2006 Italy, Vatican City, San Marino Tour

3.26.06 Venice, Italy
I can't believe I'm really here. Mom and Dad paid for Mandi and I, and Danielle and Gilbert on this tour of Italy. We left the kids Miami, OK with grandparents yesterday morning and hopped a plane to Milan, and here we are!

Today was such a whirlwind I honestly couldn't even name what we saw. There was a castle and a cathedral in Milan, and statues everywhere. We even saw one of Napoleon's arches. (I guess there's more than one.) Evidence of DaVinci is ubiquitous right now, which I think is because they're trying to capitalize on the "DaVinci Code" movie coming out next month.

He was left-handed you know, just like me. Smart guy.

Anyway, we were too rushed to actually absorb anything, which is sad because there's just so much to see. Today's cathedral, for instance, has hundreds of years of history and art living in it. The very walls are alive with the text of a thousand (million?) lives, but we had half an hour to catch it all. Tragic!

Tomorrow should be slower. I hope so since it will be our only day here in Venice. (We're actually sleeping at a hotel just outside the city.) Ahh, Venice...

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3.27.06 Venice, Italy
Today we toured the city, and let me tell you, touring Venice in a day is like trying to drive to Hawaii, it cannot be done. We were in St. Mark's Cathedral [Basilica] for all of, maybe, five minutes. All you could do was see the architecture and mosaics, but even that was stunted because you have to be silent inside the building, so there's no one to explain what you're looking at. Theoretically, Mark's body lies in there somewhere, but if we walked by it, it wasn't evident to me. All you do is walk along a predetermined path through it, following ropes all the way, continuously walking until you exit. Five minutes in one of Christendom's greatest edifices. Shameful!

We did make good use of our afternoon free time though. We shared a gondola ride w/mom and dad, Gilbert and Danielle. It was nice, relaxing, and Mandi and I kissed under every bridge we passed. We also made time to wander and shop.
Shopping in Venice is an experience. Gucci, Prada, Armani, Versace, etc., all have stores here. Eddie Bauer and American Eagle do not. We saw a $1,900.00 purse, a $6,000.00 chess set, and hand-made blown glass baubles that would cost us more than our house payment. The best shopping for our meager budget was found on the north side of Rialto Bridge. There we found trinkets for

the kids and plenty of affordable souvenirs. Perhaps the funnest thing we did all day was feed the pigeons in the Piazza San Marco. There are many thousands of pigeons on the piazza and numerous vendors selling small bags of corn for a Euro. Once you have the corn pigeons are your best friends. They perch all over you and will literally fight for the right to eat out of your outstretched palm. Mandi and I and Danielle and Gilbert all tried it, and not one of us so much as got pooped on! I was reminded of how pigeons in Seville [Spain] and Charleston [South Carolina] also perched on Mandi, but much more freely. Perhaps Venetian pigeons are jaded, they wouldn't come to us until we offered real food.

Man, I'm so tired now that every time I blink I start to dream. Time for sleep. G'nite!

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3.28.06 On the road to Assisi, Italy

This is a beautiful country. Something I omitted yesterday was lunch. The rest of the tour went to a 13Euro restaurant and ate lasagne. Mandi and I, however, went off on our own to explore the city (and try to find something cheaper that 13Euro!) Winding through the narrow streets of Venice we found a Burger King! Only I don't think they sell burgers there. Peeking through the window it appeared that their value menus were all about pizza. Needless to say, we didn't come all the way here just to sample BK pizza, so we settled into a small cafe across the piazza (not the piazza S. Marco). Sitting there, enjoying a focaccia sandwich with my wife at a window table was one of the most pleasant experiences of my life. Something about it was deeply fulfilling. Intimate. Wonderful.

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Republic of San Marino Still the 28th

This whole country is elevated. Its mountainous and independent and has great views of everything around it. We didn't climb to the top, only to the Piazza Della Liberta, but its everything you want in a postcard.

Had lunch, bought a national soccer team jersey, got back on the bus. Oh yeah, sent a postcard home to myself as well...

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Assisi, Italy Still the 28th

The speed with which this tour proceeds is ridiculous. After 8 hours of bus travel we had maybe 3 hours in San Marino and Assisi combined.

Assisi is breathtaking, and we had 15 minutes to fly through St. Francis' basilica, which sits atop a hill overlooking a plain. Its almost a sacrilege to come so far for so short an opportunity to see something so special. And I have to say that it must be very hard for the clerics here to do their job when there are a thousand or more tourists wandering about the church each day.

A bright moment happened while speed shopping through stores along one of the streets in Assisi today. I found a store, Gallo Nero, that specializes in chess sets. They had the most amazing selection of pieces I've ever seen. Truly I wished for deeper pockets and more opportunity to play. If I could change one thing about my life, "Play more chess," would be on the short list of options to choose from. Another shopping bonus today was finding that San Marino has far less tax than Italy. I paid 40Euro for a soccer jersey I saw for 75Euro in Venice and Milan. Yay!

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3-29-06 Sorrento, Italy

I am full. Breaded veal w/steamed carrots, fried potatoes, pizza margherita and a cherry tart topped with an apricot glaze (and tea) will do that to you. There was more than just food to keep us all full today though.

We spent the afternoon in Pompei, saw a wood shop, a coral shop and did a bit of shopping in Sorrento as well. I must emphasize "shop" here because that's all we did, shop. There was no buying. We can't afford any of the good master works we see here, so all we do is admire the art.

In truth, most of the day was spent on the bus. 7 or 8 hours. Ouch. It was nice though to see Pompei at last. After a lifetime of magazine articles and History Channel specials, it was nice to actually view Vesuvius and wander through the ruins of the once thriving town. We took plenty of pictures. The sad fact of it all is that as impressive as its made out to be, the Italian government has the place pretty well screwed up at the moment. All of the best preserved ruins are blocked off and they let so many people though the site at one time that the tour guides literally have to jocky for position, haggling and negotiating for a place for their group to hear what they're saying and see what they're talking about. It's a madhouse! Still, seeing the plaster molds of the bodies they have left visible to the public is something else.

The highest point of the day though was when my dad mistook the woman standing next to him to be my mom. He put his arm around her waist and gave her a squeeze before he realized it wasn't his wife! She later remarked that she figured it was best to just let him finish as it seemed the right thing to do. Witnesses howled with laughter, including Mandi, who saw the whole event unfold, but I'm not sure Dad thought it was all that funny. Although he's been a good sport about the whole thing, I think its embarrassed him quite a bit.

Like everything else here, Sorrento is beautiful.

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3-30-06 Rome, Italy

Travelled this morning to the isle of Capri. Amazing. Italy is easily one of the most spectacular places I've ever seen. The Amalfi coast is stunning. Capri is gorgeous. The views over the entire island are worthy of a postcard. The terrain is so rugged that I'm amazed anyone lives there at all. We saw several restaurants there (and in Sorrento) where the dining patio sits literally on the edge of sheer vertical cliffs hundreds of feet in the air.

And we caught the weather just right. Our guide, Nello, explained that it had been one of the worst and longest winters on record there, but we caught a beautiful spring day. I even managed to get a slight sunburn sitting at a sidewalk cafe in the town square at the top of the island.

Nello was a good guide. Funny. He spends five months a year in Florida. He made us wear stickers with his name on them for the duration of the tour so, if we got lost, he could easily identify our bodies later. (Just kidding)

Lunch was simple; the usual sandwich and coke, but in the beauty of the square it was wonderful. We all just sat and ate and talked. Danielle and Gilbert drank cappuccino, which I understand is their new substitute for water. Apparently they both down 5-6 cups a day, even at home.
Tonight we walked over to the Forum and the Colosseum. They're well lit at night. Beautiful. The Forum didn't impress me nearly as much as the Colosseum. As amazing as it seems on t.v., it's even MORE impressive in person. How did they build it? It's enormous! I'm looking forward to the tour tomorrow.

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Rome, Italy 3-31-06

Before I forget; we saw, a couple of days ago, an ad for Drive Beer. It featured a cop and a race car driver sharing a brew. The slogan? Drink Drive. Hmmm...

Also, there ought to be a saying in Italy, "Better to die full and smiling than live with a diet."

As for the Vatican City, I was amazed and appalled; amazed by the opulence, the artistry and the history, but appalled by the Papal veneration. As good as St. Peter's basilica truly is, it was saddening to see how little Christ was glorified in comparison to the Papacy. The basilica is filled with statues and tombs and monuments of dead popes. Where is Christ?

Compare that to the Sistine Chapel with it's frescoes of the life of Jesus, His ancestors and the prophets. No statues of dead popes, no actual dead popes at all, no monuments. It is almost entirely centered on the Bible and Jesus Christ, as all good churches ought to be. We had only 20 minutes in the chapel itself, but I wish it had been hours. It is such a masterpiece that it absolutely enthralls you. The art is special in a way only someone as inspired as Michelangelo could manage.


We also saw the Colosseum and the Trevi fountain. (It was a rather full day, even for the tour.) The Colosseum was breathtaking. I had no idea that it took its name from the Colossus. I guess I'm just a little dense that way. It never occurred to me that the Colossus once stood in the same location. Closing one's eyes and picturing it in its original glory one can only surmise that it would easily surpass any modern equivalent. Like many works we have seen here, it is unfathomable to think that they could be restored to their original grandeur, the cost being simply too high. And that is also the reason that nothing new is being built that could compare with the old masterpieces. I mean, seriously, look at the Trevi fountain. Who could imagine the cost to design and build its equivalent today?! Its sad to think that art has fallen so far.

A final note: Mandi and I haven't seen the kids now for nearly a full week. It wears on us. We love them so much, its hard to be away so long. How do couples who get divorced deal with us? It would be like having someone slice open your heart every time they left your custody.

Lord, keep them safe. I pray the time would pass quickly until we are all united again, happy, healthy and whole once more.

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Florence, Italy 4-1-06
April Fool's Day

No joke, we're seriously in Michelangelo's favorite haunt. Tomorrow we'll go to the Galleria dell' Academia and see the David. Today, however, sure felt like a joke. First, I had to wait for six elevators to go by before I finally caught the seventh, which was going up, not down as I wanted. I almost missed breakfast completely. Later, I tried to buy a liter of water, but only found 1.5L bottles, then mistakenly bought the type that contains gas, soda water! Finally, I thought I'd take a chance on a wild boar meat sandwich at lunch in San Gimignano... Big mistake. It was awful on a level I have rarely experienced. Even dad thought it was bad, and he knows wild game. Who would have thought that I'd ever meet a piece of pork I didn't like? Oh well.

My dad today had his pocket picked at an open-air market a few blocks from our hotel here in Florence. The amazing thing is that my father, at 60 years old, chased the guy down and got his wallet back! Holy cow!

San Gimignano is amazing also. I know, I write that about every place we go here. Maybe I have a soft spot for medieval/renaissance towns, but it's true. San Gimignano is this tiny medieval town about an hour outside of Florence. It sits on top of a hill and is really the town that time forgot. There's an old well, stone, dead center in the middle of the town square, scored deeply y centuries of usage by the people. The square itself is framed all around by buildings dating back so far that there [are] only a few access streets to the square itself. Its like being in the bottom of a tall brick box, there are no alleys or back entrances- except perhaps through a shop. All you can see are medieval buildings that serve as homes and businesses for the people who live here. One has the impression that if you turned back the clock a millennium or so, there wouldn't be much difference. San Gimignano is beautiful, relaxed, inspiring. I wish we had more than 2 hours to enjoy it. I wish I hadn't ordered the wild boar at lunch in the square, but overall, it was one of those experiences you have that you just can't hardly believe are happening, even in the midst of it.

Our hotel here in Florence, the Hotel Albani, is NICE. We have a skylight in our room, and there is no closet, only a huge wardrobe I'd kill to have at home. Its in walking distance of Il Duomo as well. If we ever come back it will be to Venice, but if we ever wind up here in Florence again I'd love to stay here in the Albani. It's the only hotel on the trip I can say that about.

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Stresa, Italy 4.2.06

I can see Switzerland from here. Our hotel, the Hotel Speranza Au Lac, sits at the base of the Italian Alps, just north of Milan, and our room faces the mountains and overlooks the lake. I've seen the Andes, the Carpathians and every major mountain chain in North America (really!), but the view outside our window this morning, the sun rising over Lago Maggiore and the Italian Alps, tops them all. I am in love, or at least infatuated. I want to come back and hike here, and in Switzerland. It took us 5 hours to bus here from Florence, "Firenze," but it was worth it if we ever return.

Florence itself was a letdown. I say that not because the city wasn't beautiful, but because there is far too much to see in the few hours we had to visit. Ponto Vecchio, Il Duomo, Galleria dell' Accademia, the Ufizzi... we saw only a fraction of any of it. Sad really.

The highlight of it all though, and one of the true highlights of the trip overall, was seeing Michelangelo's David in the Accademia. If I never see another pieve of art, I am satisfied. I have seen the Mona Lisa and the Venus in the L'Ouvre, I've toured the Prado and the Reina Sofia in Madrid, I've been inside castles and cathedrals all over Europe, I've even been to Petra, and David trumps them all. He seems alive, and very much reaches into your soul. It never occurred to me that a churck of simple rock could grab you like that, but David is riveting. The detail is incredible, but the emotion, the power of the piece, is just overwhelming. I could stare for hours and not get bored. Bravo, Michelangelo, bravo!

Lunch was again at a sidewalk cafe in the city square overlooking magnificent sculptures and architecture centuries older than the entire U.S.A. Wonderful! To sit there looking at cobblestones that felt the likes of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, the Medicis... Wonderful. And the weather was perfect as well. Warm and sunny, as it was all week. (It sprinkled one evening, and was cool enough for a windbreaker in Venice, but perfect all the same.)

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Somewhere over the Atlantic 4-3-06

We're going home now. My heart is saddened to know that it will be weeks (months?) before I see mom and dad, Danielle and Gilbert again. The trip was nice, a good introduction to Italy, if a bit of a whirlwind. Looking backon the past week and all that we saw, I am stunned. The breathtaking vistas, the medieval town squares, the highways and walkways and canals... Italy is a special place.

Still, in spite of the pain of leaving such a beautiful place and the joy of family, there is the blessing of returning to our childen. Nate, Alyssa and Anna are waiting for our return and I long to see them again.

Earlier in this flight they showed the film Cheaper By the Dozen 2, in which a zealous father struggles to come to terms with his children growing up- and away. It was all I could do to wipe away the tears of heartache watching him deal with one of his girls going on her first date. [As I type these notes out two years later, I am still totally unprepared for my own daughters to grow up. They will always be my baby girls.]

The movie is a comedy, but the thought of seeing Alyssa growing into that just hurts inside. She's six now, and in a few more years I'll have to deal with her dating. I'm SO not ready. She's my little girl, now and always. The idea of her reaching out to anyone not mommy or daddy for affection tears me apart. I love her too much to let go... She's growing so fast!

And about 2 seconds later there'll be Anna. I think she's growing up faster than Aly. They're just babies, and I wish I could keep it that way.

Lucky for me, there's Nate. My boy. My son. Of whom I have nothing but pride and love for. Whereas Anna and Alyssa will be forbidden to date until I'm dead, Nate could start now. Why is that I wonder? Why am I not afraid to lose him as I am the girls? Why this double standard? I don't know. Boys and girls are different. I only hope they understand. I will give them all I can as a father. Nothing else will do.

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Atlanta, GA 4-4-06

I pray, Lord, that you would curse Delta Airlines. Repay them ten-fold the frustration, stress and inconvenience they have caused us and countless others this day. Bring swiftly upon them the reckoning their foolishness, ineptitude and apathy has earned...

We've been traveling now for about 28 hours. Delta added a leg to our itinerary, Baltimore. Then they cancelled our flight out of Baltimore, reinstated it, then cancelled our next leg out of Atlanta. So we were issued travel vouchers for a hotel, only, by the time they finished rebooking us, the vouchers were invalid. Of course we didn't find that out until we'd cleared security and couldn't get back into the airport terminal to sleep somewhere "comfortable" like a carpeted floor. So, we scrambled some more and wound up paying $50- out of pocket for a room at the Motel 6. With luck, we'll be in Tulsa only 16 hours behind schedule.

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I learned on the same day that I prayed tha curse that Delta's pilot union went on strike shortly thereafter (hours, in fact). Yay God. Also, they stranded the rest of our family in Salt Lake City. So we all got the shaft. What really rubs salt in it all is that we were offered $1,000 each to get bumped back a day coming out of Milan. Why?! Next time, I'm taking the money.

Oh yeah, the final itinerary:
Delta Air from Milan to New York
Delta Air from New York to Baltimore
Delta Air from Baltimore to Atlanta
Continental Air from Baltimore to Houston
Continental Air from Houston to Tulsa

And you wouldn't believe this if it weren't true, but Delta, after having transferred us to Continental at 1am on Tuesday morning, fought with me for 30 minutes at 10am when we showed up at their counter to check in for the flight. Even though they knew we were already transferred, they tried to refuse us the documentation we needed to get cleared at Continental. Bastards! May Delta go bankrupt forever!

2005 Turkey 'Camel Training' Conference

12-07-05 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

So much to write, so little space…

I have suffered a great loss. While riding the train from Centraal Station to Schiphol (the airport) in Amsterdam I had my entire backpack stolen. I was exhausted from the flight over, which is unusual because I usually handle jet-lag well, and I fell asleep for a moment- maybe 5 minutes, tops- and some quick-minded nimble-fingered thief stole my bag from between my feet. The irony is that the last paragraph of my now stolen travel journal was a meditation on how dangerous my situation- alone in unfamiliar Europe- really was. (Excuse my dangling participle.)

Inside the bag was my passport, $400 USD, my new Bible, my travel journal and other assorted junk. The thing that hurt the most was losing the journal. Most embarrassing was the passport. So yesterday afternoon was painful. I spent the balance of the afternoon/evening dealing with the Amsterdam police, the airline, the train company and making arrangements to sleep. Oh yes, the credit card company put a hold on my Visa too. (Although they did it to protect me, they wound up making matters worse; I still can’t use the card to call back home.)

So today I spent the morning dealing with the U.S. Consulate, the airline, the credit card company, etc, until I finally had my ducks in a row. The Consulate issued me an emergency passport and the airline waived all fees and put me on the same flight I missed yesterday. Of course, now I’m sitting on the plane and its 10 minutes past departure time and we still haven’t moved.

Meanwhile, this trip is gonna cost me a fortune! Apparently there’s no such thing as ‘reasonably priced’ in the Netherlands, only ‘overpriced’ and ‘outright expensive.’

As far as- Holy Turkey! First, we’re not moving because the crew mis-timed loading the plane. Now some idiot, yes, IDIOT, refuses to store his carry-ons under the seat and is, therefore, blocking an exit row! This is killing me.- Anyway, as far as Amsterdam is concerned, its pretty much the nicest architectural city I’ve ever been in. Also, the shopping is excellent, although you have to look past the whole sex/drug culture they’ve created here. Porn is visible all over downtown and in any newsstand, and drugs are readily available at the many head shops around town. One restaurant, right in the shopping district, features scantily clad- we’re talking g-strings here- waitresses ready to show you to your table. (What they do after that, I don’t know.) I think it was called ‘Teasers’, but I’m not sure.

One thing I found helpful here is the fact that English is universally spoken as the second language. In fact, that’s probably the #1 reason I got into this mess in the 1st place! If I’d been routed through Berlin or Paris I probably would have just stayed in the airport regardless of how many hours the layover was, but Amsterdam? Been there, done that, easy. Berlin I don’t know (likewise most of Europe), Paris, well, they’re French, but nine hours in Amsterdam? It was just too tempting. And now I’m out around a thousand bucks. I’m gonna miss that journal…

Of course, the question must be asked, why?! Why have I had to go through all this?

Aside: A couple of quick observations: 1) True stereotype or peroxide paradise, there are a lot more blondes in the Netherlands than anywhere else I’ve been. 2) With all my travel troubles of the last day, at least I’m not the guy across the aisle: a young (is she even 18?) very blond flight attendant just poured an entire cup of Sprite in his lap. 3) The meal on this light is a) Eastern, which is nice, b) accompanied by the smallest silverware I’ve ever seen. Seriously, it is not an exaggeration to say that Alyssa has bigger silverware for her dolls to eat with. Excuse another dangling participle. 4) The Turks on this flight have almost drained the entire supply of alcoholic beverages. Amazing. (Muslim indeed!)

Back to ‘Why?’ I mean, I’ve thought about it and I really don’t have a good answer. To humble me? That’s my first guess, and if that’s all it takes to do the job, then PRAISE GOD! I can think of much more damaging punishments. Enemy interference? Certainly a possibility. The nature of this trip can’t easily be ignored by the ruler of the air. I am confident that the training and networking that will take place this week will make a deep impact on the stronghold of Islam. A personal test? Perhaps, but to what avail? Although I have been disheartened and lost my temper (a perpetual failing for me), I haven’t failed anywhere new, and although I won’t call it a victory for my temper, I’ve been much worse for far less. A combination of all three? None of the above? Only the Lord knows for certain. What matters most to me now is that although I’m a day late and a grand short, all is still well with the world.

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December 8, 2005 Istanbul, Turkey
My first full day in Istanbul has been a busy one. Aside from lectures on evangelism to Muslims, I also had the chance, and took it, to see the city a bit. All I caught in today's tour was the Hagia Sophia and the Chora monastery. The Hagia Sophia (Ayasophia) is a tragedy in full progress. Built and rebuilt, it was once a spectacle to behold. Now however, it is ugly and in disrepair. Between its conversion to a mosque and earthquakes (common to the region), there has been so much damage that it really looks pathetic. How could such a pivotal Christian historical structure fall so far? The Chora had much better mosaics and no visible Islamic influence other than the minaret that was added at the time of its conversion to a mosque.

Another cultural experience I had was drinking my first, and hopefully only, cup of Turkish coffee. It was at a carpet store like the one I visited in Tangiers when I was with Mandi and mom and dad. It was bitter and muddy, but now I can say I've "been there, done that."There's more to write, but its 11:30 and I am dog tired. Good night.

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December 9, 2005 Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey may be the only country in the world that sits on 2 continents. Northern Turkey sits in Europe and Southern Turkey lies in Asia. In fact the dividing line is the Bosphorus Strait, which also bisects Istanbul. So, although I didn't actually leave the city today, I did manage to leave Europe for a couple of hours.

After more [E training] today a group of us went to the south side of the city to try to apply some of our new skilz at a popular street for students to hang out at. [Omission here to protect the integrity of the method and security of those using it.]

Our time on the street was interesting, but unproductive. Without translators we failed almost completely to connect w/people on the street. Also, it was very cold today, so no one wanted to hang out. Everyone I saw was bundled up and moving briskly toward warmth, wherever that might be.

One interesting aspect of Istanbul is the night life. We ate dinner at 7PM, then stepped out onto the most crowded street I can remember ever being on. There were throngs of people walking and shopping and generally having a good time. Literally thousands of people choking a three lane thoroughfare.

Although I'm enjoying this country, without translators I'd have a hard time getting excited about bringing students back here. The language barrier is annoying to say the least. Still, I stood today on a street corner overlooking a plaza filled with people and as I watched everyone scurry about the mundane business of life I imagined everyone as dark or light based on their spiritual condition, trying to see them as Jesus might. And it was sobering to realize that if salvation was the requirement to give off light, I was looking at a mass of completely dark humanity. In all probability, mine was the only light shining in that dark place. These people need Jesus, and we need to help them understand that.

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December 10, 2005 Istanbul, Turkey
I am so tired! [I often repeat that. Jet lag.] We're up early and late and who can rest when you only have a week to see one of the world's most historically significant cities!?

Today we finished our [E training] and spent the afternoon shopping. We went to the spice market and the Grand Bazaar. Frankly, I wasn't impressed. [In hindsight, I was full of crappola when I wrote that. They were amazing places.] The prices were high and the selection wasn't that great, but I did manage to cover Mandi's Christmas and gifts for everyone back home. Perhaps the best souvenir I've found here is an apple tea that tastes almost like cider. They serve it in shops if you stay longer than a few minutes.

I also have to say that it was disappointing not to be able to use my new training in [brief omission]. About a quarter of our group went out today with people they met while sharing around town earlier in the week. I, naturally, was in the other 75%. That delay in Amsterdam really colored the whole week. In fact, training has been bittersweet. Bitter because I cam with an expectation of being able to actually use our training here. Sweet because we did get to network with other missionaries and were able to see at least a little bit of this amazing city. Still, I don't plan on coming back.

Where I am excited to go is Jordan. Now that I have the [E training] I really feel like it would be useful to bring a team to Amman. Tomorrow is Ephesus.

I need to sleep.

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December 12, 2005 Istanbul, Turkey
On the plane to go home... finally. Ephesus was brilliant. I imagine that in the time of Paul it was more beautiful than any modern city in the world today. Simpler, but more attractive. The Agora, the Celcus library, the stadium, the fountains and statues and temples... All were designed to be aesthetic first. Function followed form, and it was good.

The stadium where Paul stood before the crowd and was caught in a mob seated 24 thousand people. Walking through the ruins you can only wish that the whole city was still alive. It was a vibrant place with marble and granite streets, statues and frescoes everywhere, fountains all over and a busy harbor in plain view.

Now it is a ruin. Of the 127 columns that surrounded the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World, one remains. The bay silted in to the point that the sea is now 2.5 miles away. The two rivers that fed the city are gone. All that's left is a museum.

Food. I'll say this about Turkish food: Mmmm... The food has been good. Other than breakfast at the hotel I never ate the same meal twice. True, there have been a few major letdowns, but overall I'd be okay here. They eat a lot of chicken and lamb, and of course there's the Turkish Delight. Mmm. Turkish Delight... I bit into one sample and it was as if the scent of a rose somehow alit in my mouth, which was good. One thing though; make sure you get it with nuts- pistachios if possible. About the only other dish I can actually name is Pide. Pide is like pizza without the sauce, only better. It comes in the shape of a sub-sandwich, but its flat. They put meat and/or cheese in the middle, then fold the edges inward just a bit. Greasy, but very good.

Joe. Another surprise on this trip was the opportunity to spend time w/Joe Rust. Joe was one of my predecessors at the Indiana University Baptist Collegiate Ministry. He had a miserable experience there and was apparently fired. No one knew what happened to him until now: he's the BCM Director for UCLA now.

It was hard to get a handle on Joe. He's single, well over 50, and somewhat cynical. I'm not sure I heard one positive comment from him the entire time we've been here. I'm hoping he'll have some materials for me to archive for the IUBCM.

Jordan. One potential upside of this week may be a return trip to Jordan. As useless as I felt after the first trip there, I have been hesitant to return. Now however, I feel useful again. I really believe the CM will work, and I think that will give us the ability to productively engage the Musilm culture. That excites me. I am drawn to it. Maybe over Christmas break next year? Who knows? I don't, but I look forward to engaging Islam in a struggle it must inevitably lose, and especially now that I have a practical way to do so.
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Still the 12th, now in Minneapolis, MN. with an 8 hour layover.

Its nice to be back in America. I've come to realize over the past few days since my bag was stolen that there is a great strain that accompanies overseas travel which take the form of wariness and leads to great weariness. What I mean by that is that here in the U.S., at home, so to speak, I am comfortable, relaxed, confident and unconcerned about my well-being or personal security, because of the perfect cultural awareness that comes from simply being an American, from spending a lifetime in America.Abroad, that comfort is stolen. I don't mean it is ripped away, although, as in the instance of my Amsterdam experience, that can happen. What I mean is that as one is removed from one's native cultural habitat, one is left invariably exposed, like a fish out of water. Of course you can survive and enjoy the travel experience- I still love it- but there is a part of your psyche that must remain ever vigilant in a way that it doesn't when at home. For example, you can go to a restaurant in Istanbul, have great fellowship, enjoy the ambience of the place, the quality of the service and the excellence of the food, but deep down you don't totally relax. Ordering is a little harder since you don't speak the language. You wonder about pickpockets, and whether the waiter bring you what you want, or pad the bill... Are you being taken advantage of?! That is the question at the heart of it, and that's why it feels so good to be back in my home country, among the familiar, relaxed.

And one final note- from a book I've been reading on Wm. Wilberforce, the great English MP. I have often said that I feel blessed beyond all I could possibly ever deserve, but Wilberforce captured it best,

"Surely the universal kindness which I experience is to be regarded as asingular
instance of the goodness of the Almighty. Indeed, no one has somuch cause to
adopt the declaration that goodness and mercy have followed me all my days."

As I consider my life, my family, my work, my experience with God the Father Almighty, I must, am obligated really, to repeat such a grand sentiment. Who is blessed more than I. Such a man I've yet to meet.

2005 New Orleans Mission Trip

The notes from this trip to New Orleans to provide disaster relief from Hurrican Katrina were stolen from me in Amsterdam. It hurts, but what can I do? I don't mind that my backpack was taken, or the $400 cash, or other items, but there was a notebook, a journal which loss I feel deeply. There were over 30 pages of notes on this trip alone, memories, stolen from me. That is a loss that will indeed haunt me for years to come. Rest assured that the next time I travel abroad I will be vigilante... I mean, vigilant, lest someone get hurt attempting to relieve me of my valuables.

2004 Brazil Mission Trip

The notes from this two-week trip to the Amazon were stolen from me in Amsterdam. It hurts, but what can I do? Here's a few memories:
I preached at the church to the left, Igreja Batista Esperanca, all week and help with VBS at two other churches, Igreja NovaRepublica and Santarinzinho. I also helped share the gospel using the evangecube at a public school, distributed food at a poor neighborhood, went visiting in the neighborhood around Esperanca and was allowed to share my testimony at another site. It was a lot of ministry crowded into a short time. Everyone was exhausted by the time we were done.

Writing now, two years later, there's so much I can't remember. One thing I do remember is the friendship I struck with my translator, Janderson. He was a great kid, one of the adopted children of the Scott's, through whom we were serving. He was a pro soccer player, albeit for a minor league team.

Another memory is of the pastor who led the team. He was so aweful that at one point his wife cried on my shoulder after one of his inane outburts in which he claimed he was never coming back. Just to be clear, there were several pastors on the trip and the one I was accompanying, Randy McCollum, was awesome. It was his third trip, I tihnk, and he actually warned me about the guy we were 'following,' which I appreciated only after the fact. Randy and I were there representing Bloomington Baptist Church in Bloomington, Indiana. I think there are even pictures of the trip somewhere on their website.

Some of my favorite memories are of the river itself; 32 miles wide at Santarem, and 800 feet deep. It is almost too large to fathom. In the picture you can see the confluence of the Amazon and the Tapajos. (The Tapajos is blue, the Amazon brown.)

These last two pics are of myself with some of my favorite people. The first is of me, Dahlison and Janderson (my translator). It was a great honor to share Christ with Dahlison, who accepted the invitation. I used an evangecube, which is just an awesome tool. The second picture is of me with a group of kids who prayed to receive Christ with me at one of the VBS clinics. To make sure they were serious, I first shared the gospel, then told the group I was sharing with that there was a soccer game outside for them if they weren't interested in hearing more. These stayed.

I loved this trip. THe last two days were spent on a houseboat. We slept in hammocks, swam in the river, fished for piranha, and basically just took in the beauty of the scene around us. A thousand pictures wouldn't do it justice.

Another memory: The black vultures that were more brazen than any rat I've ever come across. They were ubiquitous and knew the garbage pick-up schedule better than the collectors themselves. Seriously, you could get within two feet of them. Also, I thought I had termite issues, but the hills I saw down there were often three feet tall. Amazing, amazon.

2004 Jordan Mission Trip

3-14-04 Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan


What a trip. We left Bloomington at 4pm on the 12th, drove to Indy [Indianapolis], flew through Minneapolis (Where my luggage stayed) to Amsterdam, stopped during our 7 hour layover to wander around central Amsterdam and eat a meal, then arrived in Amman and drove to our lodgings. It’s 2:30am [making it a 34 hour trip]. But the trip is only the prelude to this great week. I call it great because I know God called us here. It’s me, Ben Martin, Ryan Schnitzer, Kate Wilson, Audrey Liljestrand, Christine Gulick and Gwyn Hamrick. I need to stop now because I’m so exhausted it hurts. It will be exciting to see what God does with us this week. I miss Mandi already.
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As I was showering this morning- a fine, long, hot shower- I started singing, “I Can Only Imagine,” [Mercy Me] as a way of worship, and it occurred to me that one day I will face the Lord face-to-face, one day my own chariot of fire will come, and it will be glorious to see what our real home looks like. “Will I sing Hallelujah, or in awe of You be still?” What a great day that will be! What hope we have in Christ Jesus! In the meantime, how incredibly blessed I am? I love my life… I have a loving wife, adorable children, the respect of family and friends and foes alike. I have [done] all there is to do in this world, all I want to do anyway, with few exceptions. I have lived life to the full and only one thing remains, namely, to persevere, to see it through to the end, to see the kids grow up, get saved, glorify God with their lives, to grow old with my beloved Mandi, and to continue in the faith. Nothing more, nothing else do I desire.

We had a nice traditional Jordanian lunch today: 15+ people, huge amounts of traditional foods, desserts, tea, a nice game of chess (I lost) [badly], and a wonderful time w/warm hosts. Later we went to a church service. I couldn’t understand anything the pastor said, but we shared communion and our group did the special music at a moment’s notice. Some things transcend language barriers.

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3-16-04 Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
We spent our second day with the kids at the Amman Baptist School. We’ve been able to share our testimony now with a couple of hundred kids. Of course, we haven’t been able to ask for a response, but at least we’ve shared and at least they’ve heard. We also got to visit The Citadel. There are a maze of ruins from several centuries B.C. to about 800 A.D., representing at least four different cultures. [This is the place David sent Uriah the Hittite to die in combat.]

The team is holding together nicely. Everyone is getting along great, everyone feels positive about our work, everyone has enjoyed our tours so far.

Tomorrow we’ll be working at a university and everyone is really nervous and excited at the same time. We’ll go out in pairs, hope the U. lets us inside (it’s a gated facility) and try to just talk to people with the hope of turning a conversation into a relationship and a witnessing opportunity.

Tragedy did strike today in Iraq. Four IMB M’s were killed in a cross-fire and a fifth was medevaced [sp] to Europe with 11 bullet holes in her. Mom and Dad are probably worried, but we’re as safe here as we were in Bloomington. Still, our host m’s [Names withheld for security purposes] were friends of the victims. B helped open the work in central Iraq after the war. Really, he’s an amazing guy. The school we’re helping represents the largest concentration of Christians in Jordan, and he’s picked out the site for a second school in Baghdad. Both are multi-million dollar facilities and I wonder at times what someone of his stature is doing w/a paean like me.

Their loss today was sharp; friends, but also the entire Board strategy for Iraq. Our own contribution to the recovery was minimal, (we distracted the regional director [Name Withheld] from his grief over dinner), but hopefully meaningful. At this point I don’t believe the strategy will alter our plans at all.

[In hindsight, it was an incredible experience. Surreal, almost. Our mission plan was altered radically for those few hours around dinner that night. Our job during that window was to provide a distraction, a stress-free moment, for the man who would be responsible for processing the bodies, refocusing the Iraq team, comforting and soothing the grieving, among whom he was perhaps foremost, and finding a new strategy for reaching the Iraqi people.]

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3-17-04 Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Today was a full day. We went to the U. of J. (Amman) and tried to witness to the students for about half the day. Of course, we don’t know the language, or the culture, and it is illegal to share Christ, so we were all intimidated. I spent a good thirty minutes just walking around and trying to get a feel for the place while I overcame my fear. This being a Muslim culture, the men talked only to men and the girls only to girls. –Watch some revisionist idiot call me prejudiced or chauvinist or something for saying ‘girls’ instead of ‘women.’-- Anyway, it was a really interesting lesson.’

I shared with 9 people, the team total was 46. Of course, some people talked for an hour, others for a matter of seconds. No one came to Christ, but the local campus ministry [Name Withheld] garnered enough contacts to keep them busy for weeks.

As I shared I was asked about my family several times. In normal American fashion I pulled out my wallet and showed them pictures of Mandi and the kids. All of them were interested in Nate. It got to the point that I was a little irritated by their cultural bias against women. However, it was later explained to me by [Name, Position Withheld] that they were trying to be polite by not looking at my women. It was their way of showing respect. Talk about cultural differences!

Later on we were heading to the m’s for dinner when we saw a woman stranded in her rental car in the middle of 8 lanes of traffic. The guy behind her got out to help, then I joined him. Together we pushed her up the street a block then went our separate ways. Back in the van V. informed me that the guy was ‘Brotherhood’- an ultra-conservative political party dedicated to the spread of Shari’a law, very anti-American. Perhaps I gave him something to consider. He can never again badmouth all Americans or say they’ve never helped him.

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3-18-04 Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Not a lot to report today. Kate racked her knee pretty bad and may not go to Petra tomorrow. Lord, why Kate? She’s been a perfect servant all week long, and now this. Anyway, today was our last time to minister to the kids. I’m not sure we were effective, but I know we were affective. It will be fun to talk to B in August about how things go after we leave. One sure thing: I miss my wife. I love Mandi so much, and I hate being apart from her. Of course I miss the kids also, but its not the same. I can’t wait to hold them all in my arms again and to snuggle w/my Woobie in bed. If you ever read this, Mandi, I love you.

One cool thing: I got my bird book today. I can finally start identifying what I see. [That was a big deal since I am an acknowledged ‘Bird-Nerd’. I also purchased an ostrich egg that has been painted decoratively with an antelope of some kind. Beautiful, but I had to gift it to my mother since I couldn’t justify the expense on myself.]

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3-19-04 Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Today was a good day. [Terrific understatement!] We hiked all over Petra and had a great time. Its amazing to see an entire culture embedded in the rock face. Kate even felt good enough to come. That, as much as anything, made the day. [In fact, I wept in prayer with Kate the night before when it seemed impossible for her to make the excursion.] She couldn’t do everything, but really had a blast seeing the Treasury and the Amphitheatre. Audrey and I even hiked up the trail to the Monastery. THAT was a climb. I should’ve bought a map. We didn’t have near enough time to see it all, but another group saw the ‘High Place’ altar, and we saw a lot together. On the way to the Monastery Audrey and I were offered several chances to ride donkeys up for 3 Jordanian Dinars (about $4 USD). Like ignorant tourists, we said no. By the time we reached the top we were out of breath, and out of time. We walked to the bottom where its located, then definitely took the first donkey ride that came along back to the amphitheatre where the others were supposed to be waiting. Of course, we were over an hour late, so they had gone back to look at other stuff. Good for them. Now, I am dog tired. It seems odd that we’ll be leaving Jordan tomorrow. I would love to bring Mandi back here for a visit sometime.

[In those last two days we saw not only Petra, but also the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, Mt. Nebo and the baptismal pools where it is claimed that Jesus was baptized. Although Israel has a claim on pools on the opposite side of the Jordan, the Bible itself says that John was baptizing at Bethany-Beyond-The-Jordan, which would put it on the East shore, which is modern Jordan. Sorry Israel. What a magnificent trip! I wish I could do it again.]

2002 Society Islands Vacation Trip

6-10-02 Bora Bora, Society Islands [Tahiti], South Pacific
What a long and excellent day it has been. I can only barely believe we are in Tahiti. We arrived on Bora Bora this morning and are staying in an overwater bungalow with a glass-bottom coffee table. The snorkeling here is even better than Aitutaki- if that is possible. Le Maitai Polynesian is the name of our hotel.

Today we tried SNUBA, a.k.a., AquaWalk. We went to a part of the lagoon called, "The Aquarium," and put on diving helmets like the old brass divers' suits had. This enabled us to walk on the bottom without coming up for air. We spent 40 minutes feeding frenzied schools of fish by hand. It was awesome!! We also spent a good deal of time enjoying one another and praising God for the absolute beauty of this place. I believe Bora Bora could convince even the most jaded atheist that there is a God. Unfortunately, we are so tired from our busy day and jet lag that we are both going to sleep now, even though it is only 8:30 at night. God, be with our children and help us rest unto renewal. Amen.

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6-11-02 Bora Bora, Society Islands, South Pacific
Well, its 8:30 again, and Mandi and I are almost ready for bed, again. We went on an all day excursion that took us all around the lagoon. We began by snorkeling @ the Aquarium, then went out near the outer reef and watched while our guide fed Black-Tipped Reef Sharks by hand. I thought I might be nervous, but I wasn’t at all scared watching them glide past us. Later we picnicked on a motu, but the highlight of the trip was feeding the stingrays. The water was shallow enough to stand in, and the ‘rays were plentiful. They’ve been trained to expect free fish. One went so far as to wrap itself completely around waist. It was amazing to watch them move gracefully among us as we floundered about trying to touch them. In fact, there were so many it was difficult not to step on one from time to time. The neatest part for me was two-fold: first, it was amazing to feel them nuzzle up behind you, two beings both wanting something from the other, literally bumping into one another in the crowd. Second, after the guide called us all back to the boat I thought to myself how neat it would be to touch just one more before going in. That’s when about 5 ‘rays decided I was their last chance for a meal. As I walked back to the boat a series of ‘rays came alongside me and glided past with my hand on their silky-smooth backs! Awesome!!

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6-12-02 Bora Bora, Society Islands, South Pacific
Today was much more relaxed but still full. Mandi and I ate a leisurely breakfast and toured the island on a motor scooter. Even now, our third day here, the scenery is breathtaking.

We also had great fun snorkeling here at the hotel. We swam out about 40 yards from shore and saw dozens of varieties of tropical fish. In fact, I think we saw more types today than at the aquarium. At first we just watched them hover near coral heads, but soon they came out to watch us. It was amazing-even better than the Aquarium because of the variety and depth of the water (we were in much deeper water today at the hotel). I took a picture of Mandi from under the water, I hope it turns out well.

One of the main reasons for this trip was for Mandi and I to rediscover God and one another. We pushed so hard for the last three years that our relationship to one another and to God was suffered- that is the bad news. The good news is that we are aware of our problem and are here to fix it. I love Mandi so much I want nothing more than to help her draw near to God. Lord, help me to do that. Help me to lead by example and help her to follow close, and help us both to be filled and engulfed, overwhelmed and submissive to your will and your Spirit. Help us to love you and lean on you and use us to help eachother in our daily walk with you. Amen. Please also bless the remainder of our trip to that end.

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6-14-02 Moorea, Society Islands, South Pacific
Yesterday we ate at a restaurant called La Lunareva, which means, “The Floating Boat.” It was a stormy night, so the rain blew in sideways through the windows and the boat rocked all through dinner. We ate with a newlywed couple we met at the hotel- Robert and Angie. Between the four of us we had barracuda, shark, tiger prawns, parrotfish and cuttlefish. (The Cuttlefish was a mistake.)

Today the fun continued with a 4X4 tour of the island- which was nothing special- and an hour of swimming with dolphins. Our 4X4 tour was less than stellar since the drought here has dried up the waterfall everyone wants to see. Still, the guide- Bubba- was very good. The dolphin show was excellent, meanwhile. We stood in about 3 feet of water and played with an Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphin that is trained here at the hotel by DolphinQuest.

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6-17-02 Moorea, Tahiti
We definitely stayed one day too long. We have had fun, but this place is extravagantly expensive, and yesterday I got bit by a large Parrotfish, and today it is supposed to rain all day. We are essentially stranded for nine hours in our hotel. Still, everything is beautiful and relaxing.

[I don't actually remember it as relaxing. I remember the last day as highly stressful. The fish bite wasn't serious, but probably could've used a stitch, and it hurt like like Hell. It happened on an island tour we took that left us snorkeling on a motu where we ate lunch. I was feeding the fish with a bread roll when this vicious sucker just comes along and bangs my thumb at full throttle. I sought first aid frim the guide, but all he did was squeeze a lemon on it. It killed the germs, but I nearly passed out from the pain. All I could do was apply direct pressure until we got back to the hotel and dress it properly. Wow, that hurt!] Adding insult to injury, it was there that Mandi lost a nice ($200) watch.] Our gift to the island. I won't go back to Moorea.]

2000 Uruguay Mission Trip

4-1-2000 Somewhere over Bolivia
Today begins at 33,000 ft. over the eastern tip of the Andes. I slept fitfully, spread across three seats in a Boeing 767. I hope and pray that as we seek to glorify God in Uruguay that my Spanish will return quickly. What an incredible adventure is life! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me next.

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4-1-2000 Montevideo, Uruguay (10:20pm)
We've been here all of 8 hours and already things are happening, the mission is taking shape. BL [I can't in good conscience reveal missionaries' names], the missionary we are assisting, is a nice guy, young too. I am pleased to see how much he loves the Lord, it will be a joy to serve with him.

Evidently B is not much of an administrator. Wisely, he is aware of that. We know where we are going tomorrow, but don't know where we will be sleeping. Since it will be Sunday, we have total freedom to share with the kids who up for our baseball clinic about Jesus Christ. Monday and Tuesday, the same will not be true as we will be teaching high school phys. ed.

Mandi is still struggling with leaving Aly behind w/ my folks, but she'll be okay. From a human perspective, this trip is going to be hard. We gave up our baby and don't even have a clear itinerary of what we are doing. It's hard for me, but I know Mandi is really torn up. She has cried for days about this. The only thing that makes it better is the eternal perspective.

From that vantage, this trip is a blessing. Our first love is supposed to be God Himself. He guards that jealousy. His ultimate goal is to be glorified, and if we fail to love Him first, then we thwart His glorification. This trip makes that crystal clear. It does not ease the burden of giving up our daughter, but nothing can now come between us and God.
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After reading that last paragraph, I don't think I communicated my thoughts well. What I mean is, Mandi and I gave up a lot to come on this trip. It is hard for both of us to be here. We did anyway, however, in order to glorify God. We have made ourselves available to Him, and I believe He is honored by our sacrifice. Should anyone ever doubt our commitment to Christ (and I hope there is never cause to do so) I will point to this trip and say, "HA! What have you done?"

It should never come to that though. Ultimately, we are not here to serve God anyway. He cannot be served. He is entirely self-sufficient. That is what separates Him form other gods. No, we are here to be served. I believe God has our best interests at heart, and I believe that for that reason He brought us here to Uruguay. Likewise, He loves Alyssa more than Mandi or I will ever be able to. He has her interests at heart as well. He is consistent. He will use this time to our benefit, to her benefit and to His glory. If we love God first, the last should be enough. If we trust God, the rest should be enough. Either way, it is enough.

May our hearts not doubt him, may we only love Him more.

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4-2-00 La Charceada, Uruguay
Lord, I'm tired. We drove 3 hours in a cramped truck and taught baseball for four more hours so I could give my testimony to a group of about 44 students. Then we ate a quick dinner and drove another hour and a half, dropped Jayne and a translator off at a missionary's house, and went for another half hour to a church where the rest of us will spend a short night. We've got 8 hours of teaching to do tomorrow, but it should go well, there's no reason for it not to.

Did you know that there are wild ostriches in Uruguay? Now you do. And the stars are amazing. Now I'm going to bed. I'm too tired to write or think anymore tonite. Morning will come way too early.

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4-3-2000 La Charceada, Uruguay
Mate. A tea-like substance poured directly into a wooden cup, then water is added. You drink the water, usually only a mouthful, through a filtered metal straw. [Its a fairly common drink from Brazil to Argentina, and I've seen it drunk from a thermos and in family-sized bowls which many people will share.] It tastes terrible, but has a kick to put espresso to shame. Our room last nite reminded me of Romania, only smaller, more rustic.
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Cebollati, Uruguay
Well, I have done it again. I have burned myself to a crisp in the Uruguayan sun. Still, it was worth it today because our mission saw four people trust Christ...

The day started out normal, except that there was no hot water in the church where we are staying. We taught baseball all day long with a two-hour break for lunch. We had four two-hour sessions of instruction and twice were able to share the gospel at the end of the session. Scott Flippin [our group leader] shared the first time and Mandi shared the last time. Although several people indicated an interest in spiritual matters, there were no decisions at those times. They were not, however, without fruit.

At lunch time I was sitting with Andres (Kyle), our MK interpreter, when a boy asked me about an evangelism bracelet I was wearing. As I began to share with him, with Andres' help, several other kids came and listened also. In the end, Vanessa, Fernanda, and Pablo prayed to accept Christ. We did everything in our power to make sure they understood what their decision meant, explaining that it was a relationship and a friendship. We gave them tracts also with Bill's [our Missionary] address on them. Afterwards they came to our four o' clock clinic. Bill explained to me that he is excited because they have heard the gospel before from him, but failed to respond. They are young, 12-14 years old, but old enough to understand.

After dinner we all went to a Bible study here in town. There were several of the boys we played ball with earlier and Cesar who was with us yesterday as well. Cesar did not know Jesus Christ even though he heard the gospel from me, Mandi and Scott each today and yesterday. Then in the study CC (the local M) asked one of the boys to share what he had learned on a trip the boys had taken earlier. The questions was loaded because C organized the trip and knew the answer.

Several boys shared what they had learned through an evangelistic tool called "the cube." Before long, the gospel had been clearly presented una otra vez para Cesar. Luego varios de nosotros compartimos versiculos favoritos y cosas que nos han impactado hoy. Cesar no pudiera escapar. No queria escapar. Por fin, oramos en grupo y Scott dijo que pudia ver a Cesar visibly shaking while we prayed. After the prayer we broke up and began charlando, talking while Andres invited Cesar to accept Christ. He prayed to receive Christ after the most amazing tag-team display of impromptu evangelism I have ever seen. I wish we had it on video. This is an important step foreward for the Christian community here because Cesar is very popular, a real key leader.

Finally, on the predictability of Satan... Just as it looks like great strides are being made, Maria Selia was approached today by an angry parent upset that she would allow us to teach her child about God. All she accomplished was to make Maria mad because the program here is squaky clean. We teach ball only during class time and make it a point to tell everyone that they are in no way obliged to stay afterwards to hear about Jesus. We are not making a secret of our ministry, that is not the goal. We are not ashamed. I just pray that this negative pressure does not increase and only serves to drive Maria closer to making her own decision for Christ. [Later reports indicated to us that she did pray to receive Christ some months after our departure.]

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4-4-00 Rocha, Uruguay
Seven hours of clinics, a fifteen minute gospel presentation, four decisions. Un dia excellente. Mi espanol esta mejorando tambien. Hoy vi Cesar y el me ayudo mucho cuando jugabamos partidos. I wonder where he works. Anyway, he caught because my legs are too burned to squat. Also, he helped teach batting. When we had a chance to talk about spiritual matters, he was open and warm. I believe he genuinely accepted Christ.

After our presentation tonite, I talked with a boy que se llama Laurelinio. Me dijo que quisiera parte del grupo de Cliff. Cinco minutos despues le vi orando con Guillermo y el grupo de C. He had mentioned to someone else earlier that he was interested in becoming a Christian. It was exciting to watch as that group welcomed its 2d new member in 2 days through prayer.

Finally, we returned to Rocha. Its a two and a half hour drive which isn't so bad except that the road isn't paved about half the way and we had so many people and so much luggage that we had to strap five bags on the roof. Mandi and I rode back in the bed [of the truck] the whole way. Uncomfortable? Yes, but it gave us a chance to talk privately which we haven't done since we got on the plane.

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4-5-00 Montevideo, Uruguay
Today was a good day for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being that another person made a decision for Christ today. We are back in Montevideo now which is also nice (the accomodations are much better). Also, I lightened my load in a considerable way, if you know what I mean. [A reference to the fact that I hadn't yet had a bowel movement since we left the US.]

We parted with CC and family today, which is sad because he's a great guy, fun to work with and an authentic Christian. I hope to stay in touch w/him and send him some grip tape for a couple of baseball bats. Before we left he gave me a Spanish Bible, new and old testament in an NIV format.

It has been interesting this trip to see how God is working through us. We give testimonies every day, but leave the invitations with C and B. They evaluate the contacts we make and it is they who will follow up any decisions that are made. It feels like we have to take people to the edge, but not tell them they need to choose. It makes sense from the relational standpoint because we want authentic decisions, not obligatory ones. At the same time, it just doesn't seem right.

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4-7-00 Montevideo 9AM
Yesterday began wet and ended soaked. We got to the field and stood around while Bill drove through the neighborhood trying to round up kids. Eventually we had 6 or 7 show up. It rained all the way through, but no one flinched and we finished with a testimony. Although we didn't see any decisions, B says we made an impact on several kids who needed to hear the gospel. In the afternoon it rained even harder and we had to give up the second clinic early and cancel the third. Its the first break we've had since we got here. The schedule we've been keeping since we got here puts the army to shame, except for the firewatch of course, we don't spend two hours a night watching for sparks or badguys.

We're supposed to go to our 1st clinic in about 20 minutes, but its been raining heavily and is still raining now. We'll see...

Something else that ought to be remembered is how Mandi's translator stirred things up in Cebollati one afternoon. Evidently she was just beginning to work with a new group of guys, teaching them how to field gorund balls, when Andres noticed that they weren't interested in her at all. So, she gave her 1st introductory speech and instead of giving a direct translation, Andres said, "Boy, you sure are the ugliest group she's had to work with," referring to Mandi's intro. It took a moment for what he said to be understood, but they were totally shocked. Then thye figured out it was a joke and everyone laughed and the clinic proceeded.

Tonight we went to a Bienvenido for an ISC couple who just arrived in Uruguay. It was nice to see the missionary turnout for the event. It was a potluck and we were invited to share our experiences from the week. Mandi is getting desperate to see the babies, she's called home 3 times since we got here. Anyway, it rained hard all day long, so we didn't get to do our clinics all day. In lieu, we went for a couple of prayer drives; driving from place to place around the barrio where B is working, praying for various people and events.

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4-8-00 Buenos Aires, Argentina (Airport)
Going home. Finally. I am tired and grateful to have come on this trip. Today was a Sabbath, we spent most of the day just sightseeing.

Mate Part 2. In Paraguay it is taken cold (so I’m told), but in Uruguay it is taken scalding hot. It is so common down here that you can hardly walk down the street without seeing someone slurping away, cup in one hand and thermos of water under an arm. Often they will share their cup and straw, but etiquette demands that you drain the cup ‘til the straw slurps. That way they know there’s no backwash when it’s passed.

As far as sightseeing went, there’s not much to say. Montevideo is somewhat like Lisbon, a rundown port-Capital whose glory is long past. It’s sad really. The most interesting thing we saw was the Baptist Theological Seminary. B gave a devotional there this morning and we got to watch. Just before we left for the airport we were interviewed by a guy named Pedro who writes for several publications including the Uruguayan Baptist Convention’s paper. He wants to do a piece on our trip since it was “successful.” By the way, we made it on TV in Chuy. Now Mandi and I have been on TV in 2 countries – (we were on in Romania also, same reason exactly).

1999 Mexico Mission Trip

(The following notes are transcribed from a journal I kept on a mission trip to Mexico over Spring Break of 1999) [At the time I was the college minister for Emerald Bible Fellowship, which went down every Spring for a week-long mission to support several ministries there. The main area of activity was a compound used to hold camps for area churches. We would annually make improvements to the compound and assist local pastors by holding VBS, medical clinics, building houses and churches, etc.]

March 1999, Day 1, Road to Yreka, CA.
The crew of our van is mostly seniors (HS). Nate, Jesse, Reed, and Sam all graduate in June. Kyle is only a freshman. Reed wants to go to Western Culinary Institute in Portland [OR], but Nate will probably stay and so will Sam. [My sister went to Western Culinary.] Its frustrating to try to get to know these guys knowing I'll be leaving in August. The best I can hope to do is grease the skids for thier transition form HS to college. The summer campout needs to be Big.

Kathy Webster is reed's mom (Brook's too) and I can see the family resemblance. The surprising thing so far has been the music. The guys and Kathy all dig classic rock. Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Simon & Garfunkle, you name it, we had it and heard it. Oh yeah, Garth Brooks, lots of Garth Brooks.

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March 1999, Day 3, Campground in Mexico
After starting the day at 5:30 AM, we pushed hard all the way to the broder crossing at Algodones where we were promptly rebuffed, but not to worry; we drove on to the next broder crossing (middle of nowhere) and they waved us right in.

My first duty of the day was to make sure that everyone in the group received their lunch money; the same duty I performed last nite with the dinner money. After we got on the road, all I had to do was assist Kathy Webster driving, except for the two hour stretch where I drove for Ken Harvey.

Once we arrived at the campground I assisted with rounding people up for the meetings (as at the rest stops) and helped set up the chairs for our main final meeting before we headed to our different sites.

Once the meeting ended, I spent as much time as possible building relationships with the kids, especially paying attention to the graduating seniors and college students. I also helped John Crowder gather the insurance packets from the drivers.

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March 1999, Day 4, Campground in Mexico
The day started much earlier than I had in mind, but that's okay because I didn't sleep well anyway. Ken asked the other interns and I to help organize the work schedule and we did, but then John [Crowder] cam along and rewrote most of it. By the time we got our teams together, my team had been combined with another and double-tasked.

The first thing we did was introduce ourselves, myself, Dave Parker, Leisel Hildebrand and Sabrina Hamilton. L & S are from Capernwray. [Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre is a missionary training center on Thetis Island, B.C. I spent six months there in 1989-90.] Then we held a devotional and then we prepped a trailer for paint. Dave organized that part since it was originally his project. We finished before lunch, then L & I started on the folding chairs. I am the project leader for that task. We have to sand wash and paint 100 folding chairs in four days. No 2 people can do that. Fortunately Dave and S got reassigned to me. I like our chances.

At 3:30 we went to a local church in Indiviso where the locals served us all an authentic Mexican meal and we then held a church service for them. (It is Sunday.) I rode back with Isidro, the local pastor, on the 45 minute trip home. I should mention that his truck has no keys; he hot-wires it each time we wants to use it. Everyone else took the long route home in the church vans that stopped to view the other sites we worked at.

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March 1999, Day 5, Campground in Mexico
After breakfast this morning I had a talk with Ken regarding last night's miscommunication on the sleeping arrangements. he was concerned that I or someone else might have a bad impression of the girls who appealed the decision not to let them sleep outside. In truth, I was more concerned for Mitch and Timani, who made the decision, than I was for the girls who had gone back to Ken after we made the decision. [I say 'we' because Mitch and Timani were interns like me at the time.]

Turns out, the whole thing rested on a lack of communication between us and Ken. The gals got 2 different messages from 2 different authority figures and just wanted a definitive answer. They were patient and thoughtful, not making an end run around Mitch and Timani.

In other news, I spent the first half of the day prepping the chairs, and the 2d half doing odd jobs for Russ Sandberg. Today I learned how to sheetrock, tomorrow I paint. Sabrina left the crew this morning for Vacation Bible School, Leisel joined her in the afternoon.

Dave and I spent most of the day learning that the Lord is in charge, and His plans are more vital than our own. We struggled to stay busy and feel useful, but that's where God has us. It would be nice to be digging ditches all 5 days we're here, but where's the lesson in that?

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March 1999, Day6, Campground in Mexico
Today I felt like I was walking uphill through sand all day. I got out of bed do tired and never got any better. We finally got the chairs done though. Dave did all the painting with a spray gun while I wiped them down and moved them to the drying rack.

I had a great time with Dave. We talked a lot while we were painting about life, the universe and everything. This trip has been a struggle for us both. It would be so much easier just to dig a ditch, but that's not what we, in particular, are here for.

I've had a good tine getting to know the seniors. I've only had the chance to meet about half of them, but its been fun interacting with them. I want to make an impression on them so they'll feel more comfortable in the Group when they graduate. ['Group' was the name of the college ministry at EBF, which I was in charge of at the time.] I try to learn as much as I can about them and encourage them any way I can.

Tonite I had a great opportunity to talk to Rebbecca. She'll actually graduate in about 2 weeks. Early, but she is motivated. I only wish Mandi were here to reach out to the girls more.

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March 1999, Day 7, Campground in Mexico
Last nite was the best I've slept since we got here. I woke up refreshed and feeling good about the day. Dave & I put the chairs away, then went our separate ways. I'm not sure where Dave went, but I helped on the fence crew 'til I broke Julia. She tore her hand open quite badly helping me move a roll of cyclone fence.

I was going to go to the medical clinic at lunch @ Indiviso, but Julia's emergency required us to get her to the doctor at Johnson, so we went to the site and after Dr. Fillingame stitched her up we went to Indiviso. That's where I helped with the clinic. Basically, I translated for Tamara Rowe and interviewed patients before they saw the doc. It was definitely the high point of the trip for me so far.

We got back late for dinner, but the stew was good and we had a praise and worship session for everyone, with good sharing and communion (we used Sangria). I helped serve the communion.

That's all, time for bed.

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March 1999, Day 8, San Felipe, Baja Ca., Mexico
The day began with a whimper, but will go out with a bang I'm sure. We got up early, packed, ate breakfast, and I helped direct traffic while we cleaned the main hall.

On the road to San Felipe, I led the daily devotions for our va as part of my co-pilot responsibilities.

Here at San Felipe, all is relaxed. We are spending the night here in a resort hotel right on the beach. I shopped a bit and spent some time talking with Jess Flowers and we bought a pair of tiny Maracas for our babies. [Alyssa was still in the womb.] The fish tacos were great, but, as always, some of the kids got in trouble. You can rent four-wheelers here and drive them right on the street, but I think one of our group got pulled over and ticketed for several moving violations. I heard he was arrested, but I can't say for sure. Of course, a few kids got caught drinking, as they do almost every year.

At 10:30PM Mitch and I are set to do room checks and make sure that everyone is where they are supposed to be. Security 'til midnite.

1998 Iberian Tour

3-20-1998 Madrid, Spain
I'm baa-aaack!

I should mention that after leaving Bucharest in '95, I visited Vienna, Paris and Madrid for three days each. Now I'm back! Mandi is in the shower and I'm just waiting for my turn. The first thing we did when we got into our room is cuddle. We cuddle every morning we're together and this morning we missed because of the plane flight over. You couldn't really cuddle on a plane. Damon Yauney is with us as part of our tour group. Oops... my turn to shower.

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3-22-98 12:45 AM, Somewhere in Spain
Palacio Real, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Museo Soifa Reina, Museo del Prado, Hard Rock Cafe, throw in some shopping and a couple of huge meals and you have the last two days. We've seen Picasso, El Greco, Dali, Rubens, Goya, Bosch, etc. We came, we saw, we conquered. Last night we went to bed early, hoping to adjust tot he time zone, but at midnight and 12:20AM Mandi and I were awakened by people dialing the wrong numbers. At 1:00AM there was a group of roudy kids running and yelling up and down the hall. At 2:00AM our upstairs neighbors decided to have a party and began moving the furniture in their room. At that point I got out of bed and went down to the front desk, head messy, shirt inside-out, shorts undone, shoes untied, no socks. I drew quite a few looks from the throng of people in the lobby, however, the manager, upon hearing of my plight, fixed the problem quickly. At 7:30 the next morning I turned up the TV knowing the neighbors would be asleep and was gratified to hear someone pound on the floor above a couple minutes later. Tonite, it is silent in the halls.

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3-23-98 Costa del Sol, Spain
I have to say that the group from North Carolina that is part of our tour. [?] They have two teachers and no guidance whatsoever. The teachers have been both incredibly annoying and a great source of humour for the rest of us. One of them needs slapped and the other we're hoping to get a good price for in Tangiers.

First, there's 'Blondie'; young, bitchy, an aspiring Tammy Faye Baker. She wears enough make-up in a day to keep the industry alive all by herself. Yesterday I made a joke about Washington Irving and his role in World War II. Janet Lueck caught the Catch-22 reference and we laughed pretty good. Blondie (AKA "The Bitchy One" by some) corrected me by pointing out that Washington Irving was long dead by WWII. Great catch, Bimbo! You teach, or so I'm told, but can you read? Anyway, all this happened after a long bus ride in which I tried to lean my seat back (the bus has airplane-like seats) only to be told by the Bi...imbo that it would force her to reposition her legs and not to di it. Did I mention that I haven't slept for 6 hours in one night since before we got to Portland? She's lucky I didn't break her legs! Anyway, I'll get back to her later. Her partner is just as interesting, if less annoying.

The 'Froo-froo' Lady wears just as much make-up, a lot of gaudy jewelry and clothes and is at least 50. Like her partner, she tends to look down her nose at the rest of us. So far today she pitched at least two fits that I've seen, but I have reliable sources who tell me that there were others.

The first one happened in the hotel lobby just after we arrived. We're all waiting in the lobby for our keys, along with 2 other tour groups, when she storms to the front desk and demands a porter for her luggage or she'll leave this hotel. Our poor tour guideis still passing out keys and now has 'Froo-froo' to deal with. I wonder where she thought she was going; to leave the hotel would be to leave the tourgroup and, therefore, her students, behind. We all kind of hoped the guide would call her bluff.

The second snit she had was when we were all lined up for the courtesy van to the beach. We all started finling on board and Froo-froo was last with her friend (who is truly patient for putting up w/Ff). As it turned out, there was only room for one of them. They both stayed, but as the bus pulled away, I could see them and our tour guide (Nerea) deep in meaningful conversation...

One thing both Blondie and Froo-froo have in common is their total lack of supervision over their kids. Damon and I have seen them break a number of rules and even video-taped them drinking at the bar. At least twice B & Ff have gone off to do their own thing and left their charges completely unattended. We laugh now, but would I let my kids go on one of these? Not with B & Ff, that's for sure!

[In fact, Janet was an outstanding example of what a good, caring teacher can do. She not only organized this trip, but kept her charges in line like a mother hen, and she included a number of parents on the trip as well, thus providing not only additional supervision, but family bonding as well. Janet Lueck is as quality a person as you're likely to find outside of heaven.]

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3-24-98 Tangier, Morocco
Quote of the Day, "What's a cavity search?" Dad and mom got the wrong stamp in their passportson the ferry over here and had to spend an extra ten minutes waiting for it to be corrected before they set foot here in Africa. [Dad hollered the cavity line down the gangplank while waiting for the Morrocan officials to correct their mistake. I was somewhat surprised he didn't actually get one after such a prank.]

Today was pretty full. We saw the Casbah and went for a camel ride. This place reminds me of Korea in that it is so foreign that you can't even read a coke bottle. It is beautiful though, not a desert at all, in fact, the only people who ride camels are tourists, everyone else has a car. There aren't very many trucks at all, and only a few sport-utes. Something that Spain and Morocco both have in common is their prolific use of tile. They make streetsigns out of tile, they paint mosaics and murals on tile, and they use colored tiles for decoration. I'm inspired, I'll use some back at Frog's Leap. [We used to live on Frog's Leap Lane in Eugene, OR.]

One thing to watch out for are the plethora of street vendors. They harass and harangue and try their best to rip you off. They lurk like vultures just outside the hotel door. [Although we were perfectly safe, the girls were a little freaked out by the way these guys would pressure you all the way down the street. they would literally wait for just outside the hotel and even sought to make eye contact with you before you even got out of the lobby.]