"That day, Haji Ali taught me the most important lesson I've learned in my life. We Americans think you have to accomplish everything quickly. We're the country of thirty-minute power lunches and two-minute football drills. Haji Ali taught me to share three cups of tea, to slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects. He taught me that I had more to learn from the people I work with than I could ever hope to teach them."
As many of you know, African time is very different than American time. Things run more slowly and projects are not "accomplished" as quickly. Years from now, when I look back at my time at Joytown, I'm not going to remember how many stories I wrote. Or even how effective the reading program was. I am going to remember the people that loved me. So I am very thankful that the Lord is slowing me down to appreciate others in a whole new way. And read "Three Cups of Tea" if you haven't already!
I will be adding this book to my "to read" list! Thank you for the reminder that relationships are the most important thing... I feel like this week has been that for me -- catching up with so many old friends, but not a ton of time for other things. But those "other things" don't really matter in light of the time I got to spend with my friends whom I love so much!
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