The Two Mamas

My two dear friends, Liz Davidson and Marilyn Lewis, have been terrific interns. It seems we are always either laughing or crying.  There’s not much in between. You throw three menopausal women together in this place and you are asking for trouble. There is so much joy to participate in here, and yet there is such stunning tragedy layered behind all of it. We jump from one to the other, us three “’mamas” as they call us. Joseph, with his unique way of expressing things, in his heavy Kenyan accent, said, “Reeenda – your friends are quite fine. Dr. Liz is verrry smart, and Marilyn is most jovial.” You can imagine how much mileage we’ve gotten out of that. With each experience I debate if I want to call on the one that is “smart” or the one that is “jovial.” They’ve decided they really want to trade places; Marilyn really wants to be smart and Liz is hoping to be jovial.I’m trying really hard to be both, which is hard to do with a brain that is thick with malaria meds and lack of sleep. But I keep trying. My goal is to meet the description Joseph used for the five young interns that arrived at the end of last year’s trip: “Ah, Rinda, they are strong and zesty.” No one can sum something up like Joseph.Marilyn and Liz on safari                                                   Liz and Marilyn working on student files in our bedroom-office.With an all-adult team, as team #1, we have been able to explore ideas and process things in a way I’ve not been able to before. I have loved the patience and insight that Liz and Marilyn have brought to the table! They bring their years of life experience, both wide and deep, to assist in a wonderful variety of ways. As educators, mothers, travelers, and thinkers, they bring a depth of wisdom, curiosity and flexibility that has been invaluable. As Kenyans say, they are now “part and parcel” to the community. With Brent, the work-horse, and our Kenyan Board members, we’ve spent countless hours examining programs and possibilities.One of the things I love most about this work is that it crosses all age and cultural barriers. We dance the dance of hope and education, united by love, determination, and dreams of a better world.Thank you, Mamas Marilyn Lewis and Liz Davidson!