In Your Palm

cupped in your palm covered by your right hand (safety ‘round my soul) you hold me close caress my tears away and still your hand is busy flinging star showers weaving the winds keeping danger at bay (it’s skulking all around) I’m terrorized, Lord, but I know you’re watching I curl into the curve insideContinue reading “In Your Palm”

The Dance of Worship

pum da pum da bum da pum dancing with Bintou balaphones booming dark arms beating out rhythms and tones Bintou’s feet move shuff-ta-shuff-ta shoulders turn to face the fire then swerve to bow to the velvet night my foreign feet try to follow her beat for graceful beat then flip into high gear suddenly whirringContinue reading “The Dance of Worship”

The Mango Cycle of Life

there is an orange mango hanging in the sun soaking in the morning warmth ripening silently hanging on its long stem firmly attached to a slender branch sucking in sustenance growing gradually rounder full of succulent juice vitamins A and C swaying slightly as a breeze comes through to caress the smooth skin and whiskContinue reading “The Mango Cycle of Life”

Navigating the Flash Flood

What had been just a ribbon of sludge across the road on the way to the village is now a mass of watery mud covering the road between the bushes. Are we blocked? Is it now too deep? Should we try to carefully creep ahead? What if we sink in a ditch instead? A motorcycleContinue reading “Navigating the Flash Flood”

I See His Fingerprints!

When I trace his distinct fingerprints on the lives of partners, Nyarafolo friends, on the victories “somehow’ achieved in time over insurmountable challenges, all I can do is to offer thanks. These are the songs in my heart that hum when I see the woman set free from the curse of barrenness, cast out ofContinue reading “I See His Fingerprints!”

Because You Hold My Hand

You hold my hand; you love me: King of this whole world, you lead me, making my right hand your chosen tool so that each act becomes a holy service in your master plan. You hold my hand; you love me: Lover of my soul, you treasure me and nurture every gifting given and makeContinue reading “Because You Hold My Hand”

Ahhhh . . . Africa!

salt waves pummeling your beaches high winds whipping up the sand rainstorms thundering on tin roofs sunbeams bouncing off flat land bulbuls signaling the sunrise lean dogs howling to the moon bat calls beeping in the darkness cattle moaning at high noon hand plows scooping out a corn field pestles pounding grain to flour axesContinue reading “Ahhhh . . . Africa!”