On my way to Somaliland I had a 2 day stopover in Dubai, here’s what went down!
Dancing in the United Arab Emirates
Dancing with lights
Shredding on the traditional drums
A man and his falcon
Crossing Dubai Creek on a dhow
So while I was in Dubai, I stayed with an aunt of a friend from college. She was an amazing host and treated me to a true Dubai tourist excursion…riding around like crazy in SUV’s in the sand, then going to a village in the desert for some traditional cultural events.
It’s that time again… time for me to leave home and venture off to other beautiful parts of the world. It’s always tough to leave, especially this year with the wonderful community of friends that I’ve grown so close to here in the U.S.
On this trip I’ll be gone for a year (September 21st, 2010 – September 2011), and will be traveling to some new countries (Somalia and Sudan), as well as some joyfully familiar countries (Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi). I will be continuing to work on the benefit/collaboration recording project as well as beginning a new project focused on bringing artist volunteers over to Africa to collaborate with people here. I’m so excited to start this new adventure and I want to present you with an opportunity to partner with me both financially and through prayer.
I have just begun sending out support letters that give a much more detailed description of what my year abroad will entail. If you have not received one yet please shoot me an email at: aaron [at] ensigo.com and I’ll be sure to send you one.
Below I have set up a PayPal account to easily make secure monthly donations. Also posted is a PayPal link to make a one-time donation. (Note: PayPal donations are not tax deductible). If you would like to have more options for making donations and receive a tax-deductible receipt please visit the “donation” page of this website.
Subscribe Through PayPal to Make Recurring Monthly Donation’s to Aaron’s Ministry With Ensigo
Make a One-Time Donation to Aaron’s Ministry With Ensigo
In light of the successful hosting of the world cup I have been reflecting on South Africa, and what incredible strides they have made as a nation since apartheid. One particularly strong voice for the defense of human rights is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu. This Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town has played a significant role in the ending of apartheid through his rigorous advocacy of non-violence and push for reconciliation between all parties involved.
A few months ago I purchased “An African Prayer Book” which is a collection–compiled by Desmond Tutu–of the spiritual riches of the vast and varied continent of Africa. I was moved by a simple piece that breathes new life into an ancient canticle through an African context. Tutu attributes this to a “Traditional African” source:
AN AFRICAN CANTICLE
All you big things, bless the Lord.
Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria,
The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain,
Fat baobabs and shady mango trees,
All eucalyptus and tamarind trees,
Bless the Lord.
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you tiny things, bless the Lord.
Busy black ants and hopping fleas,
Wriggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae,
Flying locusts and water drops,
Pollen dust and tsetse flies,
Millet seeds and dried dagaa,
Bless the Lord.
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
(Washing Disciples Feet)
I am honored to call Abramz Tekya a friend of mine. From a difficult life growing up as an A.I.D.S. orphan to starting Breakdance Project Uganda, this inspiring 27 year old Ugandan has already positively affected the lives of so many.
One particular Wednesday evening, upon invitation from Abramz, I decided to put on my dancin’ pants and try my hand at breakdancing. Some sweet 90’s throwback hip hop was pumping from the speakers and the hall was quickly filled with energetic youth, talking and laughing. Then slowly the whole room came alive as participants began breakdancing. The venue is the Sharing Youth Center in Kampala Uganda. Since February 2007, Breakdance Project Uganda has held classes every Monday and Wednesday night free of charge.
“Breakdancing is a tool to overcome being idle and the undermining feeling of having no direction in life. It is a way of reaching out to the kids in the slum area who do not have the money for schools and who are unemployed. In this project we’re all equal, everyone is a student and everyone is a teacher. If you learn something for free you teach somebody else for free”, Abramz says.
Recently a film crew directed by Nabil Elderkin and Crazy Legs (founder of the Rock Steady Crew) visited Uganda after receiving an invitation from Abramz to teach b-boy classes. What they discovered upon arrival was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Traveling throughout Uganda, from the southern slums to the war-torn North, Crazy Legs encountered a passion for hip-hop and desire to learn amongst the most squalid conditions. “Bouncing Cats” is an inspiring story of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdancing. Abraham “Abramz” Tekya’s Breakdance Project Uganda (B.P.U.) is a project that could empower, rehabilitate and heal the community by teaching youth about b-boy culture. The film features narration by Common and interviews with Mos Def, Will-I-Am, and K’Naan.
Check out this trailer for the upcoming film, and make sure you go and see it once it’s released!
As the temperature is heating up and I feel myself wanting to spend every moment of the day outside I’m reminded of my time in the balmy, beautiful, brilliant, beach-like, (ok no more “b” words….Bo-Jackson…sorry I couldn’t resist) country of Belize. Over the course of my time in Belize during 2007-2008 I met so many amazing people. One particular woman, that I think is one of the coolest people in the whole world, is named Myrna Manzanares. Miss Myrna is an energetic 64 year old with a penchant for always making you smile. Besides being the president of the National Kriol Council of Belize, a talented actress, lecturer at the Belize Teachers College and the University of Belize, and a counselor for at-risk youth, she also devotes any leftover time to writing. She has published several books of poetry, and fiction. However most recently she published a book titled “Traditional Games of Belize.” In this book “Myrna has filtered out in the selected games, through her own research, a treasure trove of precious and relevant nuggets in a friendly and playful way. They entertain the reader while simultaneously parents, teachers, youth workers, social and community activists with elements of cognitive and social-psychology and storytelling.”
You can find a FREE online copy of this fun book right here: Traditional Games of Belize. Now please gather a group of friends and enjoy these wonderful Belizean games together.
P.S. I recommend Lime and Spoon
