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7 Comments on this article:

Report as: spam offensive Jason on 8/10/06 at 1am

Nice article Michael. Being back home now I find myself missing the shrill cry of glee as we walked into some of the villages we visited. It was a funny thought to know I was the first white person that some of these children had ever seen. I always tried to get down to eye level, but it still freaked some of the kids out. They liked to just touch your white skin to see if there was a difference. They rubbed the hair on my arm like petting a dog that they were not sure would bite them or not. I have to admit, I loved it. There curiosity was cute and oddly refreshing. The friendships I formed seemed devoid of the tension that exists here in the states as far as prejudice. That was refreshing. I was not judged negatively because of my skin color.

I think though that some of what you felt was a culture of service that has been passed on from generation to generation. Some of that I imagine is not a good service mindedness as much as a subservience. That made me uncomfortable. They would offer to carry us from the boats to the shore, but I would not let them. I would take off my shoes, roll up my pants and unload the boats right next to them. It all has to do with how we look at each other. If we EACH will look at each other as greater than ourselves, we will all have better hearts for service.

Keep smiling and waving, but never pass up the opportunity to stop and work side by side with someone. I do not know how to solve the problems of corruption, but if we each do strive to make a difference, I honestly believe one can be made. Keep up the good work and safe travels. London just got more interesting to get through.

Report as: spam offensive Chris on 8/10/06 at 5am

Great article! NGO's definitely need to be held to a greater level of accountability. An up-close viewpoint like yours reminds us that just throwing money at the problem is not enough. Keep up the good work.

Report as: spam offensive MARK WILKERSON on 8/11/06 at 3am

GREAT ARTICLE MICHAEL.

Report as: spam offensive Kris Wilkerson on 8/12/06 at 5pm

Michael, I really enjoyed your article. While putting together a photo and painting art exhibit to raise money for three nurses that go to Mali Africa every year to assist with gynecological surgeries, I was touched by the faces of the Mali people, especially the eyes of the children. My nurse friends tell me how grateful the people are for what the nurses do and more than anything it is the connection and the caring that is appreciated most. From your article it appears you have found that as well.

Report as: spam offensive Paul (Palo Alto resident) on 8/17/06 at 3pm

It's thanks to great pieces of journalism like yours that I always look forward to the Stanford Weekly. Keep up the good work.

Report as: spam offensive Sherlyn on 10/09/06 at 10am

Michael,
I was one of the 12 people you met at the hotel in Jinja, along with Jason and Adam. I just wanted to say, you did an excellent job of recreating in verse what we saw in Africa. You are a great writer. I wish you well. I also wanted to add that as I went from island to island off Jinja, I too was greeted with "Muzungu" "Muzungu" and as I ministered to hundreds of children each day I had the opportunity to say to the, "Please don't clap for me and bow down to me, for I am just human too." I appreciated their enthusiasm over what "white people" mean to them, but I was humbled at the same time. I told them they made me feel like a Queen and I would miss them when I got back to America, and I do miss them tremendously. They lit my heart and I hope to visit with them again some day. They were very happy, happier than most Americans, and I was amazed by that, the only thing missing in their lives, to complete them, was Jesus and we were there to help them to meet Him. We are glad you made it home safely, we have been praying for your safe return ever since we met you. God Bless and Take Care.

Report as: spam offensive SHARON MONS on 10/10/06 at 6pm

Michael, I too am one of the 12 at the hotel in Jinja that night. I remember you as a very bright,ambitious,and courageous young man. Your 2 articles on Kampala, made me homesick for the country and the people. I am so glad to hear that you are back safely on the "farm?". Our group has prayed for you many times.Hang in there.Sharon




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