laugh or cry, i get to choose

I am traveling out of the country and as always I am learning new things. I have been to this country before, but there is a building boom here it has ushered in a growing middle class. This has helped some in making it possible to assimilate some of the refugees fleeing a collapsing economy next door. Still there is much stark poverty even though this is no longer considered a 3rd world country as opportunity and education and healthcare improve, if slowly.

On a personal note I find that Google now thinks they are SO important in the world that it is next to impossible to access gmail from outside one's own country if one does not have international service on one's phone.  This poses difficulties in keeping in touch with family and ministry responsibilities at home where I assured everyone I would be in touch with email.

I am grateful for telecommunication software that is making calls home possible and I'm sure I am not so important that folks can not get along without me. But it is a reminder that serving a really big God, one who counts the hairs on my head, means I can trust God even in this situation!

But you know those folks who assure you that anxiety will abate if we take a break from our devices? I'd like a chance to have a conversation with them at the end of this trip!

Oh, and if I don't post much, be patient! I'll get with the program by the first of the year if I can't do it from here!