He wasn't sitting more than two feet away from me. The seats at the coffee shop were comfortable. My latte was within arm's reach. And all I could think was that the intelligent, likable, well-educated young man across the table from me was hurtling full speed toward the edge of a cliff with a blindfold … Continue reading Just Across the Table
Here are some articles and posts from around the web that have been especially insightful, encouraging, and challenging to me lately. I hope you enjoy them. Rachel Jones recounts a story from her life in Djibouti about the time a baby named God came to stay at her house. As she does, she reflects on … Continue reading Five Posts from Around the Web
Laura sat down at Magonlia's table in her one-room home. She pulled a pregnancy test out of her backpack and told Magnolia that if she wanted, she could take the test right now. Magnolia accepted and headed for the outhouse. The woman's three-year-old daughter was enjoying a persimmon that Laura had given her, and her … Continue reading We Still Haven’t Lost Our Faith
Our front gate sounded like it was going to collapse beneath the pounding. The dogs howled. My blood pressure spiked. Now, who could that be? I grabbed the key to the gate, slid on some shoes, and ran down our front steps. The visitor persisted in pounding. "I'm coming," I yelled. I unlocked the door … Continue reading Those Last Few Footsteps
My wife smiled as innocently as she could. I searched her eyes to no avail. What was she about to tell me? "I took them the box our water heater came in." "That's fine." As long as it was only that. "They're so cute," she said. "How many?" "Seven." "We're full." We've already adopted two … Continue reading Who Cares
It's that feeling you have when you're sitting on your couch looking at your Christmas tree and realize that only every other light is working. (After you spent all that time spacing the strands just right.) It's that feeling you have when you get new glasses and a week later scratch the right lens with … Continue reading Almost But Not Quite
She writhed in pain just like every other mother who had ever given birth. Despite the chilly air, sweat formed on her brow. And how she screamed. Enough to rend her young husband's heart in two. The animals added to the general chaos. Their cries rose and fell with Mary's. Word had gotten out at … Continue reading It Probably Wasn’t That Silent
If meteorologists ever conducted a study on the climate surrounding the enormous bazaar near our house, I wouldn't be surprised if they found that it adversely affects surrounding weather conditions. During the winter, somehow as soon as you step foot inside, the temperature drops by at least double digits. Must have something to do with … Continue reading Their Cold Hands
We got to the place at a reasonable time, which is to say, over two hours late. The wedding celebration was being held at a restaurant that caters specifically to such events. A picture of the bride and groom perhaps ten feet tall and twelve feet across greeted us as we ascended the steps and … Continue reading A Kyrgyz Wedding
I parked the car at the construction bazaar near our house. I clutched my phone where I had made my list. I was focused. I was unstoppable. My black coat was zipped and my signature checkered hat was pulled low. I was prepared to argue in the local language over prices if I had to. … Continue reading The Old Car at the Bazaar