while the dawning of the New Year gives us an opportunity to avoid those same disappointments. ~Anonymous
Day 136, Dec 25, Sat, Christmas day, 92°F – 4:38pm,
(first things first, last night, I decided to try and stay up and hopefully watch the Popes midnight mass on the BBC, however I forgot to take into account the time difference, so when 12:00am rolled around and there was still no sign of the mass beginning, I decided to hold a candlelight rosary in the chapel instead, it was very beautiful, if a bit lonely.)
When I woke up this morning, I really expected today to be not particularly special, (as most of Ethiopia will be celebrating on the 7th of January) and definitely lonely. (Thankfully I did receive a restful night) But when I went to the sister’s compound for Christmas play practice I discovered that they had canceled practice and were going to visit Abba Tulio in Itang for a Christmas luncheon, to which I was invited to join! So after walking back to the office and grabbing some pictures that I had been meaning to give to Abba but had never found the time to, I rushed back and hitched a ride with the sisters.
Day 136, Dec 25, Sat, Christmas day, 92°F – 4:38pm,
(first things first, last night, I decided to try and stay up and hopefully watch the Popes midnight mass on the BBC, however I forgot to take into account the time difference, so when 12:00am rolled around and there was still no sign of the mass beginning, I decided to hold a candlelight rosary in the chapel instead, it was very beautiful, if a bit lonely.)
When I woke up this morning, I really expected today to be not particularly special, (as most of Ethiopia will be celebrating on the 7th of January) and definitely lonely. (Thankfully I did receive a restful night) But when I went to the sister’s compound for Christmas play practice I discovered that they had canceled practice and were going to visit Abba Tulio in Itang for a Christmas luncheon, to which I was invited to join! So after walking back to the office and grabbing some pictures that I had been meaning to give to Abba but had never found the time to, I rushed back and hitched a ride with the sisters.
I found the sisters a hoot to travel with, it seems whether they be nun, mothers, or single, women will be women, and when you get a group of them together in an enclosed space they will talk…a lot! Lol, which is fine by me, being as I am an introspective person, I don’t mind listening. (Also, the Sisters recite a beautiful rosary, I’ve found that several of the groups I’ve previously said rosaries with have neglected several parts of it, but the Sisters skip nothing, and even accompany it in several parts with musical hymns, quite lovely.)
We made it to Itang after about an hour of driving, and were greeted warmly by Abba Tulio and his guests. (There was an Anglican couple from New Zealand who had been working in Tanzania, who had come to visit Ethiopia for a month.)
We made it to Itang after about an hour of driving, and were greeted warmly by Abba Tulio and his guests. (There was an Anglican couple from New Zealand who had been working in Tanzania, who had come to visit Ethiopia for a month.)
After showing the some of the sisters who had never been here around, and after meeting/greeting the youths that lived at the church hostel, we gathered inside for our feast. And a feast it was, Abba had really outdone himself this time, there was perfectly cooked rice, (it was wonderfully fluffy) Beans, (the proper name of which I do not know, I affectionately call them butter beans, because of their wonderfully smooth and rich taste) Beef, (which I admit I did not try, having only just recovered from my most recent sick episode I didn’t want to tempt fate) corn porridge, (which is better than it sounds) and a kind of lentil gravy, (which was particularly tasty on the rice and porridge).
The candor during this banquet was as equally interesting as the meal itself, with conversations covering such topics as our respective countries climates compared to Ethiopia, as well as the latest work we had been doing, (It was like a meeting with the UN, one sister was from Romania, another from Croatia, there was a sister from Kenya, and also one from India, as well as a sister who was Ethiopian, Abba Tulio was from Columbia, there was the couple from New Zealand, and of course there was yours truly as the representative of the US). Alas, all good things must come to an end though, and the time of parting had come much too quickly, so after saying our goodbyes to Abba, (The NZ couple were going to hitch a ride with us into Gambella, where they would be catching a flight) we were on our way.
Despite the regret of departure the ride back was not a somber one, for soon after we had started on our way the confines of the vehicle resonated with the salubrious and joyful strains of Christmas carols as we belt out one after another, until our entire repertoire yuletide hymns was exhausted. (at which point we stopped to stretch our legs and gather dried grass and reeds for the sister, which they used to make brooms) The miles seem to fly under our tires, and before I realized it, we were back in Gambella, and after dropping me of at my compound, the rest of the party continued to theirs.
The rest of the day was spent leisurely, and all in all, it turned out to be a very good Christmas, one that I won’t forget for years to come.
Day 137, Dec 26, Sun, 93°F – 3:00pm,
I had a marvelous encounter after mass this morning. After the service had ended and as I was conversing on the ground just outside the church with Br. Legesse, a gentleman approached me and introduced himself as David Bock, a Canadian, who has been working in Gambella for the past two years with IOM (the International Organization of Migration, which is affiliated with the UN). It appears that he became aware of my presence here in the city when he stumbled upon my blog, how freaking awesome is that!?
The candor during this banquet was as equally interesting as the meal itself, with conversations covering such topics as our respective countries climates compared to Ethiopia, as well as the latest work we had been doing, (It was like a meeting with the UN, one sister was from Romania, another from Croatia, there was a sister from Kenya, and also one from India, as well as a sister who was Ethiopian, Abba Tulio was from Columbia, there was the couple from New Zealand, and of course there was yours truly as the representative of the US). Alas, all good things must come to an end though, and the time of parting had come much too quickly, so after saying our goodbyes to Abba, (The NZ couple were going to hitch a ride with us into Gambella, where they would be catching a flight) we were on our way.
Despite the regret of departure the ride back was not a somber one, for soon after we had started on our way the confines of the vehicle resonated with the salubrious and joyful strains of Christmas carols as we belt out one after another, until our entire repertoire yuletide hymns was exhausted. (at which point we stopped to stretch our legs and gather dried grass and reeds for the sister, which they used to make brooms) The miles seem to fly under our tires, and before I realized it, we were back in Gambella, and after dropping me of at my compound, the rest of the party continued to theirs.
The rest of the day was spent leisurely, and all in all, it turned out to be a very good Christmas, one that I won’t forget for years to come.
Day 137, Dec 26, Sun, 93°F – 3:00pm,
I had a marvelous encounter after mass this morning. After the service had ended and as I was conversing on the ground just outside the church with Br. Legesse, a gentleman approached me and introduced himself as David Bock, a Canadian, who has been working in Gambella for the past two years with IOM (the International Organization of Migration, which is affiliated with the UN). It appears that he became aware of my presence here in the city when he stumbled upon my blog, how freaking awesome is that!?
We tarried at the church for awhile and held an animated discourse on how our respective roles and what led to our presence here, (turns out he’s been in Africa for five years! and has lived and traveled through many of the various countries located within!) as well as the various challenges and inconveniences that working in Ethiopia presents. (To which he gave me some very useful information, particularly regarding computer usage, which I shall definitely be implementing if or when I get the chance.)
Our conversation eventually lost some of its forward momentum, but before we parted to go our separate ways he gave me his mobile number and informed me that he would at least be in Gambella approximately 2 more months, (Longer, he hopes, I guess it depends on if he can renew his contract) and said we should get together again sometime. (Which I would really enjoy, it was really nice to be able to talk to another person who didn’t speak with a heavy accent, lol, so I definitely think I shall be taking him up on his offer some time...Hmm, I wonder if he plays cards?)
In the afternoon, I was finally able to finish “Uncle Tom’s cabin”, and as I look back upon it, it seems to me that the message it carries can still be applied to today’s society, particularly to that hideous genocide of the unborn, as the view point of that 19th centuries society had in seeing the African peoples as nothing more than things, with no rights of their own, mirrors the current societies viewpoint that the unborn are simply things with no rights of themselves as well.
In the afternoon, I was finally able to finish “Uncle Tom’s cabin”, and as I look back upon it, it seems to me that the message it carries can still be applied to today’s society, particularly to that hideous genocide of the unborn, as the view point of that 19th centuries society had in seeing the African peoples as nothing more than things, with no rights of their own, mirrors the current societies viewpoint that the unborn are simply things with no rights of themselves as well.
The next book I have started is titles: “Microbe Hunters, by Paul de Kruif”, which is about some of those earliest and greatest scientists who made leaping advancements in the realm of not only microbiology, but science in general, a very fascinating book. At 4:00 I headed to the church compound for play practice, which seems to be going well, the kids are learning their lines, and I’m getting some good ideas for scenery layout. (I’ve also started learning “Angels we have heard on high” which I shall be performing for the play) Not much happened after practice, the only thing of note that I did was tidy up my room.
Now, instead of a prayer, I thought I would include a poem that I had written when I was feeling particularly spiritual one day, so here goes:
In Nomine Patri, et Fili, et Spiritus Sanctus:
1. Forgive me Father; I confess, my life, indeed, is a mess,
Wracked with guilt and sorrow beset, offending you, my hearts regret.
Now, instead of a prayer, I thought I would include a poem that I had written when I was feeling particularly spiritual one day, so here goes:
In Nomine Patri, et Fili, et Spiritus Sanctus:
1. Forgive me Father; I confess, my life, indeed, is a mess,
Wracked with guilt and sorrow beset, offending you, my hearts regret.
Joy in soul as darkness leaves, a blessing in which I have received,
stay and pray, instructions given, to live my life, for I’m forgiven.
2. Enter in at his request, sprinkle, as I do, w’ water blest,
Kneeling now, my soul at rest, waiting for that special guest.
As I wait, impatience brooding, thinking thoughts, each topic ruling,
I try and shift my gaze to thee, so, as to prepare, for the day’s decree.
3. As He enters, all do glory; hands are folded, the presence holy.
As we stand, to thee we say, Glory be, I confess, and Agnus dei.
After these, we prepare, to rid our live of all despair,
As we sit, knowledge learning, filling all our hearts of yearning.
4. As we reside, as words are spun,
Heralding, teaching, readying for the setting sun,
I prepare, as I confide, to ponder all these things inside.
Now we stand, after lectures briefing, (to each his own as is his seeking),
Now we do ask, that as we live, answers to our prays please give.
5. Now we take a stand and say, this we do, this we pray,
As we enter, into the place, that defies all time and space.
Now, fruit of the earth n’ vine we give, symbols of our life we live,
Offered up, for man most selfish, so that we, in divinity, might relish.
6. This My Body, and this My Blood, held aloft for you above,
As the Sacred Host proclaimed, as He died, yet, His Life reclaimed,
Held aloft above the frame, is that Savior, who for us was slain.
Say we now the Lord’s Appeal, as between us, our wounds do heal.
7. The meal is ready, a sacrifice prepared; though I am not worthy, I declare,
I move forward, eyes ahead as I stare, at his gift of love so rare.
As I receive this bread of life, words abandon, “this I believe”, must suffice.
After time of silent hearing, the mission now, our fate endearing,
As we all in grace go out, “Thanks be to God!”, as one we shout!
Day 138, Dec 27, Mon, 91°F – 2:50pm,
We did the usual exercise for English composition today, which they seem to be doing a little bit better, although I still have to stay alert for cheating. After class, I had gone back to my room during a quick break and had decided to clean out a corner of the room that I had missed yesterday. When I moved a bucket in order to sweep underneath it, behold there was a scorpion sittin’ there as pretty as ye please!
stay and pray, instructions given, to live my life, for I’m forgiven.
2. Enter in at his request, sprinkle, as I do, w’ water blest,
Kneeling now, my soul at rest, waiting for that special guest.
As I wait, impatience brooding, thinking thoughts, each topic ruling,
I try and shift my gaze to thee, so, as to prepare, for the day’s decree.
3. As He enters, all do glory; hands are folded, the presence holy.
As we stand, to thee we say, Glory be, I confess, and Agnus dei.
After these, we prepare, to rid our live of all despair,
As we sit, knowledge learning, filling all our hearts of yearning.
4. As we reside, as words are spun,
Heralding, teaching, readying for the setting sun,
I prepare, as I confide, to ponder all these things inside.
Now we stand, after lectures briefing, (to each his own as is his seeking),
Now we do ask, that as we live, answers to our prays please give.
5. Now we take a stand and say, this we do, this we pray,
As we enter, into the place, that defies all time and space.
Now, fruit of the earth n’ vine we give, symbols of our life we live,
Offered up, for man most selfish, so that we, in divinity, might relish.
6. This My Body, and this My Blood, held aloft for you above,
As the Sacred Host proclaimed, as He died, yet, His Life reclaimed,
Held aloft above the frame, is that Savior, who for us was slain.
Say we now the Lord’s Appeal, as between us, our wounds do heal.
7. The meal is ready, a sacrifice prepared; though I am not worthy, I declare,
I move forward, eyes ahead as I stare, at his gift of love so rare.
As I receive this bread of life, words abandon, “this I believe”, must suffice.
After time of silent hearing, the mission now, our fate endearing,
As we all in grace go out, “Thanks be to God!”, as one we shout!
Day 138, Dec 27, Mon, 91°F – 2:50pm,
We did the usual exercise for English composition today, which they seem to be doing a little bit better, although I still have to stay alert for cheating. After class, I had gone back to my room during a quick break and had decided to clean out a corner of the room that I had missed yesterday. When I moved a bucket in order to sweep underneath it, behold there was a scorpion sittin’ there as pretty as ye please!
After first resisting the urge to find the nearest big rock to squash it, and after exchanging my current footwear of sandals for a more “sting proof” pair of shoes, I carefully escorted the critter outside with a broom, where I disposed of it in the farthest corner of the immediate compound. (after masculinely poking and prodding it with a stick to see what it would do, of course, lol) The encounter left me more than a little perturbed, freaked out, and more aware than ever just how much I am at the mercy of God, lol.
This afternoon I was able to call Br. Endalkachew, who is still in Addis, and ask him to pick up a cell phone for me, (Which I will be paying for of course) he responded that he should be able to find one. I am hoping that with this phone, I will be able to receive more calls from home. (during the past few weeks I am pretty sure that I have missed several, due to either being nowhere near a phone, or because there was no power)
Day 139, Dec 28, Tue, 89.7°F – 2:57pm,
Conducted kindergarten class again today, but the order had been changed and I taught the K-3 class first. Besides the Abc’s, (Which will be teaching every week) I am trying to include something new each week, and for the K-3’s this week, I went over continents, countries, and the planets, the kids soaked up everything like a dry sponge. The K-2’s also responded well, and I was able to cover continents, colors, and some numbers. The K-1’s class was a nightmare though, for starters, since it was the last class of the day, and was held right before lunch, all the kids were tired and hungry, and on top of that, the other classes that were going on at the same time were conducting singing and dancing practice for Christmas, which was quite boisterous and distracting. Needless to say, the beginning of the class was pure chaos, with the little urchins practically jumping all over each other screaming and yelling, and it wasn’t until Sister and a teacher entered that what little remaining peace was restored. In the end I wasn’t really able to teach them much; we were only just barely able to get through the Abc’s before time ran out. (That’s the last time that I teach the K-1 last, next time they will either be first or second) Before I left after the classes I was asked by sister to do up the ordination script like I had done with the Christmas one, splicing together the English & Amharic, she will be giving me an updated version of the script after mass tomorrow.
After lunch and a much needed short nap, I conferred with Bayu concerning the Christmas play for the Tech’s Christmas party. I had finally come up with a plan for the festivity and all that I needed to do now is make sure everyone else was on the ball and the arrangements are executed properly. I also started working on the “Address” that I would be giving this coming Thursday to the primary school students, which of course will be including a magic trick.
Day 140, Dec 29, Wed, 93.4°F @ 3:50pm,
During English class today I implemented a “word knowledge” exercise, which basically consisted of 51 sentences that had anywhere from 1 to 3 plank spaces in each line, in which they were to insert a noun that would properly complete the sentence. Most of them were only just barely able to finish it in the allotted 1 ½ hour’s time limit, that, coupled with how often they used the same words to fill out the sentences and how often they had to ask what certain words meant, clearly demonstrates just how lacking they are when it comes to their vocabulary. There was a positive side to this though. Since they asked about the words they didn’t know, that means that every time they come across one they don’t know and I have to explain it to them, they end up learning a new word…Hopefully thus expanding their thesaurus-al horizons…one would hope.
The next task of the day was the play practice with kids for Christmas. For some reason the children were a bit overly disorderly and raucous this afternoon, and it was fairly difficult to get them to stay focused on learning their lines, however Sister did an amazing job and the little waif’s ended up making some decent progress. After escorting some of the urchins and Sister back to their compound and continuing on to mine, I greeted Br. Endalkachew, who had just returned from Addis. During our evening talk, I learned that the reason for Br.’s trip to the capital was to visit his mother, who had recently been diagnosed with a nervous disorder, as well as malaria, and while Br. was taking care of his mom, his uncle passed away. This year has been a trying year for him, so I encourage all you readers to keep him in your prayers. After dinner, I finished the Microsoft Word chapter of the seminarian’s class, so starting next week we’ll be delving into the world of Excel. (Also, as I was coming back from the church compound, I noticed that someone had put up Christmas lights on the front of the Salesians office building, seeing that really made me feel nostalgic)
Day 141, Dec 30, Thu, 72.8°F @ 3:34pm,
This morning I carried out my spiel for the primary students, in which I explained how important it is to do their school work properly and diligently, so that their futures would be secured. To demonstrate this, I explained that working hard at their studies is like folding the 1 birr note that I was holding, and after covering the note with my hand I explained that once they graduated, all their hard work would pay off, as I said this I unfolded the note, revealing that it had become a 100 birr note. I then cautioned them to ask and thank God for all His help, (Folding the 100 birr note and covering it with my hand as I said it) because after all, we are just human. (And I unfolded the note again, revealing that it had turned back into the one birr note)
This afternoon I was able to join the primary students again, this time it was to observe contest that the school holds yearly, (or semi yearly, it wasn’t clearly explained to me) where the school hall was basically converted into a game show, there was the panel of judges, the contestants, (which consisted of six students) and the audience, (This consisted of the rest of the students). The contestants were asked questions concerning the topics that they had covered this past year, and as they answered, the ones who replied correctly advanced, until there was only two left, and after a very tense sounding question, the victor was declared. I had been standing out of the way, taking photographs and pictures of the event, but I was then asked to dispense the prizes to the winners, (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and the consolation prizes, and so I was able to participate in the carousing as well.
Day 42, Dec 31, Fri, New Years Eve, 80ish°F @ 12ish pm,
I can’t believe the New Year is almost here, it seems almost unreal how quickly time appears to pass at times. This evening I plan to celebrate by counting down to 12:00am (most likely by my lonesome), at which point I shall eat the remaining chocolate chips my family sent (which has s-l-o-w-l-y been dwindling), which I have mixed with peanuts and have been saving for this particular occasion, Mwahahah, lol. I’m hoping tomorrow something abnormal might happen, (Like what happened on Christmas) but I’m pretty sure I shall be left up to my own devices again, so I’m going to at least try and get a card game going with some of the youths at the oratory.
This past year has had so many ups and downs, like some sort of demented rollercoaster ride, at times peacefully gliding unperturbed through life, at other times cavorting and twisting in sickening spirals of chaos and destruction! And even though there are a lot of uncertainties, (particularly about what I am going to do at the end of my tenure here), I am really looking forward to this coming New Year and all the new opportunities it presents. So to all mah peeps back on the western front, I hope you all take the experiences you have encountered this past year and apply them to the coming year with a positive outlook, and I hope and pray that the coming year will bring with it a much needed advancement of brotherly peace to all our neighbors around the world, may the love of God and man carry us into the future!
This afternoon I was able to call Br. Endalkachew, who is still in Addis, and ask him to pick up a cell phone for me, (Which I will be paying for of course) he responded that he should be able to find one. I am hoping that with this phone, I will be able to receive more calls from home. (during the past few weeks I am pretty sure that I have missed several, due to either being nowhere near a phone, or because there was no power)
Day 139, Dec 28, Tue, 89.7°F – 2:57pm,
Conducted kindergarten class again today, but the order had been changed and I taught the K-3 class first. Besides the Abc’s, (Which will be teaching every week) I am trying to include something new each week, and for the K-3’s this week, I went over continents, countries, and the planets, the kids soaked up everything like a dry sponge. The K-2’s also responded well, and I was able to cover continents, colors, and some numbers. The K-1’s class was a nightmare though, for starters, since it was the last class of the day, and was held right before lunch, all the kids were tired and hungry, and on top of that, the other classes that were going on at the same time were conducting singing and dancing practice for Christmas, which was quite boisterous and distracting. Needless to say, the beginning of the class was pure chaos, with the little urchins practically jumping all over each other screaming and yelling, and it wasn’t until Sister and a teacher entered that what little remaining peace was restored. In the end I wasn’t really able to teach them much; we were only just barely able to get through the Abc’s before time ran out. (That’s the last time that I teach the K-1 last, next time they will either be first or second) Before I left after the classes I was asked by sister to do up the ordination script like I had done with the Christmas one, splicing together the English & Amharic, she will be giving me an updated version of the script after mass tomorrow.
After lunch and a much needed short nap, I conferred with Bayu concerning the Christmas play for the Tech’s Christmas party. I had finally come up with a plan for the festivity and all that I needed to do now is make sure everyone else was on the ball and the arrangements are executed properly. I also started working on the “Address” that I would be giving this coming Thursday to the primary school students, which of course will be including a magic trick.
Day 140, Dec 29, Wed, 93.4°F @ 3:50pm,
During English class today I implemented a “word knowledge” exercise, which basically consisted of 51 sentences that had anywhere from 1 to 3 plank spaces in each line, in which they were to insert a noun that would properly complete the sentence. Most of them were only just barely able to finish it in the allotted 1 ½ hour’s time limit, that, coupled with how often they used the same words to fill out the sentences and how often they had to ask what certain words meant, clearly demonstrates just how lacking they are when it comes to their vocabulary. There was a positive side to this though. Since they asked about the words they didn’t know, that means that every time they come across one they don’t know and I have to explain it to them, they end up learning a new word…Hopefully thus expanding their thesaurus-al horizons…one would hope.
The next task of the day was the play practice with kids for Christmas. For some reason the children were a bit overly disorderly and raucous this afternoon, and it was fairly difficult to get them to stay focused on learning their lines, however Sister did an amazing job and the little waif’s ended up making some decent progress. After escorting some of the urchins and Sister back to their compound and continuing on to mine, I greeted Br. Endalkachew, who had just returned from Addis. During our evening talk, I learned that the reason for Br.’s trip to the capital was to visit his mother, who had recently been diagnosed with a nervous disorder, as well as malaria, and while Br. was taking care of his mom, his uncle passed away. This year has been a trying year for him, so I encourage all you readers to keep him in your prayers. After dinner, I finished the Microsoft Word chapter of the seminarian’s class, so starting next week we’ll be delving into the world of Excel. (Also, as I was coming back from the church compound, I noticed that someone had put up Christmas lights on the front of the Salesians office building, seeing that really made me feel nostalgic)
Day 141, Dec 30, Thu, 72.8°F @ 3:34pm,
This morning I carried out my spiel for the primary students, in which I explained how important it is to do their school work properly and diligently, so that their futures would be secured. To demonstrate this, I explained that working hard at their studies is like folding the 1 birr note that I was holding, and after covering the note with my hand I explained that once they graduated, all their hard work would pay off, as I said this I unfolded the note, revealing that it had become a 100 birr note. I then cautioned them to ask and thank God for all His help, (Folding the 100 birr note and covering it with my hand as I said it) because after all, we are just human. (And I unfolded the note again, revealing that it had turned back into the one birr note)
This afternoon I was able to join the primary students again, this time it was to observe contest that the school holds yearly, (or semi yearly, it wasn’t clearly explained to me) where the school hall was basically converted into a game show, there was the panel of judges, the contestants, (which consisted of six students) and the audience, (This consisted of the rest of the students). The contestants were asked questions concerning the topics that they had covered this past year, and as they answered, the ones who replied correctly advanced, until there was only two left, and after a very tense sounding question, the victor was declared. I had been standing out of the way, taking photographs and pictures of the event, but I was then asked to dispense the prizes to the winners, (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and the consolation prizes, and so I was able to participate in the carousing as well.
Day 42, Dec 31, Fri, New Years Eve, 80ish°F @ 12ish pm,
I can’t believe the New Year is almost here, it seems almost unreal how quickly time appears to pass at times. This evening I plan to celebrate by counting down to 12:00am (most likely by my lonesome), at which point I shall eat the remaining chocolate chips my family sent (which has s-l-o-w-l-y been dwindling), which I have mixed with peanuts and have been saving for this particular occasion, Mwahahah, lol. I’m hoping tomorrow something abnormal might happen, (Like what happened on Christmas) but I’m pretty sure I shall be left up to my own devices again, so I’m going to at least try and get a card game going with some of the youths at the oratory.
This past year has had so many ups and downs, like some sort of demented rollercoaster ride, at times peacefully gliding unperturbed through life, at other times cavorting and twisting in sickening spirals of chaos and destruction! And even though there are a lot of uncertainties, (particularly about what I am going to do at the end of my tenure here), I am really looking forward to this coming New Year and all the new opportunities it presents. So to all mah peeps back on the western front, I hope you all take the experiences you have encountered this past year and apply them to the coming year with a positive outlook, and I hope and pray that the coming year will bring with it a much needed advancement of brotherly peace to all our neighbors around the world, may the love of God and man carry us into the future!
