Stop 58 - Redistributing the Bread Without the Revolution (Kansas City)

When someone tells you their garage is filled with more bread than a small army could eat, what is to be done? Rather than shrug my shoulders and hope some other generic person finds an answer, I was struck by the arrow of an unexpected solution.

Recently, an important friend from Burma began leading a church in Kansas City for a nomadic group of refugees who finally found a home. In ancient days, the Karen wandered through south Asia and happened to loose their ancient book along the way. After finally finding a home in what is now called Myamar, the hapless nomads were swept into the wildfires of a modern Holecaust. One group left the war on the weak to find themselves in the ice strewn neighborhoods of Kansas City, Kansas. Now the refugees must once again build something beautiful from the ashes of injustice.

With a close friend facing such immense need, I set out to find how my little could help a lot. My mission began with a trunk full of bread, a few winter clothes, and a native Karen shirt. After seeing such beautiful families, I realized the bread was only a side item to a more important entrée. More valuable than any carbohydrate, I returned home with the treasure of friendship's love. Having gone to give somehow I received. May God bless the Karen!

Stop 57 - Back in Blue (Peoria, IL)

Soaring into blue yet yonder

Taking respite's delight in wonder

Remember men who led

Even cried, died, and bled

Defending a simple thought

That liberty cannot be bought

Property, thought and life for all

Even if your strength be small

On morrow's light look up high

And remember the treasure for which men die

Happy Veteran's Day from a new Airmen based in Peoria!

Stop 56 - In and Out of California

Looking at a tourist guide for Northern California can leave one with more options than a Walmart Cereal aisle. What spoke the loudest from all the options clamoring for my short trip's attention? Well, food of course! 

Pulling into California's infamous chain, we ordered from the secret menu where the vegetarian items are hidden. Chomping on cheese and potatoes seemed a fitting way to say, "I love my country"

Along with eating, my patriotic gratitude included joining a public fast. The Call Sacramento was designed to gather many thousand youth (yes I am still young) and place them in the hot sun for an agenda of loud music, louder prayer, and silent sieges. Why would someone bake like a California Raisin on a perfectly good Saturday? Rather than read gloomy headlines in hopeless despair, I hope to write the news with the pen of prayer. 

My sincere belief is that a good Father would not help His children clean up a mess without their permission. Against the menacing statistics of rampant child slavery (otherwise called prostitution) in Northern California, thousands Called desperately for freedom to shine forth. Did anyone hear the prayers? Shortly after the prayers went up, the following headline came down the news wires

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/04/BU841F8URH.DTL

Stop - 55 The Islands

Departing from the great and relatively massive continent for an island chain with fewer people than some suburbs. Inward expectations were filled with images of cloistered living in a land bubble floating atop a giant ocean.   Although paradise seems to be a secondary definition for an island, my childhood stomping grounds of the Midwest were a far cry from a country whose appearance is somewhat dot-like on a world map.

Entering the Bahamas melted away my mist of erroneous predictions as a sun on a foggy beach. Warm smiles, generous hosts, amazing friends, and easy going lifestyles gave me an immediate love for the Bahamas. My enormously generous hosts immediately sent waves of exotic fruit and exquisite local dishes into my plate. Who knew mac and cheese could be spice enhanced into a local delight worthy of many tourist filled restaurants.

Close partnership with the United States failed to hide many clear cultural distinctions. When opening a National Exam Study Book, the Ten Commandments appear on page two without a famous actor in a long gray beard. Even more shocking, the small nation opens the doors of freedom with an absence of rules, laws and taxes to 'protect' every area of life from librty. Local newspapers even carry editorials on subjects last  culturally debated by the United States in the 1950's.

After the double shock of culture and hospitality, my hope is two return to the Bahamas for a second helping of pleasant surprises and true friends.

Stop 54 - Douglas, Wyoming

(picture from http://www.jackalope.org/Douglas/DouglasHome.html)

While driving cross country on a personal retreat from the daily grind, I stumbled upon a wonder of a legendary kind. The Jackalope seen above stands larger than a small car. From myths of farmers long ago, the rabbit with antlers emerges as a small Wyoming town's claim to fame. Embalmed in legend by the town's statue, the animal further appears on bridges, legislation, and hunting licences.

Although the Jackaplope remains a gullibility trap for tourist and urbanites alike, do some legends hold seeds of truth behind the thin veil of lore?

Stop 53 - Peoria, IL

"If it plays in Peoria" was an old adage about my current town of residence. As a testing ground for media, a show's performance in Peoria was considered an indicator of how well the entertainment would be received by the rest of the country.

Moving to the quiet urban island in an ocean of farms unearthed some surprising treasure. Driving during rush hour (or the small city's lack of traffic hour) incidents of chivalry abounded with drivers continually slowing down to let others be first. In addition, the city contains a wealth of effective charities bringing quantifiable change to poverty's chains. (see South Side Mission) The crowning jewel came when I was able to play a friendly game of catch and chat with neighbors on a warm spring day.

Hopefully, Peoria's reputation as a barometer will also prove true with the concept of a friendly community.

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 48 - Tyler, Texas (part deux)

Communal living with seven grown men from various countries with ages from 17 to 35. I am not describing a prison cell, but my current dorm room. Along with the lack of bard on the windows, quality of life improved greatly in the recent future when we rescued a plush office chair with wheels from the jaws of a dumpster.

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 47 - Back

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?