I found this incredibly moving video on Youtube, and just had to share. (Hopefully it actually works for me this time!!) Its about a little boy called Omondi who lives in Kibera (Nairobi, Kenya) and longs to become a pilot, so that he can fly away from his life in the slums. It just makes me want to go and bring him back to Canada, and give him his dream.... the sad thing is, just how many Omondi's are there in the world who will never ever get a chance at a better life, or even a chance of recognition or love?
I'm not entirely sure whether the video is actually true (as in, that is actually that little boy's story), since the credits are slightly confusing, but the story is true enough in a sense that that is what is happening to children all over Africa, all over the world. It represents those children, gives them a voice, even if the story isn't strictly true.
This is why I know that God is calling me to help.. this is why I can't wait to get to Africa and start to actually do something! I hate it when someone says something along the lines of "But what can you do to actually make change happen? Helping one person isn't going to make a big difference." The thing is, even if you only help one child, it makes a difference to them.
***I know the movie is kind of long but please try to watch the whole thing, at least up to the quote by Nelson Mandella (the rest is pretty much just the credits). Trust me, its worth it!***
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Pictures
Here are some recent pictures of Ayana and Moses... so cute!
These were taken at Capernwray (I wrote about it last year, but I'll hopefully get a post about it up this year too), and they are just adorable pictures.
An Update on Ayana
I just realised when I posted the Moses Update that I haven't written about Ayana for a while. Well, that doesn't seem very fair, so even though she's not being a little monster like Moses, and there's probably not many rebellious stories I can think of about her, I will do my best to catch you up on the youngest Wiebe girl.
Ayana is about to turn 4 (in November), so she is becoming quite independant- and stubborn! If she makes up her mind that she is going to do something, no one can stop, or help her, until she does. Or gives up, which can take quite a while.
She also sometimes still talks in baby talk, which can make it seem as it she's not very smart, but we know how well she really can speak.. the other day she said to my dad, "Ababa, if I'm allowed, can I colour my Dora picture please? I just can't reach the markers." She really is quite smart, but for some reason she often decides to play dumb (as in, "Ayana, which one is the square?" "Ummm... that one" [points to a triangle], even though two seconds ago she had shown us exactly what all the different shapes are.) We're not quite sure why she does this (maybe trying to be more of a baby like Moses??), but we're trying to encourage her to act her age, and to show how smart she really is. My mom just bought her a pre-preschool learning book, and she LOVES it! She can point out all the shapes, colours, decide which one is different in a row of images, and is having fun learning her numbers and letters.. we're hoping that by doing this, and having fun while doing it, she'll realise that she doesn't have to act like Moses to get attention, but is smart and funny just by being herself.
Of course, I'm not saying that she just tries to be like Moses, and acts like a baby the whole time, or doesn't like herself, or anything like that.
She is really quite the little cutie. She's such a sweetheart, and is very caring and loving towards others.. and she loves playing with friends! We recently visited some friends in Seattle (the two youngest girls -of 6!- are 4 and 2, and Ayana ADORES them, but unfortunately can't see them very often) and she had an awesome time with them, playing on their trampoline, and riding bikes together. When we left, she was absolutely heartbroken; She was sobbing for ages, and it was the saddest I've seen her in ages. :( But she had a great time, and keeps on asking when we can go and see them again.
I'm not sure what else to talk about, but I'll put some recent pictures of her (and Moses too) when I get home. They are both getting cuter by the minute!! :)
Oh, and just as an aside... we went shopping at the Seattle Outlet malls (and Target.. best store ever! We definitely need to get some in Canada!!), and I got quite a lot of new clothes, and saved over $100!! I was quite proud of myself :D
Ayana is about to turn 4 (in November), so she is becoming quite independant- and stubborn! If she makes up her mind that she is going to do something, no one can stop, or help her, until she does. Or gives up, which can take quite a while.
She also sometimes still talks in baby talk, which can make it seem as it she's not very smart, but we know how well she really can speak.. the other day she said to my dad, "Ababa, if I'm allowed, can I colour my Dora picture please? I just can't reach the markers." She really is quite smart, but for some reason she often decides to play dumb (as in, "Ayana, which one is the square?" "Ummm... that one" [points to a triangle], even though two seconds ago she had shown us exactly what all the different shapes are.) We're not quite sure why she does this (maybe trying to be more of a baby like Moses??), but we're trying to encourage her to act her age, and to show how smart she really is. My mom just bought her a pre-preschool learning book, and she LOVES it! She can point out all the shapes, colours, decide which one is different in a row of images, and is having fun learning her numbers and letters.. we're hoping that by doing this, and having fun while doing it, she'll realise that she doesn't have to act like Moses to get attention, but is smart and funny just by being herself.
Of course, I'm not saying that she just tries to be like Moses, and acts like a baby the whole time, or doesn't like herself, or anything like that.
She is really quite the little cutie. She's such a sweetheart, and is very caring and loving towards others.. and she loves playing with friends! We recently visited some friends in Seattle (the two youngest girls -of 6!- are 4 and 2, and Ayana ADORES them, but unfortunately can't see them very often) and she had an awesome time with them, playing on their trampoline, and riding bikes together. When we left, she was absolutely heartbroken; She was sobbing for ages, and it was the saddest I've seen her in ages. :( But she had a great time, and keeps on asking when we can go and see them again.
I'm not sure what else to talk about, but I'll put some recent pictures of her (and Moses too) when I get home. They are both getting cuter by the minute!! :)
Oh, and just as an aside... we went shopping at the Seattle Outlet malls (and Target.. best store ever! We definitely need to get some in Canada!!), and I got quite a lot of new clothes, and saved over $100!! I was quite proud of myself :D
A Moses Update
Last time I posted about Moses, I was sure that he was in the Terrible Two's. Now I'm pretty sure he was just warming up.
Moses is one of the naughtiest (and most hilarious!) kids I know... and unfortunately everyone thinks it adorable, which just makes him do it more. Oh of course my parents punish him, but it doesn't really seem to phase him. I don't have any pictures at the moment (I'm working- I've been part-time nannying these kids all summer, and they are currently in the middle of a movie. I thought I'd take the opportunity to quickly write a post!) but I'll try to describe it the best I can.
For example.... Moses was in the backyard screaming about something (he was having fun, just being too loud), so my mom looked out the window and said "Moses, be quiet. No screaming please." So does Moses stop screaming... well yes. But then he turns around, looks at my mom and says (with a little smirk on his face). "Hmph. Stop screaming MAMA."
Of course, he was sent off for a timeout, but when my mom tried to talk to him he started growling at her. Yes, actually growling in her face. So she came over and sat beside him, and pulled his face towards her (not roughly.. he was just refusing to look at her) and told him to stop being rude. So he goes "Grrr.... BURP. BURP BURP MAMA."
Well by this time my mom was trying so hard not to laugh (I didn't help much either.. I was hiding round the corner laughing :D) that he could tell she thought it was funny; he started laughing and doing it more.
So that is just one example of naughty little Moses. Another one happened just the other day. My mom and her friend were sitting outside talking, and Moses did something (not sure what, probably threw sand or something small) so my mom told him to stop. He looked at her, pouted- he has the best pouty face ever!- and marched inside and slammed the door. He was probably on his way to give himself a timeout, which he does quite regularly. Apparently though, before he could get there, he changed his mind and came back outside. He walked over to my mom, started growling, and put up his fists in a little fighters stance. And he just stood there, growling at her, with his fists up!
Yep, my little brother is quite the little moster! But we all love him so much its hard to be mad. Even when he looks at me, pulls his best "mean boy" face, and says "Hmph... not friends with you! Yucky Rara. Hmph!" :D
Moses is one of the naughtiest (and most hilarious!) kids I know... and unfortunately everyone thinks it adorable, which just makes him do it more. Oh of course my parents punish him, but it doesn't really seem to phase him. I don't have any pictures at the moment (I'm working- I've been part-time nannying these kids all summer, and they are currently in the middle of a movie. I thought I'd take the opportunity to quickly write a post!) but I'll try to describe it the best I can.
For example.... Moses was in the backyard screaming about something (he was having fun, just being too loud), so my mom looked out the window and said "Moses, be quiet. No screaming please." So does Moses stop screaming... well yes. But then he turns around, looks at my mom and says (with a little smirk on his face). "Hmph. Stop screaming MAMA."
Of course, he was sent off for a timeout, but when my mom tried to talk to him he started growling at her. Yes, actually growling in her face. So she came over and sat beside him, and pulled his face towards her (not roughly.. he was just refusing to look at her) and told him to stop being rude. So he goes "Grrr.... BURP. BURP BURP MAMA."
Well by this time my mom was trying so hard not to laugh (I didn't help much either.. I was hiding round the corner laughing :D) that he could tell she thought it was funny; he started laughing and doing it more.
So that is just one example of naughty little Moses. Another one happened just the other day. My mom and her friend were sitting outside talking, and Moses did something (not sure what, probably threw sand or something small) so my mom told him to stop. He looked at her, pouted- he has the best pouty face ever!- and marched inside and slammed the door. He was probably on his way to give himself a timeout, which he does quite regularly. Apparently though, before he could get there, he changed his mind and came back outside. He walked over to my mom, started growling, and put up his fists in a little fighters stance. And he just stood there, growling at her, with his fists up!
Yep, my little brother is quite the little moster! But we all love him so much its hard to be mad. Even when he looks at me, pulls his best "mean boy" face, and says "Hmph... not friends with you! Yucky Rara. Hmph!" :D
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Moving On...
Well, its been a long time since I posted on any blogs.. I've been busy this Summer, and haven't really found the time. But now I just wanted to post some news.
Next Fall (2009), my family will be moving to... AFRICA!!! Yup, its true, we're moving to South Africa (at first, later on we may move on to other countries) to work with an organization called Hands at Work (www.handsatwork.org). Its a Christian organization that works with AIDS orphans and widows, and is majorly focused on home-based care.
After a while (6 months to a year), we'll probably be moving out to either Uganda, or Ethiopia to expand the organization's bases in different African countries.
Hands at Work also has this awesome missions training program for graduated students, which I really want to take part in. Its called Footprints, and basically you spend 3 months in South Africa training, and then the other 9 months of the year in another African country doing volunteer work in whichever branch of missions you feel called to (ie orphanages, hospitals, homebased care, schools etc). Its really sweet... if you're into missions, you should definitely check it out! :)
So in summary, I'll only be posting on this blog for a little while longer.. soon I'll be moving on to another blog, which will be focused on our journey to Africa (but will also include videos/pictures/stories about Ayana and Moses, and our family life in general for those of you who are still interested :D)
Hope there's still a few of you out there who haven't given up on this blog entirely, and will still check back on us once in a while :)
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