Out of the Bush 2011: Hearts of Glass

Mombasa HotelWe are back in “civilization,” as we tend to call it when we have access to the luxuries of the modern world, the most basic being running water and electricity. Ah, to get in a shower where the water rains on you at demand! Temperature controlled, no less!  To sit on a toilet! How nice is that? And to walk into a dark room and dispel the darkness with the flip of a switch! Such luxuries, and yes, they are luxuries in this crazy world we live in, add such comfort and ease to our lives, not to mention all the time saved because we don’t even have to work to make them happen.We are preparing for the arrival of another group today. We will get them oriented, then leave them in the capable hands of their leader, four-time intern Aly Vislocky.Everything in me longs to be home, yet there is always the sadness at leaving, the reluctance to leave these people that live so differently than we; their lives so reflective of an authenticity and sweetness that I miss the moment I’m away from them. Perhaps you can get a glimpse of what I’m talking about by reading this small speech, the closing “note of thanks,” written and delivered by a sixth grade boy, Khamisi Mjape Katui. (English is his third language!) He attends a rural primary school (Egu) where children walk 10 kms to get to school. The oldest class remains at school all week, sleeping on their desks at night so they can have light to study by. Khamisi delivered his speech with great enthusiasm and precision, a smile lighting his face.

On behalf of the entire Egu school, the teaching fraternity and the community at large,I feel very much honored for this opportunity to shower you with these warm words of thanks, first for your frequent visits, learning resources, and not forgetting, the social interaction. We feel very much blessed to have you here and we will promise to better our best. May the Almighty God reward you for all sorts of support you did for us. Imiss the relevant adjectives to put in my speech, and wish our hearts were made of glass so that you can see the truth of our center.

I have thought about this speech. I have thought about the image of the glass hearts, hearts that allow others to see “the truth of their center.” It is a perfect description of what these people have. It is why we keep coming back. They can’t begin to understand the complexity of the world we come from, let alone the pretexts, posturing, and ego that protect, distract, and hide hearts in our “developed” existence. Authenticity and depth can be so rare in our world. But here, where people’s lives are united by their common suffering and deep sense of community and love, they are a cultural standard.I will take their “glass hearts” with me as I leave. They will accompany me across the world, along with all the red dirt that covers my clothes. When the work of keeping this machine turning feels overwhelming, I will pull them up in my mind. I will sense their crystalline beauty, and hear the children singing.