Thursday, October 20, 2016

'Bring Back Our Girls' has not been forgotten


UPDATE: October 20, 2016
As of October 16, 2016; according to NBC News, 21 kidnapped Nigerian 'Chibok Girls' were reunited with their families, with more to be released in the near future.  Read the story and see the video HERE.  Continue to keep these missing girls in your prayers and trust God that they will not be marred, in any way, by their captors. #BringBackOurGirls.

First posted: 2014
Since April of 2014, the missing 200 school girls that were captured by Abubakar Shekau (leader of the Boko Haram and his goons), have not been released.  The “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign needs our continued prayers.

According to Ify Elueze through Change.org & CNN, the girls remain captive and have been converted to Islam and married off.  Nigeria said officials met with Boko Haram in Chad twice during talks mediated by Chadian President Idriss Deby.

The campaign was started back in May of this year when over 200 Nigerian girls were abducted from their boarding school and were reported to be sold as brides for $ 12 each.  Parents were frantic and needed assistance toBring Back Our Girls from the hands of Boko Haram. 

On Friday, October 17, 2014, there has been an update from Ify Elueze, who started a campaign on April 25th to solicit signatures for the governments to intercede in helping the girls to be returned home to their parents.  Ify started with 250 signatures and today Change.org has over 1,087,784 supporters.

On the report from CNN; Doyin Okupe, a government spokesman, did not specify when the girls would be freed.  He said not all would be let go at once, but a "significant number" would be released soon.  "A batch of them will be released shortly, and this will be followed by further actions from Boko Haram," he said. "It is a process. ... It is not a question of hours and days."  The Nigerian government consented to some demands by Boko Haram, but Okupe declined to provide details.  The government, he said, "is looking beyond the girls.  We want to end the insurgency in this country."  "On the war front," he added, "we can say there is peace now."

After the deal was announced, the aide said final negotiations on the girls' release would be completed at a meeting a week later in Chad.  That day has passed without any signs of the girls.  Where does that leave the situation?  Is the United States doing anything to intervene in this “Sex-trade” scenario?  As a nation, we need to believe that God will intervene in this and other situations.  God can set the captives free and give hope to the hopeless.  Continue to P.U.S.H.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

New venue and celebration for the RCP


Anticipation builds as music lovers await The Ritz Chamber Players’ debut concert of its milestone 15th season.  The world-class musicians invite the Jacksonville community to celebrate its unique sound and history.

This season will highlight cultural diversity, arts and poetry and recognize donors and community members who have supported The Players since their first debut in 2002, as well as first time attendees.  The event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.  For more information on upcoming performances, visit their website.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016
Time: 7:30 p.m.

New Location:  Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church
       4001 Hendricks Ave.
       Jacksonville, Fla. 32207

The Players are excited to expand their concert milestone reach this season that includes performances in: New York, Orlando and Atlanta this year.

October 2016 Around Town happenings


Since tickets go on sale earlier and earlier, “Around Town With Ms. “V” will highlight her monthly venues as a reminder of things that you and your family will be able to do in Jacksonville, Florida.

October is almost over, nonetheless, the fun, information and entertainment continues to go strong.  Click the link on each event to see all the information pertaining to that particular affair.

Events:                
Celtic Thunder LEGACY” Times Union Center
Fall into October at the ‘Cummer Museum’ of Art and Gardens
Cummer Museum exhibiting African American historical artifacts
Annie Get Your Gun” Alhambra Theatre and Dining
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens presents “Folk Couture”
Southern Women’s Show” at the Prime Osborn Center
NE Florida Artists featured in TH Galleries
The Florida Theatre 2016 end of the year events
The Ritz Chamber Players