Friday, May 20, 2005

Connecting with Staff and Preparing for Students

OVer the last four days, my time in Orlando has been extremely busy. I have had a hard time connecting with people back home because of limited access to the internet, and my time has been extremely filled with preparations for the arrival of the students. Tomorrow about 100 students from all over the country will be arriving in Orlando for GCM's Leadership Training (LT) program.

The number of staff in attendance here is much lower than in years past, and it has made for ma much busier time for everyone, but the time has been a great period of connecting with one another and hearing how God has been at work in each of our lives to bring us here together.

I have been living in temporary housing for the last four days, and I am looking forward to having a little bit of time tonight to get moved into my new home for the next three months.

Although I have had my camera all week, I haven't been taking many pictures. Over the past week, it seems i have developed a knack for forgetting to take pictures along the way.

Well, it is back to work getting ready for the students' arrival tomorrow. Much to do and little time to do it!

Arrival

After dealing with the transmission, I commenced my journey southward toward Orlando Sunday Afternoon. Along the way I was able to connect with many friends and supporters of the ministry I am doing in West Virginia. I arrived at approximately 7PM, and by 8PM I was sitting in a local Starbucks engaged in spiritual conversation with one of the barista's as well as a patron who God brought through the doors that night.

After a long day on the road, it was cool to be able to pick up in this new location and begin making connections with local people. Only time will tell what will come from these new friendships, but I look forward to seeing what direction they take over the coures of the summer

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Good times



Good times, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.
Yesterday, i had a wonderful time getting together with many people who help support what I do in myriad ways. One of my greatest joys was being able to spend some time with my parents, as well as my best friend on the entire planet and his family. This picture was taken a few moments before we parted ways while I continue the journey to Florida. I'm so glad I have such a loving community of friends and family, and that we get to spend time together.

Friday, May 13, 2005

Car Problems

Well, I just commenced my journey to Florida today, and it has been eventful thus far. I planned to leave early in the morning and head toward Parkersburg to meet with a few people and get some last minute work done before moving farther south. On the way along route 50, a reddish liquid began to splash against my windshield. I pulled over, and popped the hood. My transmission fluid hose had come loose, and all of my transmission fluid was pouring over the highway and out of my car. Good Times! Thankfully, I knew just what to do, and tightened a clamp on the hose. After doing this, I thankfully had a half quart of fluid to add to the car. It wasn't sufficient to go for the long haul, but it was just enough to get me to parkersburg, where I drove immediately to a Chrysler dealership and had a diagnostic run on my car. (The check engine light came on shortly after my little transmission debacle.) Thankfully my transmission system was intact, and the mechanic just added three quarts of fluid. Of course neither the diagnostic check nor the fluid were free, but I think the guy respected the fact that I made the drive, and knew what I was doing with regard to the vehicle, so he walked me through the whole diagnostic, and confirmed everything I had believed to be true. It is comforting to have my diagnosis seconded by an expert. It is also cmforting to receive that confirmation prior to a long road trip, and not in a strange place along the way.

Monday, May 09, 2005

Angels Game



Angels Game, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.
What a company guy! My brother got two tickets to see the Angels play the night I met up with him in California! The tickets were in the company box which was slightly right of home plate. It was nice to take a breather for a bit and relax. I figured it was only fitting that I go to an "angels" game since I have been working so intensely toward plans for our faith community! The Angels won 4-3, so it was a good evening for all. Made for an interesting day going from Hollywood via south central only to arrive at this--the pinnacle of southwestern suburbia--and company box seats to boot! Only in Los Angeles i guess--so many messages hitting my mind so quickly.

View from South Central



View from South Central, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.
It's taken me a while to blog this, but last Friday, I took the metro from JR's in Hollywood to within 0.5 miles of my brother's Chevron refinery. It was a very eye opening trip. The metro brings people from all walks of life together, and also people from a multitude of nationalities. It only cost $3 for a day pass, and I think I may have been able to ride for much less. I'm surprised more people don't use this. While riding, I traveled right through one of the worst areas of LA. This photo was taken after traveling through San Pedro, Watts, Inglewood, and stopping just north of the Compton metro stop. The point I took this picture from seemed like it was in a straight line from where I came from in Hollywood. How different life can be for people living only a few miles apart?

Friday, May 06, 2005

Night Time in the City of Angels


What a beautiful sight. This is the night time view of the city from the place I have been staying. Spent some time on the rooftop reflecting last night. It's amazing how bright the night sky is in a city of this size. Although I love the wilderness, there is a captivating beauty in seeing a skyline like this.

Rain in Hollywood



Rain in Hollywood, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

never thought it rained in southern california, but yesterday, I walked through a shower for about twenty minutes. Although I have been out this way many times, I have never experienced rain. LA has experienced record rain this year, and it has resulted in a number of vibrant blooms (none seen in the concrete of Hollywood) that manyhave not seen before. I wasn't sure if it would be clear through the photo that it was raining, but then I saw the lady with the umbrella.

It's funny, because everybody here had umbrellas. When I think about Morgantown, most people have gortex jackets, or just allow themselves to be soaked. Umbrellas are often viewed as an encumbrance. I also saw a number of people wearing raincoats, but most of these people weren't dressed up like we usually are back east when wearing them. It was a pretty fascinating cultural study.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Thaitownbuddha



Thaitownbuddha, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.
I was thinking about a recent message I did at h2o about worship and saw evidence of it. One doesn't have to look far to find evidence. We were made to worship, and whatever it is we worship, we dedicate our lives to it. I am in a small neighborhood called Thai town. My friend Nic would love it! There's a place to buy coconut soup on every corner. This morning I walked by a Buddha shrine about a block away from where I'm staying right now in Hollywood. It was early in the morning, and there were already many offerings left at this shrine. It is interesting because this act of worship is extremely visible whereas other things worshipped are not so readily visible. We give our lives to what we worship. What do you worship? Do people around you know what you worship? If someone asked them, what would they say?

Back in the Saddle Again

I'm baaaack! Finally took the words of Beth, Nic, and Melissa, and started blogging again. You guys will have to guide me through the process a bit. I am so glad to be posting again.