Narcissus

 

Narcissus or Narkissos (Greek: Νάρκισσος), possibly derived from ναρκη (narke) meaning "sleep, numbness," in Greek mythology was a hunter from the territory of Thespiae in Boeotia who was renowned for his beauty. He was exceptionally proud, in that he disdained those who loved him. Nemesis saw this and attracted Narcissus to a pool where he saw his own reflection in the waters and fell in love with it, not realizing it was merely an image. Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, Narcissus died.

On reflection.

It's a classic case of 'Doesn't time fly?' juxtaposed against 'Wow! It seems like I've been here forever'. When I arrived in Uganda in February I didn’t know what to expect of my year (which will now be more like eleven months due to travel dates and visas running out). After routinely living in a state of uncertainty for the previous seven years, it was, I guess nothing new. And yet, there is certainly something about stepping into another culture that allows you to re-examine your values, lifestyle and beliefs in a way that would be almost impossible to simulate through any other situation.

I have learnt so much. I have been a witness to and a participant in the work that Australia HOPE International does in Uganda and DRC. I have made friends. I have cooked on a charcoal stove. I have washed my clothes by hand. I have become part of a Ugandan church music team. I have been to burials, introductions and weddings. I have travelled 'up country', to refugee camps, to Tanzania, to villages, to the city. I have worn traditional clothes and smart clothes. I have seen poverty and largesse. I have learnt to greet in many languages. I have forgotten more words than I have remembered. I have shared a bedroom with an eight year old. I have felt welcomed. I have felt like an outsider. I have worked in an office. I have visited schools. I have cooked for students. I have been a VIP. I have immersed myself in a new culture. I have retreated to my own culture. I have been overwhelmed to the point of tears by some situations. I have been overwhelmed to the point of numbness by others. I have peeled matooke. I have been offended by smells, noises, attitudes. I have been humbled to be invited to be part of people's lives.

I'm know I'm here as a volunteer to do something specific. And hopefully I have done that part well. But more than that, it is the process of becoming part of something, the taking on of a new life, that has made my year what it is. I could have, and at times did, remained at a distance from this place and it's people. But by choosing to really become involved, to invest in people, to love them and be loved by them, I have had an experience like no other.

During the year I have visited most of our HOPE schools and projects, and seen the triumphs and ongoing needs. I have said before that it is a privilege to be involved in what HOPE does, and as I reflect, I see something that is beautiful and significant growing out of ugliness and despair. Thank you to all those who have participated in seeing HOPE continue to grow this year. In terms of infrastructure alone we have seen six or seven major building works completed and of course rainwater tanks in all our Ugandan schools. Thank you to those that are individual or class sponsors. The difference you make in someone's life is immense. Thank you to those who have partnered with HOPE by advocating for the work they do. Please continue to make this journey of HOPE with us into the future.

As the year of 2012 stretches out ahead, it is like a whole new canvas to paint. For HOPE and the work I do with them, for the time I will have with my friends and family at home, for the relationships and life I will continue to build on when I come back this side.

My prayer is that unlike Narcissus I would not die looking at the past, unable to move on from past victories and defeats, that I would not get so caught up in myself that I cannot see others and that I would always look to the future to see what else God has in store for me on this crazy journey.

Many blessings and

Happy new year

bron

Please enjoy this collection of snaps from 2011.

 

		The year that was 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

O Holy Night

A baby. Born in a stable. To a virgin. Announced by angels. Visited by shepherds.
 

Not a likely story perhaps? Not believable? Not a best seller?
 

And yet this one small story divides nations and families. There is power in this small story. It's inside is bigger than it's outside.
 

Even if you believe that this is just a story and has no grounding in reality, you can at least see the power this story has had through the last 2000 years of our history. Wars have been fought, lives have been lost, both in the passionate defence of this story and it's truth and in the desperate attempt to wipe this story from the face of the earth.
 

And if, like me, you believe that not only is this story true, but is Truth, the biggest reality there is, then you will know that this power is very real. Because if you believe this story, then you also believe that this baby, born in a manger, grew up to die on a cross, as a ransom for our lives. That all the crap in our lives separated us from God. That we needed God but were far from Him. That Jesus, GOD, came to live with us, became frail with us, loved and laughed and cried like us, to show his great love for us. He showed us how to live and ultimately gave his life that we could live that way. With freedom. With love. With peace and joy. He redeemed us. You believe that he left to return to the Father but that he sent his spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, who is Christ's power made manifest in our lives. That in the same way that Jesus performed miracles in the brief time he was here on earth, the Holy Spirit's power is here for us to do greater works than Jesus himself did.
 

I know, I know. If you don't believe it, it all sounds a little crazy. But for me it's the only thing that makes sense of life. It's the only thing I can rely on in this crazy world. Because when I look around me, it does seem as if the craziness is the world we live in.

So for me, this is what I celebrate and remember at Christmas.

The stuff that comes with it is just that.
 

Stuff.
 

It doesn't really matter whether December 25th was actually the day that God arrived on earth. It doesn't even matter which year. It just matters that he did. That God, creator of the universe - God, came. For me it's the ultimate hope for peace on the earth and good will to all men.
 

And as for the other Christmas story. A fat man. In a red suit. Flying reindeer.
 

That one I can't believe.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Seasons greetings

bron

All I want for Christmas is…

 

A thousand things. One thing. Nothing at all.

A classroom for kids in a refugee camp so they can finish their Primary level schooling at our Nakivale HOPE Primary School.

 

Houses for teachers so that they can:

1. Live with their families, not crowded on the floor next to their colleagues
2. Have a pleasant living environment, not sleep in rented rooms next to a pub

A boarding section for students in DR Congo so that they can keep attending our HOPE school in Bunia.

Staffrooms, Administration and Head Teachers offices, not essential I guess but would any teacher in Australia expect any less? Why should our schools be substandard just because they are in a different part of the world?

50 class sponsors. Class sponsors give $100 a month (or more sponsors for a smaller amount) and that money is able to pay not only a teacher but go towards the administrative cost of running a school and buying school resources, meaning that we are able to provide free or almost free education to many children.

20 individual child sponsors. Individual sponsors give $40 a month and that money goes to school costs and living expenses. Some of the kids sponsored live with relatives who can't afford to care for them, some of them live in our homes. Some of them have HIV/AIDS. Some of them have other needs. We have two boys homes in Mbarara and currently there are several boys without sponsors. More sponsors mean more boys off the streets.

People to put in capital to build a school in Kakira Sugar Works where one of our partners currently tries to care for and educate around sixty orphans. We would need a school with a boarding section. And at least 10 class sponsors. See above.

10 people (or really an unlimited number) who want to partner with what HOPE does and who are willing to donate large amounts of money with no strings attached, meaning that the money could go to any of our projects, to be used at HOPE's discretion.

People who would love to put money into the evangelism/mission arm of HOPE. This money is NOT tax deductible. But the reward I believe is greater than any tax break. This money goes into the preaching of the gospel and also an emergency medical fund.

Is that it?

Probably not.

But it would be enough.

For now.

Bless you all this Christmas.

bron