Books

In my down time, which I don't really have but I take anyway. I have been reading this book called eat, pray, love. I love it. I find it so refreshing. This lady has spent a year traveling to Italy, India, and Indonesia and it is about her journey. I am in the section where she is traveling to India. She is at an Ashram and as she talks through her struggles I find myself agreeing. They are not struggles with the traveling but rather with her self. It has made me think about taking this time in Africa as a time to be a little bit more still and to stretch myself. To be quiet at times and just listen to myself.


I wonder if difficult times are really a good thing. I hate pain. I hate discomfort. Yet, I know that so much of who we are develops during hard times. Either we learn to create survival tactics such as working like a horse (is that the right phrase) or removing all emotions. Or our hearts are really awakened and we can not do anything but deal with it. When I went to India, I was a wreck the entire trip. I think I cried every day. Yet, when I came back more than a few people told me that I came back calm and with a certain amount of peace. I am hoping that this trip brings more healing as I take time to be quiet and listen. They say that God can be found in the quiet. I tend to believe them.

Tomorrow, we travel to Berberati. My time in Bangui has been very good. I have taught the accountants how to reconcile between their safe and quickbooks. I think they have got it down. I have instructed them on how to record numerous entires that were not being recorded correctly. We still need to practice this a little bit more but they are getting better. We have corrected a number of issues. So, it has been very productive. I am now going to Berberati to do the same thing. We will be traveling on a dirt road with huge pot holes for 10 hours. Yes, 10 hours. And guess who gets car sick on smooth roads in the states. You are correct...that would be me. I am dreading this trip. However, I insisted on an air conditioned car that is nicer and my dear boss has nicely produced that car. I am very appreciative. Another expat provided me with ginger pills that are supposed to sooth the stomach. Oh, I pray God is kind to me and the trip goes well. I feel a little sick today but it is probably all in my mind. Mind over stomach that is what tomorrow will be.