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?