White Plate White Mug

On my to-do-list for today in Dar es Salaam there was a quest for food warmers / food servers for our new kitchen in health center and in new pre-school. I went to Kariakoo to search for them. Found them here and there, but what caused my heart melt were white plastic plates and mugs I bought from the wholesale Chinese shop for the pre-school dining hall. 

As I was holding a sample plate and a mug in my hands, my mind went to the opening day of the new pre-school, November 22. On that day we will not only have the ribbon cutting ceremony at the gate, but also the short sample of 'a day in new pre-school' which means - first lesson in each age group, breakfast in new dining hall and first games in our new playgrounds. 

I felt touched by the mental picture of some one hundred happy pre-schoolers sitting at the new tables in dining hall and having their first breakfast served from the new kitchen, equipped with modern stuff. Nice nutritious breakfast served on new white plates and a mug of freshly brewed tea for our little ones... All effort that went into the planning of the project, waiting in anticipation for the announcement of the Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs - if the project passed or not, then the entire construction process up till now - it was worth it. 

The picture of our pupils enjoying their first day in their new pre-school is priceless. And melts my heart. Grateful to God and so many grand people of good will - from the donors through our Foundation Kiabakari to the task force - who made this possible, who made this happen. 

Offer

"The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”"(1Kgs 3:5). This is the first sentence of today's First Reading. What an astonishing offer! God gives Solomon a total freedom to ask anything from Him. As I sat yesterday afternoon reflecting upon this Sunday readings, I questioned myself what I would do if God came to me with the same offer. What would you ask Him of, knowing He will not deny it nor refuse?

Inexplicable Mystery

Yesterday our local community lost one of its prominent figures, in the field of education in our area. He was my parishioner. But I never ever administered any of Church's sacraments to this man. He simply refused to bless his marriage. He had no apparent reasons to do so. He had no impediments that anyone was aware of. He was just promising that one day, someday... Too late.

Controls

Feeling trashed a bit after the full day payload, being a typical busy Saturday, I decided to calm myself down and relax a bit walking down the lane of my past musical interests and likes... I needed something that will allow me to breathe with my full self... with enough space for my mental slow travels, experiencing along the way some surges of feelings, ups and downs... quite an effective self therapy, taking my mind off the high blood pressure issues, stresses of life and responsibilities and imminent challenges looming over the horizon...