Recently in Cyndi Hovey Category

Last night Anthia told me to go and make her proud. I hope I do. Terrified of the return. Pray By Cyndi Hovey I do not hear Even though the cries are so near Pray for my ears I do not see Even though the eyes stare directly at me Pray for my eyes I do not taste Even though the salty tears run down my face Pray for my tongue I do not speak Even though I long to teach Pray for my voice I need to hear I want to see I crave to taste I long to speak I care, I do Pray for me And I for you

I feel so incredibly honored to have been invited by Joe, our Museum Six tour guide, to a Jazz joint. He is such a lovely person. Just watching him interact with everyone at the club, I could tell he was one of those individuals people never forget. It is a good feeling to simply be in his presence and watch him interact. His hugs and smiles made me feel so loved even though I don't even think he knows my name. That club embodied a lot of how I feel about South Africa. There is joy and excitement in almost everyone around me. I feel accepted and appreciated without much of an effort. And I am content with being present, observing, listening, rather than speaking. I cannot express how honored I am to be a part of the ever growing, beautiful story of this country.

Before I left for this wonderful adventure in Africa, my mama shared a meaningful message with me. This year I had expressed how I did not want ANYTHING for Christmas, only money towards the trip. In addition I really am at the point were I don't need things, I have so many. I would rather someone donate money in my name or something of the sort. My mother and I were doing a bit of Christmas shopping and talking about this idea again. I could tell she was somewhat upset/uneasy about what I was saying. She paused, looked at me and said, "Cyndi, sometimes you just need to accept a gift." I don't think I fully appreciated the significance of this statement until some encounters on this trip. The other day we played with the children of a daycare in Delft. It was so incredibly tiring, humbling, and fun! At the end, the workers insisted on feeding us lunch. Lamb, potatoes, salad, and rice. Delicious. I had a hard time really enjoying it though, because as we ate, children with eager eyes gathered in the doorway. We had an audience, which made me feel guilt with every bite. One girl told a classmate of mine that she had yet to eat today. I had an omelet for breakfast and now was being fed. I could easily afford to buy food back in town. And I had food back at the house. It was a very uncomfortable experience. We also recently went on patient home visits with the Afrika Tikkun nurses. The woman we visited had suffered from a stroke. She sat in her on her bed, her left arm holding her right, skinny as can be, dressed in pink. With the nurses help she has regained the ability to walk (with some assistance) and speak. I was not really sure how to act or what to ask.When we left I smiled at each family member and thanked them. One of the oldest male's said, "God will bless you." When I existed the shack, tears just started flowing. I struggled with how he was able to give me a blessing, when I felt like he was in the midst of so much hardship. I could not really wrap my head around the morality of it all. When reflecting on both of these instances, my mom's words came to mind, "Cyndi sometimes you just need to accept a gift." How incredibly rude to deny something that is given to me, whether it food or a blessing. Who am I to say I do not deserve your gift, or you do not deserve to give me a gift. Even if I feel I am not deserving or others are more deserving, sometimes I need to step aside and graciously, respectfully accept what is gifted to me. Giving is a gift to the giver as well as the receiver. Receive graciously. Love fully.

After our visit to the health clinic in Delft, 

I was lost in my emotions, not really sure how I felt. 

This was the result of that confusion...

Them

By Cyndi Hovey

Heavy heart

Heavy body

What am I trying to share?

I want to cry

I want to yell

But what is the story I wish to tell?

Do I pity what I see?

Do I scold those who cry?

This is it people, we live and we die

Death gives us value

Disease gives us reason

There's new challengers with each and every season

It is

It is

It really just is

Existence everywhere

i am lion.pdf

I wanted to post the poem I shared at our first pre-departure meeting. Again, I wrote it after acceptance to the South Africa program. I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. I painted the lion in a high school art class.

I have always thought lions to be the most beautiful creatures. In these animals, I see both myself and the self I want to become. Lions embody power, strength and independence. Yet, there remains a strong sense of community within a pride, with each member complementing, supporting, and learning from the other.