Water...

Thinking back, I realize, I knew better- yet still the moment was profound. See, in Africa, water isn't as abundant as it is in America. Clean water, is a whole other story...
Most of you know this as well. But since the home I live in, and the shop I work at have water tanks (see left), it didn't affect me very much, so naturally, I didn't think about it very much... (Isn't that the sad reality for much of life...) Until one day, maybe my second month here, I went to wash my hands, and.... nothing. "Charlotte!" I called, "There's no water!"
"Yes." She calmly replied.
I looked at her blankly. She looked back at me.
"Is this normal?" I asked.
"Yes, well, sometimes," was her response.
She added- "In America, do you always have water?"
I stopped. Speechless. "Well yes," I replied- feeling somewhat foolish and guilty.
"Hm, not here," she said.

 Well, the good news is, (or the convenient for me news is) that the water tank, often still has water, even if it isn't coming from the faucets- we can get it outside. So, again, I lived my life seeing many others with a different reality, yet conveniently unaffected...

This is, until this past week. Three days ago the water stopped at the shop. And didn't come back. Yesterday, Charlotte called to have me bring water from home. I filled Jerry cans and was thankful to have a car to load them in- because for many- their day is lugging water....

And then I think again, how this water, which I either filter, boil, or bleach in order to keep me healthy, is the same water many struggle to get... and drink straight from the can... perpetuating illness...

When I get home, I am pretty certain that it won't take long for me to take hot water out of the faucet for granted... being able to drink water from the tap... or having a day free of the thought of how to get water, or ration water... expecting to have power every night... but at the same time, I hope I don't forget.  I hope I don't forget that I don't have to pray my students aren't forced to leave school to stay at home and provide the family with these basic needs... I hope I don't forget that there are so many who would be amazed by the convenience of a washer/dryer, or a dishwasher...

I hope I don't forget that on the rare occasion when these inconveniences do occur at home, that my life doesn't need to grow sour... The cheer in my ladies voices, the singing, the work ethic, despite challenges EVERY DAY, are truly awe-inspiring... They remind me that it's a time to help a neighbor, reach out to the community, grow together.

 I've seen this recently on facebook as people in my home state are struggling after a storm. Yet, among the posts, I see friends reaching out, offering their extra bedroom, a warm shower... businesses are opening doors for people... needs are being met. It makes me smile.

In the community I live in now, that is daily life...

In America... we have SO much. We truly are privileged- and I am grateful. I also pray, however, we remember humanity. We don't forget that the conveniences that have become expected (faucets, electricity, heat, air conditioning) aren't the norm... There are many people who face every day struggling for these basic needs.

I pray I remember that my neighbor is beyond the next house over...

I am grateful I have had the opportunity to come to this country of Rwanda twice now. The first time many of these photos were taken by my friend Leah Curran (http://www.unveilingphotography.com)