This Story Ends

Today I officially completed my COS (close of service) with the Peace Corps. Now I am an RPCV (returned Peace Corps volunteer).

The Peace Corps was a great experience for me, and I still do not even understand all of the things that have changed inside of me.

The least of which being the mild parasite found in me during the Peace Corps medical tests. :-)

New Job!

I have just been offered a contract in Namibia to work on their new national OVC database! Wow, I am sooo happy. :-)

More details to follow...

Walking Home

Just a shot of what I see walking home. :-)

Back Home

I am finally back home. It feels good. I think I had let quite a bit of stress build up inside of me with all the running around I was doing.

Today I am just relaxing, alone, to let my brain slow down just a little bit.

Tonight I will go drink Amarula with Tate Philip!  :-)

Zambia

Today I fly to Zambia to give a presentation about how to use databases for managing information on orphans and vulnerable children. I may also be talking about how databases can be used to support services around the distribution of ARVs (Antiretroviral treatment for HIV).

I will return from Zambia on Saturday.

Waiting

It is just about time to get no the plane to South Africa. :-)

Flying to Windhoek

Here is the plane that brought me to Windhoek yesterday. Today I leave for South Africa.

Running!

We short-circuitde the security system, pushed started the car, and are now back no the road. :-)

Broke Down

We stopped the car to pick up some more people, and now it won't start. It could be because of a faulty security system.

Leaving Opuwo

I am just now hiking from Opuwo. I nice man helped me get a part-way there hike.

On The Way To Opuwo

I'm just now in a combi on the way to Opuwo.

A Little Hectic

Stuff is going on again:

Today teach in Okashandja to OVC girls.

Saturday travel to Opuwo.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: Fix computers for a youth centre.

July 1: travel to Ondangwa.

July 2: travel to Windhoek.

July 3: travel to Johannesburg, South Africa.

July 4: give a presentation on the OVC database.

July 5: travel to Windhoek.

:-)

Fish for Supper

This evening a friend gave me two fresh fish. :-)

I fried them up nicely with some spicy chicken wing batter my mom had sent me.

When I gave a fillet to my Kuku, she took one bite and said: "nantago", which means "again". She liked it so much she wanted another fillet. :-)

Sarafina!

Today I provided three showings of the movie Sarafina! to a school near my house.

The film was part of special activities at the school in remembrance of June 16th, 1976.

On that day many children rose up and protested against apartheid.

Child-Headed Households

I just came back from a half-day tour of 5 child-headed households.

Imagine groups of children living together without running water, electricity, or parents.

It can be easy to forget the suffering of others while sitting at home watching reality television and eating home delivery pizza.

A Picture from the trip.

My Place

I am starting to understand my place in the world.

Many times, when I am present and calm and attentive I can help people heal.

Now, I will find ways to do it more often...   :-)

Things

"The best things in life are not things."

Art Buchwald

Shaky But Standing

I am a little shaky, but I am standing.

For me, I am always jumping in head first.

But, I would not have it any other way.  :-)

Off-Roading

Following your heart does not always mean doing what makes sense...following your heart is more like off-roading through life.

Repaired

My heart was utterly broken, and my love was laid out for her to see, and in the end it was enough. 

And she stopped her day for me. And my friends stopped their day for me. And they helped repair my heart. 

Now my heart is glued together with the love of others.