I was bored last week so I thought "I wonder if I can build a barn?" Which is an interesting question considering I have little to no experience in building or construction (except for one summer when I dug ditches for our friend Tim's construction company- I was really good at digging). So in typical nerd fashion, I did internet research on how to build a barn. I found a few videos on "how to build a barn in 10 minutes" so I decided to out do them by building a barn in less than 1 second (11 frames)... boom
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thanksgiving in Kenya
This year, Phil and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving in Kenya. I don't think we'll have a turkey, but we will be with dear friends and that is something to be thankful for.
As you may know, we are heading to Kenya in a few days and will be there for about 6 weeks, and we want to share this trip with you. Many of you have asked how you can contribute, or expressed that you will pray for us and that is as close to Africa as you'll go ;)
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!
If you look to the right of this post, or below, there is a donation icon from paypal (you don't need a paypal account to donate, you can use a credit card!). This is one way that Phil and I are accepting donated funds, and can access it in Kenya (gotta love the world wide web!). Anything donated here is going directly to alleviate poverty.
When ever we are in Kenya, we are constantly approached by people who have a material need that we can provide, be it medical attention, food for their families, education, clean water, or clothes. This is something we do to bless others, and please know that we are very aware of creating cultural dependency... we want to encourage self-sustainability, and Phil has many times given loans for business ventures, some of which are thriving still today. But when I come across a group of 10 hungry children living on the streets, my heart shatters and I can't walk past and ignore them. I tell them where to go to get help, but I want them to know that someone cares for them, and that I am not going to hurt them. This is not part of our organization, this is something that we do on our own with our own funds. You can be a part of that. Help us help others by partnering with us financially. We will regularly update on here how your donation has changed the life of someone, be it keeping them alive another day, or creating a small business that is sustaining a family.
We are thankful for your support... we have much to be thankful for this season!
As you may know, we are heading to Kenya in a few days and will be there for about 6 weeks, and we want to share this trip with you. Many of you have asked how you can contribute, or expressed that you will pray for us and that is as close to Africa as you'll go ;)
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!
If you look to the right of this post, or below, there is a donation icon from paypal (you don't need a paypal account to donate, you can use a credit card!). This is one way that Phil and I are accepting donated funds, and can access it in Kenya (gotta love the world wide web!). Anything donated here is going directly to alleviate poverty.
When ever we are in Kenya, we are constantly approached by people who have a material need that we can provide, be it medical attention, food for their families, education, clean water, or clothes. This is something we do to bless others, and please know that we are very aware of creating cultural dependency... we want to encourage self-sustainability, and Phil has many times given loans for business ventures, some of which are thriving still today. But when I come across a group of 10 hungry children living on the streets, my heart shatters and I can't walk past and ignore them. I tell them where to go to get help, but I want them to know that someone cares for them, and that I am not going to hurt them. This is not part of our organization, this is something that we do on our own with our own funds. You can be a part of that. Help us help others by partnering with us financially. We will regularly update on here how your donation has changed the life of someone, be it keeping them alive another day, or creating a small business that is sustaining a family.
We are thankful for your support... we have much to be thankful for this season!
Oh, Tyler Perry. You totally speak my language.
When I lived in Texas, I had a great group of friends that introduced me to Madea and all the madness that she represents. Phil, being a film genius and rather logical human being, can't stand how entertained I am by Madea.
About a year ago, we purchased "Madea Goes to Jail", at Phil's dismay and my excitement that it was on sale at Blockbuster, one of those 'buy 5 for $20' deals. Once we brought it home and watched the other 4 videos (that Phil picked), I hadn't thought twice about it. Last night I couldn't sleep and flipped through our extensive DVD collection where, you guessed it, I came across the 6'5" robust figure of Tyler Perry as Madea, and she was going to jail.
If you've been following our blog, then you have learned about injustice, such as slave-produced chocolate companies, domestic minor sex trafficking, forgotten children, and why you can't buy sketchers. Today's topic is no different.
Last night I witnessed Tyler Perry combine hilarity with the intolerable truth of the commercial sex industry. If you're not familiar with Tyler Perry and the collection of Madea movies that he has produced, go to www.tylerperry.com. Each story focuses on key family elements with deep meaning embedded in humor.
Watch the trailer for "Madea Goes to Jail" below, and maybe add it to your Netflix queue. You'll learn something about the commercial sex trade industry, and it's not nearly as oppressive as the other films we recommend!
About a year ago, we purchased "Madea Goes to Jail", at Phil's dismay and my excitement that it was on sale at Blockbuster, one of those 'buy 5 for $20' deals. Once we brought it home and watched the other 4 videos (that Phil picked), I hadn't thought twice about it. Last night I couldn't sleep and flipped through our extensive DVD collection where, you guessed it, I came across the 6'5" robust figure of Tyler Perry as Madea, and she was going to jail.
If you've been following our blog, then you have learned about injustice, such as slave-produced chocolate companies, domestic minor sex trafficking, forgotten children, and why you can't buy sketchers. Today's topic is no different.
Last night I witnessed Tyler Perry combine hilarity with the intolerable truth of the commercial sex industry. If you're not familiar with Tyler Perry and the collection of Madea movies that he has produced, go to www.tylerperry.com. Each story focuses on key family elements with deep meaning embedded in humor.
Watch the trailer for "Madea Goes to Jail" below, and maybe add it to your Netflix queue. You'll learn something about the commercial sex trade industry, and it's not nearly as oppressive as the other films we recommend!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
trick or treat?
Since learning about modern day slavery and how I contribute to it as a consumer in my daily shopping, I have been trying so hard to be an advocate as I shop. I do this by purchasing goods that are 'fair trade' and supporting companies that care about people more than profits. Halloween is around the corner, and regardless of my personal beliefs about this "holiday" (I'll save that for a later post), I'm going to have to get candy if I don't want our cottage to be egged, tee-peed, or have our pumpkins smashed. I recently shared with you about being a "socially conscious consumer", where I pointed you to the Not For Sale Campaign and their reports on Hershey chocolate. So, I went back to their website to see what to do for passing out candy, as I cannot bring myself to buy the bulk bags filled with our favorites, Almond Joys, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Rolos, and such. They are all owned by Hershey (and Hershey owns certain candies of Cadbury). Dang it.
So, there are a couple of things that we (you and I!) can do different this year!
Not For Sale is suggesting that we reverse trick or treat! The idea is to give away fair trade chocolate with an informational tag on it to adults at homes where you (or your kids) trick or treat. You could also distribute it to your friends and family as a way to deliciously create awareness about problems in the chocolate industry. You go, you advocate! Not For Sale is providing the reverse trick or treat kits, so you actually don't have to buy anything! For more information, email Jamee... jamee@notforsalecampaign.org.
As an alternative to buying those slave driver candy bags (which I'm also kicking about), you could purchase chocolate that is certified Fair Trade, such as Theo, Sweet Earth, Divine Chocolate, or maybe Trader Joes and Whole Foods have some stuff already compiled for your trick or treat needs.
It's times like these that I'm bummed that you won't let your kids eat the home made chocolate chip-peanut butter cookies I make or things like popcorn balls. Sure, I get it, my mom wouldn't let us eat unwrapped or home made goodies either, so I understand that psychos poisoning treats is something to be remembered... it just makes being an advocate for slaves a bit harder!
This year for trick or treating, no matter where you are in life, trick them with a treat that will change their world view of consumer products... especially if its at no cost to you! Get that email out to Jamee at Not For Sale requesting your 'reverse trick or treat' kit! Today!
(if a word or cluster or words are a different color in a post, it is because you can click on it for a direct link to what it's about.. such as Until Then .. try it!)
So, there are a couple of things that we (you and I!) can do different this year!
Not For Sale is suggesting that we reverse trick or treat! The idea is to give away fair trade chocolate with an informational tag on it to adults at homes where you (or your kids) trick or treat. You could also distribute it to your friends and family as a way to deliciously create awareness about problems in the chocolate industry. You go, you advocate! Not For Sale is providing the reverse trick or treat kits, so you actually don't have to buy anything! For more information, email Jamee... jamee@notforsalecampaign.org.
As an alternative to buying those slave driver candy bags (which I'm also kicking about), you could purchase chocolate that is certified Fair Trade, such as Theo, Sweet Earth, Divine Chocolate, or maybe Trader Joes and Whole Foods have some stuff already compiled for your trick or treat needs.
It's times like these that I'm bummed that you won't let your kids eat the home made chocolate chip-peanut butter cookies I make or things like popcorn balls. Sure, I get it, my mom wouldn't let us eat unwrapped or home made goodies either, so I understand that psychos poisoning treats is something to be remembered... it just makes being an advocate for slaves a bit harder!
This year for trick or treating, no matter where you are in life, trick them with a treat that will change their world view of consumer products... especially if its at no cost to you! Get that email out to Jamee at Not For Sale requesting your 'reverse trick or treat' kit! Today!
(if a word or cluster or words are a different color in a post, it is because you can click on it for a direct link to what it's about.. such as Until Then .. try it!)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
hope in an evil world.
Phil and I watched the movie "The Kite Runner" the other night. It is the screen adaptation of the book by Khaled Hosseini, order it here. We watched it on Netflix in the 'instant' section online, I'm sure it's still on there if you want to watch it. You probably should. For many reasons, but I'll give you three.
1. You need to know what's going on in Afghanistan.
2. You need to care about orphans.
3. Understand that God is good, all the time.
It's been a few days since we watched "The Kite Runner", and still my heart is racing as I try to breathe out the anger that I feel so deeply through tears of pain. The movies that bring about an emotional reaction such as this are few and far between. In fact, other than Phil's "Glue Boys", I'm not sure I know another one. With out giving away too much, the setting is 1970's Afghanistan, and it's beautiful. Children play freely and their parents pursue happiness among lush landscape and community celebrations.
1.You need to know what's going on in Afghanistan.
Most of us know what happens next, whether you see the film or not... the country is overtaken with hate and greed, and consumed with evil. No one chooses to stay there; its not safe. The film depicts what it looks like today, and I sure wouldn't want to go there, not if you paid me to. Fear consumes everyone. Religion is exploited and cults are formed that eventually rule the country. And that's not just in the movie, that is real life. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THAT WOULD BE LIKE? Needless to say, there are no children playing, and their parents now live in fear of their daily nightmare.
This is my cousin, Cpl Reagan Smith of the United States Marine Corps. This photo was taken in Afghanistan, where he has been fighting to liberate the oppressed since May. He volunteered for this mission, and graciously accepted the task knowing the horror that he would witness and endure.
2. You need to care about orphans.
And here is where it gets hard for us. There is always a group of people who get left behind, forgotten, and eventually exploited. With their parents gone, dead or hunted, over night there are suddenly hundreds of orphans. The film depicts this perfectly; the images are grotesque, burned in my mind and on my heart I see young boys being paraded as puppets by military leaders. Truly disgusting. But its a mirror of what is truly happening there. They need someone to liberate them. A constant presence to protect them.
3. God is good, all the time.
This is the reality that is even harder to swallow. How can we allow children to be abused in such an inhumane way? The film left me angry, storming around our home wanting to destroy the walls in rage, and at the same time so badly wanting to curl up in the corner of the closet. From a movie. With emotions overwhelming me, Phil whispered "there are evil, evil people in the world." I started to think, and my thoughts turned to prayers. All we could do was pray. God doesn't want the orphaned to suffer, He has commissioned the Church to care for them. Through prayer, financial support, adoption, foster care, and advocating on behalf of the unwanted, the Church is just starting to realize the overwhelming need for orphan care. God is there with them, but He wants you and I to take ownership. James 1:27 charges us to care for the orphaned and widowed in their distress. How could you not? Everyone deserves to be loved.
Fighting through tears, I know the Lord hears my prayer for them, and I know that my only hope can be in Him. If I didn't believe in God before we watched "The Kite Runner", I would have fallen on my face and gave my life to follow Him as soon as the credits rolled. I can't save them. I can't protect them from the harm and torture that is inevitable. But I can have hope in something more powerful than anything in this evil world.
1. You need to know what's going on in Afghanistan.
2. You need to care about orphans.
3. Understand that God is good, all the time.
It's been a few days since we watched "The Kite Runner", and still my heart is racing as I try to breathe out the anger that I feel so deeply through tears of pain. The movies that bring about an emotional reaction such as this are few and far between. In fact, other than Phil's "Glue Boys", I'm not sure I know another one. With out giving away too much, the setting is 1970's Afghanistan, and it's beautiful. Children play freely and their parents pursue happiness among lush landscape and community celebrations.
1.You need to know what's going on in Afghanistan.
Most of us know what happens next, whether you see the film or not... the country is overtaken with hate and greed, and consumed with evil. No one chooses to stay there; its not safe. The film depicts what it looks like today, and I sure wouldn't want to go there, not if you paid me to. Fear consumes everyone. Religion is exploited and cults are formed that eventually rule the country. And that's not just in the movie, that is real life. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THAT WOULD BE LIKE? Needless to say, there are no children playing, and their parents now live in fear of their daily nightmare.
This is my cousin, Cpl Reagan Smith of the United States Marine Corps. This photo was taken in Afghanistan, where he has been fighting to liberate the oppressed since May. He volunteered for this mission, and graciously accepted the task knowing the horror that he would witness and endure.
2. You need to care about orphans.
And here is where it gets hard for us. There is always a group of people who get left behind, forgotten, and eventually exploited. With their parents gone, dead or hunted, over night there are suddenly hundreds of orphans. The film depicts this perfectly; the images are grotesque, burned in my mind and on my heart I see young boys being paraded as puppets by military leaders. Truly disgusting. But its a mirror of what is truly happening there. They need someone to liberate them. A constant presence to protect them.
3. God is good, all the time.
This is the reality that is even harder to swallow. How can we allow children to be abused in such an inhumane way? The film left me angry, storming around our home wanting to destroy the walls in rage, and at the same time so badly wanting to curl up in the corner of the closet. From a movie. With emotions overwhelming me, Phil whispered "there are evil, evil people in the world." I started to think, and my thoughts turned to prayers. All we could do was pray. God doesn't want the orphaned to suffer, He has commissioned the Church to care for them. Through prayer, financial support, adoption, foster care, and advocating on behalf of the unwanted, the Church is just starting to realize the overwhelming need for orphan care. God is there with them, but He wants you and I to take ownership. James 1:27 charges us to care for the orphaned and widowed in their distress. How could you not? Everyone deserves to be loved.
Fighting through tears, I know the Lord hears my prayer for them, and I know that my only hope can be in Him. If I didn't believe in God before we watched "The Kite Runner", I would have fallen on my face and gave my life to follow Him as soon as the credits rolled. I can't save them. I can't protect them from the harm and torture that is inevitable. But I can have hope in something more powerful than anything in this evil world.
welcome home, Reagan!
Thank you for fighting for what you believe in.
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