How did it happen?

The folks over at The Official Quicken Online Blog have spent some time laying out the details surrounding the current financial situation.

I like their explanation because I was not willing to do too much research on my own and I have just been operating under the impression that too many people who shouldn't have been borrowing money, borrowed money from people who shouldn't have been lending them money. Essentially, irresponsible lenders lending to irresponsible borrowers. Quicken's explanation is more detailed but still palatable for the financial layperson. Go directly to their PDF diagram by clicking here. If you're not able to read the PDF, click here to download and install Adobe Reader.

If you have other thoughts and opinions on the current financial situation, please do share in the comments.

Inagua - Letter Two

As promised:

Good morning from Inagua!

What an incredible weekend!!!!!!!!!!

Looking back on the trip, it is amazing to me that we have almost completed 6 roofs. This is indeed a miracle, as none of us are roofers by trade. We also had the opportunity to do a neighborhood sweep/clean up. That also opened doors to share the gospel with people who were curious about the Americans picking up trash on their streets. God's favor has been upon us despite the heat and our inexperience. One of the families went all out to bless us as we worked on their home. From cakes to curry chicken to pleasant conversation, we have been lovingly "adopted in" to different families on the island.

Yesterday certainly was a day of needed rest and re-fueling. In the morning, we split up to attend two churches. I visited Zion Baptist, which is the church that is allowing us to sleep in their large fellowship hall. Reverend Bain exhorted the congregation to continue to celebrate, despite their situation, because God is worthy of our praise all the time and has indeed spared the people from a lot over the past couple of weeks. Another group headed to the Methodist church where many of the locals we have met attend. In the afternoon we were invited to a BBQ with John Nixon's family (he's here assisting with the government's disaster relief organization, called NEMA). He's from Inagua and his whole family came out to serve us with food and FUN. I believe some of the guys speared fish, while others played volleyball with the children or just enjoyed great company and the aqua waters of the Caribbean.

This morning, the door opened for us to go back into the schools to present a high school assembly on sexual abstinence. The message of purity and God's heart for relationship through the book of Song of Solomon was very well received by the students and teachers alike. We are also back on the roofs beginning the 7th and 8th homes, and we are eager, Lord willing, to accomplish the goal of 10 before Friday. Please continue to pray for protection, favor, and a move of God's spirit among the people here. Some are still in "shell shock" and others are just trying to make it a day at a time, rebuilding their lives. Thank you for co-laboring with us!

The last night in Inagua left us speechless...sincerely.

We had gone to simply work hard...that was our focus. We climbed on top of many elderly, widowed and disabled people’s roofs to rip up shingles or rotted wood and replace them, so that their homes would no longer leak or be vulnerable to rain damage. We accomplished our goal, but didn't realize the greater goal God was accomplishing through us, until the very last night.

The representative head of social services in Inagua, along with other community leaders, reverends and locals stopped by last night to say "thank you." Although that in and of itself was unexpected and would have been greatly appreciated, they went "over the top." Bringing homemade gifts, their own Boys Brigade band as well as delicious baked goods and sandwiches, we were in awe of their hearts to bless us before we packed up to head home.
Several of the leaders gave speeches that shared how they experienced the Lord through our unity, sacrificial love and hard work. We were welcomed back as family at any time and enjoyed the sweet time of fellowship together with all the Inaguans, young and old.

We're back home safe and sound, filled up to overflowing in our hearts with the memories of God's grace, faithfulness and protection during our time away. For those who held us up in prayer, God did above and beyond all for which we could have asked and hoped. From the inception of the trip to its fulfillment, I believe we've realized more how we serve a "miracle God" who loves the world passionately and wants us to be His tools of love for the lost and hurting around the globe. The rewards FAR outweigh the "sacrifice" of being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit of God.

Inagua

One of the students who grew up in our church recently departed for a four month stint with "Patmos: Reality Discipleship". The organization is based in Nassau, Bahamas.

Here is one of the letters we've received from someone he's serving with there. This letter, and another which I will share in a different post, are such an encouragement to me so I thought I'd share them here.

Hello from Inagua!

We obviously arrived safe and sound! We met our first miracle at the airport. When we realized how "overweight" our luggage was, Pastor Chet called the team to pray. Shortly thereafter, BahamasAir waved ALL of our "excess" baggage fees for the sake of the cause in Inagua. Every piece of luggage that we sent ahead and brought with us was here when we arrived. God is so GOOD!

We were surprised in seeing the extent of devastation on the island, and also thankful to arrive to comfortable accommodations. The people are very grateful for our presence and surprised that we would be willing to "volunteer" expecting nothing in return, just to assist them in a time of need. This has opened many doors already to share the love of Christ.

So far, we have been able to complete almost 3 roofs that were torn up by hurricane Ike. The first one is the roof of the church we are sleeping in together. The second is that of a handicapped family. And the third belongs to an elderly couple. Our goal is to complete 10 roofs by next Friday, when we head back to Nassau.

The students are very excited about this opportunity and are continuing to live "flexible" as they wake up each morning ready for whatever challenges may come. The sun has never felt hotter (Inagua is located right on the equator), mosquitoes have never seemed so large and "hose showers" have never been so appealing as in these last two days. Everyone is giving 100% to the tasks at hand, and we're thankful for overall health and protection.

Please continue to pray for us. That we would have a mind to work, heart to serve and that God would be glorified in and through us among the people here. To HIM be all the glory!

For nothing is impossible with God! --Luke 1:37

Read more about Inagua and the Bahama islands here, here and here.

Hey Chicago baseball fans

Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth. -Proverbs 27:1


Ain't that the truth!

Tellin' it like it is