Playing games...

This post will be short tonight because Im tired... but I know there are people at home waiting for it, who now depend on it and want to know more. They have loved ones here, halfway around the world in a place that is unimaginably foreign, only seen in the pages of National Geographic.  Sometimes that's why you do things... because other people need it.
There is no "obligation" to write a blog, but I do it for the next guy... maybe it is a family member, maybe it is a friend, maybe it is a random blog surfer, or a financial donor of an organization such as Invest or Be The Change Volunteers.  I don't know.... but it doesn't matter, someone needs it and it will help them in some way, whether it be peace of mind, confidence in their charitable giving, or to appease their curiosity.
Its kind of like coming here.  Nobody had to come.  Nobody made Jimi and Cristi Cook or the other Be The Change organizers go out and build a school in a foreign country. Nobody said anybody had to go hug a little African kid who has no parents, or sing a bible song with a group of kids in a village but somebody started it because they realized the next guy needed it.
Why does a person build a school in some country in the middle of nowhere?  Does it really do that much? 
It does... Im seeing it first hand.  These projects help more than just the next guy... they exponentially change generations.  Family trees are changed.  Knowledge is gained, the earth isn't flat anymore, fire isn't magic and thunder isn't an angry evil spirit living in the sugar cane fields.  Kids become productive human beings capable of helping themselves and their families, finding jobs, building faith, and growing mentally and spiritually.
Someday they wont have to sleep on the dirt and reproduce without a plan.  They will have goals and objectives. 
Sunday I heard a teenage boy out of one of the village schools say he wanted to be an engineer.  SERIOUSLY?  An engineer?  Is there any chance he would even know what en engineer is if someone hadn't stepped up and built a school in the middle of nowhere, or became a teacher in one of those places?  I think not.  I'd suggest you grab the book The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind.  Google it or look it up on YouTube.  Im still reading it but you will quickly realize the hidden potential in a person with nothing who has a goal... even a little African kid in a village.... maybe even in an African country like Malawi.
Tonight after coming home and eating supper together, a bunch of us in the group sat around the lodge patio and played the game Catch Phrase.  It is amazing how a group of once strangers has come together and obviosly loves and appreciates each others personalities, cultures and unique sense of humor.  Even though we have all seen each other dirty, tired and smelly (yes, even girls can stink) no one judges the next person for any superficial social shortcoming.  An unspoken respect is present because each person knows that everyone here made a personal decision, driven by a higher power to come here and help another person. No one made anyone do it... its all done for someone else.  Personal sacrifice was made, financial burden was assumed, fears were faced and it was all done to help someone halfway around the world.
Would I have ever dreamed I'd go to some place I had only looked at in National Geographic for no self serving reason?  Never.  Something else made me do it.  Someone who needed help drew me to it... he drew all of these people to it.  I still want to pinch myself to see if this is real but when the roosters and dogs wake me up in the middle of the night, I quickly find myself in conversation with God.  If that sounds silly, Im sorry... I hope you understand it someday.
God has done a lot for me and he didn't have to.  He owes us nothing... but he does things because people need things.
Your reward will be in your heart but bigger than you can describe... have a conversation with God and ask him what he wants you to do.  You might be amazed the change you can be.
All is well in the team... spirits are high.  Bodies are tired but healthy and eager for each day.  Thank you for the love and support, everyone appreciates the posts... they smile and laugh as I read them.
So, thank you.... God bless you and goodnight.
-Dusty