So, I know I said that I haven't found any quotes lately, but I just checked my email and my dad sent me a devotional with an amazing quote that I'd like to share with all of you.
"I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God."
Max Lucado
That brings another amazing quote to mind, "A person's a person, no matter how small."
Horton Hears a Who (Dr. Seuss)
Spread the love everyone!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Long Time No See
Yes,I know. I have been slacking on my blogging. Unfortunately, this is the time of year when my life gets kicked into overdrive and I barely have time to sleep let alone keep up with my blog. I've actually never really been any good at keeping a daily journal or log of events. For some reason I feel like there's too much pressure in trying to find the most important things to mention from the day.
Anyway, as usual, I digress from my point. I also haven't really been able to find any motivational readings or quotes since most of my time revolves around reading the required texts for school and such, but don't loose all hope just yet. In fact, just yesterday I borrowed a book from the school library entitled: Blood of Brothers (Life and War in Nicaragua) by Stephen Kinzer. As you already know (or at least I sincerely hope that you do) I have been accepted to go on an amazing service learning delegation to Nicaragua through Montclair State University and Witness For Peace. Part of the process of preparing for the visit is to not only raise the funds through community involvement, but to also become emotionally and mentally prepared. A past delegation member has highly recommended this book to all of us current members in an effort to help us understand what to expect and sort of a guide on how to approach this wonderful educational opportunity. I already know that this experience will profoundly change my life, but I'm not sure I fully realize to what extent and in what areas I will be effected.
I think this book will really open my eyes to a whole new realm of Nicaragua and America. On the back of the book there are the usual positive reviews from several media sources. The last one really caught my attention. It read, "Reads like a cloak-and-dagger thriller...A very timely warning of what can happen when America abuses its power" said by Jim Miller in Newsweek. That statement really intrigued me and made me start to wonder how often do we abuse the power that we have in our own lives? Power is a double edged sword. Although it can be used in positive ways, more often it is abused and used to somebody's advantage over somebody else. I think Abraham Lincoln sums it up the best, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." I hope you understand the message he's trying to convey here, because it's one of the most important ones to learn.
Anyway, as usual, I digress from my point. I also haven't really been able to find any motivational readings or quotes since most of my time revolves around reading the required texts for school and such, but don't loose all hope just yet. In fact, just yesterday I borrowed a book from the school library entitled: Blood of Brothers (Life and War in Nicaragua) by Stephen Kinzer. As you already know (or at least I sincerely hope that you do) I have been accepted to go on an amazing service learning delegation to Nicaragua through Montclair State University and Witness For Peace. Part of the process of preparing for the visit is to not only raise the funds through community involvement, but to also become emotionally and mentally prepared. A past delegation member has highly recommended this book to all of us current members in an effort to help us understand what to expect and sort of a guide on how to approach this wonderful educational opportunity. I already know that this experience will profoundly change my life, but I'm not sure I fully realize to what extent and in what areas I will be effected.
I think this book will really open my eyes to a whole new realm of Nicaragua and America. On the back of the book there are the usual positive reviews from several media sources. The last one really caught my attention. It read, "Reads like a cloak-and-dagger thriller...A very timely warning of what can happen when America abuses its power" said by Jim Miller in Newsweek. That statement really intrigued me and made me start to wonder how often do we abuse the power that we have in our own lives? Power is a double edged sword. Although it can be used in positive ways, more often it is abused and used to somebody's advantage over somebody else. I think Abraham Lincoln sums it up the best, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." I hope you understand the message he's trying to convey here, because it's one of the most important ones to learn.
Monday, September 6, 2010
PROJECT AK-47
Today, I'd like to introduce all of you to an organization that I was immediately drawn to. While at a music festival called Revelation Generation in Frenchtown, NJ I noticed a table setup entitled: Project AK-47. Immediately the name caught my attention and interest, because I was pretty sure that was a name of a gun and it seemed pretty out of place at a Christian venue. So, naturally I got curious and wanted to know more about this mystery table setup, so I approached the table with an open mind. When I arrived I was seriously blown away by what I found. This organization fights against (as their flyer states)"one of the cruelest forms of modern-day slavery: the exploitation of children as soldiers. We rescue and defend these children where few (if any) organizations are involved: the war zones of Southeast Asia and Latin America." I never really realized what a vast global issue child soldiers were before! Their slogan " A kid or killer" really impacted me a lot, because what a terrible life that must be for those children that had no choice, but to accept this terrible life that was chosen for them. Many of these children are orphans that were stolen, raped, striped of their clothes, names, and all of their human dignity. They are given numbers instead of names, military training, and mostly likley AK-47's to use in combat. Project AK-47's mission sounds so simple, to rescue and rehabilitate child soldiers, but the reality is much more complicated. Their professional staff negotiatates and bargains for the release of child soldiers, which are then treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. After they are diplomatically rescued the children are immediately rehabilitated both physically and mentally. Then once they are ready they are reintergrated into their local communities. They don't remove them from their countries, because they believe that these children need to rise up to set an example for the next generation that there is hope and a real chance for lasting changes!
I STRONGLY urge all of you to muscle up the strength to not just visit their website, but to acutally make an effort to take actions to stand up against this kind of pure evil that lurks in all the dark corners of the world. These children don't deserve to be where they are and they don't deserve to be ignored, by people who can help them. Please do your part! Here's a link to their "Get Involved" page.
http://www.projectak47.com/getinvolved.aspx#divtab1
There's plenty of options. I personally bought a dogtag, so that I could use it to jump start conversations about the project. I also thought it would be a great physical reminder to remember to pray for these children. I definitely plan on becoming further involved in this organization by make more donations and perhaps having some type of fundraising event on their behalf. I hope that you become as enraged and empowered as I have become and that you will stand beside me and "fight" such worldly injustices that thwart every human's right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happniess!" Thanks for your time and God bless.
PS: I just wanted to mention what a blessing it was to see so many various social outreach efforts that were infecting all different types of people in need in varous parts of the world! People are out there making a difference whether you believe it or not! Don't just sit around dreaming. Be a part of the change that you want to see!!!
I STRONGLY urge all of you to muscle up the strength to not just visit their website, but to acutally make an effort to take actions to stand up against this kind of pure evil that lurks in all the dark corners of the world. These children don't deserve to be where they are and they don't deserve to be ignored, by people who can help them. Please do your part! Here's a link to their "Get Involved" page.
http://www.projectak47.com/getinvolved.aspx#divtab1
There's plenty of options. I personally bought a dogtag, so that I could use it to jump start conversations about the project. I also thought it would be a great physical reminder to remember to pray for these children. I definitely plan on becoming further involved in this organization by make more donations and perhaps having some type of fundraising event on their behalf. I hope that you become as enraged and empowered as I have become and that you will stand beside me and "fight" such worldly injustices that thwart every human's right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happniess!" Thanks for your time and God bless.
PS: I just wanted to mention what a blessing it was to see so many various social outreach efforts that were infecting all different types of people in need in varous parts of the world! People are out there making a difference whether you believe it or not! Don't just sit around dreaming. Be a part of the change that you want to see!!!
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