choice

Choice

Really, it's all we have. We are born with certain characteristics (physical, social, emotional, spiritual, etc) and are hostage to the upbringing of our parents/family. None of this can we really take credit for. We didn't do anything to achieve our natural talents or weaknesses.

The only thing we have of our own is choice. However tainted by nuture, surroundings, and experiences out of our control, at some point, we have choice.

Our choices might be small, great, plenty, or few . . . . but we still have them. Some will be difficult and some will be relatively painless. As we go through life, it is these choices that begin to shape us as people.

We have choices about how we still spend our money, our time, and our resources. We choose how close we will remain to our family and who will become our friends. We choose what issues are important to us.

Our free time gives us an abundance of decisions. Will we sit in front of the TV, fly kites outside, or write poetry in the warmth of the sun?

Our decisions define us. Our choices reflect what we worship.

Worship is largely considered a religious word, but I beg to differ.

Someone who choices to focus their life around work worships success in the business world. They choose to have a cell phone attached to their ear and committment their time to work oriented projects. Everything else in their life gets their second best effort.

People can worship anything (work, family, money, fame, glory, love, independence, humor, politicis, power, knowledge, etc).

If you are curious what someone is worshipping . . . ask them this question, "What do you want to be known for when you die?"

It's a tough question. What am I known for?

Are my decisions accurately reflecting what I worship? Or am I fooling myself and living a lie?

Huge questions and I encourage to implore your own decisions and choices.

What are you reflecting?

Thanks for reading

Josh
Phoenix, AZ
Willowhouse Cafe, 3rd Ave and Mc Dowell

a strange first in Guatemala

Many of you may not realize this . . . . . but as of March 1st, 2006 . . . . I had never eaten at Taco Bell.

Yup, you heard correctly.

I had navigated through high school and four years of university without ever "heading for the border"

Well, that all changed while in Guatemala City.

When long term missionary Amy Troffey heard that I had never eaten at Taco Bell (one of her favorite locals), she suggested that perhaps we eat there while in Guatemala City. Being open to anything, I agreed to this proposed adventure.

So, on the 2nd of March, Amy and I ventured to one of Guatemala City's blossoming mega malls to fulfill this adventure. Not being familiar with Taco Bell, I let Amy guide my order. I had a steak Gordito and a quesadilla (and a small pepsi).

Here are the pictures of the timeless moment in history:




Josh Kienzle

Journey to Guatemala

I recently returned from a wonderful and challenging journey to Guatemala. I was there on business with Food for the Hungry, meeting with some different individuals and observing our developmental program efforts.

It was an encouraging time, but also challenging. I spent a few days in the capital city, but most of my time was spent in the rural area around Nebaj (about 7 hours from Guatemala City).

Wow, it was beautiful, intriguing, inspiring, and humbling all at the same time. Physical poverty and difficult living conditions were present in every community, but so were the signs of hope and progress.

Again, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Here are some other pictures of the journey:



A typical midday scene in this region. The intense Guatemala sun has burned off the morning fog and is warming the rugged terrain.

A family in the region of Nebaj

This guy is just enjoying a ride in the back of a FHI pick up. Gotta love truck surfing on the bumpy Guatemala expressway.


In one community we visited this bright turquoise schoolhouse (pictured above).

The teachers invited Rosie (FH/Guatemala staff), Amy (FH/Guatemala Int'l staff), and myself into the one room school to greet the children. In the room (10x15 ft), she was teaching children with ages ranging from 5-13. A very difficult task I must say. Resources were limited. There was a small dry eraser on one of the walls, but that was it.

However, in the past, this community had no primary. If parents wanted their child to attend primary school, they had to send them to a distant community.

Can you imagine sending a 6 year old out on the road to attend 1st grade?

This school, although meager by developed nation standards, is a huge step in the right direction. The turquoise color was a warm reminder of the hope that comes with education.

And this school doesn't teach the ABCs and 2+2=4, but they are also engaging the students with biblical teaching. Leadership is also a focus.

The future of this community is bright like the midday Guatemala sun.


Josh Kienzle

More to come about this trip!