God Bless the USA: A lesson in patriotism and humility

After realizing that the government paid muslim ferry driver was lying to us and was not going to take us back across the lake, we had to come up with our own plan of action. His story seemed to change so much, there was no way it could be true. With a sick girl and a strong desire not to spend the weekend on the tiny island, we initiated plan B; we called the US Embasy. We told them that we were being held against our will, mentioning the combination of a team of stranded Americans, a sick girl and one highly patriotic veteran, not only got us a call to the local police, and the Ministry of Transportation, we were informed that the US Marines were on their way out to get us as well. This seem to motivate the driver of the tiny barge, as our translator told him that he may lose his job. All of a sudden he was not so insistant on the state of the broken boat... We did not call the Marines off until we were on our way.

So what would be the chances that the boat was actually broken and we would find ourselves stranded on a barge with less than an hour of daylight on the second largest lake in the world without any help whatsoever?

100%

And so came my lesson in humility once more. I had just stated how humiliated the boat driver looked to my teamate Johnny when I receieved my own lesson in humility.

It was not until I had confessed my sin to God, realized my own sinful and unable state and God's ability that any resolve came. We began to worship with guitar on the front of the barge when the engine finally started and we were on our way.

"Lord, let me know my end and what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am." Psalm 39:4

Blessings, jeremy

Dark Children with Bright Smiles

Her name was not Ugandan, but represented a small town in Italy. Her face shone as she danced and praised the Lord, her story only glorifies God more... One day, while at church, she returned home to find that her parents were killed by rebels. I have never seen the love of God more tangibly shown through worship than through Florence.

This is only one story of hundreds that I have heard. Stories that make your eyes water and your heart hurt. They are stories that remind all of us how fortunate we are, even in hardship because we serve a God bigger than Africa and bigger than America.

The first part of my journey here has been just short of a miracle. The thousands of children I have met only serve to encourage me. I come to minister, yet I am the one who is ministered too. This is a rough land filled with resiliant, God fearing men, women and children.

Please take the time as you read this to pray for my team, the believers in the Masindi Dioce, Lugazi and the Orphans in Mukono. My heart will never be the same again after meeting these dark children with the bright smiles.

Uganda or BUST!

Jeremy asked me (Caleb) to update his blog after he left for Uganda. Well, here goes ...

Uganda, what a place! I can't believe it. He's going to be gone for a while, like over a month. I'll miss him pretty bad and I'm sure the rest of you will miss him as well. But, if it ever gets really bad (the empty feeling when you miss someone) just try to close your eyes and imagine that Jeremy is right there with you. And the thing is, if he's in here (pointing to my heart) than he really isn't so far away at all.

Jeremy sends his love to all his bloggees. He said to say that, he's right here next to me ... well, he's right here next to me when I have my eyes closed and my hand over my chest. GO UGANDA!

well were all dying anyway...

[ Please turn up your volume for optimal amusement. ]

Being that school is officially out for the summer, I would like to send a message to all our students.

Just in case you were scheduling a vacation this summer, check to make sure you don't overbook!

Forecasters are predicting a hot summer this year!

By the way I DO NOT endorse this site!

blessings, jeremy

Back Hasselh-off

Spotting David Hasselhoff in Peru.
Photo by John Freiberg (Coincidentally.)

I don't know why, butt I've seen way too many people resembling David Hasselhoff.

12 Days

The Children of Uganda
Picture used by permission: Team Uganda 2003

With less than two weeks to go, Africa seems a distant reality. God has blessed me incredibly over these past several months, providing my immunizations and a large percentage of the financing for the trip.

My deepest gratitude goes out to all who have sacrificed their time and precious resources for this
mission. This is not my trip, but yours. Every orphan that I touch will be with your hands, every African I share the Gospel with will be through your efforts. I am but a tool that will be present physically, it is you who are the missionaries. May God bless you for your love of His children and your obedience to His commandments.

To my great amusement, my friends at The Bridge Ventura have far exceeded all creative boundaries in mission fundraising. Please visit the World Charity Poker Association for details. Thanks guys, you continue to be my family.

blessings to you, jeremy

of philosphy (and knowledge)

Philosophy, being of some value, is not meant to be discussed endlessly without certainty. It is an incessant journey when one never arrives.

It is even more disconcerting when one knows the truth but still insists on flaunting such knowledge as if it were more portentous then Christ's humble submission, not negating knowledge, but remaining silent in possession of it. To boast of such knowledge is paradoxically asinine.

For all His tedious talk is but vain boast,
or subtle shifts conviction to evade.
-John Milton Paradise Lost 4.307-8

Dedicated to my friends who indulge themsleves in infinite reductionism.

blessings, jeremy

dream on

My dreams are tramatic. I wake up every morning feeling like I need to speak with a therapist. I experience
Post Tramatic Stress Disorder every morning. I wish that my dreams meant something, but I am afraid that they do not.

One of these pleasent dreamy evenings about two months ago, Satan and Jesus were both trying to get me to do drugs. I just said 'no.'

Last night, I saw Miki, Gavin, Frank and Lynn. Miki was on a plane going somewhere and Frank and Lynn were walking down the runway. I too was walking down the runway to see my bother (for some reason on the same plane.) Thats when I walked up the back of the jet and found myself talking to Miki.

This dream was traumatic because I miss Tim, not so much through my own eyes, but through Miki's eyes. I grieve her
loss and the trauma she must experience every morning over and over again.

I awoke this morning in prayer for this beautiful woman and her son that God would allow Miki to rise this morning in the comfort of His peace.

may we all do the same, jeremy