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Creativity and the Water Jug Car

I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard someone say, “I am not creative.”  I have never really thought about it, but rather just accepted what they were saying. Most people use the phrase in the context of decorating or crafts.  They somehow have gotten it into their brains that they “can’t” create. … Continue reading Creativity and the Water Jug Car

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Mountain of Laundry

Often as I was in the midst of raising 5 young children, the dirty clothes would become a looming impenetrable mountain in my laundry room. Seriously, if I let it get away from me, meaning: “didn’t wash clothes every single day,” there could be laundry a foot deep that I had to maneuver my way through… Continue reading Mountain of Laundry

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Sweeping Dirt

Many things my African friends do, I don’t understand; but I do not question.  The time of day they eat their meals, the fact that their weddings are 8+hours long, or that their funerals last a week or more are just a few examples.  I don’t question it.  I just go with it.  There is… Continue reading Sweeping Dirt

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Respect

Respect for the elders respect: verb; to admire someone or something deeply as a result of their abilities, qualities or achievements. I have noticed a beautiful thing in Africa:  respect for the elders.  Subtle, yet obvious to those from the outside. There is a quiet order to things. The younger submits to the older. Respect… Continue reading Respect

Africa Stories, Uncategorized

SMILES and the language barrier

A wise man once told me, “a smile crosses over all language barriers.” That wise man was Mr. Bill Haring.  He served many years as a missionary in Mexico.  He and his amazing wife and five children had “given up a lot” to GO, but if you ask him, he would tell you that it… Continue reading SMILES and the language barrier

Africa Stories

I received more…

Africa. Tanzania. Maasai tribe. ---Erica Perkins / January 2016 trip How these words stir emotions deep inside me. I had always dreamed of traveling to Africa, with visions of natives dancing and singing and amazing sunsets. However, I had no idea I would be welcomed and treated with such love. I learned so much. The… Continue reading I received more…

Africa Stories

Mama Played Kickball That Day

It was a fun game. We wanted the kids to relax around us. To accept us.  (Rumors had been spread by the local witchdoctors that “the Americans were coming to poison the people of the community.”)  Everyone was a little tense, to say the least. Normally, our team would have been met with smiles, double handed waves… Continue reading Mama Played Kickball That Day

Africa Stories

They Welcomed Us With Singing

I had gone to Africa for 3 summers before my husband finally made the trip with me in 2010.  Up until that point, Africa, was my “thing.”  Don’t get me wrong.  I had his complete blessing to “go.”  He always worked it out so that he was able to care for our five children while… Continue reading They Welcomed Us With Singing