Day 10- Celebrations in Lugari

This was a full and beautiful day!  In the morning there was time to walk the beautiful grounds of the healing center, and I enjoyed a cup of hot lemon, honey, and ginger (my favorite!). Listening to the birds sing and soaking in the peace there was like being in the garden of Eden.  My friends joined me outside and we got some fun pictures together.  I love these soul sisters and friends I have made on this trip!

After breakfast, Khayanga took us to the local school, where hundreds of students were waiting for us.  They showed us their garden tower projects, and we planted trees with them.  The kids were so fun to spend time with!  They were all enthusiastic and respectful.  They did a great job with their gardens! I love that they give glory to God in their schools there.

Next we went to the community resource center the Khayanga started.  We toured the grounds and facilities and I was so impressed!  There were offices, a small library, classrooms for technical education and learning English and computer skills, a learning farm, a sewing center, and of course, gardens.  We planted trees at the community center. The people welcomed us with singing, dancing, and drumming.  One sweet lady, Reba, taught me a dance and I planted a tree with her.  She gave me her bracelet and insisted I keep it to remember her.  I am always inspired by how generous the people are despite not having a lot. 

The sewing center with treadle machines

The computer lab, and a pile of newly sewn garden towers

After the tour, there was a celebration.  I found out that every family in attendance was the leader of a group of 20 or more families.  Each member of their groups has garden towers they are growing at home, and they are working together to create farmers cooperatives, so they can sell more of a variety of foods.  They also were excited to announce they had created a micro loan and savings program they all were paying into to help each other start small businesses.  It was amazing to see the hope and excitement they had about being able to not only support themselves, but also to help support each other and those in need.  They are Humanitarians in their own right.  We were set up front and asked to speak, and they said they were excited to learn from us, but I could only tell them how much I am learning from them, their determination, faith, and love for one another.  They are victors and not victims of their circumstances.  They have taken the gifts they received and made them grow and multiply.  They are teaching me about good stewardship and gratitude.

After the celebration, we headed out to the garden, and several families who were new to the community would receive their first garden towers.  Before a new family gets their own tower, they come to the community center and learn how to plant one.  So we planted some garden towers with them, and then we gave them their towers and some seedlings to start with (grown at the community center).  This was also a joyful celebration.  

New recipients of the garden towers

They wanted to touch my hair and said they thought the strands would help the gardens grow.  Haha

The evening was spent back at Bustani Siri retreat center.  I went up on the roof and saw the most beautiful sunset!  Then after dinner, we enjoyed massage therapy, a bonfire, and a healing drum circle. I didn’t have a drum but my sweet friend and roommate, Robin did, and she shared her drum with me.  Several of our new friends from the community also came and brought their drums. The vibrations of the drums, the sounds and sights of nature, the rhythms of the seasons and the connection to the human family all amplified in my heart and I felt so much love and joy! I definitely feel much more pampered than I expected to on this trip!  So much happiness.