(THIS MORNING some of you, MY FRIENDS, got an email (from me) forwarded to me from someone I trust. If you liked it, you have now sent it on. WHAT was the email forward about?
It regarded something WE ORDINARY PEOPLE COULD DO ABOUT GAS PRICES. The email listed those companies that buy gas from Saudi Arabia and those who don't. ( Yes, you guessed it; I have a tiny bit of stock in one of those BAD companies!) At least I now know and can make a choice as to whether or not looking for gas stations in the "good" camp is something I want to do. right?
Now, WHAT in the world do those two paragraphs have to do with my desire (and I hope yours) to grow through Africa?
Here's the connection!!!! IF you LIKE, REALLY LIKE a ministry that is unique because it focuses on RESPECTFUL RESPONSIBLE, RELATIONSHIP building WHILE trying to train LEADERS in LOTS of countries in Africa, THEN I want you to copy and paste this post to TEN of your friends!
On MAY 21 our SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION Committee of Educating Africans for Christ will meet to select recipients for 2013 scholarships. We try to combine FAITH with OUR BANK ACCOUNT in deciding how many we can take. The "formula" isn't perfected. That's why I am asking you to forward this email to TEN friends that you think "might" just "might" want to help us take one more student that we'd have to turn down ONLY because of the bank account/ faith formula we use.
YOU CAN SEND MONEY THROUGH Paypal. Go to www.eafc.net It's REAL easy! ALSO you could mail a check to
EAFC
PO BOX 5303
Jackson, Ms 39296
(or email admin@eafc.net for more information)
Now, I think I'm going to try to copy and paste this myself, and email it to TEN.
If it doesn't work, I'll let you know! Otherwise, WILL YOU JOIN a CAMPAIGN with ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE?
Thank you so much for your help!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
IS LEARNING fun, hard work or both?
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!
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)