Something Beautiful.

For those of you who don't know, a friend of mine came from the States and spent a couple of weeks in Kenya with me. She has such a huge heart for Kenya and inspires me so much to get the most out of every adventure. One night we had made dinner plans, but they fell through and we were left with empty stomachs and forlorn faces until we remembered that we could compensate by buying chapatis and mangoes at a nearby cafe. We took the deliciously fresh mangoes and ridiculously too-good-to-be-true chapatis to the kitchen roof where we took a deep breath and let it sink it to our very souls that we were in Kenya and that life at the moment was truly beautiful. We ate and were merry and laughed and talked about the most random things imaginable until we realized that nobody knew where we were and that we should perhaps go back. 

Another night while she was here, we decided to do our laundry. Instead of doing it in the middle of the day which is when I've done it in the past, it was about 8pm and completely dark. We took our laundry buckets filled with soapy water and our bags of clothes outside to a few benches and began to wash our clothes. Again, it was such a simple moment, but a really beautiful one. There is a different feeling in Africa than America...doing laundry by hand outside in America at 8 at night wouldn't produce the same happiness or fulfillment. So, what's different?

If you stop and listen, there is undoubtedly the dull hum of cars flying by on the freeway. Maybe there are police sirens and the noises that we have labeled as every day sounds. In Africa, though, there's none of that. The sounds we heard when we were ravenously devouring chapati or clumsily washing our clothes were of people. Just people living their lives. Babies crying, mamas talking, and so many kids playing and laughing. When is the last time you heard a group of neighborhood children talking and laughing and playing outside together? When is the last time you have gotten together with your neighborhood friends and learned about what's new in their lives? In Africa, everyone's life is intertwined with each other. And sitting outside, breathing in the sweet African air, you only hear lives being lived. 

That's something I'll miss coming home. The community and the fellowship, unhurried by fast cars and loud cities. It's a slow life, yes, but it's richer than many lives around the world simply because it values time and community more than anything. 

xoxo 
Love, Christie