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...
by jeannie | Jan 24, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
We visited a family on the last day of travels in Matamoros while there working on a book project, and bringing needed items to a wonderful clinic there, Casa Bugambilia just a day earlier. When our friend, Ryan, found this family, they were living in a shack, sleeping on the muddy earth. I learned yesterday they used to carry in and sleep on cement sacks when it rained, so they wouldn’t drown. There are seven children and a single mom and while we have sent items, this was the first time I’d ever met the family. We stopped and saw their new house, pictured below, and gave them hugs, celebrated their new concrete floors and 8 miniature bunk beds in this one room house that to them, is the best thing they’ve ever owned. They greeted us with bare feet, the most incredible smiles and a welcoming spirit. They were excited about the possibility of working the next day picking carrots, and let us hold their baby goats. Yes, you read that right. AIM, Adventures in Mission in Mexico in partnership with LHC, Lake Hills Church made this a reality. While there’s still a lot to do, I love being part of it in any small way I can. We’ll be back soon to visit them, and bring them more items they need. I can hardly wait to see Trinidad again, and see if he’ll ever take off his stocking cap. He is very shy, timid, but over time, he began to warm up and I believe he loved having us...
by jimmy | Aug 26, 2009 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
It was a long day. Tuesday we laid my Aunt Betty to rest it was one of the more emotional days of my life for me as I have never been to a funeral for somebody that young and full of life. My grandparents have passed and great uncles and great aunts but they had all lived long and fruitful lives. My dad and Aunt Betty’s side especially with a couple living to 100. So to lose my Aunt at 65 is very much a shock to us all despite her mother passing at a young age of 49. I told you a little about my Aunt yesterday and how she touched so many lives. I wanted to share today more details of the events and the moments that I felt God’s presence. It was early and we were staying at a hotel and heading over to the house to wait for the car but before we left I grabbed my ipod to listen to some music. I find that when I listen to music I can focus on larger things than what is happening in that moment. I heard some great tunes again from mercyme and also from wide awake and our friend scott leger. He sings: ” I know love is more than a feeling. But I would give anything to touch you now. I wish that I could get to you somehow.” So I am listening to this and thinking about everyone around me and how we are all feeling the same miserable feelings. Just hoping to feel better somehow. Wondering how she could have been...
