Liz Cantu
Now You Know Africa - art opening
Dear Friends,
I had the privilege of traveling to Kenya and Uganda. The events that awaited me at these destinations changed my life. I met several communities that are affected by the HIV virus. Several people invited me into their home and permitted me to photographically document our day together. They also gave me permission to share the photographs with you. As I departed each home, the guest would simply say, ‘Now You Know Africa’. With the photos I share with you that night, I would like to extend the same invitation once given to me… Now You Know Africa! This evening we will have a chance to get to know one another as a community. We will also have a common foundation to dialogue about Africa. There is another guest photographer Scott Stebner, who will be sharing his photo stories of Ethiopia too. We will also screen a film by Sam Kaufman entitled Living with SLIM, which is a documentary of children living with HIV. Jewl Sandoval, and Drea Batteast will present a song in honor of those affected by the HIV epidemic. We will also have the honor of meeting an elite team going to Uganda to serve as home builders for a couple of weeks. All in all, we’re going to have an eventful night with great old friends and potential to make plenty of new ones.
Feb 3rd @ 8:30pm
The Brick Coffee House
attached to Vintage Faith Church
350 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
call/email me for directions
hope you can make it.
I had the privilege of traveling to Kenya and Uganda. The events that awaited me at these destinations changed my life. I met several communities that are affected by the HIV virus. Several people invited me into their home and permitted me to photographically document our day together. They also gave me permission to share the photographs with you. As I departed each home, the guest would simply say, ‘Now You Know Africa’. With the photos I share with you that night, I would like to extend the same invitation once given to me… Now You Know Africa! This evening we will have a chance to get to know one another as a community. We will also have a common foundation to dialogue about Africa. There is another guest photographer Scott Stebner, who will be sharing his photo stories of Ethiopia too. We will also screen a film by Sam Kaufman entitled Living with SLIM, which is a documentary of children living with HIV. Jewl Sandoval, and Drea Batteast will present a song in honor of those affected by the HIV epidemic. We will also have the honor of meeting an elite team going to Uganda to serve as home builders for a couple of weeks. All in all, we’re going to have an eventful night with great old friends and potential to make plenty of new ones.
Feb 3rd @ 8:30pm
The Brick Coffee House
attached to Vintage Faith Church
350 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
call/email me for directions
hope you can make it.
Categories: Staff Blogs
Wind...
Standing Between Me & the Wind
Some of you know that my holiday weekend was one of the most memorably exciting weeks. Some of you also know that it was one of the most heart breaking weeks. There is an amazing characteristic about our human ingredients that will forever astound me. We as humans have the ability to bend with the wind, be the wind, and be broken by the wind. What wind you may ask? The wind of circumstance. In one day, no, in a fraction of a moment our lives can totally change. In less than a second that which was, is no longer. That which we thought could never be, suddenly has made permanence. I will never understand that. I will never get that.
There are so many literary, lyrical, spoken references to this. The bible talks about our voice often. He warns us to set a guard around our mouth. He warns us to not promise or curse someone. He encourages us to praise Him, and to honor with love, our brothers and sisters. He gives us a certain liberty to make a moment happen. That is how creative He is, and that is how much He loves us.
I am working from home today. It is raining off and on and I do not feel it is a safe drive over 17. Therefore, I am at home. At my desk. Reading emails from all of my loved ones and co-workers. I sit here prayingly figuring out how I can do this or that for my upcoming projects. News of the bullet shots around Kenya come up on CNN. Thinking about the condition of the hearts of my church community, and if everyone is ok. Wondering why my brother had to be so cruel on Christmas. Wondering if my mother and my relationship will ever be the same. Wondering if I should move out of state or out of the country…all these things are flying around my mind….
(As I re-read this paragraph and think of some of the other things I write…I must sound pretty crazy/normal. I think I just write when I cannot get it right in my head. I like to write out when I am confused. I like to write when I get a bolt of ideas/thoughts but do not know exactly where they go…makes sense?)
I am part of private proposal review for aid to Africa. I have read over a dozen proposals, and about to embark on another review. I have learned so much about Africa because of a few pdfs’ and a few afternoons of reading them. However, this time I think they will be different. I have seen with my own eyes…
I prayed today! I read my bible this morning! Spent some time with my heavenly Father!
He will not break a crushed blade of grass or put out even a weak flame
Is. 42.3
In my devotional poetry book, I read….
Dear Child of Mine,
As you go through this day, know that I am gently protecting you. I am as near to you as your very breath, as close to you as your heartbeat. I can see the fragile state of your emotions. I know how close to the surface your tender feelings are. I am aware that the wick of your spirit’s inner light is flickering in the winds of your dilemma. But you are my child, and I am on your side today. I will not allow the flame of your spirit to be snuffed out. I will stand between you and the wind. I will hold you in them my love until you are strong again. Don not be troubled or afraid. Do not strive in your own strength, but lean into my love. Be strengthened by my Spirit. Find comfort in my mercy.
Your Shield and Defender,
God
Some of you know that my holiday weekend was one of the most memorably exciting weeks. Some of you also know that it was one of the most heart breaking weeks. There is an amazing characteristic about our human ingredients that will forever astound me. We as humans have the ability to bend with the wind, be the wind, and be broken by the wind. What wind you may ask? The wind of circumstance. In one day, no, in a fraction of a moment our lives can totally change. In less than a second that which was, is no longer. That which we thought could never be, suddenly has made permanence. I will never understand that. I will never get that.
There are so many literary, lyrical, spoken references to this. The bible talks about our voice often. He warns us to set a guard around our mouth. He warns us to not promise or curse someone. He encourages us to praise Him, and to honor with love, our brothers and sisters. He gives us a certain liberty to make a moment happen. That is how creative He is, and that is how much He loves us.
I am working from home today. It is raining off and on and I do not feel it is a safe drive over 17. Therefore, I am at home. At my desk. Reading emails from all of my loved ones and co-workers. I sit here prayingly figuring out how I can do this or that for my upcoming projects. News of the bullet shots around Kenya come up on CNN. Thinking about the condition of the hearts of my church community, and if everyone is ok. Wondering why my brother had to be so cruel on Christmas. Wondering if my mother and my relationship will ever be the same. Wondering if I should move out of state or out of the country…all these things are flying around my mind….
(As I re-read this paragraph and think of some of the other things I write…I must sound pretty crazy/normal. I think I just write when I cannot get it right in my head. I like to write out when I am confused. I like to write when I get a bolt of ideas/thoughts but do not know exactly where they go…makes sense?)
I am part of private proposal review for aid to Africa. I have read over a dozen proposals, and about to embark on another review. I have learned so much about Africa because of a few pdfs’ and a few afternoons of reading them. However, this time I think they will be different. I have seen with my own eyes…
I prayed today! I read my bible this morning! Spent some time with my heavenly Father!
He will not break a crushed blade of grass or put out even a weak flame
Is. 42.3
In my devotional poetry book, I read….
Dear Child of Mine,
As you go through this day, know that I am gently protecting you. I am as near to you as your very breath, as close to you as your heartbeat. I can see the fragile state of your emotions. I know how close to the surface your tender feelings are. I am aware that the wick of your spirit’s inner light is flickering in the winds of your dilemma. But you are my child, and I am on your side today. I will not allow the flame of your spirit to be snuffed out. I will stand between you and the wind. I will hold you in them my love until you are strong again. Don not be troubled or afraid. Do not strive in your own strength, but lean into my love. Be strengthened by my Spirit. Find comfort in my mercy.
Your Shield and Defender,
God
Categories: Staff Blogs
Diving Back into the face of Africa.....
In the midst of all the craziness I've experienced in the last week, I find myself diving into the political unrest of Africa again. The news reports blurbs and Kenya and the horrific crime happening. I close my eyes and remember the roads of Kenya and pray for her. Please pray for her too!
Categories: Staff Blogs
Sangria Anyone?
Recipe for Sangria
4 cups red wine
1.5 cups sweet & sour mix
1 cup orange juice
1 cup canned pineapple chunks w/ juice
2 cup triple sec
8 oz. 7-up soda
* ¼ cup or less of sugar to taste (not necessary to add sugar)
* slices of orange/lime/lemon or any fruit that you enjoy (be creative)
Back in November my friend, Cynthia had a dinner party at the house. She cooked a very traditional Mexican meal and I arranged all of our delicious appetizers. While we were at the grocers, we could not figure out what type of beverage to serve. It was to casual for a martini. Nevertheless, the party was not casual enough for a beer. We searched and thought. Thought and searched. Finally, the name Sangria popped into her mind. The best Sangria I ever had, was at my sister-in-law mother’s house. Her name is Sandy Ucci. Oh, my goodness and her sangria is excellent. I immediately phoned her at the grocers and asked for her recipe. She quickly gave it to me over the phone and I ran out to purchase those items while Cynthia finished getting the food items for the party. Operation Sangria was well on it's way.
When I got home, I cleared the kitchen counter to accommodate all the food we had purchased. I arranged a spot near the sink to make the sangria. I suddenly realized that there wasn’t a pitcher large enough in our house to house all the liquid I was about to mix. I searched all of our cupboards and searched in our garage. We always have parties but our punch bowls were not large enough.
I walked into my room and staring back at me was my sunset colored murano glass vase. It measures almost three feet in height and thought it would be perfect to fit all of our sangria. I took it to the kitchen and thoroughly washed it out. And set it in the sink surrounded by ice to keep the vase (now pitcher) chilled.
First, I added the wine. Second, the sweet & sour mix so on and so on. It turned out to be the best cocktail I have ever made. Everyone loved it. I think it is even better than the Sangria at Cha Cha Cha’s.
The original recipe, partially tweaked, is typed out above. I added one more secret ingredient that I am not going to share with you. But take this recipe. Tweak it. Make it your own, and let me know what you added/changed/removed, etc. Maybe in the summer we can all have a sangria contest. What do you think?
4 cups red wine
1.5 cups sweet & sour mix
1 cup orange juice
1 cup canned pineapple chunks w/ juice
2 cup triple sec
8 oz. 7-up soda
* ¼ cup or less of sugar to taste (not necessary to add sugar)
* slices of orange/lime/lemon or any fruit that you enjoy (be creative)
Back in November my friend, Cynthia had a dinner party at the house. She cooked a very traditional Mexican meal and I arranged all of our delicious appetizers. While we were at the grocers, we could not figure out what type of beverage to serve. It was to casual for a martini. Nevertheless, the party was not casual enough for a beer. We searched and thought. Thought and searched. Finally, the name Sangria popped into her mind. The best Sangria I ever had, was at my sister-in-law mother’s house. Her name is Sandy Ucci. Oh, my goodness and her sangria is excellent. I immediately phoned her at the grocers and asked for her recipe. She quickly gave it to me over the phone and I ran out to purchase those items while Cynthia finished getting the food items for the party. Operation Sangria was well on it's way.
When I got home, I cleared the kitchen counter to accommodate all the food we had purchased. I arranged a spot near the sink to make the sangria. I suddenly realized that there wasn’t a pitcher large enough in our house to house all the liquid I was about to mix. I searched all of our cupboards and searched in our garage. We always have parties but our punch bowls were not large enough.
I walked into my room and staring back at me was my sunset colored murano glass vase. It measures almost three feet in height and thought it would be perfect to fit all of our sangria. I took it to the kitchen and thoroughly washed it out. And set it in the sink surrounded by ice to keep the vase (now pitcher) chilled.
First, I added the wine. Second, the sweet & sour mix so on and so on. It turned out to be the best cocktail I have ever made. Everyone loved it. I think it is even better than the Sangria at Cha Cha Cha’s.
The original recipe, partially tweaked, is typed out above. I added one more secret ingredient that I am not going to share with you. But take this recipe. Tweak it. Make it your own, and let me know what you added/changed/removed, etc. Maybe in the summer we can all have a sangria contest. What do you think?
Categories: Staff Blogs
