Embraces people of all cultures, races, religions, and sexual orientations;

Allows people to express their doubts and ask important questions;

Sees science as a window into the wonders of the universe;

Serves and empowers rather than controls and manipulates;

Rejects dogma;

Gives people a chance to serve those in need, here and around the world.

Dr. Anwyl and SOTH,

Thanks for the message. It's been several months of meaning to write you all, and I do sometimes I've let time gone by and been bad at keeping in touch. I'm sorry for that. I have read the newsletters and kept up with SOTH and am as usual inspired by the good work you all do there. Time goes by too fast these days and I feel like I'm always a little behind (I think like most of us)...

My news is that I left Madagascar last year because the work that I was getting into turned out to be much different than I had expected-- in short it just didn't work out-- so instead I pursued my "plan B" or perhaps it was "plan C" to teach English at a high school in France. So last September I moved to Pau, in southwest France, and am just finishing my contract now at the end of April.

If all works out I'll soon be going back to Madagascar to work with Reef Doctor, a marine conservation NGO in the southwest part of the country.

Again I'm sorry for not keeping in touch-- I'll be better from now on. When I first left Madagascar I was in an unsettled state of mind. I think as well I felt like I was letting people down by not coming back (there and in America), but at the same time I knew I needed to leave.

So I hope you all are doing well and I hope I can make it down to Southern California sometime sooner rather than later and see you all... perhaps show some pictures and cook some rice as well.

I feel blessed to have this community in my life-- even if you are so far away.

Much love,

Becki