Guatemala

Picture descriptions (top to bottom):

* this was a volcano on a beautiful lake we "vacationed" to.
* a guy in the town at the base of that volcano.
* 2 of the kids we built a house for, playing in the grass.
* another one of the kids we built a house for.
* ...all of the kids.
* a family at the feeding program (take by Jose Bautista - one of the workers from the house we stayed at).
* a beautiful girl at a church up in the hills.
* our first house, going up.
* a girl carrying her not-so-little brother at the medical clinic.

Fight Terrorism - Buy Green Sahara Furniture!

Here is another way (remember TOMS shoes?) to subvert the meaningless, mindless consumerism that our culture feeds on...AND to fight terrorism; They're called "Green Sahara Furniture". All their products are hand-made with wood that is sustainably harvested & made by (Arab) workers in Morocco who are given fair wages and benefits.
This is high-quality craftsmanship - believe me, I got to see & feel each one of their pieces first hand at mars hill today (and, I worked alongside the founder at a habitat build. He and his family are now moving to Morocco to live, fully invested in these people & this work).

The combined Arab countries have a lower GNP (gross nat'l product) than the much smaller Spain, which lies very near by. There's no debating, they are poor in the eyes of the world (and most especially, relative to us Americans), which some venture as far as to say, leaves hundreds of thousands just waiting to be radicalized.

This is one way to fight terrorism. (If you need more clarification, just ask)

Here is a video on their website about Green Sahara:

http://greensaharafurniture.com/video.html

Walking Wounded

"Here's to all the walking wounded...to those still carrying a little heartbroken boy or girl inside; to those who feel rejected and lonely; to those who woke up with a dull ache inside; to those who are wondering where God is in the midst of their deep pain; to those whose past wounds have been pulled open yet again; to those weary and worn out and longing for some place called home; to those in the darkness who can't seem to find the light; to those who wonder if they will ever find love; to those who feel misunderstood; to the abandoned and discarded; to those who feel they are running out of reasons to get out of bed each morning; to those in the clutches of depression; to those who are smiling on the outside but dying on the inside; to those suffering in silence. Here's to the walking wounded."

"So what do you do when you're in deep emotional pain, and you're burned out on religion?"

"There was a time when I sought after God b/c I wanted certain benefits of knowing Him. But I had to ask, 'How's that working for you?' Well, it wasn't!"

"One evening, God got my attention. He said, Jim, you're searching for it (relief/rest) through life circumstances, human relationships, success, even through a set of Christian beliefs, practices and principles about me. You seek me b/c you want me to give it to you. Jim, I am IT. I am love. I am life. I am peace. I am joy. I am satisfaction. I am freedom. It's not something I give; it's who I am."

- Jim Palmer, Relevant Magazine

My Mentee!

I have been mentoring a 2nd grade boy named Angel at an inner city elementary school in G.R. Tomorrow will be the third visit, and i get more excited each week. I probly shouldnt share too many family details on here, but wanted to share a picture so that you have a face w/ the name/stories. We are gonna start writing a book together tomorrow - we're gonna make up a story and illustrate each page (thanks mom for the inspiration!). If he ever crosses your mind, say a quick prayer for him, will ya? he wants to be a college football player some day...

*he's the one holding his little baby sister*
(sorry for the "picture of a picture", but its all i could do!)

Bomb the world into peace

I realize there is much to be said on either side of the war we are in; some convincing arguments on both sides. But I heard this song today and think that it raises some good questions....questions worth considering, at the very least.


Please tell me the reason
Behind the colors that you fly
Love just one nation
And the whole world we divide
You say you're "sorry"
Say, "there is no other choice"
But God bless the people, them
Who cannot raise their voice

(chorus)
We can chase down all our enemies
Bring them to their knees
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can't bomb it into peace
Whoa we may even find a solution
To hunger and disease
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can't bomb it into peace


Violence brings one thing
More more of the same
Military madness
The smell of flesh and burning pain
So i sing out to the masses
Stand up if you're still sane!
To all of us gone crazy
I sing this one refrain

You tellin' me it's unpatriotic
But i call it what i see it
When i see it's idiotic
The tears of one mother
Are the same as any other
Drop food on the kids
While you're murderin' their fathers

It's not a war against evil
It's really just revenge
Engaged on the poorest by the same rich men
Fight terrorists wherever they be found
But why you not bombing tim mcveigh's hometown
You can say what you want propaganda television
But all bombing is terrorism

(chorus)
We can chase down all our enemies
Bring them to their knees
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can't bomb it into peace
Whoa we may even find a solution
To hunger and disease
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can't bomb it into peace


We should all make a rememberence that
This is bigger than terrorism
Blood is blood is blood and um
Love is true vision
Who will listen?
How many songs it takes for you to see
You can bomb the world to pieces
You can't bomb it into peace

-Michael Franti
Bomb the world

MinnesOOOH-ta

Our Boundary Waters Wilderness trip was amazing. There were nine of us, roughing it in the wilderness. We got lucky and scored a perfect campsite ("campsite" meaning there was a firepit and a large hole in the ground with a seat over it...) which overlooked Smoke Lake. We took in the wildlife, some fishing, lotta canoing, sunsets, stars, fresh air, mosquitoes, stories, and most enjoyably: the silence.

I added some picks to "flickr" (bottom right...look for the minnesota set) & a location for both the maine & minnesota pics

New Hampshire Mountain Range

this last weekend, i drove over to new hampshire and camped it up. i took this first video when i was near the top where it turned into a bunch of rock. it was a beautiful saturday, and there were obviously a lotta people out...
the second was at the summit...