Michele

Marie, your son's talent overwhelms me. He has put into words the way I feel

about my time in Swaziland - articulated the emotions that flood me. It's so

hard to explain to someone who has not shared these experiences, so to read

Hendri's book touches me in a way nothing else does.

I copied part of the introduction and sent it to friends. A couple of other

volunteers who have not yet responded, a Swazi national who commented on the

high artistic quality and said it touched her deeply. Sent it to a friend

who worked in the State Department and served in Africa. He said it brought

tears to his eyes and that he would read it to his church group when he

finds an appropriate time.

I am reading his book slowly, slowly. I get just so far and he zings me with

something that requires a lot of thought and integration as well as a few

quotes on the refrigerator. One of those quotes is:

"I agree with the Buddhist saying, 'There are as many paths as there are

monks. When we choose our path in life we choose that as a path to God.' The

answers are all around us or nowhere at all."