Cover the Night

March 5, 2012. Just another day. Right? Right. 

Well, except for the fact that one of the largest digital campaigns launched by Invisible Children swept not just the nation but the world. The 30 minute youtube video (below) was viewed round-the-world by over a million viewers. The video was engaging and informative. The use of technology and emotion kept the audience actively engaged for the duration of the film and the practical, hands on challenge at the end took the film from youtube to hearts of many. All with one simple message  - let's make (Joseph) Kony famous in 2012.

"Since 1987, Joseph Kony has abducted more than 30,000 children in Central Africa and forced them to be child soldiers in his Lord’s Resistance Army. The KONY 2012 campaign employs film, social media, street art, and face-to-face interaction to make the case that the arrest of Joseph Kony this year is one thing we can all agree on." 

As not only a fan and supporter of Invisible Children, I'm also a fan of bringing light to injustices in the world. I knew even before I clicked the play button, I would be on board with their new campaign. I was not wrong. And no, the bad press and criticism that followed, didn't influence or sway my decision. 

Invisible Children built up their organization by giving teens and young adults something to be passionate about. Not only do they challenge viewers to "Discover the Unseen" child war soldiers in Uganda, they also provide easy ways for people to get involved and make a difference in the world. They are more focused on raising awareness than they are raising money. They are not concerned about fame but more concerned about changing the world. They know the value of social media and technology and use it to their advantage to relate to and engage their audience.

So why am I blogging about this now? Well, tonight is the big night. Tonight is the night when viewers were challenged to go out and "Cover the Night" - to bring awareness to Joseph Kony. This here, is my humble attempt to Cover the Night from Albania.

But I'd say Kony's 15+ minutes of fame has surfaced. Kony has become a household name for people from all walks of life, round the world. Over 104 MILLION people have watched the video, and whether they were compelled to act, they at least know Kony, who he is, and what he does. It's my prayer that it's not just fame but that the increased levels of awareness will be followed up with action on the parts of authorities so that Kony will be caught and arrested. 

Like I mentioned before, I am a fan and supporter of Invisible Children, I am excited for them and their success with this video- not because they've become famous but because they've made Kony famous. 

Yet, at the same time, my heart is torn in two. I can't help but think what the world would be like if the video was about Jesus. Ok, maybe not that video, but what if there was a campaign that launched, and spread like wildfire around the world, to make Jesus famous. A campaign that people latched on to and wanted to share with others. I can't help but wonder what it would be like if people around the world were not talking about Kony, but if they were talking about Jesus instead. If people spread the Good News with the same passion, urgency, concern, and desire to make Jesus famous in 2012. That would be pretty cool. 

Kony 2012 Part 1 

Kony 2012: Part 2- Beyond Famous

Nicole & Katie in Macedonia (Part 2): Video Update 21

The road to Durres was still closed this morning when we woke up. Watch this video to see how we are surviving our snowed-in adventure in Kichevo, Macedonia.

Nicole & Katie in Macedonia (Part 1): Video Update 20

Last Wednesday Katie went to Macedonia for her Media Tech work. I went along to accompany her on the bus as it's not safe for girls to travel alone. We spent a long weekend in Skopje, Macedonia with the GP family living there. We had a great time touring around, shooting video, and getting to know them better. Monday morning we headed back to Durres. That was the plan anyway. About a third of the way home we hit a road block. Sunday night there was a huge snow storm and the road to Durres was closed to vehicles. This left Katie and I stranded in small town Macedonia (don't worry, we are safe and warm.) Watch this special update of Katie and I as we talk about being snowed-in, in Kichevo, Macedonia.

...and stay tuned for part 2 of Nicole and Katie in Macedonia.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 19

January 12, 2012 marked our sixth month in Albania. It's hard to believe it's been 6 months.

Check out our 6 month recap video below. In this video Katie and I will knock your socks off with our amazing ping-pong playing skills. You will also find out why Katie and I are wearing the same shirt, and we discuss some things we've perfected during our first 6 months. 

Nicole & Katie In Albania: Video Update 18

New Years. Albania. 3 words that fit so nicely together.  Based on Albania's history with communism New Years is THE holiday here. This was the one holiday that the country could celebrate together as a family, and as a nation. Though the days of communist rule have passed, the New Year's Eve celebration still goes strong. What a special treat to be here to witness this holiday in person.

The night started with a family dinner saturated with toasts of well wishes in 2012. The meal was topped off by the traditional New Year's dessert- baklava. As midnight approached the T.V's were shut off, and the lights dimmed as everybody made their way up to the roof. We welcomed the new year together, as a country, hootin'-n-hollerin', watching, and blowing off fireworks. The simplicity, yet magnitude of the fireworks show blows any fireworks display I had seen previously out of the water. Caught in the middle of a 360deg firework show was more beautiful and peaceful that I could have ever imagined.

(Thanks to my wonderful housemate Katie Hawkins) you can check out the VIDEO recap below for highlights of our first New Year's Eve in Albania.

Christmas in Albania VIDEO Recap

Below are some videos to recap our first Christmas in Albania. Watch and enjoy.


Video Update 17 - This is a recap video of all the other recap videos below. It shows videos of some of the Christmas programs around the community that Katie and I were a part of.



Video Update 14 - Making Christmas cookies with two very special guests.



Video Update 15- A fun little Christmas game Katie and I created to keep ourselves entertained.



Video Update 16 - How we spent Christmas Eve.



Video Update 16.5 - How we spent Christmas day.

Christmas in Albania PHOTO Recap

It's hard to believe that another Christmas has come and gone.  Though this year Christmas was nothing like the traditional North American Christmas I am used to. Knowing that this year would be different Katie and I kept ourselves busy and engaged in different Christmas activities throughout the week(s) to prepare our hearts for Christmas- in hopes that Christmas wouldn't blend in like another day, or week in Albania, and we could enjoy this very special holiday. Our attempts were a success and it ended up being a Christmas for the books.

Check out the pictures below for a recap of our first Christmas in Albania:

Gram sent me a recipe for cut-outs - I could find all the ingredients in Albania!

Katie and I by the New Year's tree in Tirana, Albania

Our house decorated for Christmas.

Mmm. Christmas cookies.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We had a birthday party for Jesus.

Dance broke out after our Christmas Eve service.

Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner

6:00am Christmas morning

Anisa and I at church - Christmas morning.

Christmas morning service in Durres.

Katie and I - Christmas day being spoiled by Allan and Sheri.

Check back soon for the Christmas in Albania VIDEO Recap update.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 13

What do we when we're without power? make a video. Watch Katie and I shed some light onto the predicament we find ourselves in.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 12

We're back! 

It's been a while since our last video update so we decided to razzle-dazzle your socks off with a special musical performance. Catch up on what we've been up to, hear about our Albanian-American Thanksgiving and learn our new favorite Albanian word.





Don't forget to tune in later this month for our Christmas Edition Update, and then on or shortly after Jan. 1, 2012 for a special New Years Update from Albania... [spoiler alert: fireworks]

Home Is Where The Heart Is

My parents were in Barcelona last weekend, so as an early Christmas present, Katie and I took a few days off and met up with them there.

Spain was wonderful. I won't even mention the fact that I got to see my parents, because that card trumps everything else. I'm not quite sure it was like America, but it was 100 times closer to America than Albania is. Running water with pressure. Parks. Trash and recycling programs. Paved roads. Street lights. Reliable public transportation. A buzz of liveliness flowing throughout the city both during the day and after the sun set. Things to do. Familiar foods to eat. McDonald's. Starbucks. Wi-fi hotspots all over the city. A Christian nation with Christmas music and decorations everywhere you turn. Domestic animals. Rolls of toilet paper that last longer than a day. Variety. Choices. The list could go on and on.

It had all the familiarities I was raised with, mixed in with a new, exciting, adventure. Things to do, and places explore. All of these elements add up to a pretty great time. It was definitely refreshing and a good break.

Vacations are not reality though. That's why they are so much fun.

So the question we keep getting asked is: "was it hard to come back [to Albania]?" The obvious answer would be yes. But it's always hard to come back from vacation. It's a tease going away for a week and how quickly we could adapt to the things we were missing, (you would be disgusted to know how many times we visited McDonald's while we were there.) It was comfortable. We were like little kids on Christmas morning, all day, everyday, as we re-discovered things we left in America only 4 months ago.

Then we came back, and everything was gone again. And we were thrown back into life in Albania.

So this is my response: Albania might not have a lot of things, but it has Jesus. You might not see priests walking down the street, or churches on every corner, but if you look closely you can see that Jesus is in Albania as much as He is in Spain, or America, or any other developed nation for that matter. And because He is here, coming home, to Albania, really wasn't that hard.

Jesus is here and so is my heart, so it really doesn't matter what isn't.

--
 

My first Starbucks since July.

With Mom and Pops.

Katie, I don't think we're in Albania anymore...

...caught red-handed.

Plaza Espanya

At Olympic Park

Barcelona, Spain.

All I Want for Christmas is... NOTHING!

It has come to my attention, from email I've been receiving, that you may be interested in sending me (and Katie) a Christmas gift. Wow, thank you! Once again I'm blown away by the generosity and kind hearts of many. Not to mention how impressed I am that so many are thinking that far in advance. Or perhaps sending Christmas gifts wasn't on your radar, but now after reading the first sentence you feel slightly obligated to send your friend in a developing nation a little something. Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate this thoughtful gesture. It actually means more to me than you'll know - especially since it will be my first Christmas away from home and family. That being said I would like to respectfully decline all Christmas gifts this year. Period.

Although we're serving in a developing nation Katie and I have it pretty good. We currently have everything that we need, plus some, here with us! Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy receiving packages with goodies from America in them. But shipping is outrageous and my heart cringes every time I see the cost, especially because there is so much need in the world. So many people fighting just to live, who deserve your gift more than I do. I would much prefer you saving that money to spend elsewhere, perhaps on something more world changing than an airplane ride for a box. And honestly, you've already been giving me the best gift all year- your prayer support.  

If my argument was not convincing enough, please consider deferring any gift you were still thinking of sending me to an organization such as: Samaritians Purse,  World Vision, or World Hope International.  Or if you would prefer to directly support my work you can support one of the Albanian projects. Really, it's a win, win, win situation for everybody. There is no losing involved!

So nothing is what I want. Because giving me nothing for Christmas will be the best Christmas present ever!