Hope is on the Move
the amazing open-hearted Cate and her HopeRevo card for a special girl in Rwanda
We are holding our breath this morning, waiting to hear more news about Grace. The specialist who saw her over the weekend was not convinced that the TB diagnosis was accurate (!!!!) and is sending her to a second hospital for more conclusive tests. I have no idea what this means or what it will reveal, but this little bit of movement in the story tremendously helped lift the mood around here, to put it mildly. That and one very pink cell phone.
If Grace doesn’t have TB, that is so huge, I can’t tell you, but it’s critical that they find out what is wrong and address it as soon as possible.
The next four days are loaded for me as I work towards sending the zine to print (yikes!) and begin compiling and organizing all the things I have to take to Odette’s girls and all the other kids I meet. One thing I have loved about African culture is the way my African friends truly embody the phrase we throw around lightly “no child left behind.” If Odette (or Fatou for that matter) had her way, I would be taking a new set of clothes, a journal, a pen, a pencil, a small toy, a zine and a piece of chocolate to every child in Rwanda. I’m sure the good people at Ethiopian Airlines will not be batting an eye when they see me, my 2000 bouncy balls (thanks, Grace McLaren!) and all my luggage coming.
If you want to send something small with me for Grace especially or the other kids I meet, there are two things I could take very easily:
1. A small thinking of you card for Grace–nothing bigger than 5×7. Grace has been feeling so down and a little bit forgotten with her mom so far away, and I can only imagine how notes from faraway friends would cheer her. Email me and I’ll tell you where to send it. English is fine.
2. A Hope Note a la HopeRevo. This is way to honor the Africa in you (go read the article, in case you haven’t already). You’ll be encouraging a little girl you’ve never met and taking into your heart a kind of hospitality and openness that will do the world good. Mail these to the address below and and my partner-in-hope Krystyn Heide will get these to me just in time.
Hope Revolution
195 Arizona Ave
Box 173
Atlanta GA 30307
If none of this appeals to you or isn’t quite possible right now, you can still throw money in the pot. So far this money has purchased 1 airline ticket, immunizations for me and malaria medication, art supplies to create the zine, 2000 zines for distribution in Rwanda and for sale here (the zine sales in the US will pay royalties to Odette and serve as an income stream for her and her brother Innocent) and one domain name (girlpowerafrica.org). Do you feel amazing yet? Each dollar along with each word of encouragement has been like a little seed growing big ideas and more means and connections to make miracles happen.
I’m still wheeling and dealing to find and take to Innocent (Odette’s brother and my soulbrother, truly–I adore this guy):
A cow
A tent
A camera
I know. I have lost my mind. But more on that later. 
May 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
my heart is filled with hope as i read your words and all that you and odette (and others) are doing to make hope real in this world.
i light the healing candle this morning and again think of grace…
sending you peace and light.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
In a few hours, when the sun has set, i will again light a candle for grace.
i would love to send her a note, but i don’t think it will get to you in time (the hopenotes i send out today, they should arrive sometime next week) but i was just thinking that i might write a note to grace, scan it and send it to you by email? would that work?
with love,
silvia
May 5th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Jen,
Check your email please. I have a tent, and may be able to do the camera too.
Prayers for Grace’s health,
Veronique
May 5th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
What a beautiful mind to lose.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
You amaze me. I have no doubt you will accomplish it all.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Jen,
Last night, after dreaming about trying to find the right word in Danish for “generous home,” I woke up with this thought in my mind:
“Oh! It’s not TB!”
Then this morning I read this post.
Let us hope the Muse is afoot giving us all hope and a hint at how Kindness will resolve this for Miss Grace!
Love,
Rahcelle
May 6th, 2008 at 8:14 am
(Points up to Rachelle)
I received your Hope Notes today! It was heartwarming to see your name and to see the stamps and certifications as your package made its way here from across the pond. <3
We’ve got a good stack (@100?) but I know there’s more on the way. Maybe we’ll have enough to leave with the girls of Rwanda to spread a little hope themselves!
May 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I can’t believe I’m writing this.
A cow?
What kind of cow would you like? And here or there?
I hope you have time to read this, but send email and I’ll try to assist with the cow.
Tammy
May 8th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Hi Jen,
I am a childhood friend of Rachelle Mee-Chapman’s. I’m so glad to help with the cow. It just feels substantial and that feels good. Thank you for the opportunity.
Tricia
May 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
if the title of the book you’ll end up writing after all this isn’t ‘it all about the chickens’ then it should be called ‘a cow, a tent a camera.’
you are amazing jen. totally amazing.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:39 am
[…] from the also beautiful Jen Lemen. You can read more about this particular project here. And here. And here and here and here and here and here and here (etc.). The woman is amazing, just […]