Randy Tramp's Blog, page 77

My Experience in Nigeria, Africa

The Place: Nigeria, AfricaSeveral years ago I traveled to Nigeria in order to teach the Nigerian's how to instruct children. While there, I heard a story that occurred several months prior.The Story:"We were in an attic, hiding to save our lives. We heard voices outside and wondered how long we would be safe." For fear of their lives, they stayed in that attic for days. Outside of the compound, Muslims determined to kill as many Christians as they could. The only thing that separated the group was a barb wire fence. 
I thought of that story each time our vehicle stopped at the compound's gate. After guards unlocked it, we were allowed to go into the compound. Hearing the gate close after entering, reminded me that all wasn't peaceful. The lady who told me the story said they left the attic after the uprising. I sensed that it could happen again at any time.
Each day, we'd take turns teaching a few hundred Nigerians. We taught them how to make balloon animals. How to conduct children's lesson. And anything to do with children's ministry.
On day, a disturbance occurred, one that scared me. I explained how I fostered and adopted children. The Nigerians became very agitated. I looked back at the Nigerian leaders. They immediately came to the platform and tried to calm the people. The Nigerians were shouting questions at me like: "How can you bring strange children into your home?" "Weren't you concerned about your own children?"  I later discovered that the Nigerians considered homeless children demon possessed. They were afraid of them.
After that occurrence, I paid attention. There were children in fields, by themselves. I asked my Nigerian leader to explain it. He said no one would help the children because they were afraid of them. We were advised not to give anything to the homeless children in a certain part of town because it would cause a riot. One guy didn't follow directions, and we soon found out that our leader's words of advice were true.
The guy bought some apples and gave them to a few homeless children. Kids came out in dozens and started fighting. As a group, we were ushered out of that part of the city. When we were back in our vehicle, people were shouting at us to leave. 
We did have some positive response from the Nigerians. There were places we could give treats. My daughter had brought several pounds of candy with her from the United States. When given permission, she handed the kids pieces of candy. Truth be told, the adults were right there with hands extended. They liked the candy as well, and she was happy to give it to them. 
Overall, the experience changed me. It made me appreciate the freedoms of America. I saw the Department of Social Services in a whole different light. 
As a side note, the man who escorted us throughout Nigeria, (Sayto) was killed several months after we had departed Nigeria. His hands and feet were cut off, and he was tortured before they killed him. The gentle man left behind a wife and many children. Why? Because he was a Christian.
First published, 4/11/15
   

The Great American Eclipse

If you're like me, you'll be looking to the sky on August 21, 2017. The biggest and best solar eclipse in American history arrives in full display. That is if the clouds don't rain down on our parade.
It's been called a rare, mind-blowing cosmic experience and a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible from the east coast to the west coast, according to NASA. It will be the first total eclipse visible only in the USA since 1776. (Also the only one to sweep across the entire country since 1918. 
What is a total eclipse, you may ask. It occurs when the moon gets in the way of the sun, turning day to an eerie twilight. The eclipse will start in Oregon, ending in South Carolina, lasting 2 or 3 minutes.
Approximately 12 million people live within the path of totality, according to space.com

Tweetable: Mind Blowing Event Coming to a Sky Near You. Click to Tweet
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Living in a State of Fear

"We Are Living in a State of Fear," says Karim Kadium, a photographer who lives near Baghdad. Kadium has seen some of Iraq's darkest days, including the U.S. Battle, and now the new wave of violence brought about the withdrawal of the U.S. military, causing the rise of ISIS.
One attack was on August 13th. A truck bomb rips through a market filled with people. There were 67 killed. ISIS claimed responsibility.
The attack woke the Kadium family. Karim raced to his rooftop to see what happened. What he saw the destroyed market. Karim grabbed his camera, at the strong protest of his family, and went to the explosion. What he pictured was a leveled market area, panic and stores burning.
Personal Thoughts:A few years ago I had the privilege of helping an Iraqi family settle into Yankton. The mother related a little of the horror she and her family experienced while in Iraq. The father and oldest son were murdered. The mother, son, and daughter escaped with the help of the U.S. military. 
Tweetable: Living in a State of Fear. What's it Like in War? Click to Tweet
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YouTube  (Travel with me: Videos helping you find your greatest expression.)YouTube (Family) Sundays I feature: Kids and Comics1st Publish on 8/22/15

Schuetzenfest

Bow Valley Nebraska is not far from here. The village counts 116 people as its residence and each year they celebrate Schutzenfest. Thier goal is to unify for a single purpose: honoring what created the community over a hundred years ago. 
Schetzenfest is a traditional festival or fair in the cultures of both Germany and Switzerland.
Food, families, games and fun is what happens at the event. Communities from all around the North Eastern town, help and attend the annual celebration.



"Our ancestors brought these traditions here, and we're proud of our ancestors and of that heritage, so we honor both by keeping it going," a resident of Bow Valley says. 

Tweetable Schuetzenfest  Celebration Click to Tweet
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1st Published 8/24/15

Australia, the Land Down Under

The longest non-stop flight from the U.S.A. is Qantas' flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney, which clocks in at nearly 15 hours.
In a survey Australia was the Number 1 choice for the  "ultimate dream international destination." I've been to Perth, Australia, and I can see why it's so popular. Australians loved Americans and vice versa.
Some of the attractions:The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 1,300 miles along the east coast. There is Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, which is a collection of 770 islands off the coast of the state of Queensland.
Sydney's BridgeClimb express is the fastest way to the summit. At the top, one can see a spectacular view of Sydney.
I visited Australia in the early 80's, while on board the USS Kitty Hawk (Air Craft Carrier) 
The Australian were great, making the Perth port one of my favorites and most memorable places. They loved to talk to Americans. Even though I don't remember many sites, I remember the people and their accent. 
Tweetable: Australia: The Land Down Under. My Personal Experience. Click to Tweet

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First Published - 8/23/15

Life inside Somalia by the words of Somalis

“I have grown up in this country without knowing peace or stability. My children have no future because there are no schools and health services in this region. The rebels have destroyed structures and instilled fear to teachers and aid workers working here.” Bashir is a father of 6 children. 

“I think we’ll live like this forever unless we are fully supported by foreign troops to eliminate these rebels,” he says.

“Life is hard in Somalia, especially when you have people who depend on you. I have seen and by experienced terrible things in my life. (Militants killed her husband.) Nathar Abubaker is 26. She is the owner of a shop and ran to a refugee camp with her two sons when the gun battle raged.

“When my father was killed, I had nowhere to go. I was alone and without food or water for five days. But for now, I’m working and doing well.” Osman Mohammed says.

My Thoughts: I chastise myself for mindlessly watching the news. Listening to these real people, help me stay engaged. 

Tweetable: Somalia Speaks.  Let Your Heart Be Moved. One- Minute Read. Click to Tweet.


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1st Published 8/20/15

Children in War

Children in the Naamat Baka day care center in Jerusalem sing songs as an air raid siren sounds. (Drill) Both the Israelis and Palestinians are war-weary. But the emotional remnants of the 50-day conflict last summer remains.
The children of southern Israel are so dramatized that the Home Front Command decided not to sound this week’s sirens in Gaza border communities in fear of triggering trauma.
As difficult as these drills are most have shelters to run to in the midst of war, Gaza residents do not.
This war between the Palestinians and Israelis did not have to happen. When the UN was setting up an Israeli state, there would have been two states: one for Israel and one for Palestine.  All Palestine had to do was recognize Israel. They would not, so they declared war. They didn’t want a separate state; they wanted it all.
Tweetable: Children in War. Two Minute Read  Click to Tweet

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1st Posted 8/17/15

Smart Home

Kim Komando on her weekly podcast told of several new gadgets for the home. I looked through the list. Imagine having a refrigerator that emailed you reminding you of left-overs. Or the washing machine, telling you when it goes to the rinse cycle. Maybe you're not home and want your machine timed to your return. No problem, just send a message to your machine and command it.  Regulate your lights with an app on your phone, along with house temperature and water. You could get an email report from your house, letting you know what's happening or not happening.

So, here's the house I'd like to have:

Sun windows on the roof to let in the sunshine. A program regulates the lights according to the amount of light I want in a room, all regulated by my iPhone. A sensor would automatically shut off the lights if no one was in the room.

Exercise equipment hooked to the power source, so that when used it generates electricity. 

An app on my phone to regulate the water temperature and the water. So when my kids take too long a shower I can either turn the hot water off or shut the water off.

That's just a start.  Any other thoughts?

Tweetable: Smart Home. Let Your Imagination Run Free Click to Tweet
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YouTube  (Travel with me: Videos helping you find your greatest expression.)YouTube (Family) Every Sunday I feature: Kids and Comics1st Published on 8/16/15 

Foster Child Brings Light During a Dark Time

Several years ago, my oldest daughter, Kristina went to Guatemala on a mission trip. We received a phone call from the Guatemala hospital explaining her condition. She had a seizure.
What could we do? Our 16-year-old daughter was hospitalized in a foreign country. Was their health care sufficient? We had no clue, so we waited.
During that wait, we received a call from the Social Services. "Would you like to foster a nine-year-old foster child?"
Tweetable: Foster Child Brings Ray of Light During a Dark Time.
We were given a few hours to decide. We're facing a crisis with our daughter. Did we need someone else to care for? Can we do this?
We said yes and prepared to receive Ryan. We found him, gentle and loving. In fact, we grew very close. In the time, he stayed in our home, Ryan became part of our family.
Back to Guatemala: We found out later that day, Kristina was given medicine. Again we were concerned. It would be several days later when our fear subsided. She reentered the United States. Since that times she's never had another episode like that.
Those days were dark, but a little foster boy brightened our lives and gave us hope. We cried when he left several months later.
Ryan taught us to go into our pain because on the other side of it is deep love. Love that only happens after hurt.

Want to hear me tell this story as I travel? Find Your Real Self  





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1st Published 5/11/16

Down the Up Escalator: Navy Story

USS Kitty Hawk anchored off the shores of Perth Australia. As an assigned tour guide, I led a group of about twenty Australians onboard the huge aircraft carrier.
Over a thousand feet long, with a crew of five thousand, I was allowed to show them only five of the fifteen decks.
I thought a five-story escalator would be fun for these eager Aussies. I had forgotten that while in port the escalator wasn’t operational. They wanted to climb the stairs.
The next thing I failed to take into account was that after having enough people on a shut-off escalator it would run backwards.
Put twenty people on a shut-off escalator that’s running backwards and the tendency is to run faster.
The group ascended and descended faster than a Bunge jumper. The faster backwards it went the faster forward we ran. Like a hamster on a spinning wheel, we made quite a spectacle. I made it to the top and viewed the scene: A huge pile up at the bottom.
We discovered that a powerless escalator had only one way up –one-by-one. I thought I would be in huge trouble, but the smiles of the Australians melted any fear. I suspect they’ve told the story many times over like I’m telling the story right now.
Tweetable:  Down the Up Escalator: Funny Navy Story by Randy Tramp Click to Tweet



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