I don't even know where to begin. Forgive the stram-of-consciousness nature of this post, but that is the only way I will be able to get these random thoughts/highlights/ramblings all in one sitting.
Our screenings have been going incredibly well....at OU, Heather danced/chased people/swung in a Chewbacca costume...at Moore High School, all of the teachers thought Heather was a student...we got quoted/featured in a newspaper from our OSU screening...we thought we left our projector cord at Mustang High, so we spent 40 minutes and a year of our lives worth of stress trying to find it...we didn't find it but we bought one for $8 at Radio Shack...not only did UCO put on a killer screening, but they also had free root beer floats...we made some amazing new friends at Mid-America Christian University...one of the girls knew Kayla Garver...such a weird, small world...we went to a 24-hour Trucker restaurant...I punched Tessa's chicken sandwich...we blindfolded and surprised Heather by taking her to Taco Bell...it's her least favorite restaurant...we had to drive 3 hours round trip today, just to get to a bank...we got pulled over last night for going the speed limit...the officer recommended we go a bit slower than the actual speed limit because they have had 8 traffic accidents in the past three days involving cows...we saw the bloodstains of said accidents...at first we thought we were $500 over in our merchandise sales, but we were actually $80 under...they do not make people like Crystal Mayhue anymore...I was told that I was creepy enough that I should try to grow a mustache...we had a near-fatal experience in the van trying to pass a slow truck on a 2-lane highway...I stayed calm, cool, and collected...seriously.
On an important note, Kelly Clarkson's album leaked online and I cannot stop listening. She has really outdone herself. "Cry" slapped me in the face and made me do the laugh-cry.
On a serious note, please pray for my friend, Kaleb. I love him very much and want him to be safe.
I have started to really feel the weight of what I'm doing in the past few days and it is difficult to describe. I have also started to really miss my friends and family. I am having the time of my life and I don't wanna be anywhere else, so maybe you could all come visit me!
I love you all.
Keep Your Eyes Open,
Brandon
2.21.2009
2.16.2009
Our First Screening
We had our first official screening last night. It was at the McCullock's church, Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene, and it was pretty amazing. Everyone there seemed to respond to the film and, more importantly, they acted on what they saw. I cannot thank everyone that was there enough. Their hearts and actions were beyond inspiring.
Special shout out to the McCullock family! They have been such gracious, giving, amazing hosts. We would all like to be adopted any time we are in Oklahoma please. Thank you.
My team was so amazing. I am so excited and humbled to be sharing my life with them for the next three months. They really are my family.
We are sitting at McAlister's Deli right now, stealing the free wireless and trying to work fast before our computers die because there is exactly one outlet in the entire store and it is located right beneath the fountain drinks. Please believe that I thought about posting up right underneath it and working, but I restrained myself.
I have already met some incredible people on the road that I hope to be friends with for the rest of my life. Kaleb McCullock and I have entered a bromance. Be warned, Oklahoma! Crystal Mayhue is my best friend. We have met once. I haven't even officially met Mark Nehrenz, Chris Loper, Michelle Richards, Ramsey Payne, Paige Wehunt, Kayla Davis, Rowdy Goodin, Alisha Bhaumik, Wade Watkins, Abigail Estes, Bryan Marlett, Angela Syverson, Erin Haworth, Taylor Spicer, Molly McGuire, or Amanda Pasierb yet, but I know I will love you all. I am so ready for these screenings! The movie is incredible and I can't wait for you all to see it.
With Hope,
Brandon
2.13.2009
The Royal Motor Inn
So, yesterday, I did something I've been looking forward to for many weeks now. The Spring 2009 Middle America Roadies launched from San Diego on our journey to the amber waves of grain in the midwest. It was amazing how many tears were shed between people who have only known each other for a month, not wanting to leave each other. We took off by the side of the Deep South team, because we were all going to stay with Gabe's grandparents.
As we were driving through Yuma, Arizona, however, the toad had an idea of its own. The Deep South's van's oil gauge dropped to zero and they were stranded on the side of a desert road. We pulled over behind them to see if we could help. As we began to realize that it was a major problem and that it was nearing midnight and that we had slept about 8 hours in the past two nights, we decided we would have to have the van towed to a motel down the interstate a few exits.
We first went to the Quality Inn for some amount of quality that wouldn't break the bank. They were, however, filled up, so we found the Royal Motor Inn of Yuma, Arizona. I have honestly never experienced anything quite so shady in all of my life. I'm pretty sure Norman Bates himself was running the motel. He wasn't terribly happy to see us for some reason, but apparently every other patron of the Inn was, as they shamelessly stared out their respective windows at the sight of two large black vans reading "Invisible Children" on the sides and back.
We were also curiously surrounded by people just sitting in their turned-off cars. We were also told the next day that this motel is the place in Yuma where lots of shady business occurs, if you understand what I'm saying. As we entered the room, we were greeted by a pile of toenail clippings. They were kindly placed next to a lovely chair, accented by blood stains. We weren't given soap or shampoo either, which is very trivial when compared to the blood and clippings, but it's the principle of the matter.
As my teammates carefully placed their sleeping bags on top of the beds, I took the plunge and dove beneath the blankets. I know, I shouldn't have, but I was seriously exhausted. I also forgot to mention that this motel was connected to the "Burrito King", which hosts over 400 farmers every morning at about 5:00 AM. Directly behind the motel is a trailer park.
We are currently on the road and almost out of Arizona. Even between there and here, we have experienced a few missed exits on the highway, an Italian feast in the van, and a short but sweet reunion with the Mountain West team. We also named our van. His name is Dillenberg Fuentes. The Dillenberg is in honor of Margie, and the Fuentes is in honor or Heather's random request that his last name be Fuentes.
We are about to drive straight through the entire night to try and get to Oklahoma City by morning. We are currently outside of Flagstaff and it is 9:00. Prayers and caffeine are my friend. The gas light also just turned on. Gotta go.
Keep Your Eyes Open,
Brandon
As we were driving through Yuma, Arizona, however, the toad had an idea of its own. The Deep South's van's oil gauge dropped to zero and they were stranded on the side of a desert road. We pulled over behind them to see if we could help. As we began to realize that it was a major problem and that it was nearing midnight and that we had slept about 8 hours in the past two nights, we decided we would have to have the van towed to a motel down the interstate a few exits.
We first went to the Quality Inn for some amount of quality that wouldn't break the bank. They were, however, filled up, so we found the Royal Motor Inn of Yuma, Arizona. I have honestly never experienced anything quite so shady in all of my life. I'm pretty sure Norman Bates himself was running the motel. He wasn't terribly happy to see us for some reason, but apparently every other patron of the Inn was, as they shamelessly stared out their respective windows at the sight of two large black vans reading "Invisible Children" on the sides and back.
We were also curiously surrounded by people just sitting in their turned-off cars. We were also told the next day that this motel is the place in Yuma where lots of shady business occurs, if you understand what I'm saying. As we entered the room, we were greeted by a pile of toenail clippings. They were kindly placed next to a lovely chair, accented by blood stains. We weren't given soap or shampoo either, which is very trivial when compared to the blood and clippings, but it's the principle of the matter.
As my teammates carefully placed their sleeping bags on top of the beds, I took the plunge and dove beneath the blankets. I know, I shouldn't have, but I was seriously exhausted. I also forgot to mention that this motel was connected to the "Burrito King", which hosts over 400 farmers every morning at about 5:00 AM. Directly behind the motel is a trailer park.
We are currently on the road and almost out of Arizona. Even between there and here, we have experienced a few missed exits on the highway, an Italian feast in the van, and a short but sweet reunion with the Mountain West team. We also named our van. His name is Dillenberg Fuentes. The Dillenberg is in honor of Margie, and the Fuentes is in honor or Heather's random request that his last name be Fuentes.
We are about to drive straight through the entire night to try and get to Oklahoma City by morning. We are currently outside of Flagstaff and it is 9:00. Prayers and caffeine are my friend. The gas light also just turned on. Gotta go.
Keep Your Eyes Open,
Brandon
2.05.2009
Whew!
Sometimes, I just have to sit back and breathe. This place is many things: amazing, a time warp, tiring, difficult, rewarding, full of crazy people, transformative, infuriating, the only place I'm meant to be right now. Sometimes, I feel all of that at the same time! I just want to update everyone on what has been going on for the past few days...
We have celebrated a couple of roadies' birthdays this week. Those celebrations included a few different cakes and some spectacular karaoke. My selections varied from Carrie Underwood to N Sync, Lynyrd Skynyrd to Lil' Kim. It was enjoyable to say the least.
We got a new teammate named Tessa. She is a native Californian and she is amazing. She already fits in perfectly with Andre, Heather, and me. She is hard-working and extremely compassionate. She prefers N Sync to the Backstreet Boys. And when she concentrates, her face looks like she is very sad. But she's just concentrating.
I guess I should explain the other roadies on my team to you as well. Andre is amazing. He cares about everyone and everything, but always makes you feel like you matter uniquely to him. There are very few people like that in the world. He runs on very little sleep and he always wears a vest, a beanie, and pointy boots.
Heather is my homegirl. She is only five feet tall, but she has more personality and fire than most people twice her size. Ok, so I don't think anyone is actually ten feet tall, but you get the picture. Besides being the hardest working person I have ever met, she is also one of those people who commits completely to anything she takes on. She is also one of the most loving friends I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She makes me happy.
I have met some seriously mind-blowing people here. I have no doubt that I will be friends with many of them for the rest of my life. Also, I absolutely adore every single person I work for and with. Who can say that?!
Our house has become distinctly smellier, which I guess should be expected with 50 people. It has also become a second home in a matter of three and a half weeks. Weird, huh?
We finally got to see a pre-screening of a rough draft of the new media we will be showing on this tour and it was so good! I wanted to run out of the building and tell everyone I saw about this organization and how much they are really doing to help end the longest war in the history of Africa. The Mid-Atlantic roadies will be making a stop at Christ Church in April and I sincerely hope that all of you go to the screening, not only to see what I've been doing, but to experience life-change.
Speaking of...I am still experiencing that in different ways daily. I am learning to edit my thoughts and not say everything I think. It has become second nature for me to say "I'm tired" or "I'm hungry" when I am tired or hungry, but with this many people working so hard towards a unique goal, there is no reason to express it. We are all tired and hungry most of the time and there is no time for complaining. I am also experiencing 60-80 hour work weeks. We are never actually off the clock, but since we don't get paid, that doesn't matter. And, even though it is tiring, no one seems to be over it. We can all see our hard work turning into results and it is rewarding. Plus, when you are really doing things you love, it gets easier.
I do miss you all very much. If you think about it, please pray for my grandmother. She is really not doing well. Also, you should call or facebook my Mom and encourage her. This is super hard for her and for all of my family. I can't be there to love on them, so if you think about it, send al the love you can muster their way. Thank you in advance for that.
I'm going to leave you with some song lyrics that are helping me out immensely while I'm here. They are simple, but meaningful. I'm not even going to tell you who it is, because I don't enjoy being judged. :)
We have celebrated a couple of roadies' birthdays this week. Those celebrations included a few different cakes and some spectacular karaoke. My selections varied from Carrie Underwood to N Sync, Lynyrd Skynyrd to Lil' Kim. It was enjoyable to say the least.
We got a new teammate named Tessa. She is a native Californian and she is amazing. She already fits in perfectly with Andre, Heather, and me. She is hard-working and extremely compassionate. She prefers N Sync to the Backstreet Boys. And when she concentrates, her face looks like she is very sad. But she's just concentrating.
I guess I should explain the other roadies on my team to you as well. Andre is amazing. He cares about everyone and everything, but always makes you feel like you matter uniquely to him. There are very few people like that in the world. He runs on very little sleep and he always wears a vest, a beanie, and pointy boots.
Heather is my homegirl. She is only five feet tall, but she has more personality and fire than most people twice her size. Ok, so I don't think anyone is actually ten feet tall, but you get the picture. Besides being the hardest working person I have ever met, she is also one of those people who commits completely to anything she takes on. She is also one of the most loving friends I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She makes me happy.
I have met some seriously mind-blowing people here. I have no doubt that I will be friends with many of them for the rest of my life. Also, I absolutely adore every single person I work for and with. Who can say that?!
Our house has become distinctly smellier, which I guess should be expected with 50 people. It has also become a second home in a matter of three and a half weeks. Weird, huh?
We finally got to see a pre-screening of a rough draft of the new media we will be showing on this tour and it was so good! I wanted to run out of the building and tell everyone I saw about this organization and how much they are really doing to help end the longest war in the history of Africa. The Mid-Atlantic roadies will be making a stop at Christ Church in April and I sincerely hope that all of you go to the screening, not only to see what I've been doing, but to experience life-change.
Speaking of...I am still experiencing that in different ways daily. I am learning to edit my thoughts and not say everything I think. It has become second nature for me to say "I'm tired" or "I'm hungry" when I am tired or hungry, but with this many people working so hard towards a unique goal, there is no reason to express it. We are all tired and hungry most of the time and there is no time for complaining. I am also experiencing 60-80 hour work weeks. We are never actually off the clock, but since we don't get paid, that doesn't matter. And, even though it is tiring, no one seems to be over it. We can all see our hard work turning into results and it is rewarding. Plus, when you are really doing things you love, it gets easier.
I do miss you all very much. If you think about it, please pray for my grandmother. She is really not doing well. Also, you should call or facebook my Mom and encourage her. This is super hard for her and for all of my family. I can't be there to love on them, so if you think about it, send al the love you can muster their way. Thank you in advance for that.
I'm going to leave you with some song lyrics that are helping me out immensely while I'm here. They are simple, but meaningful. I'm not even going to tell you who it is, because I don't enjoy being judged. :)
The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
The pain I’m knowing
But these are the moments
that I’m going to remember most
Just got to keep going
There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
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