This past week saw the conclusion to the comunity centers two month long english courses with a little celebration and plenty of certificates. It's been nice to see the community formed trough the english classes, the other activities taking place at the center and the open community hangout space. It's the encouragement I hold on to as the never ending series of speed bumps comes along. The latest of which is the news that we'll have to find a new place for the community center. We had been having issues with the owner of the apartment building since the beginning but the final sentencing happened yesterday.
Our friends from the neighborhood had suggested at the last community meeting that they were interested in having a cultural exchange celebration and came together to plan it for this past Friday, before Ramadan. However when the day came the building owner wasn't interested in there being a party of any sort and after some discussion ended up saying that it'd be best if we left before the 20th of this month. And so the search is on for a new place and the celebration was canceled. I'm sure God will provide a new and better suited place but it still hurts to see things like the cultural party canceled. I rejoice in the fact that our neighbors came together to make it happen of their own accord. I rejoice that friends new and old were all there and excited to be together but then I'm sad that it didn't happen. It is a shame but I remind myself that as painful as it is there's the joy that there was community behind it. The people that make celebrating together possible are present and moving forward.
It is easy to get caught up in frustration but that's why it's so important to have a practice of being thankful and recognizing the blessings that God is working in our lives. Along these lines I'm grateful to have made it to Ramadan and have a break from language learning. I'm thankful for our professors S and A who take us on field trips and make us food. I'm thankful for everyones participation in the community center and the friendships formed there. I'm also very thankful for you me dear reader, for keeping us in your prayers, supporting me financially and being part of my community.