Quake of Earth, Quake of Heart

I just got off the phone with Nont, our good friend in the Hoi Yuak Akha Village in Chiang Rai, Thailand. After the 7.0 earthquake, I called to see how he, his family, and his village were doing. Myself and Cynthia were there in their village for the last one in August 2010. At that time, it was rare for them, and a much lower intensity. This one shook the whole community. Though nobody was hurt, I heard from him how afraid everyone is feeling. His young daughter Nong Pao won't even go into their home, as that is where she was when it happened only 12 hours ago.
Though other earthquakes have taken place in the last month, I needed this one for it to hit home. The personal connection actually does make a difference to how we respond to crisis, suffering - I'm seeing it in my own response. Nont is a young leader in his village and community at large, in a powerful and extensive way. From cell phone to cell phone, his end with chickens in the background, he said, "I don't know what will happen tomorrow. So we just need to feel good about the things we have done so far in our lives, be content with it, and from there do the best of what we are able to do [to help]." His clarity, amidst maybe unimaginable suffering, stops me. Not one complaint; not one request; not one blame.

I responded in my rusty Thai, "We have never known what will happen tomorrow, only now we are realizing it."

Without needing the direct experience of a high level earthquake, we still have the opportunity to ask, What touches us so deeply that we want to do our best for it? And what are we waiting for?

Nontapat Pimia has a vow in every cell of his being to no matter what help his community against the whole slew of impediments, from racism to environmental degradation, to now whole villages experiencing fear from and of more earthquakes. May he inspire us to put away complacency, and remember our place and contribution on this planet, in this moment.

What a time for Nont to be beginning a tree project in their village. On land of severe environmental degradation, landslides are caused due to the lack of trees. To foster birth and growth, and increase the quality of nutrition for the village, the project has begun with Lychee trees, Coffee plants, and Bamboo. At less than $2 a tree, any donation makes a difference. The potential effect of the tree project is vast. If you are interested, donations may be made on our website at http://www.awakenedconnections.org/AwakenedConnections.org/Donate.html. It is incredible that just the spare change in our pockets can make such impact for our brothers and sisters, halfway around the world.

Please feel free to be in touch at awakenedconnections@gmail.com, and thank you for reading.

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This morning in my email inbox, I had a full course of photos from Tanzania - of the three young women who fled their Maasai villages prior to female circumcision and early marriage to search for a more meaningful choice: education. In their own ways, they all found a school that had been set up through the HumanKind Foundation. This school is for primary and secondary education, an incredible start. What they have been yearning for is a way to go onto university, in order to really make the strongest impact in their home villages. Awakened Connections, alongside the HumanKind Foundation, will now be offering this year's three graduates scholarships to go onto the Teacher College. When asked what they want to study, all three young women said to become teachers. Not in the large city; not in a private school; not abroad; in their home villages. The glory, and wonder, of our abilities, by simply being available in heart, space, and mind, to be of benefit to our global brothers and sisters, sometimes for me is heart-aching. Heart-arching in the way that makes me feel: It is possible...It is possible, to show up, and be together, alive, in the fruits of our breath, to do something meaningful.

P'Pin

This is our HIV/AIDS Education Coordinator in Chiang Rai, Thailand, P'Pin. P'Pin was such an inspiring presence by her passion and commitment, that her 15 year old daughter, Nong Maem, decided to become an Awakened Connections volunteer as well.