On the Road Again

So, I have a question for you. Are you more like Donkey or Shrek? I think I can go back and forth between the two. Sometimes, I can be a bit ogreish and want things done my way and to be left alone. Other times, I feel like donkey and just talk way too much. Even though I am not actually a cartoon character, there are times when I feel like I can relate to Donkey. You know the part when he realizes that the princess is actually an ogre and as he is walking out he starts twitching and is sure he is going to need years of therapy. Trust me, I have felt that twitch and I already needed therapy! =) Then of course, there are those social cues that donkey completely misses. Shrek is trying to tell him to leave him alone but Donkey just does not get it. As you can imagine, communication here is just a tad bit different which may be a slight understatement. Even if I am speaking the same language, all sorts of crazy miscommunication seems to happen. One of my favorite seens is when Shrek says that Donkey can stay. Shrek of course mean outside so that he can be alone in his humble abode and Donkey misses that completely. He gets all excited runs into Shreks house and talks about the wonderful time they will have together and then says, "In the morning, I am making waffles" with a big ol' grin on his face. Yep, that one might be a reality way too often for me here in Tanzania. I get all excited and then realize that I missed the entire conversation because in an indirect culture, what wasn't said is more important than what was. Oh well, still learning.

However, what lead me down the road of discovery with Shrek was actually the scene when Donkey sings "On the road again". I love that part, especially when he is forced to hum. As I think you know, I travel quite often to the villages. This week, I traveled to two villages and really feel like God did a lot in those visits. Sometimes I am very excited and am anticipating the time ahead, and then nothing. Other times, like this week, my expectations are low and a lot of great things happen, things that are completely unexpected. More details to come on some of those....