A Fransiscan Blessing

I came across this in an email about Lent.  What a great blessing for us to have.  I don't ever want to not get angry when I think about the injustice and oppression in the world.  And I don't ever want to not believe I can make a difference.

A Franciscan Blessing
May God bless you with discomfort. Discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen.
May God bless you with anger. Anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. Amen.
May God bless you with tears. Tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. Amen.

May God bless you with foolishness. Enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.

And the blessing of God who creates, redeems and sanctifies be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more. Amen.

Are Good Intentions Enough?

I'll be the first to admit, when I hear about some of the health and economic problems in developing countries - I want to jump on a plane and just "do something" to help.  And there is nothing wrong with that desire - it's a good thing to feel burdened for those who are suffering.  However, are good intentions always enough? 

I highly recommend reading this article -especially if you are considering doing the same (jumping on a plane to "do something").  It's a response to an article by Nick Kristof of the NY Times (who I actually really admire for the coverage he's given to humanitarian issues around the world.  Noone else has done as much as he has to bring these issues to light.)  However, the response article makes a good point - the "do-it-yourself" approach to these issues that Kristof highlights is not always the best response.  Here's the Kristof article if you haven't read it:  Please note - I'm not saying it's bad to try to help without any experience - but you do need to be careful and perhaps look for ways to empower the work a local community is already doing instead of imposing on them. 

Here's a great example of "doing something" without imposing: The individual who I highly admire from Kristof's article, Lisa Shannon, I met when I worked on Congo issues in DC several years ago.  She has made it her life's work to raise awareness, fundraise, and advocate for women in the D.R. Congo.  She has not tried to "create" any organization that starts projects or "do-it herself".  Instead, she uses her strengths to support an existing organization, Women for Women International, that works at the community level in the D.R. Congo.  This is a great example of how any person can make a huge difference by working to support what is already going on. 

When I was graduating from college, I really wanted to join the Peace Corps.  I wanted to DO SOMETHING to help a community in a developing country.  But I also realized I knew nothing about international development - so what could I possibly have to offer as a naive, 21-yr old American whose only trip outside the country had ever been to Europe.  So instead I chose to go to graduate school to study International Economic Development first.  To learn the tools of how to understand other cultures, how to work with communities at a grassroots level, how to include beneficiaries in the planning process to learn what THEY want for their community, and how to not impose my ideas of "good development" on a community.  I am so grateful that I made this decision - because when I finally had an opportunity to work with a local organization in India, I was much more prepared.  My eyes were opened that my good intentions are not enough - although they ARE my daily motivation!   

End Hate Crimes Against the Homeless

The National Coalition for the Homeless, in its August 2010 report on Hate Crimes Against the Homeless, declared: “Violent, often fatal, attacks on homeless Americans now outnumber all other categories of hate crimes combined." Last year alone there were 43 murders, and over the past decade there have been 1,100 documented attacks including 300 homicides. These numbers are likely extremely low due to under-reporting. Attacks have included such things as dousing the homeless with gasoline and setting on fire, to beating with baseball bats.

It is important that "homelessness" is added to federal Hate Crimes Legislation. Only a handful of states now include homelessness in their state legislation, but the homeless need to be protected on a national level as well. We must stand up for society's most vulnerable victims.

I've always believed that each of us has the power to change lives and impact the world for the better.  While interning on Capitol Hill in college - I learned how important contituents letters and phone calls were to let my congressman know the issues that were important to his community.  Please look at this petition and sign it - it asks our elected officials to include homelessness as a protected group within Hate Crimes Legislation. 
 
Petition is here: http://homelessness.change.org/petitions/view/end_hate_crimes_against_the_homeless

Imagine No More Malaria

Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria. Malaria kills almost one million people each year - and almost a billion people are affected around the world.  Those stats alone are horrific - but especially when realizing malaria is PREVENTABLE!  Frankly it pisses me off and makes me so incredibly sad. While living in Zambia, I can't even count the number of families I visited that said malaria was their biggest health problem.  I was lucky - I not only had access to anti-malarial medication, but I also knew to sleep under a bednet.  So I was doubly protected.  Others were not.  And most people had friends or family who had died.  Its a tragic story - but one that can be changed. 

Spread by the bite of affected mosquitos that bite only at night, sleeping under an insecticide-treated bednet can reduce the number of deaths dramatically.  Many people living in poverty in Africa and Asia aren't informed about this prevention or can't even afford the $10 to purchase a bednet for each family member.

Today is World Malaria Day - a day set aside each year to educate others about this global issue and advocate for people to help us end this preventable disease.  By donating $10 - less then we all spend going out to eat every week, a life can be saved.  As little as $10 buys a bednet for one person.  I'm so inspired by so many people who are fighting to end this terrible disease.  Like the United Methodist Church (which I am a member of).  The church my dad pastors, Bel Air United Methodist CHurch, and thousands others are uniting to raise $75 million dollars in their "Imagine no more Malaria" initiative.  http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2550337/k.DE5F/Malaria_Initiatives_of_The_United_Methodist_Church.htm
This is the program I'll be supporting - but there are so many out there making a difference in the lives of families in Africa and Asia. There are many to choose from!

This is something that is so close to my heart.  I've seen lives lost, and it breaks my heart.  Please think about donating as little as $10. 

My Refugee Friends

Even after I started working for a local non-profit in Denver– my heart for international development did not go away, and I still wanted to be involved somehow. I definitely missed the whole cross-cultural element of my previous job. When I learned of an opportunity to be a mentor for a refugee family that was being resettled in Denver I was so excited!


Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution, due to race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social or political group. Often times they are fleeing war and violence – events that are traumatizing. The family that my mentor team gets to be friends with is from Burma – a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is a country I’ve always been fascinated with – and closely followed what’s going on with the brutal dictatorship there.

Our family – the “Reh’s”- were living in a refugee camp in Thailand until they were officially resettled in the United States in November by Lutheran Family Services (LFS). Talk about culture shock – can you imagine growing up in a refugee camp in very primitive conditions and then in a matter of days being put on an airplane and being moved to the cold, wintery weather of Denver? Never having used a stove or maybe even had running water?? I wish I could know what was going through their minds as we met them at the airport. The three kids were of course smiling and happy, but their parents looked tired and weary. They didn’t know a word of English – and probably wondered why there was a welcoming crew at the airport for them! We drove them to their apartment that we had set up, along with their case manager (who speaks Burmese fluently), and they started on their new journey as U.S. Residents.

It’s not easy being a refugee in the United States. There are a lot of overwhelming experiences all at once! Thankfully the case managers at LFS help the family with all the logistical/financial arrangements. The mentor team which I’m a part of, is tasked with “cultural orientation” and basically just being their friend. The Reh family has experienced grocery shopping, pizza, baking cookies, English lessons, and just “hanging out” with us. It’s not easy – even 4.5 months in they have limited English skills – but it’s been exciting seeing the kids talk more and more each week. And their smiles and laughs at us crazy Americans makes it all worthwhile. Next week the kids will get to experience their first MLB baseball game – pictures to come!

I'm Back!

Three years since you last heard from me - and so much has happened! I moved from the East Coast to Colorado - the land of skiing, blue skies, and Blue Moon. It's been the best decision I've ever made- made some of the greatest friends and am enjoying the lifestyle out here.

Still passionate about the same things - social justice, helping the poor and vulnerable, fighting human trafficking. Working for a local organization that serves the homeless has really given me an insight into poverty in the US. My heart is still overseas - but I love being able to serve so close to home and know I'm making a difference in my community.

Will start posting more about the things I'm passionate about.

Congo February 2007

Can't believe I haven't updated my blog since August! I've been pretty busy since then -- traveled to Burundi, Rwanda and Congo in Sept/Oct, Zimbabwe and South Africa in Dec/Jan and now I'm in Congo/Burundi again for about a month. As much as I love traveling -- I'm ready for some downtime back home!!Our operations manager and I traveled to the DR Congo the beginning of February to do a mini-assessment and fact-finding mission for our department as we consider expanding our operational programs there to meet the needs of refugees returning and internally displaced people fleeing fighting.(These are temporary shelters built by displaced Congolese fleeing form fighting in their communities) It's really sad...

We definitely found that the need was enormous. No question. The two weeks spent in the DR Congo were full of adventures and stories quite unlike anything I've experienced. Days and days of the worst "roads" in the entire world (that's not just our opinions -- that's the truth!), fording streams, getting stuck in deep potholes and in mud more than 6 times in one day, almost getting stuck out in the middle of nowhere/jungle after dark,

meeting with rebel leaders, visiting villages in the jungle, staying in a city covered with volcanic hardened lava, checkpoints, visiting villages only accessible by boat,

And... NO LUGGAGE for 11 days... I felt a bit like Indiana Jones... Well enough about that -- here are some pics!! Some are beautiful, some are sad... Brandon (our ops manager) took many more amazing photos that I'll upload when I return!



Yes... these are miniature fish we're eating... they are SO GOOD! You just eat it all in one bite -- eyeballs, bones and all ;)


















And of course, the kids are adorable everywhere you go. It breaks my heart to see the conditions they live in -- but I'm hopeful that World Relief will continue to work in their communities - building schools, providing health programs, and rebuilding livelihoods.






All in all, it was a good trip because we were able to get all the information we needed to inform decisionmaking back at HQ. And we couldn't have chosen a more beautiful country to visit -- the mountains, lakes, rivers and palm trees make it look like something out of paradise. It's hard to believe that such a beautiful country has been ravaged by war and violence for so many years.

Darfur and the Middle East

This is an incredible op-ed by Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times. He consistently highlights the humanitarian emergency in Darfur -- something the media has largely forgotten. This op-ed compares what is happening in Lebanon to what is happening in Darfur. He is right on -- it doesn't make sense... I agree that what is happening in Lebanon is disgusting (see my post below) and it can be easily resolved by Israel's cessation of targeting civilians. However, what is happening in Darfur is a GENOCIDE and it has impacted hundreds of thousands of civilians while the world largely just ignores it. It is not fair.

New York Times
August 8, 2006
Op-Ed Columnist

Shrugs for the Dead
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

This is the tale of two military interventions, of which one happened and the other didn’t.

Three weeks ago, with President Bush supplying the weaponry and moral support, Israel began bombarding Lebanon. The war has killed hundreds of people, galvanized international attention and may lead to an international force of perhaps 20,000 peacekeepers.

Three years ago, Sudan began a genocide against African tribes in its Darfur region. That war has killed hundreds of thousands of people, and it is now spreading. There is talk of U.N. peacekeepers someday, but none are anywhere in sight.

The moral of the story? Never, ever be born to a tribe that is victim to genocide in Africa.

Arabs have often argued that Americans have a double standard in the Middle East: We are more solicitous of casualties in Israel than in Gaza or Lebanon. I think they’re right, for a variety of reasons. (One is that terror attacks are particularly newsworthy; another is that journalists are more likely to live in Jerusalem than Gaza.)

But if we have double standards, so do Arabs. I sympathize with their horror at what is happening in Lebanon, but I wish they were just as outraged when Muslims slaughter Muslims in Darfur.

Even the world as a whole has double standards. The U.S. and European countries are working frenetically on a U.N. solution in Lebanon, and there is talk of rapidly sending European peacekeepers to stop the bloodshed. In Darfur, there is nothing like as much interest in what is often considered the ultimate human crime: genocide.

The Tyndall Report, which monitors television network evening news programs, says that since the bombardment of Lebanon began, the crisis there has received more minutes of coverage on average each week than the Darfur genocide has received in total since it began in 2003.

Meanwhile, Darfur continues to drift toward chaos, and the contagion is spreading into Chad and Central African Republic. We may remember Darfur as only the beginning of a much broader calamity in all three countries that ended up claiming millions of lives.

There is, of course, no direct connection between the events in Lebanon and those in Darfur. But indirectly there is: the Arab president of Sudan is manipulating the anti-American feeling sweeping the Arab world to bolster his own authority and defy peacekeeping efforts. In this crazy world of ours, the bombardment of Lebanon has become one more reason to kill African villagers.

So what do we do with these two messes?

In the case of the Middle East, it’s time to use the crisis to push for a major settlement between Israel and Lebanon, even if that means Israel gives up Shebaa Farms and the U.S. engages in direct talks with Syria. Also, President Bush should put much more energy and initiative into he Israeli-Palestinian peace effort.

Sandy Berger, the former national security adviser, says that when he was flying by helicopter to the Israeli-Palestinian talks at Camp David in 2000, President Clinton turned to him and said, “We’re either going to succeed or get caught trying.” In other words, even if the effort to achieve a Middle East peace failed, there would still be a payoff for the U.S. in the court of global public opinion.

“We used to get criticized all the time for being too tough on the Palestinians, on the Arabs,” said Dennis Ross, a Middle East envoy for both President Clinton and the first President Bush. “But nobody ever accused us of not being passionate about trying to resolve the conflict. We got enormous credit for that, because we showed we weren’t indifferent to a core grievance in the region. It’s been an enormous mistake in the last few years to send a message of indifference.”

In the case of Darfur, what we need is precisely the attention that the Lebanon conflict has been getting in the last few weeks; a high-level U.S. envoy would be a start. And while we’re working to get U.N. peacekeepers into Darfur itself, we need to send an international force to the Chad side of the Sudan-Chad border, to stop the genocidal marauders who are invading Chad and destabilizing that country. Chad wants such a force — and it just might keep the catastrophe from spreading across the region.

Both of these cataclysms demand our attention. The killing of children is a tragedy even when they lack geopolitical significance, even when they are simply part of a knotty African genocide that doesn’t make the television news.

Frustrations

The whole middle east conflict has really bothered me the past several weeks. In any crisis or disaster I immediately identify with the vulnerable and the poor. There is something inside me that just wants to SCREAM when there is any sense of injustice. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are displaced in Lebanon right now. Aid supplies can not get to them. There is a lack of water and sanitation. Civilians feel like the victims of a war they had nothing to do with.
I just have to say I am incredibly disappointed in the response to what is happening -- especially in Lebanon. The fact that any country (ahem...the US) would allow any other country in the world (Israel...) to basically kill as many children and other innocent victims as they deem necessary in order to "disarm" Hezbollah without allowing any avenues for civilians to escape (by bombing bridges, roads, airports, etc) OR any avenues for humanitarian aid to get to the injured and displaced is just dispicable. The bottom line is that these are human beings who are bearing the brunt of a decades long fight. The only reason the US is not screaming about this is because it is Israel doing the killing. That's the unfortunate truth. It shouldn't matter if it is Israel, China or Mickey Mouse who is killing innocent civilians -- it should be condemned! Most humanitarian organizations are publically pleading for a ceasefire and for the protection of civilians. But the battle rages on.... and we just have to wonder when will the world ever learn that violence does not bring peace....

DR Congo: The Forgotten War

The crisis in Congo is, by far, the deadliest humanitarian crisis in the world. At least 4 million Congolese have died as a result of violence, malnutrition and infectious disease in the last decade. But most people in the world wouldn't know this -- because it doesn't get any attention, AND it gets only a miniscule amount of aid compared to the big natural disasters (Katrina, tsunami). Look at these statistics posted in the Washington Post last week:

Darfur -- Is there Peace?

It's been about 7 months since I've last updated my blog! I've decided that I need to start writing again regularly! So since I started this blog last June to write about the genocide in Darfur -- I thought I'd give you all an update on the humanitarian crises there. Unfortunately, almost a year later the situation has not gotten much better and the Janjaweed continue to rape, kill and destroy thousands of lives.

April 30, 2006 was the Rally to End Genocide in Darfur (If you look really closely at the pink spray paint in the picture -- you can even see me! haha). Located on the Mall in Washington DC -- this event was HUGE. Up to 75,000 people were present calling for the US and the world to step in and actually STOP the genocide. President Bush and several Senators have taken a big stand in calling for peace in Darfur -- which we're all thankful for. However, these words have not been followed through with results. There are STILL not UN peacekeepers in Darfur, and the perpetrators are still being "allowed" to continue their violence because there is no one stopping them -- not the Sudanese government, not an international body, NOONE. The only protection for the Darfurians is by the African Union troops -- and they work in desperate conditions to try and protect. But the large size of Darfur means that every AU peacekeeper essentially patrols an area the size of Manhatten! This is obviously inadequate to protect lives.

The recent peace agreement between the government of Sudan and one of the largest rebel groups is a good step. But it doesn't end the conflict immediately and on the ground, the Darfurians do not see any immediate changes. So we can't just think everything will get better on its own.

So what can we do? We can PRAY, ACT and GIVE. Churches, schools, and organizations are all raising their voices together to give voice to the Darfurians who cannot come here themselves and tell of the atrocities happening in their camps and villages.

• PRAY for peace, security, and hope for the millions of displaced Darfurians. PRAY that they will be able to return to their homes and resume their lives SOON.

• WRITE a letter to President Bush stating your concerns: www.millionvoicesfordarfur.org.

• SPEAK out on what is happening. Put pressure on your elected officials to keep pressing for a UN peacekeeping mission to begin immediately. Call for your state officials to divest any money from Sudanese corporations. Raise awareness in your church. Keep up to date on what is happening in Darfur -- so you can have intelligent, well-informed conversations.
  

• GIVE: to a humanitarian organization that is helping the Darfurians who have been displaced due to violence. Of course I recommend World Relief, where our Disaster Response department (where I work) is responding. Visit: www.wr.org.

World Relief has humanitarian operations in Darfur and dispite the insecurity in the region, our staff work around the clock to provide much needed assistance. Reaching more than 90,000 Darfurians, WR has programs in 5 sectors: nutrition, health/hygiene, water/sanitation, livelihood, and food security. Hearing reports from the field make us at WR much more aware of the daily struggle to survive. Check out the work we're doing here.

What a week!

Wow -- this last week was exhausting. It is official -- I now spend every waking moment (and even some sleeping ones unfortunately) thinking and talking about Hurricane Relief (I'm not exaggerating -- I find myself dreaming about talking with people who are running shelters, etc). World Relief has a great approach to providing relief in the Gulf states -- by working with local churches on the ground. I have talked to dozens and dozens of churches in the affected regions this week about what they are doing and what they need to provide relief for hundreds and thousands of displaced people. These churches aren't even thinking twice about paying thousands of dollars A DAY to provide shelter and needed food/supplies. They need all of our prayer and support -- I can hear the fatigue in so many people's voices who haven't slept in days-- because they are busy organizing their churches' distribution center or shelters. The Disaster Response department at WR is literally working all hours of the day to work on logistics and getting funds where they are needed most. It's an incredible atmosphere to be in.

Those of you out there who are wondering how you can be more involved -- World Relief has started a website where volunteers and people who want to help in other ways can be directly linked to churches and ministries in the Gulf States who need help. We update it every day -- as soon as we get new information. Check it out at this address: www.wr.org/forum. You can cut and paste it into your browser.

So... I went from sleeping in until 10am and then laying around the house all day to leaving my house at 6:45am and getting home at 7pm -- and I literally don't have a moment during the day when I don't have 20 things to do. But that's ok -- I honestly wouldn't be wanting to do anything else (except maybe being in India or Africa).

And...on the subject of hurricane Katrina -- I just couldn't resist adding this website which you MUST check out. I did not make this up --- it's really real. http://www.snopes.com/photos/katrina/disaster.asp

I Got A Job!!

Yep --- I got a temporary job in World Relief's disastor response office -- as a desk officer for the coordination of their Katrina relief efforts. Since everyone knows how much I LOVE World Relief -- you can imagine that I accepted their offer. It's at least for a couple months -- and it may be extended. This still leaves the possibilitiy of me going back overseas in January or February!

India 2004

For those of you who have been waiting for me to finally post thoughts and pictures from India and Zambia, the time has finally arrived. The past year has been a time of HUGE growth and many many new experiences. And I have loved it. My passion for the marginalized and for those living in poverty has deepened and my life has been touched by many incredible people. I will definitely never be the same.

In India, I had the priviledge of working with SOFMEDA -- the Society of Micro-Economic Development Activities. I loved my time there. Apona, Baia, Mr. Amzad, Atola, Shalome, Alemla, Druba -- these are just a few of the many friends who I still hold in my heart.

SoFMEDA works with women and marginalized tribes in NE India to empower them to create a sustainable future for their families. Many of SoFMEDA's clients have small businesses such as a vegetable stand or the retail of craft items.

The region I was in in NE India is very diverse. I was in a state called Meghalaya -- which is majority Christian. There is also a strong Hindu precence and many traditional tribal religions -- although these are not as strong anymore. Hundreds of different tribal groups make up this region -- so there were so many different cultures and languages all around. I had it easy -- the official language is English so there was not a language difficulty except when I went into rural areas. Each staff person of SOFMEDA speaks different languages -- so they are able to represent many different clients who are part of the program. SOFMEDA works in about 6 of the states in the NE part of India.

I lived with a woman named Atola. She is one of the greatest persons I have ever met -- and one of the most encouraging and inspirational as well. Atola is the Vice-President of the Asian Baptist Women's Federation and was recently in the UK for the World Baptist Alliance Conference where she was asked to speak! She runs a Christian girls' hostel in Shillong that I was priviledged to get the chance to speak at.

The girls were so sweet -- and really loved hearing about America and my passions and convictions that brought me to Shillong. Atola became like a mom to me -- and we still keep in contact by email. There is a large part of my heart that is going to be stuck in Shillong forever!!

I also spoke at several youth gatherings/hostels while in India. I was able to share my faith and how I have chosen to put that Faith into Action. There was a Christian boys hostel on the compound where I lived with Atola, and I had the chance to speak with them a few times. It was encourageing to see the next generation of guys who have a passion for Christ and outreach. And let me tell you -- the youth movement in NE India is incredible. I felt like I was back in college again -- with all the different fellowships with INCREDIBLE worship.

I also taught Sunday School for college girls for a few weeks at one church in Shillong. Then I began teaching in a neighborhood outreach program in the community I lived in. Most of the children were Hindu and came from very poor families. They would gather in a community hostel for a couple hours on Sunday mornings where we sang songs and told Bible Stories. The children were so precious -- another highlight of my time there.

At the end of my 4 months in Shillong, I got to do a bit of sightseeing before flying home in time for Christmas. I spent 4 days in Delhi. I was pretty sick at the time, but I did manage to get out of bed to take a day-trip to Agra to see the Taj Majal. I also saw TONS of monkeys -- which was a highlight for me. Of course, when I went into a "rest stop" bathroom with no electricity -- this sign that informed me to "beware of wild monkeys" slightly unnerved me as I fumbled through the dark praying that no wild monkeys would be in my toilet stall!!

At the end of my time in Shillong, I sent home my last update where I shared some of the highlights and experiences I had in India -- also some things that stuck out about my living there! Some are things I love (and hate) and others are just events that struck me as being special. I thought I'd post it for you to see. Here it is from Dec. 2004:

1. I am so sick of rice!! I've eaten it several times a day for the pastmonths, and I think if I never eat it again I will be just fine!
2. I LOVE masala chai (it's just tea with milk--but mixed with the tea leaves are lots of spices: cinnamon, bay leaf, ginger). My host, Attola, makes the very best tea I've ever had. And this is coming from someone who has HATED tea her whole life!
3. I will really miss the children here: they are so precious. Even the poorest children, who can't even afford new clothing or to go to school have a glow around them. They are just like all the little children in the US---they love to play, sing, and run around. And they don't even realize that they lack so many of what we consider the basic necessities.
4. Teenagers here are just like teenagers in the US---they like the same music, movies, and they even dress the same! When I spoke at several hostels---the girls always wanted to know this: 1) Have I ever met any celebrities? 2) Do I have a boyfriend? 3) When I want to get married! - I think all teenage girls in the world want to know about boys and movie stars!
5. So many people here are struggling to just provide enough food to feed their families---and it's not because of laziness or bad choices---they have full time jobs that pay them nothing, and they have lived in poverty their whole lives---it's almost impossible to break free from this cycle.
6. There are SO many loving, compassionate, innovative people here who have brilliant programs and ideas to target poverty---but they just don't have the funds to implement the ideas. I think about how easy it would be to raise the funds in the US.
7. I have a new favorite food that I will have to find somewhere in the US when I get home: Naan and Chicken Kurma. YUMMM. I get it for lunch a couple times a week! I've also eaten some really weird and gross stuff: cow spleen and eel are two of them. And I think we've established that fermented bamboo shoot does NOT agree with my tummy!
8. To my surprise and delight, my host prepared a big Thanksgiving dinner for me and all the neighbors (of course, there was no turkey or pumpkin pie) but it was so nice!
9. I went to the PETRA concert that was held in Shillong last month. For those of you who don't know Petra-- they're a Christian rock group that has been around since the 70's--and they're still winning Grammy and Dove awards! Shillong has NEVER had such a huge concert as this-- and you would have thought they were hosting the Olympics for the hoopla the whole region made! It was an official event-- even the Governor spoke, and there were about 20,000 people at the concert! It was so fun for mebecause Petra was the first concert I ever went to when I was young. Then to make it even more random: I ended up meeting the band and the other people traveling with them (my white face stuck out in the crowd)--and then showed them around Shillong for the next few days. It was so nice to have some Americans to hang out with after three months without seeing any!!
10. People here are so generous: My suitcase is completely full of gifts from people I've met. Gifts of traditional shawls from different tribal groups and the traditional skirts the women wear are taking up most of the room! But they are gifts I'll always treasure. I just have to remember the story behind each one!
11. One thing I will NOT miss: the windy, bumpy roads. I don't think anyone could not get sick riding on these roads!! I also am looking forward to taking nice hot showers -- having no running water has been fun -- but I can't wait to shower without just pooring buckets over my head!!
12. Being one of the only Americans in Shillong, I'm always the "special guest" everywhere I go, and people want me to speak at different functions. It's been great to have such a warm welcome to share about my life and why I'm here. I don't even have to look for opportunities to share-they always invite me!
    

The people I met and lived with for these 4 months are still some of the most special people in my life. I look forward to someday going back to Shillong -- and helping them in any capacity that I can.

Uganda Night Commuters -- Nightline -- August 23

If you missed Nightline on ABC Tuesday night at 11:30pm -- I highly recommend that you go to www.abc.com where you can watch the presentation. (For those of you who have Comcast as your internet provider, you can also go to comcast.net and click on "The Fan" where they have an archive of the news presentations) Search for "Cheadle".

Dan Cheadle (who many of you know as portraying Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda) filmed a special documentary news program for Nightline in Uganda earlier this month. Traveling with his family, he visited the Northern Ugandan town of Gulu -- where thousands and thousands of "night commuters" come every night-- aka, small children who are trying to avoid being kidnapped and forced into being child soldiers. It is a powerful presentation and it highlights the work of World Vision who helps former child soldiers overcome the psychological damage and atrocities that have happened to them.

As hard as it is to watch, the more we are aware of what is happeneing there, the more we can do. Dateline NBC also focused on this same issue in its show on Sunday night. For those of you who want to know more, here is a link to a photo essay by Human Rights Watch.
http://hrw.org/photos/2005/uganda/ . Also on the Human Rights Watch website is information on what you can do. Also, check out World Vision's work in Uganda.