September 26, Liberia

Wow. amazing morning. Our first day of the semester. Everyone up at 5:45, on their new Prana yoga mats. Learning breathing techniques, doing challenging yoga movements (all from the Y.O.G.A. for Youth manual, thank you Krishna Kaur!), singing along, etc. Some really strong yoga students in the group, and others for whom sitting cross legged on the floor is a huge challenge.

Then breakfast on the balcony. Then classes started. I worked with Nik on math while Timmy taught a class on finding your calling. Then I taught a class based on the book Wired for Joy (highly recommended). The Fellows shared so openly and honestly about their own personal experiences of joy and miracles in their lives, as well as despair and disaster. I feel so blessed to be sharing these discussions with them and sharing work to solidify the skills they already have in coping with what life brings. Then a class with Nik and one Fellow on grammar, both of them working together and collaborating. Discussion on the American Civil War and the connections between our countries historically included. Then silent reading time and a fruitful sharing of what each of us are reading, from a manual on sustainable local hydroelectric power, to a story about an American girl born with HIV. Then lunch on the balcony and just enjoying each other's company, listening to one of the Fellow's short wave radio, which he sang along to. I am really feeling the sense of family and connection growing with this group of people.

This afternoon should include my first swim in the ocean since arriving.

Love to you all,

Rachel