The 5 worst kind of interstate drivers

YO! 
Roadtrips.
We've all been there. Some of us love them (me) and some of us hate them. Personally, there's nothing better than windows down, good music and good people to share the trip with. But, we all know that person who can ruin a road trip in a hurry.

I give you, the 5 worst kind of interstate drivers.

1. The leech
Leeches - who likes them? Nobody! But that is exactly what some people turn into on the road. They are the worst at night. They sit behind you; headlights shining in your mirrors. They don't try to pass or back off your tail. They just sit and suck the vision out of your eyes. They don't want the ticket, so they let you take the lead. Finally, someone comes along faster than you and the leech finds new prey to latch on to.

2. The slooooow log
I actually have respect for truckers. Seriously. They keep America running. I have a friend who was a driver for a long time. But seriously, if it takes you 2 miles to pass another 18 wheeler, we've got problems. There is a line behind you longer than Lohan's arrest record bro. Get a move on it, pass your fellow trucker and let the rest of us get by.

3. The camper 
Listen, let me just clear the air. Not everyone belongs in the fast lane. I'm talking to you Mr. I drive below the speed limit. Don't be the person who sits in the left lane and NEVER moves. Don't ever be that person. If you don't know the difference between the gas and brake pedal, do us all a favor and sit in the right lane and figure it out.

4. Joe Cool
He thinks he is the coolest guy on the road. Shades on, extra loud muffler to drown out his bumping subs in his trunk with a car that sits 3 inches of the road. He comes up behind you and rides your butt until you let him pass. He completes it all by glaring at you as he passes by. Unless you happen to be an attractive female. Then he checks you out and puts on the cool vibe. Joe Cool the creep; no lady is impressed. There's a reason this guy is always riding solo.

5. Moms
You know her. You've seen her. She drives a trendy, cool SUV. She is in her 30's or 40's and always on her phone. Always. Who do you talk to for so long? The mom in the SUV behind you? Problem is, because you are on your phone you forget how to drive. You are so absorbed in your call you forget about the other people on the road. And when I honk at you to get out of my way, you glare at me like I have the problem or worse, wave like I just called you a queen. Keep on talking momma, keep on talking.

What did I miss? Who have I overlooked? Feel free to share some of the people on your list.

Riding shotgun,
CT

Reflections on a year in Uganda

YO!
I'm done in Uganda. Officially. Not for the rest of my life, but for now. In some ways, I am relieved that this day has come. However, I know that this is a year that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Now, I can no longer speak of it in the present, but all stories from a journey in the past. Trying to summarize a year in just a few words short enough to not lose your attention is tough, but let's give it a shot.
What I will miss:

• The Sunday afternoon bible study time and the guys who were in it.
• Frisbee golf in the park and all the kids who stared in curiosity as we played.
• A good plate of traditional Ugandan food (most of it at least).
• Ugandan worship and how much fun it was.

What I loved the most:

• Sunday afternoon bible study.
• Working with the young men at the boys home.
• Meeting/making friends with people literally from all over the world.
• Escaping the "rat race" of the American lifestyle for a year.
• Sharing bible stories with my new brothers and sisters in the faith.

What I'm looking forward to in America:

• 5 Guys cheeseburger!
• Living in community with family and friends.
• Boones Creek Christian Church - I can't wait to see everyone from my home church again!
• An east Tennessee sunset in the summertime.

If giving advice to people about to enter the mission field, for a week or full time, I would say this: 

Proverbs 4:23 "Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Satan hates what you are about to do. It doesn't matter if it is across the street or the world, he hates it all the same. Therefore, guard your heart because satan will battle for your heart while you are serving. However, he is only the prince of the earth and you have the King of Kings to fight on your behalf. 

Fight the good fight,

CT 

Shark cage diving

May 21 & 22, South Africa
YO!

There was so much happening. My heart was pounding. My body was freezing and going numb. Adrenaline pumping. I was trying to find the bar to put my hands inside the cage. I was trying to get used to being in the cage. 7 of my newest shark bait friends were shouting expletives that became noise. I made sure my goggles fit perfectly. I was trying to not freak out. I was about to have one of the most feared animals in the world swim close enough to me to smell my pee.

"Down diver, down!"

I'm in the middle of 3 months of travel on three different continents. and was looking for my next adventure. I'd heard about shark cage diving. Basically, it's a reverse zoo. The humans get in the cage and the wild sharks get to come up as close as they want to. How's that for irony? I couldn't wait!

I was in Kleinbaai (Little Bay) with Dyer Island in the distance. This is where the BBC, Discovery and others come, the best place in the world, to view great white sharks. The chum was in the water. So was I as I jumped at the chance to go with the first group of the day in the cage. Decked out in a full wetsuit and boots for the balmy 13 degree (that's 55 Fahrenheit) water, I was ready.

"Down diver, down!"

I took a big breath and pushed myself down in the cage. Right in front of me was a "Holy crap that shark is huge and headed straight for me!" great white shark. Exhilarating! I could see everything so clearly. The fins. Scars on it's body. Gills. Eyes. Teeth. Man, those teeth. I came up out of the water and started shouting something I don't remember that was a mix between awe, awesome and excitement.

I cannot even begin to tell you how great shark cage diving is. At one point, a shark passed so close to me in the water I could have poked it's eye ball. I didn't, because I like my fingers :) This is one of the coolest adventures I've ever had. Definitely worth the money. I even went back a second day to do it again. I give it a 10 out of 10. How often do you get a chance to watch an animal like that up close in it's natural habitat (while not having to fear dying)? Go big or go home is what they say. I went big and it was awesome!
On to the next adventure,

CT

Drinking, smoking and getting High

YO!

No, I have not turned into a partier since coming to Africa. My last post was about the boda (taxi) drivers I'm building relationships with. They are a great group of guys. I've been living here for 7 months now and they are the only ones who have bought me a drink (it was pop, for the record). The more time I spend with these guys, the more I know about them.

They, just like me, have bad habits. However, their habits are more socially and morally "wrong" than mine: namely, drinking, smoking and getting high. They are now comfortable enough with me they don't hide it from me anymore and ask me what I think about their habits. For the record, I visit these guys Tuesday and Friday mornings. Their habits have become a part of who they are.

"Wait, CT are you sure you should be hanging out with those guys? Isn't it unsafe?"

If you thought something similar to this, I appreciate your concern. But, look at Jesus. These are exactly the kind of guys he would hang out with. So, if I profess with my mouth that I love God, my actions better back that up. This is exactly where I need to be. And, those of you who know me, know that I like to live on the edge anyway.

But check it, Jesus is so cool that He is starting to have an impact. These guys know about the bible. and can tell me some of the stories. They are beginning to ask me about my faith and what I believe. Even today, I shared with one of the men from Matthew 25. It's the story about the ten virgins waiting on the bridegroom. We studied that because he specifically asked if we could look at that story!

God is moving in these men and they don't even know it yet. Once you've experienced the heart of Christ, nothing else looks as good anymore. That is what I hope happens with these guys. One drink, one cigarette, one maragi drug and one Jesus conversation at a time.

Keepin it real,

CT

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