My list of to-dos feels like it is growing by the minute and the days until I leave are shrinking just as quickly- its down to ten.  I just shot off a list of more than 25 questions to Steve and Diantha in hopes that they can help me decipher what I should and should not put in my must-weigh-less-than-33-pound suitcase packed with everything I need for 6 weeks.  Thank goodness its hot in Africa!

As I check off and add to my to-do list (and yes, some of the things I add are already done, but who doesn’t get a slight high from the feeling of accomplishment that comes with checking that little box beside the task?), I am also compiling a mental “to-don’t” list for my time in Sudan.  There are many things that Westerners and Short-termers get a bad rap for and the last thing I want to do is more harm than good! So here begins my list…

1. Don’t be a monkey
2. Stay away from the weeds
3. Don’t feed the bears

The story below will shed some light on the first to-don’t…

The Monkey and the Fish

A typhoon stranded a monkey on an island. In a protected place on the shore, while waiting for the raging waters to recede, he spotted a fish swimming against the current. It seemed to the monkey that the fish was struggling and needed assistance. Being of kind heart, the monkey resoved to help the fish.

At considerable risk to himself, the monkey moved far out on the precarious limb of a tree, reached down, and snatched the fish from the waters. Scurrying back to the safety of his shelter, he carefully laid the fish on dry ground. For a few moments, the fish showed excitement but soon settled into a peaceful rest.

– An eastern parable

Its something to think about..

🙂 elizabeth