Events

ABOUT RUBY’S WORLD Searching for purpose after surviving a heart attack and breast cancer, 52-year-old Karen Baldwin sets off alone for South Africa as the first white teacher in a rural Zulu elementary school. Her suitcases bursting with books and art supplies, Karen arrives at the small airport where she is greeted by Principal Phyllis Zondi and Ruby Ndlela of Zinti Junior Primary School. Karen’s hosts seem eager to pursue their dreams of English proficiency and computer literacy for their “learners,” but the Zulus’ desire for westernization soon conflicts with strong tribal traditions. Karen’s goodwill is stretched to the breaking point by encounters with witch doctor supremacy, infant scarification, and female genital mutilation. When Ruby and Phyllis suddenly turn on Karen for reasons she may never fully understand, she is afraid for her life, trapped in a concrete room on a locked compound with no one to turn to for help. ABOUT the AUTHOR In mid-life, Ms. Baldwin turned her back on a successful career in civil engineering to focus on her lifelong desire to serve the needs of women and children. She graduated from the Chaplaincy Institute for Arts and Interfaith Ministry and earned a certificate in Spiritual Psychology from theWest CoastKabbalahSchool. As an independent Interfaith Minister, she once worked as a hospital chaplain with Kaiser Permanente in California. Then, through her dreams she was called to work with children inAfrica. “I didn’t chooseAfrica. Africa chose me,” Karen says. Today, she lives in the mountains of northern New Mexico with her four-legged companion, Gabriel. She presents workshops nationally on the power of dreams as a compass for life, speaks on navigating the human condition, and maintains a spiritual direction practice. “Africa was an experience that changed my life,” says Karen. “I hope that every reader comes away from Ruby’s World, as I did, with new self-awareness, and one less judgment.” Karen can be reached at karen@revkarenbaldwin.com

« Saturday February 25, 2012 »
Sat
Karen Baldwin – "Ruby’s World" Meet & Greet the Author Start: 1:00 pm End: 3:00 pm ABOUT RUBY’S WORLD Searching for purpose after surviving a heart attack and breast cancer, 52-year-old Karen Baldwin sets off alone for South Africa as the first white teacher in a rural Zulu elementary school. Her suitcases bursting with books and art supplies, Karen arrives at the small airport where she is greeted by Principal Phyllis Zondi and Ruby Ndlela of Zinti Junior Primary School. Karen’s hosts seem eager to pursue their dreams of English proficiency and computer literacy for their “learners,” but the Zulus’ desire for westernization soon conflicts with strong tribal traditions. Karen’s goodwill is stretched to the breaking point by encounters with witch doctor supremacy, infant scarification, and female genital mutilation. When Ruby and Phyllis suddenly turn on Karen for reasons she may never fully understand, she is afraid for her life, trapped in a concrete room on a locked compound with no one to turn to for help. ABOUT the AUTHOR In mid-life, Ms. Baldwin turned her back on a successful career in civil engineering to focus on her lifelong desire to serve the needs of women and children. She graduated from the Chaplaincy Institute for Arts and Interfaith Ministry and earned a certificate in Spiritual Psychology from theWest CoastKabbalahSchool. As an independent Interfaith Minister, she once worked as a hospital chaplain with Kaiser Permanente in California. Then, through her dreams she was called to work with children inAfrica. “I didn’t chooseAfrica. Africa chose me,” Karen says. Today, she lives in the mountains of northern New Mexico with her four-legged companion, Gabriel. She presents workshops nationally on the power of dreams as a compass for life, speaks on navigating the human condition, and maintains a spiritual direction practice. “Africa was an experience that changed my life,” says Karen. “I hope that every reader comes away from Ruby’s World, as I did, with new self-awareness, and one less judgment.” Karen can be reached at karen@revkarenbaldwin.com