Happiness

Pics: Village children, Kyaba, Israel

God has been speaking to me alot recently about happiness. I wonder why I am not unhappy here. I do miss home and family and friends. Once in awhile the loneliness hits. But for the most part I am very happy. This morning (Sunday), I read this quote: "Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude" by Denis Waitley. Luci Swindoll says, "Decide to accept the path God has given you with courage, grace and humor". Even before I came to Africa I had people tell me they could not do what I do, that is work with students with special needs. I remember thinking then, "You haven't tried it!". I assumed everyone would love it if they just gave it a try. Today, as I sat in church and watched the people dancing I thought, "''Father, I wish they could be with me where I am so that they could see Your glory'" (John 17:24) Last Friday Kyaba fell asleep on my lap on the bus ride home. I wanted to capture the experience and share it with all of you. It was one of those moments of pure happiness. He is a very big, tough 4 year old, sleeping like an angel.

Other things here certainly are humorous. The student that asked me if white women flatulated. The same student, after we had read several stories or seen pictures of animals, at which I would say, "We used to have one of those" (due to the many pets we have had), saw a picture of a gorilla in a phonics book said, "Madam, do you have one?". Israel with the plastic lips or Israel trying to march to class like the other students. Sherifa, my 'special student' was trying to tell me that her behavior was due to her illness (a seizure disorder). I said that seizures do not cause bad behavior and explained that I have had many, many students with the same illness she has. She responded, "God will bless you, Madam". I'm not sure what she was thinking, but I wanted to respond, "I certainly hope so"(It was a rough day for us both). Almost daily there is humor, maybe even hourly!

As I look back at my life, the things that make me smile are not the big days. It is not when I purchased a car or a house. I remember funny things my kids said, them swimming in the backyard as kids or going out to Taco Treat when they were teenagers. I remember trips with my students on the transit or bowling with them. There are times when you are just living and your soul seems to say, "This is happiness remember it". I have felt that many times here.

I have also watched the people here. I won't say that they are always ecstatic, but they are as happy or happier than many of us Americans. The children I believe are happier than our children. Which really makes me think about what we do to pursue happiness and how we fight, struggle and work to get it. And I wonder sometimes if I have missed the happiness God has for me at the same time I am trying to earn or buy it somewhere else. I saw a sign once that said, "When my ship comes in I will probably be at the airport" I wonder if our blessings aren't right there waiting for us and we are "at the airport" trying to find it.