I recently left my heart in Africa too! My family and I went to visit my husband's family in Nigeria. While there I toured a brand new women and child hospital and was completely undone by the vision that this hospital offers. Free health care for women from 5 months pregnant through labour and delivery and post partum care. Care for children up to the age of 5, for FREE!! I can't get the place off my mind.
I pray for God's peace and blessings for you as you prepare to return to Africa.
I teach 9th & 10th grade literature and what I know I leave behind is a some info on literature, sure. But what I really hope I am leaving behind is that the future is theirs for the taking, to be kind to one another, accept themselves, and to leave the world a better place than they found it. This is what I hope to model to them every day.
This is a really neat post and really made me think! I knew that the rock pile was significant in the Bible, and my husband reminded me that it's called an Ebenezer:
Literally speaking, an Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God’s Real, Holy Presence and Divine aid. Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the Sacramental Elements, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance are "Ebenezers."
http://www.revneal.org/Writings/whatsan.htm
It's making me think about the Ebenezers in my life. Thank you!
This post is exactly why I love your blog. Your blog is such an amazing tool to help each of us soul search and hopefully make that difference in this world of ours.
I would like to think that helping others is my mark on this world.