Left To Tell

While I was napping today, Leslie dropped off the book she just finished reading, "Left To Tell, Discovering God Admist the Rwandan Holocaust", at my back door (with yummy soup). I just finished reading it. And as I closed the book, I sobbed. I sobbed as I read Immaculee's ending words;

"Rwanda can be a paradise again, but it will take the love of the entire world to heal my homeland. And that's as it should be, for what happened in Rwanda happened to us all-humanity was wounded by the genocide.
The love of a single heart can make a world of difference. I believe that we can heal Rwanda-and our world-by healing one heart at a time.
I hope my story helps."

Immaculee, your story has helped me. Your heart full of love has made a world of difference in my own.

Ingrid

Left to Tell - Discovering God Amidst the Rawandan Holocaust

Finished book number two. The evil that existed in Rwanda during the genocide was horrific, shocking, and gruesome. The more I research and read about Rwanda I've come to believe that it was possibly the worst trespass upon humanity that our world has ever known. The world knew what was happening, but they chose to do nothing. Almost 1,000,000 people in 100 days were hunted, chopped up, and brutally murdered. Immaculee Ilibagiza gives a story that is unforgettable, she paints a vivid picture of her struggle to survive as a Tutsis. She gives a riveting detailed account of how she evaded danger and avoided extermination. The most profound part of this book was her faith in God. If I learned anything from her book, it is to pray always, to be forgiving, and God answers our prayers even at the most horrifying and dreadful times of our lives.

Leslie

Sleep?

Here it is 5:15 in the morning and I can't sleep. My early morning thoughts are with Africa, and my ears, the Goo Goo Dolls. I've been thinking about life and the different paths we choose to take. As I begin this path to Africa, the 721 steps it will take to get there, I have to ask myself, "Why am I choosing it"? I believe the answer is in a book I have recently read, "Three Cups of Tea".
Greg Mortenson, the author of the book, just wanted to build a small school in Korphe, Pakistan. He had no thought of personal gain, no thought of self. In fact, the first chapter in his book is titled, "Failure", but those first few steps of failure led him to excellency; Excellency of life, excellency of character, excellency of soul.
I find it interesting that when losing ourselves in other's lives and serving them, helping them move toward excellency, we find it in ourselves.
True excellency of life is not boastful, it is not something we set out to achieve, we find it in others, as Greg Mortenson did.

"Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson's dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it's proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination really can change the world."
~Tom Brokaw

Being ordinary is not mediocracy. Being ordinary can be excellency. Ordinary people, such as you and I, can help change the world.
Celebrate being ordinary, embrace it, and move forward with character and determination.

Take the challenge, take the step.

Ingrid

www.threecupsoftea.com

Ingrid's images

Lately, I am in the process of setting up a photography business, "Ingrid's images". Over the years I have learned that money does not motivate me as an individual, therefore, I will be using my business as an avenue to help me accomplish my greatest passion; service.

Ingrid

Mbuzi Products

In order for me to get to Africa, I had to find a venue to pay my way. Mbuzi products is it... My idea was to bring awareness of conflict through my products. So I applied for my business license as well as bought my domain names on Saturday. Created an email account... shopped for hosting, and web site development companies. Another step closer to Africa...

Leslie

Talking about world / national issues

On Friday, I had the opportunity to discuss world and national events with a few very intelligent... I must say they are actually very brilliant women... They came over to my house for Tea and Talk. Each woman displayed an immense amount of passion which I found rather contagious. One of these women made such a powerful statement about a movement among women who are being compelled to do more, to offer more help, more love, more understanding, stand up, and to speak out in a collective voice for women throughout this nation and world. This is not a feminist movement, we've been there and done that.. This is a movement(I dont' think I could even call it that) but it's a force of goodness that is driven by divine inspiration, with no intention to gain or obtain anything. It's about nurturing nations and healing and fixing those social, political, and religious divisions that have made progress stagnate in our nation, and other nations throughout the world.

Our meeting started out by discussing current events, we talked about a whole gamete of things, from the Health Care Reform bill, Toyota Recall, Jihad, political candidates, Genetically Modified Foods. Then we started our conversation about a conflict in Africa.. The Nigerian Oil Conflict. This is a tragic and very devastating for those on the Niger Delta. American big oil companies(Shell, Mobile, Exxon, Chevron) were involved, irresponsible, and contributed a great deal to the problem.... Ingrid shared the above photo that just begins to tell the story of corruption, greed, and environmental havoc. It is said that one in every five Africans is a Nigerian, it is the most populated country in Africa. This country gives half of it's oil to U.S. markets. The area where all the oil refineries have been placed is called the Niger Delta, it was a huge carpet of tropical rain forest and mangrove swamps. The effects of the oil industry on the environment are profound. There have been over 7000 oil spills between 1970 and 2000, that's more than one each day. A world Wildlife Fund report said in 2006 that the Niger Delta is one of the most polluted places on the face of the earth. The environmental and public health impact alone would be enough to cause immediate action, but the more underlining social issues caused by this conflict are profound. The saddened reality is the discovery of Nigerian oil contributed to a decline in the standard of living. In 1970's the number of Nigerians subsisting on less than one dollar per day was 36 percent of its population and it grew to 70 percent in 2000. Then, literacy rates are at a low 40%. Access to health care and electricity for most of the population is scarce. Nigerian leadership and government corruption failed it's people. Want to learn more click.....

Leslie

Books, Books, Books, and a Game!!

Mr. Bill gave me some titles of books I should be reading to prepare for our trip. Mr. Bill said that going to a place like Africa, is an experience that everyone needs to have, whether by reading or actually traveling to some place like Africa, it changes your perspective, your heart, and your wisdom. So above you will find what is coming in the mail to read.. I can't believe I've ordered so many books. If you would like to read one, I'll check them out since I can't read them all at once. Also, who is up for game night? I am always in the mood for a little competitive game, I couldn't resist the 10 days to Africa game?

Leslie

Meeting With Mr. Bill

Today I had lunch with my instructor of the War and Peace class I took. I met with another classmate and we had such a great conversation. Mr. Bill has a lot of insight, he really got me thinking. ... He said in order to define my inner feelings and desires with Mothering Africa, one must get to know yourself first - what are your gifts, what are your values, and what are you naturally good at? He said ask a lot of questions, as many as possible. He suggested asking questions such as... Is anyone else doing what you want to do? Who is it and what are the results of their work? Who do you want to be involved? What is the end result of this experience? The deeper the questions you ask, the deeper the response, and the deeper your journey to Africa. He also talked about how ideas are good, but one must put them in tangibles and achievable outcomes or goals. He has opened up his wisdom to many more meetings and said I could email or call him as much as I would like. It's feels good to be supported and mentored.

Leslie

Tonight, I have been researching homelessness and have discovered a tent city in Portland, Oregon, by the name of Dignity Village. While studying documentary photography of Africa, I felt the desire to research our own country and the destitute state so many have found themselves in, these past couple of years. This is how I stumbled across Dignity Village. I will be photographing the "Village" in the next couple of weeks or months, but more importantly, I will help. I refuse to be the photographer who takes photos that emotionally moves people, calling them to action; yet, do nothing myself. How can a photographer expect others to find their hearts, when he, or she, does not have the heart to act upon their own photographic message?
True understanding, not photography, is the messenger of charity. We need to understand human suffering in our own area, to prepare us for the greater suffering of Africa. We need to act with charity, bestowing upon us the knowledge, and understanding, of pure love for humanity. By doing so, we'll find dignity.
Ingrid

Step 4 - Visualization

Before you embark upon any journey one must visualize yourself there!! Today, I visualized with my friends our husbands participating in a tribal dance with lots paint and markings. I know this represents only a small number of indigenous tribes, and probably won't be our experience, but here's one for visualizing.

Another middle of the night awakening!

Last night, at 3:00 in the morning, I had a most engaging conversation with my husband, Dave. You see, I had not told him about Africa, and was unsure of what his response would be toward the humanitarian trip. His response took me back some, he didn't even hestitate in wanting to go. Within the past few months, Dave has been talking with a Doctor who just returned from Africa. Thier family had stayed one year, and LOVED it! Because of his friendship with this Doctor, it seems my husband has already been considering the idea of going on a humanitarian trip.
Step 3, with only 718 steps left to go, was talking with my groggy, sleep-deprived, husband.
Ingrid

Ingrid's Step 1 & 2

Step one was attending photograph class yesterday. You see, for me, this trip to Africa will be not only about "mothering" but I feel it is my personal mission to document our journey of nurturing others. Step two is learning about documentary photography. So, today I have begin by studying other photographer's work. There is a very talented Berlin based photographer by the name of Wim Van der Helm's. If you get a chance, check out his wonderful website at www.documentary.de.

Leslie's nickname is "Spark". I have named her that for a reason. She has the ability to "Spark" individuals into action, in an intelligent, positive manner. She has contagious energy! I feel privileged to have met her, along with my other closest and dearest friends, and know that as women we will stand United in Service!

Step 1 - An Idea Is Born

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with amazing inspiration about the direction your life should be going and what your purpose is? Well, last Saturday night was that moment in time for me. I was simply trying to get some rest when a jolt of answers evaded my somber, and I awoke with a strong current of excitement. I could hardly contain myself and I ran to my computer, and thus gave birth to "the idea" of Africa. At church, I could hardly wait to tell my most beloved and cherished friends about "the idea" and how it could help us all attain our inner desire to serve, love and offer compassion. I sat in the pew behind Ingrid and I whispered to her, "I got inspiration about Africa, last night!!" She was so excited!! She said she would come over on Monday and we could talk. Monday was a collaboration of more ideas. She was on board right away and was able to provide more insight and direction. She was instrumental in connecting me with the right women that could offer assistance to our cause. The idea of the blog belongs to Ingrid. "The Idea" of Africa belongs to all woman, no matter your age, race, religious affiliation, educational background, or economic status. The empathy and heartache we feel as women can be overwhelming when we witness so much poverty, when we see so many emancipated bodies with diseases, and when we hear of so many acts of brutality - against humanity. These images evoke and ignite a powerful emotion within every woman. It's time we did something about it! Let's start mothering Africa, she needs our tender care.
Welcome to our Journey,

Leslie Mohlman