Two woman, both pregnant, who have never met, loose their husbands on Sept 11th, 2001.
This documentary follows Pattie Quigley and Susan Retik as they meet and together try to move beyond hatred and find hope in tragedy. Together they reach out to women in Afghanistan who have been widowed by the violence there. This film is both heart wrenching and inspiring as you watch these women journey through their grief, struggle with loneliness, riding their bicycles from ground zero to their home in Boston and eventually find gratitude and meaning as they travel across the world to meet their counterparts in Afghanistan.
Click here to learn more about their organization, Beyond The 11th.
Showing posts with label come build Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label come build Hope. Show all posts
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Double Dippin' Sunday
Today was double dippin' Sunday.
I have been off on my weekend Eliz-adventures and it seems like ages since I have been in town on a Sunday. It was good to be back home at LJCC today.
The theme of this morning's service was humility. There is nothing more humbling than to be reminded that a mere 45 minutes from where I live in affluence, there are people struggling day to day in abject poverty. Building a home is such a small drop of help in an ocean of need.
I arrived at church this morning as the following song was being sung.
Gloria (selected lyrics)
by Paul Colman
We all walk the same earth
We all breathe the same air
We all feel the same rain that falls
We all have the same heart
Beneath our skin the same blood
Flowing from our maker's hand
All God's children, all God's children
Sing Gloria, sing Gloria
All creation, come before Him
Sing Gloria, sing Gloria
After church I took what I thought would be a 15 minute power nap. Wow, I was out cold for 5 hours! Fortunately, I woke up just in time to scoot up the freeway and catch the Come Build Hope celebration service at SBPC .
Out on the patio was a wall filled with our build team pictures and several family biographies. It was fun to meet up with several members from my team, stand in front of the wall, and share our memories of the weekend.
Our trip celebration and highlight video. Enjoy!
Slowly, our online photo album is being built out here.
I have been off on my weekend Eliz-adventures and it seems like ages since I have been in town on a Sunday. It was good to be back home at LJCC today.
The theme of this morning's service was humility. There is nothing more humbling than to be reminded that a mere 45 minutes from where I live in affluence, there are people struggling day to day in abject poverty. Building a home is such a small drop of help in an ocean of need.
I arrived at church this morning as the following song was being sung.
Gloria (selected lyrics)
by Paul Colman
We all walk the same earth
We all breathe the same air
We all feel the same rain that falls
We all have the same heart
Beneath our skin the same blood
Flowing from our maker's hand
All God's children, all God's children
Sing Gloria, sing Gloria
All creation, come before Him
Sing Gloria, sing Gloria
After church I took what I thought would be a 15 minute power nap. Wow, I was out cold for 5 hours! Fortunately, I woke up just in time to scoot up the freeway and catch the Come Build Hope celebration service at SBPC .
Out on the patio was a wall filled with our build team pictures and several family biographies. It was fun to meet up with several members from my team, stand in front of the wall, and share our memories of the weekend.
Our trip celebration and highlight video. Enjoy!
Slowly, our online photo album is being built out here.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Two Canadian Peas In A Pod
This year I had the coolest tent-mate ever!
A- came all the way from Surrey, British Columbia. She had planned with a friend to join an Amor trip in February - but when that fell through, they suggested that she join our trip. Now 5 months pregnant, her friend was unable to come, but A- decided to brave the unknown and join our team! Being the locally available Canadian I was dispatched to pick her up from the airport and make the initial connection. We instantly hit it off!! On the way back from the airport we were stuck in Friday rush hour traffic, holiday weekend, raining .. we barely noticed, the trip flew by.
Don't you love it when you meet someone you connect with right away? How fun to share the same perspective and quirky sense of humour! While I was out and about shooting team pictures, A- managed to shoot video snipits of everything I missed - the very memories I would have been snapping pictures of. How amazing it has been to watch and relive the fun.
At night, back in our tent we were surrounded by chatty Kathy's talking, talking, talking -- we smiled enjoying the peaceful silence in our tent ... and drifted off to sleep.
God is good!
A- came all the way from Surrey, British Columbia. She had planned with a friend to join an Amor trip in February - but when that fell through, they suggested that she join our trip. Now 5 months pregnant, her friend was unable to come, but A- decided to brave the unknown and join our team! Being the locally available Canadian I was dispatched to pick her up from the airport and make the initial connection. We instantly hit it off!! On the way back from the airport we were stuck in Friday rush hour traffic, holiday weekend, raining .. we barely noticed, the trip flew by.
Don't you love it when you meet someone you connect with right away? How fun to share the same perspective and quirky sense of humour! While I was out and about shooting team pictures, A- managed to shoot video snipits of everything I missed - the very memories I would have been snapping pictures of. How amazing it has been to watch and relive the fun.
At night, back in our tent we were surrounded by chatty Kathy's talking, talking, talking -- we smiled enjoying the peaceful silence in our tent ... and drifted off to sleep.
God is good!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
C is for Cande, C is for courage
Several folks on our team came without knowing anyone else on the trip. C- had the courage not only to join a team of strangers, but despite speaking only spanish, she joined a team of anglos. Each morning she lead our team and family in a spanish prayer. What an encouragement to start the day with her words of blessing and thanksgiving.
Applying stucco is a physically demanding job. By the time you reach the stucco phase, you are tired and exhausted from two days of hammering and sawing. Cande amazed us all with her determination and strength lifting shovel after shovel of concrete stucco.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
David
Through out the weekend we worked along side our Mexican family. Mom, Dad and the two teenage children were eager participants. This would be their home and they took pride in the work and inspired us to do the same. Angel (Dad) sifted our sand pile three, yes, three times.
The member of the family that stole my heart was little David. He ran around the construction site Saturday morning in his flannel PJs with the feet in them. Later in the day he emerged in street clothes and the most adorable little backpack. David would plunk himself down in the middle of the flurry of activity, smile and soak it all in!
David in the center of things
David helps with the stucco
David and his dog
David's drawings
The member of the family that stole my heart was little David. He ran around the construction site Saturday morning in his flannel PJs with the feet in them. Later in the day he emerged in street clothes and the most adorable little backpack. David would plunk himself down in the middle of the flurry of activity, smile and soak it all in!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Images That Stick With Me
Some random pictures I took of children sitting on the side of the dirt road as I walked by.
This is Carlos looking over the fence at us. It didn't take long until he was standing in the yard with a soccer ball asking us "play now?" His favourite saying is 'you a funky monkey'.
This is Carlos looking over the fence at us. It didn't take long until he was standing in the yard with a soccer ball asking us "play now?" His favourite saying is 'you a funky monkey'.
Monday, May 26, 2008
We Did It!
Two and half days working together with our Mexican family and the neighbourhood kids - and look what we were able to accomplish together!! The fruit of our labour is this beautiful two room casa. Check out the smoooooth stucco job. This is our third year building homes over Memorial Day Weekend. This year Steve perfected the art of stucco -- I am sure I could see my face reflected in the glassy smooth finish.
Click on Picture to Enlarge
Our casa is built completely by hand - no power tools ... just hammers, saws, nails and stucco made from sand we sifted ourselves.
It is a blessing to know that our family will keep dry when it rains and warm in the winter. Our small contribution to building hope in the midst of overwhelming poverty.
Here I am home safe and sound and catching up with the Pickster. Next order of business it to get out of my work clothes and enjoy my first shower in three days. I am feeling thankful beyond words for the many blessings of home.
So many stories to tell - but first some rest.
¡Mañana!
Our casa is built completely by hand - no power tools ... just hammers, saws, nails and stucco made from sand we sifted ourselves.
It is a blessing to know that our family will keep dry when it rains and warm in the winter. Our small contribution to building hope in the midst of overwhelming poverty.
Here I am home safe and sound and catching up with the Pickster. Next order of business it to get out of my work clothes and enjoy my first shower in three days. I am feeling thankful beyond words for the many blessings of home.
So many stories to tell - but first some rest.
¡Mañana!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Building Hope - Looking Back
Today is day two of this year's Come Build Hope trip -- and the blog is on auto-pilot!
Below is a video of the highlights of last year's trip.
Below is a video of the highlights of last year's trip.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Where is Maclovio Roja?
The blog is on auto-pilot for a few days.
I am on my annual Come Build Hope trip to Mexico. This year I am in the community of Maclovio Roja building homes.
Click here to read a recent article in the local newspaper about the Mexican Community I am serving in this weekend.
I am on my annual Come Build Hope trip to Mexico. This year I am in the community of Maclovio Roja building homes.
Click here to read a recent article in the local newspaper about the Mexican Community I am serving in this weekend.
Friday, May 23, 2008
We Are Off
Well we are off to Mexico for the long weekend to build homes.
I snapped a few photos of us loading up this afternoon - but my memory card got corrupt ... so they are lost forever.
The last few days have been busy busy busy with all the last minute details.
This afternoon I scooted down to the airport to pick up a participant flying in from Canada. It was rush hour, Friday of a long weekend and raining. Not exactly the ideal time to be on the freeway in Southern California. As always, things have a way of working out. We had fun getting to know each other and there is this instant connection when you meet someone from your home country after being away for a while. There is something comforting about hearing the word -eh!
A final e-mail went out yesterday with a flurry of last minute information. Thought I would share some of them here.
God is good: By the numbers:
Temperatures: Ideal for casa building. Partly cloudy skies. No rain.
Temperatures about 68-84 F. May be cooler at night.
Building Relationships: At our May 12 Mega Meeting, Amy and Juan-Daniel clearly defined our # 1 objective... to build relationships with those we serve. This is a "gift" we all can give.
Building Casas: We are committed to completing as many of the casas as possible in 2008. This is the "gift" that Amor and the local pastors have promised the families we serve. A completed casa!
Time Management: As much as we try, we do not control time and space in Mexico. Stuff happens. There will be surprises. Having said that, we are going to do everything possible to stay on the schedule that we have defined and provide maximum site time for relationship building and casa completion.
Buses: 10 large buses to Baja. 11 factory buses in Baja.
Minor Registration List: We have about 120 participants 17 and under. All are listed on a notarized "Minors List." All Trip Leaders will have a copy.
Border Crossing: The bus passenger list has been sent to the Department of Homeland Security for pre-clearance return on Monday afternoon. Hopefully the border crossing on Monday's return will be as convenient as last year. Patience please. The rules keep changing.
Medical Services: We have three well trained medical service providers and two RVs that will be deployed in the build area as "clinics" if required.
House Warming Gift Package: Like last year, these "kits" will be distributed to the trip Leaders on Monday morning for the casa dedication about noon on Monday.
Bathrooms and Porta Potties:
This year we will have 12 Ecosan porta potties placed throughout the build sites (Yeah!)
RVs: We have three RVs. One will remain at the camp site and used as the Come Build Hope HQ. Two will be deployed in and around the build sites. During the day, they will be "clinics" in case of medical emergency.
Safety: Safety.! Safety! Safety! Think safe. Work safe. Be safe. Drink lots of clean water. Sun protection! Know where your team members are! Safety!Safety! Safety!
Attitude: Remember, it's all about attitude. All the participants (many have never been on a build trip and many have never been to Mexico) will model their behavior on the behavior they see in their leaders. Let's be positive. Let's smile through the unexpected surprises. Let's be flexible. Let's be patient.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127).
Thousands of hours have been spent by hundreds of different individuals who volunteering their time and their talent to serve.
Just watch us Come Build Hope in 2008.
I snapped a few photos of us loading up this afternoon - but my memory card got corrupt ... so they are lost forever.
The last few days have been busy busy busy with all the last minute details.
This afternoon I scooted down to the airport to pick up a participant flying in from Canada. It was rush hour, Friday of a long weekend and raining. Not exactly the ideal time to be on the freeway in Southern California. As always, things have a way of working out. We had fun getting to know each other and there is this instant connection when you meet someone from your home country after being away for a while. There is something comforting about hearing the word -eh!
A final e-mail went out yesterday with a flurry of last minute information. Thought I would share some of them here.
God is good: By the numbers:
- 380 participants
- 23 casas built and families served
- Over 1/3 of our group is 17 and under
- 10 buses, 2 vans, 2 luggage trucks and 3 RVs.
- Three other "church partners" joining us
- People from Ireland, Canada (2), New York and Colorado (11) joining
us - Three medical services staff
- 175 tents
- 4 Amor Staff
- Over 2,500 meals
- 1,567 s'mores
Temperatures: Ideal for casa building. Partly cloudy skies. No rain.
Temperatures about 68-84 F. May be cooler at night.
Building Relationships: At our May 12 Mega Meeting, Amy and Juan-Daniel clearly defined our # 1 objective... to build relationships with those we serve. This is a "gift" we all can give.
Building Casas: We are committed to completing as many of the casas as possible in 2008. This is the "gift" that Amor and the local pastors have promised the families we serve. A completed casa!
Time Management: As much as we try, we do not control time and space in Mexico. Stuff happens. There will be surprises. Having said that, we are going to do everything possible to stay on the schedule that we have defined and provide maximum site time for relationship building and casa completion.
Buses: 10 large buses to Baja. 11 factory buses in Baja.
Minor Registration List: We have about 120 participants 17 and under. All are listed on a notarized "Minors List." All Trip Leaders will have a copy.
Border Crossing: The bus passenger list has been sent to the Department of Homeland Security for pre-clearance return on Monday afternoon. Hopefully the border crossing on Monday's return will be as convenient as last year. Patience please. The rules keep changing.
Medical Services: We have three well trained medical service providers and two RVs that will be deployed in the build area as "clinics" if required.
House Warming Gift Package: Like last year, these "kits" will be distributed to the trip Leaders on Monday morning for the casa dedication about noon on Monday.
Bathrooms and Porta Potties:
This year we will have 12 Ecosan porta potties placed throughout the build sites (Yeah!)
RVs: We have three RVs. One will remain at the camp site and used as the Come Build Hope HQ. Two will be deployed in and around the build sites. During the day, they will be "clinics" in case of medical emergency.
Safety: Safety.! Safety! Safety! Think safe. Work safe. Be safe. Drink lots of clean water. Sun protection! Know where your team members are! Safety!Safety! Safety!
Attitude: Remember, it's all about attitude. All the participants (many have never been on a build trip and many have never been to Mexico) will model their behavior on the behavior they see in their leaders. Let's be positive. Let's smile through the unexpected surprises. Let's be flexible. Let's be patient.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127).
Thousands of hours have been spent by hundreds of different individuals who volunteering their time and their talent to serve.
Just watch us Come Build Hope in 2008.
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