Broken Down, But Not Defeated
In 2003, while documenting our international relief efforts during the war, the truck my co-workers and I were riding in broke down outside of Kholm and “Middle of Nowhere”, Afghanistan. Both the crew and vehicle were seriously overheated. On average, days got up to 130+ degrees, so we were up the creek without a shade tree if we couldn’t find water and find it quickly. On this occasion, we were also accompanied by a bug infested roadside. Other than the bugs it wasn’t too bad cause it was a “dry heat”. Yeah right ; ) That’s what my brother in Arizona keeps trying to tell me and he’s crazy; Hot is hot! Like standing in front of a fire hot! Y’all can have the desert. This Appalachian American is stick’n with the mountains of North Carolina.
Anyway. It’s a good thing we stopped to document this project site before heading to Mazari Sharif. This well provided us with water that we used to fill up jugs before we went on our way. Cooled us and the radiator down so we could keep on moving.
Since this picture was taken, so much has changed in the state of my life and the world we live in today. When I revisit these images they remind me of something that I’m grateful for so I thought I’d share.
In all the years of my travel and places I visited, my journeys all had one thing in common. Every trip had the same end result; I was able to come home. Unlike long term missionaries who decide to follow a call and start a new home in a far off place, I was able to come back after each trip. I came back to my family, friends, and freedoms in the place I’d established roots and felt fortunate to step back in to. If you haven’t experienced hardship abroad, go see it for yourself and then come back to America and tell me you don’t feel liberated when you re-enter. Not a chance. Even if you do get harassed by a customs agent; suck it up, move on, and look for the positives.
This great land was settled by good, bad, ugly, white, black, yellow, brown, narrow minded, tolerant, some religious, some immoral, many geniuses, and plenty of idiots, but all had the same thing in common as I did when stepping back into this country. We chose to be here. We aren’t staying here because Donald Trump says he’s going to Make America Great Again, or because Hillary Clinton suggests she’s Fighting For Us. We’re here because we love this country. If not, stop reading this post, pack your bags and get the heck out. (sorry, no tolerance for the ungrateful).
Anyway, my point is, no one should have to influence you to love what is already yours. Have you read the Declaration of Independance? “We” hold these truths to be self-evident. We. Americans. If you love it, it’s yours. The problem lies in what comes after “We”. It’s the problem that America faces today.
Truth.
We as American’s can love this country until we’re blue in the face, but I promise you that's not going to fix anything. During the 2016 election season, it should be easy for us to see that the “truth” is few and far between. No matter your political affiliation, I doubt you’d argue with me that today there is a serious lack of integrity in our political system. If you don’t think so, then you’re part of the problem.
With power, always comes corruption. And contrary to some judgmental conservatives, Jesus didn’t come here to put your party in office. And.. for the pretentious liberals, you may want to consider what He’d say to you in a 2016 sermon on the mount. Either way, if you’re pointing fingers or your political party thinks they’re the greatest thing since sliced avocado, this much is true; Christ our Lord would pick apart all your pride, power, and deceit. You see, I can say that and get away with it because I know I’m right. He gave me authority to be conceited. I get a hall pass for my arrogance because I’m bragging on Christ.
Many of you and your politician friends can only talk about yourselves. Talk about how Great you are and how “You” are going to fix everything. People, this is the same rhetoric that’s been thrown around since they crucified Christ. The same pride that nailed Him to the cross. We should be ashamed at how far our nation has fallen from the truth. Even if you’re not a follower of Jesus you can at least agree that our Declaration of Independence said the truths we hold to be self-evident were a blessing from a “Creator”. So whoever that creator is in your life, don’t you think we should uphold these truths? Just say’n.
Our country is hurting and it can’t be fixed unless “We” as a people start searching and demanding the truth. For starters, can we just acknowledge that we need help? Here are my thoughts on how we do that.
This picture was taken in 2003 of the ground where we drilled a well to get water for the people of this Afghan region. It’s a reminder that no matter how rough things look on the surface, life springs from within.
