When a large group of Amish immigrants came to the United States in 1737, they built their lives with the work of their hands, bringing the land to life with true horse power. To this day the Amish choose to live a life of separation consistent with the traditions that have lasted for generations. The Amish remain separate from the rest of the world by living their lives in the age-old traditions and religion which they uphold. Continue reading
Review: The Screwtape Letters
The Screwtape Letters
by C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters
Hearing God’s Directions
April 28, 1998
Isaiah 30:21 “Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”’
God has been teaching me to stop talking all the time and listen to Him. My prayer time had become a time of asking God to teach and guide me but not waiting to hear a reply. It wasn’t until I took the time to listen that I found out what I needed to do to grow spiritually.
At the beginning of the semester I was driving around Tulsa just to pray for a while and think about a story I needed to write for class. As I prayed I found myself near downtown Tulsa and decided to ask God what I should do then listen for his response.
I prayed, “Lord, where should I go?” Continue reading
How to: Banking in Guatemala
Banking outside of your home country can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. With a little help and patience, you can transfer, access and use money anywhere in the world. Especially with online banking, it’s easier than ever to manage your finances from wherever your road takes you. Here are some tips from my experience as a foreigner living and banking in Guatemala.
How to get money from the U.S. to Guatemala
1) You can bring cash with you (Up to US$10,000 can be brought in with out declaring it.) but then you’ll have to go to the trouble of
keeping it and yourself safe until you can deposit it in a bank or use it. (Note: you’ll need your passport with you to exchange this money into local currency at the bank.
2) You can use an ATM card to withdraw up to your daily limit. Just be sure to notify your bank that you’ll be doing this or they’ll lock your card down like Fort Knox.
3) I recommend that you have a bank account in the U.S. that receives funds for you and then take checks with you to Guatemala. By writing a check to yourself you can deposit money to your account in Guatemala (see more on this below). Continue reading
The Importance of Intercultural Communication Skills
Why Intercultural Communication Skills are Important to Me
I have often heard people say, “The world is getting smaller.” Yes, in a sense it is true more people are coming into contact with different people as travel and communication across the globe increases Since each of us will, no doubt, be coming into contact with someone from a culture different from our own, it is necessary for us to be able to communicate. If we are unable to communicate with other cultures, we will become completely centered on our own culture and miss out on the blessings and ideas found in other cultures.
Intercultural communication is important to me, not only to gain from other cultures, but so I can understand others better. Each person I meet has different backgrounds and a culture different from my own. Whether as part of an occupation or in a friendship, understanding differences in culture helps me to be more understanding and enjoy the value of our different qualities. Continue reading
The Gangster Wannabe
January 19, 1998
Feature story by Michael Shead
“I always wanted to be a gangster,” he said.
After watching Capone movies as a child, Billy Pouncil had dreamed of being a gangster but that childhood daydream became a living nightmare.
At age 21, Pouncil stepped into the world of cocaine in downtown Tulsa. His realized dream of a gangster’s life was not the glorious one the movies had portrayed.
As a dealer, Pouncil ran three crack houses and spent nearly 30 years trading in the white powder. Continue reading
Seated and Standing Tall Together
Michael & Lisa Porter: A portrait
March 16, 1998
Six days out of the week a dusty blue station wagon winds its way up the driveway to the Oral Roberts University campus and another college day begins for Michael and Lisa Porter. As they make their way to class, Lisa smiles a greeting from behind Michael’s wheelchair as they join other students in the rush to morning classes.
Like many commuters, the Porters enjoy getting to know other students and participating in university events. But Michael and Lisa are a step beyond the average commuter. Their many contrasts set them apart.
Michael is 32. Lisa is 21. He is confined to a wheelchair; she takes an aerobic class at a gym. Since their relationship began in 1997, it has been these striking differences which have drawn Michael and Lisa together. Continue reading
Helpful codes for Tigo in Guatemala
Here are some of the cellphone codes that I use regularly with my Tigo phone:
Check Voice Mail
Dial *77 to check messages (Press 3 to delete messages, 7 to listen again, and 5 to save the message for later)
Check Your Balance
Dial *256 to check your balance (You’ll hear three balances: 1) Your total balance. 2) Your principal balance (actual money you have on your account, and 3) Your promotional balance. Then you’ll hear the date that your promotional balance will expire unless you add money to your account.) Continue reading
Bus Stop
While my friend and I were in Santiago, Chile, we were waiting for a city bus and learned from the trials of a mass transportation systems. Our bus came and our bus went, leaving us waving our hands frantically in the dusty air.
Since this was the first time that we had actually tried to hail a bus on our own, we thought we must be doing something wrong. When our blue city bus came into sight, we made sure to signal exactly as we had been taught and to stand where we definitely could be seen. No luck. We were still left standing with our hands in the air.
On the third time there was a Chilean waiting for the same bus, so we were sure that he would be able to get the driver to stop. Wrong again! When we saw a couple of police officers standing nearby, we realized that we must be trying to get on at an illegal bus stop. After walking the extra three blocks to a true bus stop, we caught the next bus and finally made our way to our destination — a little late yet a little wiser.
An (Unexpected) Guatemalan Home Birth
Here’s the story of our second baby that God blessed us with in Guatemala. You can read about our first birth story here.
Meeting little sister
Baby on the way
Monday, Dec. 31
At 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Chrisi started feeling contractions (Her stomach getting hard, but this time with an uncomfortable feeling accompanying the hardness, just the exact same feeling as when she was in labor with Hudson.) Chrisi let Michael know about the contractions, but she quietly walked or relaxed during each one and she went about her regular activities like reading her Bible, filling out Hudson’s milestone calendar, cooking, etc.
Knowing that Baby was coming soon, she had Juana, our house helper, cut up a lot of onions to make 2 pounds of black beans in the pressure cooker because she wanted Hudson and Juana to have plenty of food to eat while she and Michael would be at the birthing clinic having the baby. Chrisi took a shower around 6 p.m. to get herself ready as she knew that they would eventually be heading to the midwifes clinic which was about 15-20 minutes away from the apartment. Michael and Chrisi even played two games of “Regenwormen” with Juana at the kitchen table after Hudson went to bed. Continue reading