Sunday, March 27, 2011

Wavin' Flag

There is a sweet four year old in my house that LOVES K'naan's song Wavin' Flag. Whenever he hears the song he dances and sings. No matter what language the version is in he is signing along. I have even heard him signing it when he was suppose to be napping...my heart was overjoyed.

Today I got an email with a link to a new version of the song. This version was made to show support for Haiti. The words are powerful and I found tears forming as they sang. The video was also paired with moving photos. It painted the perspective of what has been done and how much more is needed.

Haiti is not the only places that could be spotlighted by powerful words of this song. So many countries are in the same place. Their people are struggling, wondering where their next meal is coming from. Someday they dream of being strong and make some changes to help the ones around them. Strong just like a wavin' flag. As your eyes take in the photos and you hear the powerful words may you see what could be instead of how the world is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB7L1BIDELc&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=email&utm_content=http%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dnB7L1BIDELc&utm_campaign=17299141&utm_umg_et=79493819

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Green With Envy

Today while driving to work my eyes got a glimpse of hills of the East Bay. Our hills are so (tried to find another word and I got nothing) pretty. The downpour of rain we have had for the last week(ish) has helped. But when the rain passes and the warm weather comes the lovely green will fade and the East Bay will be graced with stunning shades of brown.

While thinking of how the colors will change I also started to think about Kampala. A few people have told me that the city is resting on green hills. When I think of green hills I think of Ireland. Sheep and old stone castles. Yes, Kampala most likely does not have the sheep and castles but they apparently have the green hills. (Am I know only one that hears Celtic music?)

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Becoming Reality


I am currently siting in my room. The sweet sounds of the Baby Shower happening in the living room is all around. When I hear the laughs I find myself smiling. I also feel sadness. The fact that after a few more months I will be missing all Life Moments is starting to hit me. Yes I can call, text, email, and even SKYPE while in Africa. But it is just not same. This is become a reality for me.

There is no doubt that God is calling me to go. I am even excited to go. But deep inside of me there is a part that is starting to feel the lose of being so far away. These are just my thoughts and feelings. Thanks to all the missionaries I have spoken with about heading out these feelings do not surprise me. They told me they would come. They also said when the feelings come I should feel them. Not brush them aside. Not dwell them but allow myself to feel them. So that is what I am doing. Prayers are welcomed right now.

Paperwork and Vaccinations

This last week has been a busy one! AIM had a list of things I needed to get, filled
out, and mail for all my African paperwork. There were things for my entry visas, work permit, and health forms. While standing in line to mail them all out on Tuesday my heart was racing. I just kept thinking..."This is really happening." "God you are calling and I am going." "Wow! This has been a passion/dream for so long...can this really be happening?"

After a few minutes all the compiled paperwork was mailed out! My heart was racing even faster and my spirit felt a rush. All the questions and thoughts I had while in line were answered..."Yes my daughter. Yes."

Also this week I got some of my needed vaccinations. It was not a fun way to celebrate my birthday but it was needed. The travel nurse was very nice and we had a good time....the best time you can have while sticking someone with needles and being the person stuck. There was only three shots this time but I have to go back next week for one more. Finding the time and ability to sit there and get the vaccines is all God.

Daily and sometimes even hourly I can see how He's hands are covering me. Also I am so thankful for all the loved ones helping and encouraging me. During this time of preparing to go would not be possible without all of your support. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Mouth Watering Tagine


Here is the yummy mouth watering recipe of Tagine. It is a traditional African dish. Hope you enjoy it.

Needed:
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 Teaspoon turmeric
1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
1 1/4 Teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons plus 1/4 cup of olive oil
1 (3-lb) chicken, cut into 6 pieces, wings and backbone discarded (beasts work well too)
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium red onion, halved, then sliced 1/4inch thick
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
5 sprigs fresh cilantro
5 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 cups water
2 Tablespoons mild honey
1 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup dried Turkish apricots, separated into halves
1/3 cup whole blanched almonds

Needed Tools:
a 10 to 12-inch tangine or heavy skillet
kitchen string

Stir together ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper, 1teaspoon salt, and 2sablespoons oil in large bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat well.

Heat butter and 1tablespoon oil in base of skillet, uncovered, over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown half of chicken, skin side down, turning over once, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to plate. Brown the remaining chicken in the same manner, adding any spice mix left in bowl.

Add onion and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to tagine and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Tie cilantro and parsley into a bundle with kitchen string and add to tagine along with 1/2 cup water, chicken, and any juices accumulated on plate. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes.

While chicken cooks, bring honey, remaining cup of water, cinnamon stick(s), and apricots to a boil in a 1 to 2 quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until apricots are very tender (add more water if necessary). Once apricots are tender, simmer until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 10 to 15 minutes.

While apricots cook, heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small skillet over moderate heat and cook almonds, stirring occasionally, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to paper towel to drain.

Ten minutes before chicken is done, add apricot mixture to tagine. Discard herbs and cinnamon stick, then serve chicken sprinkled with almonds on top. ENJOY!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Where the Lord Leads...


What a week! Candidate Week is over…just as fast as it started. The week was great, full of sessions, workshops, meetings, and making new friends. Being surrounded by like-minded people was a great blessing. All believers have a bond with one another but there is a one-of-a-kind bond with missionaries. All of us are looking at going onto the field, have a calling over our lives that pushed us, and a love of the unexpected. This bond is unlike anything I have ever been apart of.
With how the week ended I can say I am fully appointed under Africa Inland Mission. (If you could see me you would see a smile from ear to ear and a heart that is OVERJOYED!) Yes there were moments of fear and unrest about how it would all end but…God knew. He knew that there was a need for a Short-Term Coordinator in the Central Region. He knew that a KEY person in the Central Region Office would be stopping by the US Office for one day this week. He already knew a time to sit and chat with that person was going to happen. He knew my heart was being pulled to an area that needs workers and that 5 unites (families, couples, and singles) from Candidate Week would be heading to! Lastly He knew I was going to appointed with AIM!
All in all it was an amazing week. One I will never forget. One that also leads me to Kampala, Uganda! I am so excited to work as the Short-Term Coordinator for The Central Region. The job is one that places me in a city working along side other AIM administers. The whole point of my job is to help the region get short-term people on the field. The region covers 6 Central African Countries encompassing: Uganda, Rwanda, Chad, South Sudan, ARC, and DRC. All the areas are working at bringing Christ-centered Churches among all African Peoples.