My Life in Ruins: Part 2

Not the best photo, but I was in the 2nd seat in the middle row (so there were 3 seats and and aisle between the window and me...This was my first look at Istanbul.

Writing this in the Istanbul airport, though, due to sucky internet, it won't be posted til sometime in Greece. 
10 hours and 10 minutes from Chicago to Istanbul. And that was after we sat there for half an hour, waiting while they dealt with technical issues with the plane's toilets. Not something you want to lose on a 10 hr flight... Though...better to lose toilets than wings...it's all about perspective. 
The trip has been fairly uneventful. The highlight was sampling Turkish Delight at one of the gift shops, and internally debating whether I'd sell out my siblings for it. Steve I would. Heck...I'd sell him for a stale tootsie role. Carla...yeah, for the most part I wouldn't, but there was one flavour that might make me at least think twice :~)

Started the flight sitting between 2 Pakistani men. They kept talking over me, and the one seemed to be spoiling for a fight. Kept gesturing in my face (gesturing at the other guy, but nearly slapping me...) til I put a hand up to block him. Luckily, he moved soon after, and it was an old Pakistani lady on one side, then me, an empty seat, and then her husband. Guess they both wanted aisle seats. They kept taking over me, but as I could only understand maybe one word in ten, it was easy to block out. They did chat with me a little, and they apologized for talking over me, but I told them it was like watching a tennis match, so I didn't mind.
Second leg of the trip (this part I am typing in the hostel before going to sleep...) was pretty easy. Though really, I am of the opinion that if you're gonna go through all of the hassle of getting on the plane, you may as well be on there longer than 50 minutes. So I watched half a movie.

Then I had to decide if I was going to do a taxi or the metro. Taxi is, of course, easier. But it is also a lot more expensive. So I took the metro. It was nice, because I had about 40 minutes on one train, then switched to another, and that was it. I didn't have 50 changes. And I kinda felt like I'd accomplished something :~) Of course, I also felt like the people on the Metro thought I was crazy with my bags. Already had someone ask about my amount of luggage. They don't think I'm so crazy when they find out that the one bag is donations, and I will be leaving it behind. And I will be so glad to be rid of it. It's a pain in the butt. 
But I am here. I'm gonna go to sleep, because even though my body is saying it's nearly 5 pm, my watch says it's nearly 1 am. And I have not slept much at all over the last few days. So there will of course be more later. Stay tuned :~)

I still don't feel like I'm in Greece. Maybe after I sleep and when I start exploring in the daylight :~)

My Life in Ruins: Part 1

Don't worry...My life isn't that bad...I chose that as the title for my adventures in Greece, because I love the movie, and it's about Greece. If you haven't seen it, check it out. Honestly, I'd probably jump off of a bridge if I was stuck with that group, but it's a fun movie :~)

I leave tomorrow. In less than 24 hrs, I will be in the air, on the way to Athens. Probably thinking, "Oh crap...I forgot my toothpaste." or some such thing. It happens...
Sitting with Marius right now, listening to someone walking across our roof. Not sure who, but Marius doesn't seem too concerned. My hero...

I've been stressing a little today, doing last minute stuff. My jerk of a host on couchsurfing canceled on me, so I guess I'll be doing airbnb to find a cheap place to stay. The hazards of travelling on a budget :~) At least I don't have to deal with someone who is willing to host me and a cat this time...that was a challenge. Though I wouldn't give Marius up for easier to find lodging.
I just got a bunch of yarn and needles donated today. It went from 'yeah...I'm gonna be able to teach 1 person to make one scarf" to "oh my good gracious, how am I going to pack all of this?" Not a bad problem to have...

I also started packing my own stuff today. That's right...STARTED. I've always been bad about packing in a decent time frame, and it's grown worse. I can't imagine what it'll be like in 20 years :~) Maybe I'll be wealthy by then, and I'll just hire someone to take care of my packing. Stop laughing...I can dream...
I've been in touch a little but today with the group I'll be working with in Athens, but I don't have any details from them. I'm supposed to meet with them when I arrive to sort everything, but I'm not really sure where they are located. This could be interesting. Maybe one day I will actually plan a trip a bit more ahead of time. But, seeing as I bought my ticket about 3 1/2 weeks ago...yeah, I probably won't start planning ahead. I mean, look at what happened to my parents when they tried to plan ahead... :~)
I'll be trying to update as often as I can, but I have no clue what sort of internet I'll have. Feel free to email me, or send messages or whatever. I'll do my best to answer in a timely fashion. And hopefully my updates will be a little less rambly than this. No guarantees though.

If you know of anyone who may be interested in supporting this venture, my youcaring page will still be active. Feel free to share it.

                                                                                                                                               

Sing a Little Song

This is a list of 12 songs I have been loving a lot lately. They're not in any particular order, and there's a good chance that if I would post another of these in 6 months, a lot of the songs would be different. I tend to listen to certain songs a lot for a few months, then move on to other songs. Thought I'd share what's been stuck in my brain lately. Hope you enjoy. 

I'm not going into the meaning of any of the songs, or really even explaining the genre that they are. I am just showing songs that I like, and a little bit about why I like them. If you think they sound appealing, give them a listen.

Also...Pretty sure all of the songs and videos are clean, but I am not promising anything...

Jurassic Park End Credits, by Peter Hollens

You'll see a lot of Peter Hollens in this list. His videos are fun to watch, and I love the sound of his voice. This is really a fun one, and one I've been listening to a lot lately.

Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult

This is one that was played on Supernatural. I already knew it, but started listening to it more, and I really like it for whatever reason. It's a fun song.

Zelda Medley by Lindsey Sterling

I played Zelda a little bit when I was younger, but wasn't much of a fan. I couldn't get very far. So the music definitely doesn't bring back childhood memories. But it's pretty anyway. 

Into the West by Peter Hollens

This one is from Lord of the Rings. A little depressing, and when it popped up on my playlist the day we were taking Shadow to be put down, it made me bawl. But it is a beautiful song. And, while sad, is not depressing.

The Sound of Silence by Disturbed

Mom just showed me this song a few days ago. I like the original, and this one is even better. The guy singing is a little creepy, but that's ok. The video is cool, and the song is even better.

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

This isn't the full song, but this video amuses me, and you probably are familiar with the song anyway. It's another one of those that I've kinda known for a while, but have been listening to more lately. I always tell myself that I need to find the lyrics and actually learn them, but then I don't. So the song ends up, "Lala lalala la laaaaaa...of the tiger!"

 Battle on the Tower by Alan Menken

I love all of the Beauty and the Beast music. And the movie...But this song has been a favourite lately. It's one of the more intense songs in the soundtrack, but really, I like them all. Aside from those made for the remake. Just stick with the originals :~)

The Leaper by Deas Vail

Not usually a fan of guys trying to sing high. But for whatever reason, this band makes it sound good. I was listening to The Leaper this summer when I got my first speeding ticket, and I was worried the negative experience would ruin it. But it is so good that I still love it, in spite of everything else. 

My Love Has Gone Across the Sea by Andrew and Skye Peterson

This is a song from the book The Monster in the Hollows, from The Wingfeather Saga. Andrew Peterson, the author, and his daughter Skye did this song together, and it is so good. That kid can sing...Another sad song...Are we sensing a theme?

Star Wars Medley by Peter Hollens and Lindsey Sterling

Another theme of this list? Peter Hollens. Along with Lindsey Sterling this time. These two should team up all the time. If you like this, look up the Skyrim theme done by Peter and Lindsey (there's a freebie for you :~) )

Dance With Dragons by BrunuhVille

Found this one super randomly while looking up medieval music. And I love it. It's a high-energy, fun song. No clue what it's actually from, but I don't really care.

I'll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan 

Used to listen to this all the time in India while driving my motorcycle with Marius riding along. Pretty sure he hated it...But I loved it. And still do. It's fun to try to do all of the different voices :~)

Tragedy Tourism

This picture is one that I took my 2nd trip to LA to help with Katrina cleanup. This was about a year after the hurricane, and one of the days we were there, we drove around to see the damage in other parts of the city. This sign was in the 9th ward, the hardest hit section of New Orleans. I almost felt bad taking the picture, what with the message on the sign, but I took it anyway.

I take pictures a lot, even when I am volunteering. Maybe it seems insensitive. But I do it anyway. What better way than photos to show what is really happening? The whole "A picture is worth 1,000 words" thing. Plus, I take pictures of pretty much anything. Honestly. Some of the things I take pictures of would just make you scratch your head.

It's a way for me to not only show others what is happening, but to look back and remember why I volunteer. A great reminder that when it's hot and I'm sweaty and gross, and the house I'm working on is moldy, and I think I'm gonna puke, even then it's totally worth it.

I am not a big fan of the word tourist. Mostly because I'm not a fan of tourists. Living in Ooty will make you strongly dislike tourists pretty quickly. However, I have been called a tourist a lot of times, mostly because of my camera, which is out all the time while traveling, whether I am volunteering or not. But really, even when I am driving places that I drive multiple times every month, I often end up arriving at my destination late, because there's a pretty bird over there, or the sunset looks particularly gorgeous on the clouds, or there's a leaf that is sort of in a different place. I have a hard time even going for a walk in the woods, where I have walked thousands of times (if not more...) in my life. Because what if something is different? Or what if it's all the same, but I suddenly see it all differently?

Pretty sure the first responders thought it was a little odd that I was taking pictures as my uncle was loaded into the chopper to be airlifted to the hospital...

I take pictures of things that make me happy, and things that make me sad. Photography helps me process whatever I am feeling. Over the years, I have tried to learn to be sensitive, and to not hurt people who are already hurting. And something I have found is that most people are ok with it. It's a way for them to tell their story. It's a way to see that someone cares. I try to not take pictures with a flippant air, but instead, showing interest in the person whose life is lying in shambles around them. It's an interesting challenge, but one that I enjoy.

I'm preparing for this sort of a situation in Greece. Partly thinking of how I can improve my photography of hard situations, and partly thinking about how I can use photos to communicate both with the people that I am working with there, and people who are at home. Guess you'll see how it turns out.

Getting Back on the Horse

This picture will make more sense once you've read the blog :~)

I'm super apprehensive about the idea of going to Greece. More so than I've been about going other places recently. Perhaps it is because I've not traveled out of the country in some time. Perhaps it has to do with all of the unrest. I don't think it's that one. There's unrest everywhere. I could die in Rockford when I go for an IceHogs game...
I don't really know what the problem is. Could be some depression that just makes me disinterested in anything.
My best guess though, is that it is more about the fact that I haven't had the best luck with groups I have worked with recently...The last couple of times I went to India, it wasn't good. I worked with people who were a bit narcissistic (to put it nicely...). The jobs ended up going sharply south, and I was incredibly hurt by it all. And I don't want to do that again. It's not fun...

I've been back in the States for a while, and it's sort of time to "get back on the horse that threw me". But the problem is, when you're tossed off of a horse, you need to get back on as soon as possible, because the longer you wait, the harder it will be to get back on. You'll psych yourself out, and not want to bother with it. You'll come up with reasons to not do it. Maybe you're too busy. Maybe the horse looks a little gimpy today. Not to mention, you're super stiff from the impact with the ground. There's always a reason to not get back on.
And I think that's my problem now. There's always a reason. I can find this and that to keep me busy, I don't want to leave the dogs and cats, it's expensive to travel the world. But it all comes back to the fact that I want to go, but I don't want to be hurt again. Just like wanting to get back on that horse and go cantering across the field, but not wanting another faceful of dirt...
So it's time to get back on. I have spent enough time not going, and if I don't go, I may as well give up on ever traveling again.
I'm hoping this trip goes really well. I want it to be like that ride just after you're tossed, where the horse is totally chill, and you're able to relax and enjoy your time, and realize again why you like riding. We'll see. Travel is nearly as unpredictable as a horse. And that is saying a lot...

Greece, Knitting, Beach Clean-up

I'm leaving the country. Yes...again. Finally...
March 29th, I leave for Greece. I will be spending about a month in Greece, then I plan to do some travelling in Europe. While I am in Greece, I will be working with a couple of different organizations.

First, I will be working with The Melissa Network. They use crafts, drama, and art as psychotherapy for migrant women. I will be working with them, helping out where I can, and teaching knitting classes.
This is where comes the first ask. I want to take knitting supplies with me that I can leave with them. The women can learn to knit, and knit scarves and whatnot for their families, and for others who are in need of them. It is still chilly in Greece, and the immigrants are traveling and sleeping outside. Warm clothing is a must. The more yarn and needles I can take, the better. Thicker weight yarn, worsted and up, would be best, as they are easier for people to learn on, and knit up faster. The substance used in the yarn doesn't matter. Acrylic is perfectly ok, as it is actually easier to clean, and more forgiving of being damp and whatnot. But wool or anything else is ok too.

After leaving the Melissa Network, I will be going to Lesvos, where I will be working with Philippa and Eric Kempson, who are partnered with A Drop in the Ocean. They meet boats coming in with refugees when there are boats, and do other necessary work on the island when there are not boats, such as cleaning up and working on the refugee camps.
I have bought my tickets, and will be paying for my own lodging and whatnot while I am volunteering. From the volunteer info I have read, the cost will be something like $40-$50/day for food and lodging. If anyone would find themselves able to help out to defray this cost, that would be amazing.
Donated money will be used only while I am volunteering. During times that I am traveling for the heck of it, I will fund my own way.
If you are interested in helping with financial support, I have set up a crowdfunding page that can be used for donations.
If you are interested in donating, whether knitting supplies or money, send me a message on Facebook, or a text at (815) 315-2128.
There will be more updates as my departure date grows closer, but I wanted to get this one out quickly.

Garcia's Style Pizza Crust

This pizza crust recipe is the one that we always use. It's a variation of the recipe found in this book. In fact, instead of writing the recipe down somewhere else, Mom just wrote her changes in the book. It's a lot easier to find the recipe that way than to dig through the recipe box to find a card. 

 I think we may have tried a couple of other recipes from this book, but pizza is the one that is the most used. Look at what a mess that page is. The rest of the pages in the book are still pretty clean. I couldn't even tell you how many times I've made this one. Sometimes I'm away from home and I want to make pizza. I never remember to keep the recipe in a document on my desktop, and I usually don't want to hunt through old emails for it. So I call Mom, and beg her to send the recipe once more. This one, and the cinnamon roll recipe. Pretty sure that last time I asked for it, she said she'd never send it to me again. But I think she said that the last 3 or 4 times too...

I guess now I'll be able to scroll through the blog to find it...

2 1/2-3 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp active dry yeast

1 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar

1 cup warm water 

2 Tbsp cooking oil   

Make dough, either by hand or in bread machine.

Preheat oven to 425

Form crust. You can use a pizza pan, or a cookie sheet, or a pie tin. 

Whatever works for the shape you're after. We usually use 2 

rectangular cookie sheets, because when we make pizza, we eat a lot, and 

we also want leftovers. It's totally up to you.

The sugar is an addition to the original recipe. My folks have always loved Garcia's pizza, and Mom wanted a way to make it at home. She tried a few recipes to find one that was similar, but no luck. Then she realized that the crust was extra good, because it's a bit sweet. So she started adding sugar to this recipe. And voila! Success. It was just what she was looking for. It doesn't really taste like there's sugar in the crust, it just has a little bit of a tinge of sweet. And I've had Garcia's pizza. It's amazing, and the crust tastes like this crust.

And...from what I read online, Garcia's Pizza is no longer what it used to be (and it has gotten rather pricey...). So if you want to find out what it tasted like back in the day, or if you liked it, and want to make your own at home (or at least a pretty close approximation), this is the recipe for you.

I use a bread machine. It's the lazy way. I've also done it by hand, when I was somewhere that I didn't have a machine. It's pretty similar, it just takes longer to mix and knead to get it smooth. With the machine, you dump everything in, and you're done.
Quick note on the oil...I use regular vegetable oil. I tried sunflower oil once...learn from my mistakes...It was disgusting. Supposed to be healthy, but not a good oil for pizza.

 If you're using a bread machine, put in about 2 1/2 cups of the flour, start the machine and let it run for a few minutes, then check it. If the dough looks sticky, slowly add more flour. It should not stick the the sides of the pan, but should form a ball as it is kneaded. If you add too much flour, balance it back out by adding tiny amounts of water. Add everything in small amounts, or you could end up trying to get the right texture for ages, and by then, you've added so much extra flour and water that it's nowhere near what it should be.

I let the dough rise, then start the dough cycle over again to punch it down. I usually let it run for about 5-10 seconds. Then dump the dough and shape into your pizza crust.

You can use a rolling pin and get the crusts super uniform and thin if you'd like. In case you haven't already figured it out, I'm not usually that particular. Yes, I want things to look nice when I am making food for other people, but when I am cooking for myself, I'm not wildly concerned. As long as it tastes good and doesn't look like vomit, I'm happy. Actually, if I'm honest, some of the Indian recipes, and different soups I've tried have sort of resembled vomit. Ok, as long as it tastes good and doesn't make me vomit, I'm happy. :~)

When the crusts come out of the oven, they may be a little puffed. I should probably try stabbing them with a fork before baking. Perhaps that would prevent the uneven thickness. But I kind of like the different thickness. One bite is thin, with a lot of sauce and topping ratio. The next bite is thick, chewy crust. And trust me, this crust is good enough that it's ok to have a large crust to topping ratio. This crust isn't only a topping delivery system. This crust is amazing on it's own. You could take one of those crust rounds and eat it plain, and it would be delicious.
It's nice sometimes to not get too picky about the food we're making. Don't worry if the crust isn't even. Don't worry if sauce is pooling in that low spot. It's going to be wonderful no matter what, so just go with it. 

Romans 12 Part 3: Community Means...A Guilt Trip

Honesty first...

I haven't been to the study in a couple of weeks. I don't miss it...Definitely not the study part. I know that Bible studies and church aren't all about being entertained, but this is such a repeat that I feel bogged down in it. I did find a site where I can skim through the transcript of the study and see what it's about. I read about half of one...
Then I was talking to some people who go to the study, and asked what they'd been picking up from it. Their only thing they really had to say was that they learned that we're all lazy, and that's what keeps us from being spiritual. Which was pretty well the theme on the nights I attended the study.

 But that was sort of it..."Well, I've realized that I'm lazy..." Nothing to change that though. 

Just the realization that you are lazy doesn't change anything. If I say, "Man...I would love to be super hot for bikini season, but I'm just so lazy.", that isn't going to do anything. I will not end up with the ideal bikini body simply because I finally said that I am lazy. I have to get off of my butt, stop eating cookies, and start working to get that body (yeah...that doesn't sound worth it...I like my cookies...). Likewise, acknowledging that you are lazy about pursuing God will not get you the spiritual life that you want. 

I think that this is where many studies and churches fall short. They tend to send us on guilt trips without always giving us the resources to change. Then we're stuck, unable to move forward because we don't know how to, or making up our own way forward, which may or may not be effective. Or we sit there as a group and commiserate about how lazy we are for the 12 weeks or whatever we're in the study. Then, when we're done with the study, we know that we need something more, so we choose another study and it starts over again.

That's not the way such things should work. If we understand as a group that we need to work on our laziness, or our ability to do outreach, or anything else, we should help each other, and build each other up. Sometimes it is hard to find the momentum to change our own laziness, but as a community, we should be able to encourage each other and make the change. 

It also shouldn't only be on one person. There may be a leader, whether official or unofficial, in a group, but they should not be the only one who prompts the group to action. That person will simply be burned out, and once again, nothing will happen.
There's an episode of Adventures in Odyssey called The Boy Who Didn't go to Church. It's about the different parts of the body, and how each one has to interact with the others to do what God has for us to do, and if we try to do everything by ourselves, or if we only work with people who have the same skill set, we won't be able to do what we were made to do. But if we work together, the way that the body should work, we can help and encourage each other, while doing the part that we were created to do.
Guilt has no part in a community. A community should be a place to realize your faults, and change them. There is no point in dwelling on what you have done wrong so far, instead, you should accept those things, determine that you no longer want to do that, and start moving forward.

If, for example, you are lazy, choose some way to end the laziness. Is there an organization in your community that needs help? In our area, there are. I would bet that any place that you are, there are people that you could help. And there are organizations that will tell you exactly what to do. You take a group of willing people to help them, and they will give you jobs to do. You don't even have to figure out how to handle it to begin with. They will teach you to not be lazy. You only have to come with a willing heart.
So stop feeling guilty. Corporate guilt does nothing but keep a lot of people in a place where they are unable to help anyone. Just get out and start doing something.

Squashed Bananas (Or, How to Make Banana Jam)

Bananas were 29 cents a pound at Aldi the other day. I deliberately got quite a few, wanting to make some banana bread and whatnot with them. I started thinking that maybe jam would be good too. I don't really know why that sounded like a good idea. Carla used to always eat mashed bananas when we were little, and I could not stand it. Most disgusting thing ever. Mashing bananas ruined them. Though, later, when I was in Brazil, I started eating bananas mashed with powdered milk and chocolate milk powder. Still thought plain mashed bananas were gross, even then. 

But, for whatever reason, my brain said "Banana jam? Sounds amazing!" I'm glad it did. It's super easy to make, and tastes amazing. I didn't do step by step photos, but I'll give the recipe. Maybe one day I'll do step by step. But I tell you what...it gets sticky. You don't necessarily want to touch your camera, because it feels like you'll never be not sticky again. 

You of course have to start by peeling the bananas. I fed the peels to ReMe. They're one of her favourite treats, though come to find, she doesn't like them as much when they're overripe. Spoiled much?

I've also had a bit of an obsession with adding ginger to things. Something else that I've always hated. But I added it to my banana muffins, and I've been drinking hot ginger water a lot lately. I do need to figure out a good balance for adding it to recipes. I think I need to add a lot more. So I'll get working on that :~)
Also...quick bit of advice. Don't lick your fingers after grating ginger. It feels like your tongue is gonna burn off.

Here's the recipe:

1 cup mashed bananas

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Mash bananas and measure. 

Measure out everything else accordingly (4 cups bananas means

4 cups of sugar, and 4 Tbsp lemon juice).

Grate about 1/2 inch of ginger for each cup of bananas.

Dump everything together in a heavy bottomed pan and bring to a boil

over medium heat.

Boil for 5 minutes.

Seriously...Don't start counting the 5 minutes until it's really solidly boiling. It needs

that time to gel. The jam is already a thinner jam, not a jelly, and the less time you
boil, the less gelled it will be.You can boil it longer if you want, and simply keep

an eye on it to ensure that it doesn't burn.

Ladle into jars and can as you'd like. I did a hot water bath. If you choose to

do this, follow the directions that came with the jars.
Leave at least 1/4 inch of head room.

And really, if you're not making huge amounts of jam, you can just put it in a
container in the fridge. Once you taste it, it probably won't last too long.

In the cute little jars...I've discovered that I really loved making and canning jam. And of course eating it. That's the best part :~)

 There's something satisfying about putting the jars into the water. I think because it's basically the end. You've made the jam, and you set the jars in the water. All you have to do then is wait for about five minutes and pull the jars out.

 As you're cleaning up, there's the lovely sound of the lids popping as they seal. Another one of those satisfying jam making moments. You let them finish popping, and coming down to room temp, then go through and tighten all of the rings. And you're done. They're ready to go on the shelf and wait to be opened and consumed.

This jam goes along with pretty much anything. I didn't have bread when I made it, so I ate it with cream cheese and saltine crackers. That is, that's what I ate it with when I stopped eating it with a spoon...
I've since made bread, and it's amazing on a piece of bread with butter. Gave some to my Grampa, and he ate it on pringles, and on a baked potato. Apparently it was good on both. I made a dessert pizza with it a few days ago also. Oh my, was that good. The recipe will be coming along pretty soon.
One thing I love about the recipe is that it's so basic that you can add anything into it. You could add other seasonings, you can add some other kind of fruit to it, you can totally make the recipe yours. And it's amazing!
Let me know if you try the recipe, and what changes you make to it, or what you use it on. 

Voting in Fear

I was a little bothered the other day to see multiple posts on facebook that said that evangelicals are crazy about Trump. One person posted a link, and fb showed me a ton of similar links. It wasn't something I expected to see.
How could they like Trump? That was my question. I mean, the field is pretty slim as far as good candidates go.

But Trump's strongest points go against what Christians should be for. Particularly his views on immigrants in general, and especially about Muslims. We are supposed to to care for those who need our help. We aren't supposed to turn our backs on them in fear. But Christians in America are supporting Trump. Because he is going to keep Muslims out of the country. And make life hard for those who are already here. And, because Muslims are apparently all evil, we should be happy about this.
The fear in the Christian church right now is disgusting. It's mostly Christians who say that you shouldn't pick up hitch-hikers, and you shouldn't talk to Muslims or anyone of a different religion. Because it's too dangerous. Because you may be converted to whatever they believe. Oh yeah, they still believe in conversion, but the drive-by style of conversion. You know it, where you roll down your window and yell, "Jesus loves you! Repent and go to heaven!" as you're driving past. Or when you slip a tract across the counter with your money as you're checking out at the store. There's no such thing as building a relationship for the sake of a relationship. If you are not talking about Jesus every moment that you're with someone of a different religion, you're failing as a Christian.

Honestly, it's like we're going back to the early days of missions. You know, when there was a compound for the missionaries, and they ventured out to do their "good work", but spent most of their time inside, seeing no natives but their servants, who they "converted" and renamed. The kind that Amy Carmichael refused to follow, because she knew that she couldn't actually bring people to a relationship with Jesus unless she was in a relationship with them in the first place. If I am your friend, I will not bring random strangers up to you, suggesting that you guys be friends. If I do, that probably means that I don't like you, and I simply want you to find other friends, and I don't care who they are. Amy went out and dressed like the Indians she wanted to serve, and learned their language and culture, ate their food. She estranged the english missionaries who thought that she was mad. She gave up the comfort of living in the compound, built beautiful relationships, and ended up changing lives.

Notice that this does not say to keep yourself from being polluted by the world by not interacting with anyone who is not pure. It says to look after widows and orphans in their distress, and keep yourself from being polluted. The main pollution we're picking up from the world right now is fear. How will you change lives if you are afraid? How will you make a positive impact for anyone who is in need of your help if you vote for someone who is "strong" and who will keep the "scary" people out? When you are afraid, you lose major opportunities.
When I was little, we went out to Montana. We kinda went there a lot. In '94, which was, I believe, our second time, we went to Kootenai falls. Fun fact...the Kootenai river is where The River Wild was filmed.
This is a mellower part of the river, but if you fall in, you probably won't survive. The place where we went had a swinging bridge high above the river. I was terrified. Now, I was 7. I was scared of heights in general (still am, though you wouldn't know it by all the roofs I climb...), and this swaying bridge over a dangerous river was super scary. Even the last time I was there (in my mid-teens), I held on to the side rails just in case. This time though, I could not conquer my fear. I could not make myself cross the bridge, and nothing my folks could say convinced me that it was safe. Something about the movement as I neared the middle...I just couldn't do it.

This picture isn't the best, but it shows the farthest I was able to go that year. My parents were very encouraging, but I was upset about it (yes, even at 7). I wanted to do it, but I couldn't. The next time we went, it was a much bigger deal that I went across the bridge. I didn't want to feel that way another time. And the next time, I made it across. Since then, I've crossed the bridge quite a few times. I've been to Kootenai probably 4-5 times, and I know at least one of the times, we crossed back and forth more than just once each way. It still freaks me out a little, but I like it anyway. And I am glad that I got over that fear.
Now, I know that this isn't such a big fear. A 7 year-old's fear of heights and scary water. That's pretty normal. But it was still something I needed to get over.
We're all about getting over fears. There are whole books written about getting over fears. Fears of heights, fears of social interaction, fear of dogs, fear of really anything. Veggie Tales tell us that God is bigger than the Boogie Man. We tell people all the time that God can help them overcome their fears and hang-ups. Until the fears and hang-ups have to do with someone who has different beliefs. Then we are justified, because they want to kill us, and we should hit back first.

I talked to a lot of people lately, who say that they met someone who looked Middle Eastern, and they felt guilty because they just assumed the person was a Muslim, and because of that, they were leery of talking to them. It's common enough in the culture that our government is perpetuating. But just because something is common, that doesn't mean it's good.
It wasn't too long ago that white evangelicals were scared of another dark-skinned race. And even after integration, there's still so much racism and fear. Have we not learned anything? Jesus treated the Samaritan woman the same way that he treated anyone else he came across, despite the enmity between their people. He didn't tell us to turn the other cheek if the person who slaps us is the same colour or religion that we are. We are supposed to feed our enemy if they are hungry, or give them water if they are thirsty. I'm pretty sure that dropping nukes on them doesn't count...
We need a leader who will do his best to improve relations with the rest of the world. Not a leader who tries to make the world afraid of us, but one who will try to unify the world. The word United is in our name, but even our own country is not united. If you look at all of our divisions and struggles, most of them come down to fear. Which is why Trump is popular. Because we're scared, and we think he'll protect us. Stop voting with your fear, and vote for someone who will change the country for good.