Rain,Rain, Go Away......

2.16.10
Tuesday was a rainy, cloudy day. We headed out to the school construction site knowing there might not be as many locals working since it was raining. The rain didn’t prevent me from working in the dirt-I came prepared with my bright green raincoat. How often am I in Africa getting my hands dirty helping to build a school? Normally rainy, cloudy days put me in a sluggish, logy mood, but I truly felt so “alive” this day – the rain drizzling down, sliding in the mud as I was pushing the wheelbarrow, sweat pouring out of my pores under my green raincoat, dirt accumulating under my nails. I kept thinking about how I have so many choices to avoid getting wet when it rains back home…..I can stay inside in the comfort of my home if I don’t have to work, run errands using my car for transport, hide under an umbrella or raincoat when walking from my car to the store or someone’s home. The people here don’t have these amenities or choices. They don’t have the option to use a car for transport when it rains, or at least very few do. Few have raincoats or umbrellas or even shoes to wear. Quite honestly I don’t think they really care too much if its raining nor does it affect them. I felt it would have been very selfish of me to not go out and work that day in the mud. Even though there were less than 20 locals working with us it was a very productive, inspiring day.

It’s only natural for me to befriend the locals as we are working alongside one another. I was talking with one friendly man about his family, his children, if his children would attend this school once it’s built, how far away he lived, etc. He was very kind to offer me a ride to his home with him so he could show me his house…I of course chuckled at his offer.....hmmm…..now what would my mother say if I told her I accepted? I pictured her lecturing me when I was a little girl about not taking any offers from strangers (see mom your life’s lessons to me and savvyness are still paying off). Although he was insistent and I would like to think he is harmless….I politely declined with a sweet innocent smile on my face, trying not to offend him. It was probably not the safest situation I could put myself in while on this journey:).