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?