Congratulations to Mike

My dear friend, Mike Comes At Night, a member of the Blackfeet nation, just finished his coursework on his way to becoming a teacher. It's a long time dream come true for him, and I'm very happy for him and proud of him.

Interview with Teka

Here's an interview with a woman in Jamaica, talking about typical life up in the hills surrounding Montego Bay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i77j6takbX4

Kenton's Call

Remember Kenton - the rafting guide at Lethe? He called me today while I was on my way to the Adult Fellowship Christmas feast in the fellowship hall. He said things aren't going so good. The rafting company, which wasn't doing great anyway, actually had to shut down for two weeks. That puts a guide like him in a tough spot - with no money and even less food.

He said his kids are OK - living with their grandmother. One of them goes to a private school. The government doesn't provide food at private schools, though.

He's tried getting work in Montego Bay before, but he's not qualified - not enough education (remember Doris' son, who had a degree in Elec Engineering from Great Britain, and still couldn't get work? It's undoubtedly worse for a guy who probably didn't finish high school). Anyway, he didn't ask for anything. He was just sharing, although in his not asking he was begging for help with a little food or something. What else but desperation would prompt a call all the way to the states to talk about a situation so bleak? I'm reminded of the call I made to Teka a year ago this week, asking how it was, and finding out that there was no food in the house - and hadn't been for quite some time.

Dominos. When business isn't good, the company doesn't operate. When teh company doesn't operate, daddy doesn't work. When daddy doesn't work, the kids have to move away or not eat, either. All that on my way to a luncheon in which the leftovers would probably feed he and his family for more than a week. I tell you, shadow-walking hurts your feet sometimes.

Anyway, I'm reminded how far $40 or $50 would go if it were wired to somebody like him. Maybe a little bit of light in a dim world.

Dominos. Listening to stories, doing what we can, leads to a dynamic friendship that shatters the lingering static and stereotyped souveniers from tourist visits. This connection is uncomfortable, prompting those with listening ears to re-orient themselves, to live into the hope that maybe a little bit of caring action as the body of Christ can change a life. God only knows what Kenton can offer the world that his poverty keeps him from offering.