Reconnecting

It takes traveling to a foreign country for me to catch up with Dr. Jim Owens, the Chair of the Asbury College Media Communications Department. The man who founded the program and the College’s exclusive partnership with the Olympics is one of the fascinating people I know. I could listen to his stories for hours. And his strong faith in God and the plans that God has for us, has been the reason that Asbury’s program has been able to get the opportunities it has.

He is again working here in Human Resources and we had lunch the other day. He informed me there are 50 Asbury students here working again, and a few other grads including a former classmate of mine working. The students are working for BOB like myself.

I met the big boss Mr. Manolo Romero the other day as well. I passed along thanks to him for the opportunity to work and greetings from Bill Gaston a member of Peachtree Presbyterian who is a good friend of Mr. Romero. Mr. Romero’s response to me was yes, a great man and he told me about you. Thank you very very much Bill. That was a pleasant surprise to have a him actually know who I was. Pretty cool thing. And he sends along his greetings to you Bill as well.

The McDonalds opened up at the MPC yesterday. Awesome service. The All-Star McDonalds. Serves your food in like 30 seconds. I’m lovin’ it.

After work two days ago I wandered up to the MPC or Main Press Center to see what was on the second floor. I found the offices of ESPN the Magazine and Sports Illustrated. Nobody has set up the office yet. The doors are still sealed. But this is one of my favorite things about the games. Its a chance to potentially meet media that I read content from all the time. In Salt Lake I met Rick Reilly, Dave Barry, and Conan O’Brien. Both really nice guys. In Athens I met Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, and Summer Sanders. I also found the main press conference room where the USA men’s basketball team will be interviewed. That is where Coach K will be. I met Carlos Boozer in Athens, and stood about a foot away from LeBron, Tim Duncan, and Amare Stodamire as well. We’ll see what happens this go around.

The food here at local restaurants is so cheap. The other night six of us ventured down the street from our new accommendations to a local chinese spot. One problem. This one had no English menus. Just pictures and quite frankly here pork and lamb can look a lot like the frog and snake. So we just happen to be in earshot of another patron who spoke english and he actually interpreted for us to the waitress. We ordered duck, lamb, beef, chicken, pork, snow peas, rice, two cokes, and four guys each had 2 beers. It cost us each...$4.50. Nuts! We had food leftover. Unbelievable. Each place we go is an adventure because these are not touristy places so the waitresses are very intrigued by us, and they try really hard to figure out what we’re trying to say. It ends up being a lot of hand motions, and pointing to pictures.

Things at work are starting to get really busy and sometimes chaotic. We’re trying to get everything tested with equipment that doesn’t always cooperate. It can be a real test of patience, but I’ve really tried to let my attitude be a witnessing tool. Being an encourager in the midst of stress can be a great uplifter. I’ve been reminding myself to be salt. I was able to converse at length with a co-worker about finding meaning in relationships and mission work in other countries. Then in a later group conversation he brought up the positives of mission work. Its always cool to see some progress.