This is my new Honduras Tumblr. Enjoy ;)
Well, if you didn’t notice, I made a new blog. This one will be specifically for updates about what I am doing in Honduras. I thought that would be better so that the people who are just interested in that do not have to put up with my other useless ramblings. That being said, I guess it’s about…
This isn’t the most articulate thing ever. Because I’ve been so flooded with calls and emails and craziness I felt like I should post and share this. Hope it helps and doesn’t just add to any confusion that might be out there:
Today many people heard the name ‘Kony’ for the first time. In an impressive social-media blitz, armies of individuals took action to spread the story thanks to the talented folks at Invisible Children.
Today many people also came under fire for supporting IC because of their financial reports. Much of this came via a blog called Visible Children. I’d encourage you to read it. He does cite sources and, though overly critical, does seem to care about what happens in Uganda.
Today I received lots of messages and emails from people on all sides. Some messages were from concerned people who had supported IC in the past and were heartbroken to hear that they might’ve been misled. (One girl called crying. That was tough.) Some messages were from concerned people who knew I had “supported this Invisible Kids thing before” and I should pray to God for my “soul to be cleansed” because of it. Yeah. (Don’t worry. I did.) Other messages were from concerned people who just wanted people to pay attention to what they support.
Here’s what I think:
Invisible Children is not the answer.
I think they do awesome work. I think they are master storytellers. I think they have done some absolutely remarkable things. I also think they are just the start of the conversation. I’ve always felt this way.
I will continue to support them. Here’s why: For many people IC is the first time they hear about Kony. For many IC provides the first time they hear about a world outside of their driveway where injustices occur. Yeah. IC should be commended for tapping into our culture in the way they have.
They are, however, not the final answer. Awareness is not the only thing Africa (or the world for that matter) needs.
I’ve also been keeping an eye on the #StopIC hashtag. Through it you can see the stories of many people in Africa who oppose the actions of IC. That’s pretty tough, but important to hear.
I say all that to say this:
Friday night we are hosting a screening in Henderson, TN at FHU beginning at 7 PM. I’d love for you to be here. Your presence does not mean you fully support Invisible Children. Your presence will say “I want to be a part of the conversation.” A few weeks ago I bought the URL http://weloveuganda.com. Right now it goes to our FB event page, but the plan is that in a few weeks it will go to an action page on ways you can bring hope and love to Uganda.
I’d love for the massive interest in Invisible Children to spill over into actual action towards helping the many grassroots groups, churches and individuals who are working on the ground in central Africa. I’ve been in conversation with several people who are doing some things that are absolutely beautiful. Can’t wait to share.
Posting status updates and changing profile pics is cool. Don’t stop. It does it’s part to get the word out. Be careful, though. This can fool people into thinking they did something. Truth is - yes.. you did something, but there’s more. We started a little campaign via Love In Stereo called Slacktivist No More. The dream is to end ‘raising awareness’ and instead move an entire generation into action. Not action out of guilt, but out of love.
Don’t allow suspicion and cynicism to cripple you into inaction.
I’ll close with some words from my friend Nate Dorough
“It’s OK to question. This is NOT about supporting Invisible Children as an organization. This is about rising up together and making sure that it’s known that on this planet, the horrific things that are still happening throughout Africa (and elsewhere on this planet) are not OK. We have the ability to make things happen, to stop many of the tragic things that are happening on this earth.
Do not blindly throw your faith into an organization because you watched a video. Do the research. And know that your direct involvement (not by donation, but by action) is the key. If you feel moved to donate, do so, because there are real costs involved with this work. But the key is that you stand up and let others know, and let your representatives know, that you’re not OK with a world where kids are carrying guns, here or in another country.”
Let’s begin a conversation on how we can all rise up together to bring true change.
Go. Spread love.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Excuse me while I chew out humanity today. I’m angry, but I feel like I have every right to be.
I’m sick of people giving the church a bad name. If you claim to be a Christian, start acting like one. That doesn’t mean that you throw the Bible out the window. That doesn’t mean that you approve of…
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to write my first blog. There’s just so much to say, when I sit down to write, I don’t even know where to begin. But the more I wait, the more there will be so I might as well just suck it up and write. So here goes nothing:
Home is funny term to me. It’s funny how we call certain places home. We have our home-physical house-that our parents live in. Sometimes we call the first place we lived our hometown, or the place we lived the longest, or even just the place we liked the most. I have called many places home throughout my short life. But I have never felt such a bond with a place as I do with Honduras. Coming back is one of the strangest feelings I’ve ever felt. I don’t know how to explain it. It just feels…right. Even just driving down the street in Teguce, something inside me tells me this is where I’ve always meant to be. Well if not always, right now at least. Maybe it’s because the past year taught me to live fully in the moment rather than waiting for the next one to start. Maybe…but I think it’s something more than that. Right here. Right now. This is where God wants me. He shows me that everyday.
My first ten days or so of my time here was spent at the children’s home that I will be working at all year. I didn’t really do much since I would be leaving so soon for language school, but I loved just being able to be with the kids. I love them so much. They are such a handful sometimes, but I love every minute I get to spend with them. I have so many small stories that I could tell about different things that happened over the few days I was there. Hearing them sing every morning, playing legos with Josue every morning after breakfast and chores and having him crawl in my lap just to give me a hug and tell me I’m pretty, one of the new kids calling me tia (aunt), just so much.
Right now I’m 7-8 hours away from them. I started missing them my very first morning here when I realized I wouldn’t see those sweet smiles for 4 weeks. But I am really enjoying language school. I’ve made new friends, which helps out a lot. My teacher is incredible. The family I live with is so patient and kind. And I am learning so much. It’s so frustrating not being able to communicate on the level that I would like to. That is why I am so excited about this month. I really hope to learn as much as possible. I just want to be able to speak like an adult and not a 2 year old. I doubt I’ll be fluent by the end, but hopefully I’ll be close.
Yes I miss my friends and family. More than anyone could imagine. But I thank God for the ability to communicate with them. Even when I’m not actually able to talk to them, God finds a way to remind me that I am never alone. Sometimes it’s through a song, or a memory, or even a gift from someone back home that reminds me that I’m loved.
I know this year is going to have difficulties, but I’m ready. God is doing big things here, and I’m so excited to be apart of His work.
Dear Granddad,
I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since I saw you. This year has been very hard without you. So much has changed. I have changed. I have traveled the world, well some of it. I’ve fallen more in love with God and his people. I have cried a lot. But laughed more. I’ve seen God physically work in and through people all year. I wish you were here now. I would love to tell you all about my crazy, amazing, unreal year. Maybe you already know all about it. Maybe you were watching me go through it all. I don’t really know how things work up there. I just wish I could have heard you laugh when I told you about sleeping in train stations, making friends with drunks and having birds poop in my hair. Or seen you smile when I talked about the incredible people God has placed in my life, the children that I’ve fallen in love with, and the beauty of God’s creation all over the world.
I miss you. A lot. So much it hurts. I tried picking up the guitar again, but it was too hard. I spent that whole weekend just playing and crying. I can’t bring myself to try again. Not for a while anyway. It just reminds me that I’ll never be able to hear you play and sing again. Mamaw is the strongest woman I know. I know it’s been hard on her, but she doesn’t show it. James lives with her now. I’m sure that helps her. I wish you could see how much our family has grown this year. You have a new grandson: Owen. He’s beautiful. More than physically, we’ve grown spiritually. James is active in God’s work. He’s coming to Honduras for a month this year, and he’s always doing something in the community.
Family gatherings are different. There’s still tons of people, actually more than usual. But it’s not the same. You’re not here. Right now I’m looking at your empty chair at the head of the table. I can almost hear you praying. I miss that. Your prayers were always more than a formality. They were a conversation between you and a good friend. It was beautiful.
I don’t know if this year will get easier. I doubt it will. I still think about you all the time. Every time my heart begins to ache. I know that you’re better now. You were in so much pain. But I’m selfish. I miss your voice. I miss your laugh. I miss your prayers. I miss your hugs. I miss you. You have shaped my life more than you know. I hope I’ve become someone you would be proud to call your granddaughter.
I love you.
Make your opinion known this Halloween: It’s time for Hershey to go Fairtrade:
It has been ten years since major chocolate companies, including Hershey, committed to ending child labor, forced labor and trafficking in their cocoa supply chains, these egregious labor rights abuses continue. A decade later, hundreds of thousands of children continue to labor in hazardous conditions in West Africa, particularly in the Ivory Coast and Ghana, and the US Department of Labor has noted five West African nations whose cocoa may be tainted by forced and/or child labor.
While many chocolate companies have taken steps to trace their cocoa supply chains and implement labor rights standards among their suppliers, Hershey lags behind its competitors in responsibly sourcing its cocoa. Unlike other companies, Hershey has not committed to sourcing cocoa for its main product lines that has been independently certified to comply with international labor rights standards. Tell Hershey to raise the bar and be a leader in sustainable chocolate and shift toward Fairtrade Certified cocoa!
Sign the petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/hershey-raise-the-bar
If you have not watched this video yet, it is of the most importance. It is our video reaction to President Obama’s announcement that 100 U.S. advisory troops are being deployed to Central Africa to help combat the LRA and remove Joseph Kony from the battlefield.
Watch the video, make your sign, e-mail us at president@invisiblechildren.co m, then see the support on our Flickr here : http://bit.ly/pgFxob
The work continues. Thanks for being a part of this movement.
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