We had a very full day today. It began with a live Facetime session with a foundation hosting a fundraiser in Colorado and ended with a distribution of emergency aid to 70 families from one of the largest IDP camps in Afghanistan.
Those experiences, and the several in between, left us feeling like we were riding the world's biggest emotional roller coaster.
One of the women on our team, Jillian, who is of Persian descent and making her first visit to Afghanistan, asked to share her thoughts and feelings about the day.
Jillian literally poured out her heart on paper. I think her writing sums it up really well... the highs as well as lows. Warning: It's a bit longer than my usual update, but it is a touching story well told.
Here is Day Two through Jillian's eyes.....
I don't even know where to begin... how to recap the day or adequately explain this experience.
Afghanistan is broken. But broken isn't the only word I would use to describe Afghanistan. It is also full of SO much light.
This truly is the most unique experience I've ever been a part of. The experiences on these trips are very different... they tap into a place we don't often go. It isn't necessarily about the tasks we are taking on, but rather it's more about a time to connect - for our souls to join.
We went to a place today called the "Women's Garden." It is a space that only women are allowed to go... to spend time together, to sell goods, to host sewing classes, to exercise. It is a place ALL women are welcome, guards are let down, life experiences are shared, and camaraderie is built.
At first you could tell the local women were hesitant towards us. But all that was needed was a smile and a sincere "Salam." Instantly eyes lit up and women welcomed us into their shops excited to show off their trinkets. Many offered traditional Afghan clothing, some they were in the midst of finishing, and each unique in color and style. Some of the stitch work you wouldn't believe. They smiled with pride as they had us show off the outfits we had chosen, each one complimenting us in Dari. We had our hosts there to translate, but most of the time that was unnecessary - the expressions of our Afghan sisters needed no translation.
Once we had visited each shop, we toured the garden. In this garden women and children sat in the grass talking, eating, laughing - something that happens often in the US, but perhaps nowhere else in Afghanistan. You could tell they felt safe here... a privilege I have taken for granted until now.
As we were driving back to the guest house for lunch, Sarah and I were able to talk with one of our Afghan staff who recently lost her mom. We held hands and cried together as she shared the pain of her mother's passing. She said her days keep her busy, but it is the nights that she cries. I felt very fortunate to be in that particular car, on that particular ride, listening to her share her heart with us.
Those experiences, and the several in between, left us feeling like we were riding the world's biggest emotional roller coaster.
One of the women on our team, Jillian, who is of Persian descent and making her first visit to Afghanistan, asked to share her thoughts and feelings about the day.
Jillian literally poured out her heart on paper. I think her writing sums it up really well... the highs as well as lows. Warning: It's a bit longer than my usual update, but it is a touching story well told.
Here is Day Two through Jillian's eyes.....
I don't even know where to begin... how to recap the day or adequately explain this experience.
Afghanistan is broken. But broken isn't the only word I would use to describe Afghanistan. It is also full of SO much light.
This truly is the most unique experience I've ever been a part of. The experiences on these trips are very different... they tap into a place we don't often go. It isn't necessarily about the tasks we are taking on, but rather it's more about a time to connect - for our souls to join.
We went to a place today called the "Women's Garden." It is a space that only women are allowed to go... to spend time together, to sell goods, to host sewing classes, to exercise. It is a place ALL women are welcome, guards are let down, life experiences are shared, and camaraderie is built.
At first you could tell the local women were hesitant towards us. But all that was needed was a smile and a sincere "Salam." Instantly eyes lit up and women welcomed us into their shops excited to show off their trinkets. Many offered traditional Afghan clothing, some they were in the midst of finishing, and each unique in color and style. Some of the stitch work you wouldn't believe. They smiled with pride as they had us show off the outfits we had chosen, each one complimenting us in Dari. We had our hosts there to translate, but most of the time that was unnecessary - the expressions of our Afghan sisters needed no translation.
Once we had visited each shop, we toured the garden. In this garden women and children sat in the grass talking, eating, laughing - something that happens often in the US, but perhaps nowhere else in Afghanistan. You could tell they felt safe here... a privilege I have taken for granted until now.
As we were driving back to the guest house for lunch, Sarah and I were able to talk with one of our Afghan staff who recently lost her mom. We held hands and cried together as she shared the pain of her mother's passing. She said her days keep her busy, but it is the nights that she cries. I felt very fortunate to be in that particular car, on that particular ride, listening to her share her heart with us.