So What's with this blog, you might be wondering?
A few weeks ago I was forced to delete my previous gmail account (before I could think straight or salvage much of anything). Unfortunately, said gmail account was the one synced to my blog. It wasn't until after the account was deleted that I realized my previous blog was now gone too. I can no longer sign in or edit it in anyway. So I will bring the old blog here, and start fresh with my stories and updates. Below you will find all of my past postings on my old blog (dated when they were originally written) and from here on out this is where you can find me!
Here goes nothing...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
God Rewards Faithfulness
Some may call me crazy, but I call me Christian. My Christian heart is calling on you, I am callingout for a favor... one of GREAT need and abundant rewards.
Rwanda, I am coming. I am coming because I am called and because I am in love. I am heading back to the country where I left my heart last May in a few short months and I need you all more than ever. Last summer we partnered with an Orphanage, Gisimba Memorial Centre, where we donated 200 bags for the children filled with donations and toys. If you know me, you know that I also left my heart there...with Deborah.
My precious little Deborah with the bags we made and filled with donations.
the little girl that stole my heart and captivated me. She is wonderful, to say the least, and not a day goes by that my heart doesn't ache to spend time with her again. All of my Rwandan family at Gisimba is always with me wherever I go in life. They taught me to love hard without hesitation, to live life with compassion and drive and to take NOTHING for granted. For you are always the lucky one to someone else. I promised them I'd be back, but what they don't know is unlike the others who've made them empty promises and left them with false hope- I am coming. Few know this, because I am in communication with the wonderful and hard working director, Ildephonse, as well as a few of the older boys who I made life long friends in. But I want to do more than show up, I'd be selfish to think I can go over and make life better for all of them with a smile on my face, arms wide open and love for each and every one of them. There is a need in Rwanda, there is an even greater need at Gisimba. I want to help- I want to help for Ildephonse who works full time raising these children at the orphanage (as they all call him "Papa") finding money in any amount that can help to put clothes on their back or food in their bowls as well as attending school in his "free time" to get his degree, I often wonder if he ever sleeps. Not to mention he has fallen very ill, my heart cries out to even think of the idea of those children losing Ildo, but I have something deep within me, I have faith. I want to help for Damas who runs the Orphange. His grandfather started it 1970 and then passed it on to his son (Damas' father) who then passed it on to him. Damas is one of the seven heros of the genocide for his acts of faith and protection of the children during the war. Damas managed to hide 325 children and 75 parents; luckily he had a stock full of food. When the genocidaires came, he paid them off with money and then food to save the lives of those he was hiding.He was obligated to do this, because if he didn't act- they would have been killed. Damas also helps seek funding for the orphanage, and serves as the center's Rwandan government representative. I want to help for the house moms who have their own children to raise, yet spend their days at the orphanage to ensure that the children have caring adults around them to protect and love them. The reasons I have are never ending, and there are a million things I wish to do for them upon my return back. This is why I need you, I need help! I need donations!
I am raising money to get my children at Gisimba proper bedding and bug nets. (In Africa, Malaria is a very scary and deadly disease transmitted through mosquito bites, so it is VERY important to sleep at night in bug nets- well, less than half of my babies at Gisimba have bug nets...and those that do are lucky if there are holes few and far between) There are around 200 children at Gisimba and I want to get them all new sheets, pillows and bug nets. "God rewards faithfulness. Those who bear no fruit for God's kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful." Please have faith in me as I have faith in God and his plans for me. I am coming, I am coming back to the children who I fell in love with and I will help, as I am called to do so. I greatly appreciate ANY donations and want to do so much for the orphanage, If I have the money I'd also like to help clean up the grounds, get them new windows where the old ones are busted out and maybe even help Ildo with his own personal struggles. I know that he's putting everything he has into these children and the orphanage, what a blessing it would be to give him something to help out his own struggles. Medical care is by no means cheap for anyone, let alone a man who is single handily raising 200 children.
I will set up information to donate through pay pal or an address where checks can be sent to. For those who know me know that Rwanda has become my life, I hope this can show you how it too can become a part of yours! I also ask that you continue to follow my blog- as I am abroad this will be the easiest way to receive updates and information on my personal project!
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
Here are a few pictures from our bag donation project last summer at Gisimba... I can only have faith for wonderful success in this years project!
I am raising money to get my children at Gisimba proper bedding and bug nets. (In Africa, Malaria is a very scary and deadly disease transmitted through mosquito bites, so it is VERY important to sleep at night in bug nets- well, less than half of my babies at Gisimba have bug nets...and those that do are lucky if there are holes few and far between) There are around 200 children at Gisimba and I want to get them all new sheets, pillows and bug nets. "God rewards faithfulness. Those who bear no fruit for God's kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful." Please have faith in me as I have faith in God and his plans for me. I am coming, I am coming back to the children who I fell in love with and I will help, as I am called to do so. I greatly appreciate ANY donations and want to do so much for the orphanage, If I have the money I'd also like to help clean up the grounds, get them new windows where the old ones are busted out and maybe even help Ildo with his own personal struggles. I know that he's putting everything he has into these children and the orphanage, what a blessing it would be to give him something to help out his own struggles. Medical care is by no means cheap for anyone, let alone a man who is single handily raising 200 children.
I will set up information to donate through pay pal or an address where checks can be sent to. For those who know me know that Rwanda has become my life, I hope this can show you how it too can become a part of yours! I also ask that you continue to follow my blog- as I am abroad this will be the easiest way to receive updates and information on my personal project!
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
Here are a few pictures from our bag donation project last summer at Gisimba... I can only have faith for wonderful success in this years project!
Donated School Supplies
Donated Bags, Ildo to my right!
Ishimwe, the sweetest deaf little boy- discovering race cars
Nail Polish! A girls DREAM!
Notebooks and School Supplies
and...Beanie Babies :)
"One ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world" -Tom Brokaw
My Character is compassion and my determination, well that's Rwanda.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Frustration
Frustrated.
Why can't I always be where I want to be exactly when I want to be?
God has a plan. God has a plan. God has a plan.
Rwanda, you are on my mind.
When are you not?
I can not wait.
Better.
:)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Movies & Memories
It's Sunday night- I have homework I need to do, a test I need to study for and a bedroom that could use a SERIOUS cleaning. However, all that can wait. I have to blog.
This weekend I went to see the movie Valentines Day. It was a long (but wonderful) movie. Maybe it was because It was late and I was tired...or maybe it's just because my heart is still in Rwanda- but everything about the movie reminded me of the life I have waiting for me overseas and the people I love a thousand miles away. As I listened to lines about miracles, fate, happiness and above all else, Love, my heart couldn't help but get excited to go back. There has never been anything I have been more sure of then the fact that I belong back in Rwanda... I've never been so consumed and infatuated. I've never felt so called in my entire life. This has been the most amazing faith journey and my relationship with God blossoms more and more everyday. Some days I want to open my door, step outside and scream about gods love for me and my excitement to learn the things he has planned for me. Some days I worry, get nervous, try to develop plans and then backup plans for those plans. Some days I think I have too much on my plate, andsome days I wonder if EVERYBODY but my parents is trying to prevent me from going back. And it's on those days, more than any other, that god reminds me how forgetful I am. He reminds me that I'm not in charge, he reminds me that my life is all planed out...things will happen regardless of my plans, not even my backup plans can prevent some of the things that God has in store for me. I wouldn't have it any other way.
As I sat in that theatre, and watched the sad little boy who had been missing his mom for months be awaken by her after just having arrived home from leave in the military I couldn't hold the tears back. It was an emotional reunion to watch the two of them hug and the love in the little boys eyes to have his mother back. But my heart went from happy to broken in seconds. What about my children at the orphanage who's moms will never come home? What about my babies who have no family at all? What about my sweet little Deborah who knows know evil and sees everyday as a gift and even though she's been dealt a TERRIBLE card in life, she has nothing but faith in her soul and love in her heart. What about her? Who comes home to her at night? who picks her up and protects her when her friends at the orphanage get rough and hit her too hard with one of their wooden crutches? Who wipes her tears when she's scared? Who teaches her about being a girl? Who lets her sleep in bed with them at night when she's awaken from a terrible dream? Who bakes her a birthday cake when she turns another year older? It's not fair! It's NOT fair! My human heart can't help but wonder why god takes parents away from children...but my christian heart finds comfort in KNOWING God is in charge- and even though we don't get it and even though it makes NO sense to us...it's never going to nor is it supposed to. Someday we may understand- or think we understand- why somethings happen. But until that day please, PLEASE, don't develop hate in your heart or give up hope. God holds our fate, and God knows his plans
God comes to Deborah every day, God wraps his arms around her and protects her when her friends at the orphanage get rough and hit her too hard with one of their wooden crutches, God wipes her tears when she's scared and eases her fearful heart, God teaches her about being a girl, God eases her mind when she's awaken from a terrible dream, and God reminds her every year that it is another year she had been blessed with- and to celebrate and rejoice in that. God watches over, and that- I can wrap my human and my Christian head around.
"It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be shattered." 1 Samuel 2:10
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Good To Great
Happy Valentines Day!
It's been a while since I wrote last, a lot has happened and I can't wait to write it all down. Unfortunately, getting back into the daily routine and requirements of school leaves not a lot of time for blogging- but don't give up on me just yet, I'm still here!
As I lay here on my bed cuddled up with my two little guys (My Cats; Oliver & Kohlson) I can't help but think this is a pretty good Valentine's day. To love and be loved so much by them and just to have them in my life is such a blessing. I'd be lost with out my dudes!
On the AFRICA front... changes are happening and steps- No, leaps and bounds, are being taken in more than the right direction. As of today it looks like things are really going to happen and I'll be headed back to the country that I love so much in three short months, WOW! A lot of awesome things have taken place to get to this point. I have made lots of new relationships and My teacher, Leah Keino, has truly been an angel to me during this process. She has helped me line up so many things and helped me to develop an internship idea to present to the college to be approved, and it WAS! Now we just have to wait for the Dean to Okay the trip. The service learning trip, however, that Leah and I were working so hard to develop again this year is not going through. It's truly sad- but I know that God has a plan for me and if it was meant to happen it would have. I trust in his work and I know that this is for the better. It just saddens me that 14 more students eyes won't be opened up to the AMAZING and life changing country of Rwanda. So many students lives are changed each year through the opportunities that the service learning trips provide that it's sad to think that we won't be continuing the legacy this go round. Each year Rwanda gains new ambassadors to come back to America and tell their stories, stories of encouragement and light to others in America to learn and understand the strides they are making over there, sadly and truly without much help from us! God has bigger plans for me though- I am to go back, this could not be more clear, but this time by myself. He who knows me best, and created me, knows that I seek too much comfort in other people and groups that I'm familiar with- but what only Himself and I know, is that my best work...my BEST work is done when I am at my utmost discomfort. He wants me in situations unbeknownst to me, situations where I can't rely on others to do the work for me, situations where I know no one and have to make new friends and confidants, situations where I am vulnerable and alone so that I rely solely on him, my lord. He will guide me and show me what to do, I just have to listen. That is how I got this far, I learned to close my mouth and open my ears. I learned that I'm not behind the wheel in this life- I am merely just along for the ride.
I learned of a book at a lunch that my dad had set up for me to meet with a friend of his, Mr. Ron Langston, who is familiar with Africa and different projects that I could link up with while abroad. He suggested that I read a book called, "Good to Great". Ron mentioned the bus scenario it describes in one of the chapters. He told me that you have to be aware of who's on your bus, and what seats you put them in, in order to truly succeed. Also, you have to know when to kick people off your bus, he told me, to continue and maintain your success. While I waslistening I couldn't help but think what bus I was on and where I was headed- and only a short second later, God told me. I am riding on God's bus- I am sitting with all of the others that live out his work and he will never kick me off or abandon me. God doesn't drive us in directions where he plans to drop us off or leave us stranded. God drives us to places where he sees success and flourishment, God drives us to situations where we can TRULY live out the life that he has planned for us, but God will NEVER kick us off the bus. Some days we just forget to get on.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thankful & Willing
I've been spending most of my free time this week catching up on Invisible Children DVD's and developing an increasingly vegan diet. I find myself spending a lot of time in my room crying as I watch the videos, your heart can not help but ache for the people of Africa. As I watch the documentaries and learn about Sunday- the war displaced child or Emmy- The AIDS Orphan, I sit and feel helpless. Guilt creeps all around me as I watch these videos in my safe apartment with a roof over my head, heat coming through the vents, a full stomach and a soft comfortable bed to relax in. Why is it that I have it SO good, and they have it SO bad? How did I draw the lucky straw? God gives us the lives we get, and it's up to us what we do with them. With that I think the roof over my head, the heat in my house, the food in my stomach and the bed I sleep in at night are all a part of God's greater plan for me- he needed to show me the imbalance of my culture and others in the world for me to most appreciate what I can do for others. We never know what it is that God has planned for us, nor are we supposed to figure it out. God wants us to stop every once in a while, pray to him and listen, he will tell us where to go and what to do to be existing in every way he has planned for us. God has called on me to take my blessings in life, and use it. I am appreciative of all that I have been blessed with in my life, In which I owe all to my AMAZING parents- the ones who made it all possible for me to go to Africa in the first place to start the fire that lives inside of me. I could not have asked for a better and more supportive father and mother and I hope and I pray that they know that, every single day. God giveth and God taketh away...ALWAYS count your blessings, what we have today we may not have tomorrow...and for that, one day, we could be the ones in need of some assistance.
But for me, I need to go assist.
You know when you get that one song stuck in your head, it plays on repeat over and over and over in your head and at the end of the day you're all songed out. This was mine today... :) and I have to say, I wasn't one bit annoyed.
"Liz has a Police Chase
Liz has a Police Chase
Liz has a Police Chase
Turn around and point to ONE!
She has a Wiggie Wogga Wiggie Wogga on her shoe
Wiggie Wogga Wiggie Wogga on her shoe
Wiggie Wogga Wiggie Wogga on her shoe
Open the door and point to ONE!"
This was my favorite Rwandan Nursery Rhyme,
there is a very cute game that goes along with it much like "Duck Duck Goose"
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Laundry Day and The Pink Hoodie
I stayed in Friday and Saturday night this weekend. Friday night I cleaned my room- read my book, "28 Stories of AIDS in Africa" and got to bed at a good time. Saturday night a couple of my friends came over and we put in a movie and enjoyed each others company. Then after I took them home I sat in my room and watched a million Invisible Children documentaries (If you guys don't know what that is you should DEFINITELY check it out, it's an amazing organization helping rescue child soldiers in northern Uganda, End the war, Give those in Uganda opportunities to go to school, make money in their communities through job opportunities and better their lives) As I was siting watching all those videos I was thinking to myself- doing what I love on my own time on the weekend is much more rewarding than going out to the bars- drinking alcohol and slamming back shots with hundreds of people I've never met. God wrapped my his arms around me again this weekend, and I'm trying to better myself daily for him. I've written off the bar scene and opted to stop drinking ...by no means was I ever out every Friday and Saturday night, but this weekend God showed me that doing what I love i.e. sitting in my room in my apartment, educating myself on organizations helping to better Africa and that give me hope for the future- even if it's by myself- is what it's all about. THAT is fun to me, it's relaxing, it's what I care about, and it's fulfilling. I'm not saying it's wrong to go out on the weekends, who am I to judge how you enjoy spending your time? Only God can judge. My closest friends all go out still and I'm sure have no intentions of putting that on halt anytime soon. I'm just saying I feel like time spent out at a bar right now, for ME, is time wasted. It's an empty night that I'd lose for instant satisfaction of enjoying time with friends and becoming less and less of my true self with each drink. It almost seems sinful anymore to me. I want to spend these days- these years bettering myself and working on my future and my life.
Along with spending the weekend in, came laundry... I dedicated this free time to getting all my laundry cleaned, dried and put away. As I was switching my brights from the washer to the dryer I noticed my pink valour Victoria Secret zip up hoodie, it was a little tainted from the other colors in the load and had a bit of a bluish tint to it. I will not pretend that my selfish human heart didn't for one second feel upset about this...It did. However, I immediately got a million questions from God.
"What about the children who don't even have clothes?"
"What about the children who wouldn't even second guess a color leak on their other clothes in the laundry load?"
"What about the girls who've never gotten to wear the color pink, EVER, because that just wasn't available for them?"
So I stood there, motionless, with my pink hoodie in hand midway from the washer to the dryer thinking...My sweet little children at theGisimba Memorial Center ... they all share the same clothes- they're communal. No child there has their own, individual wardrobe. There's nothing extremely girly for the girls nor boyish for the boys. It's all fairly neutral. Being in a major at Iowa State University where I solely learn about children, their development and their growth (emotionally and cognitively) I really understand the importance of letting little girls be girls and little boys be boys. It's important for girls to wear pink, play with hair and dress up dolls. It's Important for little boys to race toy cars, play sports and exchange action heros, but, It's also VERY important to not have unattainable expectations. I AM happy that those children have a roof over their head, clothes on their body and food in their belly's. God has blessed the family at the Gisimba Memorial Orphanage, but somedays I can't help but wish I could give them more... I want them to know in their own way and through God that I learned this weekend and understand how selfish we think and act at times. How awful our first instincts can be and just the importance of opening your ears all the time to God, he speaks to us at the most important of times. I promise if you listen, he'll teach you something! I PROMISE!
I vow upon return to Rwanda- to give my favorite Pink Hoodie (slightly tainted but FILLED with love) to my sweet Deborah at Gisimba, her sister and her best friends who all make up her BIG, HUGE, LOVING family.
On a completely different level, I had an AMAZING Saturday spent with family and friends at the Iowa State Vs. Kansas Basketball game! My Grandma, Dad, Sister, her best friend (Kristen), Brother-in-Law, my best friend (Neha) all spent the afternoon at Hilton Coliseum cheering on our respective teams. It was a wonderful day and even though my cyclones lost it was so fun to spend time with everyone. I couldn't help but wish Deborah could see something like it, someday.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us- Romans 5:3-5
Friday, January 22, 2010
LOVE
Love - Urukundo (Love in Kinyarwanda- Rwanda's Native Language)
"If you want to make the days in your life really matter,
then you must love something." -Kobi Yamada
"All you need is love." -John Lennon
"We know things better through love than through knowledge." -Umberto Eco
"Choose thy love: Love thy choice" -German Proverb
Love is the only shocking act left on this planet...
This is LOVE. Love In it's purist form.
God IS Love.
I.C.Y.I.Z.E.R.E: Hope
Tonight was a glimpse of Hope- quite literally.
I've been working so hard on this Summer's 2010 Service Learning Trip to Rwanda and sometimes when I feel like I want to rip my hair out and scream at the top of my lungs, when I feel like nobody understands me or how badly I need to be back in Rwanda, I remember what keeps me sane, what keeps me motivated to go to school, to get up each morning, to love what I do, to love with my whole heart and to take nothing for granted; and it's called Rwanda. God has amazing ways of letting me know everyday he is with me- I'm just enthralled with the evidence that is his love, all around me...EVERYDAY! Today was a hard day on meemotionally, we haven't yet met the numbers for this summers Rwanda trip to become a go yet (which we were supposed to have the final word by now) but I got the due date extended and am still hard at work motivated to make it happen. I get flustered and frustrated, but then I just have to remember- Why do I worry? God will take care of this- God will get me back to Rwanda. Needless to say, I needed some hope, and that came in a rather blunt form of a Documentary screening tonight on campus here at Iowa State University by the name of ... "Icyizere - HOPE." <-- God at work.
It was a documentary about 10 victims of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and 10 perpetrators, they were all a part of a 3 day conference where they were taught about post traumatic stress syndrome, trauma, coping methods and how to forgive. I sat down in the Great Hall preparing myself for the documentary. But nothing prepares you for what you see. I've been to Rwanda, I've seen numerous movies about the genocide, numerous movies with Rwanda in it and or Rwandans, but nothing prepares me for the next thing I see or the next thing I watch. Maybe I'm homesick for my other home, or maybe It's just exactly what I needed to see in my moment of frustration with the trip planning, but I Just sat there, in my chair, and lost it. I bawled for the entire hour and a half. I cried as Rwandans shared their stories from the genocide, I cried as the camera panned the landscape, I cried as the children played with tires in the streets. For some reason though I wasn't crying because I was sad (even though I was), I wasn't crying because my heart ached for them (even thought it was), I wasn't crying because I missed my babies in Rwanda (even though I do)...I was crying because God is with them, he is EVERYWHERE In Rwanda, and it was beyond beautiful to sit back and watch. I watched as the victims of the genocide lead some of the murders, some of the very men they knew had killed friends and family of their own, on trust walks. I watched them play games to better understand each other. I watched them all cry as one another shared their stories of loss or grievance or sorrow or shame. I watched them all be vulnerable in the presence of one another and pick up the pieces one by one together and help each other put one foot in front of the other and start to live again. There's no doubt that Rwanda has a shameful past and a horrible history of violence and genocide, but there they stood, all together in one room...and I couldn't help but lose it
If you ever get the chance or the opportunity- This movie was wonderful.
Rwanda never abandoned God, and he never abandons us. I heard tonight the biggest form of love is sacrifice- For god so loved the world he gave his only son.
"Africa, sings a new song, reaching out with a new hallelujah. Every son and every daughter, everyone sing a new hallelujah."
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Letter & 28 Stories of AIDS In Africa
Happy Wednesday and what a winter day it is! It rained ice all through the night last night and into the morning and the city of Ames, Iowa is nothing short of an ice skating rink today- as well as many other cities in Iowa today. Be Safe today fellow Iowans!
Yesterday in my favorite class this semester, African American Studies, we watched a video. The video was titled, "The Letter" and It was a documentary of sorts about the town of Lewiston, Maine (well known for the Textile Mill, Bates Mill, in the 1950's) and the issues regarding the large Somali population they have now residing in their town. To give a brief overview of how they landed in Lewiston I will say this, The US ran them out of their own country due to our foreign policy and the war that Somalia endured. So to make up for their faults, the US placed the displaced Somalians in America. However, they chose to place them in communities where they felt they'd "fit in best" such as primarily African American communities. Many Somali's were placed in the rough neighborhoods of Atlanta, Georgia and after much dispute, crime and attacks against the Somalians they realized this was no place they wanted to inhabit, let alone raise their children, and went looking for a town in which they desired to live. Enter- Lewiston, Maine, the town the majority of Somali's agreed on to settle in. As you may see coming, the mainly Caucasian town split down the middle between two sides regarding the overnight Somali population residing in their town. One side was for them being there, the other was not. The video interviewed many people on each side of the issue. Those against the Somali's had me fuming, one man said the following,
How ignorant! If what he even believes to be true is true, than that would make him a Christian himself and how could those words even come out of your mouth? God loves EVERYONE, he especially doesn't judge by color or ethnicity. A Christian like himself should know that! Another instance of ignorance from the film was from none other than the MAYOR himself, Laurier T. Raymond, who wrote a letter asking the Somali's to tell their friends and family members intending to come toLewiston that they are not welcome, that they are out of resources to help them and to move elsewhere. The letter proved the immense lack ofknowledge from the Mayor about the Somali's. The Mayor stated in the letter that the Somali's have no skills to bring to their community, and then they cut to interviews of the Somali's who listed off their numerousamounts of education and work qualifications- there were teachers, lawyers, even a nurse who the town had working at a store because the city officials would not allow them to take on any other job but simply that of running a store in the downtown area...It showed how much the Mayor chose to not take any time at all getting to know them, he just simply formulated his own opinion and left it at that- ignorance at it's finest. The Mayor also went on about their lack of language skills- cut again to the Somali's listing off all five languages they are fluent in, one being English! He says they don't pay taxes, they were paying taxes. They even held a huge rally for both sides of the issue to come and discuss their differences. The Mayor, Laurier T. Raymond, chose his week of vacation during that rally and was less than phased that he was to miss one of the biggest events in Lewiston history.
There was, however, many lights of hope in the form of accepting, loving and understanding community members. One who grabbed my attention the most was a city missionary, Mark Schlotterbeck, who I shared many of my beliefs with. It was almost like- in my eyes, the white supremacy groups were acting out the work of the devil and the missionaries of the town as well as the Somali population were living out Christ's work. The Somali's were interviewed saying,
Yesterday in my favorite class this semester, African American Studies, we watched a video. The video was titled, "The Letter" and It was a documentary of sorts about the town of Lewiston, Maine (well known for the Textile Mill, Bates Mill, in the 1950's) and the issues regarding the large Somali population they have now residing in their town. To give a brief overview of how they landed in Lewiston I will say this, The US ran them out of their own country due to our foreign policy and the war that Somalia endured. So to make up for their faults, the US placed the displaced Somalians in America. However, they chose to place them in communities where they felt they'd "fit in best" such as primarily African American communities. Many Somali's were placed in the rough neighborhoods of Atlanta, Georgia and after much dispute, crime and attacks against the Somalians they realized this was no place they wanted to inhabit, let alone raise their children, and went looking for a town in which they desired to live. Enter- Lewiston, Maine, the town the majority of Somali's agreed on to settle in. As you may see coming, the mainly Caucasian town split down the middle between two sides regarding the overnight Somali population residing in their town. One side was for them being there, the other was not. The video interviewed many people on each side of the issue. Those against the Somali's had me fuming, one man said the following,
"All men to be created equal? Oh that's just meant for if you're white and Christian."
How ignorant! If what he even believes to be true is true, than that would make him a Christian himself and how could those words even come out of your mouth? God loves EVERYONE, he especially doesn't judge by color or ethnicity. A Christian like himself should know that! Another instance of ignorance from the film was from none other than the MAYOR himself, Laurier T. Raymond, who wrote a letter asking the Somali's to tell their friends and family members intending to come toLewiston that they are not welcome, that they are out of resources to help them and to move elsewhere. The letter proved the immense lack ofknowledge from the Mayor about the Somali's. The Mayor stated in the letter that the Somali's have no skills to bring to their community, and then they cut to interviews of the Somali's who listed off their numerousamounts of education and work qualifications- there were teachers, lawyers, even a nurse who the town had working at a store because the city officials would not allow them to take on any other job but simply that of running a store in the downtown area...It showed how much the Mayor chose to not take any time at all getting to know them, he just simply formulated his own opinion and left it at that- ignorance at it's finest. The Mayor also went on about their lack of language skills- cut again to the Somali's listing off all five languages they are fluent in, one being English! He says they don't pay taxes, they were paying taxes. They even held a huge rally for both sides of the issue to come and discuss their differences. The Mayor, Laurier T. Raymond, chose his week of vacation during that rally and was less than phased that he was to miss one of the biggest events in Lewiston history.
There was, however, many lights of hope in the form of accepting, loving and understanding community members. One who grabbed my attention the most was a city missionary, Mark Schlotterbeck, who I shared many of my beliefs with. It was almost like- in my eyes, the white supremacy groups were acting out the work of the devil and the missionaries of the town as well as the Somali population were living out Christ's work. The Somali's were interviewed saying,
"I know some of these people don't want us here, in fact, they say they hate us, but we have no hate for them."
How is it that the Somali's presence can be so controversial and yet theydon't give into hatred and violence like much of the community themselves were. My favorite community member, Schlotterbeck, and others like him made comments that just sent chills down my spine and showed me that god was working in his own ways in the community ofLewiston, here's how I know that...
"We don't want them pointing fingers at ANYONE, we want them pointing in the direction of the solution."
"Our True Nationality is Man Kind!"
"Standing together to fight against Hatred and Bigotry!"
and my favorite, a little white girl with a homemade sign around her neck at the rally stating,
"My best friend was born in Somalia."
(insert waterworks here...I just bawled when I saw that. Such innocence, fighting for her own best friend even when it was clear that's what all the fuss was about. God works in Amazing ways!)
And at the very end of my notes I had written,
"I Miss Rwanda!"
-On a completely different note- I wanted to talk about the book that I am currently reading titled,
"28 Stories of AIDS in Africa"
I highly recommend this book to anyone! It is 28 stories, interviewed and collected by the author (Stephanie Nolen), of AIDS in Africa. The story touches on every ones story, "From teachers to truckers, sex workers to orphans" I'm only half way through right now but I already have so many thoughts running through my mind. I've read the story of the truck driver, who is now celibate, but who has aids from his random nights on the road with prostitutes. I've read the story of the nurse who everyone thought would NEVER obtain a "poor, white-mans disease like AIDS." I've read the story of the 74 year old woman raising 20 children- some her own, some her grandchildren and some her great grandchildren, all who lost their birth parents to AIDS so they were taken back to their longest living family member, who is living with AIDS herself. but most impacting, personally, of all was the story I read of the 10 year old girl, Tigist Haile Michael, living with AIDS and also raising her younger brother. They lost their parents to AIDS and lived in their parents shack in Uganda. Tigist dropped out of school to get a job to raise money for her and her brother to keep their house, buy food and keep her brother in school. She was faced with the possibility of having to prostitute for money (due to her environment) to get her and her brothers head above water, but moved them out of the neighborhood because she would never sleep with a man for money. So they moved into somewhat of a cardboard box in a far away neighborhood to escape the negativity. For the entirety of the chapter as the author is telling Tigist's story she asks the issues of, "How do you keep yourself alive, how to you manage to stay healthy? What's your driving force?" and the very last paragraph reads this,
"And when Yohannes (younger brother) had gone back out to run with his friends in the street, Tigist watched him from the doorway, her head against one slim-fingered hand, and she said, "If we had more, I would try to take better care of him. I have to take care of him. That's why I Survive."
This just sent chills up my spine, a 10-year old child, who should be playing and worried about how she was going to wear her hair to school or what game she was going to play at recess, was raising herself and her younger brother. I wanted to just pack up and move to Uganda and raise Tigist and Yohanne myself. How could this just go on? How is AIDS getting to these angels and how can we as a nation help to stop it? I know God looks over them, I know God has a plan for everyone, but I also know God wants us to help...he wants us to care and he wants us to love everyone. And I do, God, I love your daughterTigist and your son Yohanne. God, please look after the two as I see you working in her life as she knows not to sell herself to older men for money. God, please look after all the little children in Africa, put your hand in theirs as I know you do and just walk through life with them. Tell them that I am coming. I will come to help your children God.
I can't help but worry about Paskeline, Deborah, Davide, Jideo and Eli (My children in Rwanda) and know that someday they will age out of the orphanage and be on their own, I pray that the girls will never seek refuge in prostitution, but please lord, never let a man get a hold of them. Never let a man touch Deborah or Paskeline.
Please lord, let me get there first.
That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength.
Ephesians 1:15-19
Monday, January 18, 2010
It's the crime, not the Country
1:46 a.m. I'm exhausted and just got back home from a wonderful night in at a close friends apartment. We played old games and enjoyed each others company- reminiscing on old stories and fun memories...It was a wonderful change from nights out on Welch Ave. surrounded by hundreds of strangers who know nothing about me.
I'm exhausted, and the only thing keeping me from my pillow right now is a thought weighing heavy on my heart (and has been for a while now) and seeing as I'm not quite sure if anyone even reads my blog or knows of it's existence I'm not sure that this will prove to be much more than just a personal relief to put myself at ease by writing down (or typing rather) the way I'm feeling.
Well- Here goes...
Having returned home after a summer abroad in Africa you can imagine the questions I heard on a all too familiar occasion. But the one that hurts the most is, "Africa? Rwanda? Weren't you scared?" First of all- No. God is my creator and he holds my fate. Who am I to test it or to fear what he has planned for me? When you know who you're living for it's easy to just sit back and go without hesitation. Of course the history of Rwanda with the genocide in '94 is a tragedy, I have so much to releaseon that topic alone, but why should that hold anyone back? That was 16 years ago. That's 16 years of progress and reform that their country has gained, and they sure have...at what time is a country at their best? at their safest? Who's to say that any horrible act of violence, crime or destruction couldn't happen anywhere, at anytime? What makes Rwanda "scary" because of their tribulation? Who are we to even classify a place as scary? God created this world and he made no country unsafe- Man did. So what's to say what man did in one land couldn't be done in another...? For that alone Rwanda is no scarier than the United States. Also, because disease, crime and devastationhave taken place in Africa, that makes it a bad place? Things of the same magnitude happen all the time in America, but because it's America it's not scary or bad? Why do the same things occur in two places but because one is Africa, it's deemed scary? I am just as likely to be robbed walking down the street in Kigali, Rwanda as I am in Downtown Chicago. A bad neighbor hood is just as bad in Arusha, Tanzania as it is in New York City. My point being, it's not the country that's "scary" it's the crime itself...Its only human beings that make it out to be just the opposite. Don't let mainstream beliefs about countries divert you from traveling there. Go see the world and develop your own thoughts. Test yourself, go where you fear the most and know God is with you. He holds our fate and we're silly to fear that he is never at our side in our times of fear or nervousness. He created this world and for that we are in good hands. He calls us all over the world, Go, and do his work wherever he leads you. Talk to a homeless man when others label them dangerous, go to a country that others deem un-safe... exit you're comfort zone for no more than a minute, you will learn so much in that minute you might not ever go back. I hope to never live entirely in my comfort zone, God is my comfort zone...and he is all around me. So for that, all things are possible.
Having returned home after a summer abroad in Africa you can imagine the questions I heard on a all too familiar occasion. But the one that hurts the most is, "Africa? Rwanda? Weren't you scared?" First of all- No. God is my creator and he holds my fate. Who am I to test it or to fear what he has planned for me? When you know who you're living for it's easy to just sit back and go without hesitation. Of course the history of Rwanda with the genocide in '94 is a tragedy, I have so much to releaseon that topic alone, but why should that hold anyone back? That was 16 years ago. That's 16 years of progress and reform that their country has gained, and they sure have...at what time is a country at their best? at their safest? Who's to say that any horrible act of violence, crime or destruction couldn't happen anywhere, at anytime? What makes Rwanda "scary" because of their tribulation? Who are we to even classify a place as scary? God created this world and he made no country unsafe- Man did. So what's to say what man did in one land couldn't be done in another...? For that alone Rwanda is no scarier than the United States. Also, because disease, crime and devastationhave taken place in Africa, that makes it a bad place? Things of the same magnitude happen all the time in America, but because it's America it's not scary or bad? Why do the same things occur in two places but because one is Africa, it's deemed scary? I am just as likely to be robbed walking down the street in Kigali, Rwanda as I am in Downtown Chicago. A bad neighbor hood is just as bad in Arusha, Tanzania as it is in New York City. My point being, it's not the country that's "scary" it's the crime itself...Its only human beings that make it out to be just the opposite. Don't let mainstream beliefs about countries divert you from traveling there. Go see the world and develop your own thoughts. Test yourself, go where you fear the most and know God is with you. He holds our fate and we're silly to fear that he is never at our side in our times of fear or nervousness. He created this world and for that we are in good hands. He calls us all over the world, Go, and do his work wherever he leads you. Talk to a homeless man when others label them dangerous, go to a country that others deem un-safe... exit you're comfort zone for no more than a minute, you will learn so much in that minute you might not ever go back. I hope to never live entirely in my comfort zone, God is my comfort zone...and he is all around me. So for that, all things are possible.
I hate to rant, but I can't sleep without putting my thoughts somewhere.
Time For Bed
Finally, brethren whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek; and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh; and he that seekethfindeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
God is GOOD.
Today was amazing - to say the least, and God is GOOD. I learned a wonderful lesson in my faith today and was truly shown the wonderful acts of God when you surrender your life to him. I was asked to present my Rwanda Service Learning experience to a class here at Iowa State University, for the second time this year. Last time I got to do it with another girl from the trip, which aided as a bit of a crutch to calm and ease my nerves while standing in front of 80-100 of my peers. However, on my drive to present I got the news that she wasn't feeling good (feel better soon Em! I love you!) I immediately felt a sense of shock, and a million questions raced through my head;
"How will I do this presentation on my own?"
"The only way I know how to present this material is with her.. how will I get through this alone?"
"I haven't even practiced, what will I talk about?"
"That was a really good presentation, I just wanted to tell you that!"
I smiled the whole way back to my car, the whole way home, and basically the whole rest of the day. I was so silly to be nervous, God is in charge of my fate, and I know he is calling me to Rwanda. He is wonderful and today was proof of that. If only everyone could feel the way I felt today. I'm sure- well I HOPE, they have.
God.is.GOOD.
don't forget to listen to him, he is always there and always willing to wrap his arms around you and say to you, "I am here, lets do this."
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Oh, and...
I miss you all more than you will EVER realize.
I am getting ready to call it a night.
1:35 a.m...the late nights are a reminder school has officially begun.
Something, however, seems to be lingering especially heavily on my mind...
goodnight little Ishimwe.
Rwanda.
Maybe it will help to say my goodnights on here, since I cannot be there.
SO...
goodnight Thadee.
goodnight Davide.
goodnight Pasikaline.
goodnight Eli.
goodnight Jideo.
goodnight Deborah.
goodnight RWANDA.
Sleep well and know that I am with you in spirit!
"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." John 14: 18-19
SO...
goodnight Thadee.
goodnight Davide.
goodnight Pasikaline.
goodnight Eli.
goodnight Jideo.
goodnight Deborah.
goodnight RWANDA.
Sleep well and know that I am with you in spirit!
"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." John 14: 18-19
Monday, January 11, 2010
First Day of my Last Semester
I am 21 years old, a senior at Iowa State University and I have just spent the following summer in Rwanda, Africa. I am currently back in the US now finishing up my last semester of college at Iowa State. Today is the first day of classes and I have mixed emotions as I go into the new semester. I am excited to graduate, nervous to enter the real world and continuously living each day as one day closer to getting back to Rwanda.
During this past month of May I spent 30 days on a service-learning trip to Rwanda through my university, and it has since changed my life entirely. While in Africa I managed to accomplish a lot...
I've fallen in love with their culture,
opened my eyes to the extreme poverty and hunger that countries like Rwanda face each and everyday,
learned about their education systems, women's shelters, AIDS clinics, etc...
I've also forever lent my heart to the Gisimba Memorial Center- where it will always stay (the orphanage in which we spent most of our time during the trip)
Made an amazing friend;
Thadee
and fallen in love with one of the children at
Gisimba to the point where I consider her my own daughter-
She IS my own daughter,
Deborah
As well as so much more.
I am so blessed to have had this opportunity, and have grown so far in my faith and relationship with God. My time back has felt less than natural and extremely unfulfilled. I have a place in Africa, that's where my heart is and where I know I belong. This is my struggle to get back to the things and the people who need me the most. I strongly feel a calling to return to Africa, I know it is my calling and I know it is Gods plan for me.
As for now, I'm off to knock out this first day of classes. Two today, Business of Child Care & Abuse and Illness in Families. Wish me Luck!
"One of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself or anyone else is inspiration. Inspiration to get in touch with your dreams. Inspiration to seek out your deepest passions. Inspiration to make a difference in the world, a difference that only you can make."
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