La Sonya

[ Masi child going into his hut, Tanzania by Sonya Reaves, 13/11/11.] Teach me how to love I am a child in need of strength and hope. Love me for who I am, only don’t leave me that way. I am rude and loud and think of myself I stand up front and say what I want It’s almost to late to fix what you started. Love me and correct me with strength Teach me when and where to talk How to know my place. Show me what it is like to put others first Love me with the love from your deep heart. Allow me to fall, but not stay down Do what you must to teach me how to love Love me with confidence.

People believe in me. People support me. People sacrifice for me. I am loved. To all those people, thank you . Thank you for encouraging me to do what I love, for listening to me talk with passion about life, for allowing me to be me. I don't know how I would have survived alone because you made life survivable, thank you . To all those of you I talked to this last week, whether for 2 min or for 2 hours, thank you . You are part of something bigger than yourself, part of something bigger than me, something bigger than starting an orphanage from scratch in Tanzania. You are part of the body of Christ. "In fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body" 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

I'm trying to sleep but I can’t seem to find it. My mind just keeps running instead. Perhaps I’ve just got to much on my mind. I’ve been thinking lots about my future and what I’ll be doing in five years. I’ve got dreams. My waking dreams entail many things. I’m not trying to be picky with God, I’ll go where ever He sends me but I just have things I would like in my life. I would like a home or a flat. A place to call my own. A place where friends can come over and veg on my couch, or students can come and feel as if they were at home. A place that people can come to and feel safe and welcome. I would like a job that challenges me. Something that keeps me thinking on new ways to do something. I want a job that keeps me busy and active. No desk for me please. I want to be challenged to get people motivated, inspired, empowered and to find new ways to show them that they are not alone. I want a job that offers me freedom to think, plan, create and explore. I want to try new ideas t...

I need to go to bed but I must write this first. I've been reminded of my life back in Africa. The power has gone out and I am writing now to you by light of my lantern [on paper]. Perhaps I am a true romantic at heart or a pioneer spirit but I love this. I often wish it was always like this. This is my true love. Rustic. Simple. No frills. Just me, the lantern and . . . the lights just came back on. . . boo.