Chapter One
Nairobi ~ The Journey Begins
“The soul never thinks without a picture.” PLATO
“Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light…” Francis Scott Key’s words ring in my ears and in my heart. Yes, now I can see. Hindsight being our clearest vision, I see how my inner light has become my outer incandescence. The portrait of my life has developed as it was intended- colorful, strong and bright. Like a piece of canvas pulled around wooden strips, the strength always comes from the stretch.
As nothing happens suddenly, we don’t happen suddenly. As originals, our lives unfurl slowly. Like butterfly wings encouraging the wind,
the power within us begins like a tiny ripple. Soon we are a wave, crashing upon the shore. Fortified in truth, we crusade forward on the
sands of life and blaze a trail to our destiny. Little by little, step by step, our path unfolds in front of us- just enough. Only then, do we see
the true impact of our footprints.
In 1983, I was nineteen years young, and my simple steps had put me on a path to East Africa. On the equator, I would be crafted me into an original and would witness my life, not just with my eyes- but with my soul. Propped up on God’s good humor, the very fibers of my being were going to be tested. Looking back, my way into Africa was relatively simple. …the way out was not.
By: Heather Shreve
