Archive for July, 2008

Technology is Amazing

Posted: July 31, 2008 in Friends, Life, People, Technology, Travel
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I am amazed by modern technology. 

This morning I have communicated with five different friends who live literally on the other side of the world. I have been able to actually talk and hear their voices with two of them.  And I was able to see actually see one of them through a webcam. Another I was able to communicate over a form of instant messenger.  Two more I communicated with via email, including one sending me pictures taken that day of some of the Olympic venues in Beijing (see picture above). I have done all this before 10am and totally free. Isn’t that incredible?

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been able to establish some amazing friendships with people who live on the other side of the world. These people over a two week span have invested a lot into me and I have invested a lot into them. In the past, it would be very difficult to do that because of the inability to communicate when separated. To guard your heart, it would be easier to simply not intimately connect with others so that saying bye would not be so difficult. However, with modern technology keeping in contact with people is incredibly easy. I am so excited that those relationships can continue to grow and improve.

I have been connecting with people using SKYPE. Skype is not a new program, but you can talk with anybody with a Internet connection throughout the world for free. You can hear each others voices like a telephone call and you can also see them while you talk using webcams. You can also use Skype’s instant messenger program to simply talk through messages. The best part about Skype is that is 100% totally free. Thanks Josh Nipps for introducing me to Skype a couple years ago.

On another note, while I was in China I kept seeing these amazing, tiny portable hard drives. These hard drives are about the size of a video iPod and has up to 160G of space. On our shopping day before we came back to America, I found a 160G portable hard drive for only $70. I was pumped. Just thought I would share my discovery.

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This is how I need your help:

1. If you have Skype, can you please get me your Skype ID so we can talk? 

2. Have you recently stumbled on any new technology that you want to share about?  I would love to hear about your recent discoveries.

The Stache

Posted: July 30, 2008 in Funny, Life, People, Random, Sports, Travel
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If you have been a consistent reader of my blog, you know that I do not take myself too seriously. I always enjoy laughing at myself when I get the chance.

Well, while I was in China I really grew out some really good “man-fur” with my full beard. When I got back to Texas and the temperature was above 100 degrees, I knew the beard had to go.  As I was shaving today, I believe that I got inspired today by Jason Giambi, Tom Selleck, and Mario.

Check out this hilarious picture…

Quote

Posted: July 29, 2008 in Faith, Life, Ministry, Spirituality, Travel
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I realized something while reading my previous post. I seemed I may have come across somewhat complaining about my lack of comfort in China. I wanted to make sure you all know that I absolutely loved every second I was in China. Even though some of my normal comforts were taken away, I would go back and would have stayed longer if possible.

A simple truth that I understand is best explained through this quote…

“MY COMFORT IS NOT GOD’S PRIORITY.”

Back In America

Posted: July 29, 2008 in Faith, Life, Ministry, People, Spirituality, Travel
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The long journey is finally over. We made it back to Texas late last night. 

It is good to be back in America, but I am missing China pretty bad. Our trip was amazing. Thank you so much for supporting us and praying for us. Lives were changed and we were used in some pretty amazing ways. 

Jet-lag is currently kicking my butt today. It was extremely difficult to sleep last night. Still feeling like I was on China time, I kept waking up during the night. That being said, I am pretty wiped but wanted to make sure you knew we were back in the states.

Here is a list of things I was excited to get back to…

  • My bed
  • Gaby and Kate
  • Napkins
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Forks
  • Air conditioners
  • Hot showers
  • Sit-down toilets
  • iPhone
  • Unblocked Internet
  • All my incredible students in SOC/SM

I have a lot of incredible stories to share later regarding our China trip. Let me recover from jet lag a bit.

It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

Posted: July 27, 2008 in Food, Friends, Life, Music, People, Travel
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To quote the amazing early 90s R&B group Boys 2 Men, “It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.”

I am sitting in the Seoul, Korea airport right now. We left Weihai this morning and have made the first of three flights before we land at DFW airport.

Saying goodbye yesterday to all our new friends – Chinese and American – was extremely difficult. In fact, it was much more difficult that I imagined. There were a lot of tears and emotions. It is amazing how hearts can connect so deeply in such a short amount of time. I kept reminding all of our emotional students (including myself) that intimately connecting and investing in those Chinese students’ lives was well worth the tears and negative emotions that results after making that choice and having to say goodbye. Loving and investing in people is always worth it!

I sat back for over an hour and watched the American students and Chinese students interact as different groups were having to leave at different times. What I saw was unbelievable. The life I saw in the Chinese students’ eyes was so different from day one. The smiles, hugs, and tears were incredibly genuine. It was a powerful moment. Lives were changed. I am so humbled to be able to be a part of something that is literally changing the world.

Last night we enjoyed a night out on the town. We got to shop in a lot of Chinese stores and look for souvenirs for loved ones at home. We ended up eating somewhere familiar at the mall for dinner – McDonalds. A very special “THANK YOU” to Carol and Sherry, who are two amazing Chinese college students from my small group, that made sure we did not get lost, bargained for us, and simply took care of us. I love these girls so much (SEE PICTURE). We got back on campus and enjoyed birthday cake for Kirsten McMillan’s birthday. It was a great day.

We are scheduled to return to DFW airport on Monday, July 28 at 8:05pm on United Airlines Flight 6219 flying out of Los Angeles. Would love to see as many people as possible at the airport to welcome us home.

Here are some pictures from our last day (including some powerful goodbye pictures)…

Who I am Missing Pretty Bad

Posted: July 26, 2008 in Dogs, Family, Funny, Life, Random, Travel
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This is who I am missing really bad while I am in China:

Last Day in China

Posted: July 26, 2008 in Friends, Life, Music, People, Sports, Travel
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Believe it or not, today our China journey comes to an end. We have another half day of Sunshine camp. By lunch today, camp will officially be over. Tonight we plan on going around to a touristy place to do some last minute shopping and souvenir-buying. I plan on finishing tonight with a big dinner all together somewhere to celebrate Kirsten McMillan’s birthday. 

Yesterday all of the groups went to the beach to have a sand castle building competition. Some of the groups were amazing.

Last night, we had a big, camp-wide talent show. SOC represented during the talent show as Mackenzie Tatum and Gabriel Devoto performed a hip hop dance/stomp routine, Gabriel also displayed his ninja-like numb-chuck skills, Heather Cromer and Elise Rascoe danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller“, and Kyle Byrum and Parey Draper did a skit that included acting, High School Musical, and traditional Chinese dancing. My highlight (as well as a lot of people’s I believe) was two separate performances: one Chinese girl recited PERFECTLY Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It was unbelievable. Also, one Chinese girl and one American girl got up on stage together and sang “Amazing Grace.” It was powerful.

All that is on the program agenda for camp is the “closing ceremonies.” I will make sure to take some good pictures to share with you tomorrow. I will get another chance to get on here tomorrow to share one last time when we are in the Korea airport. On our way here I found a great wi-fi spot that let me access my blog. I will give you one last final update complete with pictures and updates.

Make sure to check tomorrow for another update. Love you guys very much. We will be home shortly.

UPDATE: The Yankees still haven’t lost since I have been in China. Looks like I am going to have to take one for the team and stay here till they win the World Series. As a true fan, it would be my honor.

Another Funny Story

Posted: July 25, 2008 in Family, Friends, Funny, Life, People, Random, Travel
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There is an obvious language barrier that rears its ugly head from time to time here in China. I have been amazed at the high level of English that all the Chinese seem to have. However, there are times when confusion and misunderstanding happens. Sometimes it can be funny.

Here is an actual conversation I had at lunch one day when Heather and I were having lunch with our co-coaches for our small groups – Lily and Lydia:

LILY – How long have you been married?

HEATHER – A little over four years.

LYDIA – Wow!

LILY – Brian, what do you like about Heather so much?

BRIAN – That’s easy. The thing I like most about Heather is the fact that I know without a doubt that she loves God more than she could ever love me.

(LILY & LYDIA exchange shocked, confused looks at each other as I sort of freak out thinking I answered a question wrong.)

LILY – Did you just say that Heather loves guys more than she loves you?

BRIAN – No, no, no!!! I said that Heather loves “GOD” more than me, not “GUYS”!

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Ah, the language barrier strikes again.

One More Full Day of Camp

Posted: July 25, 2008 in Food, Friends, Life, People, Sports, Travel
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Today is a bittersweet day at Leadership Camp. Things are starting to wrap up as today is the last official full day of camp. As I currently am sitting in the lobby of a five-star hotel across the street from campus stealing their wi-fi, I am getting ready for parents day here at camp. The leadership has invited all the parents of the students going through the camp to come for the day to experience all that their kids have learned. Since China is a stinkin’ huge country, I am not sure how many parents will actually make it out here to Weihai.

Yesterday was another eventful day. I have some extremely powerful stories that I cannot wait to share with you when I get back to America. I will tell you that we had a crazy time called “Sunshine Craze” where the small groups went through a series of games and obstacles to earn points. Some of the stations included egg toss, mystery dinner, sticking candy to somebody’s face, foot-washing, downing a two liter in one minute, and much more. It was a blast. After dinner, all the small groups performed their dramas they have been working on all week. These dramas had some extremely serious topics, but turned out to be communicated quite comedically. (From all that I have heard, Kelyn Bain was incredible in his drama.)

Our work here is almost over. We are definitely on the downhill. In the words of my good friend Israel Lewis, FINISH STRONG!

Here are some pictures from yesterday including the meat stand that is currently saving my life…

By the way, the New York Yankees have not lost since I have been in China. They are currently starting a three game set in Boston, so I hope that continues. If they keep winning, I might have to take one for the team and stay in China till after the World Series – now that is a true fan!!!

Funny Story

Posted: July 24, 2008 in Friends, Funny, Life, People, Random, Travel
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I know yesterday I shared about our bathroom situation and hopefully you got a little kick out of that. After talking to many American men and women who spend a considerable amount of their time in China, they enlightened me to something I find pretty funny.

If you go somewhere in China where they might actually have a more “American” sit-down style toilet (restaurants, hotels, etc), you will often find footprints all over the seat. Now that takes some skill and balance!

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