Rose Bowl Champs!

I bet I'm still predictable. I bet you knew that this was going to be my favorite thing about today. Oh well, I'll work on that tomorrow. We finally won a post season game! (And Chip Kelly has mad hops!) Go Ducks!

My Favorite Things

During October of 2011, I posted a picture of my favorite thing from each day on Facebook.  I miss it.  I learned to slow down, to appreciate the little things more and I was always thankful to know that at least one good thing happened each day.  Just for your enjoyment (well, actually entirely for my own enjoyment) I decided to bring it back for the whole year of 2012.  This is quite the commitment for the entirely commitment-phobic-barely-blogging person that I am.  Even though I have the hardest time with change out of anyone I know, I am oddly optimistic that 2012 is going to be a great year.  Cheers to growth!   Happy New Year!

My favorite thing about January 1, 2012:

Today was the day I learned how to be a kid again and take risks like I have nothing to lose.  I've grown comfortable and predictable in my ripe old age of 27. (although my sweet Uncle wrote that "like wine, I only improve with age" in my birthday card).  Anything out of my "normal" routine of running non stop from morning to night gives me anxiety.  In my constant effort to accomplish more than humanly possible in a day, I've given up on being spontaneous and doing all the silly things that amuse me-- you know, rollerblading, block walking, drives to Seattle or the coast at obscene hours and staying up until 2 a.m. learning Michael Jackson dances.  So I decided to go sledding.

I have not done this in years.  It was amazing to me how much fear I had AND how easy it was to let go of it all. It was a great way to celebrate a new year, new beginnings and change. ...And of course, build deeper relationships with two girls I already love so dearly.

African Queen

I've been going through my journal finding things I want to share about Uganda and I came across the words "African Queen".  Looks like I need to share my new favorite song with you. Enjoy!

Thank you

Tiffany and I were just walking around the village and I happened to have my camera to record this (call it my great PR skills ;) ). In no way was this staged.

This is Basimbye George, the headmaster at Life Academy Christian School in Seeta, Uganda. 

Thank you, sincerely, for all your support, love and prayers. We are all so blessed. 

Grace

Meet Grace.  A beautiful Ugandan woman who has given her life to care for precious children at Adventure Village in Seeta, Uganda.  During our "celebration" day she gave her testimony of what God has done in her life.

Amy & Grace

At the age of 16 or 17 (not many really know their real age in Uganda) she was married off to an older man because her parents could no longer afford to take care of her.  Being educated was her only dream, and being married off so young only squandered it.  Her husband was not a man of good character and in her words she "never had a good time in the marriage."  She had five children with this man and he never supported them.  Since she is uneducated it was really hard for her to find work, so she had to find odd jobs to support her children by herself.  She worked so hard and became so thin and diseased-like because she gave all the food she could grow and buy to her children.  She heard about Christian Life Ministries and went to apply to be a "mum".  She told us that if it weren't for Jackson Senyonga answering God's call her children wouldn't have the opportunity to go to school and she wouldn't have ever been able to go to the Ridar hotel (the place where we stay while we are in country). She said, "I never thought I would go to a place like that."

By most American standards the Ridar Hotel is nothing special (personally, I think it's a really nice hotel), but it meant so much to her that she was able to go. Because of her job at the orphanage she can pay her children's school fees, and when she visits her family they tell her she is so fat (which means you are healthy) and ask her how she is living so well.

I was so touched by her testimony because it reminded me of how fortunate I am.  I get to choose if and to whom I marry.  I had the opportunity to go to school, and had loving parents and family to support me.  I never thought I took all that for granted, but at times I do.  It sort of reminded me of my mom.  She may not have been encouraged to do well in school or pursue higher education, but she always encouraged us kids, always loved us through everything.  Going to college was non-negotiable in her eyes, and like Grace did for her kids, she did all that she could to equip us for that journey.

It's women like Grace that remind me to be thankful in all circumstances.

everything You do is just and true

This morning at church I was struck by the words in this song by Brenton Brown. "Everything You do is just and true."  I never realized how powerful these words are or that I would actually be at a place where I was questioning them. My aunt died from colon cancer a few days ago, right on the heels of my return from Uganda, and I feel like I have been inundated with suffering.

The deep pain I feel for my uncle and my dear cousins is unreal. I have no idea what it feels like to lose a mother, a spouse, a brother, a son.. or all four for that matter. I know my friends in Uganda have experienced pain like this too. It's truly tragic. I want to scream that life is unfair, that God made some horrible decisions, but I know deep down I don't believe that.  Oddly enough, I was reminded of a sermon I heard a few months back while visiting a Solid Rock Church in Portland.  They were going through the bible studying 2 Corinthians and the message was titled "Why God allows suffering to happen".  I had my notes from that sermon in my hand today and didn't even know it.

These were the reasons God allows suffering to happen:
1. To comfort others
2. To help a watching world see God in your coping
3. Because of the coming judgment (purges you from sin)
4. We know God best in times of suffering

Life is so precious and so unbelievably short.  In no way am I trying to minimize the pain of death, but I have found joy in the little things this weekend; spending time with my beautiful pregnant cousin, a phone call from my little brother, running in the rain, having Saturday morning breakfast with my mom, her sister, my cousin and her family, and loving on my sweet little nephew at church.

I am not a poet

I made it a week.
My haikus still need some work.
I'm not a poet.

Haiku-a-day 1

I'm so ready to for spring!  To get through these last few months before better days, I've decided to write a Haiku-a-day.   Hooray for (potentially) improving my writing skills.

Here's attempt number one:

Water falling down
Cloudy grey sky, thunder claps
A burst of light shines

Resources Related to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

This was passed along to me and is a great resource list of how to get involved in Oregon. There's also a few nationwide ideas as well.

Resources Related to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Book titles

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide - written by Nicholas D. Kristof and

Sheryl WuDunn

Renting Lacy: A Story of America’s Prostituted Children - written by Linda Smith with Cindy Coloma

The Road of Lost innocence: The Story of a Cambodian Heroine – written by Somaly Mam

Prostitution, Trafficking and Traumatic Stress - written by Melissa Farley

Films

Very Young Girls – documentary based on the work of the GEMS program. Available at Netflix

Dan Rather Reports’ Dan Rather Reports, Season 5 – Pornland, Oregon. Available on ITunes

Taken (2008) - Available at Netflix

National Resources

GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services) www.gems-girls.org

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – www.missingkids.com

OATH (Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans) www.oregonoath.org

Polaris Project – a world without slavery www.Polarisproject.org

Shared Hope International – www.sharedhope.org

Support local efforts

SARC (Sexual Assault Resource Center) providing advocacy and support through programs

specially designed for sexually exploited youth. Volunteer or make a donation. For more information

contact the volunteer manager at 503-626-9100 or volunteer@sarcoregon.org or visit their website at

www.SARCoregon.org

Janus Youth Programs (JYP) contracts with the City of Portland to provide shelter beds for

CSEC victims at its emergency shelter facility. JYP is responsible for the community-wide collaborative

process to develop a comprehensive system of care for victims of child sex trafficking. To make a donation or

learn more go to http://www.jyp.org/, or call 503-233-6090.

Lifeworks NW supporting people who are working towards a better life, through recognized, culturally

responsive prevention, mental health and addiction services and delivering high quality individual and group

treatment. Contact us at 503-710-1513 to get help for yourself or a friend, you may also visit their website at

www.lifeworksnw.org for more information or to make a donation.

More information and training - visit our website at http://web.multco.us/dcj-juvenile/csec

If you or someone you know needs or wants support please contact:

National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888 for help 24 hours a day in six languages

SARC hotline 1-800-640-5311 for emergency support 24 hours a day

Lifeworks NW 503-710-1513 for counseling and long term support

This project is supported by Grant #2009-MC-CX-K057 awarded by OJJDP

Steps citizens can take to end Human Trafficking:

•Work to eliminate backpage and similar websites that promote CSEC.

•Support federal and state laws to combat Human Trafficking – contact your representatives

•Support the re-authorization of the TVPA (trafficking victims protection act) in 2011

•Support state laws that address the age mistake defense and those that create safe harbors for victims of CSEC.

•Work to end pimp glorification and the sexualization of children – contact the company responsible for this type of advertising when you see it and share your feelings.

•Challenge inappropriate language on the topic of sexual exploitation.

•Support efforts to cease the practice of arresting youth and women who are prostituted.

•Supports aggressive prosecution and stiffer penalties for people who buy and exploit others sexually.

•Develop creative ways to post the NHTRC hotline (national human trafficking resource center) stickers in your community.

•Financially support programs on the local and national level that support victims of sexual exploitation. Every little bit helps. Everyday staff at Lifeworks NW, Janus youth Programs and SARC (Sexual Assault Resource Center) work to support victims of CSEC. Donations of gift cards to stores or fast food vendors are deeply appreciated. Call these programs directly to find out what additional support they need.

It's election time!

Praying for peace and safety as voting begins in Uganda tonight. Their current president has been in power for more than 26 years.. If you want to join me, pray specifically for peace after the decision is determined and that corruption will be limited in the very least.

New Study: Can cash reduce STIs in Africa?

I've spent a lot of time reading about the AIDS pandemic this summer, and I came across this article.  I think it's an interesting approach, and I wonder if it will be as effective in the long run.  But hey, who can say anything against fighting HIV and poverty while encouraging education.  I'm all for it.

Introduction

This year in Uganda I had the opportunity to go to a Kwanjula, which translates into "introduction" in English. It's a Buganda tribal wedding, where the bride is "introduced" to her husband.   The groom and his family get all dressed up and parades to where the bride lives to present himself to her family.   Not only did I get to see all of this, but I got to take part in it as well.

My friend Levi married a Buganda woman, Winnie, whom he met three years ago on his first trip with us to Uganda. Since none of his family members were able to attend we got to stand in for his family.  For this, we had to dress in traditional clothing (see picture below) and carry in the dowry on our heads. 

Me in a Gomesi with my friend and one of the orphans, Dan

 

 

As you can see the children at the orphanage loved that we dressed up in their traditional clothing.  A picture of me in the Gomesi even made the local paper (not joking!). Not only was it honoring to them, but they all kept telling us how "smart" we look.   It's times like these when I start to feel embarrassed for being American and white.  I don't like that some much reverence is put on being white and American.  They hold what we do and say at a much higher value than that of their own people.  It's amazing how ingrained this is even after Britain relinquished their rule. But before I really go off on that, I should get back to the Kwanjula.

Part of Winnie's dowry.  Thank goodness I didn't have to carry the leg of cow. Yuck!

To bring the dowry to the brides family we formed a "conga line" and danced down to where they were seated with baskets of fruit, oil, vegetables etc. on our heads and presented them to her family. It was so neat to be part of something that is so foreign to me and my culture.  I can't imagine ever doing something like this or allowing someone to "pay" a dowry for me.  I guess that's the beauty of it though.  As much as I would typically be annoyed about dowries in general, my Ugandan friends made a good point when they later told me that this is why they rarely get divorced.  The price they have to pay to get married is quite high and it is a literal investment in their wife and their wife's family.  

Two things of much significance that I remember from this day was the symbol of giving a rooster to the brother of the bride and and the advice Winnie's family gave her on how to be a good wife.   In Buganda culture it is common that the brother is the one who gives their sister away.  While courting, the groom will go to the brother and bribe him so that he will cover for his sister when she sneaks out to see her "boyfriend."  When the parents ask what that noise was her brother will respond "it is only the rooster", so at the introduction the groom will hand a rooster to the brother as a gift for his sister's hand in marriage.  I thought it was kind of sweet.  

Now on to the hard part.  Winnie's family gave her some really sound advice about arguing with her husband.  I'm a little too stubborn and head strong for this, but I thought it was great.  They told her that whenever her husband is upset with her and they are arguing that she should take a drink of water and hold it in her mouth so she does not escalate the argument, and when he is done she can spit it out.  Eventually, he will come around and apologize for being a jerk and making up will be easier.  I think it's wise in a lot of cases to not yell back, but I think I would end up spitting the water on someone who was yelling at me ;)

Testimonies

video recorded by Adam Neil & Steven Gosvener

These are testimonies of some of the orphans I work with in Uganda. It's hard for me to have much to say about these because the first time I watched them I had to leave the room because I couldn't stop crying. If this doesn't motivate you to love I'm not sure what will.

An Uncomfortable Truth

"'Fifteen thousand Africans are dying each day of preventable, treatable diseases--AIDS, malaria, TB--for lack of drugs that we take for granted.

This statistic alone makes a fool of the idea many of us hold on to very tightly: the idea of equality. What is happening to Africa mocks our pieties, doubts our concern and questions our commitment to the whole concept. Because if we're honest, there's no way we could conclude that such mass death day after day would ever be allowed to happen anywhere else. Certainly not North America or Europe, or Japan. An entire continent bursting into flames? Deep down, if we really accept that their lives--African lives--are equal to ours, we would all be doing more to put the fire out. It's an uncomfortable truth.'"

I'm not sure that I have ever felt more challenged\gulity\angry all at once. I love Bono's boldness in this quote, and I've read it before, but when I came across it in a book I was reading tonight it struck me differently. The sentence that strikes me the most was "Deep down, if we really accept that their lives--African lives-- are equal to ours, we would all be doing more to put the fire out." This is so much bigger than even the continent of Africa.

How do we view our neighbors? How do we determine who we want to befriend? Why do we choose to show love to only some people? I think we fail to find value in the lives of people who are outcasts of our society and people who seem to be far removed from our self-centered world views. I think this reigns true of how we view people living in extreme poverty or even as simple as people we proudly consider ourselves more intelligent than. How are we effectively using all that we have been given?

I don't have any solutions or answers, but I feel called/challenged with passion to make a difference. I'm not sure what this will look like, but I'm making it a point to seek out ways I can value people in a completely different way.

I want to live life differently and learn what it means to truly, completely love people. I think in this we find our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity to change or remedy the atrocities of this world. I don't think God intended for there to be poverty, inequalities, or an ever widening gap between the richest and the poorest of the world, but in these things we are able to live out His love and have an impact.

A little white glove

My favorite new article of clothing

Portland Veg Fest!

Portland's own Vegetarian festival!

Location: Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. MLK Blvd., Portland, OR 97232

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission: $5 at the door. Free for children 10 and under.
A printable $1-off coupon is at www.portlandvegfest.org.

There will be some great food, good books and fun music all day long! Maybe I'll see you there?

Bacon Boy Rug

All the way from Germany....



It's the Bacon Boy Rug! This will be one of the many articles showing my late cousin's creativity at Bacon Fest. If you are in town Labor Day weekend, come check it out! You can find more information here.

Blood on the dance floor..

I'm sure you were deeply saddened with the passing of Michael Jackson, as was I. If you haven't had the opportunity, watch the memorial video. It was very sweet and of course covers the classics. Motown founder, Barry Gordy, even named MJ as the greatest entertainer ever lived. That's quite the compliment.

Also, check out this video from Stockholm my brother-in-law shared with me:



...Rest In Peace...

My Fourth of July

Today I ran my very first half marathon! It was the Foot Traffic flat. I ran it in 2 hours and 25 minutes. I hope this is the first of many to come.

My goal for this year is to run the Portland Marathon in October. We'll see if I can make up for the training I'll lose in Uganda, but I think I can do it. Stay tuned..

Let's go to Cuba!

Here's a site supporting the end of the 50 year ban on Cuba. Please sign the petition!