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Right now I am in Burnside, Kentucky with my family visiting my grandparents. A few years ago, I counted up the weeks and months I had spent here as a child and came to the conclusion that it had to be at least two or three years. But, the times have changed. The long lazy summers of boating, waterskiing, tubing, VBS, southern cooking, and family and friends has been reduced to a short week of somewhat frenzied visits, and one or two fun-filled lake days.
Because we are only here for a week this year, I put my computer and phone away. I’ve decided that this age of communication and technology is really incredible, but it’s dangerous! Yes, dangerous. And not because someone might post negative pictures of me or because someone could stalk my every move and murder me. Don’t get me wrong, I think the benefits of technology far out-weigh the negatives. The internet, social networking, cell phones and digital v/cameras connect people and information around the world. But, for over-users like me, it’s a distraction from life. My aunt Rosemary calls it “the sin of over-communication.” When I’m using my phone, I am too distracted to fully focus on the people around me! I might be in touch with more people at once through texts and facebook, but I’m never fully present.
Same thing goes for when I try to follow the news. This year, I started waking up early to give myself time to read through the New York Times and the Drudge Report. At first, I was so excited (and dare I say it, proud) to be up on all the current events around the world. I could spend all afternoon reading and not get anything productive done. I thought what I was doing was VERY productive. But, I could only read so many articles talking about the rising price of oil, the declining economy, political conflicts, natural disasters, diseases, and political speeches before things started sounding pretty repetitive. What’s the point of knowledge without action? Who cares if I know Mugabe or Kibaki’s most recent activities or the death toll from the Tsunami if I’m not acting on what I’m learning. I’ve decided that while the news is important, it takes a back-seat to my life and my dreams.
I love the idea of always being connected, but it’s too much. I have enjoyed spending time with my immediate and extended family and friends without my cell phone/computer/the news distracting me. When I get home, I am going to keep my cell phone on vibrate for emergencies, but I will only pick up/read and respond to texts when I am alone or it’s important. No more dinners or hanging-out conversations where I apologize while I look down to text someone back. I can imagine this might be really frustrating for someone trying to get in touch with me, but it’s just the way it’s going to be. If I don’t text back immediately, I’m not trying to be rude- I just am busy! You’ll have to leave a message and I will call you back when I have time- same thing goes for e-mail.
Anyway, I am SO sore from water-skiing and tubing down on the lake so today I visited the local bookstore. It’s nothing like Barnes & Noble, but there was still a good plethora of books to look at. I let myself wander over to the self-help section. You know, the area of the bookstore with titles like, “Ten Steps to a New You!” “Hottest Sex Positions” “Why Men Cheat” or “The Secret to Happiness.” I looked specifically for books about young women and men making a difference (with an eye out for anything on Africa). There were plenty of books about losing weight, thinking positively, and how to live a better life, but I certainly did not find what I was looking for. Where are the books about changing the world? Three of my favorite books ever are Mountains Beyond Mountains, Three Cups of Tea, and Infidel. But those three are all about older folks, and the other ones about teens are fictional (Angel of Mercy). Please recommend any books you can think of! Anyway, after looking around the bookstore for one such book, I am thinking I should write my own. Of course I’m not a writer, and I’ve never really taken any advanced writing classes- but I could try. Here’s what it could say on the back:
I am on a quest to save the world.
It’s an impossible quest.
But the journey is unlike anything else.
I am not alone.
There are many who have gone before me.
Many who are with me now.
And many will come after I die.
It’s a hell of a trip.
What are the goals?
There’s only one-
Love.
Does the quest sound hard?
It’s easier than you might think.
Join me?
Haha, does it sound like something you might want to read- or is it just totally corny? I want to share my experiences and the stories of those I’ve met. I don’t care so much how. I just want to bring attention to real people with real need and the importance of LOVE/God. It could be through writing, video, photography, or presentations. All four would be cool too. And I want to encourage other people to follow their dreams. Is there anything else more important?
My sister (age 10) just picked up a book- How to Win Friends and Influence People. She really does not need any help with either of those BUT she just looked at me and said, “Julia, did you know, people are most interested in themselves? Not other people. I don’t think you knew that. You always tell me to do the opposite. Well, the New York telephone company made a detailed study of telephone conversations to find out which word is the most frequently used. It is the personal pronoun- I, I, I. It was used 3,900 times in five hundred telephone conversations. Think about it, when you look at a picture, who is the first person you look for?” I looked at her and was like oh, hm… because I was busy writing. Then, I made her repeat the whole thing again. I told her that’s true, but that it’s possible, and more fulfilling to think about others first. Ohhhhh man…
I got off the plane to face my first obstacle- the visa people would not accept the money I had specifically set apart to pay for my visa. The rest of my money was hidden under my dress- not exactly easy access! Their reason? All my $50 bills were too old! They were from before 2004. Thankfully, after a few moments of searching through my stuff I managed to find $50 from the year 2004 I had hidden away. Whew. Moving on, I went to claim my luggage. There was only one bag. Right before we had left my one duffle bag had ended up weighing 58 pounds instead of 50, so I ran inside and got a smaller bag for some of the heavier stuff. In it, I put whatever was on top of my big duffel- books and two 72 oz. bags of chocolate chips. Guess which bag showed up? Not the one with my clothes, toiletries, video tapes, clean underwear and socks! At least I have my chocolate and books. It just adds to the adventure I guess. Six weeks in Africa with only the clothes on my back! Really, a dream! I had to travel 5 hours by car today to a remote part of the Great Rift Valley and there is no way I can go back (it would be about a $500 trip) to get it! So, I am hoping they will bring it to me for free whenever they locate it. Otherwise they’ll have to ship it back to the USA. At least for the next few days I will be roughing it!
As I walked out, kind of flustered, with my small little bag full of chocolate, I met Patrick. I hadn’t known what or who to look for but he was holding up my name and I was pretty relieved something was going right. We called the hospital, told them the deal, and then started our long, bumpy journey to Tenwek.
Along the way we were stopped by the police. Police with big riffles and machetes I might add. After Patrick talked it out with officers for twenty minutes, they started questioning me, but I didn’t understand them. I did understand that they were asking for money claiming that because we were missing lifesavers (triangle safety things) they would only let us go if we bribed them. With thoughts of theft, rape, and murder, I told them I didn’t have any (a TOTAL lie), but they kept asking. I explained my suitcase had been lost at the airport. Then, they climbed in the car with their guns. In my head I was like, “Oh, fuck.” So I offered them some of my M&M’s and they smiled and grudgingly got out of the car!! Lesson learned- chocolate and smiles go a long long way.
I arrived at Tenwek just in time for lunch. I met some fellow visiting staff, and was fed by a Kenyan family. It was a LOT of fun getting to talk to them. There’s another girl staying at the guesthouse with me – Petra, she’s from Germany, in her last year of med school, and here for the entire time I am.
After a long lunch, I got part of a tour, met some more people (there are over 500 people who work for Tenwek!!!), and was left to rest. Then I went to Lizah Kuyaya’s for dinner with her husband and niece, Maria. The food has been delicious, and I haven’t been asked to eat anything crazy (like in SA.. sheeps tongue or stomach or whatever it was!). I am in REALLY good hands!! Whenever I pass anyone they introduce themselves and are really friendly. Sadly, the White’s just left on a vacation for three weeks, so they are not here 
. I have yet to meet anyone my own age, but that’s okay!
Prayer Requests: 1) For my duffel bag, or I figure out a way to do without everything and still look presentable! 2) Health, I have a pesky cough that won’t go away. 3) Confidence and knowledgableness. I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I am really excited about meeting people, but the first question everyone asks is what I’m here to do if I’m not a doctor. Tomorrow I meet with Jonathon and will find out about my job as a visiting staff member of the Community Health & Development team.
I’ve met so many awesome people today- the place is incredible, but I am exhausted and have not slept in like three days.
I could use a fresh beginning too, all of my regrets are nothing new. So this is the way that I say I need you. This is the way, this is the way that I’m learning to breathe. I’m learning to crawl. I’m finding that You and You alone can break my fall. I’m living again, awake and alive. I’m dying to breathe in these abundant skies. – Switchfoot, Learning to Breathe
