Somewhere new

I just got to Kuwait City, Kuwait yesterday evening. I've never been to this part of the world so during the two hour ride from the air port I had a lot to take in and think about. These are my first initial thoughts upon entering the coutnry.

• The interstate type thing we drove on, I had no idea where it went to and from. It was just road and desert. It kind of made me think of life. What is the function and purpose of the roads we travel?


• The people around here, at least the younger ones, seem laid back. We were driving down what we Americans call an interstate and in the middle between the two opposing lanes of traffic flows is just sand. Several times while we rode, I saw people just chilling in that middle section. One group of young kids started a pick up game of soccer! A man was sitting and having a chat with a friend. Trucks were stopped, taking breaks and relaxing. It's stuff we would probably consider crazy and out of the ordinary but I like it. I like it a lot.


• I smiled at children in some cars as they passed us by and their eyes lit up. I don't really know what to make of that. Does it reflect what they think we normally think of them?


• I want to not only experience the geography and atmosphere, but also the culture and interact with the local nationals.


• I want to play soccer with the children.


• I'd tell the people of Christ even if the Army has already told me not to...


• I've never known desperation of the soul to where I thirst and hunger literally for God. I think I need to. I've known suffering but maybe there's a point to it. Maybe there's a wholeness that can come only from having suffered and finding such a desperation. If so, I have more suffering to do.


• I feel convinced even more that medical missions is what I should do. I feel more convicted to love the wounded souls and hurting people.


• I don't understand the true meaning of love, let alone what it means to love my enemies. God, help me.


• I don't know how I am supposed to feel but I am excited to be here. Excited to see outside the world I've always been in. Excited to see what God does with my heart. Excited to do our mission. I'm excited.


• I miss the landscape of Kentucky.


• The more I see and the more I think, the more it seems likely that America is kind of a brainwashed fool. Like a child that doesn't quite know right from wrong and up from down. America reminds me of Israel.


• We are all lost. I am probably among the most lost.


• It is easy to read about Jesus going to the desert for 40 days and nights in the Bible and think it is cool. But it wasn't until I saw this desert, similar to what He must have been in, that I realized how incredible it is that He could go so long without food, water, and all the while being tempted. That's crazy. He's incredible. It makes it real, being out here. Puts things into perspective.

So, that was what went on in my head during that two hour drive from the airport to the base we are at. And this is only the beginning. God's going to do great things in this desert.