Wolfhowler

The video man

I have not seen Pat for six years. He is the guy behind Altarnet, a big time video show which was up there on the ratings scale. Pat was also one of the founders of the Damah Film Festival.

It was a good reunion, we shared our lives and got caught up with each other.

I'm very excited with a reclamation project that Pat is involved with the Center for Environmental Diplomacy. It is a project involving the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Israel. The idea is to fulfill the vision that the prophet Ezekiel saw almost 3,000 years ago. Back then, he saw the seemingly impossible... the waters of the Dead Sea alive!

Pat has won Emmys for his video production skills. Here you can see a clip of Orissa, India.

Good on you Pat!

Danilee Skye

My oldest daughter today turns 28, she is a beautiful lady indeed! I was 21 when she came into the world and she has taught me many lessons in life... she still is...

Danilee's name is a combination of both Daniel and Lee, my and her Mom's second names. Skye, is after the legendary Celtic island west of Scotland, a most beautiful and mysterious of places.

She has been all over Europe and had her own stint in rural Kenya. However, that experience seemed to have taken away the allure of travel to exotic locations. She is happy staying in Colorado Springs.

Danilee is married to Jon, an Iraq war veteran and they are proud parents of Aspen (6) and Aiden (3) my wonderful and special grandkids... I cherish hearing them call out "Hi Grandpa" whenever I come to visit.

Happy Birthday Danilee!

Amy got married

Two years ago, Amy joined us in a trip to Indonesia with a stop in Taiwan. 

She trained out team to teach "Abstinence" in the Junior High Schools in Jakarta. Everyone loved Amy and wanted her to return and do further training.

We have taken her input and have made it into a message of hope and dignity for the kids. 

Last year, Amy met KC and they fell in love and earlier today they got married. It was a simply but special wedding.

Blessings and many long years together!

Old friends

The last few days have been filled with exciting conversations with old friends. 

By the way, the emphasis should be on "friends".

I have known Roy, Sheryl, Steve, Berna and Rich for a long time and while we did not meet together, we share a common desire to fulfill the vision which was entrusted to us by Jim Montgomery many years ago.

The most significant development I see in my friends, besides the fact that we are all getting older, is the yearning we share to see this world change and the peoples of the nations experience the love that God has for them.

We have spent the better part of the last 20 plus years working towards these goals but we are not satisfied with what we see. We know there is much more that needs to happen and we are committed to do all we can to move history towards that end.

These friends are the type that think of the world as our neighborhood. We all have lived in multiple continents and have experienced multiple cultures.

Times with them, remind me of my purpose.

Beijing Olympics Games

Last night I watched the opening of the Games in Beijing. It was a show unlike any other I have ever watched. I was moved to tears many times.

Deep inside of me, I believe, I have been given a love for the peoples of this nation. I was thrilled to watch China in the world's spotlight.

Beyond the spectacular demonstration of Chinese rich history and the innovative technological displays, I truly enjoyed watching the peoples of the world marching in. Every face, every outfit demonstrating the multifaceted display of creations grandeur.

I specially enjoyed watching the joyful Venezuela team having their customary party as they marched in and the grand USA team. But I was specially touched to see the Chinese athletes being led by the tallest Yao Ming and the shortest Lin Hao, from Sichuan Province, a survivor of the recent earthquake.

Last year, I began to dream that I would be in Beijing for these most special days but it was not meant to be. Things just did not work out for me. I'm disappointed but my sadness is small in comparison to the sadness I carry over other wishes I hoped for. 

I really wanted to experience the joy of seeing the world come to China breaking down the walls that have separated the peoples of this great nation with the peoples of the world.

In the midst of my own difficult feelings, I rejoice with Chinese people everywhere in celebrating their most ancient culture and their strong demonstration of the human heart.

Restoration Needed

It has been raining here for the last three days. It has also been uncharacteristically cloudy as well. This summer has been very dry and the rain is most welcomed in our high desert landscape.

These weather patterns are a good reflection of how I feel inside. 

I'm physically and emotionally tired. I have not slept well in quite a few days. I'm also dealing with physical symptoms which I do not yet fully understand.

I suppose that I must accept the fact that I'm depressed. This is a new experience for me. I don't recall experiencing depression before.

Today, I'm seeking to put into practice a good lesson that I have learned from Henri Nouwen. In "The Way of the Heart" he encourages us to connect with God through Solitude, Silence and Prayer.

Years ago, Wolfgang Simson (Germany) challenged me to learn to be alone and silent. I have never fully accepted his suggestion but the last years have been an induction into this world of being alone and having my mouth closed.

My heart longs for companionship but I guess that I still have not learned the lesson. 

I remain alone and I hope to learn to be filled in the midst of emptiness.

Back Home

Zak is back home. He is doing very well, even going up and down the stairs.

He lost 10 pounds in less than a week and grew by 3 inches!

WELCOME BACK ZAK!

O-Day+6

We were told that it could be up to two weeks but Zak has returned back home today, just six days after his surgery!

I was with him the last two days and he made a lot of progress, however, he was struggling to eat as his appetite was severely affected by the pain killers.

On Sunday, he was visited by Miss Colorado, by a pink pig and by a dog. He enjoyed the dog the best of the three!

We now start the process of recovery. It will be slow but I look forward to how Zak will face this challenge. He is an amazing boy!

O-Day+3

After a day day and half of rest I returned to Denver to take care of Zak. I did get one full night of sleep, thanks to Kevin and Sheryl, who fed me and invited me to spend the night. They are very special friends.

Zak still is dealing with pain and a couple of other issues but he making good progress. He starting to eat more and he is generally feeling better.

This afternoon he took his first walk out of the room with support from me and his physical therapist. He made it to the nurses station! Everyone there reacted in great surprise!