By Miriam from Nigeria
What a blend of harmony. The women here never stop. How do they do it? Every single day I hear their sounds. I wake up to them, and I go to sleep to them. I never hear a complaint and I never see a frown. They just keep going.
Each woman is working on a different task and she does it joyfully, willingly, and thoroughly. In between a task, a woman will pause to assist any woman who needs help. And then she goes back to continuing with her own task. This is simply…just…wow!
One of the women, Maman, sits on her chair, leading them, showing them, checking them. Then, she does her portion of the tasks, no airs, no arrogance. She is just an awesome human who leads the right way. No wonder everyone calls her Maman. I can hear her exuberant laughter even now. She brings life to the atmosphere. Who wouldn’t want to work under such leadership?
Maman works all the time. She finishes one task and immediately starts another, while also assisting the others in between. When I asked her if she ever rests, her response was “la nuit,” meaning “at night.” Then she continued, “there’s a lot of work here and I have to do it…I will get maybe an hour of rest during the day.”
Maman is a widow with two grown girls who has dedicated her life to serving others through committed leadership, hard work, cooking, and giving. I observed that people in need come to her and she gives without reservations.
The women in this community work hard, but they also rest. It is an amazing balance. I notice that the women work in shifts.
That’s what gives them balance because work goes on every day, except for Tuesday, which is their day of rest.
New faces keep showing up and each one of them just blends into the work pattern smoothly. It is intriguing to watch. This is an environment that spurs people to work in commitment and dedication. A community that opens its doors to everyone who wants to come in. I know because I have seen people just walk in, and each one is well received. Men, women, young, old, and little children. Even the blind, the deaf, and dumb.
Maybe that is how it works in an Orthodox Christian community. I do not know, but this is just amazing. It is a practical experience of letting every type of person into the kingdom of God.
Such an amazing blend of leadership, togetherness, and true love. I sincerely admire this wholesome community that is working as unto God. What comes to my mind is, Colossians 3:23:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
Whatever you and I are doing, and wherever we find ourselves, let us be like these women because they are Colossians 3:23.
