Well, it's been a little while since I've posted. Partly because I need to conserve laptop battery, partly because I have gotten busy taking on the financial budgeting and accounting here at the house. Which has been teaching me a lot about the behind the scenes workings of running an establishment here in Liberia. And also I think bringing me closer to people here since I am becoming a more integral part of the House.
Have had many lovely daily adventures here recently, and am really really happy. Feeling connected to people, swimming in the warm and calm sea, feeling like I am being of use, teaching yoga every day. Nik is taking on more of a sense of being a part of the house, and is becoming more and more willing to help out and "be useful" as I say (and as the Fellows make fun of me for saying). Had an American visitor stay here last night, it was interesting to be in the position of getting to be the tour guide and seeing this amazing place through another's eyes. It is becoming more like home, like a place that I belong to and that I am happy to share with others. We all (Fellows and Staff) worked hard yesterday to get the house ready, and everyone worked together to make sure there was delicious food available and clean water in the house, etc., and I think we all felt that sense of accomplishment from working together and creating something successful. Our visitors made a generous donation to the house, and gave our dear cook a ride in to Monrovia on their way back so she could attend her brother's funeral.
Above is a picture of me and Timmy and Gabriel carting broken chairs to the chair doctor in their wheelbarrow ambulance. With a book on my head, carrying things in the African style.
Nik goes out fishing with friends every afternoon, coming home just before dinner and darkfall. He is making good progress in Math, we are working on long division and he has mastered multiplication and math facts are rolling off his tongue now. I think one on one instruction has been very beneficial for him. I am also having he and a Fellow do a survey on a particular virus of interest - Nik chose AIDS and has been asking several people in and out of the house what they know about it. We will compile results this week in graphed and written ways. I've been enjoying keeping my hand in being a "school teacher" but glad to have just a few students, and mostly getting to teach yoga and from the amazing book Wired for Joy.
We hope to start a small pepper garden in the yard this week, and will be inventorying the house to get ready to start opening it up as a guest house. So lots of projects! Yay!
Love to you all. If you are moved, please consider donating to this amazing organization: http://flavors.me/stronghearthouse
Rachel
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