Stripped Away

I will start this blog off with one of my "written words" then end with a recount of Wednesday which helps affirm of one reason why I am here in Namibia and in Peace Corps - to be with those I never would.  

Stripped Away

“What happens when you are stripped of happiness

Stripped from your family

Stripped from your friends

Stripped of all that you claim as your identity

The good part anyway”

What if the person that stripped you away was you yourself?

Stripped makes it seem you were torn against your own will

But it was my will to be stripped away

Why? 

Why remove yourself from all you love?

Why go so far away when there is so much to do right where I am standing?

A higher calling is what some might say

A profound voice in my heart and soul said, “Go.”

So, I went.

I went into the unknown 

No reason or purpose 

“Go”

To be so sure

The power of such sound steps could only come from the Almighty

Then my Earth shattered…

Nothing was right

My father taken to watch from above

My steps faltered

Yet my family was there to help me stand

So I took the next step (into Peace Corps Namibia)

LGBTI freely (with harassment)
walk the streets in Khorixas. 

Wednesday was a glorious day. I don’t share too many details of the everyday life here. My lovely site-mate, Alex, who I am sure I will unveil the deep beauty of this woman and her friendship to me on another day – spent the night before at my place. She came to wash her sheets as I have a tub to make this process easier. Since she came later in the day, the items were not dry and I had the joy to have her spend the night. We woke up, cooked eggs and walked into the day. She had a letter to drop off at KHFM, the local community radio, to request a partnership with them for a LGBTA (Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexuals, Transgenders and Allies) event next year and I needed a few signatures from community members to partner with the new business volunteer I am applying to replace me. We walked out of the hospital gates with her blankets in hand to the radio station just down the street as I awaited her.

Not wanting to depart each other she walked left at the T-junction with me to the orphanage. At this point we were accompanied by a young gentleman who asked where we were going and if we were going to “a country” in which we said we were not and he shared he was going to Greasy’s house. Greasy happened to live right next door to the orphanage and a truck pulled up right as we were entering. The gentlemen were dropping off meat, I believe. Most of the orphans have some family members and are out of town for the holidays. The manager, an orphan herself, sat with us as we talked about upcoming plans of them going to town and this weekend swimming in Fransfontein. After our short chat and signature, we left and walked towards town where we met our smallest and favorite of friends – Kadisha. We are biased to her as from the beginning she knew the difference between the /gam /husas (two white ladies). Her favorite subject is English, she is mannerly and one day she asked me to play which for her was writing English. Kadisha accompanied us down the dirt road a bit until Alex headed home. Kadisha accompanied me to the Lutheran Church office where I have ordered a leather personalized stitched covering for the hymn book I purchased a month back or so. This hymn book is in Khoekhoegowab and I am so excited to bring home such a meaningful piece back to America. I am currently trying to memorize the Lord’s Prayer, but only have the first lines down so far. The cover was in Khorixas, but not at the office. We departed to escort barefoot Kadisha to her home where her mother awaited her.

Betty and her newest grand-baby, Divine

It was then that I “footed” (walked) to the location called “Hollywood” where my dear friend Betty lives. Her daughter just married this past weekend in the most beautiful of gowns. She has always made me feel so welcome. Two tents were pitched in the back yard from all the family that was there. The only individuals left were Betty, her mother, her two daughters, her uncle and 5 grandchildren. They were cooking some of the cow that was killed from the weekend for lunch. I sat in the back yard as I shared company with a family that I want to know deeper. I assisted ever so little with the fire cooked meal and ate meat and bread with them on the front porch. Then on the national Namibian news channel, the Republican Presidential Debate aired and I couldn't believe the amount of attention just one country, my home country, gets worldwide. After some laughs and smiles, I left with a content heart and a bag of fresh eggs and vegetables from the garden. Betty walked me down the street, as it is custom to walk visitors back to their home or at least down the street and hugged good bye.

Republican Debate - Where am I?

I went home and took a nap then left to meet Den, Alex and another PCV visitor – Davian. We had deep topic discussions over Fanta Orange then pour over coffee and lastly a meal as we attempted to make gimp that was ever so popular from our childhood days and found to be incredibly complicated. Davian and Den then escorted me home around midnight to where I had a peaceful and satisfying sleep from the heartfelt interactions of the day. 

Crafting - Gimp Time