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It’s just after 6:00 PM and the day has started its fade into night. One thing I like about living so close to the equator is that you always know the sun will come up just after 6:00 AM and it will go down just after 6:00 PM. It’s something highly reliable in a life that comes with frequent surprises.

Today I visited two community bank loan disbursals and they were both great. The second one was the community bank “Continuity”. The group is located in the part of town that’s known for violent gang activity. Things are a little heavier in this part of Mangobo. Ironically one of the main gangs is called “United States” and there’s also “Vatican” and something called “Kata-Moto”. They are sometimes connected politically and they are generally regarded as the greatest local security risk. But these mamas inside the bamboo church today, they were full of joy. I’m really enjoying making speeches of encouragement to our members. I like helping them laugh and smile and recognize the good things, the daily bread, that the Good Lord is providing in their lives.

I even got to hold a precious tiny baby wrapped up in blankets. Here’s an empirical truth for you: there are few things in life more wonderful than holding a sleeping baby. And fortunate for me, I did not wake him. Many small children here are horribly afraid of the big white guy that I am. I probably look like the abominable snow monster to them. Peter told me that, “A smile goes a long way here”. When people are frightened, curious or scowling at my presence, I often give them a huge grin. With upset little ones, that seems to multiply their distress.

Life in San Diego was more or less consistent, good weather, functional utilities, busy, busy, busy. Life here is generally less busy but also less consistent. I’ve joked with some of my coworkers that if I were to rank my days on a scale of 1 to 10, there are weeks where I’d be all over the map. There are some days when nothing seems to go well. But then the very next day will be full of joy. Earlier this week I was having about a 4 day and just as I was nearing my apartment I saw a lone boy on the side of the road. I gave him a grin and he returned the favor with a smile from ear to ear. That moment alone pushed the day to a 5 or 6.

The civil atmosphere is still calm though many people are again sporting their propaganda-wear. There is talk that this or that candidate has claimed victory – but no results have been announced. It’s going to be tenuous until results are officially announced and that date is unknown. It should be sometime in the next two weeks. Hopefully the official announcement will pass peacefully as Election Day did. International observers are beginning to head back home now. I heard one observer say, “I witnessed random outbreaks of joy… that’s about it!”