Boanerages Deaf Initiative - Uganda

Hi Friends!

Last night Jarred and I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting a very special Ugandan named Joel. He is the director of two schools for the deaf in Uganda and has a beautiful heart for helping those who cannot speak up for themselves. Joel has been in the US speaking to various groups and participating in a Deaf Expo out in California. It was such a blessing to hear from him about all the work he's doing. It was also heartbreaking to hear some of his stories...

His heart for the deaf was originally born out of tragedy. Joel had a deaf brother who was burned to death by members of their community who didn't understand him. Since that time he's dedicated his life to serving those who are misunderstood and taken advantage of. He tells the story of a little boy he met in his travels around Uganda. When Joel asked the parents of the child what his name was, they stared at each other with blank expressions. They'd never bothered to name the boy. But later, when Joel asked the name of their family dog, the parents replied its name in unison. Deaf children are thought of so poorly in Uganda that many are not even given names. If that doesn't break your heart, I don't know what does. The boy has since been named by Joel and is now learning sign language at school where he is loved and supported. There are hundreds more children with stories just like his. 

Joel also told me about a wonderful girl from Nebraska who followed God's call to leave her comfort zone here in the US and travel around the world to volunteer at his school. Before her visit, the community in Uganda around the school had never understood why Joel would care for the little "cursed" children. Many Ugandans think deafness is contagious and would rather stay far away from the kids. However, mzungus, aka foreigners, are widely respected in the community. When the girl from Nebraska came to play and interact with the children, the community watched with wide eyes. They started making connections that if this girl whom they respected wasn't afraid to interact with the deaf kids, maybe they shouldn't be either. Even Joel's own mother who had never visited his school said, "did that girl come all the way from America just to see your school? If she did, maybe I should too!" His mother now does all that she can to help the students and has even proudly handed out certificates those who've graduated. An entire community has begun to change its opinion of deafness just because one girl from America volunteered her time to hug and love on a few children who needed love the most.

If you'd like to learn more about helping the Boanerages Deaf Initiative, please let me know. There are many needs, but Joel trusts that the Lord will raise up the support the school needs. Currently his school in Kampala has 40 children and just 1 teacher. Although Joel has worked hard to train more teachers, he is not able to pay them, so they leave. Just over $3 a day or $100 a month would pay for a teacher to be able to live comfortably and have the freedom not to worry about food or shelter. For $1 a day you could feed a hungry child. And by a visit, you could help change an entire community. Prayerfully consider if there is something you'd like to do to help.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFaOYpIa7c

My heart is already in Kenya

Over the past few weeks, as Jarred and I have begun raising support for our Feb. trip to Kenya, I've been constantly scouring the Internet to read more about deaf orphanages and schools. Each new article or website I come across encourages me and leaves me heartbroken at the same time. I'm thrilled when I read about the people who are working hard to give these children the love, education, and support they need. But in the same sentence I usually read more about the neglect and abuse that hundreds of thousands of other kids with disabilities are going through without the resources available to help them. Precious children without the ability to communicate who are being locked in their homes, raped, and tied to trees left for wild animals. My mind can't even wrap around the horrible injustices these children are experiencing. I want to hold each one of them, rock them back and forth, and tell them about how Jesus made them special, and he cares for them even when the whole world is against them. February can't come soon enough...

"Defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

-Psalm 82: 3-4

One of the many articles I've read: http://this.org/blog/2009/10/19/kenya-deaf-school/

Art Raffle for Africa

As a way of raising money for our upcoming mission trip to Kenya, Jarred and I are happy to announce an "Art Raffle for Africa." In the coming months we'll be raffling off this gorgeous, handmade stained glass flower mosaic. It's encased in an antique window frame and would be the perfect addition to any screen porch or bay window. It's valued at over $300 and was created by local South Carolina artist Kathy Dublin. Kathy went with me on my first trip to Kenya back in 2007 and is going back herself this fall.

Entries into the raffle are $10 each. For donations greater than $10, you'll be entered once for every multiple of 10. Twice for a $20 donation, 3 for $30, etc. The winner will be announced on Dec. 1st. There will also be 2nd and 3rd place prizes which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

100% of all money from raffle entries will go towards funding our trip. You'd like to enter, please email me at maryellen.callura@gmail.com, and I'll reply with our address. If you'd like to donate to our trip without entering the raffle, simply include that in your email to me. You can read more about what we'll be doing in Kenya on my previous post "A Smile is the Same in Any Language." Thank you so much for your support!

A Smile is the Same in Any Language

So the Calluras have huge news!!! And no, we're not having a baby!! But in our minds, it's something just as drastic! (Well, almost). We're going to Kenya! Not long term, but for just over a week in February. If you know us well at all, you probably know we're not the kind of people who want to travel the world to foreign countries everywhere. In fact, we'd be pretty content to spend the rest of our days safe and sound in the US where we speak the same language, understand the currency, and enjoy the food we grew up on. However, God has different plans for us, to fulfill His will for our lives outside of our comfort zones. To spread the Good News of the Gospel through our actions to the people of Kenya. Just as Jesus says in Luke, we believe the harvest there is plentiful, but the workers are few. So here we are, ready to work! We're still outlining the details, but it looks as if we have two wonderful opportunities.

#1: To work with Pastor Euticauls Wambua who heads the Youth at Risk Community Center in the Korogocho slum just outside of Nairobi. This slum is home to over 150,000 people in 1.5 square kilometers. In Swahili, the word "korogocho" literally means "crowded shoulder to shoulder." Not only is it crowded, but it's also located beside an active trash dump. Due to the lack of clean water, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure, the people of Korogocho tend to have very poor health. In 2008 the HIV rate was an estimated 14% of the population. Situated in the heart of the slum is the Youth at Risk Community Center, a school for over 300 Korogocho children. At school many of the students receive their only meal of the day. They also receive academic and Biblical instruction from loving teachers. Jarred and I will be working with Pastor Euticauls to meet any practical needs they may have at the school. We hope to take some supplies with us as we go. I am also hopeful that I can use my teacher training here in the US to better educate the teachers at the Youth Center. We'll be updating the blog with details as we figure out more specifics.

Picture I took on my first trip to Kenya of a kindergarten class at the Youth Center.

#2: Our second opportunity on the trip will be to work with a school for the deaf just outside of Nairobi. Pastor Euticauls has a connection to this school because two of his nieces are deaf. Our mission there will be to take the love of Jesus to a people group who are largely thought of as "cursed" and who are outcast from society, living in an isolated and silent world. God's been preparing me, specifically, for this mission for quite a long time. If you're reading this, you most likely know that Jarred and I have the most adorable and fantastic deaf nephew in all the world. Before he came along, God gave me the phenomenal experiences of taking American Sign Language at Clemson and experiencing the deaf community across the US through FCA Mission trips. And long before that I had an unbelievably amazing aunt who was a teacher of the deaf in South Carolina and who was making me sweatshirts with ASL hand signs when I was just a wee child. So it's clear to me that God has definitely had many plans for me to interact with and love the deaf in his name for a long, long time. While we don't know Kenyan Sign Language, we know that deaf people in developing countries like Kenya often lack not only the opportunity for education but for acceptance as well. Through our smiles, hugs, the use of an interpreter and perhaps a picture Bible, we hope the deaf Kenyans we have the honor of interacting with will see and understand that they have a loving Father and Creator who not only accepts them, but died for their sins so that they would never have to be separated from him.

Well, now you know a little bit about are upcoming journey. At the moment we are in a place somewhere between "Hooray for going to Kenya!" and "Oh my word this is slightly terrifying but exciting all at the same time!" To say that we don't feel adequate for this mission in an understatement. However, we trust that God always provides and will equip us with all that we need to serve him. This will be Jarred's first foreign mission trip, and we are excited about how our marriage will grow through this shared experience. I also can't wait to see how God works in Jarred's life as he get to experience the incredible love of Kenyans for the first time. It's going to be pretty awesome!!

We'd love for you to pray for us as we start putting together all the details and begin our fundraising campaign. And if you feel called, join us!! Seriously...we'd love to have you! We're going in February, which I know isn't the ideal time for most people, but if you can get out of work or school...holla back! And don't worry if you're nervous about the interactions with the deaf and don't have a background with sign language...they don't use American Sign Language anyway...and besides, a smile is the same in any language!!

A change of pace - BOWS!

Well hello there! It's been a while! I've had a lovely summer frolicking around the mountains and Boston. How about you? Hope you're well! It's time for a little crafting update. While I've enjoyed my embroidery machine dearly for the past 9 months, I've decided to take a break from it for a while. I'm looking to new adventures in the crafting world, but am not straying too far outside of my baby/child focused genre. After buying my sweet niece/inspiration a few gifts...I discovered the gold mine people must have of making bows. After paying a ridiculous amount for a plain little brown bow, I decided I'd learn to make them myself! Plus, I have various grosgrain ribbon lying around my craft space from burp cloths, tutus, etc that needs to be used. So today I bought the remaining supplies (hot glue gun and barrette closures) and got to work! Here are my humble first attempts at bow making:

I'll call this one "The Sarah"...as it's perfect for any Georgia Bulldog fans out there.

This next one is fall inspired...plus I had limited color choices.

Now for a Clemson Trio in honor of football season...the one week countdown has almost begun people!! Get Excited!!

And finally, a classic and ever fashionable pink. Better known as "The Amy."

Now I must say, I wanted to use alligator clips rather than barrettes for the closures, but Michaels was out...of course. But it's only a matter of time. This weekend my sister and I are planning to make a ton of fun bows together for my niece and hopefully we'll learn some fancy new tricks. Can't wait!

Carolina Pride

A few weeks ago I got a little crazy and bought 4 size 2T Rosalina dresses on Zulily. If you've never heard of it, it's a great website to buy boutique baby clothes and accessories for lower prices. Every once and a while I find a great deal on something that could be embroidered (aka the tennis racket covers from a few posts ago and these little gingham dresses). If you've never signed up for a Zulily account or their daily emails, use my personalized link: http://www.zulily.com/invite/mcallura918

So here are the two dresses I've embroidered so far. I decided to go with our Carolina pride and joy, the Palmetto Tree and Crescent Moon. They, like many items, don't photograph quite as cute as they look in person.

I have two pink and two blue dresses. I think I might use a matching blue thread for the embroidery on the second blue dress rather than white. We'll see.

As always you can find these and other items I have on Etsy.

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/mecallura



California Dreamin'

About a year ago I started Googling conferences for Jarred to go to. I'd heard enough stories from all his colleagues of the great times they'd had going all over the world for these things. It was time for Big Girl to find herself a vacation!! And it was good for Jarred's resume too, of course. I came across the perfect fit for him at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Yes, please!! I'd never been to the west coast or put my cute little toes in the Pacific (and by "cute little toes" I clearly mean "long skinny, finger like toes" but that just doesn't sound as good now does it). I actually found this conference long before Jarred found out about Puerto Rico, so this Cali trip has been in the works for a long time! I even reserved our hotel room before he even found out if he was accepted. What can I say, I have confidence in my man! Plus discounted rooms at the Four Seasons just weren't going to last forever. Gotta be a little proactive sometimes, am I right? You know how it is ladies. So without further ado, here are some pics!

First we started out with a hike in the mountain-like hills surrounding Stanford. We came across this comforting sign about what to do if we encounter a mountain lion or coyote I think my favorite part is, "if attacked-fight back!" Oh my.

Jarred's ready to fight back...

On Jarred's birthday we went to a Putt-Putt and Arcade place for a little friendly fun and competition. How this ball rested on the hill and didn't go into the water, I'll never know. Dang it!

Love this homemade sign at the course. After one particularly frustrating whole, I began to understand why they had it up!

An action pic of me dominating Jarred in Pop-a-Shot.

For those who don't remember, Jarred and I basically fell in love over Hangman. Needless to say, Wheel of Fortune is our game!!

The next day I surprised Jarred with a trip to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. It's the largest of its kind in the world. And that rollercoaster may not look like much, but I assure you, it's intense!!

Ferris Wheel

 Bumper Cars

Another surprise for Jarred...a helicopter ride over the coast! We do it up right!

I was so excited about this next shot. Our pilot told us that 80% of strawberries in the US are produced there. It's  Driscoll Farms, and I totally recognize that name from the grocery store. Sure enough, if you look, they are grown in Watsonville, CA, right where we were. Love it! 

Toes in the Pacific time! So cold!!

You can see the pain on Jarred's face. Freezing! But nothing I have conquered in the mountains.

We finally made our way up to San Francisco and rode bikes over the Golden Gate Bridge. It was truly breathtaking and so, so fun!



More pictures to come on facebook! Even though we had to battle fevers of 102 while there, we managed to have fun!

Tennis Racket Covers

Ready to have the cutest kid on the court? Check out these super fun tennis racket covers I found online. I would have loved one of these back in the day when I took lessons. They're perfect for summer camps too. They're also a fun branch out for me from the usual baby items. Although I must say, the embroidery doesn't photograph well because the print is so busy. Some things just can't come across as cute on the blog. I'm searching for more of these with a more grown up print, but not having a lot of luck so far. I can find some beautiful ones, but they are a fortune. Hopefully I'll come across something soon!

New Adventures on the Horizon

As I say goodbye to 25 solid years of life, I can see new adventures on the horizon. 25 brought a new job, a new hobby, and my frist trip to Puerto Rico, land of my hubby's ancestors. Good times! But 26 is stacking up to compete for the top spot of awesomeness. One week from today I'll be touching down in San Fransico for my first ever adventure on the west coast. And better yet, I'm not only taking my handsome husband but one of my best frirends as well! Can't wait to share it with you guys. Also on the agenda, thanks to a exciting yet frightening birthday gift from Jarred, professional voice lessons. EEEeek! Not sure how I feel about this, but it's sure to be an adventure!! Apparently they give you a DVD copy of each lesson, ummm No Thanks! I'm not sure that I ever want to hear my voice recorded. It was a very thoughtful gift though as Jarred knows two of the things on my life's bucket list are 1) to be in a community theatre production and 2) to have enough confidence to sing a solo at chuch. One day...one day. I'm excited to push myself out of my comfort zone and enjoy some vocal training. I hope they don't mind if I bring my own mic!

Time to go Diva Style!!! Bring it 26!

Finding True Freedom, From the White House to the World

It's time for a new book recommendation just in time for summer reading! Ginny Brant (wife of AB for any of you Clemson ASL alumni) has written a moving book about her father, an influential politician from SC who worked for Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Bush. It's the story of his journey to faith through the turmoil of the Watergate scandal. If you're interested in politics at all, love reading about how the Lord works in mysterious and miraculous ways in people's lives, or just like reading a good biography from time to time, this book is for you! Check it out on Amazon!

Learn more about the book and Ginny on www.ginnybrant.com It's an easy read that will leave you feeling more well versed in the history of American politics and more in awe of how powerful God is.



If I Only Had A Brain

Back in the glory days of high school, I once performed a song and dance routine to "If I Only Had a Brain" from the Wizard of Oz. Scarecrow get up and all, I brought down the house (or made people run for the exits). But no longer do I have to wonder what I would do if I only had a brain, because now I know...I do have a brain! And I have the pictures to prove it! So fun! Behold the incredible brain shots Jarred and I got from our research study, crazy stuff!

Lady's first:

I'm just so amazed! That's my brain, MINE, inside my head. My Cerebellum, my sinuses, my parietal lobe and frontal lobe. My brain stem. (And yes, yes I did google those)



 I'm sorry but these just blow my mind. I'm obsessed!

And I can't leave my sweet husband out, doesn't he photograph well?!:

That's one good lookin' brain!!

I highly recommend finding a research study to be a part of! Who knew being a lab rat for a few hundred dollars could be so much fun?! Ahhh, I love new adventures!

Preptastic Boy Bibs

There's something I just can't resist about preppy baby clothes and accessories. I've always been a country club sort of dresser myself...perhaps that's what influenced me to become such a golf fan, who knows? But one's things for sure, these bibs are 100% preptastic, and I love them! I'm a born and raised mountains girl, but even I can appreciate how much these scream Charleston. If you like them as well, check out my etsy store or message me on facebook about making some for your favorite little one. Sweet little sailboats, I mean come on, who can resist??? 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mecallura

Weepublicans and Babycrats

It's time to pick your poison everybody. Is your baby a little weepublican or a babycrat? I fell in love with these applique designs as soon as I saw them. Jarred and I just think they're hilarious, and we can stop saying "weepublican" in silly baby voices. Haha! We're lame of course!! But don't you just love them?!

MRI Day!

A while back I wrote about a research study Jarred and I volunteered to be a part of for both fun and a little extra cash. Since Boston is the research capital of the world, I felt it only appropriate that being in a study go on our must-do list while we're here. One day, while riding the T, I spotted the perfect study for us. It's all about childhood memories and how they've affected who we are as adults. We signed up immediately, and I was so excited! Step one was to fill out an online survey for $25 each. Money in the bank!! Then we were selected to come into the lab for IQ and ADD testing as well as to fill out a million more surverys and an interview about our childhood memories. For this we received $100 each. And today was our final step...and it was a big one! We went in for MRI's of our brains for another $100 each. It was both of our first times to have an MRI of any kind. I must admit I was a little anxious about feeling claustrophobic, but my disgraceful past as a tanning bed user (back in high school before I had 10 precancerous moles removed) prepared me a little bit. When we got there, we realized it was a full body tube and our heads had to be locked in pretty well so as not to move. Needless to say it could have been a recipe for disaster, but we both made it through (with the help of reciting scriptures in our heads so as not to freak out). An hour in the tube and now we're each $100 richer!! Good stuff!!

Next week we should be getting a CD in the mail with pictures of our brains. Can't wait to share those!!