Africa- Here I come

I depart tomorrow for Zambia and Uganda and will be visiting micro-loan businesses and water borehole wells in both countries.  If I'm able to,  I'll try to update from the field.  It will depend on the available internet access.

In Zambia I'll be in the communities of Samfya and Chapako,  and in Uganda I'll be in Kampala, (Uganda's capitol and largest city) and in rural Apac.

Can you believe it's been 10 years?

Can you believe it's been 10 years since the terror attacks in NYC and Washington DC (and on our country as a whole)?  I bet you can still remember what/where you were during the hours of 7:46AM and 9:03AM on that sunny Tuesday morning.  I was at my old job at Allstate Insurance CO.  I had just begun my workday about the time AA flight #11 slammed into the 94th floor of the north tower of the WTC.  A co-worker approached me and told me that a plane has just struck the World Trade Center in New York.  I gave her a dumbfounded look and told her she had to be kidding,  as nothing like that could EVER happen.  Well,  it DID happen,  and suddenly I noticed many subdued conversations going on amongst co-workers.  15 minutes later,  UA #75 clobbered the south tower of the WTC,  and then I knew this was no joke,  30 minutes later,  AA #77 slammed into the side of the Pentagon in Washington DC,  as I was really coming to terms on what was taking place.  Then about 25 minutes after that,  UA #93,  believed to be heading for either the Capitol,  White House,  or Air Force One had crashed in rural PA.  Many employees were even in tears,  being consoled by their co-workers,  and TV monitors were set up all throughout the office building.  Large crowds were tuning in by the dozens.  More tears were shed amongst employees,  more consoling in front of the monitors,  as the mighty USA was shook to it's very foundation that day,  exactly 10 years ago.

 As we have come to know,  the true heroes of this great country were the NYC police,  firefighters,  EMT's and rescue workers,  many of who perished while trying to rescue those who they will never know the names of.  They truly put their lives on the line that infamous day.  In the weeks following 9/11,  people united as one,  barriers came down,  church attendance soared,  and God was sought after by those who have previously shunned Him to the side.  In fact,  many churches in this country reported record attendance the weekend following 9/11.  People were curious.

 But as you know,  not all folks united,  some barriers went up instead of down.  Innocent Muslims were assaulted by angry,  vengeful Americans,  Mosques were torched.  Is this the way Americans are REALLY supposed to act?!  Some people never learn.

 Yes,  our country and world have changed in the last 10 years,  some for the better,  some for the worse.  Take some time today to reflect on the events of 10 years ago,  and how they may have even changed you.

 Now,  some other news.  I depart for Africa this Friday,  arriving in Johannesburg on Saturday night.  After an overnight in Johannesburg,  I'll then fly into Zambia the next morning.  I'll be staying in the home of a missionary couple.  After a week there I'll head into Uganda for about 5 days,  before returning to Chicago on Tuesday evening,  Sep 27.  Just 3 days later I'll head to Williams Bay,  WI to participate in a single adult retreat.  Considering I'll still be dealing with jet lag and taking malaria meds,  this should be very interesting.

 I'll post more trip details later this week.

 Always,  choose kindness

I was Rocked this AM! (In a good way)

Earlier this morning I once again rose early and boarded the 8:12AM train at Schaumburg to head down to the city.  As usual the Loop was pretty quiet at 9:25 on a Sunday morning,  and today was no exception.  I entered the historic Auditorium Theatre 10 minutes later and grabbed my usual seat in one of the opera boxes.  Where else can you worship the Creator of all from an opera box?  Only at 10AM on Sunday mornings at Willow Creek Chicago.  The service began with a great rendition of "Better Is One Day",  which made me think of how Willow Creek was back in the 90's and early 2000's.  In my opinion,  Willow was at it's high point during that time.  A couple of songs later,  the message (videocast from South Barrington) began.  The speaker was Blake Mycoskie,  founder of TOMS shoes out in CA.  He openly described how TOMS began in 2006 and grown to worldwide status in 5 years.  He initiated a "One for One",  you purchase a pair of shoes,  a child in a Third World country receives a pair of TOMS shoes.  I just sat there and took it in,  and could not believe what I was hearing.  In that moment this morning,  my world was rocked.  After the service I had a few conversations with some folks about what transpired in the last hour or so.  I was still in a daze as I walked out of the Auditorium Theatre,  past Willow Chicago's brand new ministry center at 418 S Wabash,  and headed for Union Station to catch the 12:30 train back out to the burbs.  During the train ride I was still processing the message.  Serving the less-fortunate in the Third World is my life's passion. 

In other news,  my upcoming trip to Zambia and Uganda is now finalized.  I'll depart on Friday Sep 16 and return on Tues night,  Sep 27,  which is now a day sooner.  During my 2 weeks there I'll be visiting some microloan businesses begun by poor villagers in Zambia,  some water purification systems,  and even a Willow Creek partner site (even though I'm traveling with Bright Hope International and not Willow Creek).  Most of my time in Zambia will be centered in/around the impoverished rural community of Samfya.

I'll continue to update.  As always,  remember to choose kindness

Trip Dates and other items

I'll be traveling in Africa (Zambia & Uganda) from Fri September 16 - Wed Sep 28,  returning a day sooner than originally planned.  I'll be traveling with a staff member of Bright Hope International (That's right,  just 2 of us now).  I'll have a trip-prep meeting this Thursday at 2PM,  and at that time I'll find out what kinds of items I'll bring with me.  One thing about this adventure is that we'll be constantly on the move,  no more than 2 days in one village.

 On Sunday morning,  August 28 I'm planning to head back down to Willow Creek's downtown Chicago campus once again,  and anyone is more than welcome to join me.  The service is at 10AM at the historic Auditorium Theatre (Congress & Wabash)

 I also recently hooked up with a great local organization.  Backpack Buddies is based in Hanover Park and last week they collected nearly 750 backpacks from local families.  Many of them will be distributed in U-46 school district and a few other NW suburban districts.  My small contribution consisted of 4 backpacks.  I'm also looking at some organizations and food pantries/soup kitchens in the Elgin area.  There seems to be a lot of need in that city.

 That's all for now.  I'll post back next week about collecting items for Africa

Today at Willow Chicago - and Zambia news

You probably have noticed that I often blog about my visits to Willow Creek's downtown Chicago campus,  it's because I totally love that place!  Just can't get enough of the energy,  vibe,  and passion that permeates the historic Auditorium Theatre at 10AM every Sunday morning.  This morning was awesome as always,  rockin' worship and a relevant message (videocast from South Barrington campus).  Anyone is free to join me here.  I'm looking at August 28 as likely my next time going there.  They will be feeding the homeless on that day too. 

 My upcoming trip to Zambia has finally made some progress last week.  The dates I'll be traveling are September 16-September 29.  Besides my time in Zambia,  I'll also be making a side trip to Uganda to visit some of Bright Hope International's ministry partners,  as well as visiting some microloan businesses begun by poor villagers.  Most of the Zambia portion of the trip will be centered in the impoverished community of Samfya.  I'll be visiting some partners there,  also checking out some new borehole wells in rural bush villages.  One of these projects I'll be visiting is (ironically) a Willow Creek partner.  If you wish to contribute in any way towards my trip feel free to do so.  It can be financially,  in prayer,  or just some encouragement.  I'll post again soon.

 The Bessie's Table soup kitchen in Des Plaines (where I often serve on Monday evenings from 5:15PM-7PM) is closed during August.  Last Monday was my final time there until possibly early October.  In their peak season they can serve up to 130 souls in an hour.

 Always remember to choose kindness!

Today's Experience in Chicago

Earlier today I again attended the 10AM service at Willow Creek's Chicago campus.  Man,  I just can't get enough of that place,  the energy and vibe is contagious!  Following the service I joined up with the 2Fish street group to serve a picnic lunch to many homeless men (and a few women) at Balbo & Columbus Drive,  in a nice area of Grant Park.  Around 50 homeless folks showed up for a meal,  and some nice hangout time as well.  Several men from the shelter were present,  and they even invited some other homeless men that they knew.  A couple of the guys were finally sober enough to join us today.  When you are homeless and down on luck,  addictions call out your name.  Drugs and alcohol are prime addictions for many of the guys,  and one of them was recently released from Cook County jail.  We were there from about 11:15AM until almost 1:30PM.  I caught a 2:30PM train departure back to the NW suburbs,  arrived home around 3:45PM,  a quick bite to eat,  then I made a quick trip out to Algonquin Commons in the namesake city for a band concert (even in the 95-degree heat).  It's almost 8:30PM now,  and time to rest.  All in a day.

 Not much progress has been made in trip prep since my last post 2 weeks ago.  I found out this week that I may not be able to make the trip to South Africa in November with Willow Creek.  This due to unusual circumstances beyond my control.  I did go to Parkview Church in Orland Park last evening and found out they have a trip to Kenya for late November.  If the S Africa trip does not work out,  I'll likely look into that.  Maybe a door was closed this week for a reason.  We'll wait and see.

Happy Birthday USA

I hope you're all celebrating safe and well on this wonderful sunny 4th of July.  It's been a rather slow week last week,  but activity will pick up this upcoming week.  I handed over my passport to Bright Hope International (the organization I'll be traveling to Zambia with in Sep) to send to Washington DC for a visa to be inserted,  my 3rd visa so far.  It will be returned in a month or so.
     This 4th of July holiday weekend so far has been much better than 1 year ago.  Yesterday I even made a trip to Lake Geneva,  Wisconsin,  met up with a few friends,  and hiked part of the Lakeshore Path.  I have not hiked this part of the path before.  This tourist town was totally crammed with folks enjoying the long weekend and the nice weather,  as I don't think I have ever seen Lake Geneva so packed out as it was yesterday afternoon and evening.  Later it was capped off with a good old-fashioned Wisconsin fireworks display.  I arrived home very late last night a little tired out from the day,  but it was well worth it.  Not much going on today,  possibly may view the fireworks in Itasca later this evening.
      It was my second Sunday road trip in a row.  Last Sunday I spent the afternoon and evening out in Galesburg, IL for their annual Railroad Days event.
      I'll update again later.  As always,  remember to choose kindness