Uganda Dispatch 2 - LIVE from Koro IDP camp

[for the quick facts, see the BULLETS section below... cheater]

 

Bena, a girl about 20 years old, translated for Mitchell and I.  She lives with family under the reed-thatched roof of a small circular hut in an IDP camp and makes bracelets with Invisible Children, but she has hopes of becoming a nurse - if she can find the money for school.  She is very bright.

 

We had come up with a game to start building community within our employees, or Mitchell had.  We would offer them as many cookies as they would like, and they would have to tell us as many facts about themselves as they had cookies.  They smiled as they took handfuls of cookies, and laughed when we told them the catch, but things quickly became more somber.  They didn't just list facts.  As Bena translated for each one they told the stories of their lives.

 

Some were orphans.  Some had been abducted by the rebels.  Jimmy, one of two Jimmies, escaped the LRA only two years ago.  Several women had dropped out of primary school and soon married.  Their husbands, they told us, are drunks, squandering their limited resources on alcohol as their wives fret to keep food cooking and make enough money, perhaps, to send a couple of their children to school.  One mother, nursing her baby, can't be more than 18.  Many were farmers, always "digging, digging" they said, until they were forced into the camp where they have no land to dig.  Once every month and a half the World Food Programme drops off enough food to last about two weeks.

 

Most of them ended their stories by thanking us for this opportunity.  The opportunity to sit on reed mats all day in a little dirt-floored brick hut, weaving reed and wire into bracelets that are shipped off to the waiting wrists of American consumers.

 

I was, as you might imagine, a little dumbfounded.  I thanked them, "Afoyo," after they spoke, and walked away feeling a strange mix of helplessness and empowerment.  The problems they face are so large and varied, but in sharing them with us they have given us the opportunity to address them and, I would guess, placed a little hope in us.  It is a privelege, a charge, that I don't take lightly.

 

They all live in Koro, an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp about five or six miles down the main road from Gulu.  I go there every day to sit with them.  Sometimes I try my hand at making bracelets, and an awkward hand it is.  Sometimes we chat.  Mitchell and I are just starting a round of interviews, asking each one of them about their lives, their needs, and their thoughts on the IDP camps.  It's incredible what we are hearing.

 

B.U.L.L.E.T.S.

• I am currently living in Gulu, in northern Uganda.  Google it.
• It rains every other day, on average.  And it rains hard.  Harder, I think, than our shower rains.
• I eat rice and beans pretty commonly, but enjoy a nightly stroll the the "chicken joint" for roasted chicken, fried casava root, and cabbage.
• I'm relatively healthy; you know, for just having moved to Africa.
• I live in a house with three other Americans and a healthy population roaches.
• We have a water heater, but no hot water.
• On occasion we are afforded the privelege of electricity.  Other priveleges include working ATMs, honest cab drivers, and dirt roads instead of mud.
• You're welcome to visit.
• It's completely worth it.

If you have any thoughts, reflections, epiphanies, questions, concerns, comments, or other responses to what you have just read, in full, twice, please send them my way!  I always love hearing from you.

 

Yours,

James

A tour, but not like hers

On the plane to Amsterdam I met a woman who, upon arrival, would be going on a river tour. I told her about my work with Invisible Children, which she lauded, and then she lamented about the little twinge of guilt that pricked her upon hearing about Uganda. She was looking for consolation. I didn't give it to her, really, just told her that, yeah, a lot of people feel guilty while taking river tours in light of such circumstances (in rough paraphrase).

Today I took a tour. I toured an IDP camp, led by a young woman who had lived there for two years. Her village was only a kilometer away, but she wasn't allowed to live there. She told me of struggles with overcrowding, with money, with food, with alcohol, with rebels. It was an enlightening tour, though sad. I think Mitchell (my new roomie) and I are going to try to raise the money to put her through nursing school. More on that another day.

Surviving America by proxy, or, Surviving Africa

So, I'm not in America for a while. Six months is the initial plan, after that, we'll see what God will throw my way.

Today I visited my first internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. It was rather dismal. Small circular huts were clumped too closely together on the red dirt, their gray mud walls leaving little room to pass between them. Children in torn if any clothes wandered and peeked around the little houses.

One man, obviously drunk, took a moment to introduce himself.

But this was after spending an hour in a small rectangular building, about the size of a dorm room, where Invisible Children employees make bracelets. They smiled and laughed as I knelt in front of each of them, asking and trying to pronounce their names. Their children littered the dirt floor and the mats they had laid over it. Mothers nursed while weaving reed into bracelets. All were manifestly happy to be there.

And it was also after walking along the road in front of the camp and talking to a woman who sells sugar cane. She walks from the camp to the city (maybe 3 or 4 miles) each day, and back. She smiled shyly as I asked her name and what she did. I told her I would buy sugar cane but didn't have any small bills on me. She gave me a cane for free. Can you imagine? She lives in an IDP camp, walking miles every day to get cane to sell, and she gave it to me for free.

So that's my experience thus far. It's all sugar cane and mud.

Uganda Dispatch 1 - A Heavy Night

[This list is meant to inform and inspire people who know me, or are interested in Invisible Children, Africa, or humanity in general. Here's how it works: As I travel and live in Uganda, I write about experiences, observations and thoughts that I think you will or should care about. You read them in full, and write back with your insights - an upward spiral of mutual inspiration. If you do not wish to be on this list, it's pretty easy to leave (just email me), but I would say give it a chance. It's pretty good stuff. All these dispatches will be posted on my website: jamestravels.com]


So this is the beginning - a suitcase bursting on the floor of my parents' living room, a load of clothes in the dryer, and six hours until I walk out the door. I'm flushed and tired. My brain is done for the day. I haven't even packed my clothes.

This past Saturday I met a man from Gulu, the home of the 20-year civil war that Invisible Children is addressing. He has family in the IDP (internally displaced persons) camps. The peace campaign that I happened into is his passion, more, it's his only focus, his greatest fear, his life. Tomorrow I leave to work on his behalf. This is not my fight, it is his, but I will stand in solidarity with him and the millions of people - yes millions - that have no choice but to fight.

Even though tonight I can hardly stand at all.

It's later than the clock says and my backpack waits. Tomorrow I fly, and I'm taking you with me.

Off again,
James

Drew's oversized roadtrip

My buddy Drew from UCLA is out gallavanting around the country on Invisible Children's national tour. His blog is a great series of verbal snapshots of what life is like when you do something difficult in obedience to Christ - notice the excitement, the heartache, the blessings, the dinners with famous authors. Check out his most recent post, then read the rest.

Play it again

[from A Word of Praise, Sept, 2005 - still needs some editing, but for now it'll do]

Begetting grace

The torrent of wrath and
Abundance of grace
That poured through your son
As he hung in his place
They flowed down like water
They flowed down like blood
From a spear in his side
And thorns in his head

His final day an archetype of pain
His death the moment of earth's surest loss
Yet also that of mankind's greatest gain
So great the hope that hung upon that cross

This morning I wake
Pull your grace off the shelf
Will I remember your wrath?
Will I die to my self?
Grace flows down like water
Wrath flows down like blood
From everlasting scars
And the truest of loves

His final day an archetype of pain
His death the moment of earth's surest loss
But I hail that moment as my greatest gain
So great the grace that hung upon that cross

The least I can do

Right now in India, in the town that I stayed in this past Novemeber, my brothers and sisters in Christ are facing dangerous persecution. Some are being jaied and beaten. Some have prices on their heads. An orphanage of over 2000 children is being cut off from its supply of food. These people need our prayers and support. If you know any influential people - politicians, newscasters, reporters - please alert them to the situation. It must stop.

Below is the text of an email I received from the president of the ministry I worked with in India. His name is Dr. Samuel Thomas.

From an Email from Samuel Thomas titled "Wait Upon the
Lord"

Dear Saints, Sunday March 12,
2006

Greetings in Jesus' name!

We sincerely thank you for your fasting and prayer. We thank you for
your fervent prayers and for your financial support in this time of great
need.

He himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we
may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear"
(Heb.13:5-6).

Right now it is 6:54p.m on 12 March, 2006.( Indian Standard Time) This
day many Christians in India worshipped God in truth and in spirit. We rejoice
over the fact that in spite of persecution the Believers still come to worship
Him!!

Today the whole day in Rajasthan they have been saying on the news that
on Monday finally the government is going to overtake the orphanage, churches
and school in all Rajasthan and mainly in Kota. As far as I know the team has
left Jaipur today for Kota and they plan to take over all the property of the
ministry. Many of our pastors called me and asked what we should do. I said that
no matter what happens you will not allow them to take the orphans or to take
over the property where the children stay. Keep in mind that they are not afraid
of the NHRC, Prime Minister, and President. The state government is taking all
illegal decisions.

I really have no idea where this will go, how this will ever end. But
we the Believers in India will always sing, "Because He lives, I can face
tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know, who holds
the future and life is worth the living just because He lives. Praise God we
serve a risen Saviour."

The government is planning to take the children by force into their
custody on Monday. This may result in some blood shed. This may result in some
deaths. Please pray that we may stand strong in the face of death and
remain faithful to Him who called us into this ministry, "Jesus". Please pray,
keep praying that God may cause great confusion in their camp overnight. Let us
continue to ask God to help us, we need to claim the promises of God.

The TV in Bangalore is showing a sketch image of Dr. Thomas (tall man,
bearded, walking stick and a cross on his neck) they want him
alive!!!

All the orphans are well taken care off. The children are very strong
and they are praying many hours a day for the same things that we asked you all
to pray. We really covet your prayers today as the police are planning to come
and take over today. Pray that God may bring them to His saving knowledge or
bring a mighty act of God's terror upon the enemy's camp.

Mr.Madan Dilawar( Social Welfare Minister of Rajasthan), in the last
couple minutes has made the following statements to the people of Kota and
Rajasthan, "if I am not able to take away all the children away from the
orphanage, if I am not able to take over all the schools and churches in Kota
and Rajasthan. Then I want the people of Kota to stone me (Mr. Madan Dilawar)
and hang me."

In other words he is playing with the minds of radicals and militant
hindu. Statement like this will provoke them to act against the
orphans.

"Jesus comes to us in our difficulties, cares about our calamities, and
speaks to us in our storms."

Please pray and act.( Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam), Prime Minister of India (
Dr. Manmohan Singh), Chairman of "National Human Rights Commission ( Justice,
Shri. A.S.Anand). Home Minister of India ( Shri. Shivraj Patil). National
Minority Commission. Please get the USA, and UN involved in this.

We need to act on this today, before it is too late. Monday morning in
India will be your time
Sunday evening.

"When fear knocks, let faith open the door".

PRAYER:
Free outgoing and incoming minutes during trials. But
"special offer" for a child of God, it will be free incoming/outgoing during the
weekdays and weekends also! True Prayer has no network problems, never
misses a call, no call waiting, no voice mail, battery power, 24/7, never drops
a call. It comes with a lifetime sim card called "Jesus", which fits into any
life phone, always with a full signal. I humbly request you to take advantage of
the prayer offer, and call the King on behalf of all the children under the care
of Hopegivers in Rajasthan( north India). More than anything we need
prayer.

May the great God of heaven and Jesus Christ our Lord overwhelm our
minds, overcome our weakness, and overhear our praise throughout this day and
the week, to His glory. Amen!!
Thanks!

Our Hope is in Him!
Bro. Samuel A. Thomas
President &
C.E.O.
Hopegivers International
1-866-373-HOPE

Photos

My recent trip through Nepal and India was amazing. I was blessed to travel with a few great people - Tom, Steve, Chris, and others. Check out Tom's photos from the trip on flickr for a look at what we got to see.

Leaks

Inside, under the sun, Mojave National Preserve, circa 2004

Keeper of the house

Old tree on private property, Mojave National Preserve, circa 2004

Solidarity

I was talking to some of my IC co-workers the other day about the word 'solidarity.' They were using the term empathy, which I think is a fine word and good principle, but not so strong as solidarity. Just say it: 'Solidarity.'

But they thought the term was overused - thrown around indiscriminately, stripped of its precision by people who forced it into thoughts that didn't fit it. So here I would like to clarify solidarity, and explain why I consider it one of the most powerful words in current usage.

Solidarity is a noun, but properly used it functions more as a joint adverb in conjunction with the preposition 'in.' Example: standing in solidarity with the poor - 'in solidarity' modifying the verb 'standing.'

To do something 'in solidarity' with a group of people is to do more than empathize. It is to take on their purpose as your own, feeling what they feel and fighting their fights. When it comes to pursuing their cause or resisting their enemies, you are as passionate and steadfast as any of them.

I think of it like a wall of bricks - each brick cemented to the others - withstanding a storm. To empathize is to say, Man, I know what it's like to be a brick, I feel you. To stand, sit, be in solidarity is to offer yourself into the mason's hands and be cemented into the middle of the wall. If they fall, you will fall and hurt with them; if they stand, you will stand and rejoice with them.

Solidarity is a principle that reminds me of Christ's greatest commandment about how to treat other people: Love them as we love ourselves. Empathy lets us remember how we loved ourselves when we were in their situation. But solidarity demands that we love them enough to become one of them, taking on their situation as our own, whether we've experienced it before or not. It is a reaching, straining, proactive love in action.

Empathy might offer help, solidarity offers partnership. Empathy might offer a shoulder to cry on, solidarity offers the entire body.

The Global Night Commute, is a practice in solidarity. It says to the children of Uganda, "We have seen your suffering, and though we cannot know how it feels, we will take it upon ourselves, if only for a night. We will walk, lay down, sleep, and endure discomfort in solidarity with you." I encourage anyone reading this to take part in the Global Night Commute and lay down in solidarity with these kids, who need all the solidarity they can get.

Layers

Half Dome, Yosemite, 2003 (or thereabouts)

Just a link

Charles over at the Global Youth Fund recently posted a really cool little trailer for a documentary. A quick bit of inspiration for your day. Enjoy.

Variations on a theme

It started slowly, and probably long ago. And even then, perhaps, I saw that pinlight of truth, like a single twinkle of sun under a thick canopy. But my mind would not allow for such variety, such unaccountable creativity.

Last night I saw this post from Dan Edelen, and he added his voice to the others that have spoken into my theology of late. I am beginning to see God as more active, more energetic, more involved than the songs that I sing to Him and the prayers that I pray. He is a rush of wind where I expected heavy, solemn air.

Pastor Anos, in Nepal, healed people regularly - healed one man right outside the bus that I sat in. The Fransiscans in India were taught by a man whose stories were either true or lies so bold and foolish that he would have been found out immediately. And his story sounded so much likes John's, who I was brought to on a wave of divine meetings, only to hear a story that I could only half believe.

But I am starting to believe. Wise people have told me to do so, and various of events have woven themselves into convincing arguments.

God, I ask to know you in truth, however unaccountable that truth may be. I want to know your thoughts, your will, your ways. And whether or not you have miracles planned to spill over into my life, I believe that you are who you are, and praise you for all your many facets that I may never see.

Amen.

On Proactivity: an addendum

Not long ago I wrote about proactivity, calling it the symbiosis of choice and committment, which I maintain.

Today I'd like to add a new element to my definition - the spark. Last time I called proactivity the Big Bang of human behavior, something where there could have been nothing, and the spark is what starts it.

Choice, I said, has to be between ambiguous options, otherwise it is only reason. And I now add that in order for a choice to be proactive, there must not be an external impetus to make that choice. Just as a choice must be somewhat arbitrary in order to be a proactive choice, it also cannot be compulsory. You have to, you know, choose to choose.

For instance, when I was choosing colleges it came down to a small, private, Christian school and a large public school, each in a different city where I had never lived. Where would I most enjoy spending four (or so) years? Which institution would bring me closer to those ethereal 'goals' that I was to be formulating? Looking at colleges from outside, from below, I had no way to answer these questions - my options were ambiguous.

But my choice was not proactive.

At that stage in my life I had no choice but to choose, if you will. I was compelled to choose between the two schools (by things like assumptions, society, [ahem] parents). So even though I chose between ambiguous options and committed to that choice, I was not proactive.

However, if today I choose between two schools and commit to one of them, it will be a proactive choice. I no longer have to go to school. Today, it takes the spark.

Hopefully soon I'll have time to combine my ideas about proactivity with my ideas of priority and sacrifice. Here's working towards a comprehensive theory of living!