Noelle in America: Voucher, Upcoming Events, and Future Plans

A few things for you!

1.        I have a KLM/Delta airline voucher which needs to be used by August 18^th.   I given it to someone to use, but they decided not to use it and now I am stuck.  It is for 114 dollars and can be used by anyone, but does expire soon.  If needed, I am willing to discuss lower in the price to make it worth your while.   $100 is what I spend to live one week in Uganda.  If you are buying a KLM/Delta airline ticket in the next few weeks, please consider helping me by simply buying this voucher off of me.  Thanks!

2.       “Good Works:  An Evening for Africa”  will be taking place Wednesday, August 3^rd at 7:30 in Ann Arbor, Mi!   This will be a presentation at Christ the King Catholic Church.  I have been invited to share at the parish where I grew up about my work in Uganda, specifically highlighting my work with Christ the King’s sister parish and diocese.   All are welcome, light refreshments will be served!  Come along and invite your friends!

3.       I am going back to Uganda on August 16^th!  For there we will see what happens.  There is a lot of catching up to do, and I will hopefully be travelling to several other countries in September and October, to see about expanding my work.  In order to stay in Uganda I need to secure 3 things by February 2012:  1. Full Funding (1500-2000 USD per month)   2. Consistent Health   3. An extrovert work environment.  If you or any organizations you know would like to become a partner for transformation by contributing to my work monthly, feel free to used the “subscribe” button on my blog, or contact me directly for more information and partnering options.   Subscribe at http://noelleinafrica.blogspot.com

4.       The Wish List!    It’s still here, on my blog!  My biggest need at this moment is a full sized laptop computer, which is 2 years or less in age and is not a Dell.  This will be the computer which I do my major writing work on, and also possibly to start my masters online.   The wish list also continues other smaller, cheaper items.  All items can be accepted as “in kind” donations, up to 2,000 dollars. 

5.       Email list revamp:  I will be updating my Africa Partners Email list this week.  Please let me know if you would like to be on my email list.  This will simply give you other updates on my work.  Emails are sent every 4-8 weeks.  Please feel free to send me an email at noelle.gornik@gmail.com, saying you'd like to be added!

Thankfully my mom gave me a camera, so when I get back to Uganda I will finally be able to put up photos again!  I will also put up a few highlights from my home visit soon.  

West Side, Best Side: Grand Rapids

Having lived in Grand Rapids for close to two years, you learn all the fun sayings about the place... like "West side best side" which refers to the West Side of Michigan of course.  And at this moment for me Grand Rapids west side is truly the best place for me to be this week.  I love the place, the people... and feeling so comfortable in such a beautiful city.

My west side visit started with disappointment in Ann Arbor right before I left.  I learned that an Africa I work with is not going to be able to attend a conference in Spain which I had helped set up for him.  It was another reminder of how incredibly frustrating it can be to work in Africa, things often just don't work out. 

However, as I drove to Grand Rapids and considered things, I realized that this consent disappointment, which is very difficult, is also something I need to get use to.  I am not sure how to do this, but I hope that I can.  As I thought hard about it, driving beautiful I-96 across the state, only one word came to mind.

Love.

You can get all worried and concerned about project, programs, dreams, visions, hopes, plans... but at the end of the day most of those things, in Africa, won't work out.  The African Vortex destroyed good intentions.  But what nothing can ever destroy is love.

Mother Theresa is quoted saying "Do small things with great love"... I think she got it.  I think she knew that big things fall apart, and also that success can make us prideful.   But small things, they are easy.  And it's love, not massive projects or programs, that is going to change the world.

So once again I am brought back.  Simply, momentarily, reminded that the only thing I can do is love, and love well.  When I try to do other things they often fail.  But love will never fail, never fade, and will always win. 

So, I'm going to love the Africans I work with into development... let's see how that goes!!  :D


Side note...
I say that in a funny way... but it's only when a person begins to love their neighbor that development based on the value of the human person makes sense.  What the developing world needs are lovers who hold the dignity of the other above all else.  That will change the world. 

Welcome!

Welcome to Noelle in Africa!

For those of you who are first time visitors, I hope you enjoy this read!

My blog is the central place for me to tell stories, share moments of beauty, and give you, my readers, a glimpse into what it's like to live in Africa!

As they say in Uganda... Most Welcome!

I recently got a digital camera, so soon my blog will not only be filled with colorful stories but also photos too.

Feel free to browse through past entries. They hold 2 years of photos, adventures, revelations, and thoughts on this African life.

My blog is a place where all are welcome to come and read about what I do and what life is like in Africa. If you would like to receive more updates about the detailed ins and outs of the different works I am apart of, please send me an email. Emails are sent out every 4-8 weeks. They usually contain more about the work I am doing, then the adventures. I promise I will never Spam your in box!

If you want to get connected to the email list, simply write me at: noelle.gornik@gmail.com

Let me give you a small tour of my blog before you go.

At the top left, you can enter your email address. What this does is allow you to get my most recent posts directly to your inbox! This way, you never miss a post, and it comes straight to you!

Next to that email box is the “subscribe” button. This is the button to push to become a Partner for Transformation! Partners for transformation give monthly to my work in Africa. The money is directly withdrawn from your bank account each month, and you even receive a tax deduction. Partners for Transformation make the biggest impact! Please consider becoming one!

Under the “subscribe” button, you will see the “donate” button. The “donate” button is for one time tax deductible donations. Feel free to push it as often as you can!

To the left, under the email box, is my wish list. These are things which I need to take back with me to Africa, which will help me to live better in Africa. ALL items donated can be donated as “in kind”, which means you will get a tax deduction based on the cost of the item. My biggest need right now is a regular sized lap top.

If you have any questions, comments or thoughts, or if your organization or parish would like to sponsor me, don't hesitate to email me at noelle.gornik@gmail.com.

Thank you for being a part of my work in Africa!

Peace to all!

Missing the Ugandan Sun

Some of the recent days here in Michigan have been somewhat overcast.  Today as I looked out at the dull day, I thought that I really do miss the beautiful, perpetual Ugandan sun.

Being back in America is strange.  The other day I got incredibly overwhelmed in the paper isle in Michael’s.   While I was living in Mbarara, I wanted to paint.  I am an artist and it is a good way of expressing myself.  It took me 3 months to find paper which the water colors I had managed to find, did not destroy.  And there I stood, in the isle at Michaels surrounded by more paper and canvases than can be used in 20 years.   I just wish there could be a more even distribution in life.

My plane ticket is all set, to return on August 16^th.  I am excited to go back, because there is a lot of great work waiting for me.  Right away we will be doing some training courses for teachers, which should be fantastic.   I am really excited to work with a good Ugandan team.  I love working with Ugandans who are very capable and able to teach character development with me!

I had great news the other day.  My best Ugandan friends are moving into my apartment complex in Uganda!  This will really be wonderful.  It will mean people to spend time with, more time with their baby, and getting to just enjoy daily life together. 

For now though, I think I will enjoy being in America.  There are a lot of great people and things here.   My sister is coming home from Europe on Thursday, I haven’t seen her in 2 years!  The joys of an international family.   Let the month of Gornik Family begin!!