In the craziness of your life, it is sometimes necessary to stop and do nothing but exist. I had one of these moments the other day. With Peace Corps training coming to an end, my schedule had NO time. I had tests to study for, things to memorize, feedback papers to fill out and enough reading to last a lifetime. When I walked home the weight of all this began to push down upon me and I just wanted to escape. I walked into my family’s compound and found everyone sitting in the courtyard on a mat showing what Africa does best: relationship. While I removed my shoes and joined them on the mat, I made a conscious effort to forget all of my worries and be an African. The darkness of night quickly swallowed the sun and we continued to lie watching each star awaken from its daytime slumber. Time passed with words unspoken and my American stresses flew from my shoulders into the sky forgotten. I sank into sleep while my little brother held my hand humming a song. I awoke hours later to find all my family members asleep next to me. I stood, looked at my family and was filled with such a joy. I walked to my room and fell asleep as though I had never awoken.
I encourage you to go outside tonight and lay under the stars for a bit, forgetting all your stresses. It is a beautiful thing.
take some time...
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9 comments:
That's really beautiful, Jared. It's just this sort of thing that has me convinced that you are already being very effective there. When you DECIDED to "just become an African," whether or not your family knows you made that decision, they were drawn closer to you. I'm filled with joy to know about the ways that you are sharing God with those people (even if you're not using words to do so). We're proud of you!
well I'll give it a shot, but down here I'll have to settle with sleeping under the star, unless I head out to the desert. miss you buddy.
Thanks, Jared. That was beautiful and actually very encouraging. I'm very grateful for the fact that you are consistently writing about and sharing your experiences with others, because it definitely has a very moving effect on me each time you publish a new blog post.
Just last night I was offered a great teaching job in Japan. It's located in a small city -- much smaller than those I've lived in in Southern California -- so maybe I really will have some good opportunities to stargaze, remember to take life as it comes, and simply be.
Also -- ahem -- I can't "lay" under the stars, because I'm not a chicken.
That was great to read... I am SO anxious to hear about your experiences in Dakar! I'm also very proud of you and everyone else! *hugs*
~Brittany~
I am your colleague Patrick’s dad. Thanks for this wonderful BLOG. There are several other BLOGs from your group that my wife and I have seen that have chronicled your time in Thies. Many of you have taken and posted pictures also. Good luck from Mrs Heyer and I in moving into the next phase of your Peace Corps adventure!
That is so beautiful and refreshing.....thanks for taking the time to remind us all of the simple joy of relationship
Naphtali
i think we were looking at stars on the same night and that makes my heart smile. you, my african friend, are a sweet soul and i miss you dearly.
i think we were looking at stars on the same night and that makes my heart smile. you, my african friend, are a sweet soul and i miss you dearly.
I was doing just that a couple wks ago w/ Ash and Naomi on star rock -I even said outloud "how can people not believe in God?" It was breath taking. Well put my friend.
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