International Family, Part 2

"Family" usually indicates a group of people who are related by blood or marriage. But sometimes, a family can be created by deep and caring relationships between people who are not related at all.

Such is the "International Family" that David and I claim. We both have an appreciation of different cultures and different countries, and we open our home to visitors from around the world.

I remember as a child that I enjoyed reading stories about people in different countries. We had an old set of Childcraft Encyclopedias, and my favorite volume was "Life in Many Lands." I'd read a story, then dream about walking through the country I'd just read about.

Living close to the University of South Carolina has a few advantages -- and one is that we've met some pretty amazing students from other parts of the world. Sasikumar, from Sri Lanka has a huge heart for the oppressed in this world, especially women who are often taken advantage of socially and politically. Joe, from China, is interested in providing clean water throughout the world. Chris, from Ghana, studies about ways to improve the health of citizens in his country. One of my favorite memories is of an evening meal at my house, where these fellows joined us, along with our good friend Victor (who is of Hispanic descent).

Just this week, we added a new member to our international family -- Vera, from Ghana. She's a university student in Colorado, and is doing research about ways to improve the health of people in her native country. She wanted to focus on clean water, so she visited with us to learn about the purification system that we've installed in three villages in Ghana. We're excited to see her passion about helping others lead stronger, healthier lives through clean water practices! We're also excited to "adopt" her into our circle of diversity!

In Ghana, there's our "heartson" Richard & Victoria -- with their kids little Anita, Christabel, and Junior. And Rev. James and his wife, Mary, and their girls Lexie and Kelsey. When I visit their country, I'm always treated royally, and I love them as family.

We also have other "family"-- Sylv in Australia is my "email sister." We've shared a lot in the 10+ years that we've corresponded, and I feel like I know her family quite well! In the US, I have my "sister" Aliza in New York, and David has his "sister" Jacqui in Oregon -- PLUS I have my "DC Chatters" girlfriends -- all of whom I know I can tell anything. They're scattered throughout the US, Canada, and Australia/Tasmania.

My philosophy is simple: We can learn a lot about people by just sitting down together, sharing about our backgrounds and beliefs, and listening with our hearts as well as our ears.

As Matisyahu sings:
"All my life I've been waiting for,
I've been praying for,
for the people to say
that we don't wanna fight no more.
They'll be no more wars
and our children will play
ONE DAY......"




Comments

David Waters said…
You give reason to smile and life is wonderful with you in it!
January 5, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Always...In His Grip!!! Lisa said…
I am so thankful for my MANY family all over the US,and several countries. LIke you say, taking time to listen and be there, THAt is important. Praying Multi-culterially with ALL of God's Children of all faiths. It is an honor and I believe, by my faith, that God brings ALL of us together for a reason.
I Lvoe you my dear sister, Really !!
January 6, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Anonymous said…
Write more about your international friends, Anita & David. You both are blessed with the capacity to communicate with all people. Our world needs to hear their stories.

Why not tell the stories of your friends on your blogs! Help those who have never known a individual from another country to walk in their shoes. I see this as a very valuable way that you can work for Peace!

I love the international flavor in both of you!
January 9, 2011 at 9:52 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Day Time Stopped

Image
February 17, 2020 was the Day Time Stopped. I've struggled for words ever since.  The morning was foggy.   So foggy I couldn't see across the cove. So foggy that Facebook friends were commenting that it was the thickest fog they'd ever seen. Instead of "walking on little cat feet," this fog landed like thick concrete. The phone rang. My sister said there had been a car accident. Our parents were injured. We raced to the hospital in Charlotte. Our daddy died that evening. Our mama died two days later, on the 19th. Time Stopped. Nothing will ever be the same again. ***** The first time we walked back into their house, everything was waiting. The chicken waited to welcome them back home. Daddy's lift chair waited for him to come sit back down. Mama's books and crossword puzzles waited for her to pick them back up. Breakfast dishes waited to be washed. Mama's earrings and "Charlie" perfume waited to be worn. Daddy's Tyson cap waited to be put
Read more

Love Ya Legacy

I didn’t know Kelly very well. But she made a significant impression on me the first time we ever met. I was visiting at David’s church, for the first time. I knew NOBODY, other than David, and felt more than a little bit self-conscious since I was the “stranger in their midst.” But after the service was over, there stood Kelly. She had reddish hair, and glasses, and a huge smile on her face. “Hey there, my name’s Kelly, and we’re SO glad you are here today!” Then, with a big hug, she added, “Love ya!” And then she bounced down the sidewalk, in search of her husband Kirk. As David and I continued to see each other, I’d attend services at the Winnsboro Church of the Nazarene about every other Sunday. And every Sunday, without fail, Kelly would speak to me, hug me, and before we parted she’d say, “Love ya!” She truly made me feel good. I began to look for her smiling face at church on Sunday mornings. Aside from small chit-chats at church, I only got to really talk with Kelly
Read more

FREE THE TATAS, SAVE THE TURTLES!

Image
There are few things in life that I detest more than a bra.   Yes, I said it, and I know this makes my mother cringe.   (Sorry, Mom!) As a pre-teen, when one girl in the class came to school sporting a training bra,  we ALL decided we should have one.  What no one tells you is that a training bra does not train the boobs, it trains the GIRL to wear a bra. I think that was the LAST time I ever truly WANTED a bra. I determined that a bra was developed as a torture device to keep women "tied to their place."  At times I'd just as soon have a strand of barbed wire wrapped around my rib cage. I grew up in the late 60's and early 70's, when "bra-burning" was a sign of feminism, a sign of protest against establishment.  I didn't actually DO it --- but now, the idea is really kind of intriguing! I will admit bras DO have some usefulness.  They make our clothes fit better.  They "lift and separate" (to borrow a phrase from a
Read more