Bringing light to Africa

Well, I’ve decided Nigeria is not the place for me this year.
I don’t know why (or why not) but I just haven’t had a peace about going back this year with the “Crazy Texas Team” and the CWF.
Maybe God has something else lined up for me – school, another ministry, I don’t know.
But while I was in Nigeria last year, I kept asking myself, “Why is there not more solar power being used.”
Africa is prime for renewable energy sources. We were constantly fighting with the power going out throughout the day or evening and so many others don’t even have the option for electricity.
But now a guy in Houston has put together a new light for Africa, BoGo.
It’s a solar powered flashlight. Seriously. Watch the video:

The flashlights run for 5 hours on a 10 hour charge. What a way to change a continent.
For $25 you can get your own flashlight and Mark Bent will send one of the flashlights to the African charity of your choice or a member of the US Military serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
I’d like to challenge everyone to buy the flashlight and give it to the “Crazy Texas Team” to take with them at the end of September. I’ve sent an email to a couple people on the team, so hopefully they can sign up and be a partner as well, so everyone that is purchased can get another one sent to the group but until then you can pick another African charity to give your second light to as well.
If you’d like more information, let me know.

Reaching out with high gas prices

People are driving less than they used to.
USA Today reports that the average American motorist has significantly cut back on their driving in the last 18 months for the first time in 25 years.
People are actually following through with their plans to reduce driving as gas prices rise. Consequently, this also means that most churches’ reach within their community is also shrinking. It poses the questions:
How many miles are people willing to drive to attend your church?
How many miles would an unchurched person be willing to drive to attend your church?
How can a church reach out to those beyond their “community” and those unwilling to drive further due to gas prices?
How about an expanded bus service, gas cards for visitors, or an Internet campus?

Via Church Relevance

Falwell vs. Warren

The NY Times has an interesting piece today comparing the late Rev. Jerry Falwell with Rev. Rick Warren.

The evangelical Christian movement, which has been pivotal in reshaping the country’s political landscape since the 1980s, has shifted in potentially momentous ways in recent years, broadening its agenda and exposing new fissures.
The death of the Rev. Jerry Falwell last week highlighted the fact that many of the movement’s fiery old guard who helped lead conservative Christians into the embrace of the Republican Party are aging and slowly receding from the scene. In their stead, a new generation of leaders who have mostly avoided the openly partisan and confrontational approach of their forebears have become increasingly influential….
Gabe Lyons, 32, is emblematic of the transformation among many younger evangelicals. He grew up in Lynchburg, Va., attending Mr. Falwell’s church. But he has shied away from politics. Instead, he heads the Fermi Project, a loose “collective” dedicated to teaching evangelicals to shape culture through other means, including media and the arts.
“I believe politics just isn’t as important to younger evangelicals as it has been for the older generations because we recognize from experience that politics does not shape the morality of a culture,” he said. “It simply reflects what the larger culture wants.”

And here’s an interesting article I found by Rick Warren on his personal website…

The Church – the greatest force on Earth
The Church is everywhere in the world.
There are villages that have little else,
but they do have a church.
Rick Warren
The Church is the most magnificent concept ever created. It has survived persistent abuse, horrifying persecution, and widespread neglect. Yet despite its faults (due to our sinfulness), it is still God’s chosen instrument of blessing and has been for 2,000 years.
The Church will last for eternity, and because it is God’s instrument for ministry here on Earth, it is truly the greatest force on the face of the Earth. That’s why I believe tackling the world’s biggest problems – the giants of spiritual lostness, egocentric leadership, poverty, disease, and ignorance – can only be done through the Church.
The Church has eight distinct advantages over the efforts of business and government:

  • 1. The Church provides for the largest participation.
  • 2. The Church provides for the widest distribution.
  • 3. The Church provides the longest continuation.
  • 4. The Church provides the fastest expansion.
  • 5. The Church provides the highest motivation.
  • 6. The Church provides the strongest authorization
  • 7. The Church provides the simplest administration.
  • 8. The Church provides for God’s conclusion.


Read more
This article gets me fired up for ministry. It makes me want to get involved full-time. Yet shouldn’t I be doing that regardless? Whether I’m working at a church, para-church organization or the city dump?

Thai Curried Shrimp with Mushrooms

This is a recipe that I probably won’t be fixing for Laurie and I anytime soon. But it’s an old one and a good one that I loved as a bachelor.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoon stir-fry flavored or vegetable oil
12 oz. fresh white mushrooms, quartered (about 4 cups)
4 oz. fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced (about 11/2 cups)
2 cups fresh broccoli florettes
1/2 cup green onions, cut in 1 inch pieces
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 can (15 oz) unsweetened coconut milk
14 oz. frozen peeled shrimp (uncooked)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Directions:
In a large wok or skillet heat oil until hot. Add white and shiitake mushrooms; stir-fry until just softened, about 2 minutes. Add broccoli; stir-fry until nearly crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add green onions and curry powder; cook stirring frequently, until curry is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in coconut milk, shrimp, salt and red pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Serve over hot cooked rice, if desired.