Three Projects and an Announcement: A Hong Kong September
Lei Ho from Hong Kong! For this installment of an update, I was going for
the Wikipedia effect. There are lots of clickable goodies to be found below,
just don’t let them distract you from my big announcement at the end!
Note: I LOVE hearing back from you in response to updates and in updates on
your life!
*Time pies when you’re having fun*
Accountability is vital in the world of humanitarian aid, without it, things
can get ugly fast. This is one of the motivating factors for the following
report! We keep timesheets with fervor around these parts and every two
weeks it produces a very gratifying pie chart. As my supporters in thoughts,
emails, encouragement and funds… you basically pay my salary. Therefore, I
feel compelled to let you see what you’re getting for your money in the work
that I do every day!
I would LOVE it if you sent me questions about any part of this… I guarantee
you will have some after reading the standardized categories.
*Heart Haiti*
I stumbled into the roll of Disaster Response Coordinator as my first week
at Crossroads coincided with 5 consecutive typhoons flooding Manila. This
past year my days have become that much longer and more full as Indonesia,
China, Haiti, Qinghai and now Pakistan have been struck by natural
disasters. I’ll be real honest with you, these times get me down. On a daily
basis I am neck deep in humanitarian plight and when an already vulnerable
population gets nailed by one of these, I have a hard time finding the
silver lining.
Then, just when I think I can’t bear another day, I get news that one of our
shipments has cleared customs and much needed goods are immediately put to
use saving lives! Read a firsthand account from one of our beneficiaries in
Cap Haitian.
As they watched medical equipment emerge from the container: “IV poles,
neonatal resuscitation units, hospital beds and trolleys, opthamology
equipment and masses of hygiene kits. As incubators followed, one of the aid
workers cried out, ‘We can start our neo-natal unit!’” The doctor dashed off
to tell his colleagues.
*Pakistan receives some love*
They say there is no rest for the weary. I think they are right. The people
of Pakistan- the mothers, children, fathers, sons, sisters and brothers of
Pakistan- daily, battle for their lives against hunger, poverty,
corruptions, terrorism, war and then came the floods.
I have been on the phone with several partner organizations providing aid to
thousands of affected families and the situation gets worse with every call.
We have loaded a container of aid that
is due on the banks of the now 18 mile wide Indus river in late
September. For so many, it won’t be soon enough, but for others it will be
just in time. Although I read the reports, watch the videos, sit in on the
interviews and brief our team on the situation, my mind has not been able to
comprehend the impact of 20 million people losing everything. I hold on to
stories like those from Haiti, holding on to the fact that I am on the
hopeful side of near hopeless situations.
*The importance of giving feedback*
We require feedback from each of our consignees after they have received an
aid shipment. This is not only for accountability, but for our donors’
encouragement and our own accountability as a non-profit organization. As a
volunteer, I am dependent on my supporters and sponsors, so I want to share
with you. In this spirit, I present you, my supporter, with feedback from my
last appeal!
Thank you for donating towards these specific needs I was facing:
Chiropractor: I now have enough funds to cover my appointments through
October! I even had some left-over to buy a much needed back support for
chair at work. It has been one full year of no chronic pain!
Public Transport: I am now free to move about the city.
Sanity: I have indulged in fair-trade chocolate, loved the results from my
vintage medium format camera and even saw 'Inception'! My sanity has
remained balanced. Thank you (those around me also thank you).
*Current needs: *
Tickets: As my commitment here draws to a close, I am beginning to wonder
how I am getting home. Really. If you have frequent flier miles you would
like to pass on, or funds to contribute to an airline ticket… Mom would be
grateful to have me home by Thanksgiving!
Living: If you’d like to join the motley crew of supporters, I’d be more
than grateful! They give towards my rent, food and electricity bill in
amounts that vary from $10-$250/month and trust me, every penny counts! I am
a bit behind on my support raising, so if you’d like to contribute, details
are below.
*Big announcement!!!*
Ok, this is what we have all been waiting for (even if you didn’t know you
were waiting for it)… drumrollllllll… I have been accepted into
Medair’s ROC Training course as an experienced relief worker!
Though this does not mean an automatic job placement, it does mean I have
managed to get through a pretty thick vetting process and if I survive the
week-long simulations, trainings, interviews and evaluations (
I am required to bring a Swiss Army Knife?) and
am deemed worthy, I will be placed in one of their field offices!
This is very very exciting (even though not everyone who completes the
course gets a job). They are one of the few organizations which will train
you in disaster management and rehabilitation, are well respected in the
international development field and even provide a modest salary!
So, at the end of October, I will be flying from Hong Kong to Geneva for a
“week [which] will be very intense… with the purpose of exposing you to the
reality of the field”. I have requested not to be placed in a field office
until after December, if I am offered a position. This way I will be able to
see all of your beautiful faces!
*In conclusion...*
Things are wrapping up fast here in Hong Kong and I have been very grateful
for all of your love that has kept me going through the work I am doing
here. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here coordinating the above
projects... you are reaching thousands of people through your support!
Amazing how it all works out.
Much love,
courtney anne
Showing posts with label Letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letter. Show all posts
30 December 2010
26 July 2010
Such Stimulating Stories
First off, I just want to take a line or two here to thank you. As you know,
I am a volunteer, all of the staff here are, and there would be no way this
work could get done without your financial support.
My mom just spent a few weeks here - which was an AMAZING time - and she
commented on how even though I'd told here what we do out here, whe had no
idea the reality and breadth of the work until she saw it for herself. She
even said that if she were single, she'd stay and do this work for free
after seeing how effectively it meets the needs of the destitute and
vulnerable (don't tell her I told you). Now, I know most of you can't come
see for yourselves, so below you will find stories, statistics, samples and
stimulants all for your enjoyment and better understanding of this work and
this world.
So please, I invite you to read on. I invite you to comment. I invite you to
question. I invite you to wonder at how a world can be so rich and so poor.
I invite you to be a part of the bridge suspended over that gap.
Stories:
Crossroads began over 15 years ago by shipping relief goods to floods in China.
We are still very focused on taking Hong Kong’s excess quality goods and
redistributing them to grassroots organizations worldwide. For each of
these shipments there is a story behind how the goods we send are meeting
the daily needs of these groups and helping them to reach more people.
Here is one I have been working on sponsorship and logistics for recently:
A 15 year civil war has left Liberia ranked the second poorest country in
the world today. Much of the population lives without basic necessities such
as clean water, in a nation whose unemployment rate is upwards of 80%. Many
children continue to suffer the after effects of the war. The orphaned and
abandoned often survive on the streets, many of them the 11,000+ former
child soldiers suffering from severe mental and physical post traumatic
stress. These children are prone to be involved in criminal activity and
drug abuse.
In Liberia one will see children breaking rocks in order to earn a few
dollars. Here you will witness children with ‘short sleeves’ and ‘long
sleeves’ – depending on where the machete fell on their small bodies.
Our consignee in Liberia began their work 11 years ago during the height of
the civil war. They are dedicated to helping children who are trapped in the
cycle of urban poverty. Through providing free primary education to orphans
and street kids, including sporting activities, they are able to reach out
to the youth in their community. Their orphanage is presently looking after
60 children, providing them education, food and a safe home. They have also
set up education programs in Monrovia’s refugee camps.
Crossroads will be sending clothing, shoes, computers, school furniture,
sports equipment, stationery and toys to support their work and enable them
to reach out to more children in desperate need of a safe place to grow,
learn and live.
Statistics:
I spent part of this week pulling together some stats for the Executive
Director’s Report. Here’s some fun facts I found in it:
In 2009 we:
* Shipped humanitarian aid to Angola, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Croatia,
DPR Korea, Ghana, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Moldova, the Philippines, The
Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe
* Distributed 2,025 cubic meters of goods to the needy (the equivalent of
67.5 40 ft containers) locally and internationally
* Had 12,836 people go through our on-site experiential learning exhibits
* Launched www.globalhand.org (third version) and www.business.un.org (ok,
well, that was early 2010)
Samples:
Most days I peel myself away from my desk thinking ‘whew, what a day!’ and I
love it. Along with ongoing projects and finding funding, comes a smattering
of random occurrences that keep me on my toes. Last month, for example, I
suddenly found myself insanely hungry so took a quick break down to our
fair-trade shop for a quick snack. While down there I was snagged and asked
to speak to two corporate volunteers about our shipping needs. One of the
men turned out to be the chairman of alumni for a prestigious business
management school in Hong Kong. He wanted to help beyond his company's
volunteer day and is now searching his database of over 40,000 worldwide
management level corporate each time we are in need of shipping or logistics
help! It makes such a huge difference when you’ve got a name to drop and an
intro email when approaching someone for financial help, instead of making
cold calls… and stellar connects like this can be integral to getting aid to
the people who need it. It must have been a divine hunger.
Stimulants:
As you know, I am working as a volunteer here and am only able to because of
the amazing people who support me through financial and material giving.
Some people have been asking what personal needs I have at the moment. Thank
you for asking! While my Crossroads support is essentially covered (rent and
food), there are some specific personal needs that I'm facing.
They include:
*Chiropractic work- the only thing that keeps my back out of chronic pain
(which I am given at an amazing discount of $20us per weekly visit!)
*Transportation costs– the public transport system in HK is amazing
($15us per week)
*Plane ticket– as the end of my year commitment quickly approaches, I am
on the look out for frequent flier mile donations or money towards my ticket
*Sanity budget– I still have a massive love for film photography, dark
chocolate and the occasional movie – these are personal expenses that no
longer can cover on my own with all of my personal money going into my work
here, so if you want to contribute to my sanity, I and those around me would
be grateful!
Thanks for all the love and support over the past year, it is felt in my
deepest being and brings me such peace and strength.
Much love,
Courtney Anne
First off, I just want to take a line or two here to thank you. As you know,
I am a volunteer, all of the staff here are, and there would be no way this
work could get done without your financial support.
My mom just spent a few weeks here - which was an AMAZING time - and she
commented on how even though I'd told here what we do out here, whe had no
idea the reality and breadth of the work until she saw it for herself. She
even said that if she were single, she'd stay and do this work for free
after seeing how effectively it meets the needs of the destitute and
vulnerable (don't tell her I told you). Now, I know most of you can't come
see for yourselves, so below you will find stories, statistics, samples and
stimulants all for your enjoyment and better understanding of this work and
this world.
So please, I invite you to read on. I invite you to comment. I invite you to
question. I invite you to wonder at how a world can be so rich and so poor.
I invite you to be a part of the bridge suspended over that gap.
Stories:
Crossroads began over 15 years ago by shipping relief goods to floods in China.
We are still very focused on taking Hong Kong’s excess quality goods and
redistributing them to grassroots organizations worldwide. For each of
these shipments there is a story behind how the goods we send are meeting
the daily needs of these groups and helping them to reach more people.
Here is one I have been working on sponsorship and logistics for recently:
A 15 year civil war has left Liberia ranked the second poorest country in
the world today. Much of the population lives without basic necessities such
as clean water, in a nation whose unemployment rate is upwards of 80%. Many
children continue to suffer the after effects of the war. The orphaned and
abandoned often survive on the streets, many of them the 11,000+ former
child soldiers suffering from severe mental and physical post traumatic
stress. These children are prone to be involved in criminal activity and
drug abuse.
In Liberia one will see children breaking rocks in order to earn a few
dollars. Here you will witness children with ‘short sleeves’ and ‘long
sleeves’ – depending on where the machete fell on their small bodies.
Our consignee in Liberia began their work 11 years ago during the height of
the civil war. They are dedicated to helping children who are trapped in the
cycle of urban poverty. Through providing free primary education to orphans
and street kids, including sporting activities, they are able to reach out
to the youth in their community. Their orphanage is presently looking after
60 children, providing them education, food and a safe home. They have also
set up education programs in Monrovia’s refugee camps.
Crossroads will be sending clothing, shoes, computers, school furniture,
sports equipment, stationery and toys to support their work and enable them
to reach out to more children in desperate need of a safe place to grow,
learn and live.
Statistics:
I spent part of this week pulling together some stats for the Executive
Director’s Report. Here’s some fun facts I found in it:
In 2009 we:
* Shipped humanitarian aid to Angola, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Croatia,
DPR Korea, Ghana, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Moldova, the Philippines, The
Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe
* Distributed 2,025 cubic meters of goods to the needy (the equivalent of
67.5 40 ft containers) locally and internationally
* Had 12,836 people go through our on-site experiential learning exhibits
* Launched www.globalhand.org (third version) and www.business.un.org (ok,
well, that was early 2010)
Samples:
Most days I peel myself away from my desk thinking ‘whew, what a day!’ and I
love it. Along with ongoing projects and finding funding, comes a smattering
of random occurrences that keep me on my toes. Last month, for example, I
suddenly found myself insanely hungry so took a quick break down to our
fair-trade shop for a quick snack. While down there I was snagged and asked
to speak to two corporate volunteers about our shipping needs. One of the
men turned out to be the chairman of alumni for a prestigious business
management school in Hong Kong. He wanted to help beyond his company's
volunteer day and is now searching his database of over 40,000 worldwide
management level corporate each time we are in need of shipping or logistics
help! It makes such a huge difference when you’ve got a name to drop and an
intro email when approaching someone for financial help, instead of making
cold calls… and stellar connects like this can be integral to getting aid to
the people who need it. It must have been a divine hunger.
Stimulants:
As you know, I am working as a volunteer here and am only able to because of
the amazing people who support me through financial and material giving.
Some people have been asking what personal needs I have at the moment. Thank
you for asking! While my Crossroads support is essentially covered (rent and
food), there are some specific personal needs that I'm facing.
They include:
*Chiropractic work- the only thing that keeps my back out of chronic pain
(which I am given at an amazing discount of $20us per weekly visit!)
*Transportation costs– the public transport system in HK is amazing
($15us per week)
*Plane ticket– as the end of my year commitment quickly approaches, I am
on the look out for frequent flier mile donations or money towards my ticket
*Sanity budget– I still have a massive love for film photography, dark
chocolate and the occasional movie – these are personal expenses that no
longer can cover on my own with all of my personal money going into my work
here, so if you want to contribute to my sanity, I and those around me would
be grateful!
Thanks for all the love and support over the past year, it is felt in my
deepest being and brings me such peace and strength.
Much love,
Courtney Anne
9 April 2010
Workin' it in Hong Kong
Good afternoon from Honkers!
Here’s a bit from life, love, work and living life loving work. After
proofing this, it doesn’t seem as entertaining as usual… but that’s how life
has been. Not boring by any stretch of the imagination, but a steady pace of
good ‘ole fashioned productivity. I wanted to share a bit more about some of
the stuff I’m working on, I hope these act as unalienating notes and windows
into my life.
*Burundi Benevolence*
The majority of the work we do here at Crossroads,
as you may know by now, is equipping grassroots organizations around the
world with quality-donated goods (everything from incubators to pencils). A
particular shipment of humanitarian aid I am currently working on is for
Burundi, equipping two different organizations.
One of them works in social enterprises, the other with
orphans and combating HIV/AIDS. Prior to their shared shipment, they didn’t
know of each other.
Now, those of you who have known me over the past 10 years or so know that
if there’s one thing I love, its networking people and organizations to see
everyone reach their fullest potential. Well, these two organizations have
been so enthusiastic since we have connected them and are now talking about
partnering together to further each other’s work! It is so great to see
grassroots organizations not only equipped with the physical means to do
their work well, but also with the essential networks and partnerships that
are so valuable in the world of development. Now my challenge is to find the
funds to ship these goods to Bulawayo! We are never bored.
*Lusaka Love*
Another recent shipment funding challenge that came across my desk was a
shipment to three consignees in Zambia. We were short $6,000usd for the
inland transportation, as Zambia is a landlocked country and transportation
for containers over land in Africa is often just as expensive as the ocean
freight. Each of these organizations are rather small and could not come up
with the funds on their own. Well, after a brainstorming session with a
Zambian friend of mine on staff here (which included maps, files,
applications, searches and lots of deliberation) we drafted an email to each
recipient with ideas of how they could partner to raise the funds. With some
trepidation I sent it out, knowing this is asking a lot of people already
struggling financially. However, within 24 hours I heard from each of them
that they had all spoken and decided to raise the funds! Now, their
container that has been loaded and awaiting funds in storage is ready to be
shipped!
This is so vital, not only for my own encouragement (as our office daily
faces the task of raising tens of thousands of dollars for shipments), but
for the ownership and incentive of the consignees. Yes, they already work
tirelessly for the people in their communities but now there is the added
responsibility for the goods’ arrival, as well as combating issues of
aid-dependency in developing nations.
*Shipping Shape*
Another development in my office adventures is that I get to work up in our
Shipping Department two afternoons a week. We are very short-staffed here
(hint hint, nudge nudge), so I am relieving a bit of the burden in that
office by handling communication with the grassroots orgs and consignees
world wide helping them work through shipping logistics, fund raising and
customs clearance and stages of the shipments. This is all sorts of fun.
Just yesterday I was in communication with Nepal, Zambia, Cameroon, India,
Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Burundi, the Gambia, Uganda and Haiti. There’s
a little geography quiz for ya!
*Familiar Farming Fun*
As random as my life’s paths may seem, I assure you, it all makes sense when
you look at the big picture (that’s what I keep telling myself). I am in a
place right now where I am processing what has been and trying to find the
right perspective before making decisions on my next step. Yes, I still have
6 months here, but we all know how time flies.
Such perspective took over last week while I was visiting some local farms
in Hong Kong. It was so great to see how things like my work with a
Community Supported Agriculture group in San Diego had equipped me with the
knowledge and drive to come along side the small buy mighty local-organic
food movement here. See, it all comes full circle! Also, some friends of
mine here are also embarking on Window Farming projects, which is exciting.
*Cantonese and Candor*
Yep, I can now sing “It’s a Small World” in Cantonese. This comes in very
handy, I’m sure… though I have yet to find myself in such a situation. Good
thing I am also learning numbers and other basics every Tuesday night!
I’ve continued to enjoy playing guitar, jamming and singing with all sorts
of musicians here, been knitting, planting, cooking, growing, gluing, sewing
and projecting up a storm! Plenty of the international staff here indulge in
these simple pleasures with me and it makes for such a rad community that I
really connect with on multiple levels.
*Housesitting Happens*
Currently, I am housesitting for a family here on staff while they are gone
for a few months. I still live a 2 minute walk from work, but get to share
my flat with two cats instead of two humans. If you have followed my
facebook or flickr, you may have noticed there have also been a number of
battles between the kingdom of the creepy-crawlies and I. I would like to
formally announce that I have officially won.
*Clarity in California *
My recent trip home was an amazing recharger and a dose of medicine for my
soul just as I needed it. It also helped me realize that I am exactly where
I should be, doing exactly what I am made to do. Any motivations I have ever
questioned for coming to Hong Kong were put to ease. It is an amazing
feeling to know you are on the right path, especially after walking through
the valleys. Thank you to everyone who has stood by me through it all, I
can't tell you how much you mean to me.
For all of you whom I was able to connect with while I was home in February,
thank you, it was an amazing time of rest, nurturing, love, skates,
sunshine, quality time, familiarity and straight up goodness. For those of
you who I didn’t manage to connect with, know that if I could have I would
have included about 10 more hours in each day… Its ok though, San Diego will
always be my motherland and thanks to my stellar family, I will always have
good reason to return. We will see each other again.
I'll end here. Much love to you all. I hope you are well and that Spring is
bringing rebirth and new growth in your life. All things new.
Love,
courtney
Go in peace.
Good afternoon from Honkers!
Here’s a bit from life, love, work and living life loving work. After
proofing this, it doesn’t seem as entertaining as usual… but that’s how life
has been. Not boring by any stretch of the imagination, but a steady pace of
good ‘ole fashioned productivity. I wanted to share a bit more about some of
the stuff I’m working on, I hope these act as unalienating notes and windows
into my life.
*Burundi Benevolence*
The majority of the work we do here at Crossroads,
as you may know by now, is equipping grassroots organizations around the
world with quality-donated goods (everything from incubators to pencils). A
particular shipment of humanitarian aid I am currently working on is for
Burundi, equipping two different organizations.
One of them works in social enterprises, the other with
orphans and combating HIV/AIDS. Prior to their shared shipment, they didn’t
know of each other.
Now, those of you who have known me over the past 10 years or so know that
if there’s one thing I love, its networking people and organizations to see
everyone reach their fullest potential. Well, these two organizations have
been so enthusiastic since we have connected them and are now talking about
partnering together to further each other’s work! It is so great to see
grassroots organizations not only equipped with the physical means to do
their work well, but also with the essential networks and partnerships that
are so valuable in the world of development. Now my challenge is to find the
funds to ship these goods to Bulawayo! We are never bored.
*Lusaka Love*
Another recent shipment funding challenge that came across my desk was a
shipment to three consignees in Zambia. We were short $6,000usd for the
inland transportation, as Zambia is a landlocked country and transportation
for containers over land in Africa is often just as expensive as the ocean
freight. Each of these organizations are rather small and could not come up
with the funds on their own. Well, after a brainstorming session with a
Zambian friend of mine on staff here (which included maps, files,
applications, searches and lots of deliberation) we drafted an email to each
recipient with ideas of how they could partner to raise the funds. With some
trepidation I sent it out, knowing this is asking a lot of people already
struggling financially. However, within 24 hours I heard from each of them
that they had all spoken and decided to raise the funds! Now, their
container that has been loaded and awaiting funds in storage is ready to be
shipped!
This is so vital, not only for my own encouragement (as our office daily
faces the task of raising tens of thousands of dollars for shipments), but
for the ownership and incentive of the consignees. Yes, they already work
tirelessly for the people in their communities but now there is the added
responsibility for the goods’ arrival, as well as combating issues of
aid-dependency in developing nations.
*Shipping Shape*
Another development in my office adventures is that I get to work up in our
Shipping Department two afternoons a week. We are very short-staffed here
(hint hint, nudge nudge), so I am relieving a bit of the burden in that
office by handling communication with the grassroots orgs and consignees
world wide helping them work through shipping logistics, fund raising and
customs clearance and stages of the shipments. This is all sorts of fun.
Just yesterday I was in communication with Nepal, Zambia, Cameroon, India,
Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Burundi, the Gambia, Uganda and Haiti. There’s
a little geography quiz for ya!
*Familiar Farming Fun*
As random as my life’s paths may seem, I assure you, it all makes sense when
you look at the big picture (that’s what I keep telling myself). I am in a
place right now where I am processing what has been and trying to find the
right perspective before making decisions on my next step. Yes, I still have
6 months here, but we all know how time flies.
Such perspective took over last week while I was visiting some local farms
in Hong Kong. It was so great to see how things like my work with a
Community Supported Agriculture group in San Diego had equipped me with the
knowledge and drive to come along side the small buy mighty local-organic
food movement here. See, it all comes full circle! Also, some friends of
mine here are also embarking on Window Farming projects, which is exciting.
*Cantonese and Candor*
Yep, I can now sing “It’s a Small World” in Cantonese. This comes in very
handy, I’m sure… though I have yet to find myself in such a situation. Good
thing I am also learning numbers and other basics every Tuesday night!
I’ve continued to enjoy playing guitar, jamming and singing with all sorts
of musicians here, been knitting, planting, cooking, growing, gluing, sewing
and projecting up a storm! Plenty of the international staff here indulge in
these simple pleasures with me and it makes for such a rad community that I
really connect with on multiple levels.
*Housesitting Happens*
Currently, I am housesitting for a family here on staff while they are gone
for a few months. I still live a 2 minute walk from work, but get to share
my flat with two cats instead of two humans. If you have followed my
facebook or flickr, you may have noticed there have also been a number of
battles between the kingdom of the creepy-crawlies and I. I would like to
formally announce that I have officially won.
*Clarity in California *
My recent trip home was an amazing recharger and a dose of medicine for my
soul just as I needed it. It also helped me realize that I am exactly where
I should be, doing exactly what I am made to do. Any motivations I have ever
questioned for coming to Hong Kong were put to ease. It is an amazing
feeling to know you are on the right path, especially after walking through
the valleys. Thank you to everyone who has stood by me through it all, I
can't tell you how much you mean to me.
For all of you whom I was able to connect with while I was home in February,
thank you, it was an amazing time of rest, nurturing, love, skates,
sunshine, quality time, familiarity and straight up goodness. For those of
you who I didn’t manage to connect with, know that if I could have I would
have included about 10 more hours in each day… Its ok though, San Diego will
always be my motherland and thanks to my stellar family, I will always have
good reason to return. We will see each other again.
I'll end here. Much love to you all. I hope you are well and that Spring is
bringing rebirth and new growth in your life. All things new.
Love,
courtney
Go in peace.
22 February 2010
A San Diego Open
For those of you in San Diego...
Hey guys, I just wanted to send out an open invite to join me this Wednesday
night (Feb 24th) at my housechurch in Clairmont. I'll be talking about my
life and work in Hong Kong and it might be a stellar opportunity to not only
hang out, but get more info on the organization I'm working with if you or
anyone you know is interested in development work, life abroad and such.
Its always a potluck and this week's theme is Mexican food! Really casual
atmosphere with super fun and welcoming people whom I love. We generally eat
from 7-8, play some music and then I'll share and answer questions before
presenting the obligatory grab-bag of trinkets from abroad :) When I was
living here, Wednesday nights were always the highlight of my week because
it is always a good time.
So, know that you are welcome to come. Just email me and I'll give you
directions as well as gap filler options for food.
Hope to see you there!
With love,
courtney
For those of you in San Diego...
Hey guys, I just wanted to send out an open invite to join me this Wednesday
night (Feb 24th) at my housechurch in Clairmont. I'll be talking about my
life and work in Hong Kong and it might be a stellar opportunity to not only
hang out, but get more info on the organization I'm working with if you or
anyone you know is interested in development work, life abroad and such.
Its always a potluck and this week's theme is Mexican food! Really casual
atmosphere with super fun and welcoming people whom I love. We generally eat
from 7-8, play some music and then I'll share and answer questions before
presenting the obligatory grab-bag of trinkets from abroad :) When I was
living here, Wednesday nights were always the highlight of my week because
it is always a good time.
So, know that you are welcome to come. Just email me and I'll give you
directions as well as gap filler options for food.
Hope to see you there!
With love,
courtney
5 February 2010
Pork Buns and Natural Disasters
Welcome to another installment of adventures in international aid work!
In this issue you will find:
Pork Buns vs Bus Stop: How not to get what you want.
Photo a Day for a Year: If you want to know what I do, but don't have much time to.
Chinese New Year: Will there ever be a year of the liger?
World Economic Forum: How to get into one of the most elite clubs on the planet.
Global Hand: Redistribution of wealth for capitalists. Yes, really.
Disaster Response: Aid that helps, not hurts.
California: The motherland calls my name.
Support: How to keep the ball rolling despite the laws of friction.
As usual you are welcome to read just a bit, read the whole thing, or ignore
what I say and just click on the links... its up to you. I just want to
share with you the things that are so important to me I am spending my life
on them. Literally.
*Pork Buns vs Bus Stops
Public transportation in Hong Kong is amazing. I have always been a
huge fan and try to utilize it no matter where I am living, but dude, other
cities can learn a thing or two from these guys. You’ve got the MTR (think
subway), busses, taxis, ferries, trams, elevated footpaths, longest
escalator in the world, underground foot paths… but I would like to take
pause on the mini-bus. If you had a chance to watch my earth-shattering iMovie
debut, you might have noticed a
fine transitional clip of beeping numbers on a small bus, yes, a mini-bus.
These are not for the faint-hearted, but they get you where you’re going
fast, enough to keep their speeding-warning beepers going throughout your
ride. Tricky thing with these is that there are no designated stops. You
stand on the side of the road with your hand out to hail it like a cab and
when you want off you have to ask - verbally, in Cantonese.
Now, I know I’ve been here for nearly six months but Cantonese ain’t
Spanish, it doesn’t stick in my brain so naturally. I learned to say “one
pork bun please” and “next bus stop please” on the same afternoon... the
other day I found myself on the bus, needing to get off with a frozen open
mouth, blanked out in fear. It just wasn’t clear in my mind if I was about
to ask the bus driver for a pork bun or not. As my stop was very very quickly
approaching, I ended blurting out an mgoi (please) which sent him into a
panicky skidding stop in the middle of the road to let the poor guwilo
(foreigner) out. Ah, good times in Hong Kong. For the record, next bus stop
please is 'basi jam mgoi'. I’ve got that one down now.
*Photo a Day for a Year
I took a photo a day for a year in 2008, many of them with lists of things found in
my pocket at the end of the day. Well, this year I have decided to do the same.
However, I have listed things I have done for the day because the contents of my
pockets have been less interesting than the contents of my office out-tray.
I know that I feel far far away for many of you, so this is my attempt to
give you a peak into each of my days. Hong Kong is not as particularly
exotic or adventurous as it sounds, but my days are anything but boring. My
aim in this is that you understand just a little more of what I’m all about
and why I’m out here working for no salary… and it will take a bout 3
seconds to glance at my flickr
site(As opposed to this
email, which may take you a bit longer and requires a
more substantial amount of caring to read! Let’s be real, some days we just
can’t care that much!).
*Chinese New Year
My first Chinese New Year in China and I will not be in China. Go
figure. However, I have learned some interesting little factoids such as; we
are leaving the year of the rat, headed into the year of the tiger and that
it is tradition for married people to give single people money for
prosperity in the new year. It has been very different living in a culture
who’s holidays are pegged to the moon and seasons instead of a fixed
calendar of slightly arbitrary dates. I feel more in tune with humanity as a
whole.
*World Economic Forum in Davos
The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is an event that globalized
junkies like myself tend to follow. It’s the who’s who of the global
political, economical and intellectual spheres of influence all hanging out
in the Swiss Alps for a weekend. Well, this year we were there too… for
different reasons. One of our life simulations is the “Refugee Run” which is
an hour in the shoes of a refugee.
Just to say, its amazing that we have such open access to some of the most
powerful policy and commerce movers in the world and that they are opening
their minds to the plight of the powerless. One such participant said he’d
“learned more in this past hour than [he] could have in a thousand books”.
*Global Hand Site Launch(es)
I sent out an email about this already, but the launch of our sister
site www.business.un.org in conjunction with www.globalhand.org has been a
massive tool in organizing the Haitian Earthquake response as well as
alerting businesses community of the greater need of ongoing development
projects. Makes a girl proud to be working here and part of this team!
*Disaster Response
Philippines Feedback – Speaking of disaster response, we recently
relieved some great feed back from our shipment of flood relief to the
Philippines. On a call to our partner on the ground doing the distribution
at one of the displacement camps, he told me that what they heard over and
over was, “We’ve never been given such quality and new things”. It is a
humbling place to be, where we can ask what the need is and meet it beyond
expectations.
Haiti, Handle with Care – Speaking of needs being met, as Haiti’s
ongoing development needs have escalated to dire crisis, there has been a
lot of talk on what is helpful aid and what is, well, not. Here at
Crossroads we are very conscious of this (actually, where ‘good aid’ guidelines
have not existed, we have written them). What I love about the work that is done
here is that we provide a place where need meets resource. We are equipping
organizations and programs that are on the ground and committed to a
long term investment in the people (more often than not it is locals running
these, so they clearly have a vested interest in the development of their
infrastructure, livelihoods and people).
All that said, we are in constant communication with partners on the ground
who have not received aid yet, and as well as connecting them with
resources, we are sending relief aid aimed for the median to long term
rebuilding of Haiti. As you give, please, know who you are giving to and
that it is meeting an actual need on the ground, not simply quenching your
desire to help. That desire to help is vital to Haiti's recovery, but needs
to be harnessed into good aid and useful projects… also, keep in mind it
will take decades for them to recover, just because Haiti has fallen from
the headlines doesn't mean its all OK. Invest in the long term for them as
well as immediate aid. To be super real; don’t clean out your closet to send
to Haiti, clean out your wallet to send help to Haitians. You know me, you
know I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.
*California
Just two weeks and I will be on my home side of the Pacific! Yep, my
beautiful friend and roommate of 6+ yeas is getting married! Very exciting.
Here’s a shout-out to Laurel, James and love.
Lunch dates and meet-ups - After my week of wedding extravaganza in
LA, I will be in San Diego for a week. I’ve got some lunch dates and such on
the books already and I’m so excited to catch up with everyone. I was
wondering if you’d be interested in a larger gathering? A lot of people have
been showing interest in what I’m doing out here and even in coming to Hong
Kong to volunteer! That’s awesome. Please, if you would be keen to come to a
BBQ or something like that where I could tell you guys what Crossroads does,
how you could be a part of it, and answer your questions… let me know ASAP.
You could even click reply right now with a one-liner answer (hint, hint -
nudge, nudge.).
*Support
As you know by now, I am a volunteer… our whole staff is. As such, I rely on
people like you to partner with me so I can continue this work out here. I
live rather minimally but still have rent, food and health to take care of.
If you have any questions about how I live or why I chose to live this way,
please, ask away!
I’ll end this elongated newsletter with a quote I came across that
encouraged me in the work I do and I hope will encourage you in yours:
"I would like to highlight the important role volunteers all over the world
play in protecting our planet and advancing important causes. The decisions
and actions of individuals may seem insignificant in the face of global
challenges. But when people choose to devote their time and energy they can,
together, make a difference."
- Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General
Welcome to another installment of adventures in international aid work!
In this issue you will find:
Pork Buns vs Bus Stop: How not to get what you want.
Photo a Day for a Year: If you want to know what I do, but don't have much time to.
Chinese New Year: Will there ever be a year of the liger?
World Economic Forum: How to get into one of the most elite clubs on the planet.
Global Hand: Redistribution of wealth for capitalists. Yes, really.
Disaster Response: Aid that helps, not hurts.
California: The motherland calls my name.
Support: How to keep the ball rolling despite the laws of friction.
As usual you are welcome to read just a bit, read the whole thing, or ignore
what I say and just click on the links... its up to you. I just want to
share with you the things that are so important to me I am spending my life
on them. Literally.
*Pork Buns vs Bus Stops
Public transportation in Hong Kong is amazing. I have always been a
huge fan and try to utilize it no matter where I am living, but dude, other
cities can learn a thing or two from these guys. You’ve got the MTR (think
subway), busses, taxis, ferries, trams, elevated footpaths, longest
escalator in the world, underground foot paths… but I would like to take
pause on the mini-bus. If you had a chance to watch my earth-shattering iMovie
debut
fine transitional clip of beeping numbers on a small bus, yes, a mini-bus.
These are not for the faint-hearted, but they get you where you’re going
fast, enough to keep their speeding-warning beepers going throughout your
ride. Tricky thing with these is that there are no designated stops. You
stand on the side of the road with your hand out to hail it like a cab and
when you want off you have to ask - verbally, in Cantonese.
Now, I know I’ve been here for nearly six months but Cantonese ain’t
Spanish, it doesn’t stick in my brain so naturally. I learned to say “one
pork bun please” and “next bus stop please” on the same afternoon... the
other day I found myself on the bus, needing to get off with a frozen open
mouth, blanked out in fear. It just wasn’t clear in my mind if I was about
to ask the bus driver for a pork bun or not. As my stop was very very quickly
approaching, I ended blurting out an mgoi (please) which sent him into a
panicky skidding stop in the middle of the road to let the poor guwilo
(foreigner) out. Ah, good times in Hong Kong. For the record, next bus stop
please is 'basi jam mgoi'. I’ve got that one down now.
*Photo a Day for a Year
I took a photo a day for a year in 2008, many of them with lists of things found in
my pocket at the end of the day. Well, this year I have decided to do the same.
However, I have listed things I have done for the day because the contents of my
pockets have been less interesting than the contents of my office out-tray.
I know that I feel far far away for many of you, so this is my attempt to
give you a peak into each of my days. Hong Kong is not as particularly
exotic or adventurous as it sounds, but my days are anything but boring. My
aim in this is that you understand just a little more of what I’m all about
and why I’m out here working for no salary… and it will take a bout 3
seconds to glance at my flickr
site
email, which may take you a bit longer and requires a
more substantial amount of caring to read! Let’s be real, some days we just
can’t care that much!).
*Chinese New Year
My first Chinese New Year in China and I will not be in China. Go
figure. However, I have learned some interesting little factoids such as; we
are leaving the year of the rat, headed into the year of the tiger and that
it is tradition for married people to give single people money for
prosperity in the new year. It has been very different living in a culture
who’s holidays are pegged to the moon and seasons instead of a fixed
calendar of slightly arbitrary dates. I feel more in tune with humanity as a
whole.
*World Economic Forum in Davos
The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is an event that globalized
junkies like myself tend to follow. It’s the who’s who of the global
political, economical and intellectual spheres of influence all hanging out
in the Swiss Alps for a weekend. Well, this year we were there too… for
different reasons. One of our life simulations is the “Refugee Run” which is
an hour in the shoes of a refugee.
Just to say, its amazing that we have such open access to some of the most
powerful policy and commerce movers in the world and that they are opening
their minds to the plight of the powerless. One such participant said he’d
“learned more in this past hour than [he] could have in a thousand books”.
*Global Hand Site Launch(es)
I sent out an email about this already, but the launch of our sister
site www.business.un.org in conjunction with www.globalhand.org has been a
massive tool in organizing the Haitian Earthquake response as well as
alerting businesses community of the greater need of ongoing development
projects. Makes a girl proud to be working here and part of this team!
*Disaster Response
Philippines Feedback – Speaking of disaster response, we recently
relieved some great feed back from our shipment of flood relief to the
Philippines. On a call to our partner on the ground doing the distribution
at one of the displacement camps, he told me that what they heard over and
over was, “We’ve never been given such quality and new things”. It is a
humbling place to be, where we can ask what the need is and meet it beyond
expectations.
Haiti, Handle with Care – Speaking of needs being met, as Haiti’s
ongoing development needs have escalated to dire crisis, there has been a
lot of talk on what is helpful aid and what is, well, not. Here at
Crossroads we are very conscious of this (actually, where ‘good aid’ guidelines
have not existed, we have written them). What I love about the work that is done
here is that we provide a place where need meets resource. We are equipping
organizations and programs that are on the ground and committed to a
long term investment in the people (more often than not it is locals running
these, so they clearly have a vested interest in the development of their
infrastructure, livelihoods and people).
All that said, we are in constant communication with partners on the ground
who have not received aid yet, and as well as connecting them with
resources, we are sending relief aid aimed for the median to long term
rebuilding of Haiti. As you give, please, know who you are giving to and
that it is meeting an actual need on the ground, not simply quenching your
desire to help. That desire to help is vital to Haiti's recovery, but needs
to be harnessed into good aid and useful projects… also, keep in mind it
will take decades for them to recover, just because Haiti has fallen from
the headlines doesn't mean its all OK. Invest in the long term for them as
well as immediate aid. To be super real; don’t clean out your closet to send
to Haiti, clean out your wallet to send help to Haitians. You know me, you
know I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.
*California
Just two weeks and I will be on my home side of the Pacific! Yep, my
beautiful friend and roommate of 6+ yeas is getting married! Very exciting.
Here’s a shout-out to Laurel, James and love.
Lunch dates and meet-ups - After my week of wedding extravaganza in
LA, I will be in San Diego for a week. I’ve got some lunch dates and such on
the books already and I’m so excited to catch up with everyone. I was
wondering if you’d be interested in a larger gathering? A lot of people have
been showing interest in what I’m doing out here and even in coming to Hong
Kong to volunteer! That’s awesome. Please, if you would be keen to come to a
BBQ or something like that where I could tell you guys what Crossroads does,
how you could be a part of it, and answer your questions… let me know ASAP.
You could even click reply right now with a one-liner answer (hint, hint -
nudge, nudge.).
*Support
As you know by now, I am a volunteer… our whole staff is. As such, I rely on
people like you to partner with me so I can continue this work out here. I
live rather minimally but still have rent, food and health to take care of.
If you have any questions about how I live or why I chose to live this way,
please, ask away!
I’ll end this elongated newsletter with a quote I came across that
encouraged me in the work I do and I hope will encourage you in yours:
"I would like to highlight the important role volunteers all over the world
play in protecting our planet and advancing important causes. The decisions
and actions of individuals may seem insignificant in the face of global
challenges. But when people choose to devote their time and energy they can,
together, make a difference."
- Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General
14 January 2010
Crossroads' UN Partnership Official Launch is Today!
Hi all,
Just a quick note in case you were looking for something to do at 12 noon
New York time.
Our Global Hand team which is a part of Crossroads
Foundation has been developing a platform to
enable the partnership of corporations and non-profits through the United
Nations for the past few years.
All that work is going public today! Our live launch has been scheduled for
January 14th for some time now, and as our site is very relevant to the
disaster response in Haiti, it will be included in the UN's noon briefing
from New York.
Go to: http://www.un.org/webcast/#
It is on "Channel 2", under the heading "12:00noon Daily Noon Press
Briefing".
You can watch John Holmes' briefing on the response to the Haitian
earthquake and his tie in to the announcment of the Global Hand
launch. Interesting timing with the tragic events in Haiti. The site will be
launched in "Emergency/Disaster Mode" which wasn't the initial plan, but
will bring in a flood of interest as the public response to this crisis is
rapidly growing... this will cause more than our general traffic in its
normal mode of connecting and equipping non-profits in developing nations.
More exposure for businesses to see the multi-faceted ways they can be
involved in pulling up the poor both in times of peace and tragedy.
If you can't watch the live launch, poke around the UN's
Siteafter 1pm East Coast time to scope out our
partnership with them.
Everyone on staff has been working beyond capacity around here... lots of
huge projects. Half our staff is heading to Davos, Switzerland next week to
run a Refugee Run simulation at the World Economic
Forum.
The likes of Prime Ministers, big time CEOs and names I'm not sure I can
drop yet will be experiencing just a taste of what internationally displaced
people live with on a daily basis. One of our
directorswill
also be on a panel with dudes like Jeffrey
Sachsdiscussing
innovative initiatives on ending poverty.
Wow, that read like a Wikipidia page. Links to keep you busy all afternoon.
Exciting times.
As far as disaster response in Haiti goes, we are not a 'first responding'
organization. Since we are focused on long-term development we do not have
the resources that would meet the emergency rescue efforts going on in Haiti
right now. We do have a shipment that has been in the works to Haiti for the
equipping of a hospital. That may be fast tracked now in light of the
earthquake. There are many obstacles though, as you can imagine. For
starters, we have yet to get in contact with our consignee on the ground and
it could be several weeks before we know if they are even in a place (or
have a building) to accept these goods.
In my line of work I am daily reminded of a hurting world and the problems
it faces. Lucky for me, I am on the solutions side of the work, which keeps
me fairly optimistic. These last two days, however, watching as the dust
settles over Port-au-Prince to reveal some of the worst suffering humanity
is ever exposed to... it leaves me beside myself, fighting back tears and an
acute sense of anger at injustice that comes in too many forms. Its enough
to keep me on the front lines.
Thank you for standing with me in the fight.
courtney
To support me, the work I do, Crossroads, Global Hand, or our disaster
relief fund (you can now receive US Tax exemption receipts) visit
www.crossroads.org.hk/donate_money and be sure to specify what you would
like your donation to go towards in the "What For?" box (e.g. "Courtney
Brandt" if you want to help me stay out here as a volunteer).
Hi all,
Just a quick note in case you were looking for something to do at 12 noon
New York time.
Our Global Hand
Foundation
enable the partnership of corporations and non-profits through the United
Nations
All that work is going public today! Our live launch has been scheduled for
January 14th for some time now, and as our site is very relevant to the
disaster response in Haiti, it will be included in the UN's noon briefing
from New York.
Go to: http://www.un.org/webcast/#
It is on "Channel 2", under the heading "12:00noon Daily Noon Press
Briefing".
You can watch John Holmes' briefing on the response to the Haitian
earthquake and his tie in to the announcment of the Global Hand
launch. Interesting timing with the tragic events in Haiti. The site will be
launched in "Emergency/Disaster Mode" which wasn't the initial plan, but
will bring in a flood of interest as the public response to this crisis is
rapidly growing... this will cause more than our general traffic in its
normal mode of connecting and equipping non-profits in developing nations.
More exposure for businesses to see the multi-faceted ways they can be
involved in pulling up the poor both in times of peace and tragedy.
If you can't watch the live launch, poke around the UN's
Site
partnership with them.
Everyone on staff has been working beyond capacity around here... lots of
huge projects. Half our staff is heading to Davos, Switzerland next week to
run a Refugee Run simulation at the World Economic
Forum
The likes of Prime Ministers, big time CEOs and names I'm not sure I can
drop yet will be experiencing just a taste of what internationally displaced
people live with on a daily basis. One of our
directors
also be on a panel with dudes like Jeffrey
Sachs
innovative initiatives on ending poverty.
Wow, that read like a Wikipidia page. Links to keep you busy all afternoon.
Exciting times.
As far as disaster response in Haiti goes, we are not a 'first responding'
organization. Since we are focused on long-term development we do not have
the resources that would meet the emergency rescue efforts going on in Haiti
right now. We do have a shipment that has been in the works to Haiti for the
equipping of a hospital. That may be fast tracked now in light of the
earthquake. There are many obstacles though, as you can imagine. For
starters, we have yet to get in contact with our consignee on the ground and
it could be several weeks before we know if they are even in a place (or
have a building) to accept these goods.
In my line of work I am daily reminded of a hurting world and the problems
it faces. Lucky for me, I am on the solutions side of the work, which keeps
me fairly optimistic. These last two days, however, watching as the dust
settles over Port-au-Prince to reveal some of the worst suffering humanity
is ever exposed to... it leaves me beside myself, fighting back tears and an
acute sense of anger at injustice that comes in too many forms. Its enough
to keep me on the front lines.
Thank you for standing with me in the fight.
courtney
To support me, the work I do, Crossroads, Global Hand, or our disaster
relief fund (you can now receive US Tax exemption receipts) visit
www.crossroads.org.hk/donate_money and be sure to specify what you would
like your donation to go towards in the "What For?" box (e.g. "Courtney
Brandt" if you want to help me stay out here as a volunteer).
25 December 2009
Merry Christmas from Hong Kong!
Hello and Merry Christmas. It is Christmas evening in Hong Kong, I am
bordering on a food coma and have had a full, wonderful day here. Video chat
with the family, Home Alone on our wall thanks to the projector we
'borrowed' from the office, snickerdoodles, butternut squash soup, carols,
and a nice mellow evening to top it all off. I've attached a photo of my
flatmate, Kara and I in front of our tree (topped with an elephant).
I hope this email finds you more than fine. I wrote it a week or so ago,
planed on taking it out of its rough bullet points... but I like bullet
points, so they stay. Its in nice categories for you, as usual. Oh, and if I
have your address, I finally got to stamping your Christmas/New Year's
(hopefully NOT Valentine's Day) cards tonight. Check the mail expectantly,
I'll feel the vibes and get them out quicker.
*Work*
·Freight and funding fun·
I know you have a general idea of the work I am doing out here, but
perhaps not a grasp on it… let me begin by digging into just one aspect of
my work, a snap shot of what takes up the most lines in my daily timesheet.
My desk is in an office tucked in the corner of our building between
Global Handicrafts (fair trade) and Global Village (experiential learning),
adjacent to our director’s office in shared space with his assistant and the
parade of people always coming through our office. I love it, our office
sees everything from government officials to asylum seekers or the World
Economic Forum to a clinic in Nepal.
Crossroads has four major branches of work, and working in the
director’s office I get a bird’s eye view and my fingers in a little of
everything. My focus, however, is on what started this organization in the
first place… redistribution of wealth.
Hong Kong is the business center of the world, China is it’s
manufacturer. These combined creates a strange culture here that is a cross
between Pick’n’Save, a La Jolla mall, New York City and Tomorrow Land. Got
that visual? Do you see all sorts of excess material goods?
What we do is take those quality material goods (from cutting edge
medical equipment to educational supplies to blankets to electrical) and
fulfill requests from grassroots development organizations around the world.
A clinic in rural Uganda is now able to safely test for HIV/AIDS
Burmese refugees in the hills of Thailand can equip the only school
for their children with desks
An English center in Kazakhstan can offer job training skills
Filipino flood victims still living in evacuation centers two months
after their homes were destroyed receive brand new clothing
I work interdepartmentally within Crossroads, making sure shipping,
funding, donations, processing and communications are all on the same page.
Plenty of my time is also spent communicating with the donors of freight,
shipping, and funding explaining what a huge difference their generosity is
making in the lives of thousands of people. I get to speak with those
people, learning first hand what their needs are, what is affecting their
work and how we can empower them to do more.
So many reasons I am a big believer in what we do here… We are
recycling thousands of tons of quality used goods that would have otherwise
been thrown in landfills. We are empowering local people to join development
movements which are most sustainable with the people themselves are doing
the work, when they recognize the problems in their community and know best
how to address them. Our whole staff is comprised of volunteers, so our
overhead is absolutely minimal. And we’re not talking about just any old
volunteers, there are engineers, former refugees, nurses, young
professionals, retired couples, Oxford grads and activists on our staff
running an organization that gets the job done well (even if there are SO
many meetings).
·People power·
Speaking of people, we are losing a large handful of full-time staff
members in the next month. Their commitments are over, but they are leaving
holes in our staff that are going to be tough to cope with. I have heard a
lot of you tell me recently that you need a change, a career break, a new
city, work that matters to you, a different direction… seriously, you know
who you are. I just want to encourage you to ask me more about our staffing
needs. Hong Kong really isn’t that far away and you’d be surprised how your
finances fall into place when you’re on the right path. We need people who
want to change the world, care about humanity, the environment, have
experience in communications, IT, admin, cooking, dancing, theater,
teaching, grant writing, you name it… whatever your skill-set, you can use
it to make the world a better place. If you want to do it here, let me know!
We can be neighbors!
*Life*
·Friends of friends·
I have had the joy of reconnecting with friends who have moved to
Hong Kong. They live deeper in Hong Kong and work for companies, banks or
schools. It has been a blast hanging out with them, climbing, traveling,
adventuring. I just returned from a wedding in Thailand (thanks fam for the
birthday ticket and Leigh and Scott for being awesome and in love).
·Projects·
Tuning up my random life skills has been keeping me busy. I’ve been
knitting while catching up on podcasts, got my favorite seeds from home
(thanks Dre) and am gardening, and have committed to re-upulstering my couch
(ha, have never done a project quite like that before). I am keeping busy
and enjoying it all. I’m telling you, life is good in Hong Kong.
*Holidays*
·Thanksgiving·
Even though there are only three Americans on staff here, we had a
huge feast for the 70 of us. I felt a sense of pride as we explained the
food and reason behind the holiday. Afterwards, I enjoyed a mass-skype call
with both sides of my family while they were all feasting and I was just
barely awake. The Friday after, several of my American friends went over to
Christy’s house for a ‘leftovers’ dinner of turkey/cran sandwiches and
mashed potatoes… I haven’t had to eat since.
·Birthday·
As most of you know, I am now 27 years old… no need to be sad though
when you are doing what you were made to do and when people here know how to
throw a party. A traditional birthday at Crossroads is celebrated in a theme
centered around the birthday person, it is always a surprise that awaits you
at your desk… mine was fruits and vegetables! It cracked me up, I didn’t
realize I was such a vocal advocate of our organic farmers’ market, or the
urban farming projects here, but I guess it stuck. I sure enjoyed it though,
carrot cake, veggie name tags for everyone, dried fruit snacks, and a song
written just for me about greens. There was so much thought put into the
day, from breakfast to dinner to even the next day. Topped off with a care
package sent from home, I felt very loved. It was a wonderful birthday this
year.
·Christmas·
Though it is strange to be so far from family over the holidays, all
us ex-pats that stay here really do it up and recreate the family
atmosphere. It is fun being surrounded by so many cultures and so many ways
people celebrate this time of year. Despite our vastly different
backgrounds, we are able to come together and enjoy living out what really
matters to us; life and love.
Of course I wish you could be here to see the work being done through
Crossroads Foundation, or see the faces of those benefiting from it. I
understand that most of you cannot, but feel free to browse our website
www.crossroads.org.hk or my photo stream that is finally up-to-date and has
photos of all the above mentioned events and happenings
www.flickr.com/photos/courtneyanne.
Hello and Merry Christmas. It is Christmas evening in Hong Kong, I am
bordering on a food coma and have had a full, wonderful day here. Video chat
with the family, Home Alone on our wall thanks to the projector we
'borrowed' from the office, snickerdoodles, butternut squash soup, carols,
and a nice mellow evening to top it all off. I've attached a photo of my
flatmate, Kara and I in front of our tree (topped with an elephant).
I hope this email finds you more than fine. I wrote it a week or so ago,
planed on taking it out of its rough bullet points... but I like bullet
points, so they stay. Its in nice categories for you, as usual. Oh, and if I
have your address, I finally got to stamping your Christmas/New Year's
(hopefully NOT Valentine's Day) cards tonight. Check the mail expectantly,
I'll feel the vibes and get them out quicker.
*Work*
·Freight and funding fun·
I know you have a general idea of the work I am doing out here, but
perhaps not a grasp on it… let me begin by digging into just one aspect of
my work, a snap shot of what takes up the most lines in my daily timesheet.
My desk is in an office tucked in the corner of our building between
Global Handicrafts (fair trade) and Global Village (experiential learning),
adjacent to our director’s office in shared space with his assistant and the
parade of people always coming through our office. I love it, our office
sees everything from government officials to asylum seekers or the World
Economic Forum to a clinic in Nepal.
Crossroads has four major branches of work, and working in the
director’s office I get a bird’s eye view and my fingers in a little of
everything. My focus, however, is on what started this organization in the
first place… redistribution of wealth.
Hong Kong is the business center of the world, China is it’s
manufacturer. These combined creates a strange culture here that is a cross
between Pick’n’Save, a La Jolla mall, New York City and Tomorrow Land. Got
that visual? Do you see all sorts of excess material goods?
What we do is take those quality material goods (from cutting edge
medical equipment to educational supplies to blankets to electrical) and
fulfill requests from grassroots development organizations around the world.
A clinic in rural Uganda is now able to safely test for HIV/AIDS
Burmese refugees in the hills of Thailand can equip the only school
for their children with desks
An English center in Kazakhstan can offer job training skills
Filipino flood victims still living in evacuation centers two months
after their homes were destroyed receive brand new clothing
I work interdepartmentally within Crossroads, making sure shipping,
funding, donations, processing and communications are all on the same page.
Plenty of my time is also spent communicating with the donors of freight,
shipping, and funding explaining what a huge difference their generosity is
making in the lives of thousands of people. I get to speak with those
people, learning first hand what their needs are, what is affecting their
work and how we can empower them to do more.
So many reasons I am a big believer in what we do here… We are
recycling thousands of tons of quality used goods that would have otherwise
been thrown in landfills. We are empowering local people to join development
movements which are most sustainable with the people themselves are doing
the work, when they recognize the problems in their community and know best
how to address them. Our whole staff is comprised of volunteers, so our
overhead is absolutely minimal. And we’re not talking about just any old
volunteers, there are engineers, former refugees, nurses, young
professionals, retired couples, Oxford grads and activists on our staff
running an organization that gets the job done well (even if there are SO
many meetings).
·People power·
Speaking of people, we are losing a large handful of full-time staff
members in the next month. Their commitments are over, but they are leaving
holes in our staff that are going to be tough to cope with. I have heard a
lot of you tell me recently that you need a change, a career break, a new
city, work that matters to you, a different direction… seriously, you know
who you are. I just want to encourage you to ask me more about our staffing
needs. Hong Kong really isn’t that far away and you’d be surprised how your
finances fall into place when you’re on the right path. We need people who
want to change the world, care about humanity, the environment, have
experience in communications, IT, admin, cooking, dancing, theater,
teaching, grant writing, you name it… whatever your skill-set, you can use
it to make the world a better place. If you want to do it here, let me know!
We can be neighbors!
*Life*
·Friends of friends·
I have had the joy of reconnecting with friends who have moved to
Hong Kong. They live deeper in Hong Kong and work for companies, banks or
schools. It has been a blast hanging out with them, climbing, traveling,
adventuring. I just returned from a wedding in Thailand (thanks fam for the
birthday ticket and Leigh and Scott for being awesome and in love).
·Projects·
Tuning up my random life skills has been keeping me busy. I’ve been
knitting while catching up on podcasts, got my favorite seeds from home
(thanks Dre) and am gardening, and have committed to re-upulstering my couch
(ha, have never done a project quite like that before). I am keeping busy
and enjoying it all. I’m telling you, life is good in Hong Kong.
*Holidays*
·Thanksgiving·
Even though there are only three Americans on staff here, we had a
huge feast for the 70 of us. I felt a sense of pride as we explained the
food and reason behind the holiday. Afterwards, I enjoyed a mass-skype call
with both sides of my family while they were all feasting and I was just
barely awake. The Friday after, several of my American friends went over to
Christy’s house for a ‘leftovers’ dinner of turkey/cran sandwiches and
mashed potatoes… I haven’t had to eat since.
·Birthday·
As most of you know, I am now 27 years old… no need to be sad though
when you are doing what you were made to do and when people here know how to
throw a party. A traditional birthday at Crossroads is celebrated in a theme
centered around the birthday person, it is always a surprise that awaits you
at your desk… mine was fruits and vegetables! It cracked me up, I didn’t
realize I was such a vocal advocate of our organic farmers’ market, or the
urban farming projects here, but I guess it stuck. I sure enjoyed it though,
carrot cake, veggie name tags for everyone, dried fruit snacks, and a song
written just for me about greens. There was so much thought put into the
day, from breakfast to dinner to even the next day. Topped off with a care
package sent from home, I felt very loved. It was a wonderful birthday this
year.
·Christmas·
Though it is strange to be so far from family over the holidays, all
us ex-pats that stay here really do it up and recreate the family
atmosphere. It is fun being surrounded by so many cultures and so many ways
people celebrate this time of year. Despite our vastly different
backgrounds, we are able to come together and enjoy living out what really
matters to us; life and love.
Of course I wish you could be here to see the work being done through
Crossroads Foundation, or see the faces of those benefiting from it. I
understand that most of you cannot, but feel free to browse our website
www.crossroads.org.hk or my photo stream that is finally up-to-date and has
photos of all the above mentioned events and happenings
www.flickr.com/photos/courtneyanne.
7 November 2009
Monthly Multi-Media Memoir - HK and I
Hey guys,
As is my practice, I have a handful of randomness to offer you. The
priority, is my debut iMovie. Pay no mind to the chipmunk chorus behind some
of the tracks... after hours of perfectionism I gave in under the assumption
I had a gracious audience. New photos are up on my flickr site. You will
also find a shameless recruitment section as well as information on how to
support the relief/development work I'm doing out here (inserted by popular
demand!). Please enjoy.
*The Media*
So I've made my first attempt at a movie!
I figured I'd give you a little something more than just words to fill you
in on my first month of work. It should work, though I have found myself
IT incompetent lately so if it doesn't, please let me know. AND get it while
its hot; facebook took it down within seconds because of the soundtrack. How
do they expect me to tell my tale without Bowie?
*The Meat (albeit bite-sized)*
I am feeling at home here now, don't get nervous when faced with the public
transport system alone, let my room get messy, water my herb garden in the
morning and eat a lot of eggs, wheatabix and self-squeezed orange juice.
I have recently gotten some emails from you guys asking how to support me
financially... this is GREAT news because I am low on monthly support. Below
you will find three whole options of how to go about it, go with whichever
works for you.
It has been so encouraging to hear from each of you, I obsessively check my
email and rejoice at every new one that comes in, with great mental images
and descriptions of what is going on with you. Forgive my
lame-slow-to-respondedness... I'll try to get better at that!
With much love and much dim sum,
courtney
Hey guys,
As is my practice, I have a handful of randomness to offer you. The
priority, is my debut iMovie. Pay no mind to the chipmunk chorus behind some
of the tracks... after hours of perfectionism I gave in under the assumption
I had a gracious audience. New photos are up on my flickr site. You will
also find a shameless recruitment section as well as information on how to
support the relief/development work I'm doing out here (inserted by popular
demand!). Please enjoy.
*The Media*
So I've made my first attempt at a movie!
I figured I'd give you a little something more than just words to fill you
in on my first month of work. It should work, though I have found myself
IT incompetent lately so if it doesn't, please let me know. AND get it while
its hot; facebook took it down within seconds because of the soundtrack. How
do they expect me to tell my tale without Bowie?
*The Meat (albeit bite-sized)*
I am feeling at home here now, don't get nervous when faced with the public
transport system alone, let my room get messy, water my herb garden in the
morning and eat a lot of eggs, wheatabix and self-squeezed orange juice.
I have recently gotten some emails from you guys asking how to support me
financially... this is GREAT news because I am low on monthly support. Below
you will find three whole options of how to go about it, go with whichever
works for you.
It has been so encouraging to hear from each of you, I obsessively check my
email and rejoice at every new one that comes in, with great mental images
and descriptions of what is going on with you. Forgive my
lame-slow-to-respondedness... I'll try to get better at that!
With much love and much dim sum,
courtney
29 December 2010
18 October 2009
Snail Mail
I'm having a really relaxing day of letter writing today! I am finding that
I am writing to people who I don't have addresses for...
Send me your mailing address, I might have it already, but I know for a fact
I lack more than I have. I also have a tendency to make nomadic friends, so
if you have moved anytime recently, update me on your digs.
I have also been uploading all sorts of photos, too many. See link below.
Thanks for all the wonderful replies to my last update. I LOVE hearing what
is going on in your lives! I'll get to replying to emails later this week.
Just enjoying the feeling of pen and paper in my fingers at the moment!
Take good care,
court
I'm having a really relaxing day of letter writing today! I am finding that
I am writing to people who I don't have addresses for...
Send me your mailing address, I might have it already, but I know for a fact
I lack more than I have. I also have a tendency to make nomadic friends, so
if you have moved anytime recently, update me on your digs.
I have also been uploading all sorts of photos, too many. See link below.
Thanks for all the wonderful replies to my last update. I LOVE hearing what
is going on in your lives! I'll get to replying to emails later this week.
Just enjoying the feeling of pen and paper in my fingers at the moment!
Take good care,
court
16 October 2009
Home in Hong Kong
*The Intro*
I awake first to my alarm, then to birds dancing in the plumeria tree
outside my window. I get up, stretch, eat my yoghurt with fruit, drink green
tea and apple cider vinegar (when I’m in a good mood). Get dressed, careful
not to wear a necklace that I’ve already worn, for no other reason than that
I am determined to use everything I brought with me from California and
India. I walk to work where I am greeted by kind eyes, more tea and a long
list of todos before the day is through.
I am happy. Working hard. Using my brain, gifts and passions. So happy. (And
I would like to add that as I sit at a café and write this, there is a
horrible cover of “I’m Bad” blasting… gotta love Hong Kong.)
*The Disclaimer*
I have had new things I have wanted to update the world on daily… this is
not possible because a person’s only got so much energy. Therefore, this is
a lengthy update. I’ve broken it up into manageable sections. Just pretend
you are eating an elephant. So just read one at a time if daunting emails
freak you out (as they do me)…
*The Travel*
India was wonderful, just about as good as I had expected. I was able to
delay the goodbyes of some of my closest friends for month as we adventured
right up through the center of India with wedding receptions, trains,
cities, countryside and the Taj Majal to top it off (which blew my mind MUCH
more than I had expected).
As the weeks passed the goodbyes added up, until it was just a few of us in
Hong Kong, enjoying an extended layover (some more extended than others). My
plans to show my sister and friends my new home consisted mostly of getting
people to a place where it was legal to throw up. KFC in Bangalore: NOT
recommended no matter how cool it seems to get your Indian friends some
“home cookin’”.
And then, there I was, giving my last hugs goodbye and returning home… to
Teun Mun. I felt a notable peace. This just may have been the right decision
after all.
*The Work*
Crossroads has an amazing work environment. We’re all volunteers, so that
eliminates many negative vibes found in most offices. I find this fortunate
seeing as its technically my first office job. Each office space is themed
for a different nation we work with, each computer named for a different
city, each staff with their own distinct accent and own distinct way of
making fun of mine. You’d think a place where the staff of 80+ people from
Kazakhstan to Cameroon would be more cautious, but nobody takes themselves
seriously enough to be offended when made fun of… someone apologized for
making a generalization about “yanks” today… I found it hilarious. Its
great, there is so much laughter that I have found it more productive to
bring my iPod to work (as to not be distracted by the conversations around
me).
My first three days were marked with training, task sheets and writing
funding letters and working out minor shipping logistics. I love this. What
port is best when shipping to northern Zambia? How do you make a donor
understand the importance of job creation in the minority groups of Moldova?
What are we shipping to foster homes in Zimbabwe who are housing the
children abandoned when their parents had to leave the country to find work
after the government collapsed?
Then a typhoon hit the Philippines, an earthquake demolished parts of
Indonesia, a tsunami swept through Samoa… and just like that, I had a new
job description; Internal Disaster Response Coordinator. Daily meetings,
countless emails to partners on the ground in Sumatra and Manila, patience
building exercises while trying to phone areas* *Baguio as the rain is
pouring down over a makeshift clinic. Taking a two year process and cramming
it into two weeks so a container of relief goods can reach the hardest hit
areas of the Philippines. Days of calling contacts on the ground to find out
the immediate needs in landslide and flooded areas. Getting first hand
accounts and photos of the devastation of thousands of lives. Knowing these
hours I’m spending in front of the computer holds hope for so many thousands
more.
I’ve got my fingers on the pulse of what’s happening throughout the world,
both on disaster relief and ongoing needs like the food shortage in Kenya or
aid work in black flagged nations that I can’t mention electronically. It is
amazing, I know without a doubt that I am right where I should be. Right
were I have worked towards for years. And the people surrounding me, my
colleagues, they feel the same.
*The Life*
To top it off, I’ve been given and urban/organic farming side project. I
have ample places to start my own garden, I live between a mountain and an
ocean (both within walking distance), I have rock climbing buddies already,
live next to organic vegetable and fruit markets and just met a half dozen
surfers who know the one place to get a board and will take me two the two
places to catch waves around here (one of them where it’s more convenient to
camp on the beach than go for one day… uh, awesome.)! Ah, yeah, so exciting
it deserves a killer run on sentence. I really wasn’t expecting to have all
of the things I love here, but I do.
I was at BBQ with a bunch of ex-pats the other weekend. We were talking
about how nuts it is that we really didn’t have to change many of our habits
moving to Hong Kong. These were people from France, Panama, the Dominican…
and we are all able to live like we would have because it is just that way
here. In some ways it’s a shame, but it is also nice to have the comforts of
home. Even not making a salary, having already been used to a minimalist
lifestyle, I’m basically set with a roof over my head and food in my belly.
Strange though, Budweiser is an import, Boc Choi isn’t referred to as an
“Asian green” and buying local means it has a sticker that says “made in
China” (she remarked smugly).
*The Conclusion*
I know this has reached the point of being insanely long… that’s why I’ve
broken it up into pseudo chapters. Plus, chances are you haven’t heard from
me in more than two months and maybe you’re starting to miss me a little?
Maybe.
All these things to say, I appreciate all of your support through the last 6
months of my life and getting me here to a place my soul is at peace.
Emails, coffees, couches, benches, beaches, waves, bikes, cards, late
nights, movies, tears, laughs, beers, teas, dinners, walks, stars, homes,
hearts, arms… all of these things you have given and shared with me. I am so
grateful.
With loads of love being imported to you via the miracle of fiber optics,
courtney anne
*The Intro*
I awake first to my alarm, then to birds dancing in the plumeria tree
outside my window. I get up, stretch, eat my yoghurt with fruit, drink green
tea and apple cider vinegar (when I’m in a good mood). Get dressed, careful
not to wear a necklace that I’ve already worn, for no other reason than that
I am determined to use everything I brought with me from California and
India. I walk to work where I am greeted by kind eyes, more tea and a long
list of todos before the day is through.
I am happy. Working hard. Using my brain, gifts and passions. So happy. (And
I would like to add that as I sit at a café and write this, there is a
horrible cover of “I’m Bad” blasting… gotta love Hong Kong.)
*The Disclaimer*
I have had new things I have wanted to update the world on daily… this is
not possible because a person’s only got so much energy. Therefore, this is
a lengthy update. I’ve broken it up into manageable sections. Just pretend
you are eating an elephant. So just read one at a time if daunting emails
freak you out (as they do me)…
*The Travel*
India was wonderful, just about as good as I had expected. I was able to
delay the goodbyes of some of my closest friends for month as we adventured
right up through the center of India with wedding receptions, trains,
cities, countryside and the Taj Majal to top it off (which blew my mind MUCH
more than I had expected).
As the weeks passed the goodbyes added up, until it was just a few of us in
Hong Kong, enjoying an extended layover (some more extended than others). My
plans to show my sister and friends my new home consisted mostly of getting
people to a place where it was legal to throw up. KFC in Bangalore: NOT
recommended no matter how cool it seems to get your Indian friends some
“home cookin’”.
And then, there I was, giving my last hugs goodbye and returning home… to
Teun Mun. I felt a notable peace. This just may have been the right decision
after all.
*The Work*
Crossroads has an amazing work environment. We’re all volunteers, so that
eliminates many negative vibes found in most offices. I find this fortunate
seeing as its technically my first office job. Each office space is themed
for a different nation we work with, each computer named for a different
city, each staff with their own distinct accent and own distinct way of
making fun of mine. You’d think a place where the staff of 80+ people from
Kazakhstan to Cameroon would be more cautious, but nobody takes themselves
seriously enough to be offended when made fun of… someone apologized for
making a generalization about “yanks” today… I found it hilarious. Its
great, there is so much laughter that I have found it more productive to
bring my iPod to work (as to not be distracted by the conversations around
me).
My first three days were marked with training, task sheets and writing
funding letters and working out minor shipping logistics. I love this. What
port is best when shipping to northern Zambia? How do you make a donor
understand the importance of job creation in the minority groups of Moldova?
What are we shipping to foster homes in Zimbabwe who are housing the
children abandoned when their parents had to leave the country to find work
after the government collapsed?
Then a typhoon hit the Philippines, an earthquake demolished parts of
Indonesia, a tsunami swept through Samoa… and just like that, I had a new
job description; Internal Disaster Response Coordinator. Daily meetings,
countless emails to partners on the ground in Sumatra and Manila, patience
building exercises while trying to phone areas* *Baguio as the rain is
pouring down over a makeshift clinic. Taking a two year process and cramming
it into two weeks so a container of relief goods can reach the hardest hit
areas of the Philippines. Days of calling contacts on the ground to find out
the immediate needs in landslide and flooded areas. Getting first hand
accounts and photos of the devastation of thousands of lives. Knowing these
hours I’m spending in front of the computer holds hope for so many thousands
more.
I’ve got my fingers on the pulse of what’s happening throughout the world,
both on disaster relief and ongoing needs like the food shortage in Kenya or
aid work in black flagged nations that I can’t mention electronically. It is
amazing, I know without a doubt that I am right where I should be. Right
were I have worked towards for years. And the people surrounding me, my
colleagues, they feel the same.
*The Life*
To top it off, I’ve been given and urban/organic farming side project. I
have ample places to start my own garden, I live between a mountain and an
ocean (both within walking distance), I have rock climbing buddies already,
live next to organic vegetable and fruit markets and just met a half dozen
surfers who know the one place to get a board and will take me two the two
places to catch waves around here (one of them where it’s more convenient to
camp on the beach than go for one day… uh, awesome.)! Ah, yeah, so exciting
it deserves a killer run on sentence. I really wasn’t expecting to have all
of the things I love here, but I do.
I was at BBQ with a bunch of ex-pats the other weekend. We were talking
about how nuts it is that we really didn’t have to change many of our habits
moving to Hong Kong. These were people from France, Panama, the Dominican…
and we are all able to live like we would have because it is just that way
here. In some ways it’s a shame, but it is also nice to have the comforts of
home. Even not making a salary, having already been used to a minimalist
lifestyle, I’m basically set with a roof over my head and food in my belly.
Strange though, Budweiser is an import, Boc Choi isn’t referred to as an
“Asian green” and buying local means it has a sticker that says “made in
China” (she remarked smugly).
*The Conclusion*
I know this has reached the point of being insanely long… that’s why I’ve
broken it up into pseudo chapters. Plus, chances are you haven’t heard from
me in more than two months and maybe you’re starting to miss me a little?
Maybe.
All these things to say, I appreciate all of your support through the last 6
months of my life and getting me here to a place my soul is at peace.
Emails, coffees, couches, benches, beaches, waves, bikes, cards, late
nights, movies, tears, laughs, beers, teas, dinners, walks, stars, homes,
hearts, arms… all of these things you have given and shared with me. I am so
grateful.
With loads of love being imported to you via the miracle of fiber optics,
courtney anne
10 August 2009
Down to the Wire
Hi Guys!
As September is fast approaching, I am working through some final logistical
things. This email is primarily for those who have committed to partnering
with me financially either with one time gifts or monthly amounts, or for
those who are thinking about it. As all staff members at CRI are volunteer,
we rely on sponsors to come along side us so we can break the cycle of
poverty.
The Itinerary:
There has also been confusion about my itinerary, so let me clarify here.
September 3rd I leave LAX.
September 4th I arrive in Hong Kong for a 12 hour layover, drop off my
luggage, meet with a few people at CRI and then get back on a plane for
Bangalore, India.
September 24th I arrive back in Hong Kong after being in India celebrating
my friends' marriage for 3 weeks.
After a few move in days and jet-lag adjustment I will start work officially
on the 28th (my mom's birthday)!
Any Itinerary/Support Questions:
I obviously have paid my own way for India and for half of the ticket (how
great is it that I needed to buy just one ticket). I am in need of one time
donations for the Hong Kong leg of the trip, as well as the fee for
extending my "layover" from 12 hour to 12 months on my way home. Also there
are the general start-your-new-life-on-the-other-side-of-the-planet
expenses. Any funds that come in during the month of September will go
towards covering those costs. Beginning in October I will be using monthly
support (as well as one time donations) for housing, food and living
expenses.
Thank you so much for your support though this time, both emotional and
physical! It has been a tough year and I know that this next year won't
exactly be a piece of cake... but I prefer ice cream anyway! I expect to
work hard, but I also expect that the work I will be doing will change the
lives of people around the world who previously had no hope. What an amazing
honor. And what an amazing gift it is to know that you are right there with
me, doing the work in the capacity you can. We've all got something to give,
its just a matter of how we chose to :)
Much Love,
courtney
Hi Guys!
As September is fast approaching, I am working through some final logistical
things. This email is primarily for those who have committed to partnering
with me financially either with one time gifts or monthly amounts, or for
those who are thinking about it. As all staff members at CRI are volunteer,
we rely on sponsors to come along side us so we can break the cycle of
poverty.
The Itinerary:
There has also been confusion about my itinerary, so let me clarify here.
September 3rd I leave LAX.
September 4th I arrive in Hong Kong for a 12 hour layover, drop off my
luggage, meet with a few people at CRI and then get back on a plane for
Bangalore, India.
September 24th I arrive back in Hong Kong after being in India celebrating
my friends' marriage for 3 weeks.
After a few move in days and jet-lag adjustment I will start work officially
on the 28th (my mom's birthday)!
Any Itinerary/Support Questions:
I obviously have paid my own way for India and for half of the ticket (how
great is it that I needed to buy just one ticket). I am in need of one time
donations for the Hong Kong leg of the trip, as well as the fee for
extending my "layover" from 12 hour to 12 months on my way home. Also there
are the general start-your-new-life-on-the-other-side-of-the-planet
expenses. Any funds that come in during the month of September will go
towards covering those costs. Beginning in October I will be using monthly
support (as well as one time donations) for housing, food and living
expenses.
Thank you so much for your support though this time, both emotional and
physical! It has been a tough year and I know that this next year won't
exactly be a piece of cake... but I prefer ice cream anyway! I expect to
work hard, but I also expect that the work I will be doing will change the
lives of people around the world who previously had no hope. What an amazing
honor. And what an amazing gift it is to know that you are right there with
me, doing the work in the capacity you can. We've all got something to give,
its just a matter of how we chose to :)
Much Love,
courtney
2 August 2009
Courtney's Official (as it gets) Hong Kong Letter
Greetings Friends!
My name is Courtney, however, chances are you received this letter
because you know that. I am writing you to let you in on what I am doing
with the next year of my life and how you can be a part of it! I will be
moving to Hong Kong in September to work a fulltime volunteer position
with Crossroads.
If this organization sounds familiar, it might be because I worked with them
6 years ago. In recent months, life has opened up to an opportunity to work with them again,
and I couldn’t be more excited! I am a big believer in the resourceful work
CRI does to alleviate poverty throughout the world and I know the year
commitment I am making with them will bear much fruit!
CRI fights poverty both locally in Hong Kong and in developing nations by
equipping organizations in existence on the field with material goods
necessary to promote the work they are doing in their communities. We are
donated quality excess material goods (from beds to computers to medical
equipment) and match them to organizations that have a need for that
specific equipment in order to carry out the work they are doing. Among the
organizations we have aided are orphanages, job training centers, refugee
centers, schools and clinics to name only a few. Each dollar given to CRI
allows us to move goods worth $7-20 due to the unique model we work with.
This multiplication effect is evident when you look at the thank you letters
and reports we receive back from our consignees; one shipment can transform
an entire community.
Working with CRI was what set my life on a trajectory focused on fighting
poverty and injustice, returning to Hong Kong for this season seems to be a
natural full-circle-cycle. I am eager to bring to CRI what I have learned at
university and with other non-profits.
As I mentioned, this is a full-time volunteer position and along with my
coworkers, I receive no salary. Many have asked how I will manage
financially while I am there. That’s where you come in! I am looking for
people, businesses and organizations to come along side of me and sponsor
the work I am doing at CRI. Primarily, I aim to partner with people willing
to commit to a regular monthly donation that will contribute to my room,
board and other basic costs of living (a detailed budget will be available
for those who want to check it out). My goal is to raise $1,500 per month
and I already have $300 in commitments! One-time donations are needed at the
moment for initial travel expenses associated with starting up a new life on
the other side of the world. We are in this together!
A woman I was talking with the other night raised an excellent point; this
is an opportunity people to participate in the fight against poverty who are
not able to physically go to the front lines themselves. You are an integral
part of this equation! If you know of anybody who would be interested in
this work or the projects CRI is working on, please send them my way! Often
work like this is funded through referrals; so don’t hesitate to spread the
word!
If you are planning on donating, please email me so I
can add you to my growing list of sponsors!
Please don’t hesitate to email me back with any questions or a little good
‘ole fashioned “hi”! I love to hear what you are up to, and it will be
especially nice when I am gone.
You are in my heart,
courtney anne brandt
Greetings Friends!
My name is Courtney, however, chances are you received this letter
because you know that. I am writing you to let you in on what I am doing
with the next year of my life and how you can be a part of it! I will be
moving to Hong Kong in September to work a fulltime volunteer position
with Crossroads.
If this organization sounds familiar, it might be because I worked with them
6 years ago. In recent months, life has opened up to an opportunity to work with them again,
and I couldn’t be more excited! I am a big believer in the resourceful work
CRI does to alleviate poverty throughout the world and I know the year
commitment I am making with them will bear much fruit!
CRI fights poverty both locally in Hong Kong and in developing nations by
equipping organizations in existence on the field with material goods
necessary to promote the work they are doing in their communities. We are
donated quality excess material goods (from beds to computers to medical
equipment) and match them to organizations that have a need for that
specific equipment in order to carry out the work they are doing. Among the
organizations we have aided are orphanages, job training centers, refugee
centers, schools and clinics to name only a few. Each dollar given to CRI
allows us to move goods worth $7-20 due to the unique model we work with.
This multiplication effect is evident when you look at the thank you letters
and reports we receive back from our consignees; one shipment can transform
an entire community.
Working with CRI was what set my life on a trajectory focused on fighting
poverty and injustice, returning to Hong Kong for this season seems to be a
natural full-circle-cycle. I am eager to bring to CRI what I have learned at
university and with other non-profits.
As I mentioned, this is a full-time volunteer position and along with my
coworkers, I receive no salary. Many have asked how I will manage
financially while I am there. That’s where you come in! I am looking for
people, businesses and organizations to come along side of me and sponsor
the work I am doing at CRI. Primarily, I aim to partner with people willing
to commit to a regular monthly donation that will contribute to my room,
board and other basic costs of living (a detailed budget will be available
for those who want to check it out). My goal is to raise $1,500 per month
and I already have $300 in commitments! One-time donations are needed at the
moment for initial travel expenses associated with starting up a new life on
the other side of the world. We are in this together!
A woman I was talking with the other night raised an excellent point; this
is an opportunity people to participate in the fight against poverty who are
not able to physically go to the front lines themselves. You are an integral
part of this equation! If you know of anybody who would be interested in
this work or the projects CRI is working on, please send them my way! Often
work like this is funded through referrals; so don’t hesitate to spread the
word!
If you are planning on donating, please email me so I
can add you to my growing list of sponsors!
Please don’t hesitate to email me back with any questions or a little good
‘ole fashioned “hi”! I love to hear what you are up to, and it will be
especially nice when I am gone.
You are in my heart,
courtney anne brandt
20 July 2009
What's going on with Courtney?
Hiya!
I hope this letter finds you in a place of peace and provision despite the
world around us. It is a pre-email to a letter I will send to you in a few
days, this being more of a personal reflection and introduction to the
official ‘support letter’ so you can better understand where I am coming
from. Nothing like getting a random letter from a foreign land out the blue!
I am writing from San Diego, where I am living only part time, while I work
a seasonal job in Santa Monica. Seasonal because I am making a big step in
September and moving to Hong Kong to work for Crossroads International! I
have worked with them before and have always known that one day I would
return, that season is upon me now. An innumerable amount of life changes
and decisions have led me to this point and are too many to name here
(though you can feel free to contact me and we can talk about it all)!
Suffice to say; I feel I have been preparing for this moment my whole life.
Crossroads is an amazing humanitarian aid organization that focuses on the
redistribution of excess material goods both locally and internationally to
the most needy and vulnerable people on the planet.
Their organization is four-fold:
Crossroads International distributes quality goods that will be
used by grassroots organizations working with impoverished people groups
worldwide. The Global Village offers simulated experiences of global need
that help people understand the daily life of those in need (much like the
work I was doing with World Vision!). Global Handicrafts sells fair trade
goods from people in poverty to support local artisans and small businesses.
Finally, Global Hand is much like a virtual Crossroads, providing a
‘matching’ website for public-private partnerships to connect their
resources and needs.
I will be working with Crossroads come September and have committed to a
year of service with them. I have not received a specific job yet, and I
will keep you updated on that for sure! It will be along the lines of both
the work I have done with other non-profits (and the work I hope to spend
the rest of my life doing) working with international teams and grants,
making sure the people we are ultimately serving on the field are heard well
and that lines of communication are open between the giving and receiving
ends of this work.
It will be a fulltime volunteer position and I will be working on building
partnerships and finding sponsors for the work I am doing over the next few
months. I aim to gain a foundation of supporters willing to commit to a
regular monthly amount. I already have nearly $200 in monthly commitments of
the $1500 monthly goal I need to meet!
A friend of mine who works for a non-profit through the individual support
model gave me some words of wisdom the other day. I learned that over 50% of
his donations come from people who give less than $50 a month! So don’t be
discouraged if you want to be a part of this work but can’t afford much! If
you think what you can give is just a drop in the bucket, think about this…
if there were no drops in the bucket, it would be empty! That is one thing I
have learned working with a world in such need, you give what you can and
even if you can’t change the world, you can change one person’s world! In
this case, partnering with the work I am doing will be changing hundreds, if
not thousands of people’s worlds!
So I have a running tally of people who are planning on coming along side of
the work I am moving in to, let me know if I can add you to it! This is not
official (yet), just so I can be getting an idea of how many people can
partner with me and how much they are able to give. Like I said before, I
will be sending out a more “official” letter soon!
I hope all is well with you and your family! I am so grateful for your
financial partnership and prayer support both in the past and now, in this
new season I am moving in to! Let me know if you’d like to get together
before I leave. Also, let me know if you know anybody who would be
interested in partnering with me in this. Feel free to forward this on to
anyone that comes to mind who would be stoked on the work I am doing with
Crossroads!
Keep your eyes peeled for updates popping up in your inbox as I prepare for
this big step!
Take care,
courtney brandt
Hiya!
I hope this letter finds you in a place of peace and provision despite the
world around us. It is a pre-email to a letter I will send to you in a few
days, this being more of a personal reflection and introduction to the
official ‘support letter’ so you can better understand where I am coming
from. Nothing like getting a random letter from a foreign land out the blue!
I am writing from San Diego, where I am living only part time, while I work
a seasonal job in Santa Monica. Seasonal because I am making a big step in
September and moving to Hong Kong to work for Crossroads International! I
have worked with them before and have always known that one day I would
return, that season is upon me now. An innumerable amount of life changes
and decisions have led me to this point and are too many to name here
(though you can feel free to contact me and we can talk about it all)!
Suffice to say; I feel I have been preparing for this moment my whole life.
Crossroads is an amazing humanitarian aid organization that focuses on the
redistribution of excess material goods both locally and internationally to
the most needy and vulnerable people on the planet.
Their organization is four-fold:
Crossroads International distributes quality goods that will be
used by grassroots organizations working with impoverished people groups
worldwide. The Global Village offers simulated experiences of global need
that help people understand the daily life of those in need (much like the
work I was doing with World Vision!). Global Handicrafts sells fair trade
goods from people in poverty to support local artisans and small businesses.
Finally, Global Hand is much like a virtual Crossroads, providing a
‘matching’ website for public-private partnerships to connect their
resources and needs.
I will be working with Crossroads come September and have committed to a
year of service with them. I have not received a specific job yet, and I
will keep you updated on that for sure! It will be along the lines of both
the work I have done with other non-profits (and the work I hope to spend
the rest of my life doing) working with international teams and grants,
making sure the people we are ultimately serving on the field are heard well
and that lines of communication are open between the giving and receiving
ends of this work.
It will be a fulltime volunteer position and I will be working on building
partnerships and finding sponsors for the work I am doing over the next few
months. I aim to gain a foundation of supporters willing to commit to a
regular monthly amount. I already have nearly $200 in monthly commitments of
the $1500 monthly goal I need to meet!
A friend of mine who works for a non-profit through the individual support
model gave me some words of wisdom the other day. I learned that over 50% of
his donations come from people who give less than $50 a month! So don’t be
discouraged if you want to be a part of this work but can’t afford much! If
you think what you can give is just a drop in the bucket, think about this…
if there were no drops in the bucket, it would be empty! That is one thing I
have learned working with a world in such need, you give what you can and
even if you can’t change the world, you can change one person’s world! In
this case, partnering with the work I am doing will be changing hundreds, if
not thousands of people’s worlds!
So I have a running tally of people who are planning on coming along side of
the work I am moving in to, let me know if I can add you to it! This is not
official (yet), just so I can be getting an idea of how many people can
partner with me and how much they are able to give. Like I said before, I
will be sending out a more “official” letter soon!
I hope all is well with you and your family! I am so grateful for your
financial partnership and prayer support both in the past and now, in this
new season I am moving in to! Let me know if you’d like to get together
before I leave. Also, let me know if you know anybody who would be
interested in partnering with me in this. Feel free to forward this on to
anyone that comes to mind who would be stoked on the work I am doing with
Crossroads!
Keep your eyes peeled for updates popping up in your inbox as I prepare for
this big step!
Take care,
courtney brandt
24 November 2007
Adventures in San Diego
Just because I am not nation hopping doesn't mean I cease to exist or don't
care if you don't know or aren't praying for me (or me for you). So this is
just an attempt to let you know where I am at and what it took to get me
here over the past year or so. As usual, this is wordy and my feelings
aren't hurt if you don't read it all… cause let's be real, I won't even
know.
What I am going to tell you:
I graduated college, quit my job as a waitress, am currently working for
World Vision and am praying about returning to Guinea, West Africa for an
annual pastor's conference again in March.
What I am telling you:
I am fast approaching a record for the adult life of Courtney… come December
I will have been in America for a year straight (Mexico just doesn't count
as outside my zone). I had plans to move to a French speaking nation, or
venture out to Hong Kong again to work and travel mainland China, visit some
friends along the way, or go back to India and see the sights of the north.
However, God has this little thing I like to call a "sense of humor".
-A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. -Proverbs 16:9-
Upon reaching the final steps in leaving again, I really felt compelled to
take a step back and pray for a while before choosing my next step. In
short, God made it clear that I was to stay in San Diego. The ball was in my
court, and I don't like that. So as more of a reflex than a result of
rational thinking I swung back. I told God straight up that He had given me
this killer degree in June (International Politics at UCSD) and I wasn't
about to pay off my student loans with tips from waitressing at the Seaside
Cantina… so, I quit.
-For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. -Romans 11:29-
One week from my last day at work I found an add on Craigslist
for a "AIDS Tent Exhibit Productions Assistant", spent all weekend working
on a resume, sent it in on Monday, got an email back for an interview that
night, interviewed on Wednesday for two hours, was told I got the job on
Friday and started that Saturday. My last day at the Cantina was Friday… as
is customary in my life, I hit the ground running with no time to think
about what the heck was going on around me, but just enough time to do it.
So now I am cruising around in a 30 ft. box truck with a huge tent that
brings a face to AIDS statistics to thousands of college students and
community members. It has been amazing to see how God has been preparing me
for this and how I am sure this is preparing me for what He has in the
future for me.
-For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10-
I have been learning some of the reality Jesus talks about when
He says that we, as followers of Christ, are called not only into life, but
also into life more abundantly (John 10:10). Maybe that doesn't mean I'm
going to be rich or always healthy or even always happy… but what I have
been noticing as I meet and talk with more and more believers is that your
talents, passions, gifts and circumstances are in direct alignment with who
God is calling your to be, how He sees you and how those are in sync with
His vision and purpose for your individual life. And then, how that fits in
with the body of Christ and that is how we all work together to expand His
kingdom, through love, while we are here.
I am praying that God will let me go back and visit some friends in Guinea,
this March. who I worked alongside with over a year ago. Since then they
have been on the brink of civil war, lost friends and family to violence and
persecution and have persevered still… emailing me and asking what I need
prayer for. So humbling to send prayer requests of good grades and such to
people who daily fear for their lives. I would be blessed to return and see
what times of encouragement the Lord has in store for all of us.
What I told you:
So, here I am, living in North Pacific Beach in the little studio of my
dreams, with the entry-level development job of my dreams, dating who seems
to be the man of my dreams (didn't see THAT one coming… did ya?) and in awe
of the way the Lord has way different and way better plans than I could have
come up with on my own. God is faithful and I am never bored no matter where
my adventure takes or leaves me.
May the light of His face shine upon you,
courtney brandt
Just because I am not nation hopping doesn't mean I cease to exist or don't
care if you don't know or aren't praying for me (or me for you). So this is
just an attempt to let you know where I am at and what it took to get me
here over the past year or so. As usual, this is wordy and my feelings
aren't hurt if you don't read it all… cause let's be real, I won't even
know.
What I am going to tell you:
I graduated college, quit my job as a waitress, am currently working for
World Vision and am praying about returning to Guinea, West Africa for an
annual pastor's conference again in March.
What I am telling you:
I am fast approaching a record for the adult life of Courtney… come December
I will have been in America for a year straight (Mexico just doesn't count
as outside my zone). I had plans to move to a French speaking nation, or
venture out to Hong Kong again to work and travel mainland China, visit some
friends along the way, or go back to India and see the sights of the north.
However, God has this little thing I like to call a "sense of humor".
-A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. -Proverbs 16:9-
Upon reaching the final steps in leaving again, I really felt compelled to
take a step back and pray for a while before choosing my next step. In
short, God made it clear that I was to stay in San Diego. The ball was in my
court, and I don't like that. So as more of a reflex than a result of
rational thinking I swung back. I told God straight up that He had given me
this killer degree in June (International Politics at UCSD) and I wasn't
about to pay off my student loans with tips from waitressing at the Seaside
Cantina… so, I quit.
-For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. -Romans 11:29-
One week from my last day at work I found an add on Craigslist
for a "AIDS Tent Exhibit Productions Assistant", spent all weekend working
on a resume, sent it in on Monday, got an email back for an interview that
night, interviewed on Wednesday for two hours, was told I got the job on
Friday and started that Saturday. My last day at the Cantina was Friday… as
is customary in my life, I hit the ground running with no time to think
about what the heck was going on around me, but just enough time to do it.
So now I am cruising around in a 30 ft. box truck with a huge tent that
brings a face to AIDS statistics to thousands of college students and
community members. It has been amazing to see how God has been preparing me
for this and how I am sure this is preparing me for what He has in the
future for me.
-For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10-
I have been learning some of the reality Jesus talks about when
He says that we, as followers of Christ, are called not only into life, but
also into life more abundantly (John 10:10). Maybe that doesn't mean I'm
going to be rich or always healthy or even always happy… but what I have
been noticing as I meet and talk with more and more believers is that your
talents, passions, gifts and circumstances are in direct alignment with who
God is calling your to be, how He sees you and how those are in sync with
His vision and purpose for your individual life. And then, how that fits in
with the body of Christ and that is how we all work together to expand His
kingdom, through love, while we are here.
I am praying that God will let me go back and visit some friends in Guinea,
this March. who I worked alongside with over a year ago. Since then they
have been on the brink of civil war, lost friends and family to violence and
persecution and have persevered still… emailing me and asking what I need
prayer for. So humbling to send prayer requests of good grades and such to
people who daily fear for their lives. I would be blessed to return and see
what times of encouragement the Lord has in store for all of us.
What I told you:
So, here I am, living in North Pacific Beach in the little studio of my
dreams, with the entry-level development job of my dreams, dating who seems
to be the man of my dreams (didn't see THAT one coming… did ya?) and in awe
of the way the Lord has way different and way better plans than I could have
come up with on my own. God is faithful and I am never bored no matter where
my adventure takes or leaves me.
May the light of His face shine upon you,
courtney brandt
6 December 2006
On the Road [or not] Again Across the Oceans
Namaskada!
I will send and amazing and wonderful conclusion of my time in India once I
am jet-lag free and safe in San Diego. For now, just know that I am leaving
tomorrow, traveling 40 hours and will return to San Diego next week. Pray
for safe travels and smooth goodbyes. I have made some amazing friends here
and it will be hard to leave the beautiful land of India. However, going
home for Christmas and family will be more amazing than anything I can
imagine at this point.
Over the next month I will be spending time doing Indian ministry style
"house visits". I want to spend time with you guys and really let you know
that your prayers and support have changed hundreds of lives here. I would
love to drop by your place for some sweet time of fellowship and thanks
giving and encouraging each other. If you have an hour or so to spare,
please let me know. Its my hearts desire to really invest in you now that
you have been investing in me!
With much love,
courtney
Namaskada!
I will send and amazing and wonderful conclusion of my time in India once I
am jet-lag free and safe in San Diego. For now, just know that I am leaving
tomorrow, traveling 40 hours and will return to San Diego next week. Pray
for safe travels and smooth goodbyes. I have made some amazing friends here
and it will be hard to leave the beautiful land of India. However, going
home for Christmas and family will be more amazing than anything I can
imagine at this point.
Over the next month I will be spending time doing Indian ministry style
"house visits". I want to spend time with you guys and really let you know
that your prayers and support have changed hundreds of lives here. I would
love to drop by your place for some sweet time of fellowship and thanks
giving and encouraging each other. If you have an hour or so to spare,
please let me know. Its my hearts desire to really invest in you now that
you have been investing in me!
With much love,
courtney
12 November 2006
Convinced in Badami
Some teachers get apples and some get little idol gods made of sugar... like
me, for example. My little informal English tutoring sessions fluctuate from
5-20 kids, from 6-15 year olds and from a learning atmosphere to utter
chaos. One kid, Ravi, is the obvious teachers pet, telling me who is talking
and offering to go find a stick for me to beat the kids into order. At first
I found myself kindly refusing, now I tell him to sit down, shut-up and read
while I teach the younger kids sounds of the alphabet. The best part is they
don't actually understand English at this point, so , no feelings are on the
line but mine as far as I can tell... Though somehow I did manage to force a
shy kid to stand and read, the other kids, though gestures, told me that he
could not read English. So I started with the alphabet, but he just wasn't
even trying. Only then did I realize the kid was blind. Soooo, being caught
slightly off gaurd, I asked him to sit while I brainstormed what to do next.
See, I've never taught kids, English, or anything. So everyday they come to
my door yelling "Auntie Corney", school books in hand, I sigh, ask for the
Lord's help and dive in... story of my life.
I had this elaborate outline to let you know how things are... but as is my
style I am scrapping it and going off the seat of my pants.
So we are back in Badami for the remainder of our outreach... a week. God
really led the team back here and the fruit has been amazing. We no longer
are doing open air preaching or anything like that. Our ministry consists
mostly of house visits and building God an enduring house in and around
Badami. Over our past three weeks here we have revisited villages where we
have done outreaches and spent time with the new and old Christians there.
It has been amazing seeing people again who were healed or radically changed
through the hand of God and now we are seeing the fruit from our labors and
seeing fruit producing more fruit. The other thing is, house visits are less
obtrusive more what Indian culture does anyway. We go into a house and as
much of the neighborhood that can fit inside does and they listen to a
message and we all sing Kannada worship songs and watch people really get
it. God gives us words specific to the people and it is amazing to be
speaking and watching people well up in tears cause the words are hitting
their heart. This way, when we leave, everyone knows what house to go to to
hear more about Jesus... and an enduring house finds its foundation.
I'm looking at my list of things to include in my update and deciding not
to. Just keep the work in your prayers. We have 1 week of regular outreach,
then a conference in Bangalore, a week of rest then we leave on a jet plane
for the states. Just like that my time in the fantastic land of India is
coming to a close and I look ahead to graduating UCSD in June and then
beyond...
Until the next time I get to sit infront of a painfully slow computer, peace
and grace to you.
Your sister,
courtney
Some teachers get apples and some get little idol gods made of sugar... like
me, for example. My little informal English tutoring sessions fluctuate from
5-20 kids, from 6-15 year olds and from a learning atmosphere to utter
chaos. One kid, Ravi, is the obvious teachers pet, telling me who is talking
and offering to go find a stick for me to beat the kids into order. At first
I found myself kindly refusing, now I tell him to sit down, shut-up and read
while I teach the younger kids sounds of the alphabet. The best part is they
don't actually understand English at this point, so , no feelings are on the
line but mine as far as I can tell... Though somehow I did manage to force a
shy kid to stand and read, the other kids, though gestures, told me that he
could not read English. So I started with the alphabet, but he just wasn't
even trying. Only then did I realize the kid was blind. Soooo, being caught
slightly off gaurd, I asked him to sit while I brainstormed what to do next.
See, I've never taught kids, English, or anything. So everyday they come to
my door yelling "Auntie Corney", school books in hand, I sigh, ask for the
Lord's help and dive in... story of my life.
I had this elaborate outline to let you know how things are... but as is my
style I am scrapping it and going off the seat of my pants.
So we are back in Badami for the remainder of our outreach... a week. God
really led the team back here and the fruit has been amazing. We no longer
are doing open air preaching or anything like that. Our ministry consists
mostly of house visits and building God an enduring house in and around
Badami. Over our past three weeks here we have revisited villages where we
have done outreaches and spent time with the new and old Christians there.
It has been amazing seeing people again who were healed or radically changed
through the hand of God and now we are seeing the fruit from our labors and
seeing fruit producing more fruit. The other thing is, house visits are less
obtrusive more what Indian culture does anyway. We go into a house and as
much of the neighborhood that can fit inside does and they listen to a
message and we all sing Kannada worship songs and watch people really get
it. God gives us words specific to the people and it is amazing to be
speaking and watching people well up in tears cause the words are hitting
their heart. This way, when we leave, everyone knows what house to go to to
hear more about Jesus... and an enduring house finds its foundation.
I'm looking at my list of things to include in my update and deciding not
to. Just keep the work in your prayers. We have 1 week of regular outreach,
then a conference in Bangalore, a week of rest then we leave on a jet plane
for the states. Just like that my time in the fantastic land of India is
coming to a close and I look ahead to graduating UCSD in June and then
beyond...
Until the next time I get to sit infront of a painfully slow computer, peace
and grace to you.
Your sister,
courtney
15 October 2006
Update from Bijapur, India
Namaskada guys!
I wish I could explain to you the fun we go through to get to Internet cafes
to spend hours on slow connections praying the current doesn't go out.
Ashley was charged by a bull, I was almost hit by several bikes, rickshaws
and goat herds, and Darla (being the only one apt at maneuvering Indian
streets) always has us on each hand... like a mother hen with her chicks...
so alas, after yet some more everyday adventures, I bring you another
elongated update from the fabulous land of India!
Please, take this little by little, don't feel compelled to read this all in
one sitting... well, unless you just miss me that much. Welcome to inside my
erratic brain's thought processes... please enjoy.
So last night we went to this village...
and the village leader (whom for the past two years has been angry at our
presence) invited us to do the outreach from his front doorstep. We did and
afterwards he asked for prayer. We prayed and he manifested a demon, we cast
it out in the Name of Jesus and he said he wanted Jesus. He got saved
because he just couldn't deny what he'd seen, and neither could the village.
God's ways are not my ways, His thoughts are higher than mine...
I have been chewing on Isaiah 55 daily... check out how cool the Bible is.
"For [God's] thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways [God's]
ways", in regards to His Word, He says, "It shall not return to Me void, but
it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for
which I sent it", "For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace".
Come now, how rad are those promises? Sometimes, when the battle is getting
tough, I just hold up the Word and point out a promise that God's given me
and say, "hey, you said so", because He is faithful.
How to eat an elephant and change the world...
The past year has lead me to question if my goal of changing the wold is a
little too out of reach? The extent of poverty, despair, anger, corruption,
hatred and so on and so forth that I have had the privilege of being exposed
to has hit hard. There was Africa, an entire continent of starvation and
disease. Now, India, a nation of over a billion people working themselves to
the bone to make it to the next day... everyday. I am just a twerp from San
Diego with nothing but empty hands and willing feet.
Then, I find myself being held by an old grandmother, in tears. She is
thanking the team for telling her family about Jesus and praying over her
son, who* was* blind. We prayed in the Name of Jesus and his eyes were
opened. He saw his children for the first time, stared in wonder at the
world around him and asking to know more about this Jesus who just changed
the life of everyone he knows.
I remember the village we walked into that talked about the foreigners as we
walked in but could only talk about Jesus Christ as we left because every
single person we prayed for was healed and accepted Jesus.
Or the Gypsy women who testified that they came to know Jesus a year ago and
He has been amazing and faithful. How can I forget when they invited us into
their home to sing and dance with them?
The truth is, this twerp from San Diego doesn't change anything... Jesus
does and I just get to work for Him. You eat an elephant one piece at a
time, Jesus changes the world one soul at a time. The vision He's given me
to change the world is the vision He gives all of us. Its fully impossible
without Him, but with Him at my side, there is nothing I would rather do. I
have the honor of harboring a heart that feels a little of the heartache God
has when He looks at the world, and the privilege to live a life that mends
hearts, one at a time.
Fighting God...
There was this little old bent over woman in Pondicherry I prayed for over
the summer. Her face is in my head each time I pray. She asked for prayer
for her eyesight and toothaches. I prayed and she did not get healed. She
motioned for me to pray again, I did and she was still in pain and without
good eyesight. I moved on to the next person. In a few minutes that old
woman was back again. I prayed again and she was healed, just like that. She
taught me a valuable lesson that I will always carry with me: sometimes God
wants you to fight for it.
Look at Jacob and how he wrestled God until He blessed him and changed his
name to Israel, or at the persistent widow in Jesus' parables, think about
this old Indian lady. How bad do you want what you are praying for? Is it
only bad enough to shoot up a quick prayer before you fall asleep, half
believing that God hears you and barely believing He even cares? I guarantee
He wants to bless you, but He is waiting to see how bad you want it. Charge
it and fight Him for it, ultimately He will bless you, even if it doesn't
look exactly like what you thought you wanted. Do you think Jacob was
expecting God to change his name? Do you think he knew what that meant and
how that decision to fight God would change the world forever? Probably not,
but God knew.
My prayer requests:
*Financial provision for the team (we are running short)
*Health of the team (mosquito and worm issues)
*An increased heart for the Muslim community
*Increased authority in the Spirit
*Increased wisdom and discernment
*That we would run the homestretch strong
*That the captives are set free
*Continued favor of God in the villages
*Running water to miraculously be in our apartment
*Direction of where to go when I get home
*Your prayer requests:
*I really prayed for them so let me know what else to pray for, and if they
were answered... its always encouraging to hear! We might be oceans away,
but really, if you think about it, that's nothing for God. Not only does He
like you, He also likes hearing you talk to Him. I just like to join in on
the conversations when I can!
You sent some great questions, here are my answers and thoughts...
*How does the lady with out the colon live? Through an IV?
Nope, she just lives. You know that spot in Matthew when Jesus says his food
is to do the will of the Father? It must be like that. She just doesn't eat,
or drink, or sleep sometimes... really, I tell no lies. God uses this woman
in insane ways and she was amazing to live with. She knows that God is
keeping her alive to do His work, so she does.
*How's BFI?
Its great! Nick is hard at work back in San Diego working wonders with the
computer and all I have to do is sit in on conference calls every now and
then. We have an amazing staff of people who have caught the vision and are
running with it and a growing list of global contacts who are equally as
enthusiastic! You can keep up on it through www.beautifulfeetintl.org
*If there were no experiences, just resistance to the Gospel, how would you
feel? Would God still be exciting?
This was a rather thought provoking question that I liked. The quick answers
are "fine" and "yes". This makes me think of my time in Burkia Faso. There
it is 98% Muslim and I saw little action and little reaction to the Gospel
and the work I did there. It was only last month I got an email saying that
one of the villages I was in was impacted... that's all. I just have to
trust God that He called me and that His work was done. Why should I
complain if I don't get to see the fruit of my labors? I am not doing this
to see results, I am not living like this for fun or any type of
recognition... if I wanted that I would not be living like this, obviously.
I do what I do because its what God tells me to do and because its how the
Bible says to live, that's all.
The place I am staying right now is heavily populated with Muslims and
Hindus alike. I thought perhaps ministry would be harder, but it is not. God
is showing us so much favor with the people here. Yesterday, for example,
Darla, Ashley, Vivek and I were asked to travel 4 hours (one way) on a bus
to pray for a sick girl... who is Muslim. She knew perfectly well that we
are Christians and when we got there she accepted Christ and so did her mom.
Even, if I did not have the honor of seeing the fruit, God would be the
same... just as exciting. He is teaching me so much about prayer and
prophecy and intercession and vital parts of ministry, especially when the
spiritual warfare is so strong.
We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but in the spirit and everything we
loose in heaven is loosed here on earth, just as everything bound in heaven
is bound on earth. I can't see the results of my labor all the time, but I
have faith it is there in the spiritual realm. Seeing it pay off in this
lifetime is just icing on the cake... and hey, I like cake.
Ok, I'll stop here...
If you have made it this far, congradulations, I'd give you a cookie if I
could, but I can't, so I won't. Know you are loved and prayed for. I can't
wait to hear what's going on in your life!
Much love,
courtney brandt
Namaskada guys!
I wish I could explain to you the fun we go through to get to Internet cafes
to spend hours on slow connections praying the current doesn't go out.
Ashley was charged by a bull, I was almost hit by several bikes, rickshaws
and goat herds, and Darla (being the only one apt at maneuvering Indian
streets) always has us on each hand... like a mother hen with her chicks...
so alas, after yet some more everyday adventures, I bring you another
elongated update from the fabulous land of India!
Please, take this little by little, don't feel compelled to read this all in
one sitting... well, unless you just miss me that much. Welcome to inside my
erratic brain's thought processes... please enjoy.
So last night we went to this village...
and the village leader (whom for the past two years has been angry at our
presence) invited us to do the outreach from his front doorstep. We did and
afterwards he asked for prayer. We prayed and he manifested a demon, we cast
it out in the Name of Jesus and he said he wanted Jesus. He got saved
because he just couldn't deny what he'd seen, and neither could the village.
God's ways are not my ways, His thoughts are higher than mine...
I have been chewing on Isaiah 55 daily... check out how cool the Bible is.
"For [God's] thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways [God's]
ways", in regards to His Word, He says, "It shall not return to Me void, but
it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for
which I sent it", "For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace".
Come now, how rad are those promises? Sometimes, when the battle is getting
tough, I just hold up the Word and point out a promise that God's given me
and say, "hey, you said so", because He is faithful.
How to eat an elephant and change the world...
The past year has lead me to question if my goal of changing the wold is a
little too out of reach? The extent of poverty, despair, anger, corruption,
hatred and so on and so forth that I have had the privilege of being exposed
to has hit hard. There was Africa, an entire continent of starvation and
disease. Now, India, a nation of over a billion people working themselves to
the bone to make it to the next day... everyday. I am just a twerp from San
Diego with nothing but empty hands and willing feet.
Then, I find myself being held by an old grandmother, in tears. She is
thanking the team for telling her family about Jesus and praying over her
son, who* was* blind. We prayed in the Name of Jesus and his eyes were
opened. He saw his children for the first time, stared in wonder at the
world around him and asking to know more about this Jesus who just changed
the life of everyone he knows.
I remember the village we walked into that talked about the foreigners as we
walked in but could only talk about Jesus Christ as we left because every
single person we prayed for was healed and accepted Jesus.
Or the Gypsy women who testified that they came to know Jesus a year ago and
He has been amazing and faithful. How can I forget when they invited us into
their home to sing and dance with them?
The truth is, this twerp from San Diego doesn't change anything... Jesus
does and I just get to work for Him. You eat an elephant one piece at a
time, Jesus changes the world one soul at a time. The vision He's given me
to change the world is the vision He gives all of us. Its fully impossible
without Him, but with Him at my side, there is nothing I would rather do. I
have the honor of harboring a heart that feels a little of the heartache God
has when He looks at the world, and the privilege to live a life that mends
hearts, one at a time.
Fighting God...
There was this little old bent over woman in Pondicherry I prayed for over
the summer. Her face is in my head each time I pray. She asked for prayer
for her eyesight and toothaches. I prayed and she did not get healed. She
motioned for me to pray again, I did and she was still in pain and without
good eyesight. I moved on to the next person. In a few minutes that old
woman was back again. I prayed again and she was healed, just like that. She
taught me a valuable lesson that I will always carry with me: sometimes God
wants you to fight for it.
Look at Jacob and how he wrestled God until He blessed him and changed his
name to Israel, or at the persistent widow in Jesus' parables, think about
this old Indian lady. How bad do you want what you are praying for? Is it
only bad enough to shoot up a quick prayer before you fall asleep, half
believing that God hears you and barely believing He even cares? I guarantee
He wants to bless you, but He is waiting to see how bad you want it. Charge
it and fight Him for it, ultimately He will bless you, even if it doesn't
look exactly like what you thought you wanted. Do you think Jacob was
expecting God to change his name? Do you think he knew what that meant and
how that decision to fight God would change the world forever? Probably not,
but God knew.
My prayer requests:
*Financial provision for the team (we are running short)
*Health of the team (mosquito and worm issues)
*An increased heart for the Muslim community
*Increased authority in the Spirit
*Increased wisdom and discernment
*That we would run the homestretch strong
*That the captives are set free
*Continued favor of God in the villages
*Running water to miraculously be in our apartment
*Direction of where to go when I get home
*Your prayer requests:
*I really prayed for them so let me know what else to pray for, and if they
were answered... its always encouraging to hear! We might be oceans away,
but really, if you think about it, that's nothing for God. Not only does He
like you, He also likes hearing you talk to Him. I just like to join in on
the conversations when I can!
You sent some great questions, here are my answers and thoughts...
*How does the lady with out the colon live? Through an IV?
Nope, she just lives. You know that spot in Matthew when Jesus says his food
is to do the will of the Father? It must be like that. She just doesn't eat,
or drink, or sleep sometimes... really, I tell no lies. God uses this woman
in insane ways and she was amazing to live with. She knows that God is
keeping her alive to do His work, so she does.
*How's BFI?
Its great! Nick is hard at work back in San Diego working wonders with the
computer and all I have to do is sit in on conference calls every now and
then. We have an amazing staff of people who have caught the vision and are
running with it and a growing list of global contacts who are equally as
enthusiastic! You can keep up on it through www.beautifulfeetintl.org
*If there were no experiences, just resistance to the Gospel, how would you
feel? Would God still be exciting?
This was a rather thought provoking question that I liked. The quick answers
are "fine" and "yes". This makes me think of my time in Burkia Faso. There
it is 98% Muslim and I saw little action and little reaction to the Gospel
and the work I did there. It was only last month I got an email saying that
one of the villages I was in was impacted... that's all. I just have to
trust God that He called me and that His work was done. Why should I
complain if I don't get to see the fruit of my labors? I am not doing this
to see results, I am not living like this for fun or any type of
recognition... if I wanted that I would not be living like this, obviously.
I do what I do because its what God tells me to do and because its how the
Bible says to live, that's all.
The place I am staying right now is heavily populated with Muslims and
Hindus alike. I thought perhaps ministry would be harder, but it is not. God
is showing us so much favor with the people here. Yesterday, for example,
Darla, Ashley, Vivek and I were asked to travel 4 hours (one way) on a bus
to pray for a sick girl... who is Muslim. She knew perfectly well that we
are Christians and when we got there she accepted Christ and so did her mom.
Even, if I did not have the honor of seeing the fruit, God would be the
same... just as exciting. He is teaching me so much about prayer and
prophecy and intercession and vital parts of ministry, especially when the
spiritual warfare is so strong.
We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but in the spirit and everything we
loose in heaven is loosed here on earth, just as everything bound in heaven
is bound on earth. I can't see the results of my labor all the time, but I
have faith it is there in the spiritual realm. Seeing it pay off in this
lifetime is just icing on the cake... and hey, I like cake.
Ok, I'll stop here...
If you have made it this far, congradulations, I'd give you a cookie if I
could, but I can't, so I won't. Know you are loved and prayed for. I can't
wait to hear what's going on in your life!
Much love,
courtney brandt
4 September 2006
Life in India - Pondicherry, Neyveli and Pondroti
Stotrum!
Alright, so I know you may have been wondering if I disappeared in
India long ago because I am actually doing my monthly updates only
once a month... please dispel all the rumors, I am alive and well.
First things first. In a feeble attempt to keep my updates at a
readable length and my Internet cafe minutes to a minimum... I have a
thought. Respond with questions that will be answered in the next
update. I then won't get carried away with individual responses which
tend to be long winded cause I have this habit of writing how I talk,
which is a lot. Obviously.
So, here I am, one month into the beauty that is India. The team and I
are quite busy, working 6 days a week. We are mostly doing open air
outreaches in villages with local pastors translating and doing all
the hard work, like follow up. Most of the pastors we have worked with
so far are young and building up their churches, we are helping gather
in some of the harvest. It reminds me so much of John 4:37-38.
When we are not doing outreaches, we are doing house visits, which I
like much more. The pastors take us to homes of acquaintances and we
hang out, share some testimony, drink some chai and pray. It is just
so real that way. Recently these house visits have been in mud huts
with thatched roofs and candle light.
I'll just throw out some stuff running through my head, because I
can't think of where to begin to tell you of all that is going on...
Two nights ago we couldn't drive to the village we wanted to due to
intense monsoon rains and haystacks in the road. So we went to the
next village, pulled up and immediately saw a temple that Ashley had a
vision about earlier that day. We went into a house and the problems
and prayer requests were exactly what God had shown us in
intercession...
Then we went to the next house. I kept my headlamp on the ground, I
felt like a snake was going to come from the bed I was next too, but
there was no where to move in the one room house with over 20 people
in it. Darla asked me what I was doing, when I told her she said to
share. God gave me Luke 10:17-20 and I told the family what I felt,
figuring it was symbolic. It wasn't, they have a problem with a
particular snake that enters the house and comes out from under the
bed. We were all taken aback a bit at how rad God is when He speaks,
than I gave the word God gave me to share and it opened up to each
person in the house getting prayed for...
One of them had just been in an accident and had a hugely swollen
ankle. Ted prayed for him and told him to get up... there was no pain,
but the swelling was still there and he couldn't move it. Ted prayed
again, unwrapped the brace and the swelling was gone... he is fully
healed, believes in Jesus and more people are going to heaven now.
This is my life, on a daily basis. Rarely does anything go as planned,
but usually it turns out better than what was expected. See, told you
this was long.
I have lived with a woman with more authority when she prays than you
can imagine, grant it she has been resurrected three times and has no
colon... therefore has not eaten or drunk anything in 26 years...
therefore has been to heaven and has very little doubt when praying
that it might not be the right way. She receives people for prayer day
and night. Usually the people seeking prayer are not Christian, but
Hindus and Muslims... they just know that Jesus heals, so they go
where He is moving and now more people believe in Jesus and are going
to heaven.
We've seen demons cast out, cripples healed, the dumb speak the name
of Jesus as thier first word, fevers have broken in my hands, sick
babies eat after days of nothing, marriages restored, and yes, even
prayed that a sick cow would give milk.
God is moving here, there is no possible way to deny it. Nobody can
see what we are seeing and say there is no God (hence lots of people
getting saved).
I love it, Christianity here isn't about the social circles, legalism,
damnation and such. Its the simple reality that Jesus is a God of love
and He wants to pour that love and grace into His children.
Thank you for your prayers, they are being heard. I am praying for
you, so please respond with anything you want me to pray for
specifically and any questions. Maybe then my emails will be more
structured, but then again, maybe not.
Much love,
courtney
Stotrum!
Alright, so I know you may have been wondering if I disappeared in
India long ago because I am actually doing my monthly updates only
once a month... please dispel all the rumors, I am alive and well.
First things first. In a feeble attempt to keep my updates at a
readable length and my Internet cafe minutes to a minimum... I have a
thought. Respond with questions that will be answered in the next
update. I then won't get carried away with individual responses which
tend to be long winded cause I have this habit of writing how I talk,
which is a lot. Obviously.
So, here I am, one month into the beauty that is India. The team and I
are quite busy, working 6 days a week. We are mostly doing open air
outreaches in villages with local pastors translating and doing all
the hard work, like follow up. Most of the pastors we have worked with
so far are young and building up their churches, we are helping gather
in some of the harvest. It reminds me so much of John 4:37-38.
When we are not doing outreaches, we are doing house visits, which I
like much more. The pastors take us to homes of acquaintances and we
hang out, share some testimony, drink some chai and pray. It is just
so real that way. Recently these house visits have been in mud huts
with thatched roofs and candle light.
I'll just throw out some stuff running through my head, because I
can't think of where to begin to tell you of all that is going on...
Two nights ago we couldn't drive to the village we wanted to due to
intense monsoon rains and haystacks in the road. So we went to the
next village, pulled up and immediately saw a temple that Ashley had a
vision about earlier that day. We went into a house and the problems
and prayer requests were exactly what God had shown us in
intercession...
Then we went to the next house. I kept my headlamp on the ground, I
felt like a snake was going to come from the bed I was next too, but
there was no where to move in the one room house with over 20 people
in it. Darla asked me what I was doing, when I told her she said to
share. God gave me Luke 10:17-20 and I told the family what I felt,
figuring it was symbolic. It wasn't, they have a problem with a
particular snake that enters the house and comes out from under the
bed. We were all taken aback a bit at how rad God is when He speaks,
than I gave the word God gave me to share and it opened up to each
person in the house getting prayed for...
One of them had just been in an accident and had a hugely swollen
ankle. Ted prayed for him and told him to get up... there was no pain,
but the swelling was still there and he couldn't move it. Ted prayed
again, unwrapped the brace and the swelling was gone... he is fully
healed, believes in Jesus and more people are going to heaven now.
This is my life, on a daily basis. Rarely does anything go as planned,
but usually it turns out better than what was expected. See, told you
this was long.
I have lived with a woman with more authority when she prays than you
can imagine, grant it she has been resurrected three times and has no
colon... therefore has not eaten or drunk anything in 26 years...
therefore has been to heaven and has very little doubt when praying
that it might not be the right way. She receives people for prayer day
and night. Usually the people seeking prayer are not Christian, but
Hindus and Muslims... they just know that Jesus heals, so they go
where He is moving and now more people believe in Jesus and are going
to heaven.
We've seen demons cast out, cripples healed, the dumb speak the name
of Jesus as thier first word, fevers have broken in my hands, sick
babies eat after days of nothing, marriages restored, and yes, even
prayed that a sick cow would give milk.
God is moving here, there is no possible way to deny it. Nobody can
see what we are seeing and say there is no God (hence lots of people
getting saved).
I love it, Christianity here isn't about the social circles, legalism,
damnation and such. Its the simple reality that Jesus is a God of love
and He wants to pour that love and grace into His children.
Thank you for your prayers, they are being heard. I am praying for
you, so please respond with anything you want me to pray for
specifically and any questions. Maybe then my emails will be more
structured, but then again, maybe not.
Much love,
courtney
28 July 2006
Inside India
Namaskada (but I am sure I just spelled that wrong)!
So, you may be wondering where I have been. I have not been in San Diego...
have you guessed yet?
Wow, amazing, you are right!
I am in India, Bangalore to be exact.
How did I get here?
Airplanes and taxis.
But wasn't I poor and sick?
God healed me AND provided thousands of dollars in just 4 days. You see, I
stopped fund raising about two months ago when I found out I was sick. I
told God that I would stop and if He wanted me to go, He could bust out the
cash as assurance He healed me... I had $400. So the funds came in when I
was out of state. I came home to the news I was leaving in three days and
here I am.
What the heck am I doing here?
Currently listening to Hindi Pop music, wearing my yellow punjabi that Darla
gave me for Christmas in a crowded but well air conditioned Internet cafe.
There is an advertisement next to me promoting "your chance to learn ethical
hacking"... I'll have to check that out for future reference.
Aside from technological induIgences will be spending my time disciplining
Christians, doing open air preaching and traveling to various areas in the
region. There was talk about visiting friends in Kasmir, but it is too
dangerous there for Christians at the moment. It is amazing, we are living
with such amazing people. They have been kicked out of their families,
disowned, homeless, persecuted and suffered, all for the love of Christ and
His truth.
There are great expectations of what the Lord wants to do, each year
hundreds are saved and healed. By healing we are talking blind seeing and
lame dudes walking status. Should be rad.
So you miss me?
Don't.
I'll be sending out monthly emails, because I know how much you must love my
narratives by now (please sense sarcasm here).
Also, when I get the chance, you will find new photos at
http://flickr.com/photos/courtneyanne/.
So as luck may have it, you will hear more of me from this side of the world
than when I am at home.
Do I miss you?
Yes.
I like it when you say hi and tell me I am in your thoughts and prayers. So
many times I think to myself, "Huh, I sure hope someone else is praying for
me besides me right now!" Like the time in Bombay we had to go through
customs more than once, Ashley's guitar got lost in Frankfurt, we missed the
last bus to the domestic airport and had to take a super dodgy cab in the
pouring rain, at 1:30am and made our flight with 15 minutes to spare.
Good times in India.
If you know anyone who wants to be on this list (home church... hint, hint),
I forgot a big list of you guys at home. Sorry. Also, home addresses if you
covet a postcard.
If you are on this list it means I love you and am super grateful you are a
pillar of support in my life. Thank you. Godspeed.
Much love,
courtney
Namaskada (but I am sure I just spelled that wrong)!
So, you may be wondering where I have been. I have not been in San Diego...
have you guessed yet?
Wow, amazing, you are right!
I am in India, Bangalore to be exact.
How did I get here?
Airplanes and taxis.
But wasn't I poor and sick?
God healed me AND provided thousands of dollars in just 4 days. You see, I
stopped fund raising about two months ago when I found out I was sick. I
told God that I would stop and if He wanted me to go, He could bust out the
cash as assurance He healed me... I had $400. So the funds came in when I
was out of state. I came home to the news I was leaving in three days and
here I am.
What the heck am I doing here?
Currently listening to Hindi Pop music, wearing my yellow punjabi that Darla
gave me for Christmas in a crowded but well air conditioned Internet cafe.
There is an advertisement next to me promoting "your chance to learn ethical
hacking"... I'll have to check that out for future reference.
Aside from technological induIgences will be spending my time disciplining
Christians, doing open air preaching and traveling to various areas in the
region. There was talk about visiting friends in Kasmir, but it is too
dangerous there for Christians at the moment. It is amazing, we are living
with such amazing people. They have been kicked out of their families,
disowned, homeless, persecuted and suffered, all for the love of Christ and
His truth.
There are great expectations of what the Lord wants to do, each year
hundreds are saved and healed. By healing we are talking blind seeing and
lame dudes walking status. Should be rad.
So you miss me?
Don't.
I'll be sending out monthly emails, because I know how much you must love my
narratives by now (please sense sarcasm here).
Also, when I get the chance, you will find new photos at
http://flickr.com/photos/courtneyanne/.
So as luck may have it, you will hear more of me from this side of the world
than when I am at home.
Do I miss you?
Yes.
I like it when you say hi and tell me I am in your thoughts and prayers. So
many times I think to myself, "Huh, I sure hope someone else is praying for
me besides me right now!" Like the time in Bombay we had to go through
customs more than once, Ashley's guitar got lost in Frankfurt, we missed the
last bus to the domestic airport and had to take a super dodgy cab in the
pouring rain, at 1:30am and made our flight with 15 minutes to spare.
Good times in India.
If you know anyone who wants to be on this list (home church... hint, hint),
I forgot a big list of you guys at home. Sorry. Also, home addresses if you
covet a postcard.
If you are on this list it means I love you and am super grateful you are a
pillar of support in my life. Thank you. Godspeed.
Much love,
courtney
11 May 2006
India and Life
Good Evening (or morning or afternoon depending on where you are),
Here is the latest in my life. Please print this out and pray about it as
often as you are reminded of India, me or the world! The attachment is the
same as that which I have pasted below, I just wanted to make sure you got
it.
If you wish to receive real, live, paper mail from me or if I do not have
your current mailing address, please send it to me. I hope you don't feel
overwhelmed by all this contact I am sending your way... my vision is to see
us all praying and supporting each other as a body in Christ! Let me know
how I can be praying for you.
Much love,
court
--------------------------------
Dear Family and Friends,
Over the past three years I have been running the gauntlet that is my life,
on the path that God has set out before me (Ephesians 2:10). Though it looks
chaotic to just about everybody, including me, I am starting to see a
pattern that matches the plans God has been speaking over and into me for
years. Most of you have received several prayer letters from me throughout
the years and may be wondering when I will settle down and be "normal".
Well, looks like never.
My 2005 service with the peoples of Burkina Faso, West Africa was one of the
hardest times of my life. So many of the assumptions I went with about
missions work got lost somewhere along the way. I came back with my ideas of
what international missions "should be" so shaken that I was beginning to
think I really had lost my mind. I have spent the last year trying to find
my feet again and wondering what was next, secretly hoping for stability. So
when God sprang the idea of serving in India on me, I thought maybe He was
crazy.
SEND Ministries (Serving and Evangelizing Nations in Despair) sends out
teams to spiritually oppressed and developing nations in order to partner
with local believers. This will be the India team's fifth year working with
pastors from their base in Bangalore. The work the team does looks like that
of a migrant worker. Following the pastor's leads, we go where the harvest
is plenty and the workers are few. This summer we will be planting churches,
as well as encouraging churches and believers who represent the one percent
population of Christians in a nation of over one billion people. The plan is
to base our work in Bangalore and work our way through Bijapur, Linksor,
Gokak and up through Kashmir. This year's team will be gone from July to
December and I am called to be on it. Maybe I am out of my mind (2
Corinthians 5:13).
I cannot express my appreciation to you for lifting me up in prayer and
supporting me all these years, it is just too wonderful for words. Knowing
you are praying for God to make straight this path I am walking is one of
the few things that keeps me going. I do not know what the future of this
path holds for me, but I feel your prayers and encouragement pushing me to
find out. So, as goes the story of my life, I will make my plans, but God
will direct my steps (Proverbs 20:24).
Please continue to pray as I go out. I am taking the fall off of university
at UCSD and will be returning to graduate in June of 2007. After that I am
praying about the direction God wants me to take. All I know is that it
won't look anything like "normal", but it will be so good (Romans 12). But
for now, be praying for India, that the light of God would shine upon the
faces of His children there and that captives will be set free.
Pray Upons
*Salvation/Encouragement of Indian Peoples
*Health and Travel Safety (10 July- 12 Dec)
*Team Unity and Zeal
*Financial Support (all needed before July)
If it is on your heart to invest in what God is doing (Matthew 6:19-20,
Philippians 4:17).
God never fails in providing for His work to be done,
and the results of your prayers are constantly manifested in my life
(1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Thank you.
May God's blessings fall upon you tenfold.
In His Hands,
courtney brandt
Bible citations:
*Ephesians 2:10*- For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
*2 Corinthians 5:13*- For if we are out of our mind it is for God, if we are
in our right mind it is for you.
*Proverbs 20:24*- A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man
understand his own way?
*Matthew **6:19**-20*- Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there
your heart will be also.
*Philippians 4:17*- Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that
abounds to your account.
*1 Thessalonians 5:11*- Therefore comfort each other and edify one another,
just as you also are doing.
Good Evening (or morning or afternoon depending on where you are),
Here is the latest in my life. Please print this out and pray about it as
often as you are reminded of India, me or the world! The attachment is the
same as that which I have pasted below, I just wanted to make sure you got
it.
If you wish to receive real, live, paper mail from me or if I do not have
your current mailing address, please send it to me. I hope you don't feel
overwhelmed by all this contact I am sending your way... my vision is to see
us all praying and supporting each other as a body in Christ! Let me know
how I can be praying for you.
Much love,
court
--------------------------------
Dear Family and Friends,
Over the past three years I have been running the gauntlet that is my life,
on the path that God has set out before me (Ephesians 2:10). Though it looks
chaotic to just about everybody, including me, I am starting to see a
pattern that matches the plans God has been speaking over and into me for
years. Most of you have received several prayer letters from me throughout
the years and may be wondering when I will settle down and be "normal".
Well, looks like never.
My 2005 service with the peoples of Burkina Faso, West Africa was one of the
hardest times of my life. So many of the assumptions I went with about
missions work got lost somewhere along the way. I came back with my ideas of
what international missions "should be" so shaken that I was beginning to
think I really had lost my mind. I have spent the last year trying to find
my feet again and wondering what was next, secretly hoping for stability. So
when God sprang the idea of serving in India on me, I thought maybe He was
crazy.
SEND Ministries (Serving and Evangelizing Nations in Despair) sends out
teams to spiritually oppressed and developing nations in order to partner
with local believers. This will be the India team's fifth year working with
pastors from their base in Bangalore. The work the team does looks like that
of a migrant worker. Following the pastor's leads, we go where the harvest
is plenty and the workers are few. This summer we will be planting churches,
as well as encouraging churches and believers who represent the one percent
population of Christians in a nation of over one billion people. The plan is
to base our work in Bangalore and work our way through Bijapur, Linksor,
Gokak and up through Kashmir. This year's team will be gone from July to
December and I am called to be on it. Maybe I am out of my mind (2
Corinthians 5:13).
I cannot express my appreciation to you for lifting me up in prayer and
supporting me all these years, it is just too wonderful for words. Knowing
you are praying for God to make straight this path I am walking is one of
the few things that keeps me going. I do not know what the future of this
path holds for me, but I feel your prayers and encouragement pushing me to
find out. So, as goes the story of my life, I will make my plans, but God
will direct my steps (Proverbs 20:24).
Please continue to pray as I go out. I am taking the fall off of university
at UCSD and will be returning to graduate in June of 2007. After that I am
praying about the direction God wants me to take. All I know is that it
won't look anything like "normal", but it will be so good (Romans 12). But
for now, be praying for India, that the light of God would shine upon the
faces of His children there and that captives will be set free.
Pray Upons
*Salvation/Encouragement of Indian Peoples
*Health and Travel Safety (10 July- 12 Dec)
*Team Unity and Zeal
*Financial Support (all needed before July)
If it is on your heart to invest in what God is doing (Matthew 6:19-20,
Philippians 4:17).
God never fails in providing for His work to be done,
and the results of your prayers are constantly manifested in my life
(1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Thank you.
May God's blessings fall upon you tenfold.
In His Hands,
courtney brandt
Bible citations:
*Ephesians 2:10*- For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
*2 Corinthians 5:13*- For if we are out of our mind it is for God, if we are
in our right mind it is for you.
*Proverbs 20:24*- A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man
understand his own way?
*Matthew **6:19**-20*- Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there
your heart will be also.
*Philippians 4:17*- Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that
abounds to your account.
*1 Thessalonians 5:11*- Therefore comfort each other and edify one another,
just as you also are doing.
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