Stop 52 - A Little Vilage in Thailand

Before blooming, a budded flowers beauty hides under a soft shell. In rural northern Thailand our volunteer team visited a speck of a village surrounded by walls of majestic mountains. Many families suffered from cyclical poverty, broken families and grieved hearts. Rather than accept the visible problems, our team searched for the hidden treasure buried inside. Using an international language called love our words consisted of clearing weeds from a playground, serving host families, teaching English, and harvesting garlic. A few drops of sweat (see picture) watered the flowers and locals began to bloom with hope and smiles. By the end of the trip, we were laughing over bowls of Thai soup (eaten in a common bowl using hands with balls of sticky rice as utensils) and enjoying life's simple masterpiece.

What beauty did the master gardener place deep inside of your garden?

Stop 51 - Chaing Mai, Thailand (land of Siam)

Coffee and spiceynoodle for all! Upon arriving in exotic Thailand, my team witnessed the grand opening of purpose driven coffee. Besides prices lower than modern stock valuations, the storefront resides directly across from the prestigious (and massive) Chaing Mai University. While untrained eyes behold steamy caffeine goodness, the shop's exterior encapsulates a a launching pad for charity to the community. While serving coffee in one hand and hope in another, locals receive a double shot of blessing.

In the above picture of the coffee shop's inaugural prayer meeting, can you find my stoic face?

Stop 50 - Lubock, Texas

Cowboys never fully hang up their spurs. While in the beautiful plains of Texas serving local churches and charities, two of us stayed with an older hatless cowboy. (and a canine ball of fire and fur named Jackson) Despite an age greater than many small childeren could count, he still cooks enough flapjacks for a small herd of hungy workers. Besides being quick on the utensil draw, our seasoned host filled our ears with amazing stories of life before the Great War. With food in our bellies and our ears full history lessons, I reflected how increased age does have to result in a decreased ability to change the world. (or bless hungry travelers)

Step 49 - Roadtrip

Alas, my time to embark draws near. Reminiscent of ancient nomadic tribes, my backpack will stow aboard a trusty steed (or van) for my upcoming charitable trip. With the procurement of granola bars, books and a chess set smaller than most purses, my pack is laden with roadside entertainment.

In the activity whirlwind's eye tranquility and rest can abound. Taking my eyes off the task list and day planner, my gaze to rises above business to life's truly important matters. Time spent in meditation and prayer reminding myself of a brief phrase describing life's pivotal truth, "something is more important than time, money, and comfort"

Stop 48 - Tyler, Texas (almost on the road again)

Preparing to take the show on the road. With pack on my back and hope in my heart, I am herding chaos (planning) for the upcoming adventures (Lubbock, Chicago, and Thailand). Since a video of my team's packing process may not be entertaining, below I placed a video link of our team's theatrical drama called The Clincher. Please refrain from leaping out of your chairs in shock, but I play the drama's dastardly villain (without a curly mustache)

With the small seeds of ragtag drama, we desire hope and freedom to be sprouted in the center of Thailand's Red Light District.

The Clincher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPzXBhe1j4

Stop 47 - Tyler, Texas Chronicles

Pulling apart a house in a charitable manner. A friend's trailer needed to be moved without the added room. In response, a team of destructors (students) from our school answered the battle cry. After demolishing walls with sledge hammers and opening the roof with a saw, we were left with a lonely looking floor. As an engineer who loves shortcuts, tearing out individual boards was not appelaing. With precision brutishness, a large red truck and a manly looking chain pulled the floor directly from the trailer. Truck borne stunts were not for an automotive commercial, but to serve a friend in need.

Stop 47 - Tyler Texas Continued

Training for culture spice! With an upcoming community service trip to Thailand, foreign culinary culture propels me to cuisine fitness. As part of the workout, turbo-charged meals include eating whole jalapeno peppers. (see picture) Food exertions assist fully adapting to and learning from thai culture and adding a layer of steal to my stomach.

What foreign cultures could you learn from?

Stop 47 - Tyler Texas

JRR Tolkien once quipped "out of the frying pan and into the fire." Such words describe my experience stepping outside of the classroom's heated philosophical debates and into the outdoor oven called East Texas summer. In order to facilitate shorter grass, campus ground staff inducted me into the Order of Orange Mowers. In lieu of a trusty horse, I gallop a manly orange (think Minutemaid) chopper of grass. Despite the heat, a riding mower provides an excellent throne to ponder life's questions, enjoy natural beauty, and bring grass to its knees.

Have you enjoyed the realm outside of your cubicle today?

Stop 47 - Tyler, Texas (part deux)

Efficiently cramming seven grown men into a dorm from various countries with ages leaping from 17 to 35 is not a description of a prison. In stark contrast to windows beautified with iron rods, my current dorm room feels liberating. When the walls of petty annoyance are torn down by brotherly love and service, tight quarters spark friendly antics. From waging wars on the cricket invasion to conquering the world on a chess board, bunk bed strewn rooms have become a blessing.

From my bunk bed experiences (see picture), I have learned that life can be grand when it is not about me

Stop 47 - Tyler, Texas

The ants have gone marching two by two in Texas. As I return to Tyler, Texas for nonprofit training, the local wildlife has celebrated my return. Fire ants appear to be the state's guardian insect gone awry. Sitting or standing on the sandy grass for longer than a short television advertisement has resulted in my legs growing ant borne red polka dots.

Although nuclear war could eliminate the attention craving insect, a valuable lessons could be learned outside the local ranch's classroom. Although the insect sting brings pain, certain wonders of life have value that transcends pain. Even when nursing insectly nibbles, showing love to another person is far more important than my current internal feelings.

Stop 46 - Washington DC

While searching for parking near Capital Hill our wandering band was able to find one of the few free long term parking spots (for commoners) near the main government buildings. The small blessing allowed us to visit close friends, experience the historic sites, and pray at the Justice House of Prayer.

What small blessing have produced big effects in your life?

Stop 45 - Virginia Beach, VA

Ocean bound fun! My nomadic wanderings brought me to the East Coast bastion of natural beauty.(Chesapeake Bay) Along with the divinely inspired scenery, I was able to see three close friends from Youth With a Mission. Fellowship together illustrates my conviction that friendships have value greater than the return of any financial security. (or these days I should say insecurity)

Into what investments are you depositing your life?

Stop 44 - Peoria, IL

Human life has tremendous divinely endowed value. Although 1 year old David (see picture) lacks a college education or a high paying salary, my nephew is a valuable treasure. His simple love and joy can melt hearts and teach lessons on what is truly important.

While visiting my sister's family in Peoria, I was blessed with the profound wrapped in small simplicity. Enjoying a peaceful family awakened fresh life in my heart and lifted my eyes upward to the highest priorities.

Despite my nephew's lack of Marxian productivity, he is worthy of great love. A resulting question of utmost importance would be, what determines your value in life?

Stop 43 - St. Louis

Our team of wandering nomads rolled into the Show Me State (home of the fantastic ice cream shown in the above picture). While working with a unique set of thrift stores called Stuff-N-More, I gained a greater understanding of the need to help the whole person. While the store sold low cost goods to low income customers, the workers willing dolled out love, encouragement and prayer. As a result, the whole person (physical and spiritual) was nourished.

Remember, man cannot live on tasty ice cream alone.

Stop 42 - Oklahoma City (camping trip)

Lacking a place to stay the night while journeying to Kansas City was a beneficial problem. On a map, I noticed a massive Lake Thunderbird near Oklahoma City. For only a few dollars, our adventuring team was able to camp on a lakeside peninsula and watch an amazing sunset and sunrise. With prayer and improvisation a perplexing housing problem was transformed into a scenic blessing.

What unwanted problems in your life can God flip into desires fulfilled?

Stop 41 - Tyler, Texas

Turning lemons to lemonade can happen in everyday life. With a wedding to attend, we continued our road trip to Youth With a Mission's Ranch in Tyler, Texas. We were delayed from leaving Tyler due to lack of housing at our next roadtrip stop. Despite the sour lemons of logistics, our stop in Tyler was turned into a sweet oasis. In order to redeem the time, we volunteered for YWAM, spent quality time with friends, and soaked in the immense beauty of rural Texas. The irksome logistical delay transformed into an enjoyable chance to serve.

My experiences applied the concept my Father taught me that, 'all things can be turned to good for those that love Him.' A friend's food art pictured above expresses my view on the time spent in Tyler, Texas.

Stop 40 - Houston, Texas

(http://www.ualbanyhillel.org/pictures/2004-04-18_holocaust/005.jpg)

Paperwork, paperwork, the joy of paperwork. After stopping in Houston to help a friend resolve a passport issue, I looked past the paperwork maze to see a higher purpose in our trip. With a trip to the Holocaust Museum (see above) near Houston's beautiful Hermann Park, I received fresh perspective on my bureaucratic encounters. My minor troubles with red tape, pale in comparison to the mass spilling of red blood by utopia craving regimes. Furthermore, my civic conscience mandates that I actively stand for justice, righteousness, and life in my country. A 'final solution' to mass murder involves living the truth that God gives every human equally built-in value that transcends their 'productivity' and 'race'.

From my experience, I ask the following question: What can you do to promote the value of life and justice where you live?

Stop 39 - Wimberley, Texas

Upon graduating from YWAM's training school, I decided to celebrate with yet another trip down roads. Traveling with two friends from South Korea (see picture above), a Japanese car, and American coffee we are hitting the road (nonviolently). Our goal is to show God's love, serve the needy, visit friends, and adventure daily.

Our eclectic car full of people stopped first in Wimberley, Texas to see a friend from YWAM. On the first evening we watched a picturesque Texas sunset to the musical accompaniment of a local rodeo. While sojourning we hope to serve others, many people have showered our team with hospitality, meals, and true friendship. As Wimberley has planted seeds of generosity in my life, I pray God pours out a harvest of blessing and peace on the town.

If you want a visit from our ragamuffin band then please call me.

Stop 38 - Tyler, Texas

Back into the land of big cars, big homes, and enormous gas station soft drinks. Upon passing United States customs, I was thankful to come back into a land with freedom to speak opinions and pursue dreams. The grandiose luxury of the United States was secured by the God's mercy and the sacrifice of almost a million military men and women. While enjoying the Memorial Day holiday, I want to thank God for blessing my country and honor the thousands in the Armed Forces who gave blood, sweat, and tears in defense life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Stop 37 - Poas, Costa Rica

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlLs7U5DJYo

Go tell it on the mountain! Following the hymns directive, my YWAM team traveled to the mountainous countryside of Costa Rica to give a message of hope. Using more than mere words our team utilized a children program, music, and theater. My theatrical career started in playing the role of the devil in a drama named Clincher (see link above for example of performance by a German team). While acting, the included fight scene resulted in many kicks and punches to the face (with numerous scars and scabs as proof)

When not pounding on the face of a friend for the enhancement of the theatrical arts, our team used physical labor to spread the message of hope. In response to the recent natural disaster, many hours were spent rebuilding homes, pouring concrete, and repairing strawberry fields (see above picture). While impersonating a farmer, my thanksgiving increased for the hard work of my forefathers who scraped a living out of the red Oklahoma mud.

In contrast to the trembling of the earthquake, the message of hope resounded throughout the Poas region. What can you do to bring hope to hurtingpeople?

Stop 37 - Costa Rica (Tico Tierra)

Coffee in a juicebox is a invention of world resounding magnitude. The picture above shows me slurping down a cappuccino in a child-like juice box. Overall the coffee in Costa Rica has set a new standard in caffeinated excellence.

Besides enjoying local cuisine, my YWAM (Youth With a Mission) team of 17 people has worked for two full weeks to serve the people of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our work has included building roads, assissting low-income childcare, giving food to the homeless, and having our women befriend (and pray for) local prostitutes. Although our work apears to be a small pebble falling into a giant lake of needs, I believe the resulting effect can travel like waves around the world.

Although our team has only 17 young people, God can take our small acts of love and permenantly divert someone for death to life.

Next we plan to travel to the mountians outside the captital to help rebuild areas devestated in a recent earthquake.

What can you do to serve devestated people right outside your front door?

Stop 36 - Oklahoma City

While finishing a whirlwind tour of the Midwest, I stopped for a time of reflection at the Oklahoma City Memorial (see picture). Despite the tragedy of many people (including children) being murdered in a car bomb, thoughts of redemption floated to the surface of my mind. Two beautiful memorials in the area glimmered with hope on the once blood stained ground. Upon leaving the hollowed grounds, my soul remembered a God who understands and redeems the toughest of times.

Stop 35 - Wichita, Kansas

Blizzards for beginners. While on my outreach with a nonprofit called YWAM, we were temporarily immobilized by a snowstorm. With two roommates from Texas and one from Burma, my friends had were enthralled by their first heavy snowfall. The result was childlike antics and merriment. Despite our snowman being closer in appearance to a pyramid, we had many laughs in the winter wonderland of Kansas.

After the snow turned to a slushy grey, we continued our work with local churches and a homeless shelter in Kansas. In contrast to the icey outdoors, our goal is to offer the spring of new hope to people's hearts.

How can you encourage someone with new hope today?

Departing for Wichita

My trek out of Texas draws near. With many hours of cleaning, packing and walking through spring thunderstorms my backpack is stirring for yet another journey. At 0'dark thirty tomorrow, our caravan departs for Wichita, Kansas for work an outreach with Youth With a Mission. (YWAM) Along with ridiculous antics, I hope to serve the poor in spirit, health or finances. Whether performing a theatrical production or serving aids patients, our team hope's to show each person their immense value. As I ride into the sunrise, I see a hope greater than any problem on earth.

Tyler Texas - Almost Done

As my classroom work at Youth With a Mission ends, the colorful Texas spring begins. Trees are budding with flowers and the light winter jackets (compared to jackets up north) have been replaced with shorts and flip-flops.

My preparation for outreaches to Wichita and Costa Rica are in full bloom. Despite working late hours, I still have time for an important daily beverage of caffinated goodness. (see above picture) Lessons learned from my many hours in class are now going to be put into practice to serve the lonely and destitute around the world. As part of the outreach, I am participating in several dramas where my role ranges from a businessman to the devil. In the tradition of the C. S. Lewis book called Screwtape Letters, I hope to show the kindness of God using the stark contrast of good and evil.

Tyler Texas Continued

Planting southern roots is more than a potential country song, but my duration of stay in Texas is actually longer than one month. I still live with suitcases near my bed and linger while examining a world map for ideas for future travel. Despite my love of adventure, I have enjoyed my layover in Youth With a Mission in Tyler Texas.

My six weeks in Texas have allowed me to survey a great smorgasbord of activity. While taking classes (see above), cleaning offices, and working on the Texas two-step I have realized that any task in life can teach me about God. Manual labor jobs have reminded me that Jesus was a true servant of people by coming to the earth to love and serve people even to the point of execution on a cross. Is the song of my life have a chorus focused on praising myself or serving the lonely and hurting people within arms reach?

Stop 34 - Tyler, Texas

The great nation of Texas (temporarily allied with a larger neighbor). I am enjoying my stay in a state known for big trucks, big oil, and big hospitality. My tenure at YWAM to complete a Discipleship Training School in Tyler, Texas also afforded me a welcome break from the cold northeastern winter. Warm sun is shining through my window as I read about the frigid and icy conditions in the far north (or Midwest)

Along with the school's classroom work, I am relishing additional communal living (three minute showers) and the joy's of working with my hands (janitorial work duties). On the weekend, our class of fifteen had an opportunity to live out true Christianity. Per the Bible's mandate in the book of James, our team traveled to a widow's house to help rake leave's, clean a garage, and impersonate the painting American Gothic (see photo above) Since serving the orphans and widows depicts true religion, then what poor and needy can you bless in your town?

Stop 33 - Oklahoma City

Weary desert nomad's refresh at a lush oasis. My travels took me to Oklahoma City where a family from the Air Force generously gave lodging. Before arriving in Oklahoma City, my trek included driving for 12 hours, stopping to see friends for breakfast, and time at IHOP (for prayer not pancakes)

While in Oklahoma, I feasted on the exotic delicacy of Tex-Mex (enough nachos to feed three small cities followed by an entree drowning in cheese). During the digestion process, I reminded myself why I avoided pilot training by playing several hours of Wii. After only a single night of antics, I was completely refreshed.

My friends oasis illustrated the great value in hospitality (in many senses of the word). If God ever grant's me a home one day, then I wonder who I can bless with the ancient tradition of welcoming guests.

Stop 32 - Kansas City

A rowdy, but loving mob. In Kansas City for the One Thing Conference with the International House of Prayer, I learned with 15,000 other people about how to love God with my whole life. The week was filled with incredible Bible teaching, friendly people, and enough coffee for a medical student's finals. As people exited the event at midnight, I encountered a large crowd gathered in the streets of downtown Kansas City. Conference attendees formed a massive knot of people centered around several sidewalk drummers. Fast paced music accompanied the crowd's worship songs to God, energetic dancing for Jesus, and joyous laughter with friends. Later, someone in the crowd shouted that God had supernaturally healed a sick person. The testimony resulted in an outbreak of prayer for the sick (see above picture) and joyful celebration. In contrast to angry mobs appearing in newspaper headlines, the crowd remained respectful and loving throughout the evening.

What miracles will God work in your city when not hindered by man's schedules, agendas, and assumptions?