Mud

It rained here most of the day. Nothing unusual for this year, but definitely a change from the last. And while I'm grateful for the water that this land so desperately needs, somehow my attitude quickly changes when I'm forced to walk a block or two in very slippery clay (or "streets" as they call them here). Today was one such example.

As I was trudging along to the office this afternoon, I was mumbling and grumbling internally at how messy this place is...how the streets are one big mud pit waiting to inhale innocent bystandards like myself...how my boots would have to be cleaned for the hundredth time this month...and on and on it went. All of this working its way around my heart and mind. That was, until...I looked up.

My eyes (and my heart) were struck by the sight of a little girl, around 10 years old, walking with no socks and some flip-flop/sandal-type shoes--carrying 2, 2-gallon containers to the well at the end of the street. She has no running water, probably no socks, and the list could go on.

Suddenly my struggles seemed to pale in comparison. I almost forgot why I was complaining...or at least I realized I shouldn't be in the first place.