Honestly, does anybody here even know what’s going on anymore? It’s been a crazy almost-30 days since I first step foot in Panama and I’m still a little disorientated. Nothing illustrated this point better than when I just shared my Google Calendar with my mom and she pointed out that it only has past stuff on it. Yeah. I know! That’s because the only thing I’m semi-sure about is the stuff that’s already happened. That just might be a bit tragic.

(PS. You can now always view my event calendar for my mission trip on my “Missions” page).

So yeah, part of the reason I’ve been so far behind on my favorite pass time, blogging, is that we haven’t been able to look more than 48 hours into the future at any given point! Don’t get me wrong, we’ve definitely been crazy-busy running around Panama this whole time and even had a few chances to help out in very substantial ways. It’s just that there hasn’t been a clearly laid out schedule beyond the first few major events on our checklist.

But to bring you up to speed in a brief/informative way I’ll try and list the highlights:

• Survived a few natural disasters (crazy thunderstorm and two earthquakes)
• Helped clean up the neighbor tribe’s destroyed houses
• Explored the sketchiest areas of Old Panama and Downtown Panama City
• Stayed a pretty sweet hostel for the very first time
• Traveled to the Ngobe Tribe and helped serve with a Medical Team
• Got sick in the “stomach area” for the first time since starting YWAM
• Attended/facilitated the Festival Una Voz as a PhotogenX team
• Optimist side: Lost my wallet / Pessimist side: I’m pretty sure it was stolen
• Renewed my website and email address at: cale@calelivingston.com

Hmm, that list doesn’t seem nearly as cool as the actual experience. I guess, once I go back and flesh out each story, it might sound a little better. I promise to make up for lost time with this whole blogging thing. I even had a good, convicting email convo with James W. about making sure I stay in contact with you guys. I think, so often, I get so sucked into the moment and sort of forget about anyone who isn’t immediately in front of me. What can I say? I’m a guy! haha

But I definitely have to apologize for not being a diligent to communicate regularly with you guys, my support group. I think the biggest lost opportunity has been the fact that you haven’t had any updates on what to pray for for me. That’s certainly been one area I need help with more than ever. There’s been some spiritual attacks against over the last week.  God continues to open my eyes to the fact that everything is, indeed, spiritual and needs to be handled with authority and urgency. Basically put: I’m a soldier in this war irregardless of my choosing, but it’s up to me whether or not I prepare myself for the fight.

With that said, I’m going to save all the big praise and prayer requests for another email newsletter. That way more people can informed, not just you techno-savvy Facebook users.

James Natchwey, Photographer.

Three children's bodies lie in a makeshift morgue at the South Oromia clinic.

Why Africa Is Still Starving – TIME

After reading this article I can’t help but become upset at the way America operates in the global community. Obviously I’m not surprised that our government takes advantage of any given situation to make a quick buck but how can they do that in good conscience when they know there’s death on the other end?

Ultimately, I’m and idealist and the main issue I’m pushing right now is “social responsibility.” I still don’t understand how anyone, in good conscience, can exploit the plight of those less fortunate like this. The US has created this deadly co-dependence cycle with starving African countries and I believe it’s our responsibility to correct the problem. We can’t just rely on living ignorantly and reacting emotionally, regardless of our good intentions. Once you get past the initial compassion response you have to deal with the sustained follow-through and end results of your effort. Personally, I don’t think we get credit for providing all that food if everyone starved to death a few years later anyways, right?

May I be so bold as to say I think America’s main sin in this issue is pride. On a deeper level we love the satisfaction of giving charity to others. While I don’t think the concept of charity is wrong, I do believe it’s easily tainted with out own selfish motives. In this case, we want to blow in and solve everyone’s immediate problem with our temporary, and heart-warming, solutions. But I would argue that if we truly did care about the lives and well being of these people then we would actually take the time to create a legitimate strategy to meet their needs both now and for the future. The article says it best with the “Teach a man to fish” adage.

Until then, this seems to be a missed opportunity at providing genuine help. We dropped the ball. But there’s good news, we can still continue to invest in these countries and change our strategies as well. Hope is not lost.