In 2006, we embarked upon a life changing trip to Uganda, Africa with JZEI.
There we were able to see first hand how a small group of people can make a difference in the lives of those in need, people like Christine. More about Christine soon…
We saw the dedication of a newly installed bore hole (water well,) the donation of seed and farming equipment to an entire village, many of it’s citizens returning from being displaced by the LRA. Many traveled to medical clinics hosted by Open Arms International while pastors in the area were given bicycles to better be able to reach their congregation and those in need.
My wife, Lauren, came in contact with a young woman, Christine, who had three children. Christine’s obvious limp sparked a question to which we learned a worm had made its home in her leg and was eating her flesh. This type of worm is often ingested through the consumption of unsanitary drinking water and can lead to the loss of limbs and possibly death. Through donations from church members back home for medicine and a hospital stay, Christine’s leg remains today. She is now healthy enough to provide for her children as a telephone switchboard operator. Christine thanks God that her story made its way to people who cared enough to help.
Stories like this prompted the creation of Emote360. Emote360 is a global non-profit organization established to equip, empower and educate people through the creation of multi-media materials that evoke a positive and eternal change in the hearts and minds of a hurting world.
February 20-March 4th, 2008. Uganda and Rwanda.
This February, Elizabeth Fischer, videographer and producer, and I will be accompanying Antioch Church based out of Bend, Oregon and Sisters Community Church from Sisters, Oregon, back to Uganda. Antioch has been lead to adopt a village in the Bukwa Region, a remote area at the foot of Mt. Elgon and near the Kenyan border. We’ll be documenting the relationship building process for those back home as well as the installation of a water project. We’ll also be documenting a very disturbing and little talked about procedure called FGM, Female Genital Mutilation. You can read more about this process at the World Health Organization website here.
We’ll be traveling with a member of Ugandan Parliament to various villages and will no doubt hear very troubling stories. Your thoughts and prayers both for victims and our team are greatly appreciated.
From Uganda, we head south to Rwanda to visit a dear friend whom we met in 2006. Naomi, amongst other things, is a pastor, choir director, owner and administrator of orphanages in the region and helps those who are or have been affected by AIDS. We’ll be spending a couple of days documenting her work as well as the needs of the children. As little as $2.00 a year (US) gives one of her children their needed vaccinations and medications. The needs are great, the opportunity to give endless.
Much like in the case of Christine, we hope to bring home media content that sparks involvement and ultimately change. Someone once asked me, “why go to Africa to help, we have need in the US too.” My reply? Why not do both…
What can you do? Your donation helps us cover the tremendous cost for a trip of this nature and gives us the ability to bring home the needs of those who can be helped through the use of multimedia.
Upon returning home, we’ll update you on the trip and any specific stories of interest. We’ll also be taking the video, images and stories to churches or organizations who might be interested in learning more about what’s happening in the world around us.
We ask that you prayerfully consider helping us with this trip. Be it financially or through thoughts and prayers while we are gone.
Remember Christine? Her children thank God for those who gave. You truly can save a life and change the world.
Peace and God Bless,
Benjamin
