moments

Cramming 18 people and their stuff into one micro. Laps sat on, legs smushed, weight shifted, elbows jostled, balances precariously maintained. Counting while we try not to be breathe, our laughter interrupting the stream of numbers as we gasp for air.

The stars- oh the stars! A thin veil blanketing the night sky as I carefully walk in the pitch dark from the outhouse to the ger. Wanting to just stand there and stare at the beauty above me.


Walking into the pastures and across the railroad tracks and into the woods. Jam sandwiches and cookies. The precarious trek up the rocky side of the mountain. A quiet walk back, watching the rain clouds roll in.

Card games that leave us laughing. Games of Mafia that leave us guessing. Eating goulash at 10:30 pm, drinking milk tea as the night grows dark around us.


Holding fat-cheeked babies, chopping vegetables, taking afternoon naps on the floor. Relay races and coats and dropping temperatures. Eating the best yogurt I've ever had at 1 am while we take a break from playing poker with English flashcards as our betting chips.


Sitting in a bible study, listening to the voices lifted high in song and hearing in them the raw truth that churches are built on faith. Naraa speaking- this is not my church. This is God's church. This is our church. Words of hope and words of leadership. Words of beginning.