Russia - February 2007

In early February, my work took me to Moscow, Russia. Let's re-cap: Moscow . . . in February.

So this is me freezing my bum off in Red Square at midnight in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. As you can see, Red Square is gorgeous at night!

This was a work trip, though, so I didn't do too much touring. My company is partnering with Oxfam to promote small businesses in small towns outside the city. We spent 2 days outside Moscow visiting the people who are both running and benefiting from the programs that Oxfam is supporting.

The folks benefiting from the program are generally entrepreneurs who have limited access to loans and other services that would help them expand their small businesses - often small shops in local markets.

The woman shown here received a small loan to expand her shoe repair business. If you are interested in learning more about what Oxfam and Geneva Global are doing in Russia, you can go here.

Finally . . . you know I'm no light-weight, but there was no way that I could ever keep up the very Russian tradition of toasts! This is just one of many.

Cape May, NJ - November 2006

First, I apologize for not updating in a while. Updates usually follow some sort of international travel, but the summer and fall have been pretty quiet. Meet the new, settled Adrienne that has stayed in-country for almost 6 months now, and it looks as though I'll be hybernating through the winter as well. Instead, I have been getting in some domestic travel. I was in Fort Wayne for my 10-year class reunion in July and in Indy for my friend Nathan's wedding in October. I'll be backin Indiana again at Christmas for a few days - hope to catch up with many of you then.


















For my most recent get-away, my boyfriend, Neil, took me to Cape May, NJ, for a long weekend to celebrate my birthday. Cape May is an old resort town on the southern tip of the Jersey shore and is full of beautiful Victorian B&B's (most of which are apparently haunted). The weather was unseasonably warm for November which made for nice beach walks. We also did some shopping, toured a winery, ate a lot of great seafood, and found out that we can survive a 4-day weekend together without killing each other. So that's a good sign. :)

Dominican Republic - June 2006

Finally! Vacation!! And it couldn't have come at a better time, or place, for three weary career girls. The DR was great. The hotel was great. The beach, the water, the cabana boys . . . Just kidding, there were no cabana boys. But we had a fabulous time nonetheless. I was joined by 2 of my gals - Sarah and Christina - for 4 very full days of sunbathing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, laying by the pool, horseback riding, sunbathing, eating, shopping, swimming in caves and sunbathing. I won't lie to you: you're right to be envious. And if you are waiting for me to write something spiritually, culturally or socially insightful - it's not coming. Pure hedonism. No apologies.

Sleeping on the Streets of Philly . . . On Purpose

On April 29th, me and my friends joined thousands (upon thousands) of other people in 150 cities around the world to raise awareness about a growing crisis in Northern Uganda. As some of you may know - but most probably don't - there has been a civil war raging in that country for the past 19 years. As a result of the conflict, children living in rural villages are vulnerable to night raids during which they are kidnapped and forced to fight in rebel armies. To avoid this fate, each night thousands of children walk miles into larger, more secure towns to sleep in bus terminals, hospitals, wherever they can find. Then get up the next morning to walk back to their villages - some to go to school, others to help their families eke out an existence.

In order to draw attention to this invisible war and its children, an organization (called Invisible Children) organized the Global Night Commute in people commuted into their city centers and slept in public areas - outside, unprotected - just like the night commuters in Northern Uganda. We spent the evening writing letters to our President and Senators and hanging out with really interesting strangers who know that if it were American (or British or French) children, it would be in the news everyday until the world did something to stop it. They would not be Invisible Children.

If you are interested in learning more about the night commuters of Northern Uganda or what you can do to help, visit the Invisible Children web site. And look for the Invisible Children feature-length documentary due out next January (but I have a rough cut DVD you can borrow if you can't wait that long!).

Easter in Paris - and Kiev?

I had a trip to Ukraine in April, so I decided to make a stop in France on the way to pay a visit to my forever friend, Kim Deakyne, and her husband, Chad, over the long Easter weekend. It was great to see how Kim and Chad have become quite the Parisians. I miss my friends but am glad they live in such a great place to visit! Being in Paris got me feeling all inspired, so here are a couple of my favorite "artsy" shots from the weekend.

Above: Parisians don't mess around when they picnic - full table setting! Right: Kim being contemplative in the Paris subway.

From Paris, I flew to Kiev, Ukraine. In the Eastern Orthodox traditions, Easter falls on the weekend following that in Western European/American Christian traditions. So I celebrated Easter weekend a second time in Kiev.

My purpose for going to Ukraine was to help facilitate a conference for organizations running HIV prevention programs in that country. Ukraine has one of the fastest growing HIV infection rates in the world. Though HIV is most present among Ukraine's intravenous drug users, many experts think that the disease is on the verge of breaking into the general population. At this conference, I met with Ukrainians who are working with drug addicts and young people in their own communities to change their risky behavior to mitigate the spread of the virus before it reaches epidemic levels. As usual, I was profoundly impressed by their dedication and sacrifice.

Is My Head Scarf Straight?: The Middle East Tour

My latest business trip led me on a 2-week trek through several countries in the Middle East. Even though I was working a lot, I tried to take more days off this time to stop and smell the roses. I didn't see any roses, but I did see a lot of camels - which don't smell anything like roses.

I was not looking forward to traveling in the Middle East alone, especially just after the whole "Danish cartoon" bedlam. I was prepared to keep a low profile (thus, the head scarf), but I was made to feel very welcome - perhaps too welcome in Istanbul. The locals that I interacted with the most are Christians, so perhaps I was sheltered, but I did not pick up on any tension toward Americans. One of the Jordanians admitted that the idea of America (imperialist super-power with their nose in everyone's business) does not sit well with most Middle Easterners. I wonder why not? However, he continued, most of them really like the American people. This was pretty consistent with what I experienced. Read on for more highlights . . .

Cyprus - February 2006

Though I spent most of my time in Cyprus INSIDE a beach-front hotel, I did get out to explore the island a little. I visited the capital city of Nicosia, which is been divided by a literal wall (a la Berlin). Since 1974, the entire island has been divided between the Greek-dominated Cypriots in the south and the Turkish occupiers in the north. The dividing line runs right through the heart of Nicosia. From one point on the south (Cypriot) side, you can look over the wall to the north (Turkish) side. In between lies a "no man's land" that acts as a time capsule. Bullet-riddled buildings and land mines have remained untouched since the fighting stopped 32 years ago.

I also visited an archeological site on the southern coast. The ruins were of a Roman settlement called Kourion. The site was huge and at a beautiful location overlooking the Mediterranean.

Jordan - February 2006

Jordan was definitely the highlight of the Middle East tour. Jordan lies directly east of Israel and the Palestinian Territories and is rich with Biblical history. In this photo, I am resting on Mount Nebo where, as written in Deuteronomy 34:1-4, Moses was allowed to look into the Promised Land but not allowed to enter. This view looks west past the northern tip of the Dead Sea and on to the Palestinian West Bank.

I worked 2 of the 3 days I was there, but if you are going to have one day in Jordan, you have to see Petra, an ancient city carved into the side of rock cliffs. It's hard to explain, so here are some pictures:



















Jordan also provided some great "kids" photos. These Bedouin cuties - sadly - spend most days selling souvenirs to tourists at Petra. Yeah, I definitely bought rocks from these boys . . . and gave them gum.

Istanbul - February 2006

I had the most time off in Istanbul where I spent 4 days on foot wandering the ancient city's winding stone streets and touring some of the biggest mosques and marketplaces in the world. I really enjoyed the Egyptian Market (aka, the Spice Market). The smells were amazing and permiated everything - I could even taste them in the cashews I bought in the shop pictured here. Besides markets and mosques, I also visited a Turkish bath. Now that is a good story, but not fit to be web-posted. Let me just say that I don't recommend the experience to anyone in the least bit shy, inhibited, or fond of thier personal space.

God Is With the Poor: Bono's Remarks to the National Prayer Breakfast

Bono gave one of the most inspired speeches I've heard at this year's 54th National Prayer Breakfast in February. Below is an excerpt of my favorite parts. You can also follow these links to read the full transcript or watch the video.

Bono, from his keynote speech, 54th National Prayer Breakfast, Feb. 2, 2006:

Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives.

Check Judaism. Check Islam. Check pretty much anyone.

I mean, God may well be with us in our mansions on the hill… I hope so. He may well be with us as in all manner of controversial stuff… maybe, maybe not… But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths and ideologies, is that God is with the vulnerable and poor.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them. “If you remove the yolk from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places.”

It’s not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. [You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.] ‘As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.’ (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor. . .

. . . A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it… I have a family, please look after them… I have this crazy idea…

And this wise man said: stop. He said, stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing—because it’s already blessed.

Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing. And that is what He’s calling us to do.

Uzbekistan - November 2005

Earlier this month I traveled to the Central Asian countries of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Both of these countries are former republics of the Soviet Union and part of what I call the "black hole" in the middle of the Eurasian continent. Very few Americans have even heard of these places, and often their needs are overlooked.

Though it was once part of the ancient trade route from China to the Middle East called the Silk Road, Uzbekistan and its neighboring countries have suffered centuries of wars and foreign invasions, including being annexed by the Soviets who exploited the land to drive its collectivist economy and military advancement (especially nuclear testing). The Soviets did do a lot to establish a good infrastructure (roads, electricity, etc.). However, in rural areas, I met many people who still lack running water and gas to heat their homes.

What I observed in Uzbekistan, and the Central Asian region in general, is a strange cultural mix of communism and Islamism (88% of the population is nominally Muslim). After the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan fell under the rule of a totalitarian dictatorship with one of the worst human rights abuse records in the world. Heavy-handed government policies create a cloud of political tension hanging over its people, which suggests that a change in power may not be far off, which may or may not be a good thing. Some people are concerned that a small number of Muslim extremists - who have been persecuted by the current regime - may take that opportunity to seize power and turn Uzbekistan into another Iran or Afghanistan. This is certainly a region worthy of our prayers and attention.

On one of my site visits, I crashed a birthday party. But these ladies were gracious enough to set me a place at their table. None of them spoke English (and I definitely don't speak Uzbek), but they wanted me to feel like a part of the group so they kept shoving candies, breads and pastries at me. Who needs to talk when there's food?

This is the "skyline" of Khiva, an ancient city in western Uzbekistan. Khiva has a very violent history and reputation for barbaric forms of capital punishment.

Most of the buildings pictured here are mosques and medrassas (Islamic seminaries). Most of these were converted to museums under Soviet rule.

The irresistible tourist picture . . .

Johannesburg - October 2005

I was in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October for a work-related conference. Though I spent most of my time sequestered to a remote hotel, I did get to go on a couple outings.

I visited a lion park where I got to play with some lion cubs. Unfortunately, they slept through most of it. But aren't they just too cute spooning like that!?!


On another day, I spent an afternoon in Soweto, one of the townships (ghettos) that was a flashpoint in the uprisings during Apartheid. Did you know that Soweto is just a shortened form of south (so) west (we) township (to)? That's kind of disappointing when you have always thought that is was a cool African name. And I always pictured it as a depressed, run-down place, but it's really not. Though it is still has its share of hardship, it is really quite a positive atmosphere. Regardless, it was interesting to visit the places where so much modern African history took place. Read the posting below to hear more about some of the things I learned about Apartheid during my visit.

Taxicab Confessionals Jo'burg: Repentance Over Retribution

One of the things I love about traveling is learning about the history and political conditions people in other parts of the world experience. It’s so much more impactful learning in the actual environment. Everything is illustrated right in front of you. And people tell their stories. Traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa, earlier this fall presented the opportunity to learn about what life was like during the time of Apartheid.

Going to South Africa, I only had an introductory understanding to what Apartheid was. So on the 17-hour, non-stop flight to Johannesburg, I chose to watch a movie that dealt with “new”, post-Apartheid South Africans and their process of recovering from the atrocities of their recent past. The film is called Red Dust and stars Hilary Swank.

The film features South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission – a judicial committee put in place after the fall of Apartheid that sought to bring out into the open human rights violations that were committed under Apartheid rule. The way the Commission worked is that anyone guilty of a human rights violation could apply for and receive amnesty if he publicly confessed and revealed all he knew about the crime. He only needed to convince the Commission that he was telling the whole truth. The makers of the film effectively credited this process for averting civil war in South Africa.

Forgive and forget – it sounded like a nice idea, but I was skeptical that such a simple solution would resolve the trauma so many experienced. On the other hand, I was just as skeptical that that the abuses under Apartheid were really as bad as what the film portrayed. I didn’t have to wait long to find out what the real story was.

I was picked up at the Jo’burg airport by a hired driver named Gary. During the course of the 20-minute car ride to my hotel, I told Gary about Red Dust and asked him what he thought about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He both confirmed and disproved my skepticisms as he started telling me his story.

Gary is a white South African who was arrested under Apartheid for dating a black woman who was active in the resistance movement. Her name was Portia. She was highly educated and from a good family – African royalty, in fact. She and Gary were to be married – until she was arrested for her activities just weeks before their wedding and murdered shortly after her release. Portia’s murderers were never caught.

Before Portia’s murder, she and Gary were under constant scrutiny by local police officials. During his imprisonment, police officers held a sack tightly over Gary’s head, threatening to suffocate him if he didn’t reveal information about Portia’s political activities. This was one of the same torture technique featured in the film.

Years later, Gary had his shot to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission against the police officers who tortured him and many others. The officers confessed and received amnesty. So the system worked, right? Not according to Gary. He agrees that the Commission is a nice idea, but that’s all. He doesn’t think justice was served, but he’s not bitter or angry. Instead, he says he’s luckier than others because he has the emotional strength to move on with his life. He says he’s over it now.

Then again, it’s ten years later and Gary is spilling his guts in his cab to some American girl he just met. So I'm not so sure he's "over it."

But can you blame him? If any of us were in Gary’s place, wouldn’t we each stand up and demand retribution? Can you imagine what kind of forgiveness it takes to accept the words of your tormentor over his just punishment? But that is exactly what is so amazing about God’s grace and forgiveness. He does it for us all the time – accepting our words of repentance over our just punishment. It’s a great parallel, and I’d be interested in hearing your views.