Archive for May, 2009

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”

by Loren Eiseley adapted from The Star Thrower

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Last night, I got the chance to get dinner and frozen yogurt with Alice and the newest member to our Kenya trip (Bre Dougherty).

(For those who don’t know, Alice Hibbard is a long time friend of mine who I met through Saddleback Church and have remained close to since Junior High. She spends half the year in Kitale, Kenya. And it is through her that God opened the door for me to go on this trip.)

Now first, let me give you a little background. Alice had recently told me someone else was coming and instantly I was nervous. Thoughts ran through my mind like what if I didn’t like her, what if she didn’t like me, what if she didn’t think I was funny, what if I didn’t think she was funny!? Spending four and a half months with someone you do not thoroughly enjoy could be gruesome.

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Hey everyone!

As some of you may or may not have heard, I am planning on going on a four and a half month mission trip to Kitale, Kenya. I have created this blog to help keep everyone updated as I prepare for the trip as well as while I am there.

I will be updating regularly so check back often or feel free to use the RSS link on the right to subscribe!

Peace and love!
Jordan