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!
Friday, March 16, 2012
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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