I am back on earth after a surreal, astounding, amazing, adventurous, joyful, sad, exciting, overwhelming, and fantastic journey to Tanzania / Zimbabwe / Zambia, Africa on a mission trip.
Such a fabulous experience!
Traveling with 13 other volunteers for Scott's Legacy Foundation, we were disheartened to learn at NASA Nursery School in Arusha, Tanzania, that they had painted over the rainbows (part of Scott's Legacy logo) on the walls of the school and washroom because they thought it was too representative of the gay community. (Actually, 'they' were only a few government officials who were being difficult.)
We accomplished what we showed up to do at the small school, part of a Maasai tribal village. Together with a clan of Maasai warriors, we ate outside, sat in a meeting with "the elders" and school director/staff, listened to their messages being translated from their Maasai language to Swahili to English, then distributed Shoes That Grow, kids' clothing, school supplies, kitchen accessories, and to those precious vulnerable children - goody bags full of toiletries, toys, candy, etc. It was quite fulfilling and most of us cried!
At one point, a Maasai woman stepped out of line to approach me, placed her hand on my shoulder, and without any words (not speaking each other's languages), she assured me with her soulful eyes and smile, that it was all okay.
After that emotional afternoon, we checked out of our beautiful Amani Lodge, packed up the bus, and headed to the airport for the next part of our journey. Suddenly, gasps were heard among our group as we noticed a double rainbow behind us. Yes! God was sending us on our way for the second half of our mission into South Africa, where we would visit more schools / hospitals / orphanages to deliver many supplies. His rainbow would follow us. God absolutely wanted us to know He was protecting us. And - we liked to think - nodding his approval.
Viewing those stunning double rainbows, at that point it did not matter that the government officials wanted to paint over the rainbow in the logo - because our rainbow was REAL.
Snippeteers, never let anyone else steal your rainbow - it is yours: your sign, your meaning, your symbol, your omen, all for you. People can try to paint over it, steal it, remove it, lighten it, reduce it.
And yet ... your rainbow is real.
