Tanzania

Emotions vie for attention

The wolf of fear is trying

To conquer

The wolf of love

As both reside within

The wolf of love is winning

Fed by Tanzania

The Holy Ground

Called Ngorongoro Crater

The Hallowed Plains

Called Ndutu National Park

The Sacred Land

Of the Serengeti

Being present

Hearing the birds sing,

The lions roar

The zebras bark

The wildebeest call and moan

And so much more

The beauty of these animals

Fills my spirit

Creates joy, awe and excitement

This feeds my wolf of love

The poverty

The children begging

The ramshackle buildings

The unknowns of this culture

So foreign to me

These feed my wolf of fear

But it is diminished

Near extinguished

By the gift of the children

Of The Small Things

Their pure, unadulterated love

As they place their hand in mine

As they wrap their arms around my legs

As they tend to each other

With kindness and compassion

The wolf of fear

Is drained from my heart

When I humbly witness the work

Of the staff

The volunteers

The benefactors

Here at The Small Things Children’s Village

I am humbled by the good they have done

For over a decade

The lives they have saved

The opportunities they have provided

I am filled with hope

In a time when it seems

Our world is crumbling

Giving the wolf of fear

Free reign

I am filled with hope!