The Keeper

It is no secret that I am a venturesome American living in a strange place. But what is a secret to many of the people here is the reason as to why I am still here. While giving Colin his due respect because I probably would not have made it this far without him and still had my sanity, he is not it. It is family. I have been accepted into many families as a visitor and a few families as a member of that family. It is those few families that have kept me here this long - enduring. The one in particular in Kara has been amazingly rewarding. There is a one-year old girl in the family and upon my first visit to the house she cried at the sight of me. They had to take her into a bedroom to get her to stop crying. Each successive trip has brought with it a slightly stronger connection between us and I am expecting to finally be able to hold her upon my next trip in. But just in seeing the eyes light up of family members as they see me turn the corner into the house from the dusty dirt road is amazing. That feeling of being wanted and accepted for more than just having a token white guy in around the house, is really powerful. And that aspect of my life here will continue to help me stay here until my mission has finished.