly can handle losing. So
take my stories with you and just think about their fight to live this life
next time you see someone in suffering or a little less off than you. You can
handle losing 5 dollars to buy them a meal or something that will bring
happiness to them for a day.
Plato once said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting
a hard battle.”
Happy Mothers day to my beautiful, courageous, inspiring
mother!!! And to all the other beautiful women in my life. You all deserve a
fabulous day and I hope your families are good to you. Cale and Shannon give
mom a big hug for me…and Cale…behave ;)
I guess that pile of laundry isn’t going to do itself!
XOXO,
Abigail.
\
Happy Mothers day!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment