I received this email the other day from a friend that is in Africa at Bridges of Hope.  She said that this was left behind by a young girl in one of their classes, and that they are starting to realize that often students will leave notes and things behind because they actually want me to read them. It is typed just as it was written:

Because of you, HIV/AIDS

I had it all
but it went down
the drain

I couldn’t breath
my eyes were full of tears
my heart was cold

My parents were taken
away from me
friends, anyone I cared for

Because of you I have nothing
but I want to let you know
I’m not afraid of you

Because of you HIV/AIDS
I’m strong
you have not destroyed me
and for that you will not bring me down

All you do is give me strength
to fight you so bring it on!!!

- Author Unknown.

Pray for the millions of kids who could claim this as their own around the world.

Kids in the street,
Runners on their feet,
And I am clothed– again.

Which car to take?
Maybe to the lake?
I am bored– again.

Oh! There’s a movie!
Oh! Lets go to church!
Oh! Lets go …

Oh.

While I was clothed, others were naked– again.
While I was full, others begged for grain– again.
While I was bored, others slept in fear– again.

Who am I to care?
Who are these others?
Are they my brothers?

Oh! Lets go…
Oh! Lets go…
Oh! Lets go!

OH!

When it is saturday, my thoughts are of my brothers– again.
When it is sunny, I yearn to be with my brothers in their darkness– again.
When I am full, I long to give it to my brothers– again.

And I now know my mission– for the first time.

Bowed Heads Bring Better Sight
by Julius Mashini

The road ahead is deep and wide
The gate to follow is lost in the tide
What gives hope is arms that hold
And grace that grows

With heads bowed to follow the line
A quick side glance to view
A long side look to lose teh way
A Prayer and a bow adjusts the Course

What way am I that leads
How can this be that I can see
Why do I deserve this hand
That leads me straight to you

Whole Day
by Julius Mashini

The Sun came up
My heavy eyes lifted
To begin a New
Under God’s graceful eye

Noise slowly returned to Bridges
What darkness subdued
Morning gvae hope
Hearts devoted to God

Singing through to God
Sunshine outside
Lovely Day
Peaceful Day

The birds fly through to the sky
Summer breeze lifts them to great heights
Soaring over God’s creation
His faithful servants below.

The Woven Path
by Julius Mashini

What morning is this,
That leads me away–
Away from a time of hard work,
grace and fun.

Whta place will it be
That calls me next
Will it be the Calm
Normality that dulls the mind

The quiet preparation
for another storm
Another chance to grow
and nurture a deeper Connection.

A time and place at the
end of time and place
Where we all gather to
Celebrate the Woven Path
of all things.

I am… Love
by Julius Mashini

The desire to love,
Desperation to be loved,
“Where will I go”
This love is killing me.

The absence of you is in the most time I need you,
“Where will I go”
This love is killing me,
This love is breaking me,
Knowing that you love someone else
This love is killing me.

Knowing that you play me a fool,
Telling me lies,
Where will I go?
This love gives me joy.

My heart glows on your appearances,
But  how do you feel on my appearance?
Who do you really love?
This love is killing me.

How do I tell her?
by Julius Mashini

Round conspicuous eyes… Pretty face..
With exciting smile… I love to envy…
Mouth just shines… With lipstick paint…
She’s in the time… o one could take…

How do I express myself?
How do I tell her how I feel?

I love her so badly… eyes indeed…
My mind is so steady… from my head to my knees…
Beginning to feel empty… like a Mother who lost Twins…
With I told her so early… things could have been fine it seems…
How do I tell her how I feel?

She looks like a rough diamond…
Something so precious…
Just like a water with high foam… More like a brain of a genius…
I feel trapped in last seconds of time bomb…
Like the coming of Jesus…
How do I explode these feelings like striked bomb…
Damn I’m so nervous.

How do I express my me?
How do I tell her how I feel?

We don’t choose to fall in love…
It just happens…
We don’t just write about love…
Unless we fallen…

I think I have fallen in love.. with that woman.
How do I express my love… to that Woman…
How do I express myself?
How do I tell her how I feel?

Fraternity
by Julius Mashini and Jonathan Reyes

Two friends,

on this pleasant Earth,
distant at Birth.

Seperate in culture,
Seperate in time,
Seperate in strength,
Seperate in rhyme–

Me and my friend –
are two nations.

No.

We are One Nation.
We cry together.
We are burdened.
We are one flesh.

A divine fraternity,
based on trust–
providing safety
is a must.

One movement
One body
One shield
One army.

We are the Army of God
We fight the Battle together.

Julius & Jon
Jesus & I