Sorry to leave you all hanging. Some of you have approached me looking for answers to these two questions...
1. Does your teacher have a little niece or a little nephew?
What seems like forever ago, I met Komakech at Awere, and he explained to me that he had just taken his sister to the hospital the night before, b/c she went into labor. I guessed that she was going to have a boy, and he guessed it was a girl b/c his sister already has 2 daughters. Anyway, she did have a little boy, thus I won the bet! woo hoo! I never did find out his nephew's name though. I'll work on that one.
2. Did you bungee jump?
Yes I did. And I would possibly do it again, depending on the circumstances. Although it was probably the scariest thing I've ever done in my life.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
The End...or Only the Beginning
Well, I can't believe that I have been back in the states for just over two weeks. At times it feels like I've been in PA for many weeks and other times it feels like I was just in Gulu. I guess I've left part of my heart in both places. I think that's a good thing. I've heard it said that even if you've experienced some of the extreme tragedies of this world, it's still ok to find yourself laughing and enjoying life later. For we would not be human if we only dwelt on the tragedies, and did not find joy in this world.
So I now find myself at this odd place, a place of endings, and a place of beginnings. I am sitting typing this from M316, an apartment I have lived in for the past four years. Tomorrow I will be moving, and starting a new beginning at a new apartment. I must admit, I am really excited, yet there are many, many wonderful memories I have of this place, and of course some great roommates; Christina, Tiara, Rachel, Heidi, and Gen. And of course, Christine...who has been through all four years here with me. Thanks Girls! (Endings)
Well, that's enough apartment nostalgia for now. You are probably reading this because you've been intrigued with learning and reading about my trip to Uganda. So how has it been adjusting back to life here in the States you ask? It has been hard and easy. Basically it comes in waves. I spend time playing with my nephew Jack, and eating pineapple pizza with my sister and brother-in-law...I then remember what I've missed by going away for 6 weeks. Yet, I spend time reading blogs from IC staff members still over in Gulu, and I miss Gulu and feel disconnected from the people and culture I grew to love.
While I was over in Gulu we had a chance to visit an IDP camp, and I sat with one woman bracelet-maker and spent time watching how she made the bracelets. Her son was also there sitting with her. She makes bracelets for the IC Bracelet Program, providing 1. a salary for herself and her family; 2. a bracelet for an American, who then can use the bracelet and the video as a means to tell other American's about Northern Uganda; 3. The money which is received by IC is then funneled into their Education Scholarship program, which gives 600+ students the opportunity to attend school and build for themselves a better future. I guess you could say it's a Win-Win-Win situation.
Anyway, I got off topic (if you can believe that!)...I was reading the blog of James, the American IC staff member who runs the Bracelet Program. He just put up a new posting the other day, in memory of a bracelet maker named Ayermo Filder who has just recently passed away. As I sat and read his words, I realized the woman whom I sat with and watched make bracelets was named Filder. It has been difficult to think about her son Emmy, and his life now without a mother. The worst part is that Emmy's story is just one of millions of AIDS orphans across Africa. Even though Emmy's life may become more difficult without a mother, I know that God is with him and all of Filder's family. (Endings)
Since being home, I have not only been reading on the internet about what other people have to say about northern Uganda, but also what organizations have been doing, or continuing to do to help the Acholi people. I am beginning to understand the responsibility that has been placed upon my shoulders after visiting Gulu and hearing the stories of the people. Resolve Uganda has been putting together a lobby week for people to go speak to their Congressmen and to bring the plight of the Ugandan people to the US government. There is much which Americans can do to help bring peace to n. Uganda and to stop Joseph Kony from continuing this atrocious war. I know that this begins my time of telling and retelling the stories of the Acholi people, and helping Americans understand that they can make a difference. (Beginnings)
Although I cannot be at Awere all of the time, I am excited to share everything about Awere with people at Upper Merion. I'm not sure what will actually come to bloom, but I know that even if there is no formal connection between the two schools I've taught at, I know that I will always be partnered with them, helping them in any appropriate way. I can't wait to start the beginning of what could be years of friendship between two schools, very far from one another. (Beginnings)
Interacting daily with Komakech and Robert at our teacher table has ended, yet I am excited to begin a teaching job here in PA.
My daily tea time at Awere S.S. has come to an end, yet it will be nice to begin to eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch again.
I am sad that my travels to Gulu this summer have ended, yet this summer may have only been a beginning to years of trips in future summers.
Although the wonderful experiences in Gulu have ended, I continue to look forward and not just dwell on the past. I continue to remember the story of this group of women who thought it was all over, and that there was no more hope left in the world. Little did they know, someone else had bigger plans. For it was not the end, rather just the very tiniest part of the beginning. There was so much more adventure left in life. I hope in the same way that I never just see an empty tomb, but that I am always able to see the risen Lord.
Luke 24:5-6
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
I guess things are never ending, just always beginning.
So I now find myself at this odd place, a place of endings, and a place of beginnings. I am sitting typing this from M316, an apartment I have lived in for the past four years. Tomorrow I will be moving, and starting a new beginning at a new apartment. I must admit, I am really excited, yet there are many, many wonderful memories I have of this place, and of course some great roommates; Christina, Tiara, Rachel, Heidi, and Gen. And of course, Christine...who has been through all four years here with me. Thanks Girls! (Endings)
Well, that's enough apartment nostalgia for now. You are probably reading this because you've been intrigued with learning and reading about my trip to Uganda. So how has it been adjusting back to life here in the States you ask? It has been hard and easy. Basically it comes in waves. I spend time playing with my nephew Jack, and eating pineapple pizza with my sister and brother-in-law...I then remember what I've missed by going away for 6 weeks. Yet, I spend time reading blogs from IC staff members still over in Gulu, and I miss Gulu and feel disconnected from the people and culture I grew to love.
While I was over in Gulu we had a chance to visit an IDP camp, and I sat with one woman bracelet-maker and spent time watching how she made the bracelets. Her son was also there sitting with her. She makes bracelets for the IC Bracelet Program, providing 1. a salary for herself and her family; 2. a bracelet for an American, who then can use the bracelet and the video as a means to tell other American's about Northern Uganda; 3. The money which is received by IC is then funneled into their Education Scholarship program, which gives 600+ students the opportunity to attend school and build for themselves a better future. I guess you could say it's a Win-Win-Win situation.
Anyway, I got off topic (if you can believe that!)...I was reading the blog of James, the American IC staff member who runs the Bracelet Program. He just put up a new posting the other day, in memory of a bracelet maker named Ayermo Filder who has just recently passed away. As I sat and read his words, I realized the woman whom I sat with and watched make bracelets was named Filder. It has been difficult to think about her son Emmy, and his life now without a mother. The worst part is that Emmy's story is just one of millions of AIDS orphans across Africa. Even though Emmy's life may become more difficult without a mother, I know that God is with him and all of Filder's family. (Endings)
Since being home, I have not only been reading on the internet about what other people have to say about northern Uganda, but also what organizations have been doing, or continuing to do to help the Acholi people. I am beginning to understand the responsibility that has been placed upon my shoulders after visiting Gulu and hearing the stories of the people. Resolve Uganda has been putting together a lobby week for people to go speak to their Congressmen and to bring the plight of the Ugandan people to the US government. There is much which Americans can do to help bring peace to n. Uganda and to stop Joseph Kony from continuing this atrocious war. I know that this begins my time of telling and retelling the stories of the Acholi people, and helping Americans understand that they can make a difference. (Beginnings)
Although I cannot be at Awere all of the time, I am excited to share everything about Awere with people at Upper Merion. I'm not sure what will actually come to bloom, but I know that even if there is no formal connection between the two schools I've taught at, I know that I will always be partnered with them, helping them in any appropriate way. I can't wait to start the beginning of what could be years of friendship between two schools, very far from one another. (Beginnings)
Interacting daily with Komakech and Robert at our teacher table has ended, yet I am excited to begin a teaching job here in PA.
My daily tea time at Awere S.S. has come to an end, yet it will be nice to begin to eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch again.
I am sad that my travels to Gulu this summer have ended, yet this summer may have only been a beginning to years of trips in future summers.
Although the wonderful experiences in Gulu have ended, I continue to look forward and not just dwell on the past. I continue to remember the story of this group of women who thought it was all over, and that there was no more hope left in the world. Little did they know, someone else had bigger plans. For it was not the end, rather just the very tiniest part of the beginning. There was so much more adventure left in life. I hope in the same way that I never just see an empty tomb, but that I am always able to see the risen Lord.
Luke 24:5-6
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
I guess things are never ending, just always beginning.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
One more to come...soon
Sorry it's been so long. If you have been a faithful reader, Thank You! I have been back in the states now officially for a week. I will be posting one more 'back in the states-update' or at least one more blog of the sorts. Talk to you all soon...
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