Thursday, September 20, 2007

No Difference

No Difference
Shel Silverstein


Small as a peanut,
Big as a giant,
We're all the same size
When we turn off the light.
Rich as a sultan
Poor as a muite,
We're all worth the same
When we turn off the light.
Red, black or orange,
Yellow or white,
We all look the same
When we turn off the light.
So maybe the way
To make everything right
Is for god to just reach out
And turn off the light!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Quote

I really enjoy quotes. I believe it is a quick way to learn from other people's wisdom. From time to time I will post quotes that I find knowledgeable, inspirational or just beautiful kind words.





"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,but that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God.Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.It is not just in some; it is in everyone.And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

--Nelson Mandela
1994 Inaugural Speech, (a quote from Marianne Williamson)
As I sit in Sarnia on my weekend off, I am starting to think about the challenges that we as a group faced.

We went for a 35km, 5 day hike at Algonquin park. It rained, it was cold and I was tired. The packs were heavy, the food barrel was...unbearable. To quote Amanda '[about barrel] a doctor would not approve carrying this'. As we reached Maggie lake on the second day it was only 1:30 and we decided to hike on to Oak lake, our destination for the next day. We went to bed with a little bit of conflict and a lot of pain. The next day we agreed to stay the night at the final campsite and hike out the next day. Due to accidental pen marks on our map by an unnamed source we missed the campsite and hiked out of the park. Thats right, we completed a 35 km hike in 3 days. We came out of the park and drove to Amandas' in Parry Sound feeling a sense of accomplishment only to find out that we have to re-enter the wild and continue with more uncomfortable hiking. The idea behind this challenge was to feel comfortable in being uncomfortable and it was more about being together for 5 days in the wild then completeing the loop. So we went to kill bear where we took attention to the wonds that some group members had and hiked without backpacks. Not saying that it was easy, we hiked along to beach jumping for rock to rock.

We completed this week feeling closer and more comfortable with eachother then ever. As I learned more about each group member my love, admiration and respect for them grew.

We then headed to our weekend off; Everyone was being dropped off at their place where they were staying for the weekend then Maria and I were heading to Kitchner to exchange cars and travel to Sarnia. After making it through intense Toronto traffic we headed to find Bresleau, just outside of guelph. Its a small town yet we drove around aimlessly for about an hour. After finding out destination and dropping off Aryn we headed to Kitchner. I was driving and as we pulled up the the house to trade cars, i kinda..somewhat "skimmed" the side of the curb and the tire went flat. After the tire was changed it was discovered that Marias car keys had gone missing for the mail box. We were stuck in Kitchener, with a car but no keys and no way to Sarnia about 2 and a half hours away. As Maria and I finished being upset, Maria called her boyfriend to drive to Kitchener and bring the extra set of keys. I was thankful for him. We finally arrived in Sarnia at about 1:15ish in the morning. What a day.

I am currently relaxing at my Aunt and Uncles house and will be going back to Guelph on monday.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Explanation

This blog has been created in order for me to transform the experiences I will have in Ghana into a readible format that you as a loving friend, family member or supporter can read.

My journey began three weeks ago in Eramosa where we gathered at a lovely cottage for the retreat that began prep month. I met the four miraculous individuals that would become my support group for the next 8 months and friends for the rest of my life. At this retreat we begun group bonding and building workshops that would bring us closer together to forming the FLOCK we have become. We also particpated in workshops that educated us about consenus decision making, conflict, white privledge, West African economy other issues facing Ghana.

That week then led us to our urban placement in Kitchener. We volunteered at a local soup kitchen where we learned much beyond the simple kitchen within the old building. I met many inspiring people. Some who lived pay check to pay check or on the street and where brillant and willing to share their knowledge with me. Other people like Gretchen the kitchen's cordinater who are willing to give time to allow people less fortunate then them the ability to eat lunch. Although the kitchen does take donation, they are in no way eating second grade food. Anything that we would chose not to eat because of expiry date etc, Gretchen would never serve. Within the kitchen was a friendly man from Guyana who comes to the kitchen every day with a smile on his face and love in his heart to wash the dishes. There was also a Nurse from Nigeria who volunteers her time to cook. What I was really impressed with were the amount of people who both use the soup kitchen and also volunteer there. This was truly a learning experience that I am greatful for. I truly believe that it is important to be aware of the poverty within our country before we go out to learn about world-wide poverty.

We have just completed our hiking week where we became comfortable with being uncomfortable. I am still recoperating so I will write about that in the next few days.