Throw your fear away

“Feel at Saaka”

For Holy Week I traveled with two of my close friends Matt and Damian as well as Fr. David Burrell, C.S.C to join the priests and novices staying at Lake Saaka.  As I have visited Lake Saaka once before I was somewhat prepared for the beauty of the surroundings and the peacefulness that hovers this special place, however, this time was even more rejuvenating than my last. 

The company and good conversations seemed to flow the entire week we were there; some shedding light onto new perspectives on how to approach my project while others presented innovative ways of thinking about life in general.  Currently, there are 14 novices and two priests staying on this compound.  The novices are there discerning their devotion to the Lord and preparing for their first vows to priesthood which will be held in late July.  There was plenty of time between morning prayers and the Liturgy of the Word where I found myself cuddled up in a chair on the porch, with a warm cup of tea, looking out towards the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Saaka.  The time presented a wonderful chance to truly dig deep, let my mind wander off to distant places, and feel sincerely alive in the gracious presence of Mother Nature.

Saturday afternoon a few of us went for a hike up one of the many neighboring hills in the area.  After an hour walk out and a slightly taxing climb we reached the top of one of the tallest peeks and we all stood there peering out to the magnificent green abyss.  The overwhelming feeling of the bright blue sky, huge puffy white clouds sailing by, we watched a storm evolve in the distance.  For some time there was an appreciated silence among us.  Standing there I realized that I was in one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been, surrounded by an essence that only He could have created.  While taking the time to soak it all in, my mind was racing yet still in the midst of comprehending where I was, who I was with, and who I am becoming.

After our time of reflection all but one of us took on a downhill hike towards a large rock which we were determined to climb.  As we approached we had to decide whether to go left through the thorns or right through the tall grass each presenting their own small dangers.  As we chose the path with the tall grass, taking on the risk of coming across snakes, we reached our destination after helping each other reach the top by offering our hands for stability.   Once we were all safely upright, we embraced the moment. The view was even more spectacular and the small life we found there on the rock was flourishing.  We discovered there was a beautiful tree growing between the rock formations and Kennedy, one of the 14 novices, and I decided that we wanted to climb across to sit on one of its branches.  He went first to show me the way and as I reached out my hand to grasp the tree trunk I froze.  The earth was far below our stance and I was afraid that with one slip up I would be bouncing down towards a painful fall.  However, these words of encouragement came from my new friend, “Throw your fear away.”

“…Throw your fear away…” how could I not then squash my fear, reach out for his hand, and extend towards my destined place?  As I scooted along the trunk, I stretched my leg so that my foot could find the sturdy rock under it, and there I went.  A few moments later, I was standing there next to Kennedy, having learned a valuable lesson in a flash before my eyes…”throw your fear away.”

As the days slipped by and the evenings came to a close, we were all simply enjoying each other’s presence.  There was a comforting understanding and acceptance among these young men that I felt that I was being embraced by a cloud filled with love.

A few of the novices took the time to talk with me about their ideas regarding my approach to working with the Lazarus Community.  After listening to their advice I began to realize that it is better to start small and make sure that the initial project will stabilize itself.  I understand the importance of dreaming big, believe me, I have been doing so all of my life; however, I find it vital, especially working with this vulnerable population to create a safe haven open to expanding once it is sustainable.  Therefore, as things have been changing throughout these last several weeks, instead of trying to purchase 10+ acres of land, we  willshoot for 5 acres.  Developing an organization that we hope will one day ensure positive change for generations to come, we believe this is the best approach.  I’ve heard “good things come with time,” and “the best gift to give is the gift of time,” repeatedly throughout my young life, and as I fall in love more and more each day with Uganda, I know that time is what I am here to give.

Therefore, as I continue to walk through this journey, traveling throughout Uganda, meeting wonderfully blessed souls, learning from those around me, and experiencing life in a new way I appreciate the support you all have been sending my way with your love and prayers.  I feel truly blessed to have been able to spend Holy Week and Easter with such an invigorating and inspiring group of people and I continue to reflect upon each day as it comes.  Some days are more challenging than others, but as I have mentioned I am falling in love with this country more and more, with the people I meet, with the potential of Lazarus Community, and with life itself. 

In a brief update regarding my work, currently, the project proposals in which I have been diligently working on are coming together with the mentoring of many, and I pray for its success.  These project proposals and executive summaries will be sent out to different organizations hoping to receive donations to purchase the acres, and provide stability in our organizations finances.  I am also working on having the website for Lazarus Community up and running with the help from a dedicated colleague very soon.  With May approaching, so is my 3 month marking point, and as James would say, “time is escaping us,” therefore, there is no time like the present.

May there be peace within each and every one of you.

Blessings and Love,

Anne Therese  

                                                                                                                                                    

Kennedy and me

Loving Life

We made it!

I have been lost!

Jebale!!

So, "I have been lost," or "you have been lost," is a common phrase expressed when you have not seen someone for sometime, haha, I even hear it when it's only been a few days; ergo, since it has been a several days since my last post, I have been lost!

As I have been working on trying to develop a precise and down to the tee project proposal, I feel I have neglected my blog! Sorry!!

I have been so busy that the days seem to run together, I am sure you all know that feeling. Three days ago, April 12^th hit my 2 month mark; wow right?! And now, it’s already half way through the month bringing us all to ¼ through the year.

I have been blessed to have discussed how to approach my proposal with a few good souls. One of which resides here in Uganda his name is Adrien, he has developed an organization called Omoana which is a rehabilitation center for hiv/aids orphans. He has had many interactions and experiences writing proposals so he has been a major help! Randomly emailing him one or two questions at a time, I feel like I’m back at school; not a bad feeling either!

However, there have been other exciting things going on in my life here other than researching etc. I was in Kampala for a few days this week, Tuesday there were some protests regarding the increase of fuel and food prices; a few people arrested not too much more than that. However, yesterday, I was back in my village of Wairaka and was planning on heading to town (Jinja) when we heard news that the protests in Kampala (1 – 1.5 hrs from where I stay) had intensified teargas and bullets were fired, more people arrested; and here in Jinja, there were also protests, people lighting things on fire in the middle of the streets; my colleague Henry told me today that the town was filled with smoke and people were everywhere. It was good that I didn’t come in town early like I had been planning, however, I am sure I would have been safe.

Today as I sit at my new regular spot called Flavours the town is going about as if nothing happened yesterday…people moving about, everyday business as usual. I somehow wish I had been in town to be able to witness such a movement.  There hasn’t been other talk of demonstrations happening but some think that if nothing is done soon about these prices, and the government continues to avoid addressing the country as a whole, there could be issues; I will keep you posted!

Nothing too radical has occurred which means, I think I have adjusted to this life of Africa in some sense! However, the one image that I did see which is struggling to escape my mind is a dead body outside of the hospital. I had just been picked up by Henry and he was dropping someone by the hospital and Richard a friend of ours said, “are you seeing, a dead body…” and there in front of me a was a lifeless human being, somehow elderly, mouth slightly open, eyes closed, skinny; his whole body besides head and feet covered. Death here in Uganda just seems so nonchalant like it is to be expected, it’s hard to put into words sometimes, but death seems to be a regular visitor in our lives here, like a neighborhood friend that comes around regularly.

On a lighter note, I look forward to this weekend a couple friends and I are planning a slight trip to the Nile River Explorer’s (NRE) campsite again, to bask in the sun, enjoy other travelers company, and bounce idea’s back and forth not only regarding our work but also life in general.  We seem to come together and somehow always seem to inspire each other it’s beautiful!  

Hard to believe that I will be in the US in less than 5 months, looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Much Love,

Anne Therese

a New Twist

I am beyond excited to share with you all that my initial goal for my mission working with Lazarus Community has been declared!  Through these last few weeks, as I apologize for the delay in posting, I have been working towards truly finding my place among these beautiful people.  Ensuring sustainability has always been my motive but now, ah, I have seen the light.  My goal which I would love for you to all be a part of, and which you will be through your already generous contributions, is to purchase a plot of land for Lazarus.

Lazarus Community

Through practical training and consulting on how to properly manage their own personal gardens as well as a Community garden, we hope to address the problem of low production of both food and income.  As part of our program involving income generating, the founders and members of the Community are working towards purchasing land to begin harvesting their own garden.  This is now my number one priority.  I would like you all to know that my prayer is to have raised enough money to purchase land through fundraising and hopeful donation from an organization for which I am applying. We, the founders, believe that in order to uplift the standard of living for the members of Lazarus Community finding a way to provide a sufficient way of impacting their lives is through agriculture and food production.  As our overall mission the founders of Lazarus Community are working to help the women sustain for themselves and their children/grandchildren.  In March 2011 ten of our grannies were sponsored by St. Francis Health Care Center to tour a 7 acre demonstration garden (Katende Harambe, Rural-Urban Training Centre) integrating management and processing involving crop farming and rearing livestock (cows, pigs, and goats).   This opportunity allowed the women to take notes on how to begin their own personal garden as well as how to manage a larger piece of land as well as to ask questions to increase their understanding of the training session.  Touring the 7 acre garden truly empowered the women and instilled hopes that they too have the potential to manage such crops and livestock to positively impact generations to come.   

Much love to you always,
Anne Therese