by Mildred Hondorf: I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons - something I've done for over 30 years. Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability. I've never had the pleasure of having a protégé, though I have taught some talented students. However, I've also had my share of what I call “musically challenged” pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother, a single mom, dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the…
A compilation: “You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”— Charles Spurgeon Speaker Bob Perks was at an airport when he overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, “I love you. I wish you enough.” She in turn said, “I wish you enough, too, Daddy.” They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated.… I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?” “Yes, I have,” I replied. … “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?” I…
by W. Schmidt: If we want to travel to Mushapo from Kinshasa, we have to first fly to Tshikapa and then go by road about 60 km through the bush to our school. The road is getting worse all the time and especially in the rain it was too bad to travel by car. We had to hire motorbikes to go there and these bike riders are real heroes in my eyes. On the way they had to argue with different officials on a road barrier who asked for vehicle papers, road taxes etc. but mainly wanted some bribes. They gave them some money, but it was not enough. It went back and forth for about an hour and we lost precious time. Dark rain clouds were coming up and we were only at the beginning of our trip. The situation looked bleak and our white skin doesn’t help in…