Tag Archives: Open Hands Africa

“Shirt On My Back” Ch. 14 Trampled Grass

              A word from Curt Homeless. It’s a word we’ve come to fully realize in Africa.  There’s much more to homelessness than just being displaced. For refugees, it signifies the complete loss of all things material. Often, everything but the shirt on your back. Daily, we’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass. If …

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“E’s Sat Phone” Chapter 12 from Trampled Grass

INTRO   A word from Curt Communication. It’s a good word and part of all of our daily lives.  I believe you’ll enjoy the story below about communicating on the Continent of Africa. Daily, we’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass. If you enjoy the stories, please pass them on. You can download the entire book as a PDF …

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“Wow” Chapter 11 Trampled Grass

INTRO   A word from Curt Marginalized. It’s a word we hear often among refugees.  It’s the feeling that you (and your people group) don’t matter. You’re overlooked. Forgotten. Today’s post is about a group that feels very marginalized. They are called the Murle and they are one of South Sudan’s most interesting tribes. Daily, we’re posting chapters from our …

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Independence!

A word from Curt Independence. Such a sweet word. We Americans cherish it.  Still celebrate it as a fire-cracking holiday each July. The Independence story in South Sudan is bittersweet. The following story shares why.   We spend about half of our time on The Journey. Our Journey takes us into northern Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya. We are currently …

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Where is “Up Country?”

  A word from Curt UpCountry We spend about half of our time Up Country. Our Journey takes us into northern Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya. We are currently on a trip with our home church (Dry Creek Baptist LA) to their people group, the Kakwa. We’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass. If you enjoy the stories, please …

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Oh my soul! Bob and Nancy Calvert

      A word from Curt Dedication.   We are currently on a trip with our home church (Dry Creek Baptist LA) to their people group, the Kakwa. We’re posting chapters from our new ebook, Trampled Grass. If you enjoy the stories, please pass them on. You can download the entire book at www.creekbank.net. We’ll be posting about this …

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Trampled Grass Chapter 2 “When Two Elephants Fight . . . “

  A word from Curt Journey. We spend about half of our time on The Journey. Our Journey takes us into northern Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya. We are currently on a trip with our home church (Dry Creek Baptist LA) to their people group, the Kakwa. We’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass. If you enjoy the …

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Sunday Prayers

  A Word from Curt Prayer. What a good word. “Where do you pray?” This is the lead question many Africans ask. It’s an honest inquiry about your faith. Where do you go to pray? In our culture (here) it’s not intrusive or rude. As you go to pray on this Sunday, would you please share these three requests with …

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“Child-Headed Households” and “Unaccompanied Minors.”

   What in the world is a “Child-Headed Household” and “Unaccompanied Minor?”    Friday  21 March Back home in Entebbe Scroll down for prayer needs. The UN has a special term for them. They call them “Unaccompanied Minors.” It means they are  refugees who arrived without an adult. They may truly be orphans.  Both parents are dead and they are separated from …

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Underdogs and a New Slides

Underdogs I’ve not sure I’ve ever seen anything that looked more out of place. As my grandpa said, “It was like a saddle on a pig.” Brand new shiny playground equipment in the midst of a ragtag barren refugee camp. I walked over to a swing set and pushed on it. It was cemented in the ground. Just as I …

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Saturday Snips: Thoughts from a “Soul Retreat”

Last week I took a Soul Retreat. I got on a crowded fishing boat and traveled to one of the islands on Lake Victoria.  It was a time for reflection, renewal, and writing.   In upcoming  blog posts, you’ll find many of the stories I wrote. They are simply from my heart to yours.  Enjoy!   It’s a long  way …

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The Day Indy Died

The Day Indy Died His name was Independence Moses Nono. A new child born on the new country’s first day. The first child born at a Juba hospital shortly after midnight. July 9, 2011 All full of hope and promise. His parents, Moses and Josephine Nono gave him the full name of Moses Independence. The mother shared in news reports …

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Heartbroken but still in Love: South Sudan

Heartbroken    This week we our blogging will consist of putting faces on the chaos going on in South Sudan. You’ve heard the stats: at least 1000 dead . . . 150,000 displaced.  Numbers don’t move us like faces and stories. This week you’ll be meeting Simon and Rachel, Pastor John, Two Teachers, a family separated at the Nile and …

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