KENYA

We often wonder why things happen for no apparent reason. We also wonder why despite all of the right reasons, things simply don’t happen as planned. No matter how strategic and critical thinkers we are, some things will and will not happen because it is God’s will. I have accepted that because it is my Faith.

Today I bid goodbye and goodluck to another special person who graced the pastures of our Tumana.  She is very special to me.  I remember the first few weeks of working with her. She was very bubbly and seemed to bouncing off the walls with her uncontainable energy. To my mind, that was her “planting time” as she would later grow into her own mold.

I can still remember when I talked to her seriously about her voice-mimicking of an extra-terrestrial life form which she did during work.  With a straight-face I told her that the “alien” had to go or it would be you who will take the next spaceship out.  It was both a time to weep and time to be silent. She dropped the act and became more serious in her work and attitude towards others.

Her salt or worth was proven when the crisis of May 2008 hit the Tumana and we were asked to step up our game.  She stood side-by-side with the very lean work force that we had back then.  Not minding sleep deprivation and abusive conditions of the work-place, she proved to me that when the chips are down, I can count on her. It was literally “a time to kill”the enemies and she did just that.

She matured as person because of her relationship with a very special someone which I will simply refer to as JBOY.  JBOY and his family have been a very big blessing to her.  She would share both stories and pictures of their adventures that would pretty soon end up were most happy couples eventually go.   Yet, she is not lacking in her experience of sorrow as the passing of JBOY’s parents come one after the other.  She has had her fair share of time to weep and a time to laugh.

When I realized how quickly time has passed, I asked her to explore new things outside the Tumana.  She got back to me with a definite “NO”.   I told her that she may need to explore new things like what she did four years ago when she was a newbie in our group.  After several weeks, she came back and wanted to try life outside the tumana. She had the look of a basketball power-forward who wanted the ball at crunch time.  Well, my friend, let me tell you this, winners always want the ball when the game is on the line. Whether you shoot it or create the perfect assist doesn’t matter. It is the determination to put your fate within your control is what actually matters.  This your time, Toots, to shine and be recognized in a new light.

I never called you “anak”or  “child” because that it is not what I saw in you. I would rather call you my good friend.  Thank you and good luck.

A Time for Everything – Ecclesiastes 3

 ^“There is a time for everything,
       and a season for every activity under heaven”

“a time to be born and a time to die,
       a time to plant and a time to uproot”

“a time to kill and a time to heal,
       a time to tear down and a time to build”

“a time to weep and a time to laugh,
       a time to mourn and a time to dance”

“a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
       a time to embrace and a time to refrain”

“a time to search and a time to give up,
       a time to keep and a time to throw away,”

“a time to tear and a time to mend,
       a time to be silent and a time to speak”

“a time to love and a time to hate,
       a time for war and a time for peace”

FOR THE COMMON GOOD

I had my own reservations and hesitations when I was asked to go on another mission that was clearly beyond the normal scope of my job.  It was a dog-gone mission to say the very least. But still, it is a mission assignment which I could not refuse. 

I would gladly go on a mission that involves the intricacy of cloak-and-dagger which I prefer. This game of intelligence is something that I believe keeps us sharp in mind and focused in spirit.

When you are asked to be a negotiator for the collective good of people, the mission parameters are often unreasonable.  The daunting task of bridging heaven and earth falls upon your shoulders. I must confess, I am certainly no saint, not even close to the whispers of angels and yet I am tasked to carry out this mission.

In preparation for this mission, I have dedicated at least 4 hours a day for one week reading through various materials involving negotiations of this nature.  I have interviewed people who have actually gone through the same exercise. Their feedback is always common, you are negotiating about money yet you are dealing with human emotions as well.  The two combined, makes for a volatile mixture.  I was frequently warned of tempers flaring up during the negotiations because of the economic provisions that will affect the lives of many people.  I shall bring my experiences as a soldier, spy, and human being, as resources when I sit at the negotiating table.  I do not expect the outcome to be just a  show of one man upmanship.   I expect  the parties in the negotiations are able to set aside their differences and put forth concessions for the common good. For my personal expectation, I am looking forward to becoming a better person after this mission is over.