The sun was setting as the plane touched the small patch of tar between dirt fields of Africa. May thought for a moment, how beautiful the sun is, there was a peculiar sense of security in its’ consistency. She could travel anywhere at any time and one thing would always be consistent, the sun would rise and the sun would set. It just so happened, the sun was breaking the night’s darkness in America, as it succumbed to the moon her arrival night in Africa.
She left the baggage claim one trunk lighter then expected and thankful she listened to her Dad’s advice on the proper method of packing for such a moment as this. Relieved she still had clothes, food, and toiletries in the other three trunks she smiled inside, knowing this is Africa. She was thankful Mr. Chard was protective of the sisters and her in the airport and was happy to see the smiling faces of the Smith family waiting for them outside the airport. A half hour later the trucks were packed fifteen trunks high and the brother and sisters were loaded into another vehicle and brought to the Smith house for dinner and rest.
The first few days were busy with introductions, language, and rest. May struggled with the heat from the very first day when it was 115 degrees fareinheight. She would be thankful for 115 degrees once she felt the 125 degrees in the days to come. Wrapped in long sleeves and ankle length skirts, the sisters learned how to get fresh vegetables from the stand down the road. They were appreciative Mrs. Smith’s hospitality and kindness and they soon referred to her as Martha.
The girls lived with Mitch and Martha for the first week they were in The Sandbox. They were thankful when they were able to move into their apartment down the road. Unpacking their trunks and setting up their rooms seemed to bring roots to this time in their life. Soon enough those roots were covered by sand as the first “hahboob” hit them hard. The sandstorm seeped its’ way through the cracks in the windows, into their freshly cleaned apartment. Once the hahboob’s journey through The Sandbox was over, the sisters saw it left a thick coating of dirt and sand on everything from picture frames, pillows, and blankets, to countertops and floors. The cleaning of the storm took another three days.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Chapter 7 "The Countdown"
May flew through Florida’s warm sunset, thankful to land in Tampa’s inviting atmosphere. She lived slightly north of Tampa since she graduated from high school seven years earlier. She found the weather in April to be most welcoming for its’ warm, not yet humid, personality. However, May’s favorite times where those when the sun took the day off. She enjoyed sitting by opened windows, sipping hot coffee, while the cool citrus fragrance wafted through the screens to embrace the ink of whatever she was reading at the time.
After two months away, she was excited to see two of her sweet friends pull alongside the concrete curve in the dark airport loading terminal. May spent the next two weeks being pampered and loved on by these friends and a handful of others. She stayed with The Zellers, whom she commonly referred to as Mama and Papa Z and considered to be her Florida parents. She had been deeply and richly blessed by her freshman year of college when she was introduced to Mama and Papa Z who lovingly shared what the Great Book said about the Father’s sacrifice of His Son. She found meaning and purpose through the blood of the perfect man and her life changed forever during that time in her eighteenth year.
The last night consisted of laughter that ended with hugs goodbye after a sushi dinner and ice cream dessert. May despised goodbyes, she simply rather avoid saying goodbye to anyone and would rather pretend nothing would change in the lives of the one’s she loved over the next two years. She was almost as awkward with goodbyes as she was with first impressions. May knew she would miss these friends more then she could express so all she could do was hug them and say thank you to them for the way they had loved her through the years. Together for the last time, they gathered in a circle and whispered her up to the Father. She would rather no other goodbye then a circle of finger locked friends whispering protection, guidance, clarity, and thankfulness to the King.
Finally, the 19th of April had arrived. During the previous days, the weather in Tampa was indecisive. May had longed to spend a few days at the beach, her favorite place, before she left for two years but had few opportunities as the sun and clouds played hide and seek with the rain and wind. She found herself appreciating the smallest parts of creation before she left. As she drove through sweet smelling orange fields surrounded by lush green tress, May contemplated the other smells she would miss; fresh cut grass, tulips, the beach, and clean, crisp air. She found herself drifting too quickly into the future while she was appreciating the present. The airport came to view sooner then she was ready to approach it.
Mama Z helped May pull the four gigantic bags out of her Jeep and load them onto the wagon. She held May close and lifted her up to The Father. May tearfully embraced her and thanked The Father for the way he provided such an amazing woman in her life throughout the last seven years. She came to the ticket counter and found her bags were ten pounds over weight. A half hour later and ten pounds of Gatorade lighter, May met up with her friend, Reb, and they spent the two hour wait reminiscing about old times. The time passed too quickly, as it always does in final goodbyes. May left Florida in the arms of one last hug from a sweet friend and landed in the arms of heart felt embraces from McCaine and Red in Virginia.
After two months away, she was excited to see two of her sweet friends pull alongside the concrete curve in the dark airport loading terminal. May spent the next two weeks being pampered and loved on by these friends and a handful of others. She stayed with The Zellers, whom she commonly referred to as Mama and Papa Z and considered to be her Florida parents. She had been deeply and richly blessed by her freshman year of college when she was introduced to Mama and Papa Z who lovingly shared what the Great Book said about the Father’s sacrifice of His Son. She found meaning and purpose through the blood of the perfect man and her life changed forever during that time in her eighteenth year.
The last night consisted of laughter that ended with hugs goodbye after a sushi dinner and ice cream dessert. May despised goodbyes, she simply rather avoid saying goodbye to anyone and would rather pretend nothing would change in the lives of the one’s she loved over the next two years. She was almost as awkward with goodbyes as she was with first impressions. May knew she would miss these friends more then she could express so all she could do was hug them and say thank you to them for the way they had loved her through the years. Together for the last time, they gathered in a circle and whispered her up to the Father. She would rather no other goodbye then a circle of finger locked friends whispering protection, guidance, clarity, and thankfulness to the King.
Finally, the 19th of April had arrived. During the previous days, the weather in Tampa was indecisive. May had longed to spend a few days at the beach, her favorite place, before she left for two years but had few opportunities as the sun and clouds played hide and seek with the rain and wind. She found herself appreciating the smallest parts of creation before she left. As she drove through sweet smelling orange fields surrounded by lush green tress, May contemplated the other smells she would miss; fresh cut grass, tulips, the beach, and clean, crisp air. She found herself drifting too quickly into the future while she was appreciating the present. The airport came to view sooner then she was ready to approach it.
Mama Z helped May pull the four gigantic bags out of her Jeep and load them onto the wagon. She held May close and lifted her up to The Father. May tearfully embraced her and thanked The Father for the way he provided such an amazing woman in her life throughout the last seven years. She came to the ticket counter and found her bags were ten pounds over weight. A half hour later and ten pounds of Gatorade lighter, May met up with her friend, Reb, and they spent the two hour wait reminiscing about old times. The time passed too quickly, as it always does in final goodbyes. May left Florida in the arms of one last hug from a sweet friend and landed in the arms of heart felt embraces from McCaine and Red in Virginia.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Chapter 6 "Final Centre Memories"
The days at training came to an end more quickly then the brothers and sisters had expected. May enjoyed the final week at the Centre immensely. It was filled with basketball games, bonfires, and time spent singing to the Father.
One of the final afternoons the brothers and sisters headed to the gym to play basketball. May, Flex, and Cappy played “Twenty-one”. Red and McCaine cheered May on as she tried to keep game with the brothers. Flex, a more natural basketball player then Cappy and May, quickly took the lead. Cappy tipped a shot Flex missed in and brought him back to zero. As the game continued, May utilized all of her trickster moves, pinching and pushing her way up in points. After a small break in which Flex coached McCaine on how to shoot, the game continued. Cappy and May tried their best but after an hour of fun filled shots, laughter, fouls, and tips, Flex was the winner.
May’s family drove from Connecticut to Virginia to wish her well on her journey. May spent a day with them and was blessed by the conversations and memories of their time together. Her siblings and Dad gathered around a table outside Dairy Queen. As May’s favorite childhood dessert, chocolate cookie-dough ice cream with two extra pumps of peanut butter syrup sauce dripped slightly onto the table, she remembered the many times she ate this, soon to be frosty delicacy, with her siblings growing up. She thanked the Father for simple desserts and fond family memories. It would be a long time before she enjoyed either, again.
One of the final afternoons the brothers and sisters headed to the gym to play basketball. May, Flex, and Cappy played “Twenty-one”. Red and McCaine cheered May on as she tried to keep game with the brothers. Flex, a more natural basketball player then Cappy and May, quickly took the lead. Cappy tipped a shot Flex missed in and brought him back to zero. As the game continued, May utilized all of her trickster moves, pinching and pushing her way up in points. After a small break in which Flex coached McCaine on how to shoot, the game continued. Cappy and May tried their best but after an hour of fun filled shots, laughter, fouls, and tips, Flex was the winner.
May’s family drove from Connecticut to Virginia to wish her well on her journey. May spent a day with them and was blessed by the conversations and memories of their time together. Her siblings and Dad gathered around a table outside Dairy Queen. As May’s favorite childhood dessert, chocolate cookie-dough ice cream with two extra pumps of peanut butter syrup sauce dripped slightly onto the table, she remembered the many times she ate this, soon to be frosty delicacy, with her siblings growing up. She thanked the Father for simple desserts and fond family memories. It would be a long time before she enjoyed either, again.
Chapter 5 "Sailing"
Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream…it was a dream of a day, the day the brothers and sister went row boating and sailing at McCaine’s house. Cappy earned his name that day, as he was the captain of McCaine’s sweet little row boat. He rowed the sisters around the pond while keeping their imaginations attentive on his stories and the explanation of the art on his upper left arm. On the distant shore, Flex and McCaine were receiving instructions on how to properly put together the sailboat.
After Cappy parked the boat, he and Flex blissfully sailed around the pond reminiscing on past sailing excursions and of future ones. Meanwhile, the sisters had made their way up to McCaine’s bedroom. One could gather much about her life through the glossy memories held in wooden frames on her desk and the childhood artwork that hung on the wall. Dusty passes to space camp leaned up against Jane Austin novels and trinkets from childhood. The sisters danced around in McCaine’s tobes, long pieces of material women wrap around themselves in the middle east. Their excitement for their future endeavor swelled as they pictured themselves roaming dirt roads draped in bright colors near their new home.
May glanced out the window and was excited to see the brothers pull to shore. She and Red were anxiously awaiting their first sailing experience, and their first deeper conversation. Red’s sparkling topaz eyes glittered against the water as her red hair blew in the breeze while they sailed away from the shore. May was bundled in a sweatshirt and a little nervous that she had no idea how to sail. She was in charge of the sail and Red, in charge of the rudder. It was not long before May and Red ran into the side of the bank. Flex and McCaine came jogging over to assist them in their positions. After much laughter and a pep talk, the sisters were off again.
May confided in Red during that adventure. She knew Red was a loyal friend later, when Red could have offered some interesting information, but held it in her heart to protect a sister. With much laughter May and Red finished their sailing adventure and cruised to shore for dinner.
The brothers and sisters ate burgers, cheese balls, and beans. After the meal Flex stood and made a toast. It was a sweet toast followed by the clanking of glasses. Flex continued to make toasts, each one a little more uncanny then the last. The brothers and sisters conversed under the moonlight that seeped between the branchy fingers of the oak tree limbs above their heads. Later, they danced in McCaine’s living room and conversed over brownies and coffee.
After Cappy parked the boat, he and Flex blissfully sailed around the pond reminiscing on past sailing excursions and of future ones. Meanwhile, the sisters had made their way up to McCaine’s bedroom. One could gather much about her life through the glossy memories held in wooden frames on her desk and the childhood artwork that hung on the wall. Dusty passes to space camp leaned up against Jane Austin novels and trinkets from childhood. The sisters danced around in McCaine’s tobes, long pieces of material women wrap around themselves in the middle east. Their excitement for their future endeavor swelled as they pictured themselves roaming dirt roads draped in bright colors near their new home.
May glanced out the window and was excited to see the brothers pull to shore. She and Red were anxiously awaiting their first sailing experience, and their first deeper conversation. Red’s sparkling topaz eyes glittered against the water as her red hair blew in the breeze while they sailed away from the shore. May was bundled in a sweatshirt and a little nervous that she had no idea how to sail. She was in charge of the sail and Red, in charge of the rudder. It was not long before May and Red ran into the side of the bank. Flex and McCaine came jogging over to assist them in their positions. After much laughter and a pep talk, the sisters were off again.
May confided in Red during that adventure. She knew Red was a loyal friend later, when Red could have offered some interesting information, but held it in her heart to protect a sister. With much laughter May and Red finished their sailing adventure and cruised to shore for dinner.
The brothers and sisters ate burgers, cheese balls, and beans. After the meal Flex stood and made a toast. It was a sweet toast followed by the clanking of glasses. Flex continued to make toasts, each one a little more uncanny then the last. The brothers and sisters conversed under the moonlight that seeped between the branchy fingers of the oak tree limbs above their heads. Later, they danced in McCaine’s living room and conversed over brownies and coffee.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Chapter 4 "Soldier Dancing Night"
Chapter 4 “Soldier Dancing Night”
The Sisters, including Jane, went out to dinner one night for some quality time together. They shared their fears and excitement about the months that were approaching and enjoyed each others company immensely. Had it not been for a quick excursion to pick up a few necessities from the market, they may have later missed Arab soldiers dancing the night away.
There had been few conversations about the roles of men and women in the area the brothers and sisters were traveling to. The brothers had a “pep talk” on how to care for the sisters during their times together and the sisters were lectured on what to wear and whom to converse with and on letting the brothers protect them. It was at the precise moment, the sisters were talking about this subject, that they passed by little boy soldier costumes on one of the shelves. At once they knew it was fate and grabbed four boxes, purchased them and made their way home to their brothers.
A couple hours later, Flex, Cappy, and Mr. Chard opened the boxes and the sisters were reminded of children opening Ch***mas presents. For a moment May could even taste sweet holiday apple crisp on her tongue as she breathed in a stream of the fresh evergreen scent in the air. The brothers tore into the boxes, placed plastic helmets on their heads and belts of armor around their waists. They began fighting each other with their flimsy swords and guarding themselves with their shields. The walls around them crumbled and there amongst the dust were Arab soldiers fighting and dancing swiftly in the night. All seemed sweet and right in the cool Virginia night and a beautiful memory was shared amongst the brothers and sisters.
The Sisters, including Jane, went out to dinner one night for some quality time together. They shared their fears and excitement about the months that were approaching and enjoyed each others company immensely. Had it not been for a quick excursion to pick up a few necessities from the market, they may have later missed Arab soldiers dancing the night away.
There had been few conversations about the roles of men and women in the area the brothers and sisters were traveling to. The brothers had a “pep talk” on how to care for the sisters during their times together and the sisters were lectured on what to wear and whom to converse with and on letting the brothers protect them. It was at the precise moment, the sisters were talking about this subject, that they passed by little boy soldier costumes on one of the shelves. At once they knew it was fate and grabbed four boxes, purchased them and made their way home to their brothers.
A couple hours later, Flex, Cappy, and Mr. Chard opened the boxes and the sisters were reminded of children opening Ch***mas presents. For a moment May could even taste sweet holiday apple crisp on her tongue as she breathed in a stream of the fresh evergreen scent in the air. The brothers tore into the boxes, placed plastic helmets on their heads and belts of armor around their waists. They began fighting each other with their flimsy swords and guarding themselves with their shields. The walls around them crumbled and there amongst the dust were Arab soldiers fighting and dancing swiftly in the night. All seemed sweet and right in the cool Virginia night and a beautiful memory was shared amongst the brothers and sisters.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Chapter 3 "The Rock"
The Father blessed the sisters with the sweet fellowship of Jane, another sister who would travel to Peru and spend her time dodging tree branches and wading through rivers in the Amazon. An elastic always secured her straight dark brown hair in a firm pony tail that swayed right to left when she walked. Jane had the best perspective on each of the sister’s stories. She was close with each one individually and was the finishing piece of their puzzle when gathered in a group. The sisters missed her before they even went their separate ways.
Jane accompanied McCaine and May on their picture taking trip to the river. The three walked over the rock filled path and came to the opening. May saw the perfect place for the individual picture she wanted to give her family and friends and instructed McCaine and Jane to stay where they were and to let her cross the river to sit on a dry rock near the surface on the other side. Little did May know, her new shoes were not up for the task of crossing over the wet, slimy rocks. No sooner then when she stepped on the first slimy rock and placed her weight forward on it, did the rest of her body fly in the opposite direction. Her foot came out from beneath her and her body flew backwards into the air. She landed partially on her back and arm and her head whipped backwards and smashed into the rock.
Once she awoke from a slight two second blackout she looked to McCaine and Jane, slightly confused, not quite understanding why she was laying in the middle of the river on her back with cool water and mud running over her body. She was fearful when she noticed their expressions. They were staring at her horrified. After the initial shock of what happened lapsed, McCaine and Jane risked the waters themselves to pull May out. They helped May sit up, the water still running over her, and insisted she sit still for a moment. May was between laughter and tears and chose laughter because she knew the tears would not stop running down her checks once they began. McCaine and Jane helped May up, each holding an elbow, and pleaded with her to let them take her to the hospital. May’s pride came to the forefront and she refused. They demanded she at least go to The Centre’s nurse’s office to be looked over if she would not let them accompany her to the hospital. May’s headache prevented her from arguing long and the sisters marched her back through the path.
May was horrified when she saw a group of six other travelers approaching them, including one attractive brother who she had been noticing from afar, long ago. She knew there was no way to hide her drenched, mud covered body. McCaine and Jane saw the humor in the situation and tried their best to help May not feel so humiliated. They did most of the talking and described the river encounter to the six in a way that made the river sound like it came alive to eat May. She was appreciative of their effort to make her not feel so embarrassed. The sister cordially wished the others well for their journey over the river and cautioned them about the slippery rocks.
McCaine and Jane escorted May to the nurse’s office where she was told she may have a slight concussion but she did not have to visit the hospital unless she began vomiting or wanting to sleep, or felt she should go. McCaine was determined to get May to the hospital and went to the cafeteria to retrieve directions from the information wall. May, quickly began walking in the opposite direction, a little fearful she was going to be tackled into a car and brought to the dreaded hospital. McCaine noticed Jane and May well on their way back to their quad, a little confused to why they were talking the wrong route back. May requested the sisters take the long route back to their quad in order to avoid other people at all costs. May was thankful for such sweet sisters who watched over her through the night…and for the shower that rinsed the mud away.
Jane accompanied McCaine and May on their picture taking trip to the river. The three walked over the rock filled path and came to the opening. May saw the perfect place for the individual picture she wanted to give her family and friends and instructed McCaine and Jane to stay where they were and to let her cross the river to sit on a dry rock near the surface on the other side. Little did May know, her new shoes were not up for the task of crossing over the wet, slimy rocks. No sooner then when she stepped on the first slimy rock and placed her weight forward on it, did the rest of her body fly in the opposite direction. Her foot came out from beneath her and her body flew backwards into the air. She landed partially on her back and arm and her head whipped backwards and smashed into the rock.
Once she awoke from a slight two second blackout she looked to McCaine and Jane, slightly confused, not quite understanding why she was laying in the middle of the river on her back with cool water and mud running over her body. She was fearful when she noticed their expressions. They were staring at her horrified. After the initial shock of what happened lapsed, McCaine and Jane risked the waters themselves to pull May out. They helped May sit up, the water still running over her, and insisted she sit still for a moment. May was between laughter and tears and chose laughter because she knew the tears would not stop running down her checks once they began. McCaine and Jane helped May up, each holding an elbow, and pleaded with her to let them take her to the hospital. May’s pride came to the forefront and she refused. They demanded she at least go to The Centre’s nurse’s office to be looked over if she would not let them accompany her to the hospital. May’s headache prevented her from arguing long and the sisters marched her back through the path.
May was horrified when she saw a group of six other travelers approaching them, including one attractive brother who she had been noticing from afar, long ago. She knew there was no way to hide her drenched, mud covered body. McCaine and Jane saw the humor in the situation and tried their best to help May not feel so humiliated. They did most of the talking and described the river encounter to the six in a way that made the river sound like it came alive to eat May. She was appreciative of their effort to make her not feel so embarrassed. The sister cordially wished the others well for their journey over the river and cautioned them about the slippery rocks.
McCaine and Jane escorted May to the nurse’s office where she was told she may have a slight concussion but she did not have to visit the hospital unless she began vomiting or wanting to sleep, or felt she should go. McCaine was determined to get May to the hospital and went to the cafeteria to retrieve directions from the information wall. May, quickly began walking in the opposite direction, a little fearful she was going to be tackled into a car and brought to the dreaded hospital. McCaine noticed Jane and May well on their way back to their quad, a little confused to why they were talking the wrong route back. May requested the sisters take the long route back to their quad in order to avoid other people at all costs. May was thankful for such sweet sisters who watched over her through the night…and for the shower that rinsed the mud away.
Chapter 2 "The Wall of Maturity"
By the end of the second week, each of the brothers and sisters had settled comfortably into The Centre. The awkwardness of first impressions had lifted and the group decided to break bread over conversations about their lives and what led them to dedicating this season to The Father in far away fields. However, before stories could be shared, Flex and Cappy were eager to play a game they had made up, The Wall of Maturity. May had expected such a game from Flex, but she had not quite figured Cappy out yet. Flex stood at about 5’9” with a slender build. He wore his medium length curly hair well. He was seen as the cheerful, life of the party and his smile turned gloomy rooms sunny. Flex was found to be candid and sincere in their first few interactions. The Sisters also noticed the joy he had for talking about himself. The “Wall of Maturity” was typical of Flex’s character.
A scale was constructed on the wall and each participant was obligated to place a post-it of their age in maturity somewhere on the scale. After each person proposed their age, the rest of the brothers and sisters would articulate their thoughts on the individuals age of maturity. An average would be tallied and written on a post-it on the wall. As one would imagine, a couple of the brothers and sisters were more then a little off on their thoughts of their age of maturity. Flex and Cappy were deep into this silly game as May noticed the clock ticking away and hoped the game would end in order stories could be shared. She found Lanky’s reaction to his brother’s game amusing, he went over to the couch and laid down waiting for it to be over, every now and again adding some insight to each person’s maturity.
May did not expect such a game to be Cappy’s forte. Her impressions of Cappy were only half accurate and his personality seemed to be more a mystery after the game then before. He was authentic with a vast taste in music and literature. He was intellectual and deep. May had heard of his ingenuous personality long before they had met. The Wall of Maturity game proved he was a little on quirky side and she found that charming. He was the tallest of the brothers. His long sandy hair brushed up against his spectacles, that left indents on temples of his slightly freckled face. At 22 years he seemed to have an aged, sweet, spirit.
May found Lanky to be quiet. He seemed the deeper type, the theological type, and full of wit and sarcasm when he spoke. The Father had not ordained many conversations between the both of them. Naturally, she was not sure what else to think of him. He, like the other brothers, was tall and slender. He was the first of the brothers to cut his strawberry blonde hair short resulting in his sharp blue eyes being revealed. He was musically inclined with a beautiful voice and exceptional guitar skills. He, like the other brothers, wore his pants low, tightened around the hips with a colorful belt most of the time.
A scale was constructed on the wall and each participant was obligated to place a post-it of their age in maturity somewhere on the scale. After each person proposed their age, the rest of the brothers and sisters would articulate their thoughts on the individuals age of maturity. An average would be tallied and written on a post-it on the wall. As one would imagine, a couple of the brothers and sisters were more then a little off on their thoughts of their age of maturity. Flex and Cappy were deep into this silly game as May noticed the clock ticking away and hoped the game would end in order stories could be shared. She found Lanky’s reaction to his brother’s game amusing, he went over to the couch and laid down waiting for it to be over, every now and again adding some insight to each person’s maturity.
May did not expect such a game to be Cappy’s forte. Her impressions of Cappy were only half accurate and his personality seemed to be more a mystery after the game then before. He was authentic with a vast taste in music and literature. He was intellectual and deep. May had heard of his ingenuous personality long before they had met. The Wall of Maturity game proved he was a little on quirky side and she found that charming. He was the tallest of the brothers. His long sandy hair brushed up against his spectacles, that left indents on temples of his slightly freckled face. At 22 years he seemed to have an aged, sweet, spirit.
May found Lanky to be quiet. He seemed the deeper type, the theological type, and full of wit and sarcasm when he spoke. The Father had not ordained many conversations between the both of them. Naturally, she was not sure what else to think of him. He, like the other brothers, was tall and slender. He was the first of the brothers to cut his strawberry blonde hair short resulting in his sharp blue eyes being revealed. He was musically inclined with a beautiful voice and exceptional guitar skills. He, like the other brothers, wore his pants low, tightened around the hips with a colorful belt most of the time.
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