How big is your heart?

I was recently in Mozambique, Africa to participate in an annual managers meeting for our largest grant. One evening I was spending time with some colleagues from Kenya and Uganda. The colleague from Uganda was telling me a story about her life that challenged me personally.

In case you aren't aware, it is typical in Africa to have a small home. The one below is from Lesotho, but it gives you an idea of what I am referring to. Large families live in homes this size. That means that siblings share a room and often the same bed.

My colleague grew up in similar conditions in rural Uganda. Now she is in her 30's, still single and making a good income working for us. She has her own home, larger than the one she grew up in. When she returns to her family home she is still expected to sleep with her younger sisters living at home. She recently told her mom that she didn't want to stay at home any more on her visits because she doesn't like sharing a bed. Her mom replied, "your heart has shrunk. when your heart is big it shouldn't matter what size the home is because it is full of love."

Though I fully understand not wanting to share a bed with younger sisters at 30 years old, I was challenged by her mothers position. In my experience, the developing world has small homes and huge hearts. Americans, however, have huge homes and smaller hearts. As Americans, we give when convenient rather than sacrifically. We do enough to appease our conscience, though often not giving to the full measure that the task may require. We care deeply about the size of our bank accounts and use the size of our homes as a status symbol, but we often don't care about those suffering in our own community.

I was challenged by this mothers reply and had to ask myself, how big is my heart? I discovered my heart has some growing to do. I encourage you to ask yourself, how big is your heart?

Interesting International Facts: eating in Ethiopia

Did you know?

The Ethiopian diet consists of large quantities of high iron consumables like meat, fish, and poultry. Yet, one of their biggest health problems is iron deficiency. I have decided it is because they don't eat enough vegetables to help their body absorb the iron they are consuming.

Did you know?

Most cultures have a food accompanient item similar to a tortilla (I use a tortilla as the standard because it comes from my culture and this is my blog). In India, it is chipoti or Naan. In Ethiopia, it is injera. Injera is made similar to a tortilla, except it is expected to firment for a couple of days before it is cooked. This firmentation process gives it a spongy texture and a sour taste. For an Ethiopian, the more sour the taste, the better the injera. I do not share their preferences.

Did you know?

I was recently at a restaurant with some colleagues in Ethiopia. We had paid our bill and were waiting for the attendant to bring the change. That is when I learned the Ethiopian word for "change" is translated in English to "answer." We were waiting for our "answer." I like it!

Independence Day

This year, for the 4th of July holiday Kenyon and I are traveling to my hometown - Santa Fe, New Mexico. I'm looking forward to eating loads of green chili (not the stew variety most are familiar with, but the authentic chili's). I'm looking forward to the sunny days and cool nights that New Mexico offers. I'm looking forward to time with family. It will be precious time since we are moving to the other side of the world in a few short weeks.

How will you be spending your holiday weekend?

disturbing news from South Africa

I recently read an article that said 1 in 4 men in South Africa have committed rape, most of them have raped more than one woman. To read the article for yourself click here.

Russia calling for a new currency

A few months ago I posted about China calling for a new world currency, because they don't trust the dollar's strength in the years to come. I wish I could disagree, but I think they have a point.

Russia has joined them in this campaign. In fact, they are working together on a proposal to accomplish this at the G20 Summit.

What do you think will take the place of the dollar in coming years as the foundation for International exchange? Will be it be an existing currency or a newly created one?