Like Arrows In The Hand Of A Warrior

Affordable Green Art, Theatre, Photography, Crafting for a Cause, Spoken Word, Gardening, and Theatre Tech Courses for kids in Charlotte!

2013-08-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

I am flying off to Africa tomorrow, but in the meantime, I need to tell you about something awesome a great pastor at The Grove Church started a few years ago with an amazing group of friends. We started an after-school, arts ministry. We have offered the following classes to kids in our neighborhood and all throughout Charlotte for affordable prices!

Photography

Gardening

Theatre ( In the past we have done Lion King, Wizard of Oz, Glee, and Annie Performances!)

Theatre Tech

Mad Science

Creative Writing

Crafting for a Cause

Unspoken Words(poetry and spoken word! Awesome!)

Teaching several of these courses is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things I have experienced in life. The kids are a joy to teach and I adore meeting them and spending time with them. In one of my classes the kids were so excited to be there, and referred to it as "art club" and invited and told their friends about it. No matter what kind of day I had, I was inspired to spend time with them and just.... create! and grow!

Anyway, registration is going on now! And I just wanted to get the word out so we can add some new faces to our classes and spread our ministry even further.

We don't look at it as us offering you a service, we are delighted to reach out to you, and see what we can both learn from each other. NAM is for children, but we have considered doing adult workshops and classes in the past, and we know that we have SO MUCH to learn from the kids!!! We are interested in meeting the whole family.

Classes are at The Grove: http://thegrovecharlotte.org/

Here is registration info and information on our program and classes we are offering this semester: http://thegrovecharlotte.org/youth/neighborhood-afterschool-ministries/

We cannot WAIT to meet you!!! Excited!!

Finding bits of my soul in Cameroon.

2013-08-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

More about my heart thief experience in Cameroon. If you missed the first post about this sweet little tot, meet him here: http://psalm1274.blogspot.com/2013/07/i-traveled-all-way-to-fundong-cameroon.html

On our last morning in Cameroon, I awoke to the sounds of the children laughing and playing sweetly and adventurously outside, just like every other morning on the trip. It felt so comfortable in my mosquito netted cot sitting listening to these sounds, praising God, and convincing my sore body to roll out of bed and get going. We packed up the remainder of our gear and I walked around with my camera getting some last minute shots. It's always a panic as a photographer that you may have missed something, and you wont be able to get it once you've driven and flown away from the site.

A small group of children was gathered around watching Jacob(soulmate) packing up tools. They looked precious as always in their sweet little outfits, with their shaved heads and shy faces.... only they were different. They seemed... serious. There weren't many smiles, and they were extremely helpful. Some offered to help Jacob pack, and there was sort of a competition for who could take the broom from me and sweep the dust outside. I tried to play with some of the children who usually followed me around, but they were very serious and not in the mood. It was tense. A few of the older girls (who were such great friends to me after only being there for a few days!) Had written me letters, and I wrote them letters back and gave them to them. They looked devastated that we both knew.. I was leaving very shortly.

Eventually the cab pulled up. We were packing everything up and saying our goodbyes. I had sobbed during devotions the prior night when they asked me to pray, and I kind of hoped that it was all out of my system. I learned the first time I visited an orphanage in Bolivia, keep a playful tone, a smile on your face, and I don't usually say goodbye, and I don't make false promises of returning, I just leave it at I am so happy I got to spend time with you, and I hope we see each other again sometime, love you. Well I picked up Animbom, my love. And he just stared straight faced, terrified at the cab. I tried to tickle him. This was one of our many precious sacred forms of communication. He would always squeal uncontrollably and squirm to get away or roll around on the ground. But there were no tickles to be had on this morning, because we knew our hearts were already breaking. I asked one of the other boys who always watched over him if he was okay and if he was sick. " No, he isn't sick. He is just sad."

I knew I couldn't bear to see him watch us pull away and I knew if he stayed I would cry my eyes out. I talked to him, told him how much I loved him, and carried him away from the crowd and the cab. I heard someone saying that their breakfast was ready, I called to the crowd of kids to come eat. All of the little ones ran towards the dining room, and I carried Ani to get his dishes. I asked him if he was hungry, told him to be good, and to go eat his delicious puff puff. I said see ya to the other little ones and I held my breath as I squeezed him one last time and watched him shuffle away zombie-like to go eat. I quickly gave some more wordless goodbyes and on the last one to Esther, a beautiful Christian woman who takes care of the children, I felt the tears welling up, I quickly brushed them away and got into the cab.

I held my breath for what seemed like forever as we drove away. I was numb for a few minutes. And then it just gushed out. It was so unfair. My heart just broke and cracked and shattered and ached the longer the drive. We drove through some mountains. I had eaten a small puff puff roll and a multi-vitamin, and I know the vitamin upset my stomach but that wasn't all that was upsetting me. The cab had to pull over while I crouched and hurled on the side of the road. I knew my anxiety was spiraling out from the wound of leaving him. He was just a tiny african boy, but he had taught me so much about myself and God, and I had fallen deeply in love with him. Did he even know it? Did I even want him to know it?! unbearable.

The tears just kept coming. They would stop for a few hours, then arrive out of nowhere. At one point on the flight home, Jake was asleep beside me, all the lights were off, and everyone within sight on the flight was sleeping peacefully. I sobbed for at least an hour.

I knew I was already missing that deep comfort I felt with him. A comfort I haven't found with anyone else, other than my family, dog, and soul mate.

I knew I was going to miss looking into his little watery eyes. Looking into his mean eyes. Looking into his sad eyes. Looking into his mischevious eyes. And always seeing part of myself. And always feeling it in my heart. There were entire world's in there. World's I had never seen before.

I fantasized about bringing him to the US and taking him to the beach and dairy queen and camping and goodwill and playing at parks with him. I remembered a moment where he snuck into the area where we were staying and stole a thin pineapple rind out of our compost bucket. He ran outside and shared it with multiple other children. That moment touched me so deep. Because there we had thought we ate all of the pineapple and these children were taking extreme joy in sucking on a discarded scrap. I brought the compost bin out and gave them the rest of the pineapple scraps. They even tried to share with me. Imagine! Me? The one who threw it away. And they wanted me to get some too.

I knew I would miss watching him get into confrontations and letting him fight his own battles over plastic bottles, assorted treasures found laying around, and then comforting when he lost those battles he initiated.

I knew I would miss pushing him on the swingset. And feeling Animboms misery and anger within myself. He awakened my own hysterical feelings. I found comfort in comforting and loving him. There was something about him falling asleep in my arms after crying fits, the surrender, the innocence. I cherished it so.

I hoped he wasn't sad and that he just ate breakfast and played after I left. But I knew he was hurting too. And I hated that. Didn't he already experience enough pain without me creating more for him to endure? I had tried to create distance for when I left so he wouldn't miss me but I knew I had failed.

I knew I would miss how at the randomest moments he would always be oustide me door crying or looking for me. I thought about how he had gotten so mad at me when I had to tell him no and he would just hit me and I would just tell him to stop even though he continued. I saw myself in that a lot. myself. my life.

The sheer sadness I felt for his tortured soul.
It was almost crazy how much more I related to this child more than any other kids ever. He awakened the nurturing motherly in me that I was always convinced I wasn't! I am usually annoyed by kids and think that they are spoiled or strange or bratty or hyper or disobedient. Not this one. He was perfect. and I related to him more than a lot of adults. Even people who were my friends for years.

At one point I found him crying and I carried him away and sat on the ground with him in my arms. I looked in those sweet watery eyes and I said "are you okay? did somebody hurt you?" He never answered me he just laid there crying silently and as I looked into his eyes I saw such a beautiful angel child of God but also a great pool of pain. I saw that pain and my own tears started flowing. Another child said " no, don't cry!" I told him that I couldn't help but cry seeing this child cry, and he told me he was just sleepy. Yes I know, but there was something more there.

For 2.5 weeks I had been under the impression that he didn't speak or understand hardly any English. i always talked but thought he didn't understand because he was mischevious and always playing and hardly ever answered me. I was lucky if I got a yes or a no. Sometime during the last week someone told me that they actually do understand some, they just don't know how to speak it. Most of our communication was non verbal. We really didn't have to try. We were one.

Other kids always told him he plays too much. Even adults told him that. I've been told that more times than I can count in my life. I tend to take things to far without even trying and then wonder how I got there. Plahying, arguments, everything. Like Animbom.

We usually sat, or stood, or sometimes played in a comfortable silence. I haven't found that comfortable silence with very many people. He was a child, but an adult. He was his own person. Once all of the tiny kids were missing a few minutes into devotionals. I was so worried because they had been playing by the road earlier. Nobody else was concerned, I sent another kid to look for them at the expense of him getting in trouble for being late. They all 4 of them wandered in covered head to toe in mud, sat down silently and respectfully, and promptly fell asleep. They were an absolute hoot.

Once I was really tired and sick and exhausted, my love (jacob) was super busy and almost nonexistent with the stresses of being a project manager. I sat on the ground sort of drifting in and out of it, and Animbom was there in my blurred vision hitting me, trying to get a reaction, trying to play. I think he was scared, that something was wrong with me, since I was acting out of character. But I had some extreme cramps and he hit me in the stomach and it brought tears. I silently crouched over for a second, and he said to me in my ear "dont cry" It was such a precious moment because I didn't know he spoke english, and he had only said yes or no maybe twice prior to that moment. Of course my Jacob swooped in and guided me away to rest for a bit. Looking back I think part of the tears and pain was unrelated to my physical ailments. I think I was crying over his life. and I knew I was leaving, and I knew I was going to lose my new deep love.

A few times I had talked to him about Jesus when he was sad. He had said yes, and I thought he was just saying that. But now I knew he had understood. Magical. His life wasn't that bad, after all his life had made him how he was, why I liked him so, but I wanted him to have one on one parent attention everyday, to heal his wounds, and pray over his sleepy worn out body every night, carry him to bed, carry him on their backs, and tell him Jesus loves him every time he forgets.

It was so easy to talk to him about Jesus. It is never that comfortable.

I was out of control when I got home. A mean ugly incurable depression. I was mourning him as a child and friend, I had lost him. And I knew that nobody at all could understand how I was hurting, only God. and I was devastated because I realized that I could never go back to those moments, it was lost forever, and I lost a part of myself, I mourned the inner child I had found. My inner child was murdered as soon as I got in the American airport and looked around at all the obnoxious smart phones, cleavage, bratty children and obnoxious people around me. Even Jacob couldn't relate with me, he was unaware of these flaws, seeing everyone as the sweet individuals they were. (Like Jesus... ugh come one Jake be human for me when I need you to be)
That inner child was stamped out smothered.

I could't be that anymore and it hurt so bad to have that part of me gone again. I felt enslaved. I felt claustrophobic by everything. Nobody knew I was mourning. I was mad that God allowed me to fall in love and fund myself only to be ripped away and enslaved again.

I didnt; wake up to children's screams and playing, no children awaited outside my door with his excited squirmy giggles and squeals. He wasn't even the only one. He was just a deep one. And my heart felt so full with him, I felt like I knew him just sitting cross legged. wordless communication. Do you know how hard that is to find? My soul mate and I only have moments like that occasionally.

I miss playing w him.
And I miss defending him.
I miss his beautiful inspiring giggles
And his sweet little round head and belly.
I miss seeing myself when he acted out. And knowing when we argued that it was neither of our faults... but sort of both.. because we are stubborn and always fighting.. for.. something.
I miss him saying yes every time I say no.
Being with him is one of those times where i am shocked and think how can people not believe? Don't they see this and feel this? I felt it so strong!
I miss holding his small hands.
And I miss playing on the dirty ground.

I abused Jake and acted and felt pain and misery for the rest of the month after returning. Didn't know why.
Even thought of how quickly I had changed from my Cameroonian self, and how I didn't think about the kids as much anymore. Thought maybe I'm heartless. maybe there is nothing I can do to save every cute kid so I shoudn't allow myself to be attached. Who says they needed saving anyway? Hasn't Jesus already done that for us all? And so I began the process of stuffing and repressing.

4am one day when I couldn't sleep, I rolled over and looked into my dogs eyes. (Nugget) They were big and brown and innocent. He is a weird abused dog who looks away or is jittery, he used to never look into my eyes, he sort of avoided them. But n this quiet peaceful 4am moment we just stared into each others eyes for a few long seconds, and I told him aloud how grateful I am for him.and how much I love him and how he has saved my life time and again. The innocence and sweetness of the watery stare I got back, brought back deep heartfelt memories. Animbom. I thought of him.... held my breath in my bed and realized how hurt and how deep it really was. And I prayed and cried and just let it out, I could hardly breathe. It wasn't that i didn't care anymore, just that I had repressed it in attempt to not feel the pain.

I really hope heaven is a huge orphanage, kids everywhere, just like orphanage, except no-one feels pain and no-one needs anything. But we are free, and we play, and we all discover our inner child untainted and unrepressed. We can just... be. And play on the dirty ground with God and each other and just.. love.

I realized I was taking everything out on Jake. I was devastated on what I had become.
I should have been thrilled to have gotten to experience these things! I got to stare into a child's eyes and see Jesus staring back, lovingly.
I know that this is what feels right to me, what i want to do forever.

There is one boy in Bolivia who I feel similarly about. His name is Ricardo, and I haven't seen him in 2 years. I need to see him again one day. But he lives on, definitely in my heart as well. I think I went through a similar mourning and depression the two times I thought I might get to see him again and did not get to.

I don't care how much pain I endure on earth trying to pour love into these kids who deserve it. I can't wait to get to heaven where we can all play and tickle and love together.
Thank you to all of my supporters who allow my life to be what it is. Thank you for loving me and supporting me and being awesome individuals filled with generosity. I love you with all of my heart.
May God Reward you for your kindness.
STEPHANIE SNYDER
MATTHEW DOBLER
BARBARA GRAHAM
DAVID AND LIBBA HICKS
JUDITH WRIGHT
ROBERT FLORENCE
SHARON GOODIN
NATALIE SNOW
JEFFREY HANKS
JOYCE COMBS
CHADWICK CREIGHTON
NANA HALLIE WHITE
DEBRA HARWELL-BRAUN
STEVEN BRAUN
KAYE AND LAMAR THOMAS
RACHELANN BRAUN
DAVID JOSEPH BRAUN
ELIZABETH HARDIN
ALEX and KATIE WOLPERT
DANA FRADY
COLBY FOSTER
LAURA MONTGOMERY
KENDRA TORRICK
THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!! LOVE YOU.
Not only for allowing me to go on trips, to fall in love with kids, and to do awesome sustainability projects, but for education, a ripple in communities, and for the love everyone involved experiences and discovers radiating out from your generosity.

Thank you for helping me feel God closer and fall deeper in love with him. And for helping me confirm and feel my future and callings, for an adventure of a lifetime and new friends, for another country that isn't just a place on a map, but a place on the map of my heart.

Thank you will never be enough.

Even though there were times in Africa in my bed or during a bucket bath, I was hurting and asking God how to best serve and love these people, or crying myself to sleep in love and hurt with these kids and this work, I am thankful for every moment. I am thankful FOR YOU.

WHO WILL SUPPORT MY NEXT MISSION??!!!! I'm leaving in 4 days and fundraising until it is paid off, hoping it comes in faster than I am expecting. I am heading to UGANDA!!!!! Thank you for reading and for your kindness!
http://www.gofundme.com/returningtoafrica

Heart Thief in Cameroon.

2013-07-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

I traveled all the way to Fundong, Cameroon, to an orphanage where i discovered parts of myself, and a deep love for a tiny little mischievous ball of fire, Animbom.

I remember the first time i saw him, he was wearing a sweater, and although his rounded stomach made me sad, i couldn't get over how beautiful and precious he was. In fact he was the first to get a nickname. He was running around so much, but also keeping his distance, sort of feeling us out, that we started calling him "sweater" just so we could talk to each other about how cute he was without saying "which one" while frantically pointing at 65 children who were running around. I assumed he was around 3 years old, due to his small size, and later, about halfway through the trip i found out he was actually around 5 years old. We quickly and easily bonded, he alternated between being shy and uninterested, then full of energy and ready to play any game he imagined up in his creative little mind.

I noticed how he fought with the other kids, and ended up alone a lot, and it sounds crazy, but i knew that we had a certain stubborn independence in common. I found him crying several times, just standing somewhere, or laying down, crying loudly. Each time i stumbled upon this, i felt so horrible and always tried to comfort him. Sometimes he would let me pick him up to cradle and comfort him, or to carry him around to watch the various construction projects we were working on. Other times, he writhed on the dirty ground, screaming, and would not be comforted. I let him do his thing, but deep inside I hurt so much for him.

Throughout the trip I began to see that at times it was like a small civilization of children, and there were constant battles being fought. Sometimes it was a struggle for power, other times it was a game that got too serious, and other times it was just bullying and kids being mean to each other. At one point Animbom was playing with some older kids, hiding between the water tanks, in an attempt to start a game with me. One of the older kids tried to play with him and he started to yell something in his native language. I ignored it at first, but i looked over and i realized by the way he was screaming and the way the older boy was looking at me, that he was calling for me to help him, so I did come tell the boy to leave him alone, scooped him up in my arms and sat with him on my lap on the ground. It was a sweet moment, but I made sure we had our separate time, because I wouldn't be there to defend him much longer. Not that he needed too much defending, he was packed with energy, he totally had it under control.

There are so many memories I have with him that I hope I never forget. Once I had given the kids sunflower seeds, and the shells were scattered all over the ground. I was sitting against a wall, and he laid in my lap. He started eating all the shells, and giggling every time. He watched for my reactions, and eventually he started trying to feed them to me. I gave in eventually. I mean... how many opportunities do I have in life to stare into those beautiful glossy eyes and listen to that amazing melodic laugh? Best laugh in the world yall. HANDS DOWN.

He was a blast. I only wished I could be as fun as he is! There are so many things in life that hold me back... that had no hold on this boy. Once he was done taking a bath and he was walking from the bathing area down the sidewalk to his room to get clothes. When he caught a glimpse of me from afar standing and discussing with some staff, he broke out into a full on hide and seek peekaboo game with me hiding behind columns and jumping out giggling and then hiding again. naked. It was the most precious thing I've ever seen.

He constantly snuck into the area where we were staying. He would crack the door and creep in. He thought we had some good food in there, but in reality, there wasn't much to be had. But honestly, I don't think he was all that interested in the food. He was more interested in the fun. : ) No matter what I was in the middle of, or what I was trying to get done, it was always, ALWAYS a joy to see his little eyes peeking around the door.

We had a special bond. I have never really thought I was that good at dealing with children, I've worked with children in a ton of ways, but I can't say I always felt CONNECTED to them. This time was something rare. We were in love. I found the greatest pleasures in the simplest things. He was sick for a few days, and his nose ran constantly. It was chapping his entire nose and mouth area, because he had no tissue to wipe it. I picked him up and brought him to the bathroom, and wiped his nose. He just stared into my eyes as if he was eternally greatful for my kindness. He was the most beautiful child. He was most definitely one of my soul mates in this life. And will forever be. No matter what becomes of either of us it is the truth that we are connected. His lips had chapped to the point that they were bleeding, and I put some lip balm on them with my fingers, and he curled up in my lap and fell asleep smiling. It was quite wonderful to say the least. I never wanted to be parted from him.

This child was so much fun, and so resilient. He and his buddy Nsom, liked to crawl under the dining room tables and giggle hysterically when I walked past, and wait for me to pull them out by their ankles. They would squeal and giggle so loudly, and I felt that their giggles and games could cure me from any issues I ever struggled with. They would bang their legs, hands, heads, and knees on the table legs and on the concrete when trying to scurry away from me, and they never stopped smiling in the process. Bruises were irrelevant to them, they just wanted good old fashioned love and fun. I gotta be more like that.

Every night the children would have devotionals in a common area. We would sit on the concrete ground and my little minions would come sit with me and on my lap. It was precious time to me because I would pray over them, hold their hands, and cherish every moment. Animbom loved to crawl into my lap after a long tiring day of school, mischief, heartbreak and laughter and just.... drift to sleep. His little body was so warm, and he was just go totally relaxed. He would almost always pass gas on me and sometimes it was audible during prayer. Nobody minded. I could have cared less. These warm little angel of joy was sleeping happily and I just held his hands and prayed over him. Sometimes after devotionals I would carry him or his friends to bed. They barely ever even woke up during the process. These kids played hard. But being able to physically put these children to bed was such a blessing, they didn't ever receive this treatment. They were almost treated as adults, and didn't receive very much one on one attention from the staff, as there were over 60 children and the staff were always working so hard to provide for them.

I noticed how much we had in common sometimes when he would get upset or frustrated. Once he wanted my sunglasses, and I knew if I let him have them, the other children would all want them too, and I didn't want to be the one responsible for starting that battle. So I told him no but he grabbed them anyway, I had to physically grab them out of his hands. He was furious that I chose to do that. He started swinging at me and crying. I let him cry it out on the ground for a while, he refused to be consoled by anyone. A little while later I saw his watery eyes peeping through the door crack. I told him I knew he was sorry and that I wasn't upset. I picked him up and carried him outside where we sat silently for a while. He eventually tried to start a game where he was hitting me. It was quite painful to have him kicking and punching me in the chest so I had to hold his arms down. This loss of control was too much for him, and he started his fit allover again. I told him I was sorry and I eventually had to get back to work. I left him there crying, feeling terribly. and it may sound pretty bad, but the whole situation and his behavior reminded me of myself in my relationship with my soul mate. Later when devotionals started I felt sad because I didn't see him anywhere. He eventually shuffled in, and looked scared to come near me, unaware of where our love stood. I reached out my hands and smiled big. Deep down, I too am just a child, and I just want to play and be loved and understood.

I have much more to say about this angel.... This is to be continued!!!!!!!!!
I am headed to Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania in 3 weeks! Help me to better the lives of more beautiful souls such as this one on my next journey!!!
http://www.gofundme.com/3qntrk

HEADED TO UGANDA!!!!

2013-07-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

It's official. When I am not around children, I am not as happy.

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

I am now 26 years old and my nurturing, adventuring, mothering side has fully revealed itself. : )

I am heading out on more missions!!!!! Thank you again to all of you who have supported me in every way in my missions to Mexico, Bolivia, Rwanda, and Cameroon, and now I am headed back to beautiful Africa. You who support me are my lifeblood, my angels, my saviors. THANK YOU!!!!!

When I first returned from my trip to Harvest Children's Home in Cameroon this past February, I was miserable to wake up to a quiet house. I missed being awoken by excited, energized children running about laughing, playing, singing and squealing at 5am. I miss the sounds of chickens and goats, and the smell of fire as well, but that's a while other post right there.

Anyway, I am THRILLED to announce I am heading back to AFRICA!!!!!!!!!

First I am headed to UGANDA. Then I am headed to RWANDA. Then I am headed to TANZANIA. Then I will be back in the states, planning a wedding (YAYYYY!!!) and teaching green art and gardening for an after-school ministry.(love it)

TRIP DETAILS:

I am traveling with my favorite non-profit,

Orphans to Ambassadors

[ http://www.orphanstoambassadors.org/ ] This organization implements sustainable technologies in orphanages around the world to vulnerable children in refugee affected areas. My fiance is the project leader for this trip and he is AWESOME at his job.

KASESE, UGANDA-Fair Earth Children's Village

[Project Summary]

Fair Earth Children’s Village is an orphanage for abandoned and vulnerable children in Kasese, Uganda, a rural town in western Uganda, near the Democratic Republic of Congo border. Fair Earth cares for 55 boys and girls. Currently Fair Earth is addressing many needs by providing the following: education and vocational programs, feeding, medical care, shelter and clothing to the children. Fair Earth is already practicing simple sustainable measures including a 5 acre vegetable garden they share with a sister NGO where they grow corn, sweet potatoes and fruit for the children. Although they already understand the importance and practice of sustainable measures and efficient systems their current water source, supplied from the town is terribly expensive costing nearly $1,300 USD per year. We hope to provide them with an 8,000 liter rainwater harvesting system onto the children’s dormitory building to increase the children’s water access and security as well as preventing premature erosion to the dormitory buildings. Our project will increase their financial sustainability by greatly reducing their water expenses by approximately $700 - $1,000 USD per year.

Intended results

● Fair Earth Children’s Village - The project will address and improve the living conditions of abandoned vulnerable children in Kasese, Uganda. A rainwater harvesting system will give the children of Fair Earth increased access to water for bathing, cleaning and for the livestock. Provide instruction for children and staff of orphanage to install, operate, and maintain the rainwater system.

● Kasese, Uganda – With the new rainwater harvesting system in place the orphanage will be a source of innovation and hope for community members and entrepreneurs to learn best practices and techniques for starting their own rainwater harvesting initiatives.

● Orphans to Ambassadors International – This organization will have a better understanding of the installation and operational intricacies of the sustainable technologies involved in this project. By documenting lessons learned from this project, the overall knowledge of installation and operational requirements of each component will be enhanced and contribute to more streamlined project implementation in future projects.

Then.... after Fair Earth, we are headed to

Rwamagana, RWANDA-Institute for Women's Excellence

IWE women's boarding school, (Institute for Women's Excellence) where we will be visiting to check on projects we did last May. We implemented a Chicken Coop, 2 High efficiency Rocket Stoves, and we installed Rainwater Harvesting Systems on this campus. We will be checking on our sustainability projects to see how they are working for the facility, and we will be discussing with the staff current and future needs, and discovering areas where they may need more projects in the future.

Can't wait to see these lovely girls again!!!
Next, we are headed to

Nazareti Center, Ngara, Tanzania
[Project Summary]
Nazareti Center is an orphanage for abandoned and vulnerable street children in Ngara, Tanzania, a rural town called Ngara in Northwestern Tanzania, near the Rwanda and Burundi border. Nazareti is an all boys orphanage and cares for 28 boys. Ngara, Tanzania was a hosting site for refugee populations in the past two decades. Refugee affected areas like that of Ngara, Tanzania experience a higher than normal rate of street children (orphans) from overflowing refugee camps plagued with an abundant number of children orphaned due to violence in conflict
zones. These children migrate to the streets of nearby villages and towns to seek a better life where some end up in locally or internationally run orphanages.

Due to the typical remoteness of refugee-affected areas, these orphanages are underfunded and over utilized, most are unable to operate at a level more appealing than life on the streets. These orphanages are presented with a unique problem that goes unnoticed and understudied. This high number of street children affects the community in ways such as higher petty theft, increased child drug use, and child related sex trafficking. For example, in Kibondo, Tanzania, children were migrating to the verandas of local houses to sleep at night for fear of being attacked by wildlife at night.

Most street children are shunned from the local villages and are viewed as a nuisance instead of an opportunity. A unique opportunity exists in refugee-affected areas, where resource depletion and environmental degradation has plagued these refugee hosting communities since the arrival of refugee camps. These areas are more interested and committed to sustainability than most major cities due to the direct and drastic impact environmental degradation had/has on their community. Couple this with students trained in sustainable development practices and renewable energy technologies and you have an opportunity for a true grassroots movement that empowers orphaned children and initiates environmental preservation.

Currently Nazareti is addressing many needs by providing the following: education through local school sponsorships and vocational programs, feeding, medical care, shelter and clothing to the children. Nazareti is already practicing simple sustainable measures as a result of the Orphans to Ambassadors project with them in June 2011. Now Nazareti Center has a major rainwater harvesting system in place along with 2 fuel efficient rocket cooking stoves. Although they already understand the importance and practice of sustainable measures and efficient systems their current rainwater system needs to be expanded to accommodate for their water needs. We hope to expand their current rainwater harvesting system onto the administrative and meeting buildings to increase the children’s water access and security as well as preventing premature erosion to these buildings, recently constructed in 2006. Our project will increase their financial sustainability by greatly reducing their water expenses.

● Nazareti Center – The projects will address and improve the living conditions of abandoned vulnerable street children in Ngara, Tanzania. An expanded rainwater harvesting system will give the children of Nazareti Center increased access to water for bathing, cleaning and for their livestock. Orphans to Ambassadors will provide instruction for children and staff of orphanage to install, operate, and maintain the system and lead activities for the children while teaching sustainability education lessons.

● Ngara, Tanzania – With the expanded rainwater harvesting system in place the orphanage will be a source of innovation and hope for community members and entrepreneurs to learn best practices and techniques for starting their own solar power initiatives.

● Orphans to Ambassadors International – This organization will have a better understanding of the installation and operational intricacies of the sustainable technologies involved in this project. By documenting lessons learned from this project, the overall knowledge of installation and operational requirements of each component will be enhanced and contribute to more streamlined project implementation in future projects.

My Contributions to this trip:

Photography and Video documentation at Fair Earth, IWE boarding school, Nazareti Center, and any other orphanages or children's homes(potential future projects) we may visit on the trip.
Sustainability Education Curriculum I will be teaching sustainability lessons to the children at Fair Earth children's home about what sustainability is, our projects and how to care for them, and how sustainability is important to their daily lives.
Team Member As a member of the Orphans to Ambassadors team I will be working with the team and locals on construction and implementation of our projects, as well as any other needs that arise on the trip.
LOVE Let's face it, love is my biggest contribution. I most definitely will fall head over heels for these vulnerable children (as I always do) and love them with all of my heart for as long as I can. It is important to me that they know they are important and loved, and deserving of the opportunities we present to them in our work.

please consider supporting me in this journey!!!!! Every penny makes a difference, not only in my life, but in countless others who will be affected by our work!

support me here:(http://www.gofundme.com/3qntrk)
please share with all of your friends, family, and networks!! THANK YOU!!!! Have a BLESSED DAY!! : )

Childhood Reading Destash!

2013-06-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

My mother brought over a box of books from my childhood. This particular box was 90% a collection of The Babysitters Club Little Sister series. How weird that I had over 50 of these books but had forgotten they existed?! I clung to the books and was desperate to save them for my future daughters.

But the more I thought about these books and the more I clung to their memories and their sweet little covers with hearts and my name scribbled allover the inside, I realized that I do not have any daughters, and I may not ever. I hope to someday have tons of children running around on a farm someday, some biological and some adopted, but right now, in the present, I don't have any.

I'm not even married yet! Let's plan a wedding on a non-existing budget first. I began to think of how much the books had meant to me, and how I was never going to read them again, unless reading them to a child. I thought of the children in Cameroon, Rwanda, Bolivia, and Mexico I had met on mission Trips, who didn't own a single book. I decided I would let them go.

And seeing how I have started a little art/vintage store on etsy, that needed some new items on its shelves, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. I had been wanting to start a "Literature" section in my store. And here was my chance! Some of my books are from the 80's and some from the early 90's. I even found a few from the 50's. Most are in good condition, and most have my signature scrawled in them! Lots of them have creases, and this doesn't make me feel like I was a sloppy kid destroying everything in my path, it makes me remember reading and rereading my favorite stories again and again cherishing the words on the pages and the visuals in my mind.

I love that most of my books have moral stories and educational lessons that are still with me today. It's time for me to pass those on. I mean, who didn't love the Berenstain Bears? The New Girl in Town, and The Female Fullback were definitely favorites of mine with traces of romance, equal rights, feminism, and love written all over them. : )

I am going to post all of these books in my store at low prices, and any that don't sell, I plan to drop them off in a neighborhood I've been to that houses many refugee children from Nepal and Burma, along with some clothes, toys and handmade jewelry.

I'm thrilled and excited at the idea of my books becoming someone else's. : )

LET'S SPREAD THE LOVE YALL!!

Books are for sale at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautifulPursuit?ref=si_shop
(and check back because I will be posting new books and items regularly!)

Bolivia Mission 2011 Journals Continued

2013-03-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

For a while I was posting old journals of my travels, mainly in Bolivia with Children's Impact Network, http://cinonline.org/ and I thought I would pick up where I left off, in 2011.

7.4.11

I loved devotions today. I really need to be more thankful that God has made me the way I am. Thank you God. I love you.
positives-flexible, spontaneous, passionate, willing to learn, adventurous, adaptable, considerate.
negatives-jealousy, depressive, negative, easily frustrated.
Today work sanding the ceiling was difficult but I know that you helped me the whole way through. I really need to keep Jeanine in my prayers, I was scared when she fell off the ladder, and I pray for her healing. She is really brave and I feel a good connection with her. I like her and Terry's relationship. Of course Sidewalk Evangelism was wonderful. I really love all those beautiful children. Gosh, they are so beautiful Lord! Thank you for creating them. It was great to her Julie telling stories about her and Gary finding God together. I really want to marry Jacob, Lord please lead me the right way Dios!!!

7.5.11

Today was great and interesting. Devotions were good, I didn't expect to think of Brett or to cry. I'm saying a prayer for him now, that you be with him and keep him strong and smart. He needs you. We all do. Work was great today, I adored doing the dental work flouride treatment with the boys. I love them all so much. And digging the holes was great too, thank you for the strength, and thank you for the beauty and pleasure of manual labor. Thank you for the team. I really enjoyed sidewalk sunday school those babies are so beautiful and the scenery was absolutely heavenly!

So let me think about what happened today with the team. I think they are all great, but I really started to break down. I constantly felt overlooked and unappreciated, and cannot take chronic bossiness and demands. Please help me to learn from these difficulties and learn to love harder. I haven't cried that hard in a LONG time. Maybe years. I think I am breaking for you Lord. Please fill my heart with extra love and patience and understanding so I can have peace. I think I need to remember you and your son and your love every time I feel unwanted. You are my one and eternal true love. Thank you Dios. I am having mixed feelings about Jake. I feel that separation is doable and I love him so much. I want to marry him. Terri and Jeanine are so beautiful. I love them so. I can only pray and hope to have a God centered, totally organic, non-artificial love like theirs. I love Jacob Daniel Hanks. I don't even know how to act right now or what to do when I finally get to see him again. Thank you God for all the wonderful people you have put in my life. Please be with my family. Let them all feel you and know that you and I both love them endlessly. Lord please be with Jacob and his team. I miss them and love them. My love is in Africa and I adore him. Gracias Dios.
Love Always, Your daughter,
Stephanie Mauvlyn Braun

A Beautiful Surprise. Angels!!

2013-01-14T02:06:00.001-08:00

I just had the privilege of attending the first day of the IGNITE JUSTICE conference 2013, at Forest Hill Church, I went on Thursday afternoon to set up,(after staying up until about 4am the night before working on a poster and display items for our table) then that evening I went to the community meal for The Grove Church to fellowship with beloved members and to promote Neighborhood After school Ministries(NAM) http://thegrovecharlotte.org/youth/neighborhood-afterschool-ministries/ for this upcoming semester(I still need more gardening and green art students if you know anyone interested! http://www.facebook.com/events/515491638471261/?ref=22 ) . That evening I stayed up working on etsy items and promoting NAM and my store, and promoting fundraising efforts(Set up a Gofundme page!!) for this Cameroon trip which is in 5 days! (oh my goodness, breathe!) Anyway, I ended up only sleeping 30minutes. The conference was wonderful and inspirational it was like being at a ministry fair and church and so many wonderful awesome people and organizations were there! My top three favorites:

*ALARM African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries
http://alarm-inc.org/
~Special connection to these guys, Michele Dudley, who was the brains and beauty behind the whole conference (besides God) hooked us up with ALARM, who hosted us(02A) in Rwanda May 2012 and had IWE-Institute for Women's Excellence, where we did the sustainability projects(rainwater harvesting, chicken coop, rocket stoves)

*SILENT IMAGES
http://silentimages.org/
~Special connection to David Johnson and Silent Images, I met him in college speaking for our organization after I had joined STAND (A Student led anti genocide coalition) and then after I became president of the organization, I had him speak on several occasions and he was more than inspirational every single time.

*SAMARITANS FEET
http://www.samaritansfeet.org/
~I just love what they do.

and of course
*Orphans To Ambassadors who I and Jake were representing!
http://www.orphanstoambassadors.org/
and heading to Cameroon with in 5DAYS!

Anyway, so that day at the conference I was so inspired and talking to a lot of people there was great because repeatedly discussing what we do, why we do it, why I'm excited to be going on another trip so soon, my passions, my desire to go back and check in on the past projects, all really revved me up to go on this project, and re-affirmed my purpose to be doing this work! Its not always easy to communicate your heart and life passions to others verbally, but we did our best, and met a lot of amazing people!

We didn't win any of the three grant awards, but great organizations did, so still a success.

6hours into this awesome conference, I was a zombie. 30minutes of sleep does not work. I remember thinking, "Why am I doing this? I thought this was only for college?, Apparently this lifestyle can just continue after college if you just set it up that way?" and at probably 5am I was thinking to myself, I just long to jog or read a book or meditate with no long todo list or deadlines looming over me like a dark angry cloud! And I promised myself I would take better care of myself before the trip! (5days) So after those 6hours of conferencing, I shuffled out to the care and laid down where I took a disheveled hungry nap in the backseat, leaving Jacob to run the table for an hour alone.(I know, I know, I'm not proud of it!) After an hour, I woke up desperately having to use the bathroom, and when I tried to get out of the car, Jacob's weirdo Lexus locked me inside, beeped at me, and I was trapped!!!! with the keys!!! How does this even happen?! I remember hating that moment and looking around desperately for a cup, a jar, anything but there was nothing and I thought, how can I pee in my pants while napping at a conference and how could Jacob ever consider marrying me?! So a few minutes and panicked texts later Jake came and freed me and I helped run the table for another hour.

Then we ran a ton of errands getting more supplies for the conference, Staples, Target, probably some other places I don't remember, and then by the time we were driving home I hadn't been able to eat all day and Jake suggested a $5dollar Big Deal Pizza from Dominos. Sure, Let's do it I said. It was one of the BEST. PIZZAS. IVE. EVER. HAD. and I scarfed down many, many, pieces loving every minute of it. I woke up at 6am spewing and hurling and napping on the bathroom floor. I was like wow, I really set myself up for this! By not taking care of myself whatsoever. By pretending I'm a robot of production and not a human being who needs nourishment in so many ways.

So I could not attend the second day of the conference, but at 2drove to Claremont for dads birthday, where I forgot his presents and my shoes and cried about it in loud scream-sobs (My shoes were in the backseat the whole time, we didn't realize this until the next night when we returned home and after I ended up wearing old cross country sneakers from high school around everywhere) For dads birthday we went to a lovely antique store( I adored it, but I got sick there several times) and then a Mexican Restaurant (yum..) We played Scrabble, it was my absolute worst game in history(I also couldn't add for some reason and destroyed the scoresheet), but I have to say that no matter how sick I was, being with my soul mate and family was my favorite place to be, even in my miserable state!!! So anyway, slept, woke up to pancakes and my wonderful family the next day, was a brat to Jacob all day because my stomach was in such horrible pain I couldn't even stand up straight (I had food poisoning if I forgot to mention that this whole time) ate lunch with Jacobs awesome daddy and then went home. Passed out for several hours and then just out of curiosity checked the Gofundme page and I had raised... FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS!!! What?! There's no way!!! I scrolled down the list of loving supporters and cried.
ALEX & KATIE WOLPERT
JEFFERY HANKS (DADDY IN LAW! wait, wait.. not yet. too eager....wayyy too eager!)
HALLIE WHITE (JAKES NANA!)
SUSAN MIKHAIL
DEBRA HARWELL-BRAUN AND STEVE BRAUN (MADRE &PADRE!!!)
DANA FRADY
These beautiful people said wonderful things to me and were so loving and supportive I was shocked and totally re-inspired. It feels so good to know that people believe in me!! It makes my trip so much more important to me and it makes me feel even more passionate about making as big a difference as I can while there. Thank you guys, You are sweet angels, And the biggest thanks to the MOST HIGH for placing these supportive angels in my life to uplift me and guide me through my travels. It's hard to breathe knowing how much we are really loved and cherished, each and every one of us. Every body heaving, aching moment of that sickness was nothing compared to the intensity I felt from these gifts and inspiration!!! Thanks GOD!!!!!

http://www.gofundme.com/1toctc

Cameroon Trip GOFUNDME Page!

2013-01-10T23:16:00.001-08:00

http://www.gofundme.com/1toctc

Transition from Wilderness to Complete Servitude!

2013-01-10T10:51:00.003-08:00

So I haven't blogged on here in forever, and would love to blog about my adventures with youth in the wilderness all year long, but there's no time! Maybe later, but as of right now, I am juggling starting my own art business, setting up for a conference, and promoting an after school ministry program I will be teaching in February. Not to mention I never finished totally moving, my stuff is still disorganized... oh yeah and, I'm leaving for Cameroon in EIGHT DAYS and haven't finished fundraising! HELP!

RWANDA 02A TRIP MAY 2012!

SO THERE'S A LOT GOING ON! I would love to elaborate on all of these things later, and REALLY need to make time for more writing in 2013, but for now, here is my support letter I sent out in my Christmas cards, with a few tidbits about my life and the upcoming trip! Whew!

Thanks for reading, I'm off to mail some thank you cards, and ship some art that was purchased from my new store, (YAY!) Then buy dad a Birthday present, Set up for the Ignite Justice Conference at Forest Hill for 02A, go buy some Orange Juice at Trader Joes (I'm totally getting some roasted seaweed while I'm there, YUM!), then go to The Grove Church Community Meal to try to promote the Neighborhood After school Ministries Registration before it's too late, and do an activity with the kids.... I haven't planned the activity yet...

Anyway, here's the letter, EIGHT DAYS!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I WISH YOU PEACE AND COMFORT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Hi! I wanted to write you and update you on what God is calling me to do in my life! After several months of prayer, I left my job at the wilderness treatment center to pursue more ministry. I am planning to return to Africa on another Orphans To Ambassadors trip, January 18^th through February 8^th, to Fundong, Cameroon. We will be implementing 3sustainable solutions to the Harvest Children’s Home, an orphanage of 56 boys and girls.

Our team consists of Jacob Hanks, my soul mate, Orphans to Ambassadors project leader and first part-time employee, Michael Lowe, Engineers without borders rocket stove expert, and myself. All three of us did identical projects in Rwanda in May so although with different variables I think we will make an excellent team and the projects will go smoothly and efficiently!

My last trip with Orphans to Ambassadors was supremely rewarding in so many ways! We did the same three projects in Rwanda as we will be doing in Cameroon: chicken coops, rainwater harvesting systems and rocket stoves, at a boarding school of over 400 girls. We got to teach the girls about sustainability and our projects, show them how to do construction work, dance, play, and talk with them, and worship with them at their church service! I really bonded with the girls as well as the staff, and some masonry workers in the local community that helped out. I felt God’s presence every day there and I felt that the work we were doing was meaningful to the girls and community!

For now I am volunteering, gift-wrapping at the mall every day fundraising for Orphans to Ambassadors 2013 project budget, and in my tiny bit of spare time I will be working on starting my online shop at: beautiful pursuit.etsy.com where I will be selling different types of art God has inspired me to create! I am thrilled to be going back to Africa with such a wonderful organization, and I am excited to see what other ministry opportunities will arise for me this upcoming year!

I strongly believe that there are two kinds of missionaries, those that go and those that send them, the trip wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of others. Even small gifts multiplied by many will get me there to fulfill the calling. I took a risk in leaving a job with a steady income to follow Jesus, and now I am responsible for raising $1700 to cover the cost of the flight and visa. I am more than confident he will provide!

I ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with me in this ministry opportunity. First, I ask for your prayer support. Second, I ask that you consider giving a financial gift of any size. If you decide to give financially (your gift is tax-deductible), checks can be written out to: Orphans to Ambassadors International; 126 SW 148^th Street Suite C100-26 Seattle, WA 98166. (Please write Stephanie Braun in the memo line.) Or go to www.Orphanstoambassadors.org to make an on-line donation with a credit or debit card through PayPal.

I trust that God will work through this team, and that we will greatly impact as well as be impacted by, the individuals we serve. I appreciate your support!

There are no orphans of God! Blessings and Peace!

Stephanie Mauvlyn Braun

stephaniemauvlynbraun@gmail.com

828-291-6467

2012-04-01T22:49:00.001-07:00

"Beautiful words fill my mind. I am speaking of royal things. My tongue is like the pen of a skilled writer." *psalms 45:1 ;)

Bolivia Day # 2 7-1-11

2011-11-06T16:43:00.000-08:00

Finally got to see the boys! driving into that gate on the bus and seeing them was crazy. I knew I had missed them but the emotional response I got within my heart felt as if I was seeing a close relative I had missed every day for a year! Except not 1, over 50! These boys each have a special place in my heart. I wish there was some way to tell or show them that and have them understand. Ricardo. Last year I awkwardly got off the bus and was standing there amidst 60 Bolivian boys and we were all staring at eachother. Ricardo came up to me and grabbed me by the arm pretty roughly, and from that point on we were inseperable for the rest of the week. He can be a bit rough and mischevious, but I find it lovable, after all, we all have interesting behaviors weve developed, due to our pasts and we just need love. I love him dearly.

It was great to see Allie again, this trip wouldnt have happened without her. She connected me with Life Fellowship, http://lifecharlotte.com/ and fundraising and preparations would have been much harder without their church and team! She is such a sweetheart and I respect her so much.

Cant wait to see Alberto. He became such a good friend on the last trip. We were rushing to get our stuff together for sidewalk sunday school in the villages with the children, we planned to do a David and Goliath skit as a team and make witness bracelets with the kids, and give them coloring sheets with David and Goliath scripture and pictures on them. Mona has been so wonderful getting all this stuff organized! It was a blessing in disguise that it rained (it rains in Bolivia??!?) and that sidewalk was canceled. We were all exhausted from the extensive travel and needed to recooperate briefly. I'm so thrilled that we were able to bring so many supplies!

This is how you hook up a television in Bolivia. Look at this kid! He's putting the cord out the window!!

Seeing so many crazy boys and trying to catch the Bolivia Argentina game was awesome! There were tons of children crammed in one small room with members of the staff and team, 3 televisions with lots of static, and all the kids were playing with wires and antennas to get the signal. It was awesomely entertaining and a great time for photos!

I really pray that Michael and Alyssa make it, their flights were canceled because of the tropical storms in Florida, and I think they are going to have to go through Argentina, I believe? and meet up with us later. Anyway I pray for their safety and cannot wait to see them again!

I spent the entire flight reading "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey, and I cried my eyes out and was thinking how the story was so intense and beautiful, but that a lot of parts had to be exaggerated, or his withdrawal perspective of how he thinks things actual happened. Anyway, on the last flight from Santa Cruz to Cochabamba Fred told me the story is made up and not a true story and that it was on Oprah and everything. Which kinda ruined it for me honestly. I mean, I picked up the story at my own yardsale, and was immediately interested in it, I find all types of addictions to be intriguing. Embellished, exaggerated, whatever, the story is still a BEAUTIFUL and intense tail of addiction and abuse and I love it, its a very accurate portrayal of some of the feelings and perspectives a person could have, I was just pretty dissapointed to be told that after all the reading and crying on the flights! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Frey Im still interested in reading his other books. He is a great storyteller. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/celebrity/million-little-lies

Check out this miraculous holy coffee splatter Chris and Mona made today! I'm pretty sure God and some dulce de leche were involved...

Durante el Segundo y tercero Dia Bolivia 2011

2011-11-06T16:32:00.000-08:00

7/1/11 mission with Children's Impact Network

It already feels like it has been a week and we just arrived. So much has happened. Of course beautiful Ricardo was the 1st one to greet me when I got off the bus again. It was dejavu from last year. But more familiar and comfortable. He is a lost angel. I love him so dearly. I'm so thrilled that we were able to bring so many supplies!

We were able to bring tons of school supplies, construction/work project supplies, and school uniforms! Being part of a team in advance before you get to the site definitely has advantages, and in this case a big one was all the supplies we were able to collect and get donated.

Day 3: 7/2/11

Devotions with the Colombian team was magnificent! truly magical. In some moments God simply drops all our guards and we become unbelievably comfortable and entranced by how majestic the current moment is. I absolutely adore worshiping my Lord and Savior through song and instrument, and in my car, or the bath, or home alone while cooking, I am GETTIN IT!! but when I am in a crowd I have this strange anxiety and paralyzing shyness that always keeps me very quiet and reserved. Every once in a while God will break through that paralyzing cloud, I forget everything but the current emotion, and I let it go. Only every once in a while.

I love Ricardo.

And we had a blast at the park. Broken toys to prove it!

Played Frisbee and flew kites, played cards and chess and ran around crazy and took a million pictures.

Somehow I can't get tired of the fish eye effect.

Or taking photos.

What if I treated everyday like this,

even in America,

what if I acted as if my daily life was an exuberant adventure

and was excited to capture every moment on film

as I do on these trips?

Life is a trip.

The air feels different here and I don't think it is just the elevation. I told everyone on the team I had a soul mate when they kept trying to set me up with hosts and such. It felt so good to be honest about it. I miss him. No idea where he is or what hes doing. probably something epic. in the Congo? Rwanda? Tanzania. *sigh. I simply cannot wait to see that face again. It's weird to think that last year I watched the newlyweds and couples glazed on the bus and held my breath so I wouldn't cry because I missed and craved him so.

This year he knows my feelings much more accurately.

I remember wishing he was there last year.

It was so deeply stabbingly painful.

We were going separate ways on separate paths and I wanted him to want to share my path.

I believe we have made a sort of path together in ways, but we are still continents apart at the current moment.

Last year I craved his companionship more than I ever have while in Bolivia, and this year its even more but in a different way.

Then, I couldn't see a clear vision of us in the future, years, months, even days down the road, and I eyed the couples with envy as they smiled and stared into each other's pupils while pickaxing or riding the bus as if a magical Narnia was within their lovers skull.

It hurt deep down in my stomach as they prayed together and fell asleep on each other's shoulders.

It was refreshing to see these examples, to see this Godly young love up close, and to want to be a participant in this intriguing, mesmerizing partnership. Now, I can see us in the future, I can picture us, and it is so beautiful, I am so impatient.

I always want the end result, and I forget to appreciate the process. I see the destination, and I ignore the journey because I. Want. To. Be. There. and I want to be there now. I want to be the best Christian, the best wife, the nicest person, the best activist, the smartest woman, but I want it all now and I don't want to wait.

But this is foolish. I think every morsel and ounce of the journey with you would be euphoric and worth cherishing.
Even this emptiness and hardened pain in mi corazon. Maybe absence does make the heart grow fonder. Here we are again.
On separate continents in July.
I feel that this isn't the only time I will miss you and go through this in our lives.
I feel you missing me too.
This has happened before, It's happening now, and it will happen again.
Thank you God for the ability to feel.
To feel pain, longing, worry, closeness, to be able to feel someones heart from across the globe.
To really know someone and feel competent in understanding the essence of who they are despite distance.
I think we are going to make it.
For a long time.
The couples on the trip this year are also inspiring.
I love community and learning from others and their beautiful examples.
Maybe we will be one of these inspiring partnerships one day. : )

I really love these boys and feel God on and in my heart. I loved church. It was so magical and holy. John preached and my Spanish is awful but I could sense and feel the emotion in both his words and in all the souls throughout the room. I caught bits and pieces of his message and was able to translate scripture in my Spanish English bible but I got the major points to be discussing the boys at the Bolivia Life Center and how their lives have been really difficult, but also how the people in this church have also led difficult lives and endured many struggles. I could just feel a passion and compassion for all of the boys and for all of these beautiful strangers in the church and my emotions were sort of washing over me in an overwhelming manner. I could not stop uncontrollably crying and during a worship song, the elderly woman beside me who had also been crying just embraced me and gave me one of the hardest most powerful hugs I have ever received. I didn't understand much she was saying other than Praise God and I love you, but the feelings I experienced I will never forget. She was an absolute heavenly angel and I left her a rather impressive tear-puddle on her sweatered shoulder. I needed that hug so badly in that moment and didn't realize this until mid-embrace. Moments of absolute love and compassion with strangers always rejuvenate my faith in our absolute God. I could feel that though we were strangers without many obvious similarities, we had each experienced much pain from the world, and also much love and healing from the Lord. It was a comforting, sweet moment.

Thanks God!
Stephanie Mauvlyn Braun

*I had a pretty emotional week this current week in America, and I thought of this woman today, and wished I could redo this hug and this moment again. Such a beautiful memory. I hope to see her again in the future. Even if not on Earth. For now, I will hug her via prayer.

Bolivia day one 2011

2011-07-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a mission trip to Cochabamba Bolivia with Childrens Impact International

http://www.cinonline.com/

and I am recording all my journal entries on my blog. : ) please enjoy the honesty and rambles.

6/30/11

Today was jam packed with travel. Car from Hickory to Charlotte, to stay at Jakes. I stayed up to call him on the calling card at 1am in Africa, and was only able to briefly utter a sentence or so before he lost signal. I think he was traveling in the mountains. Its been so hard without him. How do I deal with having ZERO communication with my best friend? This is why you are my rock, God. There will never be a time when I can't communicate with you. We will never make small talk or lose signal!

     So after staying up to talk to Jake for approximately 1.5minutes and being snapped at by the angry operator who had to help me dial the number I passed out at 2am, only to get up at 6am. I showered and prayed, extremely stressed! and drove my car to Kaitlyns to park it during my time in Bolivia. I then hitched a ride with Chris, who was extremely sweet to offer me a ride, and seemed super cool. We had a great convo in the airport and I feel like we will definately bond this week! It was awesome to be at the airport AGAIN and I wished mercedes and Rachel were there to people watch and commentate with me. It was crazy what happened next. Everyone on the trip arrived at the airport and things got hectic immediately. I instantly noticed ( I noticed a tad at the packing meeting but didnt think much of it) that nearly everyone on the team is a take charge, leader, type A personality. Im not sure what this means for the trip but it has definately risen my stress level. I am used to quiet, go with it, laid back travel and I already know this trip will be anything but. Lord please help me not to sweat the small stuff. Help me to calm my frustrations and annoyance and learn from everyone, and accept everyone as they are. I just want to love them and for us all to grow together. I know they each have things to offer me, as I have things to offer them. Please open our hearts Lord, and calm my shakes and nerves. I need to know what I can do better in these situations. You are ALL I need.

     We headed from Charlotte to Ft. Lauderdale. We waited for a train, and a tropical storm came out of nowhere. So we are under an underpass wiating on the train and rain is coming in on us and our luggage, were soaked, and then we witness an arrest at gunpoint.  Two kids on bicycles were taken down to the ground with a gun and the officer was cursing and yelling at them! I was shocked and for some reason I kept inching closer because I felt like something wrong was happening, they were just kids and he was threatening to put bullets in their brains! It was all happening about 5feet away from me and it was very startling. It was so unreal. Rumors circulated among the team that the kids had stolen a weapon. Being arrested is not fun. Lord I pray for those boys and for those officers.

     We took the train to Miami,(first train trip! nothing like Harry PotteR) then grabbed a bus to the Miami Airport. I think another reason Ive been stressed is Im used to traveling with one bookbag.  But for this trip I have my bookbag, a small purse/bag, and a massive luggage. Its wonderful we get to bring so many school supplies and uniforms to the boys. But it was so hard to get all the bags on these trains, buses and planes! I left my bookbag on the bus, the bookbag had all my clothing in it for the trip. I was surprised at how quickly everyone prayed for me and helped me out. They were searching buses in the storm with me and Jeanine and Terry were very patient and sweet to me which is what I need in stressful situations.  I am really interested in their dynamics as a couple. I find them intriguing. We found my bookbag still on the bus, I had left it in confusion trying to get all the massive supplies luggage off the bus.

     It was nice to eat with the team in Miami, despite being stuck at the kids table(come on Im 24) and I was glad to meet our team member Adam, from Connecticut. The flight from Miami to Santa Cruz took FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRR (6hours? I honestly dont remember it felt like a WEEK). Do you ever notice how when you travel in groups everyone always trys to make sure you have people you know or people you are with to sit by? I always secretly pray to sit with strangers. Most of the time they dont talk to me, and I can read and journal and pray and meditate without interuption or having to explain myself. You know how when you know someone you have to explain half of what you do for whatever reason.... But I do enjoy my silence. And everytime I have ended up in conversation with a stranger on a bus, train or plane, I have loved the conversation and made a new friend. Strangers are not to be avoided in these cases, they are to be embraced. Other than the time I passed out last year coming back from Mexico and woke up with my hand on my neighbors thigh.

     Today was car, car, truck, plane, bus, train, bus, plane, and now a bus, one more plane and one more bus and I will get to see those beautiful boys again!!!!!!! : ) YAY!!! I want to make the most of this trip. And never stop thanking you for making it happen. Gracias Dios <3 SMB

2011-03-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

"Friends Say Years of Abuse led Woman to Shoot Boyfriend"
http://www.wcnc.com/news/crime/Man-shot-in-the-face-dies-118420859.html

The Domestic Violence Advocacy Council is inviting the public to march on the Square in Uptown Charlotte in response to the most recent domestic violence related homicide in Mecklenburg County.

Traci Annette Bell, 24, was charged in the death of Andrew Alan Nichols, who was shot in the face. Police found his body in the yard of a house at Morningside and Mack streets, off Mount Holly Road. Bell is being held without bond in the Mecklenburg County jail.

The victim, Nichols, had pleaded guilty three months ago to assaulting Bell and was placed on probation. He also had a conviction for domestic battery in Florida.
The march is intended to broaden the public’s awareness that help is available, including programs and services offering safety planning. This is not a memorial.

When: 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 2011
Where: On the Square at Trade and Tryon streets, Charlotte, N.C.
Free parking is available at the Hal Marshall County Services Center, 700 N. Tryon St. A free trolley runs the length of Tryon Street every seven minutes and from the Government offices on 4th St.

This is the first Mecklenburg County domestic violence-related homicide of 2011. Last year there were a total of nine people killed at the hands of their intimate partner or due to domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Advocacy Council organizes awareness marches the Thursday following the determination that a death in Mecklenburg County was due to domestic violence. The council includes: victim advocates, child advocates, housing advocates, mental health professionals, police, prosecutors, courts, substance abuse providers, education professionals, medical professionals, batterers' intervention programs, shelters, animal control, legislators, colleges, local companies, local churches, survivors, and interested community members.

For more information on the effects of domestic violence in our community, call Mecklenburg County’s Community Support Services Women’s Commission at 704-336-3210 or the Shelter for Battered Women’s 24-hour hotline at 704-332-2513.
For more information on the Domestic Violence Advocacy Council, visit their web site at www.DVACCharlotte.com.

I think I have a lot of people to pray for.

Dr. Seuss for Life.

2011-03-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

In my world, everyone's a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!

I meant what I said and I said what I meant.

A person's a person, no matter how small.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own.
And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.

I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues.

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.

Words and pictures are yin and yang. Married, they produce a progeny more interesting than either parent

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way

Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.

All alone!
Whether you like it or not,
alone is something you'll
be quite a lot

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?

You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.

And the turtles, of course... All the turtles are free- As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.

Side Note: I dressed as the cat in the hat for Halloween one year. Gah I wish I had a picture!

A Revolutionary Way

2011-02-09T08:16:00.001-08:00

Thomas Kelly

I am talking about a revolutionary way of living. Religion isn't something to be added to our other duties, and thus make our lives more complex. The life with God is the center of life, and all else is remodeled and integrated by it. It gives singleness of eye. The most important thing is not to be perpetually passing out cups of cold water to a thirsty world. We can get so fearlessly busy trying to carry out the second commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," that we are undeveloped in our devoted life to God as well as neighbor.
Source: A Testament of Devotion
Add your thoughts at inward/outward

Our Visions Begin With Our Desires. Audre Lorde

2011-02-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. ~Ralph Nader

Back To Life: A Womans Brave Story
[A womans personal story of suriving fistula in Kenya]
"Why should another woman continue to suffer as I suffered when the world has both the ability and the resources to end such heartache and pain?"
http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/back-to-life-my-journey-from-suffering/

<3

Stop Glenn Beck's dangerous attacks on Frances Fox Piven.

"Glenn Beck has taken aim at one of our nation's most beloved and honorable advocates: Frances Fox Piven. Piven, 78, a respected professor of sociology, fought for the rights of the poor and encouraged voter registration in poor communities.

Glenn Beck's lies about this woman -- that she advocates violence -- have ironically resulted in threats on her life. "

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/557/671/232/?z00m=19936670

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." ~Christopher Reeve

NC Moms advocate for protection of essential childrens programs in this tough budget year

"On the morning of February 23, MomsRising members and our kids will board a trolley to the General Assembly wearing engineers’ caps and bearing messages from NC parents reminding our state legislators that “we think they can” find a way to protect essential children’s programs even in this tough budget year.

We want you to join us on board the NC Little Engine that Could for Kids! It's a fun, free event than will make a big difference for families in North Carolina."-MomsRising

http://action.momsrising.org/signup/NC_2011_Train_Kickoff/?akid=2529.688215.BxmeBk&rd=1&t=1

Should Ohio mom be jailed for putting her kids in a better school? Falsifying Records=Jail Time.

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/should-ohio-mom-be-jailed-for-putting-kids-in-a-safer-school/question-1476483/?link=ibaf&imgurl=http://images.sodahead.com/polls/0/0/1/4/7/4/1/9/6/Kelly-Williams-Bolar-36092302870.jpeg&q=kelly%2Bwilliams%2Bbolar
What do you guys think?

If you disagree with what happened, sign this petition below.
MomsRising: collecting signatures for mother charged with felony!

"A mom in Ohio, was charged with a felony and actually went to jail for sending her kids to a public school near where her father lives, which was out of her home school district. Moms Rising and Color of Change are working on collecting 75,000 signatures on a petition to the Governor of Ohio asking him to change this extreme punishment. *Help them reach the goal of 75,000 signatures today! Take a moment to sign on: http://action.momsrising.org/go/642?akid=2521.250509.3L6fxT&t=5&akid=2531.688215.6LO_ux&t=2
Ohio mom, Kelley Williams-Bolar, was jailed for sending her daughters to a better school. Real justice requires that the punishment fit the crime. By any measure, this is cruelly unjust. Tell the Ohio Governor to right this wrong. Speak up for Kelley today! "

Eleven Women Murdered in the New Mexico Desert and No One Spoke Out

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2011/02/02/eleven-women-murdered-arizona-desert-spoke?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rhrealitycheck+%28RHRealityCheck.org%29

New USDA Guidelines Praise Vegetarian Diets

The federal government has issued new dietary guidelines that highlight the health benefits of a plant-based diet. "Vegetarian-style eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes -- lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower total mortality. Several clinical trials have documented that vegetarian eating patterns lower blood pressure."

http://www.care2.com/causes/real-food/blog/new-usda-guidelines-praise-vegetarian-diets/

Nevada Comes In Last For Children's Health Care

According to a story published by the Las Vegas Review Journal, "Nevada ranked 48th in access, dead last in prevention and 43rd in potential to living healthy lives in the future."

http://www.care2.com/causes/health-policy/blog/nevada-ranks-last-for-childrens-health-care/

THE VERY LEAST YOU CAN DO IN YOUR LIFE IS FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU HOPE FOR.

AND THE MOST YOU CAN DO IS LIVE INSIDE THAT HOPE. ~Barbara Kingsolver

Human Trafficking Awareness Day Today, 1/1/11!

2011-01-11T12:01:00.001-08:00

http://sctnow.org/

Descanse en Paz Zahra

2010-11-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

The Zahra Baker Case

How is this possible? 1) How could anyone do such a horrible thing to such a beautiful little one? 2) How could this have been prevented, why do these things even happen? 3) Hello? Justice?? Where are you?

We are most definately failing as a society. What kind of world are we living in? where:

797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.

203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.

58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.

115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.)

-Us Department of Justice

Thats like a child and a half per minute. AND THIS IS ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES.

Unfreakingbelievable.

This blows my mind. What kind of people are we? What kind of society are we? What do each of us individually do every day, in our daily life, to prevent these sorts of things from happening, to bring safety to our gifts from God, to our FUTURE, what do we each do to preserve and nurture our children, and to fight against those who do not? Are we all mentally ill? Is there any sanity left in the world? We have children like Zahra being dismembered by possibly her own guardians, the main people there to protect and love her, to secure her safety, and to ensure her growth. She was disabled in multiple ways. Yet she was kept locked in her room all day and only allowed out to eat for 5 minutes at a time. So many individuals have spoke up after her death Isnt each and every one of us obligated to speak up for anyone being abused or oppressed? No matter who they are, who wont listen, who we are in relation to the victim, regardless, isnt this a human responsibility? Are each of us failing as humans? Is our society this flawed, skewed, destroyed??

The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.
- Dante Alighieri

"Protest that endures...is moved by a hope far more modest than that of public success: namely, the hope of preserving qualities in one's own heart and spirit that would be destroyed by acquiescence."
- Wendell Berry

"When I tell the truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do."
- William Blake

"Not the faults of others, nor what others have done or left undone, but one's own deeds, done and left undone, should one consider."
- Buddha

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.
- Edmund Burke

In such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of thinking people, not to be on the side of the executioners.
- Albert Camus

Men do less than they ought, unless they do all that they can.
- Thomas Carlyle

We cloak ourselves in cold indifference to the unnecessary suffering of others – even when we cause it.
- James Carroll

To the wrongs that need resistance, To the right that needs assistance, To the future in the distance, Give yourselves.
- Carrie Chapman Catt

"My generation's apathy. I'm disgusted with it. I'm disgusted with my own apathy too, for being spineless and not always standing up against racism, sexism and all those other -isms the counterculture has been whinning about for years."
- Kurt Cobain

"Philosophy should always know that indifference is a militant thing. It batters down the walls of cities and murders the women and children amid the flames and the purloining of altar vessels. When it goes away it leaves smoking ruins, where lie citizens bayonetted through the throat. It is not a children's pastime like mere highway robbery."

- Stephen Crane

He who allows oppression, shares the crime.

- Erasmus Darwin

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing...
- Albert Einstein

"But this is slavery, not to speak one's thought."
- Euripides

What shall we say when history asks how such crimes came to be committed in the name of America? Will we say that we stood silently by, shrugging our shoulders, filling our bellies, closing our eyes? Or will we be able to say: We saw. We dissented. We resisted. We condemned.

- Chris Floyd

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do.

- Edward Everett Hale

Live truth instead of professing it.
- Elbert Hubbard

A man does what he must – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers – and this is the basis of all human morality.

- John F. Kennedy

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.

- Samuel Adams

How long until justice is achieved? Is there even true justice in this situation? Whether they are convicted of her murder or not, whether her killer is found and charged, She. Is. Still. Dead. She still had to live the life she lived. She was still abused and maltreated. She was still a beautiful angel from God, a member of the future, whose time clock was smashed brutally for absolutely no legitimate reason. This tragic atrocity seriously reminds me of how blessed I am. And how compassionate I am and strive to be. It pulls at my heart and it thrusts it out of my chest and slaps it on the table in front of me and screams "You have a heart!! You are a human being for Christ's Sake! This bothers you because IT. IS. NOT. RIGHT. Do something about it! NOW!"

"And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said" Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:2-6

"SEE THAT YOU DO NOT DESPISE ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES. FOR I TELL YOU IN HEAVEN THEIR ANGELS ALWAYS SEE THE FACE OF MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN." MATTHEW 18:10

Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of the colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change. Each time a person stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, (s)he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
- Robert F. Kennedy

The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people.

- Frank Kent

A time comes when silence is betrayal.

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cowardice asks the question: is it safe? Expediency asks the question: is it politic? Vanity asks the question: is it popular? But conscience asks the question: is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular- but one must take it simply because it is right.

- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

The great only appear great because we are on our knees. Let us rise.
- James Larkin [Statue on O'Connell Street, Dublin, Ireland]

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.
- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th U.S. president

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead

A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.
- Edward R. Murrow

First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up, because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.
- Pastor Martin Neimoller, Concentration camp Survivor

What is the great Amercican sin? Extravagance? Vice? Graft? No; it is a kind of half-humorous, good-natured indifference, a lack of "concentrated indignation" as my English friend calls it, which allows extravagance and vice to flourish. Trace most of our ills to their source, and it is found that they exist by virtue of an easy-going, fatalistic indifference which dislikes to have its comfort disturbed... The most shameless greed, the most sickening industrial atrocities, the most appalling public scandals are exposed, but a half-cynical and wholly indifferent public passes them by with hardly a shrug of the shoulders; and they are lost in the medley of events. This is the great American sin.
- Joseph Fort Newman

Individuals have international duties which transcend the national obligations of obedience. Therefore [individual citizens] have the duty to violate domestic laws to prevent crimes against peace and humanity from occurring.
- Nuremberg War Crime Tribunal, 1950

If large numbers of people believe in freedom of speech, there will be freedom of speech even if the law forbids it. But if public opinion is sluggish, inconvenient minorities will be persecuted, even if laws exist to protect them.

- George Orwell [Eric Arthur Blair] (1903-1950), British author

The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity.
- George Bernard Shaw

The only kinds of fights worth fighting are those you are going to lose, because somebody has to fight them and lose and lose and lose until someday, somebody who believes as you do wins. In order for somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing – for the sheer fun and joy of it – to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose. You mustn't feel like a martyr. You've got to enjoy it.
- I.F. Stone, now-deceased muckraker who exposed corruption at the highest levels of government during his lifetime [Daily Dig]

Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand.
- Bodie Thoene

It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.
- Mark Twain

Stephanie Mauvlyn Braun

Like Arrows in the Hand of a Warrior are the Children of one's Youth. Blessed is the Man Who Fills his Quiver with Them!

2010-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

There are more than 870,000 cases of abuse documented each year.
More than 1,250 children will DIE each year as the direct result of identifiable abuse and neglect.
The majority of child abuse and neglect deaths are children UNDER 5YEARS OLD.
Nine out of Ten abusers are the child's own parents/guardians.
One out of Four girls and One out of Five to Seven boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18.
Between 80% and 90% of our prison population reports being victims of abuse.

~Child Abuse is an act of Comission.

~Child Neglect is an act of Omission.

BEHOLD, CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD, THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB A REWARD. LIKE ARROWS IN THE HAND OF A WARRIOR ARE THE CHILDREN OF ONES YOUTH. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO FILLS HIS QUIVER WITH THEM! HE SHALL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME WHEN HE SPEAKS WITH HIS ENEMIES IN THE GATE. [PSALM127:3-5] ☺