More wedding pictures

Here are some more... 

Our chariot 

It was a packed house!

In the church - almost to the front

Lots of people were outside the church as well!

Harvesting some of our peanuts!

At our garden

In the car, on the way to the Congo

The family shopping for fabric!

Near a salt pond in Uganda

Right next to the road! So cool!!

Nathan and Sarah admiring the view from the guesthouse room

All of us in our safari van :)

They kind of freak me out.

Hilarious sign near the National Park in Uganda

At Lake Victoria

with love,
Noé & Bethany 

A few Wedding Photos

Dear friends and family - 
Enjoy! 

Arriving at the office for the civil wedding

After the civil wedding

Outside of church

We tried to see the mountains - didn't, but got a good picture anyway :)

One of the many advertisements for currency exchange.

After touring around UCBC, the family took a little break

Mom captured us "walking" down the road :)

At our guesthouse overlooking Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda - breathtaking.

Mom helping out in the kitchen!

Going to the civil wedding ceremony

Family celebrating our arrival

Outside of the mayor's office

The mayor, officiating 

Noé's Mom welcoming Bethany's Mom & Dad

More celebrations after the ceremony

Outside church for the rehearsal 

Sarah witnessing the wedding

Another currency exchange

Dowry discussions

Part of the dowry

More talk between the families

We're married!!

Love Noé and Bethany 




*updated 31 May 2012

Learning from Anne Bailey Medley

Anne Medley is back at UCBC (click here to read my post about her time with us, in 2010). This time she's here for just under a month, but it's so good to have her back teaching again. She made a huge impact on our students in 2010 and this year's class was excited to have the opportunity to learn from her as well.

Anne with students, 2012

She just put an update on her Congo in Focus website, please go to her site to check out the work that UCBC students are doing!
Congo in Focus














*updated 29 May 2012*

Thinking about Chicago... And Family.

I love Chicago.

Not for the traffic.
Not for the wind (it's not called "the windy city" without just cause!).
Not for the food.
Not for the music.
Not for the beaches.

I love Chicago for the people.

I have been blessed to have met so many amazing, talented and beautiful people... Through my (short) time living in Chicago.
I can easily say that some of my best friends were made in the Chicagoland area, if not Chicago itself!
And some of my dearest friends are still there.
I miss that city and especially my people in Chicago.

And here's another reason to love Chicago - it's beautiful! And green. And apparently, within a half mile's walk - anyone in the city can get to a park or some green space. :)

Enjoy this link! Chicago ranks 14th in national park space survey - ABC News

And today is my Grandpa's birthday; he would have been 92 today. 
I love you soooo much! 
xoxoxo

We're ok :)

Friends and family,


We just started thinking about the news you may be hearing about Bosco, CNDP, M23, etc., in North Kivu... And we wanted you to know that we are fine. It's not close to us. We're safe. Things are quiet here. 


We hope you have a blessed weekend! 


love,
Noé and Bethany 

Proud of you!

College football coach Jon Brown :)

Please check out this article, which has a photo of my brother in law in it!

He's not quoted in the article, but I know he had a lot to do with helping students at this event... Helping students to prepare themselves for their future... In sports and in university. This isn't something rare, Jon is always working to help students push themselves forward and to reach new heights... I'm just happy that other people recognized the contribution that Jon makes.

Here's the link: Prep athletes prepare for the future

I'm proud of you, Jon!!

grading English homework

Spending the morning grading English homework isn't so much fun...

Especially when I reflect on the struggle that we had in our last class, Saturday morning... My mind keeps thinking, "How will tomorrow's class go?"

Ah.

The good thing about Saturday was that almost 40 students came to class that morning... it was nice to see some of the "new" faces join the rest of us in class! hehe

[Attendance issues, anyone?]

So today I'm grading homework... And trying to prepare (myself?! hehe) for whatever tomorrow holds.

But grading the homework while listening to some good music and eating a piece of cherished chocolate is fantastic!

Thank you Mom, for the Reese's! :)

And thank you Sarah, for the new music!
xoxo

Chocolate, you make almost anything better!

Another reason to eat curry? Ok!

Curry's ability to fight cancer put to the test - BBC News

Studies have already shown that it can beat cancer cells grown in a laboratory and benefits have been suggested in stroke and dementia patients as well.

I love curry. Almost any time.
Green.
Yellow.
Red.
Brown.
And so on...
Yum!

If it might fight cancer, try eating it!

Enough with the pity - Chelsie Frank's blog

Here is a thought-provoking blog posting from my colleague and friend, Chelsie Frank.

"Stop the Pity"...please.

I know many well-intentioned people are concerned for my safety and health. Their first questions are about the violence: "Oh, but isn't it dangerous over there?" This is kind. Other times they are curious about how I live and function in a context that they perceive as 'unimaginable'. This is often accompanied with one of two reactions: 1. Oh I don't know how you do that (making me into some sort of 'super'-human. or 2. Wow, that is so great that you are doing that, bless your heart (making me into a saint). In my earlier years I would welcome these comments because I felt like it was a form of encouragement. Yet, as I matured into my identity as a foreigner working in a professional role, practising my faith with my colleagues, serving others, and learning about the complexities of the region I didn't feel the need for a special status. I began to see myself as a small part of a bigger mission. I saw my Congolese colleagues that served their people tirelessly and with scarce resources. When I thought about giving up my lattes, comfortable home, fast internet, and reliable plumbing it holds only a sliver of significance.