blessed.

Ginna and I had kind of a state-of-the-union talk a few nights ago regarding our first year here in Africa and the possibility of subsequent terms. {We will be home for a spell Dec2010}. Bottom line: we both really enjoy what we are doing. I would say I might have one of the best jobs in the world. Not only am I flying, not only am I flying in Africa, not only am I flying into really remote and exotic places, not only do I work with a great group of guys and gals, not only am I flying some amazing people doing amazing things, but all of the flights we do directly affect the way the Gospel of Jesus Christ is meeting people’s spiritual needs and the hands-on care of Christ through the Church meets physical needs. Its pretty amazing.

elevation video preview

The guys I had the pleasure of flying a few weeks back have their teaser done. It’s awesome! Check it out. If you watch their service this weekend (podcast or streaming) you can see the sermon they shot while we were in Uganda.

{Yep, that’s the 206 we put together. Yep, that’s me driving it!}

a quick whine

So, we are begin our first ‘holiday season’ here in Kenya. (We came before Christmas last year, but it was so close to Christmas we were in a daze the whole time and really didn’t process much of anything.)

It is really weird to know that it is Thanksgiving week. Since the pilgrims went west, not south, I still have to work all week. Our family isn’t here. Turkey is too expensive. It is hot and sunny, not crisp and cool. You just don’t get the tingly feeling you used to get when late November rolls around. There’s no Starbucks…therefore no Christmas blend…which was only so-so anyway, but they had other offerings I miss dearly! Christmas is not nearly as commercial here (which is good), but I guess, as an American, I have been conditioned to require the loud commercialism to remind me of seasonal changes. As a result, every month feel likes August!

I wonder how long the reconditioning takes? Okay. I’m done whining. Thanks for your patience.

Ronny quote:

Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” -Ronald Reagan

the Senate bill

Here are 2 important numbers from the Senate attempt at health care “reform”.

- $848 billion – price tag (estimated).  Might I remind you that our lawmakers NEVER underestimate!

- 11% – the increase in the percentage of the US population that will be insured as a result of this bill. (The CBO says 94% of Americans, not including undocumented Americans, will end up being insured. Currently, without this bill, the CBO says 83% of documented Americans are insured.)

Also to note, the Senate is touting this bill as a deficit-reducer. As Obama says, “Let me be clear”…if this bill does reduce the deficit it is obviously NOT by decreased spending. There are a handful of new taxes that fund this bill…with a little extra (again, only if the cost doesn’t rise, which it will).

elevation worship

Here is a taste of worship at elevationchurch, the guys I just spent time with in UG.