thoughts from under the sun

Three weeks in

2011-09-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

As I set foot on the soil of Japan I had a image of myself somewhere in my mind. An image of a lone traveler, a heroic sojourner, a self-possessed man out to conquer the world. I saw myself as a world renowned journalist traveling to the farthest reaches of the globe and changing said globe with the words I would write. Yet, for now at least, I find myself living in a shared apartment room and having to obey cafeteria meal times like my good old high school days.

This shock to my accustomed lifestyle of independence has since subsided to the beauty of where I live. I have been blessed with the opportunity to, once a month, travel a few hours north to a place named Happo Town. Last Saturday I went to participate in the local elementary school's "Sports Day," which that day was focused on pre-schoolers. The first thing I had the pleasure of witnessing was a relay race between the fathers present where they had to change a doll's diaper, strap (or fling) the baby onto their backs, and run a race. Only in Japan will you see this. Thereafter, we (as in myself and other AIU students) got to run in some races, my favorite being the one where I rolled a car tire around. The kids we got to play with were around 4-5 years old and were freakin adorable. I have realized that wherever you go in this world, two things are certain: children (and puppies) are the same everywhere!

One thing I have missed immensely since moving out here has been the Community in Christ that I left behind in San Francisco. I had grown close with and knitted my heart tightly with some real solid people in the city of fog. Being in a nation with 1% of the population adhering to faith in Jesus, I did not have high hopes for finding another community. However, being steadfast in love and kindness as He is, God helped find such a community through a Bible study group on campus. We have so far twice eaten dinner at an American professor's home, dove into the Word, worshiped and prayed together, and just talked story for hours over coffee and coke. Through them I have also plugged into a church. Not many understand English, and this guy doesn't yet grasp Japanese, so many bridges have to be formed (though I do have a translation available through headphones for the service). The church is a Lutheran-Pentecostal mix, a marriage of denominations I never thought I'd hear together.

Overall, classes are fairly simple....except of course the whole trying to become fluent in an incredibly challenging language! I am enjoying myself and finding opportunities to serve others, but I do desire to actually get out in the community of Akita more. This I hope to do more by the time I write next.

Akita-Shi, Akita, Japan. September 03, 2011

2011-09-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have been here in Akita for one week and two days. At first it was a challenge trying to fit into my new life here, as it always is with life transitions. However, I feel as though I am on my way to finding out how to do life here. We (as in all international students) have had orientation for the past week. Some of it was exciting (such as signing up for host families in the community and learning about available courses), most of it was tedious (such as the sex ed. talk).

Free time has been a blessing and a burden. I have no responsibilities until Monday when classes start so I am free to do as I wish. With such liberty I have gone into the city of Akita once where I toured a park, got lost with some people in residential areas (every home was a beautiful tradional Japanese model by the way) and ended with comraderie at Starbucks. Note : I live 20 minutes away from the city in an area called Yuwa, but it is such a small community that people refer to it as being a part of Akita-shi. Basically, in our part of Yuwa, there is the university, a convenience store, a bike rental/Mongolian barbeque place, a ninja obstacle course and a baseball sports dome....and I just literally named every buliding that is within walking distance!

With so much time on my hands before school starts, and an awareness that I cannot spend money every day to bus into town, it has been a bit of a challenge to be engaged and active. I have been learning Japanese througha computer program every day and practicing it (or inflicting it) on everyone that I can. I have also discovered that we live in an extremely gorgeous area. Green forests surround the campus and if I go for a run I come into a valley radiating with golden rice paddies. The incredible heat and humidity have kept me from doing this too often but the weather is supposed to cool down in a few weeks.

Nevertheless, I am ready for school to begin.

The mugginess of transition

2011-08-26T01:48:00.000-07:00

It is now day two since my arrival in Japan. The first thing that I realized upon exiting the airport in Tokyo was that the air was thickly humid. An energy sucking, life debilitating humidity! Especially when one considers that I was wearing jeans, a jacket, and was carrying three bags. Nevertheless I trucked onward through my journey, found a soft bench in a mock rendition of a Japanese fishing village, and tried to sleep for eight hours until my next flight.

I never actually slept, nervous that I would sleep in whilst my plane decided to leave without me. When I got up I strolled about and grabbed a taro bun and coffee and boarded my flight to the city of Akita.

Flying into Akita I was taken back by the beauty of rolling hills blanketed with thick, green forests.Walking onto the campus of AIU I was greeted by a chorus of cicadas, a veritable maelstrom of noise the likes of which I have never heard generated by a little bug. The campus is home to 1,000 students approximately, 150 of whom are internationals like myself. Since there is only about 200 students on campus currently there is a definite summer camp feel to the place. We're secluded from town by a 20 minute bus ride and are surrounded by forest land.

As I eased into my second day I began to enjoy my surroundings. The cicadas weren't "that" loud, the humidity was far less than yesterday, the people not so summer camp cliq-ish. I have another week until classes start with orientation programs most every day. I plan on venturing out into the communtiy this weekend, getting lost on a bus, seeing a "NO" play (whatever that is) and figuring out how to get money out of my bank!

Sayounara

Nihon Ni Youkoso!

2011-08-12T17:17:00.000-07:00

The past year of my life has marked the longest that I have stayed in a single location for the past five years. Living in San Francisco, I have been immersed in the study of history, pursuing my BA. At first I did not enjoy the company of the city, masses of people, a train that shook my house, $8 for a super burrito. Yet, I have grown to love the quirky streets and eclectic neighborhoods, as I have the quirky and eclectic people.

However, the time has come once again to spread my sails and set course over the Pacific. In ten days (August 23) I will be departing the USA and heading over to Japan for a study abroad program. I will be attending a university in the city of Akita for my last semester as an undergraduate. I am polishing my Japanese speaking skills, which are currently congruent with those of a five year old child. I am also preparing myself in other ways; spending time with friends, buying warm clothing and so on.

At this point, I will stay in Japan for five months. Four months attending the university, and one month working on a potential documentary project (details to be announced). This update goes out to all you who have been trekking with me in life since Christ called me out from Tahoe; from financial support to encouraging conversations, from giving me places to stay and bread to eat, from simply reading my blogs to listening to me tell the same story again, and again and ... well you get it.

I will consistently update this blog while I am in Japan, post photos and videos, and try to provide a window, a connective link between you and the world.

Arigatou

A much delayed correspondence

2011-06-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

Many moons have since past since my last blog, so I forgive any of you who may still think that I'm in Asia! Last year was marked by a three month excursion in a nation I leave unnamed at present for security purposes (think large wall structures and fireworks). Myself and some compatriots pioneered a school in which we walked together with Asian nationals in discovering intimacy with Jesus, understanding world views which influence our world greatly (from Marxism to Islam) and how we are to practically engage our world with His mercy and justice. *For more info on that, see earlier posts*

Since September of 2010 I have been living in San Francisco attending university. June 2010 was my last month with YWAM after four years of serving at the Maui base. I had been sensing (for two years) that God was leading me to go back to school, and it was quite a dreadful thought. I had turned my back on the ways of formal education, 9-5 jobs and altogether the life of mechanized and predictable circumstance. In other words, I was very pretentious. Through my time with YWAM I felt an intense pull towards being used by God in the arenas of education (as a professor) and in journalism (drawing attention and action towards injustice in the world). With these ideas I find myself with the pressing need to re-enter academia and earn me the necessary degrees for what I want to do.

Several weeks from now I'll provide a more full update on my life in the city, consider this a brief bridging of a year long gap.

stayed tuned faithful viewers

snapshots of San Francisco

2011-06-08T21:22:00.001-07:00

A sinner such as I

2011-03-20T21:41:00.001-07:00

Give me the globe and I’ll burn it all down, give me your heart and I’m sure to toss it away

Kiss me and tell me not to go, laughing I walk on

Plunge the blade deep in my heart if you promise it will taste sweet just for a moment

Devastate my future for the thrill of a moment

Unraveled, my very being collapses

Hysteria fills the lungs and incomprehensible utterance leaves them

Drowning in the tears of my breakdown

Does grace run after such a one as this?

Can the hope of a flame rest in the ashes of this heart?

Oh dear God, run after me

Horizons crossing

2010-02-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

Craziness! is all I can say to describe life at present. Not an out of control entropic chaos, but a joy infused whirl of goodness. Yes. So, if that is not a sufficient description here's a clearer one: The students that were on outreach (to Borneo, Nepal and "the" large Asian country) are coming back to Maui on Thursday! I've already heard many stories of whole villages hearing about Jesus for the first time and of university students learning about English and salvation through our teams.The students presently here as well have just had a earth shaking week of lectures on "Identity in Christ", a seriously impactful week for not only them but for me as well.

Three more weeks and I'm off to Asia!! I leave on March 8th (3 weeks before the students leave for outreach) and I am getting increasingly jazzed up. I am going to "the" large Asian country that I cannot name for internet security reasons. Ask me for more info!! I am going with one other staff to help pioneer a Bible/Worldview school to equip Asian believers (and some American ones) with the ability to think Biblically, to engage with people entrapped in deathly philosophies and to lead well in their society. I have been learning the language and history of the country and am truly excited with reverent somberness for the task at hand. My heart as well has been growing tender for the people. Please pray for me, for the school (known as SBFM), and for the nation.

Next you hear from me will be several days before I leave!

Cheers

Intro to 2010

2010-01-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome, everyone, as if you were unaware, to 2010!

Our base here has just come out of Christmas break. The students arrive in just a few days and things have kicked into life once again. Six of us stayed behind and had some sweet down-time. One half for me was spent doing work and taking care of responsibilities while the other half was purely and sweetly fun. The most memorable moment was the Eve of Christmas and the day thereafter. We went up on the volcano and camped at about 8,000 feet elevation, and yes, did have a winter experience in the Pacific at 30 degrees! The next morning we saw the sunrise light up the sky with a fiery amber, a great way to kick off Jesus' birthday.

For the phase of life after Maui, as I have alluded to, I will be leaving the island to help pioneer our SBFM (School of Biblical Foundations and Missions) in another location for its first time ever. Due to internet security purposes I cannot say where that will be (if you want to know email me!), but know that it is an important Asian country. Myself and one other from our base will be heading out early March to help run this school. We go to equip believers with a solid Biblical understanding of things, to reform hearts and minds, and to see the Life of Jesus spread throughout all areas of society.We'll be gone from March till June.

I would love to let you all know more, but for that it would have to be via private email or phone convo and both contact sources are listed on this page !

Cheers

Jovial tidings on the most rockin b-day party of the last 2 millenia!

2009-12-17T17:32:00.000-08:00

Winter time in Maui always seems a bit off from what I've experienced growing up. Maybe its the lack of 6 foot ice-walls encasing my house after a storm. Or perhaps its the absence of gathering round the fireplace after a thoroughly wettening day and enjoying the warmth and security such moments provide. Instead, aloha attired Santas and the single season of HOT pepper my new yule tide moments. Nevertheless, I have learned to enjoy this new kind of winter.

The students from the Fall DTS have already flown over to China, Nepal and Indonesia for their mission of bringing Life to dead places. Most of the staff as well have gone home for the holidays leaving 6 of us here to tend the base. Its been unnaturally quiet, which has been a blessing for me to be able to read and pursue things (usual stuff like trying to learn Russian ya know) otherwise blindsided by distraction. A little lonely yes, but the few of us here have been enjoying one another and I hope to deepen relationships and enjoy the break with them.

I have much more to say about things to come in my life, however, to torment you, I'll have to discuss them with you in another update in a few weeks. Trust me, exciting stuff is happening.

Cheers!

Vision receives clarity

2009-10-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

Dear reader---

Last we met I was on my way home to Tahoe for the summer. A highlight was being able to visit with my sister Cassidy and her family (including a previously unmet niece and nephew) whom I had not seen for several years due to their living in Italy. Joy was my atmosphere in finding the beauty of family again.

Back on this island , separated from mainstream life by thousands of miles of ocean and the quick pace of modern life, I am plugged back into YWAM. I serve in the kitchen, perfecting my culinary prowess by providing exquisite meals to the 50-ish people living on our base. This will be my last quarter on staff with YWAM Maui, which will end in mid December.

The future, oft times shrouded in a haze of uncertainty, holds some beacons of challenge and true excitement for me. For the next six months I plan on working while living on Maui . From there I would like to travel a bit and do some more missions work, the details of which I will divulge in a later blog. Next Fall I hope to attend university, a truly intriguing prospect. I have already applied to several schools and find myself riddled with a "first kiss" type of anticipation. I will study history, philosophy and international affairs.

I have grown more ecstatic about seeing the power of Jesus transform the educational world, and thereby affecting those who would be leaders in our society. I desire to be a teacher myself and to do some video-journalistic work around the world. I see these fields as opportunities to reform minds in the classroom and, through visual storytelling, to expose injustice and inspire courage. Throughout the past few years in YWAM, Jesus has made the vision of my heart clearer and clearer, to be a voice echoing Truth into a void society.

Cheers to all!
Shawn Brooks S.

some snapshots of the Maui base

my room.....mine's the top bunk

the base

Here we are again

2009-05-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

Cheers to all my loyal readers! I have returned back to Maui after the highly anticipated Vagabondary trip around South East Asia I undertook with Joel (for background read "Dirty Hands"). Below I've written two blogs chronicling some of our exploits, they are under the LAOS & VIETNAM and the CAMBODIA titles. Currently, I'm working in the kitchen in Maui and am about to go home to South Lake Tahoe for a 2 month break before I come back out for potentially my last quarter on staff with YWAM Maui. Enjoy to yer heart's content!

LAOS & VIETNAM, of RICE PATTIES & MOUNTAINS

2009-05-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

Shortly after our time with the refugee camp, and visiting some friends in Thailand, Joel and I headed out to brave the frontiers of Laos. Laos, a nation one doesn't normally hear about on the news, is a Communist controlled and severely poverty stricken one. Very similar to Thailand in language and culture and a general "laid-backness".We spent nine days in this country trying to wind our way through stunning mountains of green to reach the Vietnamese border in the north. Our time spent consisted of largely two things: traveling on slug-like buses and sleeping! We did, thanks to a contact I got through my mother -weird how that works-, get the chance to hangout in a village for a day. We arrived thinking that we would teach English and ended up fishing , hiking and playing futbol with the village boys all day.

At the end of the week, we arrived at the northern most town with an accessible border crossing. Hearing rumours of how incredibly difficult it would be due to its remoteness we prayed super hard and prepared for some fun. We got there at 1 AM (the only time we could) and no one would let us in a guesthouse to sleep! We strolled the streets for an hour with our new Israeli friend we met on the slug bus and finally gave up. I stared at the sidewalk , "my bed for the night?" I bemoaned when this guy comes out of no where (after a despearte prayer) at gets us a place to stay at a $1 a night dive. Hacha!!

The next day we drove for 12 hours through jutting rock and rice patties with emerald colour as far as you could see. Vietnam at last! We spent a week in the capital, Hanoi, and loved it. It was an Asian version of a miniature Paris with baguettes and cafes galore alongside the political propaganda around every corner of "Uncle Ho". Due to sweet Providence we had the opportunity to work with undercover missionaries (again, a Communist nation) in a university. We taught English for several days and enjoyed the company of new Vietamese friends. We were also stoked to hear of the country's first DTS that was running in an undisclosed local.

Leaving the bliss that is Hanoi, we took a "sleeper" bus with beds! and underwent the 48 hour journey to Saigon, from where we launched ourselves into Cambodia....

CAMBODIA

2009-05-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

A man prays before skulls of people murdered during the Pol Pot regime

Our journey through this former empire lasted only two days. The reason being that we actually ran out of money! Fortunately, we had already purchased our bus tickets back to Bangkok, where our flight was heading out, and things worked out grandly. We stayed at the YWAM base and both Joel and I were elated to connect with family again, as opposed to nameless guest houses.

In the late 70's Cambodia (then under the name of Democratic Kampuchea) was ruled under tyranny by a man under the pseudonym Pol Pot. In his ambitious attempt to create the perfect society under Communistic ideals he ended up offing a quarter of the population, approximately 2 million people through starvation, disease and executions. Walking the streets of Pnom Penh (the capital) I realized that everyone in their 40's had actually witnessed the madness.

Joel and I visited what is known as "the Killing Fields" or Choeung Ek in Khmer. Located right outside the city lies the area where 8,000 people were executed under the Pol Pot regime for being suspected insurgents. Striding through the now peaceful, butterfly filled "park" atmosphere, one can almost hear screams now silent. You can listen to the laughter of the nearby schoolyard as you gaze upon the tree where soldiers beat children to death. Inside the pagoda at the entrance you can see 4,000 skulls of the victims right above their tattered clothes. A somber day for sure, reminding us of the reality of evil. Reminding us of the consequences of ideas. What we learned in theory in a classroom was made a little more concrete to us as we glanced upon hollow eyes in lifeless skulls.

Dirty hands and wall-less prisons

2009-03-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

So, outreach is officially over. The last week was spent in Chiang Mai, Thailand teaching English and preparing for the end of our time. From there, I said goodbye to three of the guys that made up our team as they sped away in a bus to catch their flight. However, the journey continues....

Myself and my friend Joel Cormie have decided to stay behind for 5 weeks to travel around Asia and to see what opportunities Jesus lays before us. For such a venture we have donned new names! Thats right. I can now be referred to as "Vagabond"; a traveller, one who is homeless, though I like the first def fo sho. Joel has taken unto himself "Nomad"; a homeless wanderer. Yes, yes we are strange, yet but I think the titles hold descriptive to our lives, currently.

The first week of our vagabondary was spent in the small town of Mae Sot. Being over here on can easily become numb to the sea of dirty little children, hands extended and lips mouthing$$. However, for two days we went out to a marketplace with the long term missionaries here to corral such children. They paid for the streetkid's lunch and we just played with them for a bit. Hearing the realities that these kids go through is heartrending...abuse, malnutrition, the fear of being sold into prostitution, all reality for these beautiful faces that Jesus does not forget.

The second thing we did was spend several days visiting a Karen refugee camp. The Karen are a mostly-Christian minority group found within the nation of Burma. Thousands have fled the fighting, torture and overall persecution inflicted upon them for various reasons by the Burmese military. The camp we visited (Mae La) is home to approx. 40,000 refugees (mostly Karen). We lived with them and taught Bible at a hostel for children who are either orphans or are separated from their parents do to the conflict. Seeing the short food supply, scarce water reserves, inadequate housing and the fact that the people here are not allowed to even set foot outside was sobering. Hearing the kids worship Jesus, seeing them play, seeing the extreme devotion of the teachers was a blessing. If I learned anything here, its that shorterm missions isn't enough. The issues of the world require people sold out for God with a longterm heart.

Upon leaving Mae Sot (and almost vomitting on the mountain roads) we weaved our way through Thailand, met up with some friends I made during the first month of outreach, and entered into the country of Laos. Our plan is to traverse Laos for 3 more days, head into Vietnam for 9 and crescendo with Cambodia for the last week before coming back to Maui. More shall have to be written later of such things.

Over n out scouts,
sbs

Pebbles instigating an avalanche

2009-02-07T01:23:00.000-08:00

Mingalaba and salutations!

It has been a very long time since we've spoken has it not? I assure you that it was not out of disdain but rather the fact that for the past few weeks I was in a nation where my online doings were screened and much could not be said about my inter-personal doings.

Where have I been you may ask? For 3 weeks I was in the nation of Burma (known also as Myanmar). Burma is an explosion of certain realities. It ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world though it boasts impressive diamond and ruby mines, to name only a few of its many resources. Since 1988 the nation has been lead under a military dictatorship which shepherds its sheep with a powerful hand. In September 07 a massive protest begun by Buddhist monks and joined by many others was crushed with force. "Officially" only 20 died yet from what I gathered the number could be in the 100's and higher. Cyclone Nargis ripped through last year, leaving many dead and much devastated. Several feet of water stole the peaceful night while people slpet, unaware of its approach. The person of Jesus has been embraced by few while the government shuts down churches regularly.

Let me not leave you with a black view of this nation. Rather, I wish to expound upon its innumerable beauties. I could go on and on, but allow me one jewel to share: the people. While there, we taught English to many university students, most of whom descend from Buddhist families. The English comprehension was great. So great that we got to have one on one lessons with the students on many occassions. We ate at their homes, had fun with them and taught English. Along the way we shared Jesus with them and saw a few really begin to understand. I really connected well with a kid named Joshua. I spent a lot of time just being with him and trying to paint Jesus for him. He's not there yet, but now he's faithfully commited to the English Corner and is considering God. The rest of the team have stories similiar to this.

The people we worked with are few, yet they are pebbles instigating an avalanche. Seeing the commitment of Burmese Christians, their love and passion deeply impressed me.The world moves at the many pushes of the few. I could go on about the beautiful culture, the crazy stories, the sights and the struggles; yet, that must be saved for now.

We are back in Thailand and will travel tonight to Chiang Mai for 10 days to do some more English teaching and connecting with people. Looking always for an opportunity to love and speak Truth.

Till next time faithful viewers,

Shawn Brooks Swinger

Issan

2009-02-07T01:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a summation of our time in the part of Issan known as Mahasarakham: The first two weeks were a struggle. I did, in fact, have to sing!!! Several times in fact. We had 8 days of Christmas parties where we put on games and spoke about Jesus. We had a lot of down time due to the country's holidays as well. Our time mainly consited of serving the YWAM base in what they already were doing, and could do without us, and visiting a dinosaur museum...which was soaked with an evolutionary and secularly skewed dogma.

For the last week, however, we saw the reason behind the apparent slowness. We joined a Korean team for campus evangelism. I was encouraged in this upon getting to know Puy. Puy once was a student sitting on the lawn when a group of Christians came up to him and he then became a believer and is now a rockin leader. We got the opportunity to teach the staff about Worldview, the cults and Bible Overview and have amazing times pouring into them. When the time came to leave a real sorrow pierced my heart because we really did gro to love one another, even despite the fact that we couldn't verbally communicate. I feel that our two weeks of service gave us the right to teach them and our times together that were serious but more often than not fun will imprint ourselves on one another's hearts.

The people are definitely ones I wish to see again.

over n' out,

Shawn

WELCOME!

2008-12-30T04:11:00.000-08:00

Dek Dek....little kid

2008-12-30T04:06:00.000-08:00

Sabaydee Mai Khrup

2008-12-19T05:15:00.000-08:00

Sawatdee khrup (hello!!)

Once again I find myself walking the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. As opposed to the normal sweltering heat I was surprised to discover a winter chill blowing across the city. I‘m actually cold in SouthEast Asia and I love it!

We have spent the past three days recovering from jet lag and setting up the details of our trip. Tomorrow morning (or night for my readers) we are taking a 6 hour bus ride to the province of Khon Kaen. This area happens to be the most impoverished and least reached by the Gospel in all Thailand. So far we have planned 5 Christmas messages to give to local churches. I‘m just hoping they don‘t ask us to sing! Thereafter we hope to work with the nearby university campus in discipling young Christians and sharing the Truth with others.

Stay tuned for more,
lah gorn! (goodbye)

update

2008-12-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

Hello to all!

So, the time has come for me to once more leave again. On Monday the 15th I will be boarding the plane with two other guys, one will come later and one just left today. Very exciting.

The first month will be spent in Bangkok,Thailand. Right now details are fuzzy but I'm trying to work with various university ministries in preparing the nation's leaders. On January 15th we will fly into Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar) to do English teachings and one on one disciplship amongst other possibilities. February 7th we arrive back in Thailand and will travel by land to Chiang Mai to do some more university work till February 21st, the day we come back home.

Please pray for our travels and for opportunities to serve effectively.

In all sincerity,
Shawn Brooks S.

an unkown tragedy

2008-11-03T01:27:00.000-08:00

Emaciated faces stare out from between frozen bars.

Pseudo serenity felt in the falling snow

Listless eyes betray the agony of a broken soul.

Gassed, injected, shot, slaughtered.

Human? ....apparently not

We trudge on in unending burden, lift our faces to grey skies

Under the flag of a twisted cross we are massacred

Under the swastika 5 million of us are buried

"Never again!" is the world's cry

My eyes are shut against white light

Helpless I lay in utter dependence

They crush my skull

My body flung away as garbage

Human?....apparently not

People pass me by on the streets

My voice does not carry on the wind

Its the Holocaust down the street

You pass by me on the way to Starbucks

Abortion is a nice way to say murder

Who is Roe to tell me I'm not alive?

Under the banner of Choice 48 million of us are buried......

"Never again???" .... give me a break

2008-10-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

The time has come once again to set sail into the unknown. Well, by "unknown" I mean Asia and by "sail" I mean fly...in a plane. December 15th. is the fateful day to be in which I take 5 guys to Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). We'll spend 1 month Thailand , hop over to Myanmar for 3 weeks and then arrive back in Thailand for another month. The guys on my team are Joel Cormie (a Canadian...gasp), Jason Loving from Colorado, Dan Brown from USA's 2cnd biggest nation of Texas, Jan Sinning from Germany and Ben Miller from Pennslyvania

Thailand is a Buddhist nation (around 98%) that I have been to twice. I absolutely love this place. However, the sex industry suffocates the nation while the people swim in the sea of confusion and despair. Behind sweet smiles and bows a slit up soul can be felt.

1813 was the year that Adoniram Judson arrived in Myanmar (Burma) as the nation's most significant missionary. This nation lies under an oppressive military rule. Cries for freedom are silenced by the intimidation of a gun. Last year, Buddhist monks tried to rally the nation in protests for greater freedoms. It was brutally crushed just as an uprising of protesters in 1988 lead to 3,000 civilians being slaughtered by the military. People groups such as the Karen are forced to flee over the border for their lives.

While in these two countries my guys and I are devoting ourselves to teaching. We will take aside a few local believers and root them in a rich knowledge of the Bible, how to rationally critique their own faith and the lies which abound around them. The goal is that each believer would be lead to a deeper love for Jesus and be set aflame with a passion to transform their nations by following the gifts etched in their hearts. For if Jesus' words are true, how can things not change if people follow Him?

I ask for prayer and to keep in touch with me as I'll try with you. The cost in going will be $3,000 for airfare, food and lodging. I ask that you would consider helping in this as well. If you have any questions fell free to post on this blog and I'll get back to you.

With all sincerity,
sbs

an update of a surprising life

2008-10-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

so often I find myself having to pull the e-brake on this train of my life. whole sections of life seem to pass by in an indiscernable moment, if one is not careful to pull the brake and reflect. it has been a year and a half since I packed my bags and flew away from the state of gold (California) to come to what I now call home in the rainbow state (Hawaii).

i came to enroll in the SBFM (School of Biblical Foundations and Missions) to gain a deeper insight into what my faith means while at the same time to learn how to effectively impact the world with the Truth. then I began my tenure (hehe) on staff with YWAM (Youth With a Mission--the largest missionary organization that there is), worked in the kitchen, lead a team of 11 to Southeast Asia, and now am staffing the SBFM; the school which brought me out here in the first place. shortly I will be going back to Asia (potentially Thailand and Myanmar/Burma), but more of that later.

looking back at who I was when my 22 year old feet landed on this rock thousands of miles away from any other land mass, it strikes me that I'm different. through the fire of adversity and struggle my character has been refined. my love has grown. my passions have deepened. i take a moment now to say thank you to YOU, the one reading this. for undoubtedly if you are reading this you have, in some way, made it possible for me to do this. to show this world the Way back to its Father. you have supported me with the sheild of prayer, finances, friendship and friendly e-mails; if this is you, then you made it happen. thank you.

stay tuned, I plan to use this blog thing quite a bit,

with all sincerity,
sbs