Politics

I've been reading a lot of blogs about politics lately. I appreciate that the democratic system allows for everyone to have a voice and I have enjoyed the much of the commentary I've read on the political happenings.

But if I'm really honest, I have to say that I am sick and tired of politics in general right now. The political system (or those who represent it in the media) has lost me. I'm not the type to say that I think everyone has a personal agenda or is on a "power trip", but I feel that those running for office are so concerned with gaining positions of authority or prominence that I think somewhere along the way, they lose what they used to be... or used to stand for.

I've heard people say "If I were President ___________________!" (insert your complaint). But I have to say that I have no desire to be President. I think if people were genuinely concerned about the world they would stop complaining and do something to affect a positive change. What it ultimately comes down to is people are more than willing to critisise and critique as long as it doesn't require them to get off the couch.

Presidents have some effect on the world... but imagine the impact if the voters actually saw their role as more than just marking the name they recognize on their ballot.

Am I jaded? Probably. Is our political system a joke? I don't think so. My concern is that people seem to spend more energy trying to make sure some one else does what I feel Christ calls us all to do. Maybe I've just seen one to many campaign adds :)

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
-Mahatma Gandhi said it as well as anyone has.

Wild Kingdom!

Check out this cool video.

Okay okay okay....

I thought about it for a while and decided that 2 years without posting is probably a little excessive so I decided to get things going again now before the 2 anniversary.

I don't know what it is about posting... it was just not something that I felt I had time for (which was not really the case). But now that I have virtually no time at all, I have decided to give it a whirl again... go figure.

Anyway, my life is pretty crazy right now. Aimee Jo & I are having a baby really soon. For all those who prayed for us, thank you and God bless you for it. Also, we are preparing to move to Fort Portal, Uganda to serve as missionaries. We are planning to leave in early-mid December. Its is sneaking up on us already. The Vancouver Church of Christ has committed to be our "sending church", and Keizer & Caldwell Churches of Christ have also pledged to partner with us. We are in the process of securing the rest of our funding (which is very stressful at times) and we are blessed to be walking this path with some very faithful and loving people.

I am going to try to keep this "new" blog updated more frequently than the last. Which shouldn't be too hard considering :p

Also, please check out our new family blog at The Martin Family.

Hey again all,

I am still over here in Uganda having a great time. I have been spending most of my time out in the villages and away from internet. The few times that I've been able to get online, I have been posting on my other blog (ugandasurvey.blogspot.com). If you would like to get more info about what we have been doing on the "Dark Continent", go check out my other blog and see what is up.

I will see if I can't get more internet access and time at a later date.

I'm alive!!!

Sorry I haven't posted more since being in Africa, but internet has been hard to come by. It has been quite a chore to get online at all without trying to post something. We think that we have solved the problem and will be able to keep everyone a little more informed from now on (Lord willing). Here is a picture to prove that I'm actually alive.



Aimee and I are having a great time and we are still thinking and praying about what God wants for us. Keep praying that the Lord will guide our decision and that we will know what to do before we have to come home. The Lord is good!

Here is one of the reasons that God may be calling us to Uganda.



Pray for this little boy as he is one of many Congolese refugees that has been forced to flee the Congo because of war. The Congo needs our prayers. Many Congolese refugees are living in Fort Portal and are ready to be touched by the gospel. We have had some wonderful times of worship and fellowship with our Congolese brothers and sisters here in Uganda. The Lord is opening doors all the time and God may be calling us to his work there.

More to come later...

I was blog browsing this afternoon and I came across this cool little language test that Mike Lewis had in a recent post. So, I took the test and here are the results...

Your Linguistic Profile:

70% General American English

10% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Midwestern

5% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Give it a try...

So... Aimee and I are getting ready to go to Africa on June 27th. I am really excited and nervous at the same time. I know what to expect to a certain degree because of all that we have been told. However, its a whole new ball game once we step off the plane and into a different world.

I have been out of the country (to Honduras) on two other occasions, but this will be the first time for Aimee. She has a lot of questions that I can't answer, and that is uncomfortable for both of us. It would be nice if I could just tell her what to expect and how to act and what to do if this certain thing happens... but I don't know either, so I can't comfort or reasure her. This is truely going to be a great and challenging experience for both of us.

It has felt like the day could not come fast enough, and now it is almost here.

Prayer... God, please prepare our hearts and minds for what we are about to do. Lord, I pray that you prepare the people who we will be ministering to as well. Break down the walls that keep us from opening up and getting to know each other. Lord, help Aimee and I to understand our place in your kingdom and give us direction as we seek your will for our lives. Amen.