"A Welcome Milestone ..."

Progress can always be seen best by looking at the youth of the country. Afghanistan is certainly no exception to the rule. Yesterday, we met with an impressive young lady working for a government organization best resembling the secretary of state back home.

To be clear, she was in no burka ... in fact she was quite the fireball! Very sharp and committed to the bright future of Afghanistan, she spent time telling us about her battle against the corruption amid other governmental branches. As I thought about it this morning, I began to realize the implications of the role we get to play here in Afghanistan.

It is amazing that not more than five years ago, women were not allowed to attend school and speak in public, let alone experience the world from outside a burka. Make no mistake, this subtle yet revolutionary change is what provides the conduit for truth to enter these borders. I am delighted to play even the most minuscule role in making sure this change continues, and in such more truth is made known.

"Bob's Chicken Wears a Burka"

The Schedule fills ...

It is quite amazing to see how our time fills as the week goes on. Upon each trip's arrival there are always the written objectives (thanks AmyLu!), yet in spite of that our agenda feels quite empty as we hit the ground. Over the last two days we have been given marching orders of some key things that will need to happen before leaving ... and as always, we sit at this point wondering how we will be able to get everything done!

Consequently, this is making it difficult to blog as often as before ... and I hope that you will not expect many pictures as it has simply become a casualty of priority. (however, you can still enjoy some of my older work below!)

Our large focus at this point centers around determining the benefits of a changeover from NGO status ("non-government organization" - you could think of it as a foreign non-profit) to a for-profit entity. No, we are not trying to get rich ... rather, if our desire is to maintain a long-term impact in Afghanistan and beyond, we must develop a model that is self-sustainable. In truth, a self-sustainable model is a prerequisite to increasing our scope of impact through the Middle East and Central Asia. It is our only chance at developing multiple schools, language training centers, jobs, and consequently hope and exposure to truth for years to come.

However, the implications of this type of move are significant, and no doubt this decision will effect the landscape of our work here for years to come. As mentioned before, I would encourage you to ask on our behalf for wisdom as we work through the process.

Stay tuned ...

It's good to be back ...

There are few things in life worth the struggle of 30 hours through airports and plane rides. However, from the first step off the Kam Air flight onto Kabul soil, I realized at that moment, there was nowhere else I would rather be.

We were able to enjoy the reliable good laugh at the subtleties that occur at the airport in Kabul (my favorite part is how they ram your bags through an x-ray machine on your way out of the airport, and nobody's looking at the screen to boot). After a car ride through the city, which has come a tremendous way through the rebuilding process, we finally arrived at the school to see good friends and rest from our travels.

This morning we are all rested and ready to get to work. We ate breakfast with a woman who is involved with 22 different small businesses location throughout Central Asia. It was encouraging to hear about her work and gain perspective from her success and struggles alike. The sky is indeed the limit with the type of work that could be done here. As always, we are asking for clarity and wisdom in regards to the part we should play.

We believe our niche and gifting lends toward the development of language training centers throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and China. If all goes according to plan, we will begin the process with our first in Kabul this week!

"Vision Casting"

As our journey nears a close, Dubai has proved to be a very fruitful visit. Much deeper than a warm shower and a beautiful city, we have been able to spend time with a man who has been living our dream for nearly 30 years.

Elder Kim (shown above) is the perfect picture of what "business as missions" looks like. He is indeed a brilliant business man who has secured contracts to supply construction materials for the US armed forces since 1990. His company today employs 700 people and is represented in 10 countries spread across the middle east and central asia.

Though thoroughly impressed by the business results, the staggering part comes next. His ultimate goal is not fueled by wealth, power, or status, but rather by the impact he can have for the Kingdom of God. Each country where he transacts business a ministry is created as well. He hires people who are like-minded to go into the numerous regions in order to grow his business, but also who are driven to share the gospel with the least reached people groups in the world.

One entity standing for both entirely business and entirely missions -- this is not a new concept, but one that is not often considered. This is my dream. For years now, I have struggled between a deep call to reach the 10/40 window, and a clear gifting and enjoyment in business. Until late last year, even I had not considered the potential of merging the two.

Now, after a successful research and return trip, the real work starts back home. My charge is to create enterprise that can not only fund ministry, but to also extend the gospel to collegues and consumers alike. Pray that I may receive wisdom to light the path, and that all glory will go to the Lord. Pray that all people in the last unreached frontier can hear the gospel proclaimed clearly, so that the Lord can return soon.

From Dubai, at the start of something big,

J~

"Dubai"

Where do I begin? Tonight has been such a treat to cap off a wonderful trip to Afghanistan. Our arrival began by meeting with Peter Chun at the airport, and then heading to eat dinner with Elder Kim. We drove through downtown Dubai, which is full of skyscrapers as far as the eye can see, and almost twice as many cranes could be spotted, which promise to bolster the skyline even further.

Though we were expecting humble kimchee to eat, we were taken to an upscale Korean restaurant where Bob and I each were able to enjoy a platter of marinated short ribs at the price of $45/plate ... elder Kim foot the bill. Kim deals in trading construction goods all over the world and his operation is housed from Dubai. Confirming his fiscal health, we gathered into his Mercedes and headed to the mission house where we are staying tonight.

This place is plush with everything from air conditioning (yes, ac is plush after being in Kabul) to memory foam mattresses. Though we have not accomplished any meaningful goals yet, this evening has served as a much needed oasis.

What we have found out so far:

• Elder Kim is the ideal contact to aid in surveying the economic climate in Dubai and the entire Middle East.


• Chun's relationship with him will be key in the growth of our ministry west.


• Mercedes can drive really fast.

Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to what tomorrow holds.

"Stay the Course"

Without breaching the subject of politics, our armed forces have done amazing things for this country. Even though I may have felt differently before coming, they indeed do need to stay the course in order to see this country's progress be sustained.

It has been somewhat of a paradigm shift for me to sit and talk with the so called "ordinary people" of Afghanistan. It cannot be said enough, they simply desire the same basic principals of life that Americans seek. Yet, after decades of oppression, many have given up hope entirely.

US forces bring stability yes, but along side that stability they bring hope. Their presence has created the opportunity for girls to attend school, women to uncover and take on identity, and economic growth to launch. If we leave too early Afghanistan will fall back into a state of constant terrorism and subject to the Talliban yet again. Pray for their freedom, and an environment that will allow choice to exist.

"Jamvar Lopis ..."

... or better known stateside as "Jennifer Lopez." It is interesting to see what American pop-culture seeps into Afghan pop-culture ... and for the conservative Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, J-Lo is that much more of an anomaly.

One of our core passions is to inject music by the Edge Band into places like Afghanistan and China (if you don't know who the edge band is just ask me). Today, we were encouraged to see a picture of how this plan could become reality (more to come later) ... and as you can tell above, we had a few laughs along the way.

"The Learning Luxury"

Compelled to reflect on my experiences with education and what has been given to me in life, I have realized that education should own a much higher value in my mind. Though my wife has dedicated her life towards teaching, I must confess my respect for the profession was ashamedly low.

Spending time at two schools in Afghanistan where students are starving to learn has changed me. The fortunate ones (predominately upper-class boys) are able to attend public school. However, there are far more children who must face life without being armed to ever raise themselves out of the despair their family has been in for generations.

Our school provides this opportunity, and the children come ready to bear the sacrifice and responsibility to learn. They bring a hunger for class and studying that I have never seen in my experience. They get it -- they understand the impact of education far more than I ever had.

Finaly I have come to this: Education is supreme. It is the provider of opportunity, hope, progress, truth, love, peace, the list is endless -- basically everything that is good is learned. We don't come pre-packaged with anything good ... it must come to us from OUTSIDE of us.

I can only hope that we can continue to find a way to increase capacity, build more schools, and bring more hope to Afghanistan and beyond. It IS important. Pray that God will continue to move in this way as we move west, and that workers will rise up to lead the charge on the front lines.

"Mush the Bounty Hunter"

I was struggling to find a way to pay for the trip here. Fortunatelly, the reward for this capture should help cover the costs.