A Good Ol Village Visit

Isaac

Two and a half years ago I took my first trip to this beautiful country, forever changing the way I view life through the experiences and relationships that she graciously offered to me. There was one friendship in particular that my friends and I still share stories about. His name is Isaac. Two and a half years ago we spent a week doing construction in a local village, Mbiko, but we high schoolers on the trip didn't do a tone of the construction part of it. We were way too eager to spend time with the people and learn from their culture and way of life... and well... let's just be honest we really just wanted to play with the kids.

We spent hours at the football field (soccer field, but I'm trying to get in the habit of using the term that the ENTIRE rest of the world uses for the sport) at the top of the village playing, laughing, running, talking, and eating waaayyyy too much sugar cain (which we picked from the local fields) for our own good. There was one particular teenager that got our attention, mostly because he kept offering Steph Rocco and Kelly McBride more and more chickens, goats, and cows for either's hand in marriage, but when we sat down to really discuss this boys life he could not stop expressing his desire to have an education and his love for art, but wasn't able attend school because his family could not afford the expense. This, unfortunately, is the status of thousands of children in this area. Kelly and Steph went back determined. After talking to various people back in California they found a sponsor for Isaac! And that was the last I ever heard of this kid. I knew he was safe, sound, and educated because he was sponsored, but I had no idea of his whereabouts and frankly thought I would never see him again...

... Until he showed up at our front door today. What was supposed to be a quick visit to ask my mom a simple question about his sponsorship turned into 2 and a half hours of catching up and discussing his passion for art. Over and over he would say "I've missed you all so much! I thought I'd never see you again, How is Kelly? and Stephanie? I thank them so much for finding me sponsor!" It seemed a if every five minutes he expressed his surprise to see me and with great joy, the feeling was mutual. He poured out his love for art and painting and the spark it ignited in his soul. And when he pulled out all of his drawings from his bag, his face expressed the same excitement that came from a 5 year old telling his mother he learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels. It is both his escape and his connection to the world around him. It's his way to release the pain, frustrations, and joy; and also to connect with and analyse the details of the world that no one else may see so easily.

And let's just be honest, it was pretty cool having him remember all of us after all this time and on Thursday he is taking me back to his village to see some old friends there. Needless to say, I'm pretty stoked about Isaac.

For all you Californians

Well, I've been in Uganda 6 days now so this post is long over due. Since the moment I stepped foot on to the plane heading straight for good ol' LAX I knew that writing this was not only a desire of mine, but a necessity. It's necessary for me to take the time to write about the importance of community and the blessing it has been in my life. I don't speak of necessity as if it's a burden to my time or as if it's something that I HAVE to do, but after dedicating a week to a community that can't be described as anything other than spell-binding - I feel that each day spent with out writing a proper 'Thank You' would just be terrible manners... and quite frankly almost an insult to such community.



I just realized that if you read that last bit with a English accent it will sound much more fitting.



Anyways!... So I made it. I finally made my way back the place that fed me such beautiful instability in my way of viewing the world. The only place I've ever been tempted to call home after only 2 weeks. The place that I've considered my lifeline to sanity (or what many of you have once viewed as insanity) for the past two and a half years: Jinja, Uganda! and for the first time in all my my visits here - I miss home.

It's cliche and can be a total cop-out, but honestly, after a spending a week back in Danville I realized the full extent of the importance of these people in my life. Now, people have been telling me for years that I will barely keep in touch with friends from high school and I approached the first three years of my high school career with that attitude that reflected those words, but after witnessing many other high school and post high school communities I realized that there was something special to mine. My life hasn't really ever been considered a path of stability - mostly of my own doing... actually... completely of my own doing, but anyways, through all this all-over-the-place-ness that is my life I can rest in knowing that those crazy Californians will always provide a place to call home. There is a strength in both integrity and in unity through out my group of friends back home that I find to be very unique (and that's also coming from some outsiders perspectives too) and that will never go unappreciated. So, in every sense of the phrase - thank you, Danvillites for being the best/strongest/most unique/most definitely most ridiculous community I've ever had the blessing of being a part of. I could sit here for hours ranting my insane love and respect for ya'll.



www.axisofdville.com/thatincludesanyoneindanvilleiveeverthrownafrisbeewith/thatsalotoffreakinpeople.hellamobbinfornightsdays.hella/imissyallmorethanamberwouldmisspeoplecallingherprettyiftheystoppedformorethanfiveminutes.



Also! I want to make a big shout out to our favorite Lebanese wonders of the world and Mamma and Pappa bear and all their atterbear cubs - I couldn't be more thankful for ya'll being gracious enough to host me as a part of your families last week. If there's anything you need from me - do not hesitate for an instant to let me know how I can be of service. I'll always be there for ya'll in whatever you need just as you have been for me. If any of you lovely readers ever cross paths with a member of either of these two families - just attack them with a hug and say it's from me.

Too tired to actually think.

Ok, so there's a lot to reflect on and a lot I've learned in the past 3 weeks, but unfortunately Californian and Ugandan schedules have not offered me the courtesy of free time and everytime I sit down at night to write any kind of thoughtful reflection of Denver, California, or Uganda, my eyelids start to feel like deadweights and the humidity starts to take hold over my consciousness.

In shorter words: I have not forgotten about you wonderful readers! There are many topics to be discussed in the near future!

Grace and Peace,
Philly G-Love (name given in courtesy of DJ Ozzy K)

Sam

The Gap Year crew spent the evening at Sam's house. We watched a movie, ate dinner, talked about life... Normal, right? Wrong. Sam and his family reside in West Denver which a predominately hispanic/low-income section of the city. From the outside he is a stereotype - even he will attest to that. His appearance molds perfectly to just about every one of our stereotype images of a hispanic gang member. I'm only speaking truth because I mean, if we're truly honest with ourselves - we all have that stereotype image in the back of our heads. But what most would not guess is that he is also a man of brilliance, compassion, committment and strength like that of which I rarely see. That... AND he has one of the sickest low-riders I've ever seen.

Him and his homies had us over for dinner tonight so that we may stand in a community where the unthinkable happens. Where violence is in an inevitable part of their week; a place where cops are constantly oppressing the citizens they swore to protect because to them - just about every hispanic male is a molds to a generalization. This is a place where the people work hard, but have little; where they are surrounded by gang activity; where there is so much need, but I can't do a damn thing about it.

After checking out his low-rider car projects, which he put together, and talked about his new idea for designing and marketing a low-rider BMX bike, we went inside to watch a movie called La Mission. This movie was intended to give us a clearer picture of their community and the life they have proudly chosen to embrace. Sam and his family have immerced themselves in this community. It's where he is from, what he knows best, and where he knows he is supposed to be. I could go on about the life of Sam, the people he loves and all those who love him, the way he spends his days, and the amount of respect we owe to men like him, but for the sake of your time I'll just close with what he taught me tonight.

He ended tonight with very powerful words. He said that (not word-for-word) "you guys are about to leave, and maybe never come back, but we... we're here to stay." We were about to leave and put it all behind us, making everything that had happened nothing but a memory, but he was there, in that community, to give all of who he is to the people and to his family. He gave us an invitation to never forget what we had experienced, but to make those moments a part of who we are. His ministry is not with an organization or not profit, it's just being a member of a community - sharing in their pain and in their weaknesses, taking on their burdens - that's his ministry... and his life. It's a lesson that I must carry with me as I enter into so many different communitites this year. I can not walk away from any place without carrying a little piece of them with me. A piece that my keeps my heart breaking for their pain, and rejoicing in their blessings.

Victims

I've realized my heart for victims - people that are oppressed by a higher power working for their own personal gain. Today I saw the impact of a victims story. I'm not allowed to share any specifics due to the fact that details are confidential and considering all of this is online I am not permitted to share much of anything except for the fact that a client of JAMLAC has had their U-Visa approved which allows this family to create a whole new path for themselves. This new ability to achieve citizenship has completely re-shaped the future of this family and all I can say is thank God for the staff at JAMLAC who have invested so much of their love into this family to work through the oppressive immigration system that is set up in our nation.

I witnessed the start of an entirely new direction for an entire family whose past would make any man or woman cringe due to thoughts of how horrifying humans beings can be to one another. I don't really have much more to say - mostly because I can't, but I will say that today I witnessed change - complete irreversible, undeniable, God-driven change in a family and it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

Good Will Hunting Not Realistic?

Every Wednesday I help out at Joshua Station's (transitional housing center) youth group for the high school residents. Last night we watched Good Will Hunting and after the movie was over, the leader, Ben, asked everybody what they thought. Karen, a more reserved, incredibly sweet 17 year old hispanic girl replied "I dunno.. it just didn't seem real." Ben, being a little confused turned to her and asked "Why do you say that?" And very quickly, and said as if we should've known, Karen snapped back, "Because he was white!!" ... it was hilarious. That is all.

The Value of a Man's Dignity

I was asked the other day what I've learned the most in past month and this is the compile of memories that immediately came to mind...

Jeff Johnson is the Executive Director of Mile High Ministries which is essentially the overall umbrella ministry for which we are all working. He teaches one of our classes every Monday which essentially can only be described as a streets smart class with a strong emphasis on the biblical perspective of urban poverty and city life. Two weeks ago something in particular stuck with me in his class and has had a profound impact on the way I see and interact with the poor. We discussed our train of thought when we encounter the homeless and specifically pan-handlers our usual tendencies when crossing the path of the poor.

Example: You're walking down the street and cross the path of a man. He embodies the word "filthy" - even makes my usual shower habits appear as healthy. Hair in dreads, body untastefully tattooed, clothes not exactly made for Nordstrums Spring Catalogue, and as your pase quickens to pass by him as quickly as possible his mouth speratically utters a few words that shake off a few of the many dirt crums stuck in his unkempt beard. What I usually tend to do is pretend to stare off into space and pretend to have no knowledge of his existence except for maybe that one moment when your gaze meets his and you are forced to awkwardly extend a semi-cordial nod his way while purposefully ignoring the reality that he has something to say to you. Whether or not you can understand him is irrelevent because either way he is unheard. Either way an assumption is made of who he is, what he wants, and especially what he needs. I assume that I know what is necessary for this man to "succeed;" for him to "make something of himself." And thus my pre conceived bias drives me to no longer treat him as a man with value, but someone who is lacking what I THINK might be missing in his life.

Here is the moral of the story: When you listen to this man, when you take the time to connect and try to get on his level for 10 minues, and when you give him the chance to TELL YOU what he needs and what he really wants, you give him back his dignity and respect as a human being who has the ability to decide for himself what he needs. It's those little things that allow one to build a genuine relationship with this man - one from which both him and yourself can grow as equal human beings together.

Whoa Whoa Whoa Slow This Down!

For many of you that title brings up very significantly specific and memorable events in your life along with the never ending joy that comes from hearing those words being spoken from the mouth of Mr. Busboom and sung from the pipes of that "American Jr." we all know and love - Grace Leer. Tonight those words are SCREAMING from my head back to the never ceasing class 6 river rapids that have been my past two weeks of living here in Denver. My life these days seems to only consist of either monumental experiences/relationships redefining or building the way I view myself, the poor, and just about everyone with whom I come in contact; or it's a crazy adventure that explodes my love for the blessed state of Colorado! Over the next couple days I will be posting more blog entries on various topics I have been facing and crazy awesome events that have taken place. I will essentially be "slowing down" a little bit and allow you to take a closer look into my experiences and in doing so allow myself to restore a little bit of sanity and process what has been stirring in my head over these past few weeks. Right now I will leave you with this - I am exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Gotta wake up early for staff meeting so good-night all!

Law Firm.... ?

So this will be a long one, but it's a good look into what my Denver experience will look like...

Graffiti wall outside of JAMLAC --->

As a part the Gap Year program we are all required to take part in various internships through out the city of Denver. Mile-High Ministries (www.milehighmin.org) has set us up with endless connections into the many fields of inner-city ministry through out the area from which we are able to pick our internships. After careful consideration I chose to give myself a very pleasantly uncomfortable position at a law firm known as JAMLAC (Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Clinic). JAMLAC works for those under the poverty line who would otherwise have no where to go with their legal issues. Now I know what ya'll are thinking: "Phil Gibson... ? Law Firm? That doesn't even make sense!" And trust me - I am very well of that fact. I spend the majority of my intern hours at a desk filing cases and attending meetings. All of my past ministry experience has involved playing music, throwing kids around in the air - basically acting like a big 5 year old (don't worry, it's a part of me that is still very well in tact), but everything I've done has been relationally based so this whole Law thing is about as far outside of my comfort as I could get.

When choosing to take part in this Gap Year program one of my strongest train of thoughts was that I'm only 19 years old - what's the hurry? I need to experience as much of the world as I can before I take the educational step that could shape the course of my career. With this thought of new experiences I figured it would be a good idea to plunge into realm of long desk hours and dauntingly long computer tasks.

I'm not allowed to reveal too much information about the specifics of cases that I have worked with, but I'll try to give you as much insight as I can into what JAMLAC is about - We mostly work immigration and domestic violence cases for people below the poverty line. The immigration cases mostly involve working to give abused woman access for a U-Visa. The purpose of U-Visas is to give victims of certain crimes (mostly domestic violence) a temporary legal status and allow them to work in the U.S. for up to 4 years. This also allows them better access to getting citizenship. The stories I have heard have haunted my perception of the capabilities of human beings. Before coming here, experience has taught me to have more faith in the good of humanity rather than the evil, but the cases I have worked with have given me a heavy reminder of the terror that some are willing to unleash upon the innocent. But JAMLAC is in the business of providing hope for the downtrodden. I have seen how much so many of the poor and the broken need legal representation and not just a hug following an openly sincere "How are you?" Feeling the love is important, but being picked up so that they can run their own race is truly what they need.

Overall - it's one of the best learning experiences of my life.

Trevor Hall

So I have just been introduced to a new artist who has recently taken a never ending position as the constant sound track to my life - whether is coincides with my life or not. His name is Trevor Hall. He's one of the very few that can make a voice crack work for him so ya'll bes' be appreciatin' This is a verse to his song "My Baba" and it seems like every time I heard it, I have to stop whatever activity or emotionally occupying situation I'm in and retune myself with this verse - it restores a wittle bit of my sanity every time. It's kinda cheesy and generic, but I'm ok with it because it strongly coincides with how I think this year is supposed to be lived out.

Yes I decide this is the callin

No more rascallin'

Reach and grab the hand of the friend of the fallen

Queen's on the island, but we'll jump the ocean

Gonna build a bridge of love and set it in motion

Throw out your reason, this love's in season

Sings in the earth and the air that we're breathin'

This is the chapter, a symphony of laughter

That never dies, let it shine, love divine

Read that as you listen to the song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFDTPaYQw0A. It makes me really really really happy.

"We're Human BEINGS not Human DOINGS"

Our Friday afternoon Spiritual Guidance class is taught by a woman named Millie. Millie is one of those spunky strong middle aged women that speaks with incredible discernment and keeps everyone waiting in anticipation for her next words of wisdom that leave us in awe of a new way to dwell on our lives... or a witty remark said to make fun of the fact that we're still teenagers. But one line from her class has stuck with me for almost a week now and I can't seem to be able to think about past events without reflecting upon these words. "We're human BEINGS, not human DOINGS." She continued to explain that reflections of our lives should not based upon the events that are taking place, but upon how these said events work to change the people we are.

Learning to Let Go

Well, I guess this is my first step into the vast, and what I currently see as confusing world of online blogging. The confusing aspect is slowly dwindling though (Many of you parents trying to connect into the tretcherous dark realm of facebook probably understand the feeling).

Anyways, I am currently cleaning out my room which to my surprise is becoming a terrifying experience - I know most of you are thinking that I'm talking about the smell/ the pesticide under the pile of dirty clothes that might have actually grown into a living creature with a thirst of blood - but unfortunately no, I'm writing of something much more terrifying than Teddy. I'm writing at the beginning stage of what I see to be a very long learning process of "how to let go." With my parents moving out of the U.S. to the beautiful country of Uganda, Africa; my next destination only being occupied for 2 months, and from which I will be going to another country - I see this process of packing EVERYTHING up to be much more unconventional and daunting than the stereotypical "packing for college" experience.

Through out my 19 years of living I have aquired a plethra of sentimental momentos all of which carry stories of different pieces of my life and all which I am pathetically having a hard time letting go of. It seems that each picture, every goofy birthday card, scratched up cd, or ridiculous note passed to me Jr. year English class has a difficult time prying itself from my grip and taking it's much needed free fall into the trash can. I continually seem to catch myself into thinking that with every item that gets thrown away a memory falls closely behind.

But I quickly learned a good lesson - that's dumb! and the cheesy, cliche - but still so true - message shortly found its way into my head: All that matters is who I am now and the way which I am using every piece that has molded me into the person I am. Fun little sentimental memories are great but if I put too much stock into the physical objects and make them the only representations of the memories than I am losing sight of the purpose of those memories. I will also be setting myself up for a long stretch of "let downs" as I undergo a series of packing lighter and lighter for the next destination in the next year.