The Candid Life...

A Thought on Technology

2009-10-12T07:37:00.003-05:00

Printed from Nik Cubrilovic on techcrunch.com

Technology has spoiled us to the point where we feel nostalgic when we lose data that didn’t really matter in the first place. If it did matter, a primal instinct would have driven us to do more to preserve, rather than rely on a sleep deprived sysadmin on the other side of the country. If you didn’t care enough to take care of it yourself, then you didn’t really need it. It is our misguided expectation of technology that causes us to panic when we lose data. The only people who have a larger incentive to preserve your data are those who are using it to target an advertisement at you, or sell you something.

Not only is a lot of this data not important, but do we really want to keep it? I certainly would not want a full account of everything I did in my youth sitting on a server somewhere. I am also certain that we do not want the record of our as a society time being documented and discovered by future civilizations based on Twitter messages.

Data experiences its own form of natural selection. What is important will survive, the remainder will thankfully fade away.

Experience the Pain?

2009-08-23T20:28:00.002-05:00

(Please read understanding that this is the ramblings of a person that is a little lost for words on how to describe the following phenomenon.)

After several discussions with people over the last few weeks since our return from South Africa, one thing keeps coming up. The subject of pain usually makes its way into the conversation. Everything from "I couldn't do that because I can't deal with that much pain" to "I wouldn't want to have that much pain." (these are just my versions of I think they are saying)

The point is why is everyone so focused on the pain and the need to avoid it at all costs? I, for one, am a "pain avoider" and tend to make decisions based on the least amount of pain to be experienced. We are built (physically) to avoid pain, however, I don't know that is true emotionally or spiritually. I look at the story from George that I posted last week and I read through the New Testament and I don't see many people avoiding the pain.

Pain shows up in our physical body to tell us that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. The same could be for the other parts of our being. So is it best to always avoid pain? Not really. Never experiencing pain means you probably haven't lived to your fullest. (the obvious medical exceptions must be noted) Maybe you need to chase something, jump off something but most of all I think people need to experience emotional and spiritual pain to make sure they are still alive.

Pain is something that draws us nearer to Christ. He came and experienced all things painful. I realize that he experienced all other emotion but He felt all the emotions people brought to him including the realization of their own sin. Wow! Maybe that is what emotional pain is all about. The realization of our own faults and problems. We see a little of what He sees and it HURTS.

A letter from George

2009-08-19T08:42:00.002-05:00

This letter was written by our friend George at Hands@Work. Please take a few minutes to read. (http://www.handsatwork.org/letters-from-george/2009/5/4/care-enough.html)

Sitting with a candle trying to type at night is nothing new in Zimbabwe. The power is on and off and completely unpredictable. Tonight the only difference is I am alone in a house… alone with the thoughts of the people I met in the last two days. On Sunday I went to church with Stuart, a church leader in Sakubwa, one of the poorest areas in Mutare, and the coordinator of the ministry to care for Sakubwa’s vulnerable children.

The first time I went to Sakubwa last year I met Agnus, a grandmother with fifteen grandchildren. They all lived together in one room measuring about 3 meters by 5 meters. The youngest grandchild, Valecia, left a permanent mark in my life. I called her the girl with a yellow hat because she wore all the clothes she had, including her yellow hat, to ensure nobody stole her only possessions. Her grandmother told me that if Valecia had one meal a day, then she had a good day.

The day I met her she smiled from the moment we met until I left. Now on Sunday at Stuart’s church, as I walked into the room I saw both Agnus and Valencia again. Agnus was now nearly completely blind and Valecia had stopped smiling. Both seemed happy to see me, though I sensed a hint of “where have you been?” in Valecia’s eyes when we looked at each other. I so wanted her to come running to me, but she didn’t. In fact I realized she was staring at me when I looked away but was determined not to make eye contact. What had happened to this seven-year-old girl?

The next day I met Grace, who is forty-five years old. She is bedridden and looking after 8 children, plus 3 grandchildren and another orphan. They, like Agnus, live in one room. Ferrai, Grace’s five-year-old boy, sat next to her, seemingly not noticing my entrance. Stuart asked Ferrai to stand up to show me all the sores on his body. I barely saw the sores as I stared into his eyes trying to find life.

I took Ferrai gently by his arm and pulled him really close to me. After many years working with sick people, I knew Ferrai was dying, and I know he knew it too. Giving money to his sister to take him to the hospital the next day was the only thing that helped me to eventually leave the house. Even so, I knew it was not what he needed. As we walked away from the house, I tried to reason how to encourage Stuart to love this child and not leave him to die alone when Stuart already has 200 orphans to care for and his own family hardly sees him. Stuart himself is trusting God for school fees for his children. Together we walked through Sakubwe as dusk set in. We didn’t talk as both of us wrestled with what we had seen in the last hour.

The question remains: are there enough people who care enough to be part of the battle with Stuart? Stuart has many reasons why he could choose not to do more. He lives in a country with inflation in the millions, he has a family to care for already, and he has no fixed income, just to name a few. But Stuart drew a line in his life; he read the signs of the times and he understood that the house is on fire and someone has to take action. Instead of a burden, this realization became liberty to Stuart and many others doing the same thing.

The secret that life is bigger than “me” is simple but profound, and can only be discovered when you take that step to do something big on behalf of someone else. I believe there are still enough people like that in this broken world…people that refuse to walk pass Valecia on the other side of the road. I think they are called “good Samaritans…”

Raising Five Interview

2009-07-29T20:00:00.001-05:00

Take a few minutes to read the posted interview at the Raising Five Blog. It is amazing, beautiful, and complicated. The girl interviewed went on our trip to South Africa.

Raising Five

Take a while, it is well worth the read.

Wally

I Cannot Bring About Change

2009-07-26T21:29:00.002-05:00

I wanted to post the letter that I wrote a year ago when contemplating our trip to South Africa. Jeff (world in view) asked me to put my thoughts into words as we talked about the purpose of the trip. I could not be more pleased as I read this document this morning.

Dated July 2008

I cannot bring about change.

I want myself and my children to learn about the power of God through service. A place like South Africa shows me that there will be no relief beyond the individuals I come in contact with and that “relief” will be defined by them knowing that I love them. Beyond that, the problem is so big that there is no way for me to “bring about change.” God is not asking me to change Africa or anything else for that matter; He is asking me to serve without leveraging anything.

To best lay out the goals of a trip to South Africa, we must understand the nature of the Lord. As I see it James 1:27 tells us specifically about “true religion” and Matt 25 spells it out very clear. We are to serve the Lord by serving the least of these. Jesus does not ask us to change, fix, save, or cure them – just serve. What will I get out of this? Nothing, other than the realization that God is more powerful than I believe Him to be and that I need Him to be more powerful than I have believed him to be.

American Christians have capitalistic idea of service. It could be called “transactional service.” I do something nice for someone who needs me and they repay me by changing into the person that I want them to be. We love our “service success stories.” We bristle at people that take our time and energy and never change. Service in Africa can bring a change to that mindset.

The needs are so great across the continent of Africa that we lose the opportunity to make those changes and there is really no way to have those “success stories.” All one is able to “accomplish” while serving is engage the emotion and reality of the suffering of others – to feel what Jesus feels.

Hands at Work provides an opportunity to work alongside volunteers that are true servants. They are from all parts of the world and they are there for “non-transactional service.” There is little that they will benefit from other than service the “least” and praying for a change. No transaction!

A Sunday Walk

2009-07-15T21:36:00.002-05:00

We drove to a community two hours away for church on Sunday. After the drive we took a walk - this pic is from the walk. Note the lack of structure in the background.

Wally

Winding Down

2009-07-15T21:34:00.001-05:00

After going full speed for nearly a week and a half, we are starting to wind down. We dewormed about 138 kids today and a team from the UK did about double that number. God has really blessed the efforts and so many kids are blessed by taking one simple pill.

We learned last night that worms lead to so many other problems that we didn't understand. A child with worms will only get about 30% of the nutrition out of his food because the worms will take the rest. This has a spiral effect that leads to numerous problems.

The single dose pill can rid the body of worms and they are provided every six months. We were one of the first visiting teams to take on this project and it has gone well. We have it down to a system and we are free to concentrate on playing and talking to the kids after we accomplish our pills and food. Teams from Hands have done it but I don't think short term teams have been involved until now.

We had a nice visit tonight to a cultural center and watched a play. We relaxed with 6 guests from Hands that we have been working with. It is nice to relax with people from other places and hear their hopes and dreams.

These are not people with small dreams. They have seen God move in huge ways and expect nothing less. Most are from other African countries but are here to minister. They are starting to move out of the rest of the continents as they are called to minister to all of Africa.

I have some deeper thoughts regarding SA and it's people but those will have to wait until another day. God is moving here. We don't want to miss what is happening.
Be blessed and please continue to pray for our team. People are really tired but they are hanging strong.

Your prayers are felt.

Wally

Friday In the Community

2009-07-10T10:50:00.002-05:00

Today brought the girls on the team to Masoyi Home Based Care. The boys went another direction and had a great visit for the Friday morning worship time.

The girls went out to visit young mums (yes, I am spelling it right) in their homes. This type of visit shows the real hard part of growing up here. They visit girls that are 15-16 and have children. The social support system does not provide for his activity like it does at home. The girls will continue to live at home and take care of their baby. It is very common that this girl will also be the head of household for her younger brothers and sisters.

The young mums program helps them learn to be moms. Many of these girls don't really know what that means. YM's teaches them how to wash diapers, feed and clothe the baby. Seems simple but if your mom died when you were very young, you need someone to show you.

The boys spent the afternoon loading and moving bricks at the new area of Hands village. Right now Caleb is asleep in the back of the bus and he has been there a very long time.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a little sight-seeing. Should be really fun.

Week One

2009-07-09T19:18:00.002-05:00

We have been gone for a week now and the team is just getting in the groove. We have spent so many hours working with orphans that it is hard to comprehend the level of destruction that AIDS has on this country.

The other side of that coin is the joy that the volunteers have in serving the orphans. The volunteers take care of hundreds of kids in their community and often have several orphans living in their homes. They are amazing women that do this for pennies.

Deworming works pretty smoothly. We arrive at the site and we get out and look around for people to talk to. Caleb is the first to interact as he takes a soccer ball and asks the kids if they want to play. Most places the kids speak very little English but they all understanding playing. Caleb is a great asset to have with the team because he really breaks the ice.

Next we set up our juice, food, chips, and pill station. We take down the names then give them a pill, make them chew it up, show they have swallowed, then they get the other part. The meal is the incentive to come take the pill. Worms are a very real problem as we have seen them every day.

We follow the meals with games, singing, and talking with the older kids. Staci and then meet with the 14-18 year olds and talk with them about life issues. After we spend a few hours, we leave and head back to the Hands lodge. (I posted our schedule yesterday for your review)

Today we ended early and walked around the Africa School of Missions. It is beautiful there and there is a sense of peace around the place. We came back and enjoyed the scenery. (We pass zebras and wildabeasts on the way to the lodge).

I can't wait to post some photos for you. It is absolutely beautiful.

Tonight was the first time that we have spent just sitting around talking. The dynamics of this team are interesting.

Please pray that God works through what we are doing to bring physical and spiritual healing. This country will not be healed easily. It will take years to heal the land and it will take a lot of poeple like those that work at hands.

I'll post again soon.

Wally

A Day in the Life

2009-07-09T07:14:00.002-05:00

Here's a quick recap of what our days have been like since arriving in South Africa.

Typical schedule:

615AM - make breakfast for youth camp staying at lodge area.

8AM - arrive at Hands Village load up food, drinks, and medicine.

815AM - leave for community of the day.

930A - arrive, set up, handout pills and food. Play and talk with kids.

430P - arrive back at Hands Village and unload. Drive back to lodge area.

6P - dinner

7P - Prepare sandwiches for following day with Aussie team.

8P - return to lodge

830 - have end of day meeting

End of day - most people go to bed pretty quick after showers.

It is a full day and we are being blessed with more than enough energy.

Love to all,

Wally

The Plane Has Landed!

2009-07-03T11:59:00.002-05:00

Although this same update will appear in the "Twitter Widget" in the right sidebar of this site, I can't resist letting the world know that ... the bird has landed.

That's right...Wally and team have landed in South Africa!

Keep praying. More updates to come!

Itinerary for the trip

2009-07-01T12:57:00.004-05:00

Thank you for all of you that have shown an interest in our trip by helping us by donating your time, money, prayers, and care for our home and dog. We are humbled by your kindness and generosity.

For those that were curious as to how to pray for the trip or just want to follow along, our itinerary is below. We appreciate all of you. See below for information on how to follow us via twitter. (or you can just look to the right for twitter updates)

Thur, July 2 Leave DFW for Atlanta and then on to Joburg
Fri, July 3 Arrive at Hands at Work
Sat, July 4 Orientation on the program and some site seeing
Sun, July 5 Community church service
Mon, July 6 Joy- De-worming in and youth camps
Tues, July 7 Belfast- De-worming, youth camps, and home based care
Wed, July 8 Hitekani/ Pfunani- De-worming
Thurs, July 9 Grassroots- De-worming, youth camps, and home based care
Fri, July 10 Simunye- De-worming, and afternoon prep for youth ministry
Sun, July 12 Welvidien- community church service
Mon, July 13 Mandlesive- De-worming, home based care, and garden assistance
Tues, July 14 Thuthukani- De-worming, youth camps
Wed, July 15 Siphamandla- De-worming, youth camps
Thurs, July 16 Day of fun
Friday July 17 Leave for home
Sat, July 18th Arrive home safely

Wally

One Day Left

2009-07-01T08:55:00.002-05:00

After working until I can't think straight, we have reached the point of giving up on the things that just can't be finished. God is good as some items fell into place to make departure easier.

We are one day to departure and the packing will begin today. (after some more items are wrapped up...)

Wally

An obvious change

2009-06-28T18:08:00.000-05:00

In case all that twitter stuff gave you an ice cream headache, look to the right and you can see the twitter posts!!

Good times.
Wally

Getting Ready to Go

2009-06-28T17:39:00.002-05:00

We are just a few days from going and want to let everyone know that we will be sending "tweets" from our worldinview2009 twitter acct. This means that we are able to send information on a daily basis in posts of 140 characters or less. No deep thoughts, just telling you what is going on.

This space will be saved for deep thoughts. (Staci will be having them and I will copy them down)

If you would like to follow using twitter and don't know how, here are your instructions.

www.twitter.com
sign up for an acct using your email address.
Begin to follow worldinview2009 by searching for it in the search feature.

What does it mean to follow someone on Twitter?
Following someone simply means receiving their Twitter updates. When you follow someone, every time they post a new message, it will appear in your Twitter home page. New messages are added to your home page as people post them, so you always get the updates in real time. When you log in, you can see what the latest updates are. Twitter offers other ways to follow people too: you can get updates from certain people on your phone!

If you've registered your phone with Twitter, you can set up text preferences for a person as well. See a list of people you're following by clicking on the following link on your profile or your home page's sidebar.

We are looking forward to sharing with you.

Wally

Crank it Up

2009-04-19T21:26:00.002-05:00

After a long pause, we are ready to get cranked up again. We have a team and are headed to South Africa for 16 days of mind blowing experiences. We are not leaving until July but we are beginning to really get things going.

For those that forgot this was here, please return as we will keep up with the preparations for the trip and what we are learning along the way.

You are forewarned that this area could also be used for a "what are they thinking" rant every once in a while.

Stay tuned while we presume upon God to show himself in ways we have not yet seen.

Wally

Contemplations of Valentine’s Day

2008-02-15T15:51:00.000-06:00

This installment was originally a ranting against the parts of Valentine’s Day that make me absolutely insane. It was not your usual stuff about the marketing groups at Hallmark and Russell Stover but other stuff. You will have to use our imagination because I am beginning to rethink it after yesterday.

I bought my blue-eyed angel a small gift and mailed it to her before I left on a business trip. She got it and sent me the nicest email. We talked for about an hour yesterday and she caught me up on how much she enjoyed opening the card and how happy it made her. This leads me to my new thinking.

Why is it so bad if I am forced to do something nice for the person that brightens my life on a daily basis? Maybe I should embrace the concept and create a Valentine’s Day about every three months. It would force me to do something nice for her at least four more times per year.

I am a very lucky man. I married my high school sweetheart and have been thankful for that moment nearly every day since. Her eyes are where blue skies meet the sunrise for me. I know I am home when I can look into those beautiful Disney-looking blue eyes. I love her more than life itself.

I am now a fan of Valentine’s Day and will attempt to embrace it next year instead of trying to defeat it somehow. Let’s face it, the day usually ends up pretty nice. What is there to complain about?

W

A Great Friday Night

2008-02-01T21:20:00.000-06:00

It is Friday night and we are sitting in the house watching Mission Impossible. I think back to watching my parents sit at home on Friday night. What were they thinking?

My daughter (16) is on her way to Cafe Brazil for some kind of breakfast food. I know she is wondering what in the world we are doing sitting at home. We are resting!!

After a week of travel and extremely long hours, it is so nice to sit in my house and watch a movie with my wife and boy. Nothing like a watching a movie that you have to explain every other sequence to the boy. However, it is just nice to be at home.

The best part of all is looking over and seeing those beautiful blue eyes of my lovely wife.

Just love being home.

Wally

Christian Capitalism

2008-01-14T13:25:00.000-06:00

I attended a class on Sunday that was in a study of Ecclesiastes 10. Poise was a big player in today’s discussion. Do you have poise when all is seemingly breaking loose around you?

It was brought to my attention that the story of Joseph (Old Testament fame) took place over 20 years. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? He served God to be kicked around for 20 years? Several discussion points in class were something like, “I have to keep my poise and remember God is in control even when things aren’t going well.” I agree but there is so much more.

My American brain cannot comprehend the depth of this requirement nor do we understand what Solomon was trying get across. Of course, he wasn’t living here.

As citizens of a capitalist economic system we have a unique perception of how God SHOULD operate and it begs for discussion. American Christians (myself included) think that we have a barter (read capitalist) system with God. I will be good, read my bible (sometimes), serve at church, give to the poor and God will take good care of me.

I may do something bad and that will cost me a raise at work, maybe I will get caught in traffic as my penance. I will persevere through these trials and keep my poise. Excellence on my part breeds more blessing. Happiness, money, nice cars, promotions at work are all part of how God will reward me for serving him. (does that sound familiar or do I need to seek counseling)

Let’s call it Christian Capitalism!!

I want to submit here that we don’t get it. God’s economy is not capitalistic. Come to think of it, God’s economy doesn’t even work in our world. He saved us from the pit, freely with no strings. End of economics lesson. It isn’t a trade off. Never has been. You and I can’t pay back what we owe.

Last point (caution: Africa example) So many people I met, while in South Africa, are joyful Christians in what we would call “bad situations.” They are not having poise, they are having joy and hope because they were saved! They have a hope that was given to them freely.

May I understand what I have been given and have joy every time I consider it… No poise required.

Wally

Changes a Plenty

2008-01-06T16:40:00.000-06:00

What is harder than anything else? Change!!

As we transition through another phase of life, we are reminded that God smiles on those that are willing to change to meet him at a new place. I am not talking about a new place in terms of a new address, just a change of the heart that may require a new address or a new thought process.

Those that read this will most likely be friends that have been a part of a powerful study where we learned about new challenges and new thought processes. "In a Pit With a Lion On A Snowy Day" is all about facing a new challenge with a new mindset. I am excited about my new challenge in life and embrace the uncertainty.

What changes are you facing? Feel free to be candid in leaving a comment that we can all discuss. The new year is a time of reflection and re-evaluation of what is important to you. I would love to hear the results of some of that thinking. You can leave the with or without names.

You may view this as an outlet for my need to be teaching. You are right. It is hard to not have that challenge each week and we miss the relationships that are so dear to us.

Wally

Andrew update

2007-12-09T17:26:00.001-06:00

It was good seeing my buddy today. Andrew was off the ventilator - awake - and able to reach back and use the one thing that makes him Andrew...his sense of humor.

He's stable - breathing well on his own (well, that might be stretching it), and fairly pain-free (thanks to the morphine button he gets to press every six seconds).

I'll be calling Mary for another update in a few minutes, but we're hopeful Andrew will be released from the ICU today.

I'll let you know.

Till then, thank you for praying.

Dennis

Please pray for Andrew

2007-12-09T08:31:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Andrew McElyea, one of my closest friends, fell from a ladder - about 10-12 feet - and landed on his back on a flagstone walkway.

He has been in Parkland's ICU since yesterday afternoon.

He broke some ribs and breathing was labored so they placed him on a ventilator and have him in a medically induced coma to take the pressure off of his heart and lungs. They are still waiting on test results and watching him closely --- as of of this morning, his stats were looking good and he is stable.

Please pray for Andrew and Mary (and their children).

We love you Andrew - hang in their bro, and I'll see you this afternoon.

Dennis

The Countdown

2007-12-07T10:12:00.000-06:00

Just an update on a lion I presented a few months ago. Sunday is another challenge that was offered to me several months back that I accepted. THE WHITE ROCK 1/2 MARATHON!!!

Staci and her team will join in on the fun running the relay marathon this Sunday. We will miss church as it might take until late Monday for me to finish. Just kidding. (hopefully) I will only be running the half marathon so this is an easier start.

Enjoy your weekend and think a good thought for us on Sunday.

There will be a Christmas Party update coming later today. Mark your calendars for the 15th. It is going to happen.

Wally

South Africa Video

2007-11-27T21:07:00.000-06:00

For those that missed the weekend of my video here it is. I hope you enjoy it. This was a magical trip that blessed me and those we worked with while we were there. I haven't been able to thank all of you individually but I really do count it a blessing to have been sent by all of you. I couldn't have done it without the support of all you crazy Lion Chasers that helped make it happen.

We will be having class this Sunday for the last time this year. Please make it a point to be there. I know you are all looking forward to being able to sleep in through December but we won't have any more through the holiday season.

I love you all and look forward to seeing you again.

Wally

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2007-11-21T08:55:00.000-06:00

This, my favorite of all the major holidays, is going to be a great weekend. Why is it the best? No presents!!

Thanksgiving is kind of like Christmas without all the angst regarding gifts. You get all the good stuff. Family, food, football, cooking, and movies are the plays of the day for both and are great. However, the lack of consumption is so refreshing.

So, enjoy your Thanksgiving and the refreshing family time that it is. Don't stay up too late; Christmas shopping starts at 4AM on Friday.

Wally