Benedictine Volunteer Corps retreat

August 5th, 2010 (From a desk in St. Anslem's Priory Library on the 3rd floor of  St. John's Abbey's red brick Quadrangle in Collegville, Minnesota)

I'm leaving August 25th--less than three weeks from now.  It's pointless to imagine what Togo will be like. 

We (meaning me and some of the other BVC volunteers), are living in St. John's monastery for two weeks.  We are on the night 5 but it feels like the night 15.  Its great.  I like it but the days here are loooonng.

Group prayer, work (moving heavy objects from one location to another/extensive weeding), eating, trying to sleep.  Monks do some serious praying.  I tell you what. 

That is my life right now.