s t o r i e s

One month ago, I was on a plane over the Atlantic Ocean headed towards Africa- a place that seemed so foreign and strange and exciting. The other night, over dinner, Amanda asked me what my favorite things had been so far. The truth is, many things have been hard. So many times I have felt frustrated by the cultural differences- obstacles and walls that seem so high and wide and thick that I never thought I could overcome them. I haven't overcome them, necessarily, but maybe I have learned to see the beauty of them. Maybe I have learned that surrendering the desire to know everything brings freedom.

My favorite things? Hearing people's stories. Stories of struggle and success, wealth and extreme poverty, family and being an orphan, life and death. We named our counseling program “THRIVE: teaching, healing, restoring, inspiring and valuing everyone.” Yes, we know it’s cheesy. But the weight of those words is powerful and we have realized that they represent exactly what our hearts’ desires are for the people here. Taking time to listen to them and smiling at them. Telling them that it’s all going to be okay and that they are not alone. Some of them have never told their stories to anyone. I have felt so privileged to listen. 

Some of the staff after a training session.

Session 4: Compassion Fatigue