Greed (n.)

Greed: An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth.

Greed is a catalyst for so many problems in the world. Its like the trunk to a tree-ful of issues, so many leaves fall off of this tree. I have always thought of greed as a sin, but its in my face so openly now. Just blatant greed. Its a selfish, human trait. It hurts, separates, kills, and alienates. There was an oil truck that spilled and the subsequent actions killed over 120 humans. People rushed to where the truck spilled to try to collect the petrol for themselves, and the police tried to keep them away. One man became so infuriated that he couldnt have it, he decided that no one could. He lit a match and threw it at the police officer- killing both himself and the officer, and over 100 more. Just greed.

Patience with joy: Thank God for this. (Especially here!) I cant even describe the level of calm and relaxation I feel here. (For those of you who really know me, you know Im never late, always prepared, always on top of it! And stressed if Im not!) But I dont have to be here. I can just let things happen- and Im totally fine with it! This Im sure I can attribute to all of you who have been fervently praying for me while Im here. But the feeling that 'everything will be fine, everything will work itself out *sigh* its so nice. My patience has grown and I know a new side of letting life just happen- and life still goes on. (Isnt it funny how that stuff happens....)

A few really cool things happened this week, a major one being able to help distribute food to a community of Maasai people. A Mennonite group (MCC) is doing a Work for Food program and our community members completed the work- so the food arrived this week. I spoke with the couple that is in charge of the Kenyan arm of the organization and asked them if they planned this because of the famine (which is driving up prices and causing people to go hungry). They said it was all planned out far before that (why does that surprise me anymore?!). Its so awesome how things like that work out. They'll be back this coming week to give out more too.

School is back to its regular (slow) pace. Im not teaching level 6 English and level 7 CRE. Love my classes. Ill be really sad to leave. The kids are just so happy to have some love in the classrooms (especially since we were told to 'cane' the kids if they misbehaved). They are sooo well behaved! All you have to do it look at them, and they know they should be quiet. Even with how much I love it, and how great the kids are, I have a HUGE new-found appreciation for teachers! Not just the actual lessons, but time spent grading papers, planning lessons; its a big job. So thank you teachers!

I love Kenya. But I miss the states. Im excited to come home and share all that Im really not able to share here. Please, keep praying! Just 13 more days! Amazing things have happened in shorter amounts of time....

Love-
Nash