Inside/Outside

Greetings-
We are back from being in the village for two days. As usual,it is filled with anticipation,surprise and exhaustion. It is amazing as you travel down the road in anticipation of what lies ahead in the next few days. As you dive inside of the village, you see things that you did not realize before and you build on your knowledge of things that you didn't quite understand before as well.

When we entered the village, they gave us a huge greeting...all my little friends were the first to greet us. Oh, how some of them have grown! It is so cool to call them out by name as they yell out your name "Rick!!'. We cross cultures and we embrace in a hug. Some know the routine and some are a little hesitant of hugs and I respect that. Then I met the chief in his compound. Our greeting is of great anticipation and warmth. I can not tell you in words what it means for me to have the opportunity to have this relationship. It is special.

They were extremely happy that I had my oldest daughter with me. They welcomed her in glee.
we were really touched at lunch time as they brought a special bowl of rice for Sadie, because they remembered seven years ago that she is a vegetarian. I felt guilty that I don't remember some of their names year after year...but they remember it seems everything. It teaches me to improve my listening skills...because here in the US, we tend to not listen very good eh?

I know i get frustrated when I have told people things time and time again the same info...but I find I am guilty of it as well. The village life teaches me so much about life.
We spent the night in the village and as the sun went down, the earth cools at a fast pace. The village quickly resorts to dancing to stay warm. The kids kick up dust with great laughter and silliness. It is a hoot.
We returned today with our water steaming hot(it reached over 100 degrees today) and when down the road, we stopped and had the 'best cold coca-cola' in the world.
It was an end to a great time in a village that is so dear to our hearts...
We pray to return soon...

This is a village that I have been visiting since 2001. Through the years I have watched people grow up, people die and people being born. It is in some part become my family. Today the chief of the village said to me that "you are home' when you come to our village and reminded us that we are welcome any time.
So we see the outside of the villages , and it all looks good, with people happy and smiling....but we know deep inside their is an emptiness...and I know what that is....
So we anticipate our next visit.