New Life

I've been here for over a month, and it's been great. It feels like a whole new life. Starting over to a great extent in many ways, yet bringing so much self to my new life that it's still me... which isn't fantastic news, but it is barely newsworthy. Every day here is like a movie and the genre would be comedy/trajedy. Somethings I see are so crazy they seem fake, or fiction. And some things I see are hilarious. When I first arrived, I slepted in boxers on top of the covers every night with no shirt, and I sweated profusly even though we had a fan. Now I sleep under the covers because I get a bit cold. The human bodies adaptability is quite profound. I had a head cold for about 4 weeks, I thought it would never go away, because I thought it may be related to pollution in the air, dust, and tropical plantiness. But it's gone. The human bodies resiliancy is fantastic. Of course I can't yet speak the language so you feel like a little child dependent on parents for survival, and of course the currency is different, so you have to up your math skills. The cars are right hand drives and you drive on the right side of the road in Burundi, and there are no traffic rules, so it's always crazy fun behind the wheel. Food can tend to be the same thing as it would in my old life, yet very very different in texture and flavor. There's enough new to really lend itself to a new life. And there's enough me, to make it still a bit of a bummer. Too much self in every life. There's also enough bandwith in my life, that ties between both lives are maintained... still starring me in both lives. So I don't know really what I'm talking about at this point... it's more of a feeling that I have.

Openhanded

Here is the short video of the food distribution that we did. Many of you have seen it but many have not. This was one of the more intense days for me here: seeing this degree of poverty and knowing how many more million are not represented. This is slightly higher quality, and "receives" is spelled correctly in this version. The footage is compressed, and I don't know why google changed the aspect ration, but that totally urks me. I plan to have a much better, and slightly different version on sermonspice soon. There is a version with the english translation of what pastor Pierre is saying in the video as he speaks to the suffering people in Kirundi, but that is not this version. But the synopsis is that he is saying to the people "please except this gift of love from your brothers and sisters in America, who love you, and care for you." I didn't put the translated version out for several reasons. I feel guilty about that message personally and I don't want to mislead the people of Burundi, and the people of the States. That's all I'll say about that for now. I know I didn't explain myself well in this little diddy, but... well, yeah, I don't know what else to say about that on a blog post. This video is approx 26megs, so make sure you have a fast connection before you try and play it.

Heroes

I think everyone should have heroes in life, and I thought I should share some of mine. I have so many heroes, and some I can't mention because they have to keep their identities secret but some I can mention. I'll start with Pat Thurman. More than a friend has Pat been to me over the years. My buddy Tony (who is also one of my heroes) said that he believes Pat is an angel. If so, Pat is one of the more cuddly unintimidating angles I've ever encountered. My buddy Andy, Nathaniel, and I think that Pat may be of the same stock as the Apostles of the first century, and we have had several pub discussions throughout the years and though we haven't arrived at any definitive conclusions we are convinced that he is something phenomenal. Allen Hlavka has suggested that when the Thurmans enter a room the presence of the Spirit can be felt. I've noticed this myself: that whenever I see or spend time with Pat, I feel a peace the whole time I'm around him. I've not noticed this with anyone else I've met. Numerous times Pat has been an answered prayer for me on numerous occasions. Paul has said to his readers "imitate me as I imitate Christ" I often attempt to imitate Pat. My brother Jesse, and my Dad. These guys are incredible. My dad has been through the ringer; life has not been easy for him. There are countless stories of Captain Bob Chase enduring hardships. He's survived three shipwrecks, he's ministered on the streets, in prison, on the job, at home, and in the church. My dad is a constant reminder that no matter how tough it gets, don't whine, just keep pushing forward. My brother is one of the brightest and diligent people I know. Jesse, is a living example of "following your dreams." Jesse took huge risks, and worked harder than most, and has one of the most successful companies in the state where he operates. He also gives more money away than almost anyone else I know. I think Randy Alcorn has him beat but that's about it. Jesse also has character. He's a straight shooter, and he raises his family with Christ like morals. He's honest, and he continually challenges himself. I'm super proud of Jesse, and I'm honored to be his brother. He is a hero of mine. I have a few friends that are heroes of mine: Tony Whipps, and Dan Franklin. Tony is humility manifest, he's a good steward, he's self aware, he loves unconditionally, and he can predict a song that will play on whatever radio station your listening to right before his predicted song plays. In fact this is one of his super powers. He also has great hair. It doesn't matter what kind of hair cut he gets... it just works on him. Dan is a fantastic thinker, he's self aware as well, and he has critical thinking capabilities that rival histories most critical thinkers. He also runs his own think tank, and is the only one in it as the thinking capacity of the tank itself is at its max with his thinking capabilities alone. The tank simply can't handle any more thinkers. He's also got a dry unmatchable delivery on most of his jokes, which place him among the funniest people I've ever known. He's a great movie companion and father... but not to me (he's not a father figure to me, that is) he's a father to Mathew... and that's okay with me. Dan is a great teacher, and he's also great at watching 24. I can't mention all my other heroes on this post, lest the villains get to much info and try to exploit their weaknesses. I suspect Dan is probably already under some sort of villainous attack. I will mention Jeremy Pietzold. He has the super power of laying fibre, and speeding up peoples Internet connection. Unfortunately he can only do this in the state of Oregon. He's not national, or global, but we hope one day he branches out. He's also persistent, thorough, and bright. As a child he set a world record for most pull ups in a row, at his local Sandy elementary school. He's very good at building houses without being a professional builder. He's really quite incredible. There are 12 other heroes I'd like to mention but I simply don't have the time or energy. I will mention their public identities; supertuck, greasyboy, burundius maxiumus, festidious flabb, crazy bowels, frickis, Dane the sharp, Jenuin the wise, flower girl, munchius, frenchy the bagel, and last but not least, concave chest. Thank you men and women, for all you are, and for all the service you provide for humanity.