Time Flies

Tempus fugit- time flies. Sometimes the truisms that we come across in life are right on the money. I had been on a steady writing program with my blogs, aiming to keep up the (at least) monthly pace on writing about the things that most interest me. Then late summer hit, and it was hard to get motivated despite the time that I had, theoretically, to write. Some technical glitches occurred at the start of the school year- I find it very difficult to blog using an iPad- and before you know it, it is already mid-autumn and nary a word has been written for my blog.

One of the key things I wanted to share involved the work that I did with a good friend on the building of a fence. I even had the title picked out: "good neighbors make good fences." Calling my part in the proceeding work, is a bit misleading. I handed the nails, planks, screws, and other equipment to my friend Geoff and his son, Zack, and they did all of the work from there.

The Doppenberg family (http://ritadoppenberg.com/) is a unique one. As a family they moved their entire unit- mom, dad, three school-aged boys- to Guatemala for half of a year to interact with needy locals and to assist a group of nuns in the running of a hospital for infants. True to their family values, the work they do there is more practical than missionary, with a heavy emphasis on work. By all accounts they make this work enjoyable, collaborative, and meaningful. The testimony of those who have helped them in this journey says as much. For more information you can check it out for yourself.

My fence got built, and in return I supported their cause in Guatemala, helping them build bridges between those of us who have so much, and those less fortunate who have so little. I had hoped to shed light on their work earlier as they are embarking upon a return to Guatemala this month. They will be supported by many friends and acquaintances who seek to make a difference in the world around them.

I wish them all Godspeed and will miss their friendship and companionship in the coming months. I also know that time does indeed fly, and that it won't be long before they return to tell us all about the rewards and challenges of living and working in an international setting, far removed from the comforts of home.