Enjoy these next few hours because 2010 is almost OH-ver!!!
Resolutions and goals for 2011?
* Better at keeping in touch with family & friends across the miles
* Stay organized
* Enter an LPN nursing program
* Practice & improve upon guitar playing skills
* Revisit study of the Old Testament
* Enjoy life!!!!!!!
Wishing you the best for 2011!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Snow!
The first couple of weeks of December here in Akron, Ohio were a brutal message: WINTER IS HERE!
Dearly Departed
Honoring the memory of two special people who passed away this year…
~ Bazurizi Vicent
[Written by Hayley White]
Growing up in rural Bunyaruguru, it’s only fitting that Bazurizi would spend his career devoted to improving livelihoods of impoverished people in his home area. With COVOID, he trained community members in microfinance activities and with another organization, he was active in raising awareness about human rights. Though he worked all hours, 7 days a week, Bazurizi was also committed to his family and in the process of constructing a new family home for his wife and 7 kids. He was also starting a large-scale poultry project to supplement his family’s income.
Bazurizi came from a very humble background and dropped out of school after level S3, when he was about 15. A decade or so later, after starting his family, he decided to return to school, finishing the obligatory level S4 (like 10th grade), advancing to S5 and S6, and then completing a diploma in Development Studies. Can you imagine walking the halls of high school as a 23-year-old junior? That’s Bazurizi.
He had his eccentricities. As many unique, determined, and hardworking individuals are, Bazurizi was a relentless, shall we say….troublemaker. He told it like it was. He created arguments just to rip common ideas apart and build them back up again into something new—and you always loved him the more for it in the end. I called him “omutabuzi” or, destroyer, but we all knew that he was more truthfully the opposite. He had a knack for showing up to work at precisely the time lunch was being served. He stole my phone charger for a whole month. He was so determined to keep me in Uganda forever that he scoured the community and found the best man he could for me to marry—uh….thanks. He ran 5 miles every morning to “protect against laziness.” He climbed guava trees with the spry of a teenager. He tucked his pants into his socks when it was muddy. He was STUBBORN.
He was the first, and the only, Ugandan to ever admit to me that he doesn’t believe in God. He’s also one of the few I’ve met to have really ever given the issue a whole lot of critical thought. When asked for his reasons, he stated simply that he didn’t think the timing and the science of the Bible could be all right. When I suggested, in a way more curious than persuasive, that some people view the Bible’s “timeline” of creation and later events to be largely symbolic and not exclusive of science and evolution at all, he looked at me in a way more thoughtful than I’d intended to make him and replied, “well, that could change everything, couldn’t it?” His mouth was always flapping, but his mind was always open. He studied the Bible an awful lot for someone who doesn’t believe it. Bazurizi loved people, and served people, and laughed with people for his entire life and WITH his entire life. So what makes someone a Christian anyway?
His Christian name, Vicent, is a version of Vincent that was misspelled on official school paperwork and attached to him out of legal convenience. Therefore, it’s best to remember him as most knew him, as Bazurizi (Bah-zoo-ruh-zee)—meaning, the martyrs. Though an active lover of life and far from a willing self-sacrifice, we can still be hopeful that he died for something and that his memory can guide the rest of us to walk forward to fill his enormous shadow of kind-heartedness, curiosity, and community service.
~ Treva Elizabeth Manbeck Fahrney (aka “Grandma Fahrney”)
Grandma was a woman who had quite a sense of humor. I remember her telling a story of when she was younger, how she put her younger sister (Arlene) up to peeing down through a loft in a barn on their family farm. Unfortunately, Arlene was peeing as a farmhand entered the barn. [Oops!]
One time when my sister Amie and I spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s, Grandma took her top dentures out in the morning and told me it was my turn to take MY teeth out. I tried a few times and told her I couldn’t take my teeth out like she could. She insisted that I could and we went back and forth about it (making me very frustrated). Amie decided to join in and told me, “Nicole, if Grandma can take HER teeth out don’t you think you can take YOUR teeth out?” (Word has it that Grandma teased my cousin’s children and tried to get them to remove their teeth, too.)
Some of the things she taught her family and friends was the importance of family… unconditional love… and forgiveness. She had an amazing capacity to forgive. There’s not one single person among her extended family or friends who has ever been perfect. She had the ability to forgive each of us and love us regardless of our flaws and mishaps. She never missed an opportunity to ask someone what they were up to, or what their hopes for the future were. She always encouraged us in all of our endeavors.
A woman with a great sense of humor and a great capacity to love. She is dearly missed yet fondly remembered.
~ Bazurizi Vicent
[Written by Hayley White]
Growing up in rural Bunyaruguru, it’s only fitting that Bazurizi would spend his career devoted to improving livelihoods of impoverished people in his home area. With COVOID, he trained community members in microfinance activities and with another organization, he was active in raising awareness about human rights. Though he worked all hours, 7 days a week, Bazurizi was also committed to his family and in the process of constructing a new family home for his wife and 7 kids. He was also starting a large-scale poultry project to supplement his family’s income.
Bazurizi came from a very humble background and dropped out of school after level S3, when he was about 15. A decade or so later, after starting his family, he decided to return to school, finishing the obligatory level S4 (like 10th grade), advancing to S5 and S6, and then completing a diploma in Development Studies. Can you imagine walking the halls of high school as a 23-year-old junior? That’s Bazurizi.
He had his eccentricities. As many unique, determined, and hardworking individuals are, Bazurizi was a relentless, shall we say….troublemaker. He told it like it was. He created arguments just to rip common ideas apart and build them back up again into something new—and you always loved him the more for it in the end. I called him “omutabuzi” or, destroyer, but we all knew that he was more truthfully the opposite. He had a knack for showing up to work at precisely the time lunch was being served. He stole my phone charger for a whole month. He was so determined to keep me in Uganda forever that he scoured the community and found the best man he could for me to marry—uh….thanks. He ran 5 miles every morning to “protect against laziness.” He climbed guava trees with the spry of a teenager. He tucked his pants into his socks when it was muddy. He was STUBBORN.
He was the first, and the only, Ugandan to ever admit to me that he doesn’t believe in God. He’s also one of the few I’ve met to have really ever given the issue a whole lot of critical thought. When asked for his reasons, he stated simply that he didn’t think the timing and the science of the Bible could be all right. When I suggested, in a way more curious than persuasive, that some people view the Bible’s “timeline” of creation and later events to be largely symbolic and not exclusive of science and evolution at all, he looked at me in a way more thoughtful than I’d intended to make him and replied, “well, that could change everything, couldn’t it?” His mouth was always flapping, but his mind was always open. He studied the Bible an awful lot for someone who doesn’t believe it. Bazurizi loved people, and served people, and laughed with people for his entire life and WITH his entire life. So what makes someone a Christian anyway?
His Christian name, Vicent, is a version of Vincent that was misspelled on official school paperwork and attached to him out of legal convenience. Therefore, it’s best to remember him as most knew him, as Bazurizi (Bah-zoo-ruh-zee)—meaning, the martyrs. Though an active lover of life and far from a willing self-sacrifice, we can still be hopeful that he died for something and that his memory can guide the rest of us to walk forward to fill his enormous shadow of kind-heartedness, curiosity, and community service.
~ Treva Elizabeth Manbeck Fahrney (aka “Grandma Fahrney”)
Grandma was a woman who had quite a sense of humor. I remember her telling a story of when she was younger, how she put her younger sister (Arlene) up to peeing down through a loft in a barn on their family farm. Unfortunately, Arlene was peeing as a farmhand entered the barn. [Oops!]
One time when my sister Amie and I spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s, Grandma took her top dentures out in the morning and told me it was my turn to take MY teeth out. I tried a few times and told her I couldn’t take my teeth out like she could. She insisted that I could and we went back and forth about it (making me very frustrated). Amie decided to join in and told me, “Nicole, if Grandma can take HER teeth out don’t you think you can take YOUR teeth out?” (Word has it that Grandma teased my cousin’s children and tried to get them to remove their teeth, too.)
Some of the things she taught her family and friends was the importance of family… unconditional love… and forgiveness. She had an amazing capacity to forgive. There’s not one single person among her extended family or friends who has ever been perfect. She had the ability to forgive each of us and love us regardless of our flaws and mishaps. She never missed an opportunity to ask someone what they were up to, or what their hopes for the future were. She always encouraged us in all of our endeavors.
A woman with a great sense of humor and a great capacity to love. She is dearly missed yet fondly remembered.
Welcome Home
I arrived back in Cleveland, Ohio, USA joyfully greeted by my family. I remember seeing them and my niece ran up to me to give me a BIG hug! It was so good to see my family again. We enjoyed dinner out that night, and the following day my mom prepared a fantastic home cooked meal (mashed potatoes included... yay!!!). A little bit of culture shock as there was snow on the ground!
Laughter & Tears In International Airports
ENTEBBE, KAMPALA. Entering through security to go check in for my flight… I was stopped and questioned about the contents of one of my duffel bags and my carry-on. No problem...
SECURITY OFFICER: [Searching through carry-on] “What’s this, a computer battery?”
NICOLE: “Yes.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Holding up a ziplock bag w/ contents in plain sight] “And THESE? What are THESE?”
NICOLE: “Tampons.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Confused look on the face] “What?”
NICOLE: “Tampons.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Confused look on the face continues]
NICOLE: “Female hygiene products?”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Still looking a little confused] “Okay.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Handing over paperwork to be signed due to searching contents of bag] “So you’re leaving us?”
NICOLE: “Yep. Sorry.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Smiling] “But why don’t you stay longer?”
NICOLE: [With laughter] “You’re government won’t let me stay longer right now. I’ve already stayed longer.”
SECURITY OFFICER: “But you’ll come back?”
NICOLE: “Yes, I’m hoping to come back and at least visit.”
SECURITY OFFICER: “When are you coming back?”
NICOLE: “I’m not sure yet, but I hope soon. Thank you…”
SERIOUSLY?!? Did someone from Nyakasharu PAY him to ask me to stay or ask when I’m coming back?!? The 2 questions EVERYONE kept asking me in Nyakasharu: "But why don't you stay longer?" & "So when are you coming back?"
And then there was the interrogation at Amsterdam… Security is really tight there right now. Each passenger or family was questioned by a security agent before getting their carry-on screened one more time (the carry-on being re-screened was nothing new… but the questioning seemed excessive, as there were many officers questioning at the same time). My security officer seemed to ask the right questions (unfortunate for me). My friend, Grace, had given me a present that I promised not to open until I reached home in America. I just put it in my checked baggage thinking with x-ray technology it would be fine & if security had opened it before I reached home, then no problem. But I forgot about needing to know ALL of the contents of your checked baggage. When he asked me if I had received any gifts from people in Africa, I said “yes.” And when he asked if I had received anything that was still wrapped, that I didn’t know what was inside I said, “yes.” [Oops. Big mistake.] He then asked me questions about who gave it to me, how long I knew them… And when I replied, he then asked me when my friend Ben’s birthday was (Ben is Grace's husband...and he is the CEO of the Ugandan NGO I volunteered with). I said, “I don’t know, but I know he’s 41.” He snapped back with laughter, “You don’t even know when you’re friends birthday is?!?” I was SO upset from all of the questioning and feeling like a criminal, plus all I could think of was that “Africans don’t really celebrate their birthdays and many don’t even know when theirs is,” so exhausted, I just broke into tears. He saw how upset I was and changed his demeanor. Explaining how it was just a precaution. I said, “Yes, but I’ve been traveling for a very long time, I’m tired, and I just want to go home.” He told me they were just going to check my checked baggage, it wouldn’t delay the flight or anything and told me I could continue thru and have a seat. He would bring me my passport in a couple of minutes. I said, “I’m not going ANYWHERE without my passport! I’m staying here until you’re finished with it and have returned it to me.” Wow, what a learning point for me. I kept telling myself over and over, “Duh, Nicole.” But his Dutch accent speaking English was really annoying and he was somewhat of a jerk until I broke into tears and then yelled at him for suggesting I move on without my passport in hand. After I returned home, I told the story to my sister. She then recalled how there was a security incident recently in Amsterdam involving someone traveling from Africa. She said she never thought about it, otherwise she would have warned me. So warning to any of your family & friends traveling through Amsterdam TO or FROM Africa (especially FROM): Expect tight security.
SECURITY OFFICER: [Searching through carry-on] “What’s this, a computer battery?”
NICOLE: “Yes.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Holding up a ziplock bag w/ contents in plain sight] “And THESE? What are THESE?”
NICOLE: “Tampons.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Confused look on the face] “What?”
NICOLE: “Tampons.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Confused look on the face continues]
NICOLE: “Female hygiene products?”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Still looking a little confused] “Okay.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Handing over paperwork to be signed due to searching contents of bag] “So you’re leaving us?”
NICOLE: “Yep. Sorry.”
SECURITY OFFICER: [Smiling] “But why don’t you stay longer?”
NICOLE: [With laughter] “You’re government won’t let me stay longer right now. I’ve already stayed longer.”
SECURITY OFFICER: “But you’ll come back?”
NICOLE: “Yes, I’m hoping to come back and at least visit.”
SECURITY OFFICER: “When are you coming back?”
NICOLE: “I’m not sure yet, but I hope soon. Thank you…”
SERIOUSLY?!? Did someone from Nyakasharu PAY him to ask me to stay or ask when I’m coming back?!? The 2 questions EVERYONE kept asking me in Nyakasharu: "But why don't you stay longer?" & "So when are you coming back?"
And then there was the interrogation at Amsterdam… Security is really tight there right now. Each passenger or family was questioned by a security agent before getting their carry-on screened one more time (the carry-on being re-screened was nothing new… but the questioning seemed excessive, as there were many officers questioning at the same time). My security officer seemed to ask the right questions (unfortunate for me). My friend, Grace, had given me a present that I promised not to open until I reached home in America. I just put it in my checked baggage thinking with x-ray technology it would be fine & if security had opened it before I reached home, then no problem. But I forgot about needing to know ALL of the contents of your checked baggage. When he asked me if I had received any gifts from people in Africa, I said “yes.” And when he asked if I had received anything that was still wrapped, that I didn’t know what was inside I said, “yes.” [Oops. Big mistake.] He then asked me questions about who gave it to me, how long I knew them… And when I replied, he then asked me when my friend Ben’s birthday was (Ben is Grace's husband...and he is the CEO of the Ugandan NGO I volunteered with). I said, “I don’t know, but I know he’s 41.” He snapped back with laughter, “You don’t even know when you’re friends birthday is?!?” I was SO upset from all of the questioning and feeling like a criminal, plus all I could think of was that “Africans don’t really celebrate their birthdays and many don’t even know when theirs is,” so exhausted, I just broke into tears. He saw how upset I was and changed his demeanor. Explaining how it was just a precaution. I said, “Yes, but I’ve been traveling for a very long time, I’m tired, and I just want to go home.” He told me they were just going to check my checked baggage, it wouldn’t delay the flight or anything and told me I could continue thru and have a seat. He would bring me my passport in a couple of minutes. I said, “I’m not going ANYWHERE without my passport! I’m staying here until you’re finished with it and have returned it to me.” Wow, what a learning point for me. I kept telling myself over and over, “Duh, Nicole.” But his Dutch accent speaking English was really annoying and he was somewhat of a jerk until I broke into tears and then yelled at him for suggesting I move on without my passport in hand. After I returned home, I told the story to my sister. She then recalled how there was a security incident recently in Amsterdam involving someone traveling from Africa. She said she never thought about it, otherwise she would have warned me. So warning to any of your family & friends traveling through Amsterdam TO or FROM Africa (especially FROM): Expect tight security.
This Is It – We Meet
Departing Uganda was one of the most difficult things I've had to do. The last words I could say to the last person I hugged as I boarded a bus in Nyakasharu heading for Kampala was, "We meet." I can't wait until the day arrives when I am able to visit all of my Ugandan family and friends.
I departed Uganda with a proper send-off... a surprise farewell party! Ugandans certainly do know how to party!!! The end of my stay was also filled with SEVERAL visits to peoples' nearby homes and villages. I wish I would have taken greater effort to record those experiences to share here with others. But the memories are strong and will always stay with me.
My Ugandan friends continue to ask me via email, texts, and Facebook "When are you coming back?" I wish I had a definitive answer, and I wish it could be "Tomorrow!" But the reality is, it will still be at least a couple of years.
I wish all of my Ugandan family & friends the best (and I promise to try to do a better job of staying in touch with you!!!).
Ogumeho. [Stay safe.]
Meet the Neighbors
Let me introduce you to my neighbors from Nyakasharu (the finest neighbors a person could ever hope for!):
Stella
Immaculate
Divine & Chosen
Donald
Brenda & Juliete
Bruno
Hayley
Stella
Immaculate
Divine & Chosen
Donald
Brenda & Juliete
Bruno
Hayley
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