Sketches from AfricaScroll down to an earlier entry to read about the lesson on living passionately I learned from a dancing deacon. I am not a true artist. I’m only a sketcher. I’m learned that one of the best “friend-catchers” in a foreign country is one’s journal and sketches. Even the shyest person cannot help but looking over your shoulder at your drawings. So...

To read the entire “suitcase” story, scroll down to the blue text. Sketches of Africa The Weight It seems everyone is African is carrying something heavy. All day. All of the time. We saw it all– most of the items carried on the bearer’s head. My favorite was the lady carrying an old Singer sewing machine on her head, arms free. One boy riding a bicycle with probably...

My great great aunt, Eliza Iles, as she left for the Belgian Congo in 1920. The caravan arrives at the mission house in Congo. Notice the covered hammocks the natives carried the missionary women in. in. This picture was taken in Nov. 1920, over three months since Aunt Eliza left New York City by boat. Eliza Iles and Leroy Harris on their wedding day, Wiembo Namba, Belgian Congo. 2 Pebbles...

In recovering and writing about my African trip, I’m sharing my favorite six words.The sketch above shows an old deacon’s feet dancing a jig in joy before the Lord. (see his picture and full story by scrolling below.) This wonderful older man is still living life with my word #1: Passion! My 6 words. Today’s word: Integrity. What a fine word. John Maxwell describes it as...

A church built on the rock… Volcanic Rock! This is one of the Union of Baptist Churches near Goma, Congo. In the background is Mt. Nyiragongo (0ver ten thousand feet high), one of five active volcanoes in this area. You can see the smoke boiling out of the mountain. At night, you could see a red glow from the crater. One night, the upside down Big Dipper was above the mountain and...