As Brad explained, we took part in the Global Night Commute last night.

I have been talking to friends around the nation at different colleges and with different views and beliefs in life, yet with the same goal and mindset for the children of Uganda. Large scale unity is one of the coolest things ever. It was pretty cold, especially for this time as we all bundled up on the cement parking lot last night. However, a friend in Boston said it was next to impossible to even get to sleep, so I suppose I have no room for any complain. I felt as if I barely tasted what it was like to have to walk and sleep in uncomfortable conditions. First, because it was only one night. Secondly, because we were with friends and there was a level of fun and community that I dearly hope the kids in Uganda create. That was my biggest question from the night. Do they create a loving and fun-ish community? What really got me was today, suffering the effects of only getting 4 hours of sleep in an uncomfortable spot. I do not know how those kids do it. They are truely courageous. Pray for them.

Reflecting on Africa:

I bet the stars are OUT OF THIS WORLD (of course).
The Nile was once filled with blood. Intense.
African food. hum.

In our small group chapel at ACU today we had a speaker talk to us who was a missionary, mostly to northern Africa places. He spoke French. It was neat, I am pleased to say that after a few years in high school, sophmore year being the last, I have retained some of the French language. I could understand about 60% of what he was saying. He spoke of life being two choices. Life. Or death. He made it sound so simple and amongst a crazy end of school time when grades, papers, tests and this Abilene heat wave are crashing in around you it was something I appreciated hearing.

I get to be that guy to the Ugandan people! The different looking, different sounding, different language guy. It's nice also because if your speaking another language your A) like given pity laughs at everything you say whether your funny or not and B) appreciated and listened to because your from far away. Spence and Em also said that there will opportunity to speak all the time and if we do we will have from 2 minutes to 2 hours. Wow, would that fly in America . . . on our crazy scheduals and hurried mindsets probably not. It's amazing the lessons Africa is teaching me before I get over there.

I mean the Nile was BLOOD . . . really, wow!

Sarah, Brad and I had the opportunity to meet with Spencer and Emily two weekends ago. I was star struck right off the bat. What do you say really? You changed my life. You are one of my heros. I have not seen you in about two years. What's up? It was quite a conundrum. However, if you plan on talking for 5 hours you have to get past that. Those five hours sure flew by! Thinking back on that time, I was able to connect again with one of my personal mentors and older brother who guids me in the steps of Jesus. What a wonderful source of direction those two are! Spencer Bogle is one of the best live-rs in this world I am convinced. As a middle schooler I was in awe by the way his words and actions and everything matched up like a guy in the Bible we were reading about so often when we were together.

I started thinking to my last few days at home in high school. I could not image life without a youth minister. I mean honestly where are the adult youth ministers? We really need some. Then coming to college my wonderful professors who I could brag on for about 10 pages took that place. They are wonderful live-rs as well. ACU, I am convinced, has the most wonderful cast of characters and Christian people in the higher education system, they care so much about their students and people in general.

Then I began to think after this whole college thing who my mentor will be? It is so important to have an older, more mature and wiser Christian to follow. They are able to see Christ a little bit clearer, obviously, because they have been going towards him. I am not saying age is necessarily a factor, however, it is so important to find someone who is further along in their journey to run behind. Who is that for you?

If you do not have a personal mentor or person you feel like you learn from, I encourage you to find one. If I am lucky, I will be an old man with many mentors still. This is just a shot in the dark, but I bet there is like a reversal and you start learning from the younger folks, because generally the way things work are so crazy upside down. Ha, no although I am sure you will learn more from people around you, surely that is not how it works. I have heard from many parents that they learn more from their kids, than they teach them during their lifetime, but that is a whole other story! Thank you mentors! Keep on leading and following.

There is no such thing as a sleeping pattern in college. I am excited about Uganda and needed to say so.