3-1

Euro 2008 is in full swing and it makes our whole family miss those passionate and crazy times on warm summer nights when we would watch the games, be they Euro Cup or World Cup.

We love Africa but we miss the way Europe felt during those days.

Portugal beat the Czech Republic 3-1 tonight.
Well done, little Portugal. Joga Bonito.

My Heart: Here and There, Part 2

So you might want to read the post below to make sense of this but...

I had lunch today with about 50 other women who gather monthly to pray for people who are working for good around the world. I love these ladies. Most of them are in their 70's and 80's, and some of them are younger. I spoke at their gathering last month and felt their love as I always do when I'm with them.

Today Jean Gill spoke. She and her husband lived in Japan for 27 years and they care a great deal for that country. But her heart expands beyond that one experience and when she spoke of the situation in Cambodia, she cried.

There were 7 of us at our table and 5 of us were international people. There was Marcie who was raised in Japan and then went with her doctor husband (and their kids) to Nepal for a few years to care for those with leprosy. One woman grew up in S. America, another in Taiwan.

Here we were, a group of women who have lived all over, all with hearts broken for peoples and lands far from this place. Quite suddenly it dawned on me: These international people whose lives have been interrupted (and a little messed up) by needs that moved them to action in far-flung places, these are my people. I was overcome by a feeling I rarely have... among them I felt at home.

We were together for lunch, united by the fact that our hearts are here and there. I literally felt the hair on my arms stand up. What a privilege to be counted among this tribe.

By the way, Portugal beat Brazil today 2-0. This international lady is very happy!

My Heart: Here and There

Milord just rang. He's Colin's Nepali friend in Lisbon. Our whole family loves him. He got the time difference wrong and forgot that Colin is at school right now but he was just reminding us that Portugal plays Brazil today. That's always a huge game. I wish I was in Lisbon to watch it in a little cafe with some nice Portuguese coffee.

I was sitting in the airport in Nairobi last November when an add for the sports cable came on the big screen TV. Scenes of major soccer games flashed across the advertisement and suddenly the screen was covered in thousands of Portuguese flags and scarves waved by fans at the World Cup.

It was the middle of the night at a dingy airport in Kenya and I was excited to be in the process of moving back to East Africa, but when I saw those flags I started to cry.

Gosh, being international really messes up your heart!

Joga Bonita!

This little country is very happy tonight!
Joga bonita! Our boys went through!

Cheering for.... Who?

When the World Cup rolls around, I begin to feel the confusion of my life. Who is it, in the end, that I'd really like to see win?

In the 2002 World Cup, I expected nothing out of the U.S. team. Then they promptly came out and beat Portugal! I was stunned and depressed at "my country's" defeat. It took me a couple of days to realize that it was nice for the fledgling U.S. team to have beaten an international power-house.

On the other hand, when England play, I find myself strongly supportive of their side. Unless they are playing Portugal, of course. I spent four years in the England as a child and I have fond feelings toward the place. Of course, I lived four years in Sweden before that so I feel fondly for them when they play as well. But if Sweden play England or Portugal, my fond feelings towards the Swedes weaken.

My passport says USA and while I thought they played badly against Czech Republic, I was very proud of the way those nine boys held off the ten Italians. They deserved to be pleased with themselves for that draw. Shame they didn't get to go on. I have no real fondness for the Italian team. (Sorry Nelly!)

So yea, I thought it was a shame the U.S. team didn't get to go on, but I was SO PUMPED for Ghana! An African nation going on! Our whole household rejoiced! Sheer delight to see Africa succeed! Go Motherland! (Wait, does 15 years in Africa make it my Motherland??)

Watching Brazil play last night was pleasurable because they do dance across the field gorgeously. And all of Portugal would be pleased if after, (God forbid,) Portugal gets knocked out, Brazil went on to another glory. That would definitely be this country's second choice. I could hear all our neighbors yelling happily with each of those four goals last night. So there is a certain happiness for them, though I do think it would be polite to spread the joy around and see someone else win!

So I feel a little confused at who I care most about... But I've finally decided it must be Portugal. It's come to the place that I have to leave the room when they play. I'm so afraid my blood pressure will bust a whole through the top of my head!

The good thing is, if they don't advance any farther, I've got several other countries to legitimately root for. Maybe being a confused international is not such a bad thing after all.

in my reality

some moments in life are so surreal that i cannot wrap my mind around them, though i try very hard. football moments that go badly wrong must be corrected so that i can cope.

and so it is that, in my world, portugal beat greece in the final game of the euro cup two summers ago in lisbon.

and arsenal beat barcelona last night in paris.

other people get to create their own realities. i think it's only fair that i get to create mine.