Not sure who'd be interested (maybe you guys!) but I was asked to tell my personal story about social justice.  For me, as I'm sure for many of you, that started with the TTW campaign.

I would love to hear your feedback!  If you're looking for a bedtime story, a mid-day story, or justsomething to procrastinate with, well here it is:

"RVs, Uniforms, Airplanes, & Rockstars: My Personal Story of Social Justice" by Andrea Howat, via the @arthouseamerica online blog

LINK -->   http://www.arthouseamerica.com/blog/rvs-uniforms-airplanes-and-rockstars-my-personal-story-of-so.html

Thoughts?

Excerpt:

"My journey toward Africa began as a barefoot walk with my favorite band in the streets of Chicago. I had been a fan of Hanson since middle school, but this was the first time I had met them, aside from one chance encounter in August 2003. This time it was a little more structured and we were peers, walking shoulder-to-shoulder. We were going to change the world.

If you aren’t a fan of Hanson, you may not grasp the enormity of how I felt. Imagine being the same age as U2, growing up alongside them, being a fan for half of your life, then Bono invites you to join his team in changing the world..."

Also, I would love to help build the Take the Walk site on Facebook.  Add me if you'd like: Andrea Howat :) Can't wait to hear more about everything in June.

Again, I'm so sorry for your tremendous loss.  How are you doing?  I keep seeing threads about your tag sale, and I know I'm tuning into an episode already in progress (as it were), but what exactly is the project you're doing?  A garage sale? So wonderful the way you're giving back.

Let me know if you want help with that! I'd love to. 

I'm so sorry for your loss... I can't even imagine what you're going through. May the God of all comfort you meet you in the middle of your grief.  Praying for healing..

Paper Route!!!!!  Seriously. So. Good.

Exhibit A:"Are We All Forgotten" (iTunes) http://bit.ly/AreWeForgotten 

Exhibit B: "Absence" (iTunes)   http://bit.ly/AbsenceLP 

and... Exhibits C - Z : YouTube:  http://bit.ly/GutterHD 

It's only a matter of time, guys. They're worth a listen. They're unlike any band making music right now. 

HA! I can't believe it. Brian used to be in my brother's old band (before there was Paper Route) called For All the Drifters.  I met him when I was like 15 years old... went to his wedding... 

RANDOM!  Y'all, seriously. You need to check out Paper Route.

They're music is GOOD. 

iTunes: "Are We All Forgotten" http://bit.ly/AreWeForgotten 

   "Absence"    http://bit.ly/AbsenceLP 

YouTube: "Gutter" Music Video http://bit.ly/GutterHD 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9T0aah9jLs&feature=related

You should really go!  I worked at Mocha Club for a bit last year.  They're great people.  I'm leaving for Africa in TWO WEEKS for a short trip to Uganda. 

It started with Hanson.  Crazy. 

Guys, it's true.  I'm "Taking the Walk" all the way to Uganda in just 35 days.  It's only for a very short trip, just 10 days total, but what an adventure!  APRIL 1-11th, 2011. 

I'm going with a few people to the Village of Hope - which is a community of respite for formerly abducted child soldiers. 

The reality of that sentence carries so much weight, it's hard to read it just once.  

Think about it...

We're going to teach and serve and love these kids who have experienced so much personal trauma and terror in their own lives.  We're going to offer ourselves at instruments of the Lord himself, from whom all love and healing flow.

It's an incredible honor, one that I am not worthy of.  

God used Hanson to get me there.

Sometimes I am just in awe of how God moves sometimes.  I had no idea He would use them in my story, to move me closer to His heart (the "least of these".)

If you feel compelled to give in ANY measure - I'm still finishing up my fundraising.  I would love your support.  $5 would mean a great deal to me.  Either way, I appreciate you reading and spreading the word!

You can easily give online using a credit card - I have a Paypal widget - all of the money goes to my trip. 

Here we go...  join me!

http://starvingartistsoul.tumblr.com/africa

Guys, it's true.  I'm "Taking the Walk" all the way to Uganda in just 35 days.  It's only for a very short trip, just 10 days total, but what an adventure!  APRIL 1-11th, 2011. 

I'm going with a few people to the Village of Hope - which is a community of respite for formerly abducted child soldiers. 

The reality of that sentence carries so much weight, it's hard to read it just once.  

Think about it...

We're going to teach and serve and love these kids who have experienced so much personal trauma and terror in their own lives.  We're going to offer ourselves at instruments of the Lord himself, from whom all love and healing flow.

It's an incredible honor, one that I am not worthy of.  

God used Hanson to get me there.

Sometimes I am just in awe of how God moves sometimes.  I had no idea He would use them in my story, to move me closer to His heart (the "least of these".)

If you feel compelled to give in ANY measure - I'm still finishing up my fundraising.  I would love your support.  $5 would mean a great deal to me.  Either way, I appreciate you reading and spreading the word!

You can easily give online using a credit card - I have a Paypal widget - all of the money goes to my trip. 

Here we go...  join me!

http://starvingartistsoul.tumblr.com/africa