africa pattie
she speaks of it little
acts on it often
bakes bread
and harvests
tiny bits the drought has left behind
...and souls
God must hold in high esteem
those who give their all
for those who seem
so distant on a
thanksgiving filled with
greed and gluttony
she is far from home
still
at home in her skin
while winning
hearts of those
who know little beyond
land and rain and poverty
some countries hold
no elections
computers are not private things
and electric power is a myth
in tribes whose running water
is a river caked by
lack of seasons rains
it's not her words that give me faith
instead it's works and willingness
to serve in
unimaginable conditions
where women have no rights
and children
have no schools
and people are not free
to move about
without permission
of a witch doctor
or the ever changing government
her faith has moved
beyond the safety of the pew
and into lands where a
missionary's position could
bring death
she is my hero
and i'm happy that she is my friend
who gives me faith.
