Today, as I celebrate nearly seven years of good health, and a productive life, I find myself grateful for my friendships with a few special international students.

This young woman is a college student from a part Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, where I lived in 2002. We met just this fall, 2014. I’ve enjoyed talking with her, walking the university area with her, and cooking authentic Kenyan food together. (My favorite is ugali, which is a thick, moist cake made of flour).

In 2002, I volunteered in a very poor part of Nairobi that I called “Timunu” in my memoir. She knows the area well. For both of us, it’s been difficult to see African people without enough food, and then go back to our normal lives in America, with all of the prosperity.

What I remember best about Africa is how the impoverished people I lived with seemed so happy. Sometimes, I feel lonely here in America, but in the slums of Nairobi, I was never alone. While we were crowded together in a small house, everyone was always friendly, warm and kind. I think we all have something to learn from these poor people about the value of community.

I met this young woman (with the baby) and her husband at the University of Cincinnati about a year ago. I have been privileged to have spent ten days in China in 2001, a week in Hong Kong in 2003, and two weeks in Taiwan in 2004. I wish I could travel to Southeast Asia again. Today, I love meeting new Chinese friends who live here in America.

While they lived in the Cincinnati area, this young woman and her husband were always willing to speak to me in Chinese (slowly, so I could understand). They put up with my accent, and encouraged me whenever I spoke to them in their language. They always told me that my Chinese was much better than it actually was!

During this year, 2014, early March became extra special to me as I celebrated the birth of their son. He is the beautiful little guy pictured at right with his mom.

The three of them returned to China this fall, and I miss them very much.

I don’t know if I will ever have the opportunity to return to Africa or China, but I think everybody should go overseas, if they can, especially to poor countries. I am amazed at how big our world really is. It’s hard to see unless you actually live in another culture for some time.

With the New Year approaching, I have many dreams. I hope to deepen my friendships, and I also hope to improve my Chinese. I look forward to meeting new friends this year, in 2015.