A Couple of Videos

No, these aren't for your entertainment. These are for your education. I posted on my personal blog the other day a little more information about the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you want it all, I'll send it to you, along with a bunch of resources and ways you can get involved. It's hard to swallow, it really is.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been learning about Internally Displaced Persons in DRC. However, there are over 52 million displaced around the world. It is a huge issue, one which needs more attention and devotion from people all over the world.

These videos are about the crisis in DRC. Hopefully this gives you a glimpse of the problem occurring around the world today. Click the links below (I couldn't manage to get them to upload directly to this page).

Video #1 this is posted by Condition: Critical which is a website devoted to the crisis in DRC and what Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, or Doctors without Borders) are doing to help in the area.

Video #2 this is by UNICEF. "Not by Bombs and Bullets: Behind the DRC conflict". (I would post direct from UNICEF, but I couldn't get their videos working from their website.)

Video #3 is posted by Media Storm.

Part of me does not want to warn you that these videos may have some graphic content. But they do. Please watch them. Learn something. Think about something difficult for a few minutes of your day. Let it sink into your bones so deep that you must do something to help.

Here are a list of links, ways to get involved (simple ways! Like purchasing clothes, goods, photography and more) and further your awareness about global issues:

http://www.womenforwomen.org
http://www.worldreliefnext.org
http://www.cauzal.com
http://www.greatlakesoutreach.org
http://www.thekilns.com
http://www.ethniphotography.com
http://www.riseupinternational.com
http://www.ransomwear.org
http://www.krochetkids.org
http://www.amaniafrica.org
http://www.bloodwatermission.com

Congo Learning Group

It's a little bit of late notice to be announcing this, but oh well. Better late than never!

There's a learning group going on for the next 6 Monday nights starting tonight about the Democratic Republic of Congo. Anybody can come, and it's free. It will be a good opportunity to have your eyes opened about this crisis situation, as well as give you the information you need to continue creating awareness in your sphere of influence.

It is held at 6:30PM at the Kilns Bookstore and Boutique. Directions are on their website. I hope to see you there.

World Relief Next

Watch.

This.

Video.

Then visit the website for the recently launched World Relief Next Project, a division of World Relief.

Great Lakes Outreach

The same conversation has been surfacing for the past 8 months or so:

What do you suggest your brides do with their wedding gowns after the big day?

And up until a few days ago, I had no idea what to tell them. I can recommend where they can go to have it cleaned and preserved, but that was about the extent of it.

Until I found the website for the Great Lakes Outreach organization I talked about in the previous post. Under their "Get Involved" section, at the bottom they are asking for donated wedding gowns! I couldn't believe my eyes.

I understand that many women would like to keep their gowns for their daughters or granddaughters, this is completely acceptable! I may even do the same some day (though I wonder if my kids and grand kids would someday want a GOR-TEX gown and also get married in the snow??).

At any rate, I have a lot of women who don't know just what to do with their gowns. I think this is a fabulous opportunity! I'll definitely be spreading the word about this sweet concept. I've recently contacted GLO, and I'm waiting for them to get back to me. I can't wait to tell you what they say!

Burundi

Know where that is? That's ok. It's a pretty small place. But now I want you to learn a little bit about it and why it's important.

Burundi is ravaged by many crises. A civil unrest between tribes, genocide, HIV/AIDS, a lack of clean water, and the fact that it's one of the 10 poorest nations in the world are among the issues they face daily.

I listened to a man named Emmanuel Ndikumana speak both last night and Sunday. He told stories of his country and the history there, and the story of his life. He is a pastor, a leader, a husband, a father, and one seeking to create reconciliation for the country. Because as he sees it, reconciliation in the mind needs to happen for individuals before hope and material solutions will ever work. I wish you could have been there. (I'm trying to find out if it was recorded and will be podcasted. If so, I'll post it here.)

There was a question and answer time at the end of the evening. A woman asked, "How does the current economic crisis affect Burundi?"

His answer struck me so hard I started to cry instantly.

"Theoretically, because we are the third poorest nation in the world, we would be affected the least. Because we have nothing. In practice, because we rely so heavily on foreign aid, that aid will drop because nobody will be able to give. And if they do not give, we will die."

Can you imagine with me for a moment, a country chock full of 8 million people literally ceasing to exist because of this economic crisis? That's an equivalent to the population of New York City.

They need assistance. Never before did you think about the fact that your hardships and your decisions during those hardships could affect somebody so far away, did you? Neither did I.

We have an opportunity. Giving is hard during this time, believe me, I know. If you want to give, here is some info.

Partners Trust International is a part of the Great Lakes Outreach organization. Here is a page with ways to get involved. And they are SIMPLE ways! Click here to find out more. You can always give through The Kilns as well.

My happy corner

"There was one question which I never dreamed of raising. I never noticed that the very strength and facility of the pessimists' case at once poses us a problem. If the universe is so bad, or even half so bad, how on earth did human beings ever come to attribute it to the activity of a wise and good Creator? Men are fools, perhaps; but hardly so foolish as that."

-C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (Chapter 1, page 3, 2nd paragraph, emphasis mine)


Oh yes, I do remember saying I would post pictures of my corner devoted to human rights. I still have articles and photos to put up. I've been adding a little bit at a time to keep these issues at the front of my mind. To continually be reminded of why I'm working so hard on my company. To allow my heart to be broken, and remind myself how blessed I am, that my gifts are to be put towards good work in this world. (Framed photo by Benjamin Images)


It's sometimes hard to think about these things, honestly. But I have to continually remind myself that God is sovereign. Helping me out a lot with that right now is reading The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis. He has some amazing insight into the question of, "How could a loving God and benevolent Creator allow evil in the world?"

All of the little fuchsia cards have a different issue on them with the definition:



And of course, each of those brown cards with the gold writing on them are scripture from the bible. Reminders of the call on my life, as well as God's promises:


Welcome to another little piece of my world and my heart.

Do Something.

Does your heart break as much as mine when you read an article like this one? Does the staggering reality shatter your heart to pieces?

There's always something you can do. Always. Purchase coffee the right way. Purchase clothing and goods that go above and beyond paying the laborer fairly.

My recent joy is found in a relatively new company to Central Oregon, Cauzal Coffee, founded by Don Jacobson. Check them out. Read their blog (updated by Dan Brose of World Relief). Then buy their coffee. Support a "Cauze" that stirs you.

Every little bit matters.

"The Unsearched Soul"

Lost, downtrodden, empty
She aches
Forgotten, oppressed, confused
She agonizes

Forgiveness she's never known
Embittered, her heart
She stands tall, shaking
Facing evil, staring at death

The eyes of her enemy show no mercy

The unsearched soul begs comfort,
Petitions justice,
Pleads healing,
Implores saving

Afflicted, abused, unknown
She cries
Alone, sobbing, lacking
She longs

The unsearched soul
Feels a breeze
Catches a glimpse
Hope that shines
Healing that cleans
Love that fills
The greatest void

Firm she stands
Truth she holds
Love she exudes
Forgiveness she extends.

My heart continually breaks for women all over the world. Particularly in Africa. Particularly those subjected to FGM. But injustice and violence against the human race in general sends me into tears.

I wish more people understood the magnitude at which these things happen daily. I think we tend to close our eyes and drown out sadness, because we feel like we have enough of our own problems, let alone thinking about somebody else's. I think this train of thought needs to stop. I think we need to quit being selfish. To see life with better perspective.

I see an opportunity to help create awareness through my company. Through whatever means I can find. To offer hope. To offer change. To show mercy. Hopefully each and every thing that I do serves toward that purpose.

CNN News Story

I saw this story on CNN about human trafficking and had to post it. The passion of this woman is inspiring.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/17/stolen.lives/index.html

For the Women of Sudan

Would you like to help encourage economic sustainability for Sudanese women and have a beautiful handmade product?

Lauren met a gentleman in Uganda two years ago. Robert, who is a father, husband, and pastor often risks his life as he drives North from Uganda into the Sudan. Robert shares weekly with Lauren via email about the difficult travels he endures to try and bring aid and pastoral care to the hurting people, specifically women and children, of Sudan.

In an effort to provide funds to aid the women, Robert brought back with him to Uganda handmade necklaces to sell from Sudanese villages, returning the profit to the women. Robert realized that a greater profit might be made if the necklaces were sold in the United States.

Lauren agreed to help. A few weeks later our mailbox was filled with an enormous paper package, covered in stamps and scented with the aroma of Uganda. The necklaces have sold very well. Lauren has transferred nearly two thousand dollars back to Robert, who in turn risks his life to deliver the funds to the women of southern Sudan. The attached picture is of the women with food they have purchased from profits of necklaces that were sold.

This coming Tuesday the 12th, from 4pm-8pm, Lauren will be selling a new shipment of necklaces from our home in Bend. All proceeds will be deposited the next day and transferred to Robert before he leaves this coming Friday for the Sudan.

Directions:http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=175+SE+Roosevelt+Ave,+Bend,+OR+97702&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.789564,61.171875&ie=UTF8&z=17&iwloc=addrPlease call Lauren at 330.1928 if you have any further questions. You can make a difference.

Blessings to you,

Benjamin and Lauren Edwards

Cutting the Star Flowers

I want to invite you to a night of insight into one of the most culturally binding issues of our time, female genital mutilation.

Join Benjamin Edwards (photographer) and Elizabeth Fischer (video producer) as they share stories, pictures and a REACH documentary on the agonizing truth behind FGM, what the people of Uganda are doing to stop it, and what God is asking us to do to help rid our cultures of this practice.

When: July 27, 7:00PM
Where: The Kilns, 550 NW Industrial Way #44, Bend, OR
Why: Because each one of us can be part of the solution

Do you believe we all deserve rights? Do you have and fight for your rights? Then come help those who do not have rights, let alone the help or encouragement to fight for them.