Risk and Refugees

I recently visited Paris on a two day layover to West Africa. Before going there I must admit I had some bias against the French. Lazy, cowardly, rude, American haters (or so I thought). But when I arrived I found the French to be quite pleasant and friendly, and though I did not witness them…

Africa’s Need: Investment and Opportunity

In the Summer of 2013 I met a boy named Lawrence (pictured below) in Rukungiri, Uganda. Lawrence was studying in Rukungiri at a boarding high school, and I was in Rukungiri as a missionary. My missionary team awoke early every morning and walked a mile or two to Lawrence’s high school to give a morning…

Benin

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of traveling to Benin in west Africa to do some engineering design work on an eMi (engineering ministries international) trip. eMi teams up its full time, licensed, engineering staff with design professionals in the private sector to “engineer a world of hope” in developing countries. On our…

The Alleyway

  I walk down the city streets Strong, confident strides Button down shirt shielding my torso Long khaki pants guarding my legs Slightly too large leather shoes Slapping the concrete with bold steps I pass them on the left and right An old t shirt draped over her frame Light wash jeans hanging off his…

Life After Depression

As many of you know I deal with depression. I have dealt with it since my sophomore year of high school. The worst years were in high school, then when I went to college it got progressively “better.” I say “better” because I never really dealt with it, just shoved it under the rug where…

Total Victory

To the victor go the spoils Man now has the battle won Fighting lions and tiger and bears, oh my Struggling to leech life from mother nature’s stony bosom At times the war was hard Sleeping in caves Killing with the hands Eating it raw Now time has proved us champions and we will rule…

No Salvation Without Condemnation

I had to calm down a little bit to write this blog, it’s hard to type when your hands are shaking in anger. I can no longer stay silent. I can no longer stand by while my friends (both Christian and non-Christian) are persecuted by the Christian church. What am I talking about? I am…

Joy Abounding

I’ll sing god’s praise through all my days For he has given me good life He has set me free from my enemies And delivered me from strife When faith abounds his words do sound Bringing healing from my prayers He has washed my stains and broken my chains He’s brought peace to all my…

Still Standing

Weathered and worn, scratched and torn. The palm tree stands watch at the head of the road. It is tall and still strong enough to grow fruit. But it is battered. Deep cuts are scored in the trunk. As if some freakishly large lion used it as a favorite scratching post. The gashes are deep,…

Jericho

I hear your battle drums Resounding in my ears, rattling my brains Your war cries assault my senses The heat of your gaze rolls across my skin Batten down the hatches, the night will be long March round and round outside my walls I am not Jericho, I will not fall You will not conquer…

Real People

Maybe it’s a little late for a “year in review” post, but here it is. This year was an amazing year, let me tell you why. This year was amazing because I had a terrible depressive episode for the first time in 2 years that involved me planning a detailed suicide attempt. This year was…

Body Language

Isn’t it strange how the body remembers? The corners of the eyes revel in the echoes of laughter. The forehead creases in reflection of past contemplation. Freckles stare back with sightless eyes at the bygone sun that burned them into existence. Blue veins run like rivers down the body, flowing with time, the countless seconds…