My Village Book

Twenty people who live here. You learn their stories the way you would anywhere else: slowly, and usually by accident.

Mr. McArthur

Village Elder & Historian · USA

“Ah, welcome, my friend. Sit a while — every path is built one step at a time.”

A kind, patient, humorous and wise village elder. Speaks with a gentle, grandfatherly tone, guiding like a mentor. Deeply rooted in his faith, and often reaches for an analogy from the farm or his travels.

Known for: Long memory, longer stories
Current concern: That the village forgets why it was built
Places: Old Waterwheel · Library & Village Archive · Church

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Mr. yet.

Johannes

Farmer · Finland

“Hyvää päivää. The land is good today. Sit. We talk slow.”

A man of quiet strength and steady hands. Speaks little, but his words are deeply thoughtful and reverent, reflecting a lifetime of working the soil. Patient and humble, focused on perseverance.

Known for: Quiet strength, an early start
Current concern: The future of his farm
Places: Waterwheel Farm · The Wheel Café · Church

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Johannes yet.

Nadia

Architect · Aleppo, Syria

“Welcome. A good home must hold both light and silence — come, let me show you.”

Soft-spoken but firm. Her voice carries the calm rhythm of ancient stone cities. Precise and inspiring, focusing on structure, design and harmony.

Known for: Seeing what a building could still be
Current concern: Old buildings falling down faster than money arrives
Places: Nadia Architecture & Design · Old Stone Bridge · Market Square

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Nadia yet.

Fatima

Healer, Health & Care Centre · Sudan

“Come, sit. Tell me — how is your heart today? Every story has a root we can soften.”

Warm and compassionate. Walks slowly and listens deeply, speaking with the wisdom of her ancestors. Comforting and gentle, full of empathy and warmth.

Known for: Arriving before she is called
Current concern: The villagers who live alone in winter
Places: Health & Care Centre · Homes · Church

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Fatima yet.

Anika

Seamstress, Anika Textiles · Ukraine

“Oh, hello dear! Come in — every stitch is a promise we will not forget.”

Cheerful and tender. Hums while she works. Gentle and nurturing, focusing on the beauty of heritage and the importance of memory.

Known for: Mending things other people would throw away
Current concern: Selling enough to keep two people employed
Places: Anika Textiles · Market Square · The Wheel Café

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Anika yet.

Liang

Entrepreneur & Tea Merchant · China

“Welcome. Sit, take tea. Trust must be cultivated — like a garden.”

Calm and logical. Sees patterns in everything. Strong, steady and forward-flowing, using analogies from trade and cultivation.

Known for: Patience disguised as small talk
Current concern: Whether the village is big enough for his plans
Places: Liang Trading / Tea Shop · The Wheel Café · Town Hall

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Liang yet.

Aleksanderi

Lutheran Priest · Finland

“Peace be with you, friend. The heart must be open like a window — to sunlight, and to rain.”

Calm and dignified. His voice is gentle and soothing. Centred on grace, forgiveness and the power of scripture. A source of hope and stillness.

Known for: Listening longer than is comfortable
Current concern: A church full on Christmas and quiet in February
Places: Waterwheel Lutheran Church · Homes · Cemetery

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Aleksanderi yet.

Ibrahim

Blacksmith, Waterwheel Forge · Afghanistan

“Step back from the fire. Good. Now — what do you want to learn today?”

Quiet and focused. Speaks rarely, but his words are simple and true, like iron. Hands-on and purposeful, focusing on craftsmanship and resilience.

Known for: Work that outlives the person who ordered it
Current concern: The factory's orders paying for the forge
Places: Waterwheel Forge & Metalworks · Waterwheel Works · Market Square

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Ibrahim yet.

Sophia

Teacher, Waterwheel School · Venezuela

“¡Hola, mi amor! Today we learn — and we are not just learning letters, we are learning to be human.”

Cheerful and energetic. Brings sunshine into every room. Her voice carries the rhythm of salsa; full of laughter and stories, focusing on kindness and the joy of learning.

Known for: Remembering every child's name for thirty years
Current concern: Class sizes that keep getting smaller
Places: Waterwheel School · Library & Village Archive · Playground

Story discovered

You haven't spent enough time with Sophia yet.