First Three Weeks and the Weather is fine.

Well it’s been a quiet week in Balige, Tobasa Sumut, my new home town. Travel went smoothly even if it is a long trip to get here. I finally adjusted to the time difference- fourteen hours ahead. (Hello from tomorrow!) In missionary orientation one of the Pastors said we should take our list of everything we are able to do in a day at home and divide it in half. And then only expect to get only one thing done each day. It’s true, I have not been able to do much by myself and therefore I have never been so dependent on others. Even when I was sick or in the hospital at least after infancy I was able to talk easily with my caretakers and get my needs met. Here it is more complicated and difficult. BUT everyone is sooooooooooooooooooo nice about everything I am in good health and spirits. Really really really nice. Sister Risma keeps flowers in my room by stopping by every three days and saying “Sister Laura, your flowers must be ....” Then she makes a sad face and comes into my room to take what look like perfectly beautiful flowers out and replacing them with a new bouquet. Last week she gave me dahlias from the courtyard. This week it’s a birthday mix of elephants ears and asters. I mentioned that I like spinach and Sister Lamria said maybe we should plant some. Can you imagine? Planting something just because a guest casually mentioned they like it, wow. How can I repay the kindness I’ve received?

God is here for sure. In the beauty of the surrounding countryside and in the hearts of the people with whom I am working. We have visited many people sense my arrival three weeks ago. We have visited the homebound elderly and held a service for prisoners at the jail. We talked with mothers who were organizing for environmental protection. I shared my story and to my surprise many were moved to tears. I have to think maybe there is some good or a plan behind all the headaches.

Their compassion healed something I have long been hesitant in facing. How to share my story without being the victim or getting totally preachy about the environment? The reality is that just sharing what happened to me might help them to prevent exploitive mining in their community. The women heard what the consequences unregulated mining are for me and may be able to stop it. I am not opposed to all mining. But I am concerned that without effective protection their children will bare the cost of industry. This is an issue of justice. Too often it is the poor that suffer the most when industry does not protect the communities health.

If I get a different kind of visa, I will be able to start teaching English, Community Organizing (thanks INVST!), and Environmental Issues (thanks University of Colorado ENVS department!) in January.