my journey continues

And just like that, my bags are packed (weighing in at 46.2, 42.6, 15.4, and 4.3 pounds), my passport is sitting at the ready, and my feet are antsy in anticipation. Tomorrow morning I will leave for seven weeks in Kenya.

I go with 2 parachutes, 2000 toothbrushes, and an eager heart — keeping me open, engaged, and excited.  I go with a gallon of sunscreen, 100 anti-malarials, and the support of many — keeping me strong, centered, and humble.  I go with poetry, I go with letters, I go with love.

As I said goodbye to my Grandfather last weekend, he said “go and share your love and the love of those who, like me, won’t ever get to do so.”   So I go with my love, and with my Grandfather’s love, to share with all those among whom I am present — friends and strangers alike.

I’ve been asked many times what my goals and objectives are for this summer and as I’ve reflected on this, I’ve discovered that I have no concrete goals; I will be leaving my infamous check-lists at home.  While I hope to get wonderful use out of our parachutes and to provide fun and empowering workshops for the lower primary girls, my overarching goals for the summer are very abstract:

1. to be present without being intrusive
2. to have an open heart so that I may receive all that is given to me
3. to listen with open and welcoming ears
4. to walk, hear, cry, dance, laugh without hesitation
5. to hold and remember stories which should be carried and retold
6. to act always in partnership, compassion, and solidarity

I hope to blog as often as I can to share with you my experiences of joy, sorrow, frustration, hopefulness and helplessness.  The physical, 30-hour journey begins tomorrow, but my journey in Kenya began three years ago and is forever continuous.

As someone who knows me well said: “This is just like going to your home away from home.”

To Kenya I go!