Hermano pequeño

Arabic.
English.
French.
Spanish.
German.
Chinese. 

And he's only 19.

Amr and I became good friends in Jordan.  In fact, I "adopted" him as a Hermano pequeño (little brother).  We discovered that both of us speak Spanish, so just for fun, we would converse occasionally in Spanish.  It was great, he is very good!  Amr speaks 6 languages, fluently.

Amr wants to be a tour guide at some of the great sites in Jordan.  I think he will do even more amazing things than that.  He's a thinker, a friend, and a leader.  And he can rock light blue sunglasses. 

Stache

So amazing. 

Painted by a high schooler in Lebanon.  Apparently, he is a famous Lebanese comedian. 

Double Refugees

What does a refugee "look like"? 

Never assume that you know these things, you'll be surprised.

Wissam and Nasheek have an incredible story.  They are both Iraqi Christians.  Nasheek is Iragi Armenian, born of a long line of Armenins living in Iraq from 100 years ago.  "They are more Iraqi than most Iraqis" she teases.

Wissam is an accomplished pianist, who has studied music at high levels for over 5 years.

And they are double refugees. 

Having fled from Iraq during the most recent war, both of them found refuge in Syria.  They lived in Alepo, Syria for 7 years, registered as refugees in the UN Refugee Services, trying to find a new home.

They met in Alepo, through a church choir.  Nasheek was just 18.  They dated for several years, and got married last July... just one week before the war in Syria began.

They tried to wait it out.  See if things would calm down.  They waited in Alepo for 6 months, but finally, afraid for their safety, they fled to Lebanon.  Thankfully, they were connected to a group in Lebanon who has been able to help them.  They had to leave all of their wedding gifts behind in Syria.

I stayed with Wissam and Nasheek.  They are joyful, they are fun.  Nasheek taught me to curl my hair with a hair dryer.  Wissam fixed my phone situation. We laughed a lot, and shared stories.

Their families are all over the world, scattered on the wind by war.  Yet they cling to home that one day they will be able to settle in a new home.    

Wrong like Weeds

I found this flower in Wissam's garden.  A beautiful explosion of color, creative, breath taking.

And I am told that this flower is a weed.  A weed!?  How can something so beautiful be considered a weed.  And so I start to think more deeply...

This flower is a weed, considered wrong, not wanted.

How many people see others as "wrong", like weeds:
Muslims are wrong.
Christians are wrong.
Atheists are wrong.
Middle Easterns are wrong.
Africans are wrong
Westerners are wrong.

We see so many 'others' as wrong.  We don't want to see them; they are a weed, they are wrong.

But how can that be?  How can a human life be wrong?  How can we be so blind to see the unspeakable beauty inside you, inside me.  And when I put up walls of being right, how can I ever know the beautiful things I can learn, ways I can grow, the joy I can gain from ... when all I see as "wrong". 

This flower is beautiful.  How can it be wrong?   A life is beautiful, faith is beautiful, culture is beautiful, life is beautiful.  Get to know people, you'll be surprised how similar you are inside... it's hard to look a friend in the face and tell them that their existance, experience of life, understanding, is "wrong". 

We all hurt.  We all heal.  We all love.  We all feel.  So if the 'other' is a weed, then what does that make me?  Let me change how I see.

Let's learn to see more, let's stop judging before we've seen, the unspeakable beauty hidden underneath. 

Learn from you

Rawan.

I learned so much from her; about Islam, about faith, about being a woman, about prayer, about Jordan, about life.

We shared many things, openly, honestly, plainly.  I was not scared to ask my questions, and she unafraid to ask hers.  We cleared the air, our eyes were open and suddenly we both could see.

We are not different, her and me.  We are the same, like sisters, from other mothers, places and times.  But the same, her heart beats and so does mine.

Her love for God, language about Him, understanding of faith, ability to simply explain, friendly spirit, and loving heart was inspiring, beautiful, and unashamed.  Rawan is, and will continue to be, a great leader. 

I learned so much from her.  I hope you can learn to see more too. 

Sameer: Be like that

Sameer Petro;  Father, Founder, Friend

I wish I had more time to visit with Sameer.  But even the little time I had with him was enough to inspire.

I have met men like him in different parts of the world.  Visionary, patient, slow to speak, quick to listen, understanding, strong, kind, fun and with an incredibly ability to empower young people. 

Sameer is the founder of East West Initiatives, and continues to mentor, encourage and inspire to this day. 

I hope that I can learn to be more like that. 

Cherbin

Cherbin cares for the Greek Catholic Church in the center of Beirut, Lebanon.

He is also a bar tender.

And he has a 10 month old son.

His wife is Ethiopian, and he carries lots of photos with him of his wife and child.  He is incredibly proud of his family. 

His wife is Greek Orthodox.

He helps with the church choir.  

He talked non stop to me for over 30 minutes. 





Cherbin is a great, and interesting, person. 

The things you'll see

As seen in an administrative office in Jinja, Uganda. 

The trophy was for a golf tournament, somewhere not in Uganda.

Generous Women

 Generous Hearts

Generous Women

Smart and Joyful

Full lives livin'

Food and Fun

 Laughter and Adventure

Strangers now Sisters

Love always

Given

Mosaic

 Mosaic; like life
Combining shapes, sizes, color

 Beautiful
Created with vision of that not yet known
Farsighted; make the mosaic your own

 How much time and pain staking labor to create
Small stone, small pieces
huge picture
Oh the time it'd take!

Do I take time to create? 
Like the ancients before do I sit and imagine
Then put my hand to action
towards somethings
that's lasting?

The Blue Pearl

I find that I have great respect for someone who drives a blue VW bug, and proudly names it.

I would have liked to meet the owner, and shake their hand. 

Sarah is 17

I met Sarah at the set up for a large bridal shower in Beirut. 

Her mom introduced herself, and explained they were early because Sarah's music concervatory was close to where the shower was to happen, and their home was on the other side of town.  As we talked, Sarah bounced up to us, chatting joyfully in Arabic to her mother.

Right away I spotted her beautiful white flower in her long black hair and knew I wanted to get her photo.  I ask her her name, and where she was at in school.  She said her name is Sarah and is a junior in high school.

I asked her to explain the Lebanese school system.  3 languages are regularly spoken in Lebanon; Arabic, French and English.  The country is going through a lot of language transitions, so I wanted to learn about her schooling.

"I go to the English section of our school" she said "So I learn in English and Arabic."  She does take French, but it's not her primary learning language.

"How big is the school?" I asked
Her mom said "It's 1200 students"  I was surprised!  They explained that the school was all ages, and it had a seperate section for learning in French.

How did you decide what language you learned in?  I asked Sarah
"I didn't, my parents decided for me when I was young" she said

I think she was glad they chose English. 

She is a very good guitarist. 

Mike the baker

 

It was my first full day in Lebanon, and I had had a frustrating morning.   But I was determined to enjoy Lebanon.  I saw a bakery, close to where I was staying.  Bakeries always hold wonderful things.  I tentatively entered, unsure as to what to expect in terms of communication. 

I looked around the shop for a while, and the shop keeper came in.  I said something small in English with little response, so I was a bit nervous about the transaction.  I selected a pizza like flat bread, and the man asked me if I was Russian.  I smiled and said no, I am American.

Suddenly, a huge smile broke across his face.  "American?! I've been to America 4 times.  Yes, New York, Los Angeles.  I like America!"

And so we began to talk, and laugh, and talk, and eat.  It was glorious.  His name was Mike, and he thought that a beautiful woman like me should be married.  He gave me some cookies to taste as he served me a plate of the small pastries.  When I went to pay, he grabbed the pizza out of the over and said "This one, you do not pay for, it is from me!  Welcome to Lebanon!"

We cheerfully said our goodbyes, he had made my day.  His smile and laughter I'll carry with me all the way.

Fashion Sneak

Sometimes Glimpse has to get sneaky.  Fashion in Beirut is out of this world!  Colors, fabrics, texture, style, boldness.  It is breath taking, overwhelming and beautiful.  Here is a tiny glimpse into the world of color in Beirut, Lebanon!

See the beautiful things around you, enjoy them... even if you can't afford to wear them! 

Kids are the same.

Kids sure know how to play.
   Doesn't matter where you're from
      Giant mismatching shoes will always be
          A global definition of fun. 

Colors converge

Colors converge

Beautiful fabric

Miles of opportunity

Art is everywhere

Find the colors in the corners

Dragon Sightings!

I went to the National Museum of Beirut the other day.  Yes, I'm in Lebanon.  More on the museum later.
 I could resist doing a dragon post!  There were dragon sightings at the National Museum!

I found them throughout the various art on display.  Dragons!  Imagine for a moment, all the stories and legends about dragons and their slaying.  Something  in me wonders where the dragon stories came from, and how they ended up indelibly etched into stone and shaped in metal for all eternity. 

Could they have been real?  Every myth has a shred of truth.

I love dragons, the thought of a giant, flying creature is pretty awesome.  Apparently, artistic members of the ancient world agree with me.  Dragons deserve to live on in immortal memory.

Have you seen a dragon recently?  I'm sure if you look you'll find one somewhere in your world.  Glimpse a dragon for me!

Lebanese Coffee

Lebanese. Coffee.

Dark, strong, thick, caffeinated.

The beautiful fuel of this wonderfully extroverted country

Today I drank it at 5 pm

To keep up with my Lebanese friends

Not all are fueled by this dark drug

But there is a breath taking energy in this place 

Too many teachers

Lawrence just got a government scholarship to go to univeristy.

How in the world could that be a problem?

His scholarship is for education.  And, as he and his uncle agree, there are too many teachers in their family.

Primary teachers.  Secondary teachers. Vocational teachers. University professors.  They have enough teachers.

Lawrence wants to be a flight engineer. 

What's a boy to do? 

5 years

What would you like to be doing in 5 years?

I'd like to have my own business.  But I also want to keep doing leadership training work.

What kind of leadership training specifically?

I want to continue to teach people principles of leadership.  Most of all I want to continue to mentor and help young people.  I really love working with young people! 


What kind of business do you want to have?

*pause*  I can't say for sure yet.  You know, I have my ideas, but we have to see about how to get there.  It's coming, I'll know more details soon. 

Unfolding

The L's of Lauren

Lauren
   Laughs... often
      Loves.... much
         Listens.... well
            Learns... humbly
               Leads... with grace
                   Lets go...of the little things
                       Lives life... to the full
                           Lauren is Legen...dary

South Sudan. Future African Leaders. Educational Development. 

Patient. Committed.  Fun. And just plan wonderful. 
             

Rachel.

Why do you give such fantastic customer service?

I guess I want to give other people what I would like to receive.

If you could say anything to the world, what would it be?

Be Happy! 

Her favorite colors are orange and green, and Rachel takes quilting classes!  She just finished a king size patched work quilt with 9" squares.  Impressive!

Rachel is the best waitress in Uganda.

Rainbow

Wow!  Amazing hair!

Yah!  We call it "The Rainbow"! 

When culture and fashion meet

 

 I hope this one makes you smile!

Mushanana, the traditional dress worn by western/some north western tribes in Uganda for ceremonial celebrations

and

Large, fo designer sunglasses

This Mama is rocking the combination! 

Somewhere else

She was dancing in a traditional wedding ceremony

Yet I have a feeling

She was thinking

about somewhere or someone else. 

Jude has a vision.

Jude, keep growing

Jude has a vision.  Currently, he sells used clothes at local markets.  He has a plan to start a boutique in his small town of Masaka, for the higher end, not very used clothes which he encounters.  This will be something which provides him a more sustainable income.
"I've realized I am only selling clothes four days a week.  This means, I have 3 days when I am not doing anything.  This is not good, I know what I want to do, and I am going to start really working hard to see that I use those other days to create something more consistent and sustainable.  Self sustainability is the key.  I want to start a boutique, so I am beginning to start working on that."  Jude shares with me. 

"You know the thing that keeps me going?  This business isn't easy, it's not always simple to get what you need.  But I know I have that determination inside of me that I am not going to give up, and that is what makes me keep going on.  I know I can do it."  He says passionately as he flashes is most winning and dashing smile.  When he talks about how he is going to develop his life, his eyes light up with joy, and you can see that this man has a future.  I know he will work hard to make it some remarkable. 

Benjamin's Wife

When are you the happiest?

When I am with my wife!

How long have you been married?

7 years, it would have been longer if it hadn't been for insurgency.  But we couldn't get married during the war.  Then, after the war, the government paid for my schooling to become a teacher.  So I had to do that first.  Then we got married. 

I wish I had had the chance to meet his wife, she seems like an amazing woman!  This smiley, tall, expressive African man really loves her, and washes the dishes after dinner.  That's something rare, and awesome.

His name is Innocent

His name is Innocent.   And that is exactly what he is.

4 years old; totally neglected, malnourished, beaten, unloved, sick, no opportunity to go to school.  His mother ran off after his father died.  She is now married again, but no one knows where.  He had no future.

That is, not until his grand aunt came and rescued him.  She took him into her home, and will probably care for him the rest of her life.  He has been with her for only 3 short weeks and is already becoming a joyful, playful, loving boy.

His Aunt, Clementine, and I are partnering to take care of him.  I'm buying extra crafts from her to help pay for his school uniform, and will be sponsoring him to go to school.  She'll be carrying for him with extra love and attention, and together with the community where she stay, we will watch a life that would have been wasted because something beautiful. 

Fading Innocence; this child has a new chance at life, thanks to the love of one person.

Birds of a Feather

Birds of a feather flock together!

                           Birds, well animals in general, share the world with us. 

Yet, how often do I notice them?

                           Take just a second to look up, look around,

Hear their joyful songs.
 
                           Sometimes, if you watch and see, they'll give you quite a show!


(Note:  There are many beautiful birds in Uganda, I have lots of bird pictures.  If you want more, comment!)

Young men. Pink Shirts. Roller Blades.

They were selling women's beautiful products.  Feeling cooler than school, they skated around the parking lot, handing out leaflets.  They, of course, came to see me... color is a funny thing.

Their colors were making me laugh.  Powder pink on black skin, a breath taking combination. 

"What should we do to make the world a better place?" I asked them.  

"Take care of the kids on the streets, I guess" Denis (2nd from the front) contributed.

Can I take your picture?

Of course!




Make more random friends. 

The Pursuit of Knowledge

Knowledge.  It's a funny thing.  "Knowledge is power" they say. 

I do believe that is true, but it makes me think. Knowledge can be powerful, but what knowledge?  Often I, maybe we, only seek knowledge that works for me, things I agree with, opinions that won't threaten me.  In order to boost my own ability to champion, to succeed, I feed on what is written for me, or about me, about my way of seeing things.

Yet, recently I've realized that is not knowledge.  The pursuit of true knowledge is not only reading vast amounts of literature, it's being willing to read different literature, to understand new ideas, an opposite view point.  It's taking a minute to "walk in another's shoes", and learn in their foot prints.

And I think reading, and personal study is a great place to start this personal quest for knowledge.  You can put a book down, it doesn't have feelings.  You can take the time you need to really think about how you feel, what you personally think about an issue, without someone needing an immediate response.  The more I do this, the more I will not only be able to more clearly state what I believe, I will also be much more able to listen to what others have to say.

In this era of information I sometimes wonder if we are losing our ability to gain knowledge.  To consider, without judgement, for a time another perspective.  To think, even just for a moment that another person's experience is as valuable and insightful as my own.  To be willing to look at life from another angle.  You never know, you just might see something a little more beautiful.

So, what's on your summer reading list?  Perhaps think about adding something that will increase your knowledge, understanding of the world, and provide more insight into the other humans who occupy this planet with you.

Beauty underneath

Trash, you'd say.

Art maybe.

Let's learn to see

All the world of beauty

Color and shape

Your breath it can take

If you just stop and wait

Open your eyes to see.

Run Away

Why do we so often fear silence and stillness? 

   

            Our lives are filled with constant noise.

     What are we afraid of, if we really stopped and listened... 

              to our selves, to the world, to the silence,

      what are we afraid we'll hear?

Run away, even for an hour or a day.

    Get away, and listen more deeply.

  Find a place, of peace, of quiet

    Far from all the noise and all the lying

     You might be surprised what you discover

        Real life somewhere deep under all that covers

Run away, even for an hour or a day.

    Stop.  Listen.  Be.

  You might be suprised at what you see.

Glimpse the world as it can be.

Mothers

Mothers. Teachers. Mentors. Travelers.

Faithful. Strong. Beautiful. Generous.

Hopefilled. Committed. Loving.

Transformation starts with us.