So.....

my favorite things 2011

jenniebeth — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:44:24 +0000

so, anyone who sorta follows this blog knows i do an end of year favorites list, my own….”if i was picking the oscars, grammys, emmys…” sort of thing. haha. my disclaimer is always that things didn’t have to be released in 2011. it’s more of just what i really enjoyed, though i do try to stick to 2011 – especially with movies and music.

i personally enjoy seeing people’s lists because it can help me to know what to look for and get ideas of what might be good.

so, here goes:

Movies

Hugo 3D. A wonderful story was told. Time was taken to tell it. It was artful, fun, uplifting – not to mention superbly directed and acted. Very refreshing – a movie unlike any I’ve seen in a while because of bothering to tell a story with balance, not rushed but not boring.
The Help. Just one of those feel-good inspirational movies that’s really well acted. You just walk out feeling good.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. Ok, I have to admit that I wanted this movie to be longer. I wanted to see more – longer scenes and more details. But, what was on screen was really swell. A fine end to a wonderful series. Seriously, I think the whole Harry Potter series – the themes and quality – rank almost with Lord of the Rings.
X-Men First Class. Wow, what a great super-hero movie. I don’t know how to describe it. It just wasn’t the typical fast paced action. It was just…fun.
War Horse. I haven’t seen it yet, but I know I’ll like it. haha

Music (I am heavy on the worship music this year, but it is all really good, and I guess I just didn’t get a lot of new music to show more eclectic stuff. Didn’t like the new Coldplay that much, Patty Griffin had nothing new, so, you know.)

Passion: Here For You
Matt Redman: 10,000 Reasons
Tim Hughes: Love Shine Through
Jeremy Riddle: Beautiful Jesus
Phil Wickham: Response
Sarah Kelly: Christmas Acoustic EP, (especially singing “O Holy Night”)

Books

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy, by Eric Metaxes – Fascinating, informative, helpful, just super super good.
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand – Oh man. Everyone must read this. I’m sure there will be a movie, but read the book first. Amazing true story.
Pastor, Eugene Peterson – His memoir.

The West Wing – I am putting this because not enough people watch it, and it is by far one of the best shows ever on TV. Not kidding. Use your Netflix and enjoy.
Modern Family – Yes, I have drunk the Kool-Aid. It’s just so stinkin hilarious and endearing.
Parks and Recreation – Give it some time. But, once you get to where you really know the characters, it is laugh out loud.
Fringe – It’s weird, but it sucks you in. You must watch this from the start; don’t bother if you don’t.
Food Network shows like Iron Chef and Chopped – I am learning things and improving as a cook, so it is worth it just for that, really.

ftw – faq

jenniebeth — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:57:39 +0000

if you have not seen the video titled, never once, which is below this post, you can watch it is well. i am posting both this one and that one on the same day. otherwise, this video is me explaining the status of things with finding the way and the work in northern uganda now that i am not there.

a thank you…

jenniebeth — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:05:37 +0000

so, this song represents how i feel about my time in uganda the past 3 and a half years. it shows a rundown of much of my journey during this time…

out of africa

jenniebeth — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:19:31 +0000

so, i am back in the states now. i will write more very soon about some things, but i thought i would share this montage of some of the beauties of uganda…

More Clean Water!!!

jenniebeth — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:26:00 +0000

so, the need for clean water is still a huge issue in northern Uganda. you still find many people who must travel quite a distance to find a bore hole (well with a hand pump) that provides clean water. some people have a natural water source, but those are always contaminated. that means, it must be boiled to drink, and it is not sanitary for washing and bathing. so, to have a bore hole nearby makes a huge impact on the quality of people’s lives. it helps to reduce disease and generally keeps people healthy. it also means that people do not need to spend so much time simply going through the laborious task of hauling water.

thanks to the giving of a number of people, both individual donors from the u.s. and from the charitable organization, Anazao, in the u.k., we were able to provide clean water for another one of our groups. groups 2 and 3 received wells in 2010. group 1 has a water source that is a bit far, but at least more accessible than group 4. group 4, in anaka, was only having a natural water source that was a bit far. and, it dries up during the dry season, which means they must go even further to find and bring back water.

I cannot stress enough the impact of a bore hole in a village. it is truly life-changing for all in the community. all of the people are very excited and thankful for this tremendous gift. thanks so much to all who gave and have supported this. thanks for letting your donation be used for this type of thing, and please know that it will have a lasting impact for hundreds of people. may god fully bless you!

Tagged: clean water, uganda

Business Seminars…

jenniebeth — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:40:24 +0000

So, We had a blessed time last week as we continued offering training on how to start and maintain small businesses. Heidi Potter once again came to teach and meet with people to help them in the process of creating a business plan and learning valuable business principles.

We did a basic and advanced course. There was a good turnout for both. Mostly, though, it is neat to see the people respond to these things. They are hungry for knowledge and truly wanting to do something to be able to provide for themselves and their families, as well as be able to employ others and help by providing jobs.

We will be working at organizing those who have been part of the trainings to form small groups in order to encourage and help one another as they all keep moving forward with starting their businesses. And, those who already have started can share their experiences. Just as we promote unity and the idea of working together in the adopted villages, we want to promote that here so that what they are learning and applying becomes an ongoing process. Then, they can also better share with new people and multiply their knowledge.

So, this has been a very fruitful way of continue to help people be restored physically – as they can provide finances and jobs, emotionally – as they have a purpose and something toward which to work, and spiritually – as they are able to invest in others and be a Godly influence.

Thanks to Heidi for coming once again and all those who made it possible.

more clean water!

jenniebeth — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:19:01 +0000

so, we are in the process of having a well put in at group 4 in anaka. needing clean water is still a huge issue here, so to be able to provide this for another one of our groups is a joy. the people in anaka have been struggling with only one natural water source, where they still needed to boil it to drink it. and now, that source has gone dry. so, the need for a bore hole well is very immediate. i will post some photos as soon as it is finished. thanks to all who contributed toward it!

so, here is the news…

jenniebeth — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:50:07 +0000

more details to come for sure, but here are the basics of what the future holds. i’ll have more info about finding the way future in the next few weeks…

coming soon…

jenniebeth — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:26:04 +0000

so, i know that i have not been posting much the past couple of months. my apologies. but, i have some important news to share, and it will be up early next week. so, stay tuned for that. it’s probably only die hards checking in here anymore, haha, so thanks for that.

why there are complications

jenniebeth — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:20:23 +0000

so, here is a link to an article that shows why we can often have trouble getting to our villages and projects. this blocked road, due to rain and poor road construction, is the one we take (and the only one available) to get to groups 1 and 2. the really hard part is when you are caught in a line of traffic and can’t hardly get turned around. there is such a huge need for infrastructure throughout uganda.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/759077

update

jenniebeth — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:21:43 +0000

so, the update today is that i am way behind on updating the blog — obviously! i shall get to it soon. thanks for whoever actually continues to check in while i’ve been so terrible at posting this past month. please keep checking back and i will commence with posting regularly once again very soon!

status of the lra rebels…

jenniebeth — Sun, 29 May 2011 18:45:57 +0000

people so often ask me what the latest is with the lord’s resistance army rebels, who are the ones who caused the war and destruction in northern uganda. here is an article that gives an update on them and their leader, joseph kony. it definitely riles me to hear of their ongoing evils.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/755942

group 4 structure

jenniebeth — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:02:02 +0000

The people of Anaka and group 4 have wanted a stable structure where they could meet as a church and have community gatherings. So, we are doing this project with them. It is exciting to see the unity within this group and their desire to come together as a community. These are the kinds of positive things that will continue to bring change in people’s lives and over the region. During the project, they work together and have to learn to overcome problems and challenges. Then, after they have the building, they can meet and share and worship and fellowship throughout the year no matter what the weather is like. So, we bless God for the giving to make this possible and look forward to seeing the project unfold!!

to fly away

jenniebeth — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:59:49 +0000

So, sometimes we just feel like this, don’t we…

Psalm 55:6-8
⁶ Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest!
⁷ I would fly far away
to the quiet of the wilderness.
(pause and think about that)
⁸ How quickly I would escape

Thankfully, God reminds us of this and does carry us…

update video

jenniebeth — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:07:22 +0000

so, when you click to watch this video, it will make you click to watch it on youtube. it’s ok. because i use a song on the video, it can only be watched on youtube’s site, not other sites. just so you know.