My Life After Africa

It's been a year since I began preparing in earnest to go to Africa. At this time last year I was reading everything I could about Rwanda, getting shots, meeting with Leigh, reviewing my french and preparing mentally for a trip that would change the direction of my life. I wanted to be changed and was eager to get out of my comfort zone (because I'd done that in my 20's when I went to live in Bangkok for 6 months and I knew what a great experience it could be!)

Looking back, I now see that my life has been rearranged in unexpected ways. The trip itself was awesome but it's the new trajectory that I'm on that has made the biggest difference. For example; I started reading the book "Hot, Flat and Crowded", on the return plane trip. It was so engrossing that I put my name on the long waiting list at the library and then devoured it when my name finally came up. That has caused me to look at our energy consumption in new ways (and to cheer when I see some of Friedman's suggestions being implemented by our new Secretary of Energy, Chu).

I also decided to read more about Burundi after I came home and got the book "This Voice in My Heart" (also from the library - oh, yeah, I use the library a lot more now, too!) This book not only helped me understand the genocide of Burundi but challenged my ways of thinking about food. (That led me to read the book "Food Matters" by Mark Bittman and a whole new way of cooking and eating was born.) As I was reading about life in Burundi, I realized that I thought food had to come out of boxes and slick packaging (mainly) and I've discovered that I can do away with a lot of the processing and make good, healthful, nourishing meals that my family loves, that honor the needs of our world and costs less to boot. I now use the "Moosewood" and "More with Less" cookbooks on a regular basis. Occasionally, I slip back into convenience foods but those forays are less and less frequent.

I listen to NPR, try to read the NY Times online and desire to think globally while living locally. I frequently feel compelled to make a difference in our world and am open, willing and questioning just how that could happen. I've been raising support for a woman I met in Burundi who is working with the poorest women and has been trying to get them started in small businesses. It's a small start but it's a start.

I really wish I could say that I'm always grateful for all that I have and never want what I don't have. I have many more moments of gratitude and am frequently reminded of the children in the villages we visited who only had the clothes they were wearing and asked us to bring more clothes the next time we came; and soap to wash them. Even so, I must confess that I can still get caught up in the "I want...." mentality that our culture thrives on. (Oh, and that the "I wants" can so quickly become the "I needs.")

There have been other, deeper, subtle changes - more serenity, more confidence, an increased awareness of my need for more patience and a realization that my life can/does make a difference. I also laugh and cry more. Would I go again knowing all the ways I've been changed? In a heartbeat, for Africa has ignited my imagination and awakened some long buried passions. I am and will be forever grateful for this life shaping adventure and the path that I'm now on. May all your adventures awaken your passion, sharpen your focus and embolden your compassion.