Finding balance between thinking about deep and important issues while wanting to spend a Saturday just enjoying God's beautiful world is on my mind as I write. Since I'm waiting for Comcast to come after waiting all yesterday afternoon for a scheduled appointment they missed keeps me from being totally free right this minute though.
So, while I wait, I reread ACTION International's newsletter. I've know ACTION missionaries before and trust what they send me. They work in urban areas with street children, the poor, the disenfranchised. When I saw their topic was UGANDA, I took notice.
Here are some quotes from Keith McFarland of New Hope Uganda.
"While the West tends to simply view Kony as a terrorist who can be brought to justice through military power, the reality is that BEHIND Kony is deep Satanic bondage and power. Kony is in a line of witchcraft- using children-abusing 'warlords' who love POWER-demonic power, material power, and power over people through fear. There is deep and serious spiritual bondage here, beyond the simplicity of a simple 'Let's go get him!' This satanic ritual did not begin with Kony, but was passed on to him from his predecessor in the 'use fear to control people' line of control."
I'll just let those words peculate in your minds for a while before we later touch that troubling topic. OK?
MOVING ON!
I read "While most of us here in Uganda understand the need for GOOD schools and education that has the ability to touch and impact lives, education must be seen in the context of the needs that are much GREATER and DEEPER in the lives of hurting children.......Education cannot replace family, and independence (a characteristic of the orphan heart) leads to self-reliance, isolation and ultimately death.
HOW THIS CONNECTS WITH EAFC PHILOSOPHY
"Support is good, but partnership is best. Find out how you can truly partner. The book When Helping Hurts has some good insights into this discussion.......
"Check financials of any ministry you are considering working with. If only 30% or 50% of the money given is actually getting "on the ground" or directly to those in need, you should step back and re-evaluate."
There is soooooo much more, videos and all, I could have passed on, but my attempt here is to shrink, to reduce so much of the available information out there. If there's information overload, then the potential good has imploded on itself and you won't be able to take what you could have learned to others for whom You are opinion leaders!
Stay with me, please! Do the necessary hard work but shoot,
LET"S ENJOY TODAY, WHAT A GIFT!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Two Days Later What I'm Learning
Two Days Later my students could still tell you the basic content of the presentation they had heard by Chimamanda Adejie on Tuesday.
And yet!!!
When they began to brainstorm over topics they might like to explore for the informative speech they are assigned to give, their topics revealed that they haven't yet grasped that
THEY ARE WAY TOO OFTEN LIVING THE SINGLE STORY.
We've talked about worldview throughout the semester. Good form is a component of public speaking that many think is "the whole ball of wax" and yet Hitler was a masterful "presenter" with lots of charisma.
MOST in the thinking world today refer to him as a mastermind of evil.
So SUBSTANCE has been emphasized as a major component that I wanted them to develop.
And yet!
"We need to be sensitive to the fact that we're not all at the same level of understanding in this." (The Message 1 Corinthians 8)
Am I making a stretch in relating this post to Africa?
You'll have to decide!
I guess I am discussing how much more we have in common in the two worlds than we are different. We ALL struggle with living with "singleness" (stereotyping)
We all tend to be insensitive to others' understanding and expecting others to "see things the way we do." to learn what we know and to do it at our own rate of learning.
A friend whose 5 month old grandson is in a children's hospital told me, "I'm amazed by all the level of suffering going on with families who have very sick children up here."
Out of sight, out of mind isn't just something for my friend to learn, but all of us who seek to get outside our comfort zones, must explore with and pray for others different from us!
And yet!!!
When they began to brainstorm over topics they might like to explore for the informative speech they are assigned to give, their topics revealed that they haven't yet grasped that
THEY ARE WAY TOO OFTEN LIVING THE SINGLE STORY.
We've talked about worldview throughout the semester. Good form is a component of public speaking that many think is "the whole ball of wax" and yet Hitler was a masterful "presenter" with lots of charisma.
MOST in the thinking world today refer to him as a mastermind of evil.
So SUBSTANCE has been emphasized as a major component that I wanted them to develop.
And yet!
"We need to be sensitive to the fact that we're not all at the same level of understanding in this." (The Message 1 Corinthians 8)
Am I making a stretch in relating this post to Africa?
You'll have to decide!
I guess I am discussing how much more we have in common in the two worlds than we are different. We ALL struggle with living with "singleness" (stereotyping)
We all tend to be insensitive to others' understanding and expecting others to "see things the way we do." to learn what we know and to do it at our own rate of learning.
A friend whose 5 month old grandson is in a children's hospital told me, "I'm amazed by all the level of suffering going on with families who have very sick children up here."
Out of sight, out of mind isn't just something for my friend to learn, but all of us who seek to get outside our comfort zones, must explore with and pray for others different from us!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Temptations We Face with Single Stories
Oh, I am so hoping that you, my friends, have by now taken time to watch Chimamanda Adejie's "the problems with the single story." If not, please do!
After class today, I'll have watched it all the way through 4 times and taken notes once. Get the idea I think she's had something to say?
So here goes my analysis:
"but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds. We never really know enough until we recognize that God knows it all."
That is taken from The Message, 1 Corinthians 8.
Here's more.
"If it becomes everything some people end up as know-it-alls who treat others ad know-nothings. Real knowledge isn't that insensitive. We need to be sensitive to the fact that WE 'RE NOT ALL AT THE SAME LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING IN THIS."
I have been guilty of living the SINGLE STORY when I "thought" knowing was everything and I was a know-it-all. When I have that attitude, then others become (to me) KNOW-NOTHINGS.
No one is a know nothing. That, my friends, is an example of my living as though the single story is the whole story.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
After class today, I'll have watched it all the way through 4 times and taken notes once. Get the idea I think she's had something to say?
So here goes my analysis:
"but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds. We never really know enough until we recognize that God knows it all."
That is taken from The Message, 1 Corinthians 8.
Here's more.
"If it becomes everything some people end up as know-it-alls who treat others ad know-nothings. Real knowledge isn't that insensitive. We need to be sensitive to the fact that WE 'RE NOT ALL AT THE SAME LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING IN THIS."
I have been guilty of living the SINGLE STORY when I "thought" knowing was everything and I was a know-it-all. When I have that attitude, then others become (to me) KNOW-NOTHINGS.
No one is a know nothing. That, my friends, is an example of my living as though the single story is the whole story.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
GETTING James' Perspective on KONY2012
James has given me permission to copy what he wrote to me on Facebook. It deals with this KONY2012 that is HOT right now. PLEASE go back and read previous posts if you're not sure what I'm talking about, or watch the videos. You'll be glad you did.
This Kony thing is still very sensitive on the ground. The documentary failed to do one important thing; to involve local leadership and affected community in making this movie / documentary. Usually for success of any project, it is important to have the local community involved to generate local ownership of the idea / project. If Invisible children did this, it would have been this community now defending / talking for them. They decided to do this thing on their own and of course it took the world by surprise and their project is bound to fail. In Uganda today, you can’t show this movie to the public without seeking police clearance because it has generated two opposing sides; those who support it and those against. In Lira for example, some youth mobilized and blocked showing of the movie in a local event organized by one NGO to show Kony 2012. There has also been resistance to this movie from some women activists. I have also watched many negative local remarks from the people of Uganda about this movie. So many questions are being asked; why now? Is it because of money? Why take advantage of the local situation?
I don’t want to reason cheap and rubbish the contributions of invisible children in Northern Uganda. I think they have tried to do great work and Joseph Kony 2012 forms part of this. I am extremely so happy today that at least over 100 million people know who Joseph Kony is today and what he did in Northern Uganda and now what he is doing in Central Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and some parts of Sudan. If the goal of invisible children was to make this Joseph Kony popular, surely this has been achieved. I am also sure that at least one of the 100 million people is going to stand out to make a difference in rebuilding Northern Uganda and if this happens, the credit of course goes to Invisible Children for highlighting the problem. I come from Northern Uganda, from the time Kony 2012 went online; I have received a number of inquiries about Joseph Kony from many Americans especially who want make a difference to the community he destroyed. They need to know more about him and what the current situation of this region is.
One important thing I want people to know is that Kony no longer operates in Northern Uganda. His rebel group completely left this region around 2007 and this marked the end of the war. This region is so peaceful today and under recovery and rehabilitation. The effects of this war on our community are enormous. A large part of our community today is battling with trauma / psychological effect, absolute poverty, breakdown in education culture, youth unemployment, illiteracy, orphan crisis, disease outbreak, malnutrition and total collapse of social service delivery. And there are every efforts being done to address the problems.
However, part of the disappointment of the people of Northern Uganda is that they see a large presence of development agencies trying to solve these problems but they don’t see their impact on the ground. I have moved around most villages in Northern Uganda and what you see is hopelessness and desperation. This makes me agree that a majority of donor funding is misused and too much is put into meeting operations costs leaving out the intended beneficiary. Invisible Children was attacked by international press about this however, I am happy they came out strong to defend their position. More needs to be done in Northern Uganda. If invisible children is committed to this, I think I welcome them to be supported than being rubbished. I think they have played some positive role in Northern Uganda.
This Kony thing is still very sensitive on the ground. The documentary failed to do one important thing; to involve local leadership and affected community in making this movie / documentary. Usually for success of any project, it is important to have the local community involved to generate local ownership of the idea / project. If Invisible children did this, it would have been this community now defending / talking for them. They decided to do this thing on their own and of course it took the world by surprise and their project is bound to fail. In Uganda today, you can’t show this movie to the public without seeking police clearance because it has generated two opposing sides; those who support it and those against. In Lira for example, some youth mobilized and blocked showing of the movie in a local event organized by one NGO to show Kony 2012. There has also been resistance to this movie from some women activists. I have also watched many negative local remarks from the people of Uganda about this movie. So many questions are being asked; why now? Is it because of money? Why take advantage of the local situation?
I don’t want to reason cheap and rubbish the contributions of invisible children in Northern Uganda. I think they have tried to do great work and Joseph Kony 2012 forms part of this. I am extremely so happy today that at least over 100 million people know who Joseph Kony is today and what he did in Northern Uganda and now what he is doing in Central Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and some parts of Sudan. If the goal of invisible children was to make this Joseph Kony popular, surely this has been achieved. I am also sure that at least one of the 100 million people is going to stand out to make a difference in rebuilding Northern Uganda and if this happens, the credit of course goes to Invisible Children for highlighting the problem. I come from Northern Uganda, from the time Kony 2012 went online; I have received a number of inquiries about Joseph Kony from many Americans especially who want make a difference to the community he destroyed. They need to know more about him and what the current situation of this region is.
One important thing I want people to know is that Kony no longer operates in Northern Uganda. His rebel group completely left this region around 2007 and this marked the end of the war. This region is so peaceful today and under recovery and rehabilitation. The effects of this war on our community are enormous. A large part of our community today is battling with trauma / psychological effect, absolute poverty, breakdown in education culture, youth unemployment, illiteracy, orphan crisis, disease outbreak, malnutrition and total collapse of social service delivery. And there are every efforts being done to address the problems.
However, part of the disappointment of the people of Northern Uganda is that they see a large presence of development agencies trying to solve these problems but they don’t see their impact on the ground. I have moved around most villages in Northern Uganda and what you see is hopelessness and desperation. This makes me agree that a majority of donor funding is misused and too much is put into meeting operations costs leaving out the intended beneficiary. Invisible Children was attacked by international press about this however, I am happy they came out strong to defend their position. More needs to be done in Northern Uganda. If invisible children is committed to this, I think I welcome them to be supported than being rubbished. I think they have played some positive role in Northern Uganda.
So, You Know a Ugandan?
Just because I have friends in Uganda doesn't mean that I should be listened to, does it? "Big deal, " you might be thinking. Your friend "could be" Joseph Kony or someone like him. The truth is that I have lots of friends in Uganda and many, many who are godly men and women, people of integrity who love me and share with me. They help me understand their stories so I can tell them to you.
Here's one of my friends!
This is the first time I met James Oonyu! EAFC had supported him without having ever meeting him. Since EVALUATION is a BIG PART of what we do, we invited him to join our 2009 Vision TEAM so he could share his country and we could learn from a native citizen's perspective.
We LAUGH NOW, but when we met him he was VERY, VERY QUIET. "Oh dear," I thought. "I'm spending 10 or so days with this man that won't open him mouth. What will the team think?" BUT MY FEARS WERE SHORTLY LIVED.
The picture I have posted show James at the missionary's home DAVE and DARLENE EBY where we were staying in Kampala. Darlene suggested that some of the Ugandans entertain us after dinner, and it didn't take James long to get into the fun of it. In the days that followed we road across his country, and he got to see parts of it that he'd never seen., We got to hear stories that brought to life all we too were seeing for our first time.
Here's more of James! Oh, the pictures bring back so many stories I'd love to share, like when he worked all day for the Adam Smith International company in Kampala, got on an overnight bus so he could be in Nairobi the next day to be a part of a strategic planning session with us. Oh, and the expense to do this was all on him.
Are you beginning to see why I love this man? He's only one, you understand, but he does paint a picture that could be said about a lot of my UGANDAN FRIENDS.
But JAMES is the ONE I"M COMMUNICATING WITH THESE DAYS. Actually, he's experiencing our country right now, for the first time. He got here before Christmas and has already been back to check on "his flock" in Northern Uganda. I got permission to share with you the story that I will put IN THE NEXT POST, lest this one get ridiculously long!
Here's one of my friends!
We LAUGH NOW, but when we met him he was VERY, VERY QUIET. "Oh dear," I thought. "I'm spending 10 or so days with this man that won't open him mouth. What will the team think?" BUT MY FEARS WERE SHORTLY LIVED.
The picture I have posted show James at the missionary's home DAVE and DARLENE EBY where we were staying in Kampala. Darlene suggested that some of the Ugandans entertain us after dinner, and it didn't take James long to get into the fun of it. In the days that followed we road across his country, and he got to see parts of it that he'd never seen., We got to hear stories that brought to life all we too were seeing for our first time.
Are you beginning to see why I love this man? He's only one, you understand, but he does paint a picture that could be said about a lot of my UGANDAN FRIENDS.
But JAMES is the ONE I"M COMMUNICATING WITH THESE DAYS. Actually, he's experiencing our country right now, for the first time. He got here before Christmas and has already been back to check on "his flock" in Northern Uganda. I got permission to share with you the story that I will put IN THE NEXT POST, lest this one get ridiculously long!
Friday, March 16, 2012
gems of wisdom: KONY2012 and more
Without permission I don't reveal the person who I am quoting, but the message I can attest coming from a trustworthy person who is native to the Continent we explore helping. I will underline parts in this quote that to me are important, just my thoughts.
"This Kony thing is still very sensitive on the ground. The documentary failed to do one important thing; to involve local leadership and affected community in making this movie. Usually for success of any project, it is important to have the target community involved to generate ownership. If Invisible children did this, it would have been this community now defending them. They decided to do this thing on their own and of course it took the world by surprise and their project is bound to fail. In Uganda today, you can’t show this movie to the public without seeking police clearance because it has generated two opposing sides; those who support it and those against and the danger of fights are likely in areas where they show this movie in Northern Uganda. In Lira for example, some youth blocked showing of the movie.
I don’t want to reason cheap and rubbish the contributions of invisible children in Northern Uganda. I think they have tried to do great work and Joseph Kony 2012 forms part of this. I am extremely so happy today that at least over 70 million people know who Joseph Kony is and what he did in Northern Uganda and now what he is doing in Central Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and some parts of Sudan. The beauty of this is, at least one of the 70 million people is going to stand out to make a difference in rebuilding Northern Uganda and the credit of course goes to Invisible Children for lighting the candle. From the time Kony 2012 went online; I have received a number of inquiries about Joseph Kony from many Americans especially who want make a difference to the community he destroyed.
One important thing I want people to know is that Kony no longer operates in Northern Uganda. His rebel group completely left this region around 2007 and this marked the end of the war. However, despite the region being under recovery and rehabilitation, the effects of this war on our community are enormous. A large part of our community is battling with trauma / psychological effect, absolute poverty, breakdown in education culture, youth unemployment, illiteracy, orphan crisis, disease outbreak, malnutrition and total collapse of social service delivery.
Part of the disappointment of the people of Northern Uganda is that they see a large presence of development agencies trying to solve these problems but they don’t see their impact on the ground. I agree that a majority of donor funding is misused and too much is put into meeting operations costs of these organizations leaving out the intended beneficiary. Invisible Children was attacked by international press about this however, I am happy they came out strong to defend their position.
Yes, Kony 2012 is a good project, embrace it and make a difference!"
So, please keep reading and learning and listening and keeping an open mind. Just because "some" criticize the efforts that might include elements not totally sound does not mean that we throw up our hands. That, at least, is the message I got from my Ugandan friend!
From Uganda
Today a dear friend from Uganda told me he likes these blogs and that he will send me a CD of his work in Northern Uganda. I look forward to that and will keep you posted of what I learn. Already I know that if my friend is "exposed" he could lose the favor of the government, and they could shut him down. can't wait to find out why!
I hope that many of you have listened to the speech about the problems of the single story by the Nigerian lady. Think I need to learn her name. I plan to watch it several times, BECAUSE I THINK IT HAS FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS Not JUST FOR OUR CONSIDERATION OF AFRICA, BUT LIFE IN THE U. S. TOO.
I must admit that I get STRETCHED (a rather mild word for what I feel) by the number of comments I receive from friends who judge Americans for our ignorance of "their world". Shoot, they are ignorant of ours too!
Today Psalm 94 was the Word that spoke to me. Unless we all keep searching for such words so that the Holy Spirit of God can apply His Word to our particular problem, we will never come together in union. It amazes me that any of us can ever get along. Life is hard! ( oh, that was profound, Val!)
On another subject EAFC wants email addresses so we can send newsletters electronically rather than by a failing postal service.
We want to offer discounts for cool African curios if you will send us your email address.
Send it to admin@eafc.net. Please?
Don't forget that Facebook has growing through Africa friends which allows you to comment easily.
Hopefully soon EAFC will have a more user friendly website too.
Thanks for being my friend!
I hope that many of you have listened to the speech about the problems of the single story by the Nigerian lady. Think I need to learn her name. I plan to watch it several times, BECAUSE I THINK IT HAS FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS Not JUST FOR OUR CONSIDERATION OF AFRICA, BUT LIFE IN THE U. S. TOO.
I must admit that I get STRETCHED (a rather mild word for what I feel) by the number of comments I receive from friends who judge Americans for our ignorance of "their world". Shoot, they are ignorant of ours too!
Today Psalm 94 was the Word that spoke to me. Unless we all keep searching for such words so that the Holy Spirit of God can apply His Word to our particular problem, we will never come together in union. It amazes me that any of us can ever get along. Life is hard! ( oh, that was profound, Val!)
On another subject EAFC wants email addresses so we can send newsletters electronically rather than by a failing postal service.
We want to offer discounts for cool African curios if you will send us your email address.
Send it to admin@eafc.net. Please?
Don't forget that Facebook has growing through Africa friends which allows you to comment easily.
Hopefully soon EAFC will have a more user friendly website too.
Thanks for being my friend!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Don't tell my class about this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg
Why wouldn't I want you to tell my Jackson State University Speech Arts students about this You Tube video?
Because if you do, you'll be stealing my lesson plan the day we return to class after Spring Break.
What's so good about it?
This Nigerian novelist (who was introduced to me once again from my Rwandan friend) demonstrates how to give a speech effectively, our next unit of study for this semester. But oh, there's SSOOOOOO many people who can effectively demonstrate how to give a good speech, like our President!
But I'm a woman who believes that the best form in the world without outstanding substance is wood, hay and stubble that simply won't stand.
This lady HAS A STORY WORTH TELLING. Her goal is to convince us that the simple story is a story that distorts. In other words, she shows us how destructive it is to STEREOTYPE.
So, why would I add this to a blog post other than it is an African woman (who I've previously never heard of) speaking?
Remember when I suggested that we dialogue regarding the wisdom of the April 20 thrust to expose the evil man, JOSEPH KONY?
Remember how I've stated how much I don't want to have good intentions that hurt more than they help?
Do we have any traction yet? Are we coming together? Can we not see how much more we have in common than what separates us? Will we get outside our own cocoons and ask ourselves these questions?
I think that if we will, then the time it takes to keep this discussion going will have profited us all.
Remember with me, "UNLESS the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it."
Why wouldn't I want you to tell my Jackson State University Speech Arts students about this You Tube video?
Because if you do, you'll be stealing my lesson plan the day we return to class after Spring Break.
What's so good about it?
This Nigerian novelist (who was introduced to me once again from my Rwandan friend) demonstrates how to give a speech effectively, our next unit of study for this semester. But oh, there's SSOOOOOO many people who can effectively demonstrate how to give a good speech, like our President!
But I'm a woman who believes that the best form in the world without outstanding substance is wood, hay and stubble that simply won't stand.
This lady HAS A STORY WORTH TELLING. Her goal is to convince us that the simple story is a story that distorts. In other words, she shows us how destructive it is to STEREOTYPE.
So, why would I add this to a blog post other than it is an African woman (who I've previously never heard of) speaking?
Remember when I suggested that we dialogue regarding the wisdom of the April 20 thrust to expose the evil man, JOSEPH KONY?
Remember how I've stated how much I don't want to have good intentions that hurt more than they help?
Do we have any traction yet? Are we coming together? Can we not see how much more we have in common than what separates us? Will we get outside our own cocoons and ask ourselves these questions?
I think that if we will, then the time it takes to keep this discussion going will have profited us all.
Remember with me, "UNLESS the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it."
Friday, March 9, 2012
Another good reason to have friends in Africa
Facebook is affording me a way to have 'Growing Through Africa Friends", which I hope is an easier way for us to carry on discussion about important matters. Friend us there! OK?
There is a friend from Rwanda who has my respect, so when he posts, it's usually well thought out. He challenges me! I appreciate that, because I tend to take his thoughts seriously. Maybe I'll later copy one of the videos he posted in an attempt to help us look at their matters in a different light.
Moving on! Was it my last post? Twitter? a viral video? But I've been seeing more and more discussion on this attempt to OUT Joseph Kony.
Now, don't get me wrong. I've read enough books, interacted with enough people with "light years" more experience than me to not be naive enough to think I know anything without seeking help. I need help from missionaries with whom I share certain cultural advantages that help me understand. I need help from respected friends who have lived their entire life on the continent of Africa, and I also have some friends who are "bridge builders" who have lived mostly in Africa, but also in our part of the world. For the most part I listen to those who share my belief in a Sovereign God over us all.
That's why I need Their help, but mostly the help of God. If all of us who weigh in on these most important topics are on our "figurative knees" before an all knowing and all loving God, THEN AND ONLY THEN might we be in a position to help one another.
Am I naive enough to think that getting Kony really solves the problems brought up in this video? NO, BUT, FRIENDS, it's a START.
My goodness, I so commend those who've put hours and hours of work, creative juices AND PRAYER into calling others out of their shells.
What is bothering me "just a bit" is that I'm reading negative reactions without first reading commendations.
So, I plead with you who want to call out cautions, PLEASE affirm first. Please? Then I believe we can all benefit more in the discussion process.
(Just heard my first positive comment from an African, a Kenyan friend of mine.)
There is a friend from Rwanda who has my respect, so when he posts, it's usually well thought out. He challenges me! I appreciate that, because I tend to take his thoughts seriously. Maybe I'll later copy one of the videos he posted in an attempt to help us look at their matters in a different light.
Moving on! Was it my last post? Twitter? a viral video? But I've been seeing more and more discussion on this attempt to OUT Joseph Kony.
Now, don't get me wrong. I've read enough books, interacted with enough people with "light years" more experience than me to not be naive enough to think I know anything without seeking help. I need help from missionaries with whom I share certain cultural advantages that help me understand. I need help from respected friends who have lived their entire life on the continent of Africa, and I also have some friends who are "bridge builders" who have lived mostly in Africa, but also in our part of the world. For the most part I listen to those who share my belief in a Sovereign God over us all.
That's why I need Their help, but mostly the help of God. If all of us who weigh in on these most important topics are on our "figurative knees" before an all knowing and all loving God, THEN AND ONLY THEN might we be in a position to help one another.
Am I naive enough to think that getting Kony really solves the problems brought up in this video? NO, BUT, FRIENDS, it's a START.
My goodness, I so commend those who've put hours and hours of work, creative juices AND PRAYER into calling others out of their shells.
What is bothering me "just a bit" is that I'm reading negative reactions without first reading commendations.
So, I plead with you who want to call out cautions, PLEASE affirm first. Please? Then I believe we can all benefit more in the discussion process.
(Just heard my first positive comment from an African, a Kenyan friend of mine.)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
http://vimeo.com/invisible/kony2012 WATCH ALL 27 MINUTES, PLEASE
Koni2012.com
WATCHING THIS VIDEO, you'll meet Jacob Acaye. You'll also want to hug on Gavin Russell, whose Dad put this together.
But this won't happen unless you'll take the 30 minutes it takes to watch the video.
Then you can go to this website, and get the Action Kit. Yes, it'll take some effort, but wow, what a way to be a part of something bigger than "normal" life!
On April 20 the world will know what you can know NOW, if you'll watch this video.
THIS is the video my daughter and grand daughter saw last Sunday. Since them my granddaughter took my book called Girl Soldier that I mentioned in the previous post. She's letting this message penetrate her!
My college students will hear about this. Maybe they'll even want extra credit for participating in a meaningful way. Talk about learning communication! Now, this is a powerful lesson.
WATCHING THIS VIDEO, you'll meet Jacob Acaye. You'll also want to hug on Gavin Russell, whose Dad put this together.
But this won't happen unless you'll take the 30 minutes it takes to watch the video.
Then you can go to this website, and get the Action Kit. Yes, it'll take some effort, but wow, what a way to be a part of something bigger than "normal" life!
On April 20 the world will know what you can know NOW, if you'll watch this video.
THIS is the video my daughter and grand daughter saw last Sunday. Since them my granddaughter took my book called Girl Soldier that I mentioned in the previous post. She's letting this message penetrate her!
My college students will hear about this. Maybe they'll even want extra credit for participating in a meaningful way. Talk about learning communication! Now, this is a powerful lesson.
Monday, March 5, 2012
JOIN Growing Through Africa Friends on Facebook
I think I've discovered a way that we can dialogue about topics brought up on this bloodspot, through Facebook. There's a site (I guess I'm too old or inexperienced to know what I do) but there really is a site named Growing Through Africa Friends.
Join it; OK? Then when I post here, we can dialogue together there.
At least we can try, right?
Join it; OK? Then when I post here, we can dialogue together there.
At least we can try, right?
Saturday, March 3, 2012
A WAR no one knows about! NO WARS!
A FRIEND who is a missionary in South Sudan shared this link on Facebook. This "silent" war is in Sudan, not South Sudan, but it is a war against people who just like those in South Sudan want their freedom.
video.msnbc.msn.com
I watched it and was terribly moved by it. What will we do? Stories like this unfortunately are not new, but the more we know, does it just desensitize us
or WILL THIS TIME we do something DIFFERENT?
Please help me think of ideas of what we can do! And then share those ideas!
Maybe by making the link BIG, more will see its importance and click on it.
Now, I'm editing this because today my daughter told me about a meeting she went to at her church with her teen (almost teen) daughter where they were learning about Joseph Kony.
I've known about Joseph Kony for YEARS, but an American needs to WORK IN UGANDA and Democratic Republic of Congo to have heard about him.
Why does this matter?
BECAUSE for 25 years now, the world has given him and his Lord's Resistance Army a pass.
Even the book, Girl Soldier, The story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children,
Why it matters and What you Can do
Doesn't seem to have reached the multitude of Christians in America.
How do we create RAGE over such atrocities?
Oh, if anyone's interested in the book, it's written by Faith J.H. McDonnell and Grace Akallo.
The Preface is by Henry Orombi, Archbishop, Anglican Church of Uganda and Dan Haseltine, of Jars of Clay wrote the Foreword.
video.msnbc.msn.com
I watched it and was terribly moved by it. What will we do? Stories like this unfortunately are not new, but the more we know, does it just desensitize us
or WILL THIS TIME we do something DIFFERENT?
Please help me think of ideas of what we can do! And then share those ideas!
Maybe by making the link BIG, more will see its importance and click on it.
Now, I'm editing this because today my daughter told me about a meeting she went to at her church with her teen (almost teen) daughter where they were learning about Joseph Kony.
I've known about Joseph Kony for YEARS, but an American needs to WORK IN UGANDA and Democratic Republic of Congo to have heard about him.
Why does this matter?
BECAUSE for 25 years now, the world has given him and his Lord's Resistance Army a pass.
Even the book, Girl Soldier, The story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children,
Why it matters and What you Can do
Doesn't seem to have reached the multitude of Christians in America.
How do we create RAGE over such atrocities?
Oh, if anyone's interested in the book, it's written by Faith J.H. McDonnell and Grace Akallo.
The Preface is by Henry Orombi, Archbishop, Anglican Church of Uganda and Dan Haseltine, of Jars of Clay wrote the Foreword.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Recruiting
We're looking for people with time and energy!
Who's "we"?
Who has time?
Who's got extra energy?
What do you mean?
Well, if you read my title, you know I'm recruiting. I'm looking for soul mates, for friends whose enthusiasm for investing their lives in something bigger than "normal" living feels more normal than anything they could invest in.
I'm specifically wanting ideas of people we could interview for a position as EAFC's executive director. We have one good candidate, but we've been advised to go about this slowly and making SURE (or as sure as possible) that we've made an investment in someone with staying power.
I could ALSO use some people with energy who want to volunteer selling African crafts that will be plowed back into helping those who've made these products.
I'd like to begin collecting a list of people interested in joining a team from EAFC to go on a VISION TRIP. On our trips, our students and alumni plan our activities, recruit us to help in what they are involved in. We get to establish relationship with people who are making a difference in their country.
Want to suggest a country we'd visit? I'm thinking about Liberia, or Malawi, or Zambia, but then that surely does leave out our seeing friends in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda or Rwanda, to name a few.
Now, here's one more place we could use a volunteer. If you would like to be a part of our scholarship selection, call our office. (This would be approximately a 2 week commitment in May) Warning! We hear that those who participate in this part of EAFC are never the same.
Oh, we also need friends who want to make friends with one or two of our students, to pray for and with them.
Think I could make a living recruiting?
Oh, I really don't want another job, but I do want to move hearts to join me in my passion for seeing the church in Africa served by training those they submit to get educations necessary so they can LEAD!
Contact us at admin@eafc.net if any of my RECRUITING IDEAS touches your heart!
Who's "we"?
Who has time?
Who's got extra energy?
What do you mean?
Well, if you read my title, you know I'm recruiting. I'm looking for soul mates, for friends whose enthusiasm for investing their lives in something bigger than "normal" living feels more normal than anything they could invest in.
I'm specifically wanting ideas of people we could interview for a position as EAFC's executive director. We have one good candidate, but we've been advised to go about this slowly and making SURE (or as sure as possible) that we've made an investment in someone with staying power.
I could ALSO use some people with energy who want to volunteer selling African crafts that will be plowed back into helping those who've made these products.
I'd like to begin collecting a list of people interested in joining a team from EAFC to go on a VISION TRIP. On our trips, our students and alumni plan our activities, recruit us to help in what they are involved in. We get to establish relationship with people who are making a difference in their country.
Want to suggest a country we'd visit? I'm thinking about Liberia, or Malawi, or Zambia, but then that surely does leave out our seeing friends in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda or Rwanda, to name a few.
Now, here's one more place we could use a volunteer. If you would like to be a part of our scholarship selection, call our office. (This would be approximately a 2 week commitment in May) Warning! We hear that those who participate in this part of EAFC are never the same.
Oh, we also need friends who want to make friends with one or two of our students, to pray for and with them.
Think I could make a living recruiting?
Oh, I really don't want another job, but I do want to move hearts to join me in my passion for seeing the church in Africa served by training those they submit to get educations necessary so they can LEAD!
Contact us at admin@eafc.net if any of my RECRUITING IDEAS touches your heart!
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