Well this blog entry is going to be different, it will not be a normal posting. This blog is going to be about my thoughts and feelings about our trip. Well as we started this trip I was anxious and very excited. I had heard alot of stories of what to expect on my trip from Rebecca and other people that had been to Africa. But in all honesty all of the stories and what I expected to see and feel helped only to keep me being flexible, because everything I expected left the moment we arrived. I quickly learned that no matter how many questions you ask or how prepared you are for everything, in all reality you are and I was completely unprepared. I may have a TON of supplies and things I will never use or didnt really need but I was still so unprepared. I came to Africa expecting a trip like what I had heard from other people and in fact I am having my own experiences. No amount of stories or hints can prepare you for Africa, because no matter what anyone had experinced before you or with you, your experience will be one of a kind. I am so in love with it here in Jinja. I love being with the kids and doing sports because its completely my thing. On sat we had a small group of street kids that were not part of our kids that I was in charge of keeping them busy and that kept me completely in my element. I was doing what I love and I was so happy to be doing it, yet no one else in our group is going to experience it like I did because each one of us is different and we take things in different ways.
I am loving the people here and just seeing all of the kids around Jinja. All of what I expected to see, I havent really seen; but what I didnt expect to see I did. I love how the kids we are working with are so helpful with teaching us sing language. I never even thought i was gonna learn sign language while I was here, yet thats all I seem to be going and its such a grand experience. I planned on this trip challenging me in ways and things Im used to doing while working with kids just on a whole new level, yet that itself was not true. I was challenged in things and ideas and thoughts i never even imagined would happen.
God really has been such an important part of me staying all of myself on this trip. I wanted to come to Africa to see another part of the world, experience a new part of life, and to be humbled and to really evaluate my own life and see where I stand with God. God has truly tested me while on this trip and I have found myself thinking and seeing life through a whole new pair of eyes. These eyes are not mine, but actually in starting to see life though what God has planned for me and I am seeing what a child with disabilities in Uganda is going through. I think everynight about these kids and I pray for them because I truly am afraid that in some way I will fail them. I know sports are important but sometimes I feel as if sports can be more to these kids, I just am unsure of how to do that with only one day left. I worry that when I leave I will have left these kids with something they cannot use and all I gave them was something to pass the time.
If only I really could see how God can use these sports because He has really changed me and my beliefs, because as I came to Africa sports has always been a way of life and im used to just messing around with friends or playing sports on some sort of competitive level, but now I am in charge of giving kids not only a way to pass the time and to be active, but a way to show that no matter that they are blind or deaf they truly are a God breathed creation that is capable of anything. I am seeing these kids start something that may be unclear, yet the moment I turn around these amazing kids have mastered our games or relays and have added something new to the game.
I am so blessed to be here in Africa, I have been given an oppurtunity that before this I could only dream of. I see my life changing everyday and I can feel God shaping my heart and mind and I love how its changing. I know that when I get back Im going to miss these kids SO SO SO MUCH, and I am happy that I was able to be with them for a week. I came here to teach sports to the kids and to be a leader, but as I may have expected this to stay the same I will have left here being a student and a follower. I am learning so many more things and I love everything that has been going on. Tomorrow is our last day with the kids and I am going to make the most of it because it only takes a second to change a life.
- Jeremy Byrnes
The time has come for our team to head to Africa! Working with Fount of Mercy, we're heading to Jinja, Uganda to partner alongside the vocational training and educational development work already taking place. Here are our thoughts....
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Be like Gumby
Today it accured to me that our time here is almost over, we are half way through our trip. As joyful as I am to see my family I recognize that I very much enjoy being here. I think of Lori often as she is a FOM staff member and is living here full time. The foot work that is involved, relationships with the people and organizations is vital to the success of Founts goal. And regardless of how many times I've heard the stories from the women of Fount, until you are here you will never understand why they do what they do and say what they say. You can only be so prepared, the rest is the land of the unknown. When they say be flexible they truly mean FLEXIBLE!!
Before we even left San Rafael I already wanted to make this journey again. As of this moment I would still want to do it again. Considering the pre trip meetings we have had and all the extra conversations Rebecca and I have had regarding our trip I felt as though I was as prepared as I could be and had a general idea of what to expect.....WRONG! Things rarely go as planned which would normally be very difficult for me. It is still a great success but the plans may have changed several times. The kids seem to love to being with us no matter what we are doing. We usually start with stretching and move to relays or kick ball and either way they enjoy it. I can't say I have made one special friend...maybe I won't. Each day I find myself drawing closer to a different child, they truly are all special to me, I'd like to think I have a friendship with all of them.
It is hard for me to understand how a parent could feel that their child is useless because they can not hear or see. But here if they can not work they have no purpose. Often times the parents don't learn any sign language to communicate with their own children, that is just crazy to me. I in no way feel like I can change the way Uganda treats children with disabilities, HOWEVER I can be a piece of the pie. Spending time with these kids and teaching them not just skills but how to think or have a choice of what beads to string together brings an overwhelming joy for me. Something that is so simple can go so far.
How soon before I return?
Lynn Bailey
Before we even left San Rafael I already wanted to make this journey again. As of this moment I would still want to do it again. Considering the pre trip meetings we have had and all the extra conversations Rebecca and I have had regarding our trip I felt as though I was as prepared as I could be and had a general idea of what to expect.....WRONG! Things rarely go as planned which would normally be very difficult for me. It is still a great success but the plans may have changed several times. The kids seem to love to being with us no matter what we are doing. We usually start with stretching and move to relays or kick ball and either way they enjoy it. I can't say I have made one special friend...maybe I won't. Each day I find myself drawing closer to a different child, they truly are all special to me, I'd like to think I have a friendship with all of them.
It is hard for me to understand how a parent could feel that their child is useless because they can not hear or see. But here if they can not work they have no purpose. Often times the parents don't learn any sign language to communicate with their own children, that is just crazy to me. I in no way feel like I can change the way Uganda treats children with disabilities, HOWEVER I can be a piece of the pie. Spending time with these kids and teaching them not just skills but how to think or have a choice of what beads to string together brings an overwhelming joy for me. Something that is so simple can go so far.
How soon before I return?
Lynn Bailey
Saturday, January 15, 2011
"well, that was some pretty fresh dirt."
So crazy we left Reno a little over a week ago! On one hand, it seems like time here has gone by slow; on the other hand, time seems to have flown by.
Over all, this week has been... challenging, but good for the most part. Yesterday I hit a bit of a wall (not literally) and was just totally checked out and not wanting to be here. But thanks to the Lord working in my heart, today was filled with joy and... awesomeness. =)
My photography class is going well. And I am very thankful for Rebecca's assistance with the kids and interpreter. =) Her attitude and confidence has been a great help to me (probably more so than she realizes). My students' names are Catherine, Charity, Nasiri, Stella, Miria, and Sylivia. I've taught them about a few different types of photography: portrait, documentary, nature/wild life, and still life. And today, I taught them about taking pictures from different points of view, which has been probably my favorite day so far with them. They've become more and more comfortable taking pictures as the week moves on. I truly hope they will have taken something good away from this class.
I by no means feel cut out to be a teacher, let alone, a teacher of photography to deaf teens. It has been a great challenge to keep in mind that the main point of my being here is to invest in and love these kids we're teaching and playing with. It's been hard to not stress because I don't have the perfect lesson planned or I don't feel like I'm teaching well. The point is not me. The point is not to show my awesomeness. The point is to be emptied of self, filled with love, and poured out so these kids will know they are not worthless and they do have purpose.
*sigh* good stuff. =) Anyway, tomorrow (Sunday) is our day off... going to church and doing some shopping. Then Monday is our last day with the kids. I feel it will be hard to say goodbye.
Alright, so on a less serious note, today we crammed 23 people (only two of which were children) into a 15 passenger van. It was a good time for sure. haha.... oh man.
Also, today when we were out for dinner, this man came up to us and started talking to us. I think he over heard us talking about the safari we're going on, so... yeah. Anywho, the last thing he was telling us was that hippos are pretty much the deadliest animal and to stay away from them. And previously, we found out that there will be LOTS of hippos while we're on safari. Neato.
And then on the way home from dinner, we were walking along the road and watching out for cow poop. We passed by some and weren't sure weather or not it actually was cow poop. So Gay chimes in... "well, that was some pretty fresh dirt."
Okay so maybe you had to be there for it to be funny. But... yeah. It was funny.
=)
The food is good here. Our hotel is pretty nice. And the bugs.... not to bad so far.
All is well here in Jinja. And I hope all is well on the other side of the world, as well.
I miss home and will be quite ready to go back to normal life after this. But for now, I am enjoying this crazy adventure!
Love you all.
-Jessie Marie
ps - I think I've just written enough for both Matt and Lynn.... *slacker bloggers, cough cough*
Over all, this week has been... challenging, but good for the most part. Yesterday I hit a bit of a wall (not literally) and was just totally checked out and not wanting to be here. But thanks to the Lord working in my heart, today was filled with joy and... awesomeness. =)
My photography class is going well. And I am very thankful for Rebecca's assistance with the kids and interpreter. =) Her attitude and confidence has been a great help to me (probably more so than she realizes). My students' names are Catherine, Charity, Nasiri, Stella, Miria, and Sylivia. I've taught them about a few different types of photography: portrait, documentary, nature/wild life, and still life. And today, I taught them about taking pictures from different points of view, which has been probably my favorite day so far with them. They've become more and more comfortable taking pictures as the week moves on. I truly hope they will have taken something good away from this class.
I by no means feel cut out to be a teacher, let alone, a teacher of photography to deaf teens. It has been a great challenge to keep in mind that the main point of my being here is to invest in and love these kids we're teaching and playing with. It's been hard to not stress because I don't have the perfect lesson planned or I don't feel like I'm teaching well. The point is not me. The point is not to show my awesomeness. The point is to be emptied of self, filled with love, and poured out so these kids will know they are not worthless and they do have purpose.
*sigh* good stuff. =) Anyway, tomorrow (Sunday) is our day off... going to church and doing some shopping. Then Monday is our last day with the kids. I feel it will be hard to say goodbye.
Alright, so on a less serious note, today we crammed 23 people (only two of which were children) into a 15 passenger van. It was a good time for sure. haha.... oh man.
Also, today when we were out for dinner, this man came up to us and started talking to us. I think he over heard us talking about the safari we're going on, so... yeah. Anywho, the last thing he was telling us was that hippos are pretty much the deadliest animal and to stay away from them. And previously, we found out that there will be LOTS of hippos while we're on safari. Neato.
And then on the way home from dinner, we were walking along the road and watching out for cow poop. We passed by some and weren't sure weather or not it actually was cow poop. So Gay chimes in... "well, that was some pretty fresh dirt."
Okay so maybe you had to be there for it to be funny. But... yeah. It was funny.
=)
The food is good here. Our hotel is pretty nice. And the bugs.... not to bad so far.
All is well here in Jinja. And I hope all is well on the other side of the world, as well.
I miss home and will be quite ready to go back to normal life after this. But for now, I am enjoying this crazy adventure!
Love you all.
-Jessie Marie
ps - I think I've just written enough for both Matt and Lynn.... *slacker bloggers, cough cough*
Friday, January 14, 2011
Do you hear what I hear?
That was the question around the breakfast table this morning as we were all talking about the amazing thunderstorm we had during the night. Today was a great day and cooler due to the rain. My new nickname is baby elephant becuase while as the the rest of the team is drinking no more than 2 liters of water a day i am drinking about 6 liters. haha. The sleep is good kinda, it varies eachnight for each of us as some of us are still feeling jet lag and how sore everyone is from sports with me. Today was great as Rebecca spent 25mins talking in sign language with one of the girls and understood everything. Jesse is doing well with photography and the kids are really enjoying it. Gay is doing a great job with the embroidery and the girls that she is teaching are all doing well. Jewelry making with Lynn has been a blast for all the kids and they are all happy to show off their new creations. Today we taught the kids kickball and we will play again tomorrow :) well its getting late and tomorrow will be a long day so off to bed. Goodnight
-Jeremy Byrnes
-Jeremy Byrnes
A great day
Wow so Jan 13th was a crazy long day. It was very hot but lots of fun. In the morning after tea I got everyone streching their sore muscles from our previous days workouts. Had a great time working with the kids and playing sports. Then we all shared lunch again with the kids and we all got lessons in sign language which was amazing. Then everyone went to their jobs with their kids. And had a great time, because now we are able to communicate with the kids better. During the time when jewelry and embroidering and photography is going on, Matt Brown and myself are free and able to take pictures or just play with the smaller kids. This is the day I met Zane. He is a 6 yr old boy that is missing a leg and uses crutches. He contracted malaria at the age of 2 and due to the meds that he had to take the malaria became septic and he lost his leg. My heart instantly went out to him and i spent my afternoon with him. We are all having a blast and are all finding kids that we are connecting with and really spending quality time with. God is Great.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Pictures
Hi all... it's proving difficult to upload photo's. We've tried about 7 times and have sat and waited for a VERY long time, to no avail. So... sorry for the lack of pictures.... the internet simply isn't cooperating with us! We're off to HODASSU for the day and someone will blog tonight!
~Rebecca Brown
~Rebecca Brown
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
First Day of Work
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST REFERS TO THE ACTUAL EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ON JAN 12TH, 2011 IN JINJA, UGANDA, AND HAVE NO REFERENCE TO ACTUAL EVENTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT OCCUR ON JAN 13TH FOR THESE HAVE NOT BEEN DECIDED. YET THIS IS POSTED ON JAN 13TH. READ AND REFER TO JAN 12TH.
Today was great everyone was sore from Jeremy’s boot camp of sports and stretches. Everyone was super pumped to start our first day of being the kids all day. Once we arrived at church/college/school where we were working with the kids we enjoyed tea time with the kids. Many of us learned new sign language and have been trying to figure out all the sign names for our deaf kids because they have given all of us unique sign names. Today in addition to our deaf kids we were blessed to have JJ and Christian, two mostly blind kids, joining up with us. JJ has a God given musical talent and he played some amazing drums and he can sing our Jesus like you cant believe. Today we started our vocational training with Jessie leading Photography, Lynn working with Bernard and Pam in Jewelry making, and Gay teaching Embroidery. We spent all day with the kids and enjoyed having lunch with them. After we finished up with the kids we went out to dinner at a restaurant called 2 friends (which in one of Rebecca’s favorite places) we had a great time at dinner. The ketchup bottle attacked Jeremy and Lynn made some great comments. It was just a good chance to unwind and talk about our day. Everyone has been doing well besides being sore and tired we are all doing great. Bottled water is a must and we are drinking a lot. Everyone drank about 1.5 liters today while as Jeremy drank 4.5 liters. So we are all staying hydrated and eating well. These kids are amazing to work with. They are so happy to teach us their sign language and its fun to learn, can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings us.
- Jeremy Byrnes
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