News from Africa

1998 has been a blessing. A blessing is God’s gift to us, – and really ALL is gift. Since arriving in Harare, Zimbabwe, the experiences of touching people and creation, and being touched in return, is awesome. Through many a difficult stage of integration, T’ai Chi Chih has been my constant companion.

When requested to take on a ministry in Harare, I accepted. Knowing that my knowledge of massage and like therapies would be of comfort in the Hospice outreach to HIV+/AIDS/BEREAVED, these months have been full. Training to be of service to our sisters and brothers in their last days, to be with the bereaved in their bewilderment and suffering, has been my joy, and I am humbly grateful to be present to them.

The Staff – nurses, social workers and a host of volunteers (for various works) like myself, are under constant stress. One out of every four are dying of AIDS in Zimbabwe, (cancer is also very prevalent), and the children orphaned are in the thousands. Medication is expensive…and scarce, and the people are really poor. The economy is at low ebb.

My eye trouble developed during my stay (a macula hole (no, not macula degeneration)), which surgery needed to be done in the U.S., for this surgery is relatively new. The eye is healing nicely, which I attribute to prayer, good care, and – my T’ai Chi Chih energy! I had demonstrated T’ai Chi Chih to Hospice Staff, and have been able to give a class. They are eager for my return to continue, and to bring it to the nurses in the Hospital, next to Hospice…I am on stand-by to fly back in mid-January. Hopefully I shall be able to go to South Africa and connect with Sister Marie Ann (Main), this 1999. There is also a sister returning to Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), having taken T’ai Chi Chih in Little Falls, MN., 1998, with Sisters Phyllis Ann Ries and Gail Collins…Here in New York, where Sister Agnes Fleming continues with her classes, I have been privileged to join her on occasion.

Our T’ai Chi Chih family is growing in Africa, and its energy will bring peace. Blessings to you. Listen to the wisdom of Justin, the admonitions of Ed, and your own inner Being, rejoicing in sharing Love.