Nashville...

So our trip to Nashville was amazing. I learned a but more how prideful and selfish I really am...oh and did I mention lazy? One of the biggest things for me was meeting Jesse. Three of us were going to watch "Tip of the spear" or whatever the title of the new movie about Jim Elliot and Nate Saint is called. Since the showing was late, starting at 1130 and we hadn't had much sleep, we decided to take the trek back to the hostel we were staying at to get some sleep. Yeah, We stayed at this amazing Hostel in Nashville. The Owner is really great guy and has some wonderful interactions with the international refugee community, but that is for a later time. On the way out we rounded the corner and were asked by a homeless man to pray for him. Anyway he didn't really want us to pray for him, but to talk. I wasn't really partial to the idea, but as 5 minutes turned into 45, my worldview was rocked by this drunk homeless man named Jesse. Ask me about it, my heart really broke for Jesse.
Jesse the XXXCHURCH and Invisible Children. Check them out (Jesse will be harder to find...). Those two organizations are taking issues that are many times taboo and addressing them head-on. I think in some ways they are going too far with their campaigns, but I have such a passion for groups addressing the lie of Pornography. I was able to hear one of the goofy founders speak in Nashville before he hopped on a flight to the Expo. I found it interesting how often people that work in that area (porn) are abandoned by Christians as lost causes. Jesus does love porn stars regardless of whether we choose to express that love. I am not saying that he embraces what they do, no way, but His love for me is just the same as His love for them. Why would someone give themselves over completely for someone that is only going to run away? only going to find another to love? only going to willfully hurt them? I do that. I run away find other loves and willfully choose to hurt. I guess I just think it is admirable that someone choses to go and address the issue.
You know the irony of this blog? I swore I wouldn't use it as a thing to preach from...oops. I really hate it when people do. Sorry. I am really excited about these things and that is rare. Anyway, check out the links I just added. The film "Invisible Children" ( I am going to buy one) is going to be touring around at different campus locals from now on. Check times and dates. It has been said by Bono and others that our generation is going to be judged on whether or not we helped africa (not in a white man's burden sense) or continued to isolate them. As having been, once you go to africa, you will never be the same. It has a strange pull back. These guys are noteworthy because they are not randomly throwing money ot the problems for the corrupt to exploit (UN), rather they are sponsoring indivdual children to get them educations in the country of Uganda so that these children have a hope, but also are in the position to rise into places of leadership. This is a plan that can work. Well I am spent...I will proof-read and write more soon. My big challenge is to live like I am actually redeemed. I am such a negative person and that has to change. Anywho, take care eh?