So What About Africa - A Truck full of Ostriches

Most of you know that I, along with Brian Wallace and Brad Gautney went to Africa this past month, July 2009. Basically in search of another possible opportunity for us to be involved. Our focus (Manna) has been and will likely continue to be humanitarian relief and helping folks connect with God, but how we do that effectively is always allusive.

But, we did see some amazing things in southern Africa. And, there's door opening in Swaziland. We still have much to do and much to consider, and much to pray about, but we're now more planning when and how, instead of if. So, we're making progress.

We're also restarting our group program in Haiti. Not to mention continuing to try to help in the DR, so it's busy. We also have a good list of folks wanting to be involved either short term or long term but we're looking to see how we can provide the support they need in terms of training, proper placement, right fit for responsibilities, skills, etc. So, tons going on, but so much wisdom needed, and at times, feeling so stupid. Maybe like a bunch of dumb clucks (Ostriches) on their way to who knows where.

Check out www.mannaglobalministries.org for more info or to get involved.

One More Spider

Seriously, the Lord has a sense of humor because He knows how much I hate spiders, but am living in the land of giant spiders. Why oh why??? The above is called a wolf spider. Don't know why, but they are fast and ugly!

And, ah yes, fall is in the air. NOT because it's cooler, but because we've started what I call "The Running of the Tarántulas". Where I get to see them everywhere walking "sauve" in my path. This will last until November or so. Ah yes, Fall.....

Check out www.mannaglobalministries.org for more info or to get involved.

Just When You Think Your Efforts Make No Difference

I was finishing up my language classes this past school year. Teaching English to 3rd and 7th graders was certainly challenging. (thanks for the advice Adam) I wish I could begin to describe the smell from the outhouses (yes, outhouses) just a few feet from the classroom window that always gave a good breeze, and that breeze carried such a rank odor!! But, that was our class! And on a hot day, words can hardly describe. Tin roof. Sun beating down. Outhouse a few feet away; you get the picture.

But, the kids were great for the most part. Some got it; most didn't but we weren't really there to teach English so much as develop a relationship that would hopefully encourage them to choose God in their future. You know that "let them see the good you're doing so that they can see how amazing God is" verse.

Well, I wasn't sure it was working.... Until the "party". And, to keep in mind how poor this village is. I was asked to attend a "celebration" for what we had done throughout the year, a year end party. And much to my surprise and great honor, they had prepared an amazing spread of fresh fruit, mystery meat (at least a mystery to me), and cookies, and sodas. All the works for me and the kids. I was just incredibly honored to be there, because it told me that they got what we were trying to do. And, this is the photo of all the kids we taught (Osvaldo, William, Vicki Graham, and myself). Wow, some days it just pays to get up in the morning. A great way to cap off a school year end.

I am in the photo; you have to search for the white guy!

If You Can't Be with the Ones You Love...

Love the Ones your with. My July 4th (yes, this is slightly behind) was spent in the DR, like most all my days. Very different from many prior years of celebrating places like with my brother and sister in law (Wanda and Eulice) in Melbourne, with Eulice’s incredible hamburgers and Wanda’s awesome sides and desserts.... hmmm hmmmm!!

But it was special, because I was able to share it with some guys (and Zoi) that don’t get to roast hotdogs very often, if ever. I even slighty burned the hotdogs, but that didn’t interrupt their appetite. And it was accompanied by Pringles and sodas, American cheddar cheese, chili for toppings, mustard, and ketsup. I perfect meal for them.

And still I felt very blessed. I would want everyone to know how blessed they are to be American, if only by spending time in countries like this one, even in a so called democracy in the DR, where true freedom is hard/impossilbe to find.

And while my crew probably didn’t get the signifance of how amazing my country is, largely based on it’s true independence, still we celebrated. And I loved the ones I was with.

Okay, this will be the real test

Months have passed since I blogged. I'm actually thinking Facebook will be easier, but maybe not. For the one (or two) that may still check this, seriously, thanks. The funny thing is that I did write some blogs, and even took photos, but then never published. You now know the level of my laziness.

The true test will be to see if anyone still checks this blog.

The first one was titled "Missed that Shot". I typed it on my I-touch one day when I was disconnected at church. (yes, that happens, especially when it's in Spanish and I'm just way to tired to listen - now you know more faults.) But, I lost it; so here's a shorter, better version.

Just across the street from where I live in Rio San Juan, DR, these kids were playing with this... what could only be described as a shell of a moto scooter. I mean nothing left, except the frame. And it was like 5 kids riding this thing, well more properly stated, pretending to ride this thing. But, boy did they have great imaginations. You'd think they were on a ride at Disneyland, laughing and playing with vigor. And, I ran to get my camera to snap a shot, but when I returned, they had all left. But, for whatever reason it impressed me that this kids could find such joy in riding this thing that could hardly be called a motorcycle. I guess that's kids for you. They can find joy in things that are simple, trivial, or things we adults would just discard.

So, here's the shot of the bike. Not the kids; I missed the shot. Just imagine this thing packed full of kids. It was funny.

By the way, someone suggested that if you want to check out more about what we do, that I should mention our website, www.mannaglobalministries.org. There you can check out what we do, and even help out, if you can.

From My Perspective

Below are a couple of shots I took from my windows and/or balcony of my upstairs apartments, above the Centro Cristiano. It's a pretty interesting world out there, in a slow small town sort of way. I'm not always sure what's going on, but it's interesting to watch.

There's always the never ending parade of people coming to buy their lottery ticket at the local "banca" just across from me. And, just in case you don't want to walk very far, it seems there's a 'banca' about every 200 to 300 feet in this town. For some reason the poor always seem to be the victims and trying to buy a dream comes easy. But only the owners of the "bancas" ever get rich.

This house below stores recyling of beer bottles. And, Presidente (local Dominican beer) rules the day. Dominican's do love their Presidente. I've never tried it; beer's not my thing.

My house sits at an angle in the street, so you can pretty much see down the street from both sides. The below picture is looking north up the street from my balcony. I'm in a fish bowl. People tell me, "Hey I saw you in the window last night." People watching I think should be the official past time in the DR. We are always being watched. You get used to it.

Getting to Be a Real Missionary

I don't think you get the official "missionary" title until you have to kill a rat in or near your oven. Well, I've finally made it into the club of rat killers. Well, more properly stated, I supervised the killing of the rat in my kitchen, but I still think I'm in. I have to confess I sorta ran in the opposite direction when it first popped out of the oven, but then realized it was a Kodak moment, so headed back into the kitchen to watch the battle and subsequent killing. It was pretty amusing. Kevin and William were the real killers! You may have to click on the picture to get it big enough to see the varmint.

And then there's the never ending mosquitoes, see below. This is just a small fraction of mosquitoes I kill seemingly on a daily basis. And for what ever reason, I am choice meat for them. Others, including my Mom when she visited, were uneffected, but I get bitten on a daily basis. It's another battle between the forces of nature. And, the really funny thing is that it's just part of what you have to do. It becomes "normal". I think I killed about 50 that time, but you only see half in this picture. I'm guessing dengue fever is in my future. Kinda surprised I haven't already had it. And, one of the things I look forward to each time I go home, no mosquito bits for a week or two. Pretty nice!