Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

Wow. It seems almost arbitrary to try to explain life here to everyone using only words on a computer. My world is filled with people, animals, music, colors, smells, tastes and feelings and if I could use all of them then, and only then, could I really share life here with you - wherever you are. But hey, we'll have to take what we can get so I'll try...

The girls and I just got back from a 2 day retreat in the mountains of Sri Lanka in a place called Kandy where we hoped to find refuge from city life in Columbo and direction as to where to go and what to do that will be the most effective for us and for this country. We arrived EARLY Tuesday morning after a breath-taking 2 1/2 hour train ride through the country. We had a little breakfast at the hotel and the girls crashed and let the the omlettes digest while I read and listened to some of the greatest words of wisdom the world has to offer. I'm sure you're thinking I listened to some sermon or message on my iPod but that would be too simple-minded. If you are reading this and you do not own How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2, stop reading this right now, go to the store and buy it. Sitting at my little table in the middle of a country I never knew was a country until a month ago and drinking pineapple juice through a little pink straw, was one of the most awesome moments of life here. Knowing that God speaks through everything if our eyes are just open is something that everyone should experience and live in everyday. I don't know if many church services have been as real as some of the lyrics on that cd.

I am learning so much everyday (some more than others for sure) but that's how God works - in His time. I'm learning to see the light when it exists and I'm learning to hold onto it for the times when there is none. Some days are harder than others, but as a friend pointed out, attempting to send "comforting" words to renue my hope sometimes lack the power that a simple child or an old man washing his clothes under a rickety bridge can bring. The words that are sent though, literally mean the world to me and I can't imagine being here without them! There are moments of fear here and there but who am I kidding - I was made for this...I'm the wind.

I'm reading The Alchemist again (only one of the best books EVER). I'm glad to see you're rockin' it back home and thinking of me Kara! Since the girls are packing up to leave our little cafe, I'll leave you with some pieces of me. If you want to know me and what my life is about, read the Alchemist. It's a story of my life - in boy form! I have chosen to be a shepherd and travel the world. And by shepherd I'm not talking about leading Christians or herding people in my leadership, but about following my heart and not what the world thinks I should be doing at 23. The people say I am "just" doing something until I get back to school make me sad becuase they've missed the point and I hope they understand what "just" means. It's just plain silliness...

Here are some parting words from Bono and co to keep you encouraged about what's going on here...It worked for me!

I’m on an island at a busy intersection
I can’t go forward, I can’t turn back
Can’t see the future
It’s getting away from me
I just watch the tail lights glowing
One step closer to knowing

Thanks for your LOVE. It means everything.

Jasmine