Travel With My Friends

Ten years ago, I was sitting in Dublin, Ireland with the challenge of finding something in 2 Timothy 4 to share to the four of us who had assembled there for the summer to serve as missionary interns. Verse twelve jumped out at me for some reason. It might have been the simplicity of the verse, it might have been the unique name, either way, I started looking to see who this Tychicus guy was. The few verses that mention this guy talk about how he is a "dear brother and a faithful servant" and one who was sent to "encourage your hearts." As I read these few verses, I was challenged to live a life that those words could apply to me someday.

Well, years have gone by, and at times I still think about good old Tychicus. Now I sit on the edge of a trip similiar to his. I am heading to Ephasus. Sure I'm not taking the same route he did, but I'll walk the same streets he once walked. I'm excited about this.

In the same way, I'm excited to see what God has ahead of me on this trip. For the couple weeks, I'll be spending it traveling by train from Beijing to Moscow with two amazing guys. Iron sharpens iron is the phrase I am expecting of our time together. But in Moscow we go our seperate ways. From there I'll spend time in Germany, France and Switzerland with some friends and former students. Then it is off to Turkey. I still don't have many things planned about this trip, partially out of creating a sense of adventure, part out of leaving it open to what God has in store. (So if you are along the way, drop me an email, and if I check it, we can hook up.)

But in the end, I hope that those I come into contact on this trip would see me as a faithful minister, a dear brother, and one that has encouraged their heart...

Currently listening to: The Big Trip iMix

Nothing Like A Train

As a distraction from packing, I created an iMix for this big trip I'm about to embark on. The ironic thing is that I am not taking my iPod. The only entertainment I have with me is a deck of cards and a copy of The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I guess these two guys will also provide entertainment for the first two weeks.

But if I had my iPod, these are some of the tunes I might enjoy on this trip:
1. The Wanderer - U2 with Johnny Cash
2. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
3. The Great Wall of China - Billy Joel
4. Train In The Distance - Paul Simon
5. China - Randy Stonehill
6. Russians - Sting
7. That Train Don't Stop Here - Los Lobos
8. Stranger In Moscow - Michael Jackson
9. Another Travelin' Song - Bright Eyes
10. Lost In Germany - King's X
11. Fly Away - Lenny Kravitz
12. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - They Might Be Giants
13. Eastern European Girls - Letters Lost
14. Turkish Delight - David Crowder Band
15. Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? - Rockapella
16. What Susan Said - Rich Mullins

Currently listening to: The Big Trip iMix

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Another camp week
This time with some younger kids
For us to work with.

The power of youth
To harness their energy
Could power cities.

A king on the roof
A woman in a bath tub
The start of trouble.

Beijing to Moscow
Three guys riding on a train
The trip begins soon.

Heading to Kandern
A town known for it pretzels
To visit some friends.

A few days well spent
Seeing Biblical churches
Walking where Paul walked.

Three times this summer
Bouncing between continents
Cross the Bosphorus.

Currently reading:

Tickets For The War Game

A few weeks ago I added a little image in the left side bar of this blog that shows where people are visiting from. As I checked it as time went by, I could not help but think of War Games. For those not blessed with a knowledge of classic eighties films, it is a film about the potential start of a nuclear war. There were screens in the command center that showed potential targets, as well as missile silos.

So with that in mind, take a look at the visitor map of this page. You can also check out the same map, but with smaller clusters of visitors.

Call me crazy, or just bored, but sometimes I like to look at those maps and try to figure out how to get more red dots on it. And how do I get more in locations like Africa, South America, or even Alaska. Perhaps on my upcoming trip I'll just log on to my blog a couple times just to put a dot on the route.

Well, I should either go to bed, or continue my plans to take over the world.

Currently listening to: The Cars -

Of Bricks And Morter And Lime

It is once again that time
Where I create a stupid rhyme
That wouldn't be worth a dime.
I hate to admit I once was a mime.
Today's poem is far from prime.
Venkman was covered in slime.
Chagall's self portrait is sublime.

Currently listening to: Sting -

Friday Night And Everyone's Moving

Showers are your friend
Just one of many lessons
That were taught at camp.

How much would it take
To fully submerge your head
In the camp's food waste?

Nine days till the trip
I still need to book a room
And plan the last week.

I wish I could say
Some of the things in my head
But would you listen?

Currently wondering why one would buy these online:

Shower The People

Two of my quotes from this morning...

"If you haven't showered yet this week, today would be a great day for one."

"If you've been wearing the same shirt all week, it is time for a new one."

You gotta love camp.