Peace

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name. 

                       Psalm 100:4

Yesterday was truly an amazing day spent with the group in a small quaint town of Theis. While the thought of waking up early to catch a three hour bus ride wasn't ideal there was something magical that happened throughout the day. The alarm clock woke us to a deep blue ocean sky while the moon glistened overhead while I enjoyed my yogurt and freshly cut mango. We moaned that the moon was still out but the day meant that we rose with the African sunrise. Our bus ride would take us out of Dakar into the heart of transportation and communication and there we found the carpet factory where the local people are trained and master these fascinating carpet pieces that are priced over millions of dollars. The process is time consuming often taking several months to years to complete and the owners are high rollers and I'm pretty sure the creators don't see the commission.

But aside from the process of production yesterday brought a sense of renewal, a feeling of purpose, a feeling of things being put into perspective and a gratitude for the things in my life that enrich it and the need to change. I've felt vulnerable, stripped away from all familiarity and filled up with renewal. And while I have been immersed in a culture none of my own I've enjoyed the relationships among the locals and the vulnerability experienced by a lack of ability to communicate. And as a plane flew over while I touched the Atlantic from not Boston but Senegal I remembered the feeling of flying into the airport and having a sense of panic and uncertainty of what I have gotten myself into. I now overlook the crashing waves and I am at peace. I have been stripped away of all worries and have an over encompassing gratitude for being at peace. And with peace comes passion and empowerment. Because without having an urge or dream to come here I'd be stuck and unchanged. 

And while life at home will be returning soon, I've enjoyed the uncertainty of what may come next and the sense of security I've felt with it all. And while many admire the fact we are American and welcome us to Senegal for our first time, and while many back home feel as though I'm helping the children and student I've come to realize they have helped me. They have prioritized things and put this big, giant, world into perspective. And while last week when I felt belittled and powerless I now feel an overwhelming sense that I can do and feel so much and all will be okay. And while I yearn for the people here I realized they are happy, at peace, and so advanced in so many thing that back home we are not. We may have more material goods, but back home we lack value, gratitude for others deeds, selflessness and vulnerability. Yesterday was what I needed, I'm empowered, rejuvenated, and overall happy and peaceful.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

                     John 16:33