by jeannie | Jul 2, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
As we entered the Experience Africa night with Wilson Bugembe and heard his story, we made our way over to Scott Lambie afterwards. Scott moved to Africa not too long ago from Austin, and was visiting Austin for various reasons. We had previously sent his wife, whom I met in Mexico at Pan de Vida Children’s Home in Sandoval, Mexico, a note inquiring about any interest in our book project and being one of the stories. She had responded positively, but having met each other about a year or more ago briefly just before they moved to Uganda, it slipped off both of our radars. As we met up with Scott that night, we confirmed his interest and planned our time together. What started as an interview, photographs and getting to know each other conversation, quickly changed into deep conversations about our faith and a place of deep understanding. At one point, Scott mentioned the moment you know that nothing will ever be the same. How one kid saying to him in Africa, “Don’t forget us,” changed everything for him. All of us have our own moments like that, or at least I hope we all do. The amazingly beautiful and real moments that change our reality and change our heart forever is definitely something I hope for everyone. Living life without fear, or a fear that keeps you still, without distraction, trusting what you cannot see, but a God you know, and allowing your world to get wrecked as you know it is a life worth living in my opinion. After pictures, interview and more pictures, we felt...
by jeannie | May 7, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
Yesterday, after cleaning out my car full of crayons, drawings, Star Wars figures and water bottles, I drove over to pick up Audra, then on to pick up our new friend, Wilson. Having met Wilson the night before to hear his story, this was a very quickly planned outing, but a joyful one. Wilson is from Uganda, Africa. He’s a pastor, musician, and has led a life of incredible loss, but spends his days now filled with joy. Upon Wilson sitting in my passenger seat, I couldn’t help but wonder if there were items in the car I’d missed in the cleaning sweep that he might think were strange. The giant pixie stick from the ball park, stuck between the seats because my son hadn’t finished it, or my bright green neon Young Life glasses in the console. I refrained from explaining myself, and only thought briefly about it, but mainly I was taken with how different our lives must be. I love people. I love making new friends, learning about their lives, and Wilson was no different. I enjoyed sitting on the floor in the Warehouse at Lake Hills Church http://www.lhc.org where we held the interview and photo shoot and asking him questions and going deep into our journey of faith. I loved his insight, and wasn’t surprised he had new insights that I am so thankful for as I roll them around in my thoughts. What a complete gift he is to our world. I love that through him many will look at their lives differently, and consider there’s a God that loves them desperately. Just wait until...
by jeannie | Mar 23, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
I had the pleasure of spending a portion of my Spring Break last week at Casa Bugambilia, located in Matamoros, Mexico. I spent time there capturing the great work Casa B does for the people of Mexico. They provide needed health care, they house residents with serious illnesses and conditions, they educate the children in the Colonias, reunite and assist families with rehabilitated residents of Casa B, build homes for the poor, maintain relationships with those in need, as well as doctors, specialists, and hospitals all over to provide assistance for those that desperately need it, but could never afford it. As I filter through the hundreds of photos taken, and all the lives of the people there I was invited into relationship with, I feel really overwhelmed at how rich the friendships are, and will be for me with the people there. One area called Santa Maria is one of the more desolate areas, I’ve seen. If you can close your eyes and imagine thin scraps of wood, hammered together to provide shelter, pieces of wood and tin providing a roof, that’s indicative of the area we visited to go see Margarita and her sons, two of which have severe autism. As we were driving off, I saw the light and how it fell on the hot sauce on a table across the street and the string of popcorn bags lined up just there in the midst of houses where we traveled. You saw such creativity, effort, and life in the people I met there. I was curious if selling these popcorn bags was someone’s livelihood, what they...
by jeannie | Jan 27, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
If you’re lucky enough to meet someone in your life that can change your perspective, count that as a blessing. From the outside looking in at our relationship with Z, it would appear we’ve nothing in common, but he has become a dear friend. We were there last weekend to introduce him to our friend, Audra and have Audra interview him for a book project that is underway. After meeting us at the border, Z accompanied us to the clinic, Casa Bugambilia; an orphanage in Sandoval, and to visit a family there, as well. We were hosted and stayed in downtown Matamoros at Z’s house and stayed up as long as our eyes would stay open, to talk, share and learn so much about being light in a dark world. Writer, Audra Outlaw, will blog about our journey together for the book project, and with her being such a beautiful writer, you will want to hear from her about this. Z’s story will be featured in the upcoming book & our hope is that it’s life changing to those that hear it. To follow, visit...
by jeannie | Jan 24, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
While wondering the streets with our new friend, Larry, at Casa Bugambilia, in Matamoros, we traveled across some children. I spent some time talking with them, and taking pictures of them, trying to make them laugh and smile. We were told the area where they live used to be a dump. The streets are covered with trash, and due to raw sewage running through the city, there are many issues of autism, as well as other health problems in the sweet people that live there. Although, their surroundings are disheartening, their hearts seem full. I plan to return to Casa Bugambilia and capture the clinic and surrounding work they do for the people there. It’s possibly the warmest place I’ve seen, combined with the most selfless people I’ve ever met. Here’s a few of the children we met, and a shot in the street that captures the...
