dayPRINCETON?

I am walking the great buildings and halls at Duke University, such a place to have in mind “ivy” league schools. The architecture here allows one to dream up their great plans to change the world. My mind feels the freedom to wonder the paths of possibilities while here as it did in DC.

Something clicked inside me while in DC. It was not the sense of power or awkward feeling of a suite and tie that caused a click, but rather a lecture from a man named Jeffery Sachs. Mr. Sachs gave a lecture on "practical approaches to ending extreme poverty in Africa." The focus of the lecture was "practical approaches..." so it only makes sense that one walk away feeling empowered or capable of creating change.

I walked out of the Center for Global Development with a walk to change the world. I was inspired to bring a green revolution, healthcare revolution, and connectivity revolution to Africa. More than this, I felt inspired to reach for things that seemed so far off before. Like the hand of a senator, the hand of Bono, the pen to fill out a graduate application, and the hand of my neighbor to begin making a difference.

Many might pause to say, Clint, what about America what about the people in our own country who have it tough. My response will have to be: there are plenty of people here concerned with such. But I am concerned here with the idea of equality, which includes all people even those enduring hardships in the states.

When people exist in countries that go to war because the rains fail, we must being to ask different questions. In the process we will learn something about the big idea of equality. After we ask questions like, “Why do the poorest of the poor in the world exist on one continent, and why when we call the poor Africa is it then okay for us to turn our backs?” Asking these types of questions will help us to put down our ethnocentric bias and start supporting people.

So here my mind dwells in the sea of endless possibilities for future decisions to help change the world. What remains timeless is the need for equality, and the pursuit of it where ever we find ourselves. Let us grab the hand of a neighbor and begin to demonstrate equality.

dayDISTRICT_COLUMBIA

it has been a few weeks since a line has been dropped...here's the line: I'm alive and doing so well!

while i was in cali andy and i pulled dino (our rv) to the side of the road for a quick climb up some rocks in the middle of the highway. on this little climb i found a small passage through the middle of the rocks. the passage held sanctuary for broken beer bottles, lots of bird poop, and pointy rocks.

as of feb. there have been these moments when i know i just need to prostrate myself before our Heavenly Father...sometimes these moments are to ask for something or just to listen - but each of these moments all share in common the thread of my bones knowing it is time to lay on my face and recognize Hashem is the LORD. These moments are usually at awkward times, times when I have to “waste a few moments” to take them.



so as i walk through this narley passage one of these moments happen. i toss the idea of playing ignorant but get on my face instead, right in the poop and broken glass. but this, this moment is when my life changes (it is the moment i get dirty and i get honest). "Heaven Father you are God, the One Who is above all; and I know it is better to die than to make a vow and not keep it, I do not want to be a fool and break my vow but I just want to go home...send me home please!" right then and there atop poop and glass a barefoot and still moment occurred.

the next day i was called into the office in San Diego and asked if i wanted to join up with the south team. this would meant flying out in the morning and meeting up with the team in knoxville (home)! so, i was sent home and able to keep my vow. I am no an official member of the south team!!!

currently i'm on a wooden floor in a townhouse on capital hill! we have spent the past week and a half in DC meeting with senators, students, private consultants and all kinds of powerful people. today i was supposed to go to the white house for a prayer meeting but was sent to MD for a high school screening. this didn't resonate too well but it hit me later this evening: b/c of our dodging the white house 100 high school and college students learned about our friends in N. Uganda and are now able to say i care about you and will do something about it.

DC is a beautiful federal district and has a way of making those who walk her streets feel powerful, but the beauty lays in her people and those she is to serve. what if our voice was heard and we reminded the world of the big idea of equality...what if the world stood up for the Acholi community in N. Uganda.

DC as much as i love the feeling you give to me and see influence within your beltway walls the power lays not in your hands - i will leave your belt to hold the hand of my neighbor.