What an incredible year!
I can, of course, say that in reference to our amazing work in East Africa this last summer, returning to Uganda to continue training and building relationships and then going to Nairobi, Kenya, to do the first ever EFT Externship there as well as numerous workshops in the community. The communities we are developing in these two countries are amazing, and as we spend more time together, we are learning so much from each other.
For me personally, however, it was an incredible year for another reason. I did not make the trip to East Africa because I was home battling cancer. On January 5th, as we were deep into the planning phase, I was diagnosed with Leukemia. For the next 10 months, I would go through a grueling time of chemotherapy, trial drugs, and intense work. I am happy to say, thanks to the amazing team at UCSD Moors Cancer Center and all the support from friends and family, I rang the victory bell (literally) on November 16th, marking my completion to treatment. Throughout that time, I worked as closely as I possibly could with the little energy I had to see our project through with my amazing team. Our work in Conexa became a purpose, a drive for me to focus on, and (at the risk of sounding dramatic) something to live for.
Perhaps the greatest aspect through it all, however, was the love and support I received from so many people. This was especially true with all the new relationships from my East African team members on both sides of the world. And as far as the work goes, when you are joined together with a committed group of talented people who share a vision of love and community, miracles happen. Beauty is formed in the sharing of burdens, learning of lessons, and fruit of connections. The projects were successful. Despite cancer. Despite civil unrest. Despite fundraising challenges. Despite any obstacle, because our people are passionate about relationship, healing and connection in community. I am blessed to be surrounded and supported by amazing people.
The cancer journey will bring many lessons with it over time. I certainly learned to trust our Conexa process, lean on our leaders, and be open to love and support. But again, at the risk of sounding dramatic, I really learned how much I really believe in our work… and how many others believe as well. Many years ago, at the inception of Conexa, I was motivated to figure out how to solve this problem: that powerful systemic work is just not available or accessible to most people in the world, especially in communities that need it most. As a therapist privileged with power, knowledge and training in these systemic therapies, that was just not ok with me. After this year, the drive to solve that problem burns even more. But now, after being physically sidelined, I have truly experienced that I am not alone in this drive. More and more see this need, feel its pain, and we are coming together to answer the call.
The true revelation, once only a thought experiment but now realized more profoundly than ever through experience, is that we accomplish this in community. We learn, grow, struggle and build together. The systemic models we hold become vastly more powerful and grow when we work on them together, in different cultures and communities, but united in the same passion to see them change lives all over the world.
I am truly grateful for the love and support I’ve received from so many of you. But I’m also incredibly grateful to share this work, this purpose, this mission with all of you. Whether you are making a donation, traveling with us, in the classroom learning, or even sharing a social media post, you are a part of the Conexa community. I am grateful to be joined with you in this cause and for giving me purpose in my most challenging times. As we launch our newsletter, our social media campaigns, our end-of-the-year fundraiser and build our organization to be more effective in the mission not just all over the world but in our own backyards, I hope that you continue to share and grow in our Conexa Community. Contribute to our Healing & Hope Fundraiser here: bit.ly/conexa-2024
With Gratitude,
Mark Executive Director, Conexa
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