So being away teaches you a lot of things about America. Last night we had the opportunity to talk with the leader of a church here and compare our challenges in trying to make disciples in very different environments. I spent some time further explaining our government and the various ways that it protects or inhibits our rights to faith, to free speech, etc. In comparison, what we have looks so good! We may complain about social security, but when you come to a country that has NO safety net for its people, no social welfare system, you realize how blessed we really are. So as much as I realize how unappreciative we are and how entitled we believe we are back in the West, coming over here has made me so much more Patriotic. I told Casey that I've started singing the nation anthem before I go to bed at night and saying the pledge of allegiance before meals. And I awaken each morning by seranading Brad and Joe with a moving rendition of "America, The Beautiful." We really are blessed beyond what most people can imagine. Just answering these people's questions about the US is almost embarrassing. My grandma and I have decided that the penalty for complaining about America should be one year of forced exile to another country. THAT might teach thankfulness :-).
In an unrelated note, Joe's crotch was groped today by an Indian transvestite. I so wish I had a picture for all of you to see.
7 comments:
I love the Joe Crotch story! I also like that I naturally capitalized the word crotch there making it look like a last name. Heh.
More seriously though, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the blessings that we have here in America. In my American history class, we are talking about the industrial revolution, and a period of America where the rich kept getting richer and the poor kept getting poorer, and the govt sort of watched. We not only live in a blessed Country, but a blessed time in our countries life where there is so much opportunity to get a job in a field you would like, and make a nice living. In America it seems that major problems get looked at, and something gets done about them, rather than them lingering on for decades and centuries. I think that makes sense.
I hope you guys are having a great time there! Can't wait to see you 3 again though.
B your posts are so funny. I am laughing out loud so much reading them.
I agree with Jamie, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the blessings we have here in the US. Reminds me of that Nooma video. We do have it so good.
Brad dancing in your previous post was awesome (I don't check this daily so I'm catching up).
I'm glad you are enjoying Heroes. I really enjoy that show. We shall maybe make it a weekly event next season.
Does that mean you're going to ask Ronnie to put the American flag back up in the auditorium? hee hee
Also, does poor Joe realize he is the trip's goat and fodder for your amusing quips? Pass along my love and regards, assuming he's up for any degree of male affection at this early stage of recovery.
God already DID bless America, for sure! And, he has kept on. When we came back from England some years ago, I'd have kissed the ground at the airport if it hadn't been Phoenix in July! And, I was just in England! Thanks, B, for reminding us. And, thanks for loving India as well. I'm sure your service there will help at least some know most Americans sincerely care about them. Josh, maybe we should put up the flag of India in our auditorium...
Yeah, by the time I'd been overseas for a couple years, I was longing for home, and modifying and writing my own stanzas to the patriotic, longing-for-home poems in my lit book. I really wish people were more globally minded here, though. When I finally did get home after three years of living in Bolivia, everyone around me seemed to be living in a bubble, totally unaware of what was happening out there. Then a few months later 9-11 broke the bubble, but I think that despite the fact that people talk about things that are out there more, most Americans are still not really aware of how awesome a country we have.
Since everyone is going to be reading this comment page and not the latest one I'll just go ahead and post here. I read the Taj Mahal story to my parents, uncle and aunt,who happen to be visiting. My uncle said it is always like that at Taj Mahal. There are too many people there for it not be that way. As for the toilet story, it's also like that all over India all the time. (I don't remember it being that bad in Kerela where my family is from. Maybe the Christian influence and job economy is strong enough there, I'm not sure; btw, I would definitely recommend for anyone to visit Kerela. It is beautifully tropical. It's motto is "God's own country." I read an American article once that seemed to agree. It certainly is beautiful. The disciple Thomas-"doubting Thomas"- started a church there. He was martyred in the next state over - Tamilnadu I think it's called.)
I won't make any comments at this time about Joe Crotch. =)
The family we stay with in Chennai (the capital of Tamil Nadu) is from Kerala and they told us how beautiful it is. They're actually going there while we are staying with them, so we could have gone, but we are using that time to visit the FOCUS World Vision kids instead. Too many places, not enough days. . .
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