So here I am, sitting on a beach in paradise, worrying about how to get more kits to my girls.  I’m not a very good vacationer.  Yes this is very fun and relaxing, and it’s nice to float in a pool and eat fresh coconut from the treess outside our windows and look out at the sun on the water and feel the breeze that flutters the palm fronds above my head, but my mind is somewhere else.

We have so much.  It’s making me squirm.  Places like this always make me re-evaluate my priorities and my spending and what is really necessary.  I am thinking about my friends in Mali, and Ghana and South Africa and even at home and how it would feel to spend a day with them, if they could see what I have and what I don’t share.  When I feel like I’d need to hide things (how much Stuff I have), then I know I have too much and there is more I could be doing to help.

I’m feeling that now, here in this paradise-like place.  So, today I’ve been working on lists in a notebook (still praying my computer will be restored when I get home).  We have helped with more than FIFTY Days for Girls events so far this year.  We have more than 12 Girls Camps doing Days for Girls service projects this month and next month, and several more events on the calendar.  I’m also thinking about funding and how to help pay for all the fabric and supplies we need to do the work that needs to be done.  We are finding plenty of willing hearts and hands, but we still need to buy cart-loads of fabric to help keep everyone busy.

We are also working on plans to start production of kits in Mali and Ghana.  Last week while my computer was down, Celeste Mergens was back in town, helping us figure out the best ways to create Centers of production in these countries.  We met for 2 full days in  summit meetings, outlining what needs to be done to help our African friends  start producing in country.  This is really exciting.  Anounou, our Field Director from Mali was here, and Bernice, our sweet sister in Ghana are both working with us to know how to help.

I have a feeling my days in Paradise are over.  Until every girl, everywhere is safe and protected and can rest with me in a place like this.  Today these words from Phil Collins’ song keep running through my mind:

“Another Day In Paradise”

She calls out to the man on the street
“Sir, can you help me?
It’s cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?”

He walks on, doesn’t look back
He pretends he can’t hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, it’s another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it’s just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she’s been crying
She’s got blisters on the soles of her feet
Can’t walk but she’s trying

Oh think twice…

Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she’s been there
Probably been moved on from every place
‘Cos she didn’t fit in there

Oh think twice…

*  *  *  *  *
I am thinking twice.  I’m thinking night and day about what I can do to help.  I don’t ever ever want to pretend I can’t hear.  Especially here in this paradise.

Today I swam with sting rays.