Burning

Things that are burning:
1. My time here
2. My mind
3. My heart
4. My passion for community
5. My mind
6. My ideas of who I am
7. My love for Jesus
8. My ideas and plans

The last few weeks I have had a lot of time (too much time) to think. Actually, while i was at the Rhodes house, they really inspired me to read the bible so much more. It has impacted me so much, so much that i am just burning to not be by myself and love people. I also read "Follow Me To Freedom" by John Perkins and Shane Claibourne and that has really challenged my mind and my thoughts on fighting for whats right, ending gaps between people and really set my visions onfire in terms of wanting true community. I know I am only 20, and there is so much life I haven't lived, and when you live life in Christ you live life abundantly. This time here has been rediculous, I have learned butt loads of stuff on community, on leadership, on love, on Jesus, on living with Christ, on living responsibly unto God, and on relationships. This last week has really hit it home for me, and the thoughts and implications of my time here really have been challenging me to live right when I get back, to leave in the pursuit of justice, in the pursuit of constant learning, in the pursit of Jesus and the gospel, to stand for what is excellent in Gods eyes.

Anyway, This week has started out a little stressful. I found out recently that i need a transit visa to get through Nigeria on my way back home and I don't have one. So, after a day or so of making phone calls and such, i figured out what I have to do. Tomorrow I am going to the embassy of Nigera and hopefully getting the process underway which takes about three days to finish. BUT, I feel that even if I do things right and the process is 3 days I am still dealing with Nigeria. I am nervous, but holding onto hope that I can get it done by Sunday before i leave. Please Please pray that it works out. Also, multiple people have told me that one of the ways to make sure you get through the airport well is to carry 20 dollar bills with you for bribes. After struggling with this, I decided that I am not going to do this. I can't support bribery which in turn continues corrupt scociety, I just can't do it. I know its easy to say, "your only one person what difference does it make?" because I have been fighting that mindset, but I realized that if everyone says that then we aren't just one person, we are everyone and that makes the difference. Even if we are alone we are still apart of a community, the global community, the local community and ect. We have a responsibility to this community to seek justice and if i bribed my way through the airport which seems like the only option to have complete confidence you will get through I wouldn't be supporting my brothers and sisters left in the slums because of corrupt systems. SO, long story short, pray that I can get through the airport if I do get my visa. It might be easy, it might be hard. I'm not sure. Whatever, whatever happens happens and I am alright with it.

I am living at the Rhodes now which has been nice, i have a pillow and a shower head! SO AWESOME. And they have been huge on really bringing home all the thoughts and feelings that i have had the last three months (they don't know it though). I really respect them and their ability to constantly want to learn, to read and to discuss things.

The Kawangware group wants to throw a goodbye party for me! which I am so psyched about. I was able to see them last Thursday and they told me that that wasn't good enough and that they needed to have a party. So, I said why not, God likes parties, Jesus went to a bunch while he was around seems biblical. That will be this Saturday and it will also be hard because I love those people a lot and they have all really taken care of me since I have been here.

This is the last blog you will get from me while I am in Kenya, I am trying to decide if I should keep blogging once I get back. I am not sure. It seems really hipster/individualistic to think that everyone wants to know what some college kid thinks about stuff. I don't know. We will see I guess

Alright readers, thanks for sticking around and hanging out with me. Thanks for listing to all my moods and desciphering all my bad grammar and spelling. Thanks for walking with me and praying for/with me. Its been wonderful, and I hope that I get to see all of you, where ever you are and whoever you are very soon.

See you in the States (hopefully),
Dave Connis