book preview

I'd been promising to post a bit of the book I've been working on...

Over the next couple weeks, I'll be posting a few "pre-edit" chapters/stories of the "book to be"

..see what you think of this one..
 

My Vuvu--FIFA 2010 World Cup, Gauteng, 2010
 
(A vuvuzela is a long, plastic, lightweight, trumpet-shaped instrument that is played with a singular blowing motion…it takes time to master (roughly 4 seconds), but once you get the skill down it’s endless fun…)

Picture in your “mind’s ear”, if you can, a cross between the sounds of a migration of a million geese & Brazilian carnival without music…that pretty accurately depicts the sound of the din of hundreds of thousands of Vuvuzela’s being played in sequence mixed with the excited voices of Africa near the Loftus Versfeld stadium before the game..
Aaaaahhh…The lovely Vuvuzela…the lively/ joyous suggestion behind the audible annoyance…the feeling of celebration…the camaraderie of Africa…the official music maker of the FIFA World Cup 2010…This was to be my new constant companion as I went from program to program, fan park to fan park & game to game…My Vuvu (as I quickly termed it) accompanied me from Diepsloot Squatter Camp to Pretoria High Street & back…& everywhere it made the same lovely sound…a sound so consistent, so celebratory, so large, so….annoying. 
I love it! I hope the fantabulous “Vuzuvela” one day becomes the official hand-held mascot of soccer fans everywhere… Just after the World Cup had finished, I remember when I flew back home to Atlanta via Chicago’s O’Hare international airport, instead of being asked the typical questions whether I was carrying any contraband items, or illegal plant or food particles, I was simply asked by the customs official if I was carrying a Vuvuzela…I responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes! Right here over my shoulder!” He made me promise not to blow it in the airport & with that I was sent on my way…

SALLY'S CAR!!!

Everybody! Sally (pictured below) needs help!!...She's actually a personal friend of mine from waaaaaay back in the day when I lived in Kenya...I was part of the team that first met her & put her through our Bible Study course & saw her life turn around & God do amazing things for her...she's been close to my heart ever since...

Below is Sally's request for funding that I read on a TFI (The Family International) bulletin online this morning:

Dear Ones,

I am a Health worker and counselor, helping Aids Patients who live where the poorest of the poor can be found -- in one of East Africa`s largest slum area-- Kibera. Together with FCM (Family Care Mission) members we also run a Feeding Program, which assists the neediest cases. 

I, myself have been battling with colon cancer and have gone through several operations, but the Lord has kept me and healed me from cancer.
Some time ago, I was able to purchase a second hand car, which helps me avoid taking the crowded public transport minibuses, called Matatu`s. Since I have a Colostomy I cannot be in crowded places where people push and bump into me.

Unfortunately my car broke down and needs an engine overhaul, which will cost approx. 400 euro (roughly $540). With my small salary as a Health Worker for an NGO, I have a hard time meeting this unexpected, urgent need and would like to appeal for your help. Any donation towards this repair will assist me greatly to keep going with my work.
God bless you and thanks a lot for considering this request. My login (for fellow TFI members) is: sallie
my e-mail: sallykwenda@yahoo.com

Greetings,
Sally Agallo

I think we can do better than this...by God's grace, we can raise enough funds to actually get her a new car...

I'm arranging an initial gift to be sent to Sally by this time next week via a paypal donation sent through our mission's donation fund...anyone that wants to participate in this awesome cause can either:

a) Send Sally the money directly via TFI's donation fund (if you're also a member)

b) e-mail me asap, or send the money to me via paypal, which I will pass on to her (no, this is not a Nigerian scam)...

c) e-mail Sally directly for alternative donation methods (she may have a paypal account of her own)...

I've e-mailed Sally myself & am waiting to hear if she has a paypal account, in which case, I'll ask for her corresponding e-mail...but I wanted to post this immediately, so that we can all be thinking of/praying for her & getting her donations ready...

Let's do this!!