In the world, but not of the world...

            Tomorrow starts my last week here in Phoenix.  Saturday the 21^st at 7:15 I’ll be boarding my plane on the way to Samarqand, Uzbekistan.  For me, the last 6 weeks have flown by.  I still feel like I just got here and am ready to start from the beginning.  On the other hand, I’ve never had to learn so much in six short weeks.  I’ve come from having absolutely no knowledge of Farsi (the language I’m learning) to being able to have a full conversation and write just about anything.  At some point, though, one needs to get out of the classroom and put what he’s learned to good use.

            If you would have told me 6 months ago that I’d be spending a month overseas in the heart of the middle east, I’d say you were crazy.  I don’t think the fact that I’ll be over 7,000 miles away will hit me until I actually get there.  We’re going to be staying a nice hotel over there, but that is by Uzbekistan standards so we’ll have to wait and see.  We’re only allowed to bring about 15 pounds in our carry-on and we’re not allowed to check a bag so I’ll be packing extremely light to say the least.  I’ll have a week’s worth of clothing with me if I’m lucky.  It’s more than likely going to be uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and hot, but I look forward to the challenge.  If we never try new things we miss out on a lot of what God has planned for us.

            Living here in Phoenix has also posed its fair share of challenges; mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I believe one thing God has shown me while during my stay here is how to be “in the world” and not “of the world”.  To my knowledge, there is only one other person here that shares the same beliefs as me.  Although the people here are generally good people, their worldview is in stark contrast of what I hope to emulate.  An obsession with partying, alcohol, and sex pervades their thinking.  On the weekends, it is not a question of whether or not they will go out and get drunk, it is a question of when, where, and how much.  In a way, I am glad that I had the chance to be around these types of people.  Although that may sound questionable at first, I don’t believe it is.  Seeing my peers from all areas of the country and all walks of life has opened my eyes to see just how much the US Military is in need of Jesus.  If mere cadets are like this now, I know I am going to have my work cut out for me once I reach active duty.  It is something I have known, but never truly taken to heart until now.  I’ve always viewed the military as a mission field, but never seen it with my own eyes.  It is full of people who are searching for something more in life.  They may not know it, but when they’re passed out and hung over the next morning, they feel it in their heart.  I believe it is my duty as an officer, but more importantly as a follower of Jesus, to prepare myself to lead those men and women entrusted to me.  In John 17 Jesus prayed,

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”

We are expected to associate with people in the world; to build relationships with them.  However, we are also required to show them the love of Jesus in everything we do.  We have the answer that so many people desperately need.

            Next time I post it will be from Uzbekistan.  I hope you are all doing well I look forward to seeing you when I get back!

-Micah

The Lord tests the heart...

            Two weeks down, nine to go!  So far all is going well.  I’ve got A’s on every assignment thus far, but this is by far the hardest thing I’ve done academically in 21 years.  I’m studying 3 hours every day on average and it’s everything I can do to stay current with the pace we are learning at.  I think that by the time I return to college this fall, my normal classes will feel much easier.  I don’t think I’ve ever studied 3 hours per day on a consistent basis in the 3 years I’ve been at college.

            Today was the hottest day I’ve experienced thus far.  It was 110 degrees on the way to class, but it could have easily been hotter than that for all I know.  To put it into perspective for most of you who are enjoying the cool Ohio weather, walking outside is like having a hairdryer constantly blowing in your face.  Walking a quarter mile to class becomes a life or death journey.  I finally realized that running during the day was not such a good idea; I’ve since taken up night running (or running on a treadmill in the AC).  On days like today, however, there is no other option than hitting the pool.  ASU’s pool is the perfect temperature and there is always a lane open.  Needless to say, I spent about an hour doing a pool workout.

            On an unrelated note, I was reading in Proverbs yesterday (Chapter 17 for June 17) and came across a verse that resonated with me; thought I'd share a few thoughts with ya'll.  Chapter 17 verse 3 says, “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”  Although this may seem like a discouraging verse at first, I think it’s the opposite.  On its own, it can be taken that way, but when we think of verses that say “The Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6 and Proverbs 3:12) and “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials” (James 1:2) I can’t help but be comforted.  When we are being tested, we can take solace in the fact that God is testing us and that he loves us.  Instead of whining and complaining about hardships, we should be rejoicing.  In fact, I believe when we cease to be tested by the Lord is when we should start worrying.  I'm going to seek to do my best in every test God puts in front of me; not simply pass, but ace it.  I hope you all are working on your summer tans because I’m looking pretty dark right about now.  Have a great week!

-Micah

Life is rough here in Phoenix.

            Greetings from Phoenix!  Right now it is 7:00 pm and still 100 degrees outside.  It’s very hot here, but what they say about the heat not being that bad is true.  There is no humidity here so even when you do sweat, it evaporates immediately so you never feel too hot.  Phoenix is an especially popular destination for athletes who are trying to recover and rehabilitate.  I never quite understood why until I arrive here.  I still have not seen a single cloud in the 8 days I’ve been here and I don’t think I ever will.  Everything is within walking distance and the campus here at Arizona State is beautiful.

            I’ve been here for a week, but it sure feels like 2 or 3 weeks.   For those of you who don’t know, I will be here studying at Arizona State University for 7 weeks studying Farsi (also called Persian).  Once I finish the first 7 weeks, I will be going overseas to Uzbekistan for 4 more weeks to continue studying.  I feel like I’ve been here for 2 to 3 weeks already because we cover as much material in one day of class as a traditional class covers in a whole week.  For example, in one week a typical language class would teach you the alphabet in the first week, and then begin to teach you how to form words with those letters the following couple of weeks.  This week, we learned all 35 letters of the alphabet on Monday and by Friday we were tested and were expected to create a dialogue between two friends using only Persian.  It is remarkable how intelligent God made the human brain and what it is capable of.  I am also extremely thankful for the opportunity to be here at all.  The entire cost of the program costs in the neighborhood of $12,000; there is no way I would be here without the help of the Air Force and some very generous people at the University of Virginia.

            As far as the classes go, I’m having a great time.  If I had any doubt of how much I enjoy learning new languages, it’s gone now.  Persian is a beautiful language and really not all that hard to catch on quickly.  There are times where I wish I wasn’t going to class for another 2.5 hour session, but I’m always glad when I walk in the door.  We spend 5 hours each day in class and I usually spend at least 3 hours doing homework and studying every night.

            Part of me wishes to be back at home with my family just taking the summer off and relaxing, but I know those days are over.  Having a great support system of family and friends back in Ohio is a huge help.  Knowing people are praying for you and want the best for you helps when times get hard.  I had a great time watching Abby’s graduation yesterday via FaceTime on my mom’s iPhone.  It seems like just the other day she was the funny looking baby we all see in the home videos and now she’s 18 and going off to college.  I couldn’t be more proud of her!  I know she’ll do great at college next year. I hope you all are doing well and look forward to hearing about your summers as well.  God bless!

-Micah

Patience: The Joys of Traveling

            So today I re-learned that God has a funny way of throwing a wrench into our plans.  Here I am geared up and ready to hop on my plane to Phoenix from Charlotte at 9:45pm, only to find my plane isn’t at the airport.  I ask the lady at the desk what the status of my flight is, to which she replies, “As of right now, your plane is still in Denver and should arrive here at 1:30am”.   Proverbs 16:9 comes to mind.   “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”  Although this verse was not originally written about the perpetual problems experienced in airports, it still made me feel better about the misfortunes that had befallen me.  There is little to no point in stressing out about something so insignificant as a delayed flight. 

            My small amount of aggravation at the US Airways desk clerk quickly evaporated when I talked to the couple next to me.  A man and his pregnant wife are trying to get to Phoenix in time for a wedding are currently on “standby” status which means they currently don’t have a ticket and are waiting to see if a seat opens up.  They are more than likely going to have to stay in a hotel for the night.  To make matters worse, I overheard them speaking about the little amount of money left in their bank accounts and if they can afford to stay in a hotel at all.  I’m beginning to think they will be forced to stay in the airport for the night.

            This situation speaks to one of the phrases I try to live by: “There is always someone worse off than you.”  It is impossible to complain about your “stressful” situation when you think on those words.  I attempted to swap tickets with at least one of the people, but was unable to.  Although I seem to always have the worst luck with airlines, I thank God for the opportunities produced.  Every time I have been stuck waiting for a flight, I have struck up a conversation with a complete stranger that has impacted me in some way and, I hope, impacted the other person as well.  I have talked to retired military, active military, businessmen and women, mothers of 6, government weapons contractors, and newlyweds awaiting their first-born child.  It would be easy to put in the headphones and tune out the noise, but I have a hard time believing that is what Jesus would do.  I think he would have taken every opportunity to bless the people around him.  I hope that in some small way, I can do that as well.

            I’ve realized that when you ask God to teach you something, he’s more than willing to oblige that request.  I’m committed to being even more dedicated to my relationship with God this summer than my studies.  I asked God to begin teaching me new things immediately, but I didn’t think He would start THIS soon.


"The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." -Proverbs 16:9