Evening at our apartment complex is an exciting experience. When we first moved in, the fast-paced games of soccer and animated conversations occurring as the sun set seemed somewhat foreign and intimidating. But we have begun to appreciate this as one of the most vibrant times of day, as the heat wanes and those who work regular hours come out to chat. The constant game of soccer that occurs nightly on the old tennis courts, ending promptly at nine, becomes a miniature global village, where Iraqi, Somali, Bhutanese, and Mexican boys and men unite to challenge their athletic skills. The younger boys look on, laughing at their older brothers' stumbles and cheering on their successes. The jungle gym swarms with children from ages two to twelve, the younger ones guarded vigilently by their mothers, the older ones inventing games for their younger siblings to play in. The intern apartment provides yet another gathering place, where games of checkers provide a setting for all types of conversation and revelation.
As the sun sets, summer's fireflies become a prime source of entertainment, with girls and boys chasing and jumping and running to catch one of the mysterious little creatures. "They're like God's glitter," I couldn't help remarking to our sweaty and smiling group. One little girl, whose religion and ethnicity I don't know, said in a solemn little voice, "I know God-- he created the bugs!" Her words, accompanied by the chatter of a dozen different languages surrounding us, provided a momentary taste of the understanding that must permeate a heaven populated by people from literally all over the globe. --Elizabeth
