A Walk With Dad
Wiped.
I need to go on a long walk with Dad.
Vienna
Went for coffee today in a wee place round the corner from my flat that I’d really wanted to try, Vienna. It was lovely…
Still reading Human Traces, really enjoying it. Here’s a wee quote I treasure:
“But, Madame, tell me one thing. Why is it that you need to be reassured? If I was like you I would wake up every day and thank God for everything he has given me. I would not need to be told every day how fortunate I was. I would still remember from the day before!”
(Guillaume, to Sonia, p. 68)
Around The Flat
A few images from around the flat today…
[ View from the window ]
[ Window decorations ]
[ Pretty light ]
[ My favourite reading chair ]
[ My current workspace setup ]
East Africa 08
I think it’s safe to break this news now…
It looks like I’ll be spending next summer in East Africa.
I’m going to be working as a volunteer photographer for a Northern Irish charity called Fields of Life in Uganda for 6 weeks or so. I’ll be based in Uganda, most likely Kampala, and travelling with FOL staff to visit various projects around Uganda, documenting what they do, and connecting with short-term teams they will have out at the time. I will also get the chance to travel into Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya with the staff if any are going while I’m out there.
I’m so excited about this… to watch how God has brought this together… from chatting with a friend who’s been in Uganda with FOL, to a phone call, to a lunch-time meeting… to now I’m going! FOL are involved in a lot of great things: child sponsorship, education, health care, microfinancing, providing clean water…
I’m now trying to find ways to finance this. I need a job. And I need to start fundraising. I’m thinking of selling some prints of my pictures to fundraise (much like Connor did). I also really need to get a few things for the camera (wide angle lens, really good tripod) before I head off, which will incur more expense! If you know any ways for me to earn/get some money for this trip, please let me know!
I’d like to do a bit of travelling at the end of my time in Uganda as well. I’m definately going to spend a few days in Rwanda at least. I’d like to visit Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia while I’m out too. We’ll see…
Excitement!
It’s Not Enough
It’s not enough to have a dream unless I’m willing to pursue it.
It’s not enough to know what’s right unless I’m strong enough to do it.
It’s not enough to join the crowd, to be acknowledged and accepted.
I must be true to my ideals, even if I’m excluded and rejected.
It’s not enough to learn the truth unless I also learn to live it.
It’s not enough to reach for love unless I care enough to give it.
[It’s Not Enough by Jace Chaffin, from the voice ]
The Science Of Sleep
Watched this amazing flim the other night with my flatmate Rosie. It’s written and directed by the same guy who made Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, one of my favourite films. It’s such a superb little quirky film, I loved it. I really like that artsy, thinking kinda film (like Eternal Sunshine, and Punch Drunk Love). There were some genuis quotes, some quite profound as well…
Stephane: Tonight I’ll show you how dreams are prepared, love, friendships, relationships. All those ships.
Stephane: The brain is such an amazing organism, and it sits just behind your nose! (Couldn’t quite re
Stéphanie: Everything will turn out the way you want, if you stop doubting that I love you.
Stéphanie: Why me?
Stephane: Because everyone else is boring. And because you are different.
Less Really Is More
You have to read this post by Joshua, “Less Is More”.
Man. I’m so challenged by this. I talk a lot of changing the world. I talk of living simply. I talk of prioritising people and relationships above things. I talk of giving it all away. I talk of laying down my life.
I talk a lot.
And yet there is such a dichotomy between what I say and what I do.
Longbrake challenges me so much. Thank you, Longbrake, for the reminder to live what I say, to pursue integrity.
“I am in the right place. If being in Seattle at Mars Hill means losing all my things then so be it. I have gained more than I have lost. I believe that it is true that less is more. To lose is to gain.”
Romans One
This term I’m studying Paul for one of my university classes, and as we’ll be starting off soon into Romans, I thought I’d take the chance to go back and read it again. Tonight I read Romans 1 (read it here). Some thoughts…
1v1 : We are slaves; we are not our own, we are bought at a price.
1v8 : Is our faith being known worldwide a suitable aim? It should never be the aim, but a result of faithfulness in the everyday choices. Brings with it greater scrutiny, perhaps greater need for accountability.
1v 11 : Is Paul being big-headed? The assumption that he can bring something they cannot get by themselves?
1v19-20 : Does this negate questions of ‘what about those who haven’t heard the gospel?’ Paul seems to be saying that everyone can/does know about God because they can see the created world.
1v25 : Wow, hard hitting. How often I do this.
1v32 : We know what we should do, but we just don’t DO it. There is such a dichotomy between what we say and what we do.
“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”
[ Romans 1:25 ]
Freedom
“Freedom—I want to be free.
I want to hold back the hands that cut, unlock the prison doors, dance in the sun rise and swim in the waves. I want to scream truth louder than the lies, give the hungry, thirsty, homeless and poor everything they need to meet every single need they have and will have. I want to not be crippled by my past and shortcomings. I want to encourage rather than gossip. I want to bring healing. I want to comfort those who mourn. I want to proclaim victory. I want to lead the way to freedom. Where children can laugh and dance and be embraced by their parents. Where the poor are rich and the last are first. Where addictions are weak and chains are broken. Where the only blood that will be shed has shed and cheeks know not the touch of tears. Where hearts are confident in love and community thrives in fellowship. Where slavery is nonexistent. Freedom. Freedom. Freedom.”
[From ‘Hearts Crying Louder Than The Rocks‘ by Stephanie Sandmeyer]
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