Sunday, April 30, 2006
Global Night Commute.
The Global Night Commute was a great success. At one point the rumor was that we had 298 people together downtown, however we somehow managed to disperse of our 400 informational packets. So great.
I stayed up all night to help with security. Part of me wishes I did have more time to commune and sleep on the concrete, just as the children do every night, but I am glad I wound up working and assisting in any capacity. You know that's the usual story though; how many times in my life whether in church or school have I been asked to play a fascilitating role and help out behind the scenes. Some times I have felt like I missed out on many opportunities by being in these roles, but so many great things have come from it. This morning, sometime around 4:30 as the dawn slowly began to break, as I sat in my folding chair hudled in a blanket and stared out at all the people sleeping and whispering and just laying down on the cold concrete of what is usually the Bank of America Ice Skating rink, I was so humbled at the power of it all. I mean these were mostly college students (although ages spanned from high school to parents with their children) who are in or are about to be in finals week, and they braved the mid-30 degree temperatures to stand up for a cause that we felt strongly about. Despite a lack of strong leadership up until a few weeks ago, it was well organized. We were given the location and security for very cheap, almost free, which was amazing. We wrote over 400 letters to Mr. Bush, many more to our state senators and prepared art collages to send to the Invisible Children Organization, as well as taking photographs last night and again this morning to be used in the documentary when the full version is released next year. The issue now is not to forget. Our lives go on, we get to return to our warm beds. We are so fortunate.
I guarantee you it never gets to 30 degrees in Uganda. 130 maybe, but never anywhere near as cold as it was last night. Check out my pictures of the night.
-----------------------------------
After staying up all night I returned home for a few hours and then went to church, because I knew that we would be talking about global missions and the missionaries our church supports and I didn't want to miss what was going to be said. But I fort of get the feeling that I was not supposed to miss this morning. I can't explain it, other than that God wanted me to hear what Scott and our missionaries had to say. I don't know where life is leading me right now, but because of recent personal events, around and including my move to Providence this year, I can't help but recognize the path that I am on and continue over the coming months and years to be receptive to the direction--any direction--I am led towards. ¶ 4/30/2006 01:19:00 PM
I stayed up all night to help with security. Part of me wishes I did have more time to commune and sleep on the concrete, just as the children do every night, but I am glad I wound up working and assisting in any capacity. You know that's the usual story though; how many times in my life whether in church or school have I been asked to play a fascilitating role and help out behind the scenes. Some times I have felt like I missed out on many opportunities by being in these roles, but so many great things have come from it. This morning, sometime around 4:30 as the dawn slowly began to break, as I sat in my folding chair hudled in a blanket and stared out at all the people sleeping and whispering and just laying down on the cold concrete of what is usually the Bank of America Ice Skating rink, I was so humbled at the power of it all. I mean these were mostly college students (although ages spanned from high school to parents with their children) who are in or are about to be in finals week, and they braved the mid-30 degree temperatures to stand up for a cause that we felt strongly about. Despite a lack of strong leadership up until a few weeks ago, it was well organized. We were given the location and security for very cheap, almost free, which was amazing. We wrote over 400 letters to Mr. Bush, many more to our state senators and prepared art collages to send to the Invisible Children Organization, as well as taking photographs last night and again this morning to be used in the documentary when the full version is released next year. The issue now is not to forget. Our lives go on, we get to return to our warm beds. We are so fortunate.
I guarantee you it never gets to 30 degrees in Uganda. 130 maybe, but never anywhere near as cold as it was last night. Check out my pictures of the night.
-----------------------------------
After staying up all night I returned home for a few hours and then went to church, because I knew that we would be talking about global missions and the missionaries our church supports and I didn't want to miss what was going to be said. But I fort of get the feeling that I was not supposed to miss this morning. I can't explain it, other than that God wanted me to hear what Scott and our missionaries had to say. I don't know where life is leading me right now, but because of recent personal events, around and including my move to Providence this year, I can't help but recognize the path that I am on and continue over the coming months and years to be receptive to the direction--any direction--I am led towards. ¶ 4/30/2006 01:19:00 PM
