Well, it took about four months, but I finally decided to put my pictures from Honduras and Nicaragua on-line.  It probably would have taken a lot longer, but the people at Darby Creek Community Church asked me to put my pics on-line so they could show some to their congregation - so I did.  In case you never saw them or want to take a walk down memory lane, here's the address that they are on http://community.webshots.com/user/dshort32

(I cant figure out how to make an apostophe with this keyboard.  Its really frustrating, so please forgive my grammatical errors, but hey at least I can do this...¿? and ¡!  so its all good)  Well, lets see - how do I summarize all of this in the few minutes that I have.  Everyone here has been very hospitable - from the minute that I walked into the Angels house, he and his wife have treated me like a member of their family.  Time out...its weird thinking and writing completely in English.  For the last four days, I have been thinking completely in Spanish and when I speak in English I use very simple words so that they can understand and translate.  I feel like I have the mind of a seven year old and cannot have normal thoughts.  I dont know if anyone can relate to that feeling, but traveling to another country by yourself can do that to you .  Time in...It has been very encouraging being with the team that is going to Managua.  Their faith has been very challenging to me.  When I talk to them about their fears about moving to another country, everyone of them has had the same answer: "No, we believe that God will provide in every way."  I wish that each one of you could hear them say it.  I know that it sounds like a classic Christian answer, but believe me it carries so much more weight when they say it, because they truly are leaving their family, friends, jobs, and all their comfort to live in a place where they have nothing but each other and a belief that God will be faithful to them.  They dont just talk about and leave it at that.  Push is coming to shove and they have decided to follow Gods calling.  That has been very challenging for me.  I have had to search myself and see if I truly believe in that same way.  ¿Do I really believe that I can trust God completely?  ¿Do I have enough faith to give my fears completely to Him?  ¿Do I care enough about people and their eternal state to sacrifice?  Ive been searching my heart to see what I really believe with these and many other questions.  I would definitely answer yes to all these questions, but if I were truly tested or truly had to count the cost, would I actually do it?  My has been to grow in my commitment and my willingness to follow God with all my heart and go where he wants and leave all the consequences and details to him.

In case you were wondering, I have been very healthy - Montazuma has not yet taken his revenge on me.  The first day, I ate some vegetables and pork that I probably should not have eaten and had a bit of a stomach ache, but since then I have been very careful and havent had any problems.  I dont think I have ever eaten so much food for so many days in a row.  I gotta go now though, Ill try to update again soon. 

Fez died.

Seriously - I'm not joking.  I was asleep on the couch this morning and Nate came in and woke me up and told me.  Turns out he got out last night and either froze to death or got hit by a car - he was in the middle of the road, but there wasn't a scratch on his cute little body.  I'm gonna miss that little guy - he was such a trooper and always knew how to cheer me up (or rather I always knew that toying with him (some would call it torture)would cheer me up).  For those of you who loved and were loved by our fine feline friend - we're having a memorial service this afternoon at around 3:30-4:00.

Meow

All you faithful xanga friends who feared my death or that my life has become so meaningless that nothing would be worth writing about FEAR NOT.  I am alive and well and I can't even begin to share what all has happened since the last time I posted.  So, the highlights...

I just got back from a weekend camping trip with the crew at In The Yard.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  Took some borrowed shot guns (thanks to Charles and the rest of the Hargers) and BB guns and just did man things for the whole weekend.  You know the basics like blowing up propane tanks, shooting each other with BBs, swinging from ropes, zip lines, hiking, coming up with dares for each other, off-roading, farting and just having a grand ol' time.  Enjoyable. 

In other news - I got my ticket to Honduras/Nicaragua on Thursday.  It's a done deal.  I'm still going to be doing everything that I talked about before, but I'll be able to spend closer to a week in Managua rather that 1 day.  I'm really excited about that because now I'll get to spend much more time with the pastor there and get to know a lot of the people who moved there to start the church.  We're going to deliver the Christmas presents - setting a goal of 200, so everyone from Ohio needs to get the job done if you know what I mean.  Also, the church decided to buy the ticket for me.  Needless to say, I was thankful/floored/thrilled because it was the icing on the cake of a great trip.  Once again God seemed to take away any doubt that I may have had about the time going down there - I mean now I don't even have to worry about whether or not I can afford it.  So I leave December 7 and get back December 22.  So, I'll even be back for Christmas and I'm almost positive that I'm going to Faithwalkers.

The small group that I'm helping lead also started a couple weeks ago.  I'm really excited about the group of guys and getting to know them better.  I have felt challenged and inadequate to lead but I still am excited to grow and rest on God for strength.  Basketball practice starts tomorrow morning 6:30 - yuck.  I love coaching but hate mornings so we'll see which one wins.  In fact my class schedule for winter quarter goes like this 12:30-5:30 MW and 10:30-5:30 TTH.  It's gonna be real tough getting up that early for practice.

Well I guess that's enough of the life of Dan for you all to chew for a bit.  If this only leaves you starving for more (which would be kind of weird) then just ask - I can talk faster than I write.  Oh yeah - the Halloween party was a good time and Fez is still alive.  That's it.