A change in plans and a way to make change
I’ll just get it out first so you aren’t wondering.
I was planning a trip to Ethiopia to visit my friends at Drawn from Water. Everything was ready. I’ve been needing to take some time away, I wanted to visit good friends who I haven’t seen in a long time, and I wanted to find out about ways that we can help them.
I had my tickets. I was set to leave on the 19th.
And then I found out that India has changed its visa regulations completely. If I leave now, I won’t be allowed back into the country for two months, even though I am on a five year visa. It has never been this way before, and Chinua has been in and out to Amsterdam, Turkey, and Israel since we’ve been here. But, everything has changed, and the timing wasn’t the greatest.
It goes without saying that I can’t take a two month vacation from my family. So I won’t leave until we are ready to be gone from here for two months or more; probably not until this summer.
I’m adjusting and getting over it. I only cried a little. I will still be going away for a little rest, probably somewhere close by, but not getting a whiff of another place, which is what I felt I needed. I’m sad that I’m not going to see my friends. I really, really was looking forward to it.
Anyways.
I just watched this about the earthquake Haiti and my heart broke. It is an important part of being human to be able to put yourself in the place of someone else and imagine what it must be like to be them. In a time of loss my troubles begin to reveal themselves as very small, very normal troubles.
You can give to the relief effort here, and find a larger list of possible places to donate here. It is a beautiful thing when people around the world can get behind their brothers and sisters in a time of tragedy.
8 comments
I’m sorry your plans fell through but right now I am appalled by the situation in Haiti … We all should do something.
I’m sorry.
Alesia´s last blog ..Wednesday Day Book
Yes, I totally agree – about the giving – even if it’s just a few bucks, it definitely helps. I could only give a little but went through the Red Cross.
I’m sorry that you cannot get away….especially when you were looking forward to it. I’m glad though that you found out about that BEFORE you left the country, and not after. It kind of reminds me of what it was like for you before you got your landed immigration card in the US.
It reminds me of how I feel when I think about coming to see you – things just keep happening, and the house just keeps not being finished, and I cannot buy a ticket till it’s done….so I totally empathize with you.
Love to all of you,
Oh, my dear.
Rae, I’m sorry about your change in plans. Your visit out sounded wonderful. They stamped a note about that in my passport last week when I got here and made me read it before they let me through immigration. You can come visit us over here in Ongole!
Blessings
Sandwich
SandwichinWI´s last blog ..Photos Are Up
So sorry your plans got changed. Hope you find some time and rest and refreshment another way.
Just wanted to add a shameless plug for me friends Shelley and Corrigan who work in Haiti with their four kids, two of whom are Haitian, in the process of being adopted. You may remember Shelley- she was the blond one in our wedding. Thank God they are all okay. They have a yard full of people in need of shelter, food, water, and medical care, so they are doing their best to provide it. If anyone is interested in learning more about what they do there, empowering parents to be able to keep their children, teaching art, etc. you can check out their website at http://www.apparentproject.org. You can also donate there if you wish.
Love to you!
Rebeca´s last blog ..Welcome to Mexico
my land lord is in haiti, he’s been there doing water purification / pump instalations with a local ngo he and a few friends work with as volunteers, he survived the quake, and he and his group are helping people all they can, they were in paurto prince.. i’m teaching some yoga classes here in nelson and we’re giving all the class money to shetlerbox .. and msf.org.. it’s the least i can do..
raw food/ yoga kirtan retreat.. to teach at and serve/ work trade.. was sooo hopping to come to india.. but the funds aren’t there at this time.. i cried for that this year, but am remembering so much to be greatful for.. and perhaps i am meant to take my kids with me to india.. and not go alone..
.. re going away.. turns out i’m going to be going to bali.. india is not in the stars this spring.. hopefully in the fall
love to you and your beautiful family! you radiate across the miles, and when the sun hasn’t shone in nelson for weeks it is so refreshing to see you all in banyan trees loving jesus and meditating!!! HUGS!
Its alright Ms. Rae, everything happens for a reason and we have an eternity to visit our friends. And O yeah I will be donating to Haiti. God Bless Yall
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