Theresa Kapenda, the Zambian coordinator of the project in Kantolomba, spends every day in service. I am in awe of her dedication to making a difference in the community in which she was raised. She is deeply respected in Kantolomba.
Theresa’s son has epilepsy. Not long ago he disappeared for 18 hours after having a seizure while out with some friends. After searching for several hours, she found him at a jail where he had been held overnight, mistaken for a thief. He had been beaten. She said those hours were the worst of her life.
On the afternoon of the day her son was returned to her, the entire cooperative team walked an hour from the project site in Kantolomba to Theresa’s home to be with her. In our language we would say they came as Sangha.
Sometimes we are the ones offering the service, and other times we receive. I can’t help thinking what an honor it must have been walking 35-strong through the streets of Ndola towards Theresa’s house, a chance to give back to someone who has given so much. Perhaps we can never say who serves and who is served; it is all Life, we are all Sangha. The gift practice offers is the ability to be present to all of it.
In gasshō,
Jen