Quick Tips: Buying a Computer
It doesn’t matter where in the world you go, there are still the same hard questions of life. Who am I? Why am I here? What happens to the second sock that goes missing in the dryer? And what computer should I buy?
(Note: This article covers only laptops/desktops/tablet with keyboard and does not consider things like all-in-ones, basic tablets, phablets, phones, or abaci.) (more…)
Posted in Tech by Jon with comments disabled.
Ebola and the Plague of Fear
EBOLA, Togo’s grand mobilization for prevention. The headlines could not be more clear. The full page color add taken out by the Ministry of Health told citizens to report to a medical facility if any of a list of symptoms developed. The instructions were clear and simple.
The Western media churns out reports of more cases and televises opinionated “experts” arguing over what the best response should be. Even while the bicker millions of people ponder the implications of a disease that has no cure and means almost certain death to anyone without access to the best Western medical treatments. (more…)
Posted in Field Info, news, Togo, Update by Jon with comments disabled.
Quick Tips: Cooling Your Laptop
Heat is a real problem for computers. And here in West Africa we have plenty of heat. It can make them behave erratically and will seriously damage hardware. If you have an actively cooled device (aka, a device with a fan), pay attention! Following these simple tips will save you frustration from lost data and money on costly repairs in the long run… not to mention it will keep your local IT rep happy. While this article might be written to those living or planing to live in West Africa, these tips will benefit anyone in any climate. (more…)
Posted in Tech by Jon with comments disabled.
August 2014 Newsletter
Here’s the newsletter for August.
Click here to read the August newsletter (pdf).
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
Posted in Uncategorized by Jon with comments disabled.
Rebuilding the Technology Walls: Arrival
It’s amazing the perspective you can get in just a short time. Before I left I had spent months preparing, asking questions and researching about Togo I read about it’s culture. I studied it’s language. I trained to refine my understanding of the Bible. I inquired about the technical setup and tried to gain a scope on the mission that I was being sent to do. And despite all those long months of preparation I have gained more insight in two weeks. That is not to say that somehow those were wasted months; quite the contrary. What I learned then has been invaluable. But the complete disruption of everything you know, the upheaval of all that is familiar, when you begin thinking to yourself, “what have I gotten myself into,” you put trust in God that He is in control.
After arriving at HBB and getting to know all of the staff I set out to start my mission. But where should I start? (more…)
Posted in news, Togo by Jon with comments disabled.
June 2014 Newsletter
Here’s the newsletter for June.
Click here to read the June newsletter (pdf).
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
Posted in Uncategorized by Jon with comments disabled.
May 2014 Newsletter
Here’s the newsletter for March and April.
Click here to read the May newsletter (pdf).
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
Posted in Field Info, news by Jon with comments disabled.
Mar – Apr 2014 Newsletter
Here’s the newsletter for March and April.
Click here to read the Mar-Apr Newsletter (pdf)
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
Posted in Uncategorized by Jon with comments disabled.
Why you cannot say, “I am a Christian and I am gay.”
I am. It is a statement of belonging, of association, of identity. Humanity is polarized by identities. Identity tells us who we are and where we belong. You might say, “I am English. You are French.” Nowhere, recently it seems, has this polarization become so pronounced as in the debate about homosexuality, marriage, and the church. But is seems that the church has lost itself. It is divided over whether to embrace, accept, or condemn. While some open the pulpits others raise protest signs.
But lets look at it from a personal perspective. I frequently hear someone say it like this; “I am a Christian and I am gay.” Or, “I know that God say that I shouldn’t feel this way, but I can’t help it.” Or the assumption that if you are a true Christian then you can’t feel as you do toward the same sex.
Christians stumble over the question of whether someone who is homosexual should be permitted in a church. The question is asked, can they really be Christian? There is no shortage of opinions and there is a seemingly great disconnect between what the bible commands and what is acted out. But surely an all-knowing God was not so ambiguous on an issue over which He utterly destroyed two cities and thousands of people (Gen 19). 
(more…)
Posted in Uncategorized by Jon with comments disabled.
Jan – Feb 2014 Newsletter
The newsletter is out! Get it while supplies last.
Click here to read the Jan-Feb Newsletter (pdf)
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
Posted in Field Info, news by Jon with comments disabled.