???

I’ve been struggling with what to write you about. Always mindful of the limits of words to convey my reality, I struggle with attempting and ultimately failing to describe Sierra Leone, Global Rescue Mission, my daily experiences and my muddled thoughts, coming and going too fast to ever record or articulate.

Should I write about our beloved street boys and the success and blessing of enrolling 10 of them in school and setting up a night shelter for them?

Should I praise the epic Heidi Whipple for the joy of her laughs, compassion, company? For Matt Damon movies, daily African adventures, and attempting to answer the constant question, "what is my life?!"

Should I write about work, and the difficulty of my endeavor to become a working professional?

Should I ramble about my saddness and frustrations with the church we attended last week (and many churches around the world), and it’s promises of financial blessing and prosperity to it’s disadvantaged congregants? With its emphasis on the avoidance of suffering, and suffering being only a consequence of failure?

Should I go in to detail of the layers of my ceaseless identity crisis?

Should I talk of the hot African sun or the heavy torrential rains that are currently keeping me awake at 2:43am?

Should I describe the picture of this small, beautiful town that has become my home? The neighbor children, the busy streets, the smelly, crowded, colorful market, the rice, fish, fresh fruit, the blind beggars, and the overly ‘friendly’ and vocal men?

Should I tell you about the painful veracity of being placed face to face with injustice of all kinds, of corruption, exploitation, and greed?

Should I write of the ways in which Christ has been faithful in drawing near to me and using His scripture to reveal his character, his love and his grace amidst the ebbs and flows that are my moods, emotions and experiences?

Should I talk about those I dearly miss back home (namely, you), my loving friends and family, as well as some perhaps trivial pleasures such as a good cup of coffee, readily available Diet Coke, the new Coldplay album, a hot shower, a side walk, a haircut, a trip to Powell’s, a bicycle?

Should I describe the hyperventilation that nearly ensues when Heidi and I look at a calendar and realize that time is dashing past us, that we’ve been here for over 3.5 months, and we have a mere 6 weeks remaining? Are we ready for our time here to near a close? Are we excited for the venture to the places we call home? Should I mention the absolute excitement of plans being made for a beautiful community home in Portland?

This entry was just about all questions. I hope you don’t mind, for questions are more my style than answers, pondering more my reality than conclusions.

Love and prayers to you my friend.