Kony 2012

I am having trouble (confused with excitement) over the social media attention of- KONY 2012. I am grateful so many well intentioned folks are caring about what goes on in Africa. Be sure to watch. However, there is more to the story for sure.  While watching I felt like they weren't telling the WHOLE story.

Many who know me KNOW that Invisible Children is what God used to turn my eyes toward Uganda in 2006.  Many know of my passion for Africa! So it is no surprise that people are sharing with me.

As I saw so many posting I knew I had to watch the video. Then I saw a post that jumped out at me! I felt the Spirit prompting, I read.

This article (listed below under Visible Children it was called: We Got Trouble) yesterday that sort of brought to light some of why I feel "disenchanted" with Invisible Children. While it in no way sums up my feelings it sort of helps explain.

Then KATIE DAVIS (my favorite missionary to Uganda) hit the nail on the head:

"social justice without the Gospel message is no justice at all. what if we all focused less on being heroes and more on getting the good news of the love of Jesus Christ to the people of East Africa and the world." from facebook 3-7-2012

It looks like tons of stuff has happened since I read the article because there are all sorts of posts added and rebuttals from Invisible Children so read for yourself. 


So many of my friends were posting and sharing KONY 2012 on facebook.  I wondered how I could not share what was on my heart.  I was thinking HOW DO I SWIM UPSTREAM?! I prayed! I prayed some more! I did what I usually do, be silent.

Then, Michelle Palmer, also a missionary who formerly lived in Uganda wrote this:

SO many beautiful people with good intentions sharing KONY 2012. I love that folks are turned towards my sweet Uganda.

Kony must be stopped. I agree! I'm afraid this situation is more complex than an internet campaign. That being said, besides prayer I do not know the answer.

Consider reading the link to get the facts. Inform yourselves then go as the Father leads and join me on your knees.

Mercy, Jesus! Rescue Father. Rescue those who are being oppressed, who live in fear of the LRA. Send your angels to surround, protect and comfort your sweet children. Bring Justice.-Amen

She shared the article again and more:

VISIBLE CHILDREN: http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com.nyud.net/

Please read it---here is a brief excerpt---

Still, the bulk of Invisible Children’s spending isn’t on supporting African militias, but on awareness and filmmaking. Which can be great, except that Foreign Affairs has claimed that Invisible Children (among others) “manipulates facts for strategic purposes, exaggerating the scale of LRA abductions and murders and emphasizing the LRA’s use of innocent children as soldiers, and portraying Kony — a brutal man, to be sure — as uniquely awful, a Kurtz-like embodiment of evil.” He’s certainly evil, but exaggeration and manipulation to capture the public eye is unproductive, unprofessional and dishonest.

Here is another: Guest post: Joseph Kony is not in Uganda (and other complicated things)

Coming back to the "Kony 2012" video and its celebrity endorsements, what are the consequences of unleashing so many exuberant activists armed with so few facts? Defining Uganda in the international conversation by issues that are either geographical misfires (Save northern Uganda!) or an intentional attempt to distract the international community (Death to the gays!), do a disservice to the many critical problems Uganda has. 

I share this stuff to simply say: THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIDES TO EVERY STORY!

My bottom line-Invisible Children is not a JESUS bringing mission! Social justice with no gospel message is NO justice!

I don't know what any of this means for me as I am currently doing little to nothing for the mission I feel passionate about so for God sake don't take my word for anything.  I just had to get my thoughts out.

A sinner, saved by GRACE!

JP~Beautiful Mess


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3-13-12 Controversy still abounds. I find myself truly on neither side-nor against either side. Just on Jesus' side trying to hold on tight.  Here are a few more posts that have been interesting:

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/current-events/op-ed-blog/28573-is-kony-2012-good-or-bad

http://james127family.blogspot.com/2012/03/breaking-silence-to-defend-our-friends.html

Invisible Children

Email to my friends...

Several weeks ago our family saw a documentary called "Invisible Children" about children in Uganda that have to commute to cities and sleep basically in the streets for fear of abduction. Many children are kidnapped and forced to kill. It is an amazing documentary and
there is a huge movement that is trying to stop the war in Uganda by influencing our politicians.

For years these young filmmakers have fought for their plight; and with the voice of many have gained a huge ear to the public OPRAH WINFREY! The filmmakers will be on the
show today. I am so excited at the national attention this is getting. This has only happened in the last few days-because of people pushing for this to happen.

To learn more go to http://www.invisiblechildren.com/ and click on movement. Here in our city (and all over the world) several hundred (39,125 worldwide-and the numbers grow daily) people are already committed to lay down for what we believe in.

April 29th is the Global Night Commute our family is participating. While I have heard opposition saying it is scary to sleep in downtown Jacksonville; we have decided
the minimal fears we have of being with several hundred people in a public place, is NOTHING compared to what the children we are doing this for face NIGHTLY. I have contacted media groups to tell them what we are doing. I have sent emails, invited people to movie night
and feel that this is my last and final push for support. How can you help: pray, commute, write letters to government officials, send financial support, buy a bracelet, go to the website and check it out? If you want to borrow the video-I have it and will loan it to you. Just do something!
If you go to Oprah's site http://www.oprah.com/ and look at today's show information you will see it's about George Clooney and his story. Well his story is this story!! If you can't watch it later-you can click watch now under the picture and see it online-how cool is that!! If
you click on ways you can help-you will see invisible children and many other agencies working to stop the war and help the children.

We serve an AWESOME GOD!! Thank you friends for listening! May God bless you on your search for truth! Feel free to forward this to whomever you like!

Serving Christ, Jen Polk

Old Song-new meaning/New song-and my life!

So, you know how there you are going along in life and there comes a song that just hits you! It is a song I loved from the past-but if has a new emphasis in these days. There are several Barlow Girl songs that I am loving right now-it's just where I am . But, since this keeps playing in my head I thought I'd share. If you can-go find it on the internet and take a listen-buy the album if you dare! It totally rocks!

They have a new album too-and I love the new song "I need you to love me" I downloaded it today! I should post those lyrics too-I think I will do that. Thanks Lauren for introducing me too it!

So here's how you can pray for me:
1. I am having issues with being overwhelmed-but am doing pretty good with letting God have it-but it is a tug-o-war.
2. I need you all to pray for my husband as he starts this new business and for him in general he has been through a lot.
3. This is something i have always dealt with and that is being a good wife/mother and keeping priorities straight in that. Finding the balance and laying down my life and rights is unnatural but necessary!
4. Our finances. God knows our need and all we need to do is seek Him and all these things will be added to us... And I hold fast to my life scripture that helped me step out in faith and quit my job which is Matthew 6: 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat?
or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. So I am living for and serving God today. And need God's help continually so I do not rely on my own strength. And well, that is where i am!
5. Let me slip in a shameless plug for the "Invisible Children" http://www.invisiblechildren.com/ and the Global Night Commute-pray for that! and watch Oprah tomorrow!! Let's stop a war!!!

BARLOW GIRL LYRICS
"On My Own"
I can't believe that Im here in this place again
How did I manage to mess up one more time?
This pattern seems to be the story of my life
Should have learned this lesson by the thousandth time

'Cause I promise myself I wouldn't fall
But here I've fallen
I guess I'm not as strong as I thought
All I can do is cry to You

Oh God You have to save me
You're my last and only hope
All my right answers fail me
I can't seem to make it on my own

I always thought that I would be strong enough
What made all of them fall couldn't take me down
Yeah, did I think that I was above it all
I have learned that pride comes before the fall
I can't promise that I won't fall
'Cause here I've fallen I know I'm not as strong as I thought
All I can do is cry to You
[Thanks to volley_chick243@hotmail.com for these lyrics]
[ http://www.azlyrics.com/ ]
----------------------------------------------------------------
I Need You to Love Me-Barlow Girls
Why? Why are you still here with me?
Didn’t you see what I’ve done?
In my shame I want to run,And hide myself.
Yeah, but it’s here I see the truth,
I don’t deserve you.

But I need you to love me,
And I,
I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have

I need you to love me
I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing you away from me.
I just never saw how you
Could cherish me.
Cause you’re a God who has all things,
And still you want me.

And I need you to love me,
And I, I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have

Yeah, ye-ea-eah
Your love makes me forget what I have been.
Your love makes me see who I really am.
Your love makes me forget what I have been, oh-oh.
And I need you to love me, yeah
I need you to love me, ye-ea-eah!
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,

Somehow deserve what I already have
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need you to love me, yeah
I need you to… oh oh oh oh eo (x4)
Love me, love me, yah

Sleeping in the Park

written at 2:05am in Hemming Plaza

As I listen to the sound of the water fountain splashing it is peaceful. The brick beneath my thin comforter makes a hard bed. The friends gathered around me are both annoying and comforting by their presence. I look at the trees overhead illuminated by the landscape lighting and am at peace.

As I lay here hoping for peace for the war in Uganda, and a better life for the children there, I wonder will it truly make a difference? I am overwhelmed with the futility of it all. Of the millions of people that live in Jacksonville how many of them care that I am sacrificing my night of comfort in my own home for the cold hard concrete of my downtown city park. Who cares that my family, friends, and 100's of strangers-thousands if you count all the cities involved walked to the center of town to sleep to mimic the nightly ritual of children in Northern Uganda trying to have safety from rebel attacks and potential abduction and horrific other atrocities. How many citizens are aware, much less care? If people don't care how am I going to make a difference; but if I stop caring then what?

If I do what I do because people care what am I really doing it for? Am I doing it because I care or to make others care? I hope that what I and thousands of others are doing ends the war in Uganda. I don't know how. I look at Iraq and think maybe we can't help... But awareness must be raised! Freedom must be fought for! Atrocities must stop! And I am going to do my part by lying down!

The ground is hard; my coverings inadequate; and bottom line: I am uncomfortable! But my discomfort is NOTHING compared to what the thousands of night commuters in Northern Uganda face nightly! I wonder how many girls were raped last night, how many children abducted, how many children can't sleep because of fear of what tomorrow holds. So who cares if not one else cares! I care about them; I love them; they matter!

Want to care? http://www.invisiblechildren.com/

Do You Have a World Vision?

Have you ever thought about how truly blessed you are? I mean to simply live in the United States and be the poorest person, you are among the most wealthy people in the world. Even if homeless if you drink water from a city pond would be cleaner than water children
are dying from in Africa. We are broke right now in our minds-but we have a roof over our head, clean water, too much food and amenities out the wazoo! While I have no idea what the future holds for us financially there is no way I can sit and do nothing! So our family is sponsoring children in northern uganda that were formerly abducted child soldiers (http://www.invisiblechildren.com/.

I am asking for your help--I mean you have read this far-what is a few more paragraphs...

One, I want you to sign a petition and two I want you to seriously consider donanting $20.oo per month--we spend that in 1 trip to McDonalds-I take that from the ATM and can't account for it, I can barely buy a pair of pants for that--but you can change the course of history by just getting involved. Funny in the middle of composing this I got a message that my pastor had signed the petition and had forwarded the message on to our church-little does he know I also messaged them. It makes me smile-what a teeniny part i get to play-so you know what I copied some of
this blog and replied all that he sent his message to. HEE! A little soap box-praise God. Well, Hope you do something. Don't limit God by limiting your resources-He is a great big God that is intimately in love with you! Don't limit yourself by having a tiny little God!

Read on:
Please sign the following"Children Should Never Be Soldiers" Declaration
In northern Uganda, as many as 30,000 children have been kidnapped and forced to serve as soldiers in a nightmarish civil war that the world has largely ignored. These innocent children are brutalized and mutilated, forced to commit atrocities, and given as sex slaves to
military commanders. This targeted abuse of children is unacceptable.
As parents, people of faith, students and youth, we urge all parties involved in this conflict to find a peaceful resolution. We implore the United States government, the United Nations, and the international community to work diligently to bring peace and protection to the
children of northern Uganda. All children deserve to have a childhood free from torture and a future free from cruelty. www.worldvision.org/nochildsoldiers

Change Lives as a Gulu Community Partner
I pledge:
$20 per month
The Gulu area of northern Uganda is plagued by a triple scourge of war, AIDS and poverty. For 20 years, the rebel Lord's Resistance Army has been abducting and terrorizing children. At least one of every 10 people is infected with HIV almost twice the national average. And
children and families battle daily against grinding poverty, trapped in a crippling cycle of hunger, illness and poor education.

Your monthly gifts will provide access to resources that can give these hurting children the promise of a better future things like clean water, reliable food supplies, basic health care, education and economic opportunities for struggling families. You'll also support the Children of War Rehabilitation Center, where thousands of formerly abducted children have found peace, healing and hope for a new life. And you'll bring compassionate assistance to orphans, vulnerable children and other Gulu residents affected by AIDS through community-based networks of care.
Come on people! Get involoved.

Invisible Children

Invisible Children
So yeah, so my life chaos really is pretty insignificant when faced with the reality of other's lives. Not just people far away in Africa but brothers and sisters right here that are also seemingly invisible.

So God pierced my heart with a documentary about children in Uganda. If you want to see the video let me know I have a copy. Plus several people I know have a copy. Check out www.invisiblechildren.com to learn more.

Help stop a war that is robbing children of their freedom! Can you imagine if you had to allow your small children to walk alone from your suburb into the city for fear they would be abducted from your home. Can you imagine a childhood faced with fear of abduction, forced to fight in a war with no cause, and face the possibility of death and hunting if you escaped your abductors. Can you imagine losing friends, a brother or loved one to these killers--well THIS IS A REALITY!! It IS happening daily!! And you can help make our government DO something. Get involved!

Our family is participating in the Global Night Commute-you can learn more and see a commercial on the website as well. We will walk to the center of Jacksonville with 133 other people (so far) and hopefully get our governments attention! It is happening all over the world the same night! April 29th!

This will also be a major motion picture event as well. Go when you here about it!

I just wanted to get the word out to my friends. I had a wonderful friend introduce it to me and I want to keep it going.

Get involved, get uncomfortable, and open your eyes! I know i pray mine will never be shut!!
Don't just go read more retarded stuff on My Space-go check this stuff out-It is WAY more important! www.invisiblechildren.com