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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Lessons Learned: In Chad, ‘one learns the art of living in the moment’
From left: Hannah, Doug and Naomi Enns
Naomi, Doug and Hannah Enns, serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Chad (Naomi as a health educator, Doug as a pastor and peace educator, and Hannah is completing Grade 12.)
"We live in one of the poorest countries in the world. And the weather — try highs of 53 C, blinding desert sandstorms and not a drop of rain for nine months at a time. But this place has grown on us. We are learning to slow down and be thankful for things that can so easily be taken for granted in the western world.
With death around us daily, we realize that life is fragile. One learns the art of living in the moment. Gratitude presents itself as the recognition of having something that others do not possess — food, for instance, when our neighbours might not have any. The ability to purchase water.
The ability to sleep under a mosquito net when friends are sick with malaria. Being able to get an education when we see hundreds of children out of school. Shoes on our feet, when the child running up to shake our hands is barefoot in worminfested sand."
— compiled by John Longhurst
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