sox4lifeinPA

Today is my last day at my job. I'm finally finishing school (1 year to do the rest of my bachelors, 12-15 months for my MBA). I promise to never return to this industry. HOORAY!

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 12:31 PM) I've alwys believed trade is our best ally. A couple McDonalds and we'll destroy them and their health care system Quite honestly, I don't know why there's even an embargo. (aside from land being returned to its "rightful owner). 6 months of open and free trade would destroy what's left of communism there.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 11:58 AM) So you went the Mexico route? U.S to Cancun to Cuba? Did they stamp your passport? I heard if you ask them not to, they won't. yeah, next time I'd do Canada to Cuba. Direct flight seems much more advantageous. (4 hours instead of 12) They did not stamp my passport in Havana. They stamped my visa and that's it.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 09:56 AM) Wow. I was about 60 miles inland, but the eye wall passed very close by. The winds and rain were impressive. I noticed that Mother Nature finds the weak link in everything. We were without electricity for about 20 hours, other areas are still without and it may take a week to ten days to get it back. Being an avid backpacker, I had plenty of odds and ends and a couple camp stoves if necessary. I never lost water, which was very nice. My car port was half ripped out where it was attached to the house, but it remained in place. I did reach South Padre Island. The usualy 90 minute drive to close to four hours as I negotiated around flooded roadways. Imagine the largest wooden power poles you have ever seen, and splinter them in sections like a toothpick. About 10' of beach was eroded away at my camp. Some items were destroyed, other, more fragile, remained undamaged. Fences and signs were down everywhere. My detours took me thorugh some really poor neighborhoods. Sadly, we could not tell what was normal conditions and what may have been storm damage. Remembering what Jim went through a couple years ago and am very grateful we had it relatively easy. glad to hear you're ok, Jim.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 01:59 AM) That flag thing is pretty cool. Where are the majority of the other tourists from? Just curious. We ran into a lot of people from Ireland, believe it or not. There was a swath of other nations represented. In mexican customs on the way back from Havana, in front of me was a French guy and his son, two english students, and behind me was a couple from Spain. I noticed a handful of Russians too. We even met a few Americans. Holguin, which is a major city on the north east side of the country, had flights from Toronto and London, as well as a handful of latin american cities. There were literally a line of buses waiting for each plane load of tourists. I gathered from some conversations that Cuba is a vacation destination for many Europeans. There's even a Sandals resort on the north central coast.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 24, 2008 -> 01:07 PM) I'm jealous and getting hungry. You give me a pile of rice, a stack of beans, grilled plantains and some kind of fish and I'm good. Can you get away with calling a rum & coke a "Cuba libre"? I was surpirsed by two things (amongst a pile of them): One of the hotels we stayed at put up a flag for every country represented by those staying in the hotel that night...and sure enough, there was a US flag up. Very humbling and honoring, I had to say. the other thing was that apparently it's a custom to hand out mixed drinks as you're being checked into your room. Once we got Mojitos and the other time was Rum and Cokes. good times.

Day 3 is up. alexburdine.com "The Cuba Journal"

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 23, 2008 -> 10:13 AM) I think we would both agree that an overseas mission, especially to a country where we are not wanted, often has a bigger impact on the missionary then the population at large that is witnessed to. I do see a huge positive affect in that. And perhaps I am overgeneralizing. Your trip was much different then the typical trip I see down here. I see these youth groups who are more interested in picking up pirated movies in Mexico then witnessing or helping. For them, the mission is the penance they pay for their overseas vacation. and that's a shame when a trip can't be framed correctly and perspective isn't given to the youth. I had two chances to go into Central Mexico twice as a youth and both times I really enjoyed the chance to interact with mexican people and learn about their culture. you know, even this trip, one of reflections on the time spent there was that even the adults were on the trip had different levels of interest in the culture we were interacting with. We had the chance to spend a day in Havana site seeing and shopping, but a few guys had no desire to see the city or experience Cuban life. Sad, in my opinion.

Tex, see you on Saturday. We're spending a week in College Station. Be safe.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 08:18 PM) PA, allow me to put this into a little perspective, because my thoughts are shaped by this area. Many groups use this as a point of entry to working in Mexico with the poor people. And I agree, there are many poor people in Mexico. But, while they stay here and wait to enter, this is one of the poorest regions in America. But IMHO not enough Churches will offer a mission trip to a poor US community. They want to sell "exotic" and "challenging" trips. IMHO, we fail in many ways when we are selling the trip location to the youth and not the mission. If you truly want to witness to poor, Spanish speaking people, you do not have to leave the US, they are here. But instead, we want to kick them out and then we will witness. The plane tickets to some of these locations will feed someone for months, possibly a year. And again, I have confidence in your sincerity of purpose and do not wish to show any disrespect. Just offering a log for the campfire. We're saying the same thing, but a few things to consider: A) How does overseas missions effect us differently than stateside missions? is there added value by completely removing all familarity? B) There are a hundred ways that churches could better use their resources, but we agree that money spent on hotels and plane tickets could be better used if the money would have been just given to the local church in need. C) We cannot overstate the significance missions plays in the person going and serving. Often times the person being sent sees the most change in their own lives, how they live when they go home, and the new perspectives they have. So, as I said, I think we just need to rethink the way we do missions. Yes, a stateside emphasis needs to be placed. I also think, many churches are even failing to address the mission field all together. What are they doing for their local community? What are they doing to address the global church? hopefully that adds to the campfire as well.

QUOTE (Soxy @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 10:52 PM) I'm not sure you'd like him, but have you read Don Miller's book "Blue Like Jazz?" It's well written and engaging--even if you don't like his theology. (And, again, I'm not sure you would, but it's a good book.) Haven't read it, but heard good things. I'm pretty much reformed, redemptive historic when it comes to my theology, but I'm always willing to rethink my perspective. I'm not a fan of Marcus Borg, but the questions he raises cause me to think. Same with the Yooma guy. Now that I'm unemployed after friday, I'll be reading alot more. I'm putting that, along with "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller on my list.

Hurricane Dolly sounds like one hell of a strip club dancer.

unless their one world's dream included not having black people in their bars. /green

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 04:50 PM) It amazes me, as a culture, how we just are not receptive to evengelical thoughts anymore. People (Americans) just aren't interested. I really don't blame people for that. There's a need for churches to return to Acts 2 attitudes. My pastor pointed out the other day this line: Acts 2: 47 "enjoying the favor of all the people" ALL the people, meaning, those even on the outside of the church were impressed and respectful of the church. When was the last time THAT happened? I'm not asking people to BELIEVE what I believe, but I sure want people to be impressed with how we relate to the community and the good things we do for people. I want people to respect my church for the emphasis we place on serving others.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 04:25 PM) I understand, and there is a certain synergistic effect of these types of mission trips. It fills both people with the Spirit. And I hope I was not downplaying the impact you have had. I just wonder at times how much good we could do state side if we held off overseas missions for one year. I knew you weren't doing anything but raising questions. s'all good. I think churches just need to rethink their state side and overseas models all together. Churches need to be addressing issues on the local level in innovative ways and asking the community what THEY need rather than relying on old ministry functions. The same could be said about overseas opportunities; American churches should be resource centers for overseas churches. More often than not, the overseas mission will spend the money more effectively than if 10 Americans spent 20k to visit Africa. I get what you're saying Tex, I do. I'm attending Bill Hybel's leadership summit again in a couple weeks. I'll give reports about it. Skepticism aside, this two day event is an amazing opportunity for leaders christian or otherwise.

Day Two is up. alexburdine.com the cuba journal ab.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 21, 2008 -> 08:08 PM) Thank God everyone in the United States is saved, so we can start working on Cuba. Seriously, with so many unsaved here,why go to Cuba? I see all the people crossing into Mexico on mission trips and think, turn the hell around, there is so much left to do in the US. And as you know, major props for going, spreading the Word is awesome and I applaud you, but I have some intellectual curiosity about why over seas and not at home. I know you're dialoguing, so I'll bite. A) I understand your argument, but I never said I wasn't doing anything stateside: Church Plant starting Fall '08 B) Going overseas, especially a closed country like Cuba, allows us to do practical things as well as evanglistic things, i.e. I brought in 10 changes of clothes (socks, underwear, shirts, pants, shoes) in a huge suitcase and left them there, also we brought in literature (seminary books in spanish) and money. Anyway, I'm much more of a service oriented person anyway: in June I worked on a habitat house and last year I was in mississippi for a week building homes in the Katrina wake. good thoughts, Tex.

I made it back alive. What a country. A quick summary: 7 Flights, 2 interrogations, 5 missing bags, 235 Cubans heard the Gospel, tons of photos, 2 hour "rally car" ride, the best food you could ever eat, 0 people sick, and I will never look at the world the same. For those that would like to read my daily journal: Day one is up so far. The Cuba Journal

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 11:32 AM) Boz and PA are both Alex's. Forgive me for not including Jason on this list.

Leaving in two days. I'll be giving a report in about two weeks.

There are at least 3 Jims that have not voted yet.

QUOTE (mreye @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 10:57 AM) 2/3 went to our church, the rest went into savings. HAHAHAHAHA irony.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 09:51 AM) Russian mail order bride. 30 copies of "Lars and the Real Girl" DVD because it is such a brilliant film.

I just realized that either I'm being punk'd, I naturally gravitate towards people named Mike, Alex, or Jim....or c) parents don't waste much time being original. What's your real name?

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 5, 2008 -> 01:48 PM) Wow, I'm jealous. Please take lots of pics (if you're allowed) and keep a diary. I'll be taking pictures when appropriate and I'll definitely be sharing them. here and on my personal site (in my sig). We have tourist visas, so it's a legit visit for the record. Though I cannot say what our visit is for or where we'll be going (until we get back).