I stumbled across the lyrics to this 18th Century Hymn tonight. It's amazing:
A Debtor to Mercy Alone
Agustus Toplady 1740
A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on
My person and offering to bring.
The terrors of law and of God,
With me can have nothing to do.
My Savior’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.
The work which His goodness began
The arm of His strength will complete.
His promise is yea and amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
Not all things below nor above
Can make Him His purpose forego,
Or sever my soul from His love.
My name from the palms of His hands
Eternity will not erase
Impressed on His heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure
As sure as the earnest is given
More happy but not more secure
The glorified spirits in heaven.
Yes, I to the end shall endure
As sure as the earnest is given
More happy but not more secure
The glorified spirits in heaven.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Beyond the Gates and Sometimes in April
People often ask me if I've seen Hotel Rwanda and if I can recommend any other movies about the genocide besides it. I've seen two other films that talk about the Rwandan genocide that I appreciate even more. (Though I still recommend seeing Hotel Rwanda as a starting point) Those other two movies are Beyond the Gates and Sometimes in April
Beyond the Gates
Beyond the Gates is a British film telling the story of a teacher and a priest who ministered in Rwanda and who chose not to evacuate as the genocide began. They take drastically different paths as the effects of the genocide ensue. What I appreciate so much about this movie is that it doesn't leave you with the "warm fuzzies" after seeing it. Paul Rusassebagina was a wonderful man, who saved so many peoples' lives, but after seeing Hotel Rwanda you feel a sense of closure and neatness to the whole story (Probably because this is a Hollywood produced film). However, in Beyond the Gates, you are left with more questions than answers at the end of the film which is a response more true to the genocide.
Please read the review from Rotten Tomatoes below for a good synopsis of the film:
Joe Connor has come to teach in Rwanda because he believes he can make a difference. When the school becomes a haven for thousands of Rwandans fleeing the genocide, Joe promises his brightest... Joe Connor has come to teach in Rwanda because he believes he can make a difference. When the school becomes a haven for thousands of Rwandans fleeing the genocide, Joe promises his brightest pupil, Marie, that the UN soldiers will protect her from the hordes of extremist militia baying for blood outside the school. But when the UN abandon the refugees, Joe and the school's headmaster, Father Christopher, face an agonising dilemma: should they leave or should they stand firm with the Rwandans. As the UN trucks force their way through the terrified refugees, Joe stares at the tear-stained face of Marie: what should he do? What would you do? Based on real events and filmed at the actual location where this story took place, Beyond the Gates is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and stars John Hurt and Hugh Dancy. It is an emotionally gripping, authentic and powerful recreation of a tragic real life story that took place during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. --© IFC Films
Sometimes in April
Sometimes in April is the story of two brothers and their very different response during and after the genocide. What I appreciate about this film is its portrayal of how wide reaching the genocide was in Rwandan society. It makes a point of portraying all who were involved in the genocide.
Please read the interesting synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes below:
HBO pushes the envelope once again with this dramatization of the brutal events that befell the citizens of Rwanda in April 1994. Director Raoul Peck shot the bulk of the picture in Rwanda, adding an incredible feeling of poignancy to his film by revisiting many of the sites where the unthinkable acts of genocide occurred. Peck focuses his cameras on two Hutu brothers, a military man and a DJ. The Hutu's were responsible for the estimated 800,000 deaths of their Tutsi countrymen during this period; the violence was sparked when Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana--also a Hutu--was killed after his plane was shot down on April 6th. As the gruesome events unfold, the two brothers lives are immeasurably changed in ways they never thought possible. Hard hitting and not afraid to depict many of the graphic scenes of violence that exploded across Rwanda during this dark chapter in Africa's history, SOMETIMES IN APRIL is a courageous, brave piece of filmmaking that stands alongside Terry George's HOTEL RWANDA as an important document of a tragic time.
If you want to understand more about the Rwandan genocide do watch Hotel Rwanda but then watch one of these lesser known films. Surely they will impact you.
Beyond the Gates
Beyond the Gates is a British film telling the story of a teacher and a priest who ministered in Rwanda and who chose not to evacuate as the genocide began. They take drastically different paths as the effects of the genocide ensue. What I appreciate so much about this movie is that it doesn't leave you with the "warm fuzzies" after seeing it. Paul Rusassebagina was a wonderful man, who saved so many peoples' lives, but after seeing Hotel Rwanda you feel a sense of closure and neatness to the whole story (Probably because this is a Hollywood produced film). However, in Beyond the Gates, you are left with more questions than answers at the end of the film which is a response more true to the genocide.
Please read the review from Rotten Tomatoes below for a good synopsis of the film:
Joe Connor has come to teach in Rwanda because he believes he can make a difference. When the school becomes a haven for thousands of Rwandans fleeing the genocide, Joe promises his brightest... Joe Connor has come to teach in Rwanda because he believes he can make a difference. When the school becomes a haven for thousands of Rwandans fleeing the genocide, Joe promises his brightest pupil, Marie, that the UN soldiers will protect her from the hordes of extremist militia baying for blood outside the school. But when the UN abandon the refugees, Joe and the school's headmaster, Father Christopher, face an agonising dilemma: should they leave or should they stand firm with the Rwandans. As the UN trucks force their way through the terrified refugees, Joe stares at the tear-stained face of Marie: what should he do? What would you do? Based on real events and filmed at the actual location where this story took place, Beyond the Gates is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and stars John Hurt and Hugh Dancy. It is an emotionally gripping, authentic and powerful recreation of a tragic real life story that took place during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. --© IFC Films
Sometimes in April
Sometimes in April is the story of two brothers and their very different response during and after the genocide. What I appreciate about this film is its portrayal of how wide reaching the genocide was in Rwandan society. It makes a point of portraying all who were involved in the genocide.
Please read the interesting synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes below:
HBO pushes the envelope once again with this dramatization of the brutal events that befell the citizens of Rwanda in April 1994. Director Raoul Peck shot the bulk of the picture in Rwanda, adding an incredible feeling of poignancy to his film by revisiting many of the sites where the unthinkable acts of genocide occurred. Peck focuses his cameras on two Hutu brothers, a military man and a DJ. The Hutu's were responsible for the estimated 800,000 deaths of their Tutsi countrymen during this period; the violence was sparked when Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana--also a Hutu--was killed after his plane was shot down on April 6th. As the gruesome events unfold, the two brothers lives are immeasurably changed in ways they never thought possible. Hard hitting and not afraid to depict many of the graphic scenes of violence that exploded across Rwanda during this dark chapter in Africa's history, SOMETIMES IN APRIL is a courageous, brave piece of filmmaking that stands alongside Terry George's HOTEL RWANDA as an important document of a tragic time.
If you want to understand more about the Rwandan genocide do watch Hotel Rwanda but then watch one of these lesser known films. Surely they will impact you.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Drink Coffee Do Good
Anyone who reads my newsletter on a regular basis knows about my passion for coffee. My newsletter is even entitled, "Coffee With Karen." I've encouraged my friends and supporters to pray for me and the country of Rwanda over their morning coffee. If you do drink a morning cup of Joe, there is a way to do good with each cup of coffee that you drink.
I'd like to introduce you to the Thousand Hills Coffee Company. This coffee company was started by a visionary pastor who wanted to do good in the country of Rwanda through Americans' daily routines. Thus, the Thousand Hills Coffee Company was born. Thousand Hills harvests coffee beans in Rwanda, providing Rwandan coffee growers with a livable wage and the means to support their families. The coffee is then exported, roasted and sold at Thousand Hill's Georgia location, at churches around the country and on their website.
I've excerpted the following from their website, "Every bag purchased provides a rural farmer with a proper Living Wage and the dignity and self respect that comes from providing for oneself. In 2004, Land of a Thousand Hills committed to paying at minimum of $1.26 per lb. to the grower for their finest coffee, more than three times the unjust 40 cents often paid by other coffee companies. Currently, the growers are consistently paid an average of $1.86 per lb.Land of a Thousand Hills also invests one dollar per 12 oz. bag sold to fund micro-finance programs that help Rwandans start small businesses. Approximately $3 total per 12 oz. bag is invested in the Rwandan economy. "Drink Coffee. Do Good."
Thousand Hills Coffee has several different options of delicious Rwandan coffee on their website as well as come incredibly yummy looking espresso chocolate bark that I think I'm going to have to order and try! I'm also going to order a sample package of four of their most popular coffees. Go ahead, invite yourself over for coffee at my place!
Check out Thousand Hills Coffee at http://www.landof1000hills.com/
I'd like to introduce you to the Thousand Hills Coffee Company. This coffee company was started by a visionary pastor who wanted to do good in the country of Rwanda through Americans' daily routines. Thus, the Thousand Hills Coffee Company was born. Thousand Hills harvests coffee beans in Rwanda, providing Rwandan coffee growers with a livable wage and the means to support their families. The coffee is then exported, roasted and sold at Thousand Hill's Georgia location, at churches around the country and on their website.
I've excerpted the following from their website, "Every bag purchased provides a rural farmer with a proper Living Wage and the dignity and self respect that comes from providing for oneself. In 2004, Land of a Thousand Hills committed to paying at minimum of $1.26 per lb. to the grower for their finest coffee, more than three times the unjust 40 cents often paid by other coffee companies. Currently, the growers are consistently paid an average of $1.86 per lb.Land of a Thousand Hills also invests one dollar per 12 oz. bag sold to fund micro-finance programs that help Rwandans start small businesses. Approximately $3 total per 12 oz. bag is invested in the Rwandan economy. "Drink Coffee. Do Good."
Thousand Hills Coffee has several different options of delicious Rwandan coffee on their website as well as come incredibly yummy looking espresso chocolate bark that I think I'm going to have to order and try! I'm also going to order a sample package of four of their most popular coffees. Go ahead, invite yourself over for coffee at my place!
Check out Thousand Hills Coffee at http://www.landof1000hills.com/
Friday, November 28, 2008
Great Photojournalism Work on FH Global Website
I just received news that one of my colleagues in Rwanda, along with a great team, has done some incredible photojournalism and video work all throughout Africa. I'd like to highlight some of their work in Rwanda and invite you to visit this incredible website, housed on the FH Global website.
Please read the story of Boniface, a child impacted by Food for the Hungry's work in his hometown of Kanyinya, Rwanda. Read Boniface's story at:
You can also read the incredible story of Bertin, a man who lost both of his legs during the genocide. The story, "Walking Again" tells the tale of how the small business initiatives of Food for the Hungry greatly impacted his life. Read Bertin's story at
You can also see a video chronicling Food for the Hungry's work with children in Rwanda. View the video at:
Please take the time to check out all of the wonderful photos, videos and information at FH Global's website at http://www.fhglobal.org/
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monthlong Missionary Training
There is no one word to describe my month of missionary training. The words refreshing, jolting, challenging, inspiring and life-altering come to mind. I spent one week at Food for the Hungry's home office in Phoenix and three weeks at Mission Training International in Palmer Lake, CO. Though a blog post is hardly enough space to share what I learned in those four weeks, I'd love to share some of the highlights.
God's Word as Truth and the Source of Development - Satan's strategy in the world is to deceive the nations. At the root of poverty are lies. Therefore in order to combat lies we must saturate communities with Truth. The root of lasting, sustainable development is Truth. The Truth is found in God's Word which should provide us with a Biblical worldview that will transform our lives. Our worldview determines what we see and how we live. As I go to Rwanda to share the Truth with Rwandan children I was challenged at my FH training to keep the following in mind:
Worldview is like a tree: Beliefs are the root of our worldview tree, values are the trunk, behaviors are the branches and the fruit of this tree are consequences. Fruit comes from the branches in all trees and in our lives behavior comes from consequences. In order for communities to see a change in the consequences of their behavior (poverty, brokeness...etc....and I'm not just referring to materially poor communities overseas but our spiritually poor but materially rich communities here in the West!) bad fruit cannot simply be plucked. Rather there must be a change in the roots of our worldview tree. The heart of FH's ministry and my ministry as a curriculum developer is to encourage Rwandan children to develop roots in the Truth - roots that are saturated in the water of God's Word.
The Great Commission is more than just "sharing the gospel" and planting churches. The Great Commission's end command is to "make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that God has commanded." To simply share the Truth with Rwandan children, while valuable, is not enough. Rather, the ultimate goal of my ministry should be to make disciples, followers of Christ, not just converts. I hope to be able to share stories with all of you of children who are passionately following Christ and transforming their communities, not just the numbers of children being saved.
As I enter another culture, Rwanda and into my discomfort zone, I need to be desperate for God's help and His grace. As I minister in Rwanda and in a culture that is not my own, life will not be easy. We were challenged at MTI to consider the possibility that conflict may hit us the moment we step off the plane. I will also be susceptible to huge amounts of stress. On a common stress scale of 150-300, new missionaries often score in the range of 1000+. My constant prayer needs to be, "God help me, God help me, God help me." Daily I must turn to God and his stores of grace for my life. It is only by daily turning to and relying on God, I will be effective in Rwanda for the long term.
In order to maintain spiritual vitality in the midst of culture stress, adversity, loneliness, hardship and societal suffering all around me I must remember the following:
God is God - I cannot charge God with wrongdoing. He is perfect in all of His ways. He does all that he pleases and nothing that happens in this world happens outside his perfect will and His sovereignty.
God is faithful - It is because of the Lord's great love for His children that I am not consumed. He always keeps his promises. One of His promises to me is that, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Even when the going gets tough in Rwanda, I can rest in the fact that God will always be right there with me.
God is good - All that God does and is, is good. All that He does and allows into my life is done for my good. Even when I have a hard time believing it, God is good. Period!
My greatest tool in evangelism and discipleship in Rwanda will be how I interact with my teammates and colleagues. People in my community will be watching. What will have the greatest impact in my personal ministry is not my words or well crafted curriculum. Rather, it will be how I interact with those around me and how I model a Christlike attitude and spirit. Therefore, handling conflict appropriately and in a Godly attitude of humility and grace will be critical. The most important thing will be the love I show for others.
I learned so much at this month-long training! Thank you to all of you who were praying for me while I was away. I missed you but am happy to report all that I learned! I look forward to being in Rwanda soon and sharing with you all that I learn there too!
God's Word as Truth and the Source of Development - Satan's strategy in the world is to deceive the nations. At the root of poverty are lies. Therefore in order to combat lies we must saturate communities with Truth. The root of lasting, sustainable development is Truth. The Truth is found in God's Word which should provide us with a Biblical worldview that will transform our lives. Our worldview determines what we see and how we live. As I go to Rwanda to share the Truth with Rwandan children I was challenged at my FH training to keep the following in mind:
Worldview is like a tree: Beliefs are the root of our worldview tree, values are the trunk, behaviors are the branches and the fruit of this tree are consequences. Fruit comes from the branches in all trees and in our lives behavior comes from consequences. In order for communities to see a change in the consequences of their behavior (poverty, brokeness...etc....and I'm not just referring to materially poor communities overseas but our spiritually poor but materially rich communities here in the West!) bad fruit cannot simply be plucked. Rather there must be a change in the roots of our worldview tree. The heart of FH's ministry and my ministry as a curriculum developer is to encourage Rwandan children to develop roots in the Truth - roots that are saturated in the water of God's Word.
The Great Commission is more than just "sharing the gospel" and planting churches. The Great Commission's end command is to "make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that God has commanded." To simply share the Truth with Rwandan children, while valuable, is not enough. Rather, the ultimate goal of my ministry should be to make disciples, followers of Christ, not just converts. I hope to be able to share stories with all of you of children who are passionately following Christ and transforming their communities, not just the numbers of children being saved.
As I enter another culture, Rwanda and into my discomfort zone, I need to be desperate for God's help and His grace. As I minister in Rwanda and in a culture that is not my own, life will not be easy. We were challenged at MTI to consider the possibility that conflict may hit us the moment we step off the plane. I will also be susceptible to huge amounts of stress. On a common stress scale of 150-300, new missionaries often score in the range of 1000+. My constant prayer needs to be, "God help me, God help me, God help me." Daily I must turn to God and his stores of grace for my life. It is only by daily turning to and relying on God, I will be effective in Rwanda for the long term.
In order to maintain spiritual vitality in the midst of culture stress, adversity, loneliness, hardship and societal suffering all around me I must remember the following:
God is God - I cannot charge God with wrongdoing. He is perfect in all of His ways. He does all that he pleases and nothing that happens in this world happens outside his perfect will and His sovereignty.
God is faithful - It is because of the Lord's great love for His children that I am not consumed. He always keeps his promises. One of His promises to me is that, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Even when the going gets tough in Rwanda, I can rest in the fact that God will always be right there with me.
God is good - All that God does and is, is good. All that He does and allows into my life is done for my good. Even when I have a hard time believing it, God is good. Period!
My greatest tool in evangelism and discipleship in Rwanda will be how I interact with my teammates and colleagues. People in my community will be watching. What will have the greatest impact in my personal ministry is not my words or well crafted curriculum. Rather, it will be how I interact with those around me and how I model a Christlike attitude and spirit. Therefore, handling conflict appropriately and in a Godly attitude of humility and grace will be critical. The most important thing will be the love I show for others.
I learned so much at this month-long training! Thank you to all of you who were praying for me while I was away. I missed you but am happy to report all that I learned! I look forward to being in Rwanda soon and sharing with you all that I learn there too!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Great Websites
This past month I've stumbled upon some great websites that I'd like to share with you. Both of these sites help raise money for the needy in the developing world.
Changing the Present:
http://changingthepresent.org/
Changing the Present provides a way to give gifts that make a charitable contribution in the name of the recipient. For the person who has everything (isn't that all of us?) you can give a donation that will build a latrine in a needy community, teach a farmer more sustainable farming practices, close a sweatshop, purify water or rent a market stall for a fledgling entrepreneur. They even have a place for party favors, where for a dollar you can provide a clean pair of socks for a needy individual. What a great wedding or shower favors! I mean how many useless tchockes can you get? Check out this website, it's great!
The Bridesmaid Party:
The relatively new movie, "27 Dresses" has quickly become one of my favorites! Now while I don't have 27 Bridesmaid dresses, I do have a couple and will never wear them again. It really is a fallacy that you can "shorten them and wear them again." Most women in their 20's and 30's have at least one or two bridesmaids dresses that are taking up space in their closet.
I've found a great website, The Bridesmaid Party that recycles used bridesmaids dresses. When you mail in your gently used bridesmaid's dress to them (for a charitable deduction) they send the dresses to HopeCraft, Inc., and Rubia, non-profit organizations dedicated to promote self empowerment and financial security for the poverty stricken, abused women and children in both Lea Toto, Africa and Darra-i-Nur, Afghanistan. Donating your dress to The Bridesmaid Party will give these women the opportunity to reuse and transform your dress for a better use or product. The impact of your gift will empower these women towards financial freedom and a better way of life.
I plan on donating my bridesmaid's dresses to this great organization. I'd love to see them go to good use. Now just imagine if the woman on "27 Dresses" had donated all of her dresses to the Bridesmaid Party.....what good all of those dresses could have done!
Check it out at http://www.thebridesmaidparty.com/donate/
Changing the Present:
http://changingthepresent.org/
Changing the Present provides a way to give gifts that make a charitable contribution in the name of the recipient. For the person who has everything (isn't that all of us?) you can give a donation that will build a latrine in a needy community, teach a farmer more sustainable farming practices, close a sweatshop, purify water or rent a market stall for a fledgling entrepreneur. They even have a place for party favors, where for a dollar you can provide a clean pair of socks for a needy individual. What a great wedding or shower favors! I mean how many useless tchockes can you get? Check out this website, it's great!
The Bridesmaid Party:
The relatively new movie, "27 Dresses" has quickly become one of my favorites! Now while I don't have 27 Bridesmaid dresses, I do have a couple and will never wear them again. It really is a fallacy that you can "shorten them and wear them again." Most women in their 20's and 30's have at least one or two bridesmaids dresses that are taking up space in their closet.
I've found a great website, The Bridesmaid Party that recycles used bridesmaids dresses. When you mail in your gently used bridesmaid's dress to them (for a charitable deduction) they send the dresses to HopeCraft, Inc., and Rubia, non-profit organizations dedicated to promote self empowerment and financial security for the poverty stricken, abused women and children in both Lea Toto, Africa and Darra-i-Nur, Afghanistan. Donating your dress to The Bridesmaid Party will give these women the opportunity to reuse and transform your dress for a better use or product. The impact of your gift will empower these women towards financial freedom and a better way of life.
I plan on donating my bridesmaid's dresses to this great organization. I'd love to see them go to good use. Now just imagine if the woman on "27 Dresses" had donated all of her dresses to the Bridesmaid Party.....what good all of those dresses could have done!
Check it out at http://www.thebridesmaidparty.com/donate/
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Where in the World is Karen Jacobsen?
Answer: Rome, Florence and Venice. Lest you think this support raising missionary is off on a globetrotting jaunt, I'm actually here on work! Since temping didn't pan out this summer due to the bad economy I had to seek out alternate forms of work. My job title now: Travel Nanny. I'm traveling with a family and their three young children in Italy. You can't beat seeing the Sistine Chapel for work!
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