Its Tuesday, and I'm sitting in the FH office here in Kigali listening to helicopters patrol the sky. On the way to work, there was a much heightened presence of military personnel strewn along the streets. President George W. Bush is coming to town today.
A bunch of us Americans here in Kigali are kinda pissed that we won't get to meet him. He won't be here long; he's just cutting the ribbon on the new US Embassy in Kigali, visiting a genocide memorial, and heading out in his Air Force Ones. But the Ambassador could have at least invited us to the Embassy for tea and cookies or something. Part of me wishes I would have camped out at the front door of the embassy, waiting to get a look at him and his wife. But then again, this isn't the premier of Star Wars; its probably one of the most heightened security situations in Rwanda's history, and even though I am from Texas, I just don't have enough vigor to resist or enough smile to charm the secret service today. The best I can hope for is that he makes a detour to the FH office on his way back to the airport.
Either way, here I will be, sitting at my desk, hoping the sound of 'American Pie' can drown out the beating of choppers overhead and reveling in the fact that this is possibly the closest I'll ever be to the president of the United States of America. Who would have thought it'd be halfway around the world in the middle of the poorest continent on earth?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
In Respons to Jason & Jenny's Comment on the Previous Post
Here's the text in question from my last post: "An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale (shoutout to Mongoose) hit on the border of Rwanda and DRC this morning."
The story goes back to Junior High. I, being the incredibly bright and creative child that I was, decided to doodle a couple of characters on my gridded notebook, creating the beginnings of a potentially delightful comic book story. The characters were a dunce cowboy named Arizona Duhaus and his untrusty steed Feenicks. After consulting with my good friend Matt Morgan, we decided that there was needed a nemesis for this Duhaus character, as well as a treasure that they continually vied for and which kept them at odds. And so was born Richter Scale, the arch enemy of Arizona Duhaus, a clever, menacing fellow who would always attempt to steal away Arizona's romantic interest, Pretty Dame. Arizona, being a numbskull though he was, would always somehow outsmart Richter Scale without knowing it. And so the story would go...
After about three minutes of playing around with this concept, I emerged as the embodiment of Arizona Duhaus and Matt became Richter Scale. The names don't really have much symbolism to them, except for Pretty Dame, which is fairly self-explanatory (We labeled Ashley Rojo as Pretty Dame, not because we had a crush on her, but because she was an easy target). After another four minutes, I ran out of material and nothing really ever came of it. But throughout our high school and college years, Matt and I would regularly reminisce about the story line and wonder at its potential to become a legitimate comic strip. Matt was more dedicated to its success than I was, as he actually created a couple of scenarios in comic strip form while sitting in his engineering classes at Lamar.
So every time I hear the term "Richter Scale," I automatically think of that character and Matt's slyness, as I imagine Matt does and perhaps our other friends as well.
So that's where the shoutout comes from. The reason the shoutout went to "Mongoose" is because that is what they used to call Matt on the basketball court, either because he made high-pitched squealing noises when he was fouled or because he was really quick. I can't remember which. Maybe both.
And there is a window into my childhood.
The story goes back to Junior High. I, being the incredibly bright and creative child that I was, decided to doodle a couple of characters on my gridded notebook, creating the beginnings of a potentially delightful comic book story. The characters were a dunce cowboy named Arizona Duhaus and his untrusty steed Feenicks. After consulting with my good friend Matt Morgan, we decided that there was needed a nemesis for this Duhaus character, as well as a treasure that they continually vied for and which kept them at odds. And so was born Richter Scale, the arch enemy of Arizona Duhaus, a clever, menacing fellow who would always attempt to steal away Arizona's romantic interest, Pretty Dame. Arizona, being a numbskull though he was, would always somehow outsmart Richter Scale without knowing it. And so the story would go...
After about three minutes of playing around with this concept, I emerged as the embodiment of Arizona Duhaus and Matt became Richter Scale. The names don't really have much symbolism to them, except for Pretty Dame, which is fairly self-explanatory (We labeled Ashley Rojo as Pretty Dame, not because we had a crush on her, but because she was an easy target). After another four minutes, I ran out of material and nothing really ever came of it. But throughout our high school and college years, Matt and I would regularly reminisce about the story line and wonder at its potential to become a legitimate comic strip. Matt was more dedicated to its success than I was, as he actually created a couple of scenarios in comic strip form while sitting in his engineering classes at Lamar.
So every time I hear the term "Richter Scale," I automatically think of that character and Matt's slyness, as I imagine Matt does and perhaps our other friends as well.
So that's where the shoutout comes from. The reason the shoutout went to "Mongoose" is because that is what they used to call Matt on the basketball court, either because he made high-pitched squealing noises when he was fouled or because he was really quick. I can't remember which. Maybe both.
And there is a window into my childhood.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Pains of Childbirth
"For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now."
-Romans 8:22
An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale (shoutout to Mongoose) hit on the border of Rwanda and DRC this morning. At least 30 people were killed, hundreds more injured, and they are expecting another one between 8pm and 12am (GMT +2) tonight (Sunday, Feb 3). I'm in kigali, which is about 150 miles from the epicenter. I felt it in church this morning, but no buildings collapsed and no one was injured here as far as i know. I am safe (God willing), but the word is that we are urged to not be inside between those hours just in case.
I feel sort of like having an Earthquake Party outside on the lawn, in the same spirit as those who have hurricane parties on the gulf coast, only whereas they are ordered to evacuate and don't, I'd be taking the necessary precautionary measures.
It was my first earthquake to experience, and it was quite surreal. It is a situation where you are left totally at the mercy of the trembling earth below you. I've always wondered what it would be like to experience one. Granted, I was far away from the epicenter, but the feeling of utter helplessness was very present. It was incredibly awe-inspiring and humbling, and it is a very poignant reminder of the earth groaning as in the pangs of childbirth, awaiting the revealing of the sons of God. And tonight I join in, longing for the creation to be set free from its bondage to decay and for us to know the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Oh Lord, haste the day...
-Romans 8:22
An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale (shoutout to Mongoose) hit on the border of Rwanda and DRC this morning. At least 30 people were killed, hundreds more injured, and they are expecting another one between 8pm and 12am (GMT +2) tonight (Sunday, Feb 3). I'm in kigali, which is about 150 miles from the epicenter. I felt it in church this morning, but no buildings collapsed and no one was injured here as far as i know. I am safe (God willing), but the word is that we are urged to not be inside between those hours just in case.
I feel sort of like having an Earthquake Party outside on the lawn, in the same spirit as those who have hurricane parties on the gulf coast, only whereas they are ordered to evacuate and don't, I'd be taking the necessary precautionary measures.
It was my first earthquake to experience, and it was quite surreal. It is a situation where you are left totally at the mercy of the trembling earth below you. I've always wondered what it would be like to experience one. Granted, I was far away from the epicenter, but the feeling of utter helplessness was very present. It was incredibly awe-inspiring and humbling, and it is a very poignant reminder of the earth groaning as in the pangs of childbirth, awaiting the revealing of the sons of God. And tonight I join in, longing for the creation to be set free from its bondage to decay and for us to know the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Oh Lord, haste the day...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Concerning My Job Mostly
My first week back, I mostly just sat at my computer twiddling my thumbs. I was waiting to meet with Dwight (country/regional director) and talk about my job and what initial steps I'd be taking. The meeting happened late in the week and mostly intimidated and confused me. I'm learning hard lessons in being self-initiating, because Dwight doesn't like to hold hands. He's more into casting a vision, throwing out a couple of extra thoughts about how to go about making it a reality, and then letting you loose to flesh it out. I'm not used to it. I'm being forced to brainstorm creatively. It reminds me a lot of FPS (Future Problem Solving) in 4th, 5th and 6th grade, only instead of trying to figure out how to prevent biological waste dumping in Antarctica (my grand idea was to attach bio-waste detectors to the back of Orca (aka killer) whales and have them capsize ships attempting to dump on the South Pole), I'm formulating a regional economic development strategy for Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and DR Congo. Let's hope for the sake of central Africa that this round of brainstorming proves more logical and implementable.
The second week, though, was incredibly busy, and it was exactly what I needed to start seeing my niche and a bit of the process that this next few months will entail. I put together a presentation on ProCom (a local NGO started through FH; more on this later), and I did some cost-analysis for a business proposal bid that we submitted to the government and are now awaiting approval for. The proposal consists of managing a water treatment and distribution system that the World Bank built in the Southern Province of Rwanda. It seems like an incredible opportunity for us and for the Mayaga water district, as it will provide clean water to potentially 120,000 families for less than 3 cents/gallon, and it will provide a source of reliable funding for other development projects. This concept of using profits from business to fund development projects is referred to as "social entrepreneurship," and one that will be a central aspect of our economic development strategy. My job involves identifying and developing potential business opportunities in this region and helping to put in place a mechanism for securing investment funds for the startup of these businesses. The idea is to eventually have a considerable percentage of our project funding coming from the profits of these businesses, which will make our projects more independent and sustainable in the long run. As the means for moving forward, we've started ProCom, who will own these businesses (local NGOs can be the sole proprietor of a business whereas international NGOs cannot) and begin to implement new projects and vie for government contracts that FH-Rwanda would be doing and receiving. It is really a fascinating model for economic development, and I am extremely excited to be a part of the conceptualizing of this strategy. I think that provides a good basic outline of the things I'm involved with right now at work. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll try to answer them as best I can. I'll be posting more on this stuff throughout my time, I'm sure.
It is lunchtime now, and after I eat I'm going to RIEPA (Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency) to look into regional business registration. Should be a hoot.
We move into our new house tomorrow, which is a national holiday in Rwanda, Heroes Day. I think its similar to Memorial Day or Veteran's Day in the States. Maybe I'll put some pics up of the new house layout. Its pretty sweet. There is a gazebo in the backyard that sort of overlooks a nice valley.
The second week, though, was incredibly busy, and it was exactly what I needed to start seeing my niche and a bit of the process that this next few months will entail. I put together a presentation on ProCom (a local NGO started through FH; more on this later), and I did some cost-analysis for a business proposal bid that we submitted to the government and are now awaiting approval for. The proposal consists of managing a water treatment and distribution system that the World Bank built in the Southern Province of Rwanda. It seems like an incredible opportunity for us and for the Mayaga water district, as it will provide clean water to potentially 120,000 families for less than 3 cents/gallon, and it will provide a source of reliable funding for other development projects. This concept of using profits from business to fund development projects is referred to as "social entrepreneurship," and one that will be a central aspect of our economic development strategy. My job involves identifying and developing potential business opportunities in this region and helping to put in place a mechanism for securing investment funds for the startup of these businesses. The idea is to eventually have a considerable percentage of our project funding coming from the profits of these businesses, which will make our projects more independent and sustainable in the long run. As the means for moving forward, we've started ProCom, who will own these businesses (local NGOs can be the sole proprietor of a business whereas international NGOs cannot) and begin to implement new projects and vie for government contracts that FH-Rwanda would be doing and receiving. It is really a fascinating model for economic development, and I am extremely excited to be a part of the conceptualizing of this strategy. I think that provides a good basic outline of the things I'm involved with right now at work. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll try to answer them as best I can. I'll be posting more on this stuff throughout my time, I'm sure.
It is lunchtime now, and after I eat I'm going to RIEPA (Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency) to look into regional business registration. Should be a hoot.
We move into our new house tomorrow, which is a national holiday in Rwanda, Heroes Day. I think its similar to Memorial Day or Veteran's Day in the States. Maybe I'll put some pics up of the new house layout. Its pretty sweet. There is a gazebo in the backyard that sort of overlooks a nice valley.
Scanty Update
I didn't make the flight to Uganda. We purchased our tickets too late, so Becky (former fellow intern, current fellow regional coworker) and I were on standby. When the waiting list was called, there was only one seat available, so they pitted us against one another in some crazy youth group-esque games like walk-around-a-chair-blindfolded-holding-an-egg-on-a-spoon and blow-a-ping-pong-ball-off-your-opponent's-side-of-the-table. After an intense best-of-seven series of this, Becky emerged the winner. She got to board the plane, and I had to walk shamefully back through the metal detector to the outside world.
It was probably for the better. I was hoping to meet with a couple of government agencies in Kampala, but one of my contacts said that I would need at least a week to get anything worthwhile done, simply because of the traffic in the city. And if government agencies in Uganda are anything like in Rwanda, there is absolutely no guarantee of coming out with anything useful once you sit down with someone.
So here I am, still in Kigali, lessened in my productivity a bit, but still trudging along.
More to come...
It was probably for the better. I was hoping to meet with a couple of government agencies in Kampala, but one of my contacts said that I would need at least a week to get anything worthwhile done, simply because of the traffic in the city. And if government agencies in Uganda are anything like in Rwanda, there is absolutely no guarantee of coming out with anything useful once you sit down with someone.
So here I am, still in Kigali, lessened in my productivity a bit, but still trudging along.
More to come...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Still Alive and Kicking
I think I may have just set a personal record for length of time without posting. For that, I apologize. Rest assured, it is not indicative of my indifference to my friends and family back home, but more a result of some really involved work and a lack of internet access outside of the office.
I am flying to Kampala, Uganda this evening to spend the next couple of days investigating potential business opportunities for the up-country.
My job is really interesting and intimidating at the same time, and its been keeping me very busy, which is quite welcome compared to spending the day looking through Facebook albums and perusing National Geographic magazines from the 80s.
More updates to come, but now, I must race to the airport and try to secure a seat on the plane to Kampala. If I miss it, expect a bountiful update in the next couple days, as my schedule will be freed up quite a bit.
I am flying to Kampala, Uganda this evening to spend the next couple of days investigating potential business opportunities for the up-country.
My job is really interesting and intimidating at the same time, and its been keeping me very busy, which is quite welcome compared to spending the day looking through Facebook albums and perusing National Geographic magazines from the 80s.
More updates to come, but now, I must race to the airport and try to secure a seat on the plane to Kampala. If I miss it, expect a bountiful update in the next couple days, as my schedule will be freed up quite a bit.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Rwanda, Round Two
Last night, at around 8:30pm local time, my plane touched down at the Kigali International Airport. I have returned to Rwanda for a nine month stint as an Economic Development Officer with Food for the Hungry- International, Africa Great Lakes Region. This weekend will be very refreshing for my recovery from jet lag, then its back to the office on Monday.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Joy to the World
As we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord, let us proclaim the hope He brings, and let us pray for its consummation:
"No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings known
Far as the Curse is found
Far as the Curse is found
Far as, far as the Curse is found"
-Isaac Watts, 1719
"No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings known
Far as the Curse is found
Far as the Curse is found
Far as, far as the Curse is found"
-Isaac Watts, 1719
Friday, December 7, 2007
Music to My Ears
My friend Kevin Duplechin is getting married on December 29 to Erin Peters of Colleyville, T
X, and I cannot wait to stand by their side as they exchange their sacred vows. They met at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, and they now both live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Kevin teaches middle school math in the Keller I.S.D., and Erin is completing her undergraduate English degree at Dallas Baptist University, where she'll graduate from in May '08. They are a class act, and I'm very excited to see where the Lord takes them as they journey through life as one flesh.
The reason I bring this up is that Erin is an incredible singer/songwriter, and a sample of three songs that she performed live at Logon Cafe in Beaumont, TX are available for a limited time to listen to and download. Act fast, as the songs will be up for a limited time only.
The first one ("Realize") is a Colbie Caillat cover, and the last two are originals. I am personally enthralled with "Righteous" at the moment.
Follow this link:
http://www.logoncafe.net/download/
X, and I cannot wait to stand by their side as they exchange their sacred vows. They met at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, and they now both live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Kevin teaches middle school math in the Keller I.S.D., and Erin is completing her undergraduate English degree at Dallas Baptist University, where she'll graduate from in May '08. They are a class act, and I'm very excited to see where the Lord takes them as they journey through life as one flesh.The reason I bring this up is that Erin is an incredible singer/songwriter, and a sample of three songs that she performed live at Logon Cafe in Beaumont, TX are available for a limited time to listen to and download. Act fast, as the songs will be up for a limited time only.
The first one ("Realize") is a Colbie Caillat cover, and the last two are originals. I am personally enthralled with "Righteous" at the moment.
Follow this link:
http://www.logoncafe.net/download/
Monday, December 3, 2007
Land of a Thousand Avocados
This post, though short, will be very sweet and is dedicated to my friend Amy Ballard, who I think of every time I see or eat an avocado.
A couple hours ago, I stood below the tree in our front yard catching avocados in a box as Xavier, our night guard, dropped them to me from high up in the tree. Avocados sell for about 10 cents a piece in the local market, but today, we laid our hands on 151 for nothing but the cost--nay, the enjoyment--of climbing up in the tree and knocking them down.
A few weeks prior to this escapade, we had another round of avocado harvesting, only then it was me up in the tree. It was a truly exotic experience, and one that you might fantasize about if you were in an equatorial climate. At least I did.
I would promise to shimmy up one last time before I leave to fetch some for the ride home, but I've heard there are some pretty staunch rules against transporting fruit into the US from Africa. I'll do what I can, but if I end up in Guantanamo, they might spoil before I get to
Texas, and there's really nothing I can do about that.
A couple hours ago, I stood below the tree in our front yard catching avocados in a box as Xavier, our night guard, dropped them to me from high up in the tree. Avocados sell for about 10 cents a piece in the local market, but today, we laid our hands on 151 for nothing but the cost--nay, the enjoyment--of climbing up in the tree and knocking them down.
A few weeks prior to this escapade, we had another round of avocado harvesting, only then it was me up in the tree. It was a truly exotic experience, and one that you might fantasize about if you were in an equatorial climate. At least I did.
I would promise to shimmy up one last time before I leave to fetch some for the ride home, but I've heard there are some pretty staunch rules against transporting fruit into the US from Africa. I'll do what I can, but if I end up in Guantanamo, they might spoil before I get to
Texas, and there's really nothing I can do about that.
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