Two are better than one — Brave Everywhere

Two bright smiles greeted me this afternoon as I came home from school, each waving at me to join them. “Come, you sit!” was the friendly demand in my ears. Delighted to be asked, my heart felt that familiar tug of friendship, but still coupled with the uncertainties on how one does that well in a land not your own. The differences of our life experiences, language barriers, and thus the challenges of cross cultural friendships, attempt to forcibly present themselves, while Jesus gently whispers, love. Sometimes, I forget.

Love comes in many forms. Jesus showed us how. Gifts, kindness, prayers, time, a shoulder to cry on, advocate, just name a few. There is no end to His goodness and kindness, likewise our opportunities to demonstrate this in our short lives on this earth.

Last week, Marjorette showed up at my door with a watermelon, four apple mangoes, three green oranges and a guava. Humbled beyond belief, I am still astonished at the generous gift. She said she wanted me to feel welcome in her country, and that we were friends. Today, all she and Claire (my new friend) desired was to be with me.

Sitting comfortably on the cinderblocks presented to me, I sat my burdens aside and gave them my full attention. Truth be told, I was grateful for company. Unexpected were the blessings to follow. My Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me. He is so present in each and every moment, and delights to reveal truth to our soft hearts. If only we will remain soft, teachable, and ever present to Him as well. Each time I run into myself, there is an immediate opportunity to turn back and run straight into His arms. His one and true heart is to teach us the meaning of love, His way.

As we sat together, I realised that my two friends were there reminding me of “what’s what” as they say in Uganda. Marjorette said we would sit and count bodas passing by, while Claire wanted to show me pictures of her grandkids. Marjorette said “this is life of the poor, we spend time together and do whatever we can together to make the time pass by.” On this day, they invited me to come and be their friend too, to sit with them every day and teach one another. Marjorette showed me how to peel a matoke, and Claire expressed her disdain for them, as she prefers the irish potatoes. They have decided to teach me how to cook chapoti among other things. They talked of motherhood, and widowhood, boredom and joy.

Both expressed the reality that I have found my way to two friends that I probably never expected. They said the reason they liked me was because I was warm, and obviously liked people. The truth is, I like them as well. What is not to like about our fellow humans, the ones our Maker calls His family? Our Father’s delight in us spills out of our hearts onto those who might not know how loved they are quite yet. Every day we must find make our way into His presence where this simple truth can be revealed to our hearts.

Claire expressed her great joy that I had found my way to them, the poorest of the poor, who had nothing much to offer me but their friendship. They are beautiful, strong women who have lived through realities I never want to face. Their perseverance in the face of relentless poverty is enough to silence me in awe, and what they offer me is so much more than they understand. I hope ours will be a relationship of rich give and take in our shared humanity. The weight of promised friendship is not lost on me. They pledged to take care of me and declared themselves in all manner of strong humour, to be the mayors of the piece of land we were sitting on. I think I believe them.

Talks of dreams and hopes and sorrows and sickness were the stuff that decorated our time together like beautiful flowers adorning a spring tree. Hope is here. Womanhood, sisterhood, and humanhood (wink, wink) is a beautiful gift for this day. Indeed, ‘two are better than one, because if one falls, the other can pick her up.’ Ecc. 4

Next week, I hope to teach them how to make guacamole. I will keep you posted. :-)

With big, brave love….

“Mother Teresa said: Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them. ”