Across the Valley

One day in Kyakitanga, Uganda, I felt strongly that I needed to take some solitude time and go write.  I left the school grounds and walked over to the next hill top where the church sits.  I sat on Julie's camping chair in the shade with my Bible and journal.  As I took in everything around me, the sounds of children worshiping began to fill the valley.  

The first video is mine, taken from the church hill, looking out toward the school.  The second video was taken by Cheri, right in the midst of the kids in the classroom.  

I have listened to these countless times.  I can't imagine a much more beautiful sound.  

so much depends upon

(Taking a break from Uganda stories to share this :) )


I'm studying poetry with my fourth graders.  Today, we read a well-known poem by William Carlos Williams and discussed what it means to depend upon someone or something.  

"Depending on something means you trust it.  If it breaks or someone bails on you, you're gonna be in trouble," one boy said.

"It's like, someone really important to you and you need them, like I depend on my mom," another shared.

Here are some of their inspired pieces, below the original.  The last one is written by a student who often shares about his relationship with God.  Pretty cool, if you ask me. 

The Red Wheelbarrow

By William Carlos Williams

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chicken.

------------------------

Blue Shoes

By R

so much depends

upon

my blue 

shoes

piled with dirt 

at the heels

beside the breezy 

earth around me.

------------------------

A Great Sister

By K

so much depends 

upon

a great sister

filled with care

beside me.

------------------------

A Fun Playground

By R

so much depends 

upon

a fun playground

little rust 

from rain

beside an awesome 

kid.

------------------------

Wonderful God

By M

so much depends 

upon

the wonderful 

God

tight with love

beside a world 

of sin.

------------------------

What are you depending on?  What would you write about?  

(I mean this in a deep, contemplative way, but in full disclosure, I should tell you that I wrote my poem about my wonderful, soft pillow.  :) )