The Infamous Happy Dance

(Sorry, I am not usually one to post cheesy poetry, but I wrote this on a whim and thought all you sponsors out there could relate!)

The Happy Dance comes

In all shapes and sizes

It comes for the waiting

But always surprises

They are found in the simplest

Kind of gift wrap

But once it is opened

You must send one back

They are always a gift

Sent across miles

When they reach your mailbox

They unlock a smile

Sometimes its a wiggle

A jump or a whirl

Or even a giggle

A jive or a twirl

It doesn't matter

How silly or strange

You can try to contain it

But it comes just the same

I open my Happy Dance

A jump and a shake

And in return

A Happy Dance I make

Some words and a verse

A picture or two

Maybe some stickers

Always signed "I love you"

It's sealed with a prayer

And sent across miles

Hoping it too

will unlock a smile

I can only wonder

When it is unwrapped

What the Happy Dance looks like

A twist or a clap?

A jiggle or giggle

A laugh or a shake

What kind of Happy Dance

Does your letter make?

You may always wonder

But one thing you'll know

Your Happy Dance fills

A child with joy

From Ghana to Thailand

Bangladesh to Peru

From Uganda to India

You know that it's true

You have the power

If you have the faith

To send a Happy Dance

With love in His name

(If you have never recieved a Happy Dance, what are you waiting for? Sponsor a child today!)

A Big God

A couple weeks ago I told you about my sister Juju. Juju spent the first two weeks of 2011 in the hill country of Thailand, working through an organization called Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP).

I spent this evening listening to her team share about Thailand and the wonderful organization they partnered with. The theme of the evening was definitely that we serve a BIG and MIGHTY GOD.

In Thailand, a country that is 97% Buddhist, ITDP is reaching tribal groups who have never before heard of the love of Christ.

And how are they showing them the love of Christ?

Through meeting real and dire needs. The first priority that ITDP does for a village is water and sanitation. ITDP identifies clean water sources and then installs a water pump which brings clean water to a community for the first time. They also help each household build (or dig) their own bathroom (which are outdoor squatty potties) and they teach them the importance of sanitation. These things alone can dramatically change a community and increase the life expectancy.

In addition to  these things, they teach nutrition, gardening, and schools and clinics are built in a central location where they can serve several villages. And all the while, these things are being done through ITDP staff who are building relationships with the people, and as a result, leading people to salvation through Christ.

The area where ITDP works was once one of the major opium producers in the world. Opium farming has been outlawed, and as a result many of the farmers have lost their income. It is also a major area of child trafficking.

To replace this crop, and to create sustaining business that will provide for families (and therefore take away the desperation it takes to sell a child) ITDP is teaching farmers how to farm coffee beans. ITDP has started a coffee company called Thai Tribal Arabica Coffee. They currently have a coffee shop in Thailand called Lanna Cafe, and have sold their product to Starbucks on a small scale, but they are in the process of expanding. In fresno there are thousands of pounds of raw coffee beans from Thailand that will soon be roasted, sold as a fair trade product, with the proceeds all returning to Thailand to the farmers.

My friend Juju is so excited about the coffee aspect, as she is a barista and an artist. She is hoping to be able to use some of her talents to help market the product. There are also talks that a cafe will be opening here, in Fresno, within the next couple years.  I can't wait to be able to drink their delicious coffee and support the farmers!

I love hearing about organizations like this, who really have an understanding about how to bring long-term change for communities physically, economically, and most important, spirtually.

If you would like find out more about ITDP, please visit their website.

A Lesson for all the Jerry Springer Type Daddies Out There

So this post is primarily a lesson for all the dads out there who don't step up and be the daddies they should be. You know, the kind that go on Jerry Springer cause, "That baby aint mine." Because, obviously, a lot of the people who frequent Jerry Springer also frequent my blog as well.

This message is brought to you by the animal kingdom. Specifically, three elephants who live in Zimbabwe. Three daddies.

I took this picture on Christmas day, after watching these beautiful creatures for a long time. And after I took this picture I sat and watched them some more. (Cause if you know me, I love elephants almost as much as whales. Or maybe I love whales almost as much as elephants...Anyways, I love them).

Watching these animals, Tecla and I were talking about how curious it was that all three adults looked like males. Elephants generally nurse for 4-5 years, and this little baby is years from being old enough to be far from its mother.

Turns out, we were right.

We found out that this baby's mother was shot and killed last March. Shortly after, people starting spotting this calf hanging around with these three bulls.

The survival of this little baby elephant is nothing short of miraculous in the animal world. Zimbabwe is full of wildlife, and any baby animal left without a mother to protect it falls innocent and easy prey to many animals. Not to mention, at the time the mother died, the baby would normally have depended on her for food for the next several years.

We observed as these elephants tromped around together. The three adult males would break up branches and leaves for the baby. If they got more than a few paces in front of the baby, they would slow down to allow her to catch up.

It was a beautiful thing to see.

Possibly one of the bulls is in fact this baby's father. But chances are they are all just real men, who stepped up to be daddies, because that was what needed to be done.

Thanks to these three daddies, this baby lives. And she runs happy and healthy and free. And I am not sure how it works in the animal kingdom, but I do believe that she is loved and she knows it.

Guilt Free

I just read a post on the Compassion blog that quoted Wes Stafford, the president of Compassion International.

This is a prayer he prayed in a third world country, while about to enjoy a meal ordinary by our means, but a meal far above and beyond what is available to many, especially the children and families they were there to minister to.

I will leave you with his simple but powerful words, and pray that they stir your heart as they did mine.

We know that what we have before us is so much more than those we work for and serve. We are thankful for this blessing and promise to use the strength gained from this meal to work harder for those living in poverty and witnessing injustice.

Amen-

Your Daily Lesson in Weather

For your Sunday special, you are going to get a lesson in fog.

(If you are stopping by for the first time, please know I usually don't talk about weather, I promise.)

Fog is a curious thing.

I don't know why I am telling you about fog today, other than the fact that when people who do not live in the central valley of California hear that we have school delays, and even school cancellations due to foggy days, they think we are nuts.

So I guess I am writing this so if you ever meet someone from the central valley of California you won't think they're nuts, atleast not for their big fog stories.

There are different kinds of fog. I don't know what they are called, but I know the kind we have is bad.

A semi-foggy morning. Visibility at about 300 feet.

Our valley is an agricultural center, so the city is surrounded and even intersected by fields. These fields are breeding ground for moisture, and fog. In the central valley we are blessed with many warm sunny days even in the dead of winter. Unfortunately, what this does is warm up the damp ground, which causes moisture to evaporate and catch in the air just above the ground. Even here, in California, our nights get cold in the winter. When the temperature drops, those little droplets of evaporated moisture freeze and hang close to the ground. The result is fog, with sometimes 0 visibility.

Every school in the valley has a foggy day plan.  Plan A is a 2 hour delay, Plan B is a 3, Plan C a 4, and Plan D means buses are cancelled. Schools actually factor in extra classroom hours into their school calendar because the  foggy days are inevitable.

It may sound silly, but really, 0 visibility is not fun to drive in. Incase you wondering, 0 visibility means you can't see. Anything. But fog. People around here refer to heavy fog as pea soup. I don't know about you, but I don't want to eat or drive in pea soup, but if I had to choose, I would rather eat it. Because believe me, driving in it is not fun.

Although kids don't mind the fog so much, it really does bring devastation every year. Even though school buses are cancelled, businesses continue as usual. And, for most of us teachers, we must report to work at our normal time waiting for students whose parents choose to drop them off.

As we speak we are in the middle of our foggy season. It brings about daily pile-ups and flight delays. Getting to work on time most mornings means leaving 30 minutes earlier than usual, and driving with my window down, head out, in order to see the line on the road (and making sure I stay on it).

Once the children do get to school, we often times have to keep our students in from recess. Because, lets face it, sometimes autistic kids want to run free. And if we want to catch them we have to be able to see them. We haven't lost any children yet (atleast not in the fog ;), and we don't plan on it.

So there you have it, your lesson in fog. Any curious weather in your area that makes people thing you are nuts?

Then and Now #6

Sabitheka, 2006

Sabitheka, 2010

Phineas, 2006



Phineas, 2010

Mayibongwe, 2007

Mayibongwe, 2010 (You cannot see it in this photo, but Mayibongwe was able to get an artificial leg through Tecla's program).

Maureen and Joseph, 2007

Maureen and Joseph, 2011

Hope these make your heart happy like they do mine.

Then and Now #5

This the is the Mgweya family.

Mrs. Mgweya with Spiwe on her back, Temba in front, and Mr. Mgweya



Mr. Mgweya after being paralyzed by a stroke, Mrs Mgweya with Spiwe on her back.



Mrs. Mgweya and Spiwe. I gave Mrs. Mgweya a copy of this picture on my recent visit and she just laughed and laughed and laughed. I asked why she was laughing, and she said it was partly glee from seeing her picture, and partly because she is now fat.  (Her words, not mine :)

Back in 2006-2007, the Mgweya family was not officially in the program, because although both parents were HIV+, both were living. Regardless, we often visited with them and helped them with necessities as needed.

Sadly, Mr. Mgweya passed away. Now Mrs. Mgweya, Temba, and Spiwe all benefit from monthly food distributions, clothing distributions, and help with schooling.

While I was there I was able to buy Temba a new school uniform, and he loved it. I love love love seeing these kids so excited, grateful, and eager for school and anything related.

And Spiwe, well, she's just excited, grateful, and eager about life.

Beautiful, aren't they?

Then and Now #4

When Flora was just a few days old I was given the honor of praying over her a prayer of blessing. You can read this story here. 

A couple weeks ago I was honored to pray over her again. But this time I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for a healthy little girl. You see, last time, as I prayed, the question that hung over all of our hearts was if this little girl was born HIV+. Praise God for shielding Flora and giving her a healthy and happy childhood.

Speechless Once Again

Today I recieved one of the most beautiful gifts I could ever recieve, and from a stranger. Well, atleast he was a stranger two days ago.

Within moments of posting Speechless the other day, I was able to connect with the artist of the breathtaking photo hard working woman.

For some reason, after seeing this photo, I could not get her out of my mind. I feel like I know this woman...or atleast her spirit. She is strong, yet humble; resilient, yet gentle; bold, yet kind.

I left a comment for the artist, Musin Yohan, and the next morning I had a message from him in my inbox. After some conversing, today he and his wife Bibiana gave me my beautiful gift.

Instead of selling me a print of this photo, they blessed me with one as a dedication to the international ministry I love so much.

I cannot even begin to express what a wonderful and meaningful gift this is to me.
I will just say, with all my heart, thank you.

A Merry Little Christmas

I know, its a little late to ask, but how was your Christmas?  How did you celebrate?

I hope that you had the opportunity to be a blessing, as well as receive the love and joy of the season. Above all I pray that you were able to focus on Christ as the one true gift.

As you know, the big event of my trip to Zimbabwe was a Christmas party planned to bless the orphans as well as the their caregivers. Some of the caregivers are widows raising their children on their own. Some are widows raising other's children on their own. Some are siblings caring for their younger brothers and sisters.

Although the families and stories are all different, they have all experienced great loss, hardship, and make great sacrifices daily.

The hope of this party was to encourage these families. I can't help but feel like a hot meal and a new set of clothes is so miniscule compared to the hardships these children and caregivers face, but I also know that God can use the simple things to bring blessing.

We held the party on December 23rd, which was Christmas in my book.

I had bigger things on my mind than counting that day, but looking back at pictures, I believe we served about 30 orphans along with 10-15 widows. We were also able to set aside clothing and food supplies for about 8 children who were unable to attend the party due to visiting relatives in the city.

At the party we served a big hot meal. In Zimbabwe, as well as much of Africa, the staple food is simply corn meal mixed with water and then boiled. The end result is a playdough like consistency. In Zimbabwe this is called Sadza. It is filling, but does not have much flavor. It is usually served with some kind of relish or sauce, usually made with tomatoes and onions or greens. In Zimbabwe cooked pumpkin leaves is one of the favorite relishes.

When we went shopping for the meal, we chose dishes that were somewhat familiar but special and different from what is usually eaten on a daily basis. We had chicken and beef, which are usually only eaten on very special occassions, if at all. For some families these things are simply not affordable ever. Because we had to have lots of carbs to take place of the very filling sadza, we made rice and noodles. A LOT of rice and noodles. We also made a tomato sauce that is similar to what they usually eat with the sadza, as well as a cabbage and carrot salad. Oh, and I have to mention...for dessert....ICECREAM! This was super special.



This is my best Zimbabwe friend Melody helping me with the rice. She is awesome...you all would love her.

Look at all that rice...and we're not done yet!

The day began with a prayer and time to fellowship, followed by the meal.

 I have to mention that Sadza and all that goes with it is eaten with the hands, so it was really sweet watching the kids trying to maneuver the utensils, especially with the noodles :)

After all the tummies were filled, we lined up the kids to hand out the clothing. All the boys recieved jeans, a shirt, and underwear, and all the girls recieved two outfits, underwear, and the older girls even got bras. (This was inspired by my friend Wendi. Read the bra story here.)

Yes, I know, that was a whole lot of cuteness right there.

After everyone was set with clothes, we had one more gift to give before the families returned home. Each family recieved enough mealie meal (corn-meal) for a month, as well as rice, which is a special treat. The next week I also delivered sugar, oil, peanut butter, and flour to several of the families who we determined to have the greatest need. 

Finally, our day ended just as it began; with a prayer of thanksgiving. 

For those of you who supported my trip through your gifts and prayers and encouragement, thank you so much for being part of the blessing for these families.

They asked me to thank you as well.

Speechless

I saw the following picture on a blog the other day, and it completely blew me away. Its beauty left me speechless. I have searched for it, but all searches have only led back to posts on blogs, and not the original artist. Although I can't give credit where it is due, I just have to share it with you.



Hard Working Woman by Musin Yohan

If you can tell me who the artist is, I will love you forever. (I'll probably love you forever anyways, but maybe I'll love you even more).

Okay, so Mark was the winner. You can see more of Musin Yohan's beautiful photography at MyMusin.

Then and Now #3

This is Sebastian and his mom.

Sebastian's father had passed away several years before my first trip to Zimbabwe. When I met Sebastian and his mom in 2006, there were many children in the household.

I knew Sebastian's mom as MaSeba, a rough translation of "Sebastian's Mom." It is common in many African countries for mothers to be called or known by their children. I believe that this is a name she took on proudly. Not only did she mother her own children lovingly and proudly, but also mothered orphaned nieces and nephews with the same love.

Sebastian was a recipient of one of the homes we built, as he was the oldest child in the large family that was squeezing into a small one room home.

Along with Sebastian, the home belongs to his siblings, Gertrude and David.

My first day back in Zimbabwe I learned that MaSeba had passed away.

I was shocked.

I knew that she was HIV +, but every second I knew her she seemed strong and resilient. In a photo album I created in 2007 I had labeled her photo as "A Portrait of Strength." That is how I saw her, and in my heart I wanted to believe that if anyone could beat the disease, it would be her.

Portrait of Strength

Many of you may recognize her from the story "Community." She was one of the people who worked with all her heart, not only to build a home for her family, but to also build homes for others in her community. She helped me learn the meaning of that word.

Immediately after the shock I felt sadness. Sadness for the kids. Then worry. Who was caring for them now?

I discovered that Sebastian's aunt had taken his sister, Gertrude, as well as the cousins to live with her in the village.

Sebastian, Sebastian's aunt/Ruthie's grandma, and Ruthie

(Note: Sebastian's aunt is also Ruthie's grandmother.)

I was able to meet with her, and although I was not able to see the kids, I was able to send clothing and food with her back to the village for Christmas.

Now Sebastian and his brother David are living in the home. Sebastian is now 17, and David is 9.

They are both going to school, and Sebastian is very healthy. Sadly, as you can see, David's growth has been stunted. This is common in children who are born HIV+.

David is on ARVs, as well as vitamins that I brought for him. Although vitamins seem like a simple thing, I have seen them make a huge difference in many people struggling with the disease, so I am praying that it will boost David's immunity and make a positive impact on his health as well. 

For a child who has faced so much loss and responsibility in his short life, Sebastian has shown remarkable strength and joy.

He is like his mother.

I ask that you would remember this family in prayer. Pray for Sebastian as he is a mother and father to his brother. And pray for David, that God would strengthen his frame and that he would live a life of quality and quantity.