Surreal - marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream. From time to time when I look at photos of my recent trip to Sierra Leone, I wonder, "Was I really there?" "Does that world, so different from what I experience everyday, really exist?" It almost seems like a dream - surreal!

I am living in two worlds these days. I have a demanding teaching job at Denver Christian High School. I am active in my church and my wife and I are very busy people. Yet, for the last year and a half, thoughts of Sierra Leone have been on my mind almost all the time. Since my return I've been busy organizing the follow-up team to complete the water project as well as giving and writing reports. Even now I am planning for the visit of a pastor from Sierra Leone who made a huge impact on our team. Discussions are underway to explore future opportunities for service and involvement in this distant African country. And finally, while there are currently no plans for a return visit with students, the thought of returning to Sierra Leone (soon - not after another 23 years) is never far from my mind.

So what about theworld I live in here? In Denver lately, we have heard and read literally millions of words about Jay Cutler and the Broncos. You might think that this development in the sports world has international implications based on the amount of angst being displayed! In the big picture, this is certainly a "tempest in a teapot!"

Here on the eastern plains of Colorado, we grew increasingly worried about our dry winter. Then suddenly, we seem to be having a snowstorm every other day! Certainly goes to show that worrying about the weather is a waste of time.

It is true that we are experiencing some of the most challenging economic times most Americans have ever seen - and it's no laughing matter. Many have lost jobs, while almost everyone has lost money, at least on paper, in terms of decreased real estate values and in investments. Because of the weak economy, we worry about enrollment at my school for next year. The political debate over stimulus packages, bailouts, and executive bonuses has given news commentators endless fodder for discussion.

Yet, most of us still have homes; we have plenty to eat, hot and cold running water, heat and electricity, health care, access to transportation and so forth. Our lives may be more difficult than in the past, but most of us are hardly suffering. In fact, some are starting to suggest that our continual pursuit of more and more "stuff" is what has gotten us into this problem in the first place. One writer in today's paper even said that the American notion that "Bigger is always Better" has to change before we can ever get out of this mess. "Affluenza" is a term to describe our insatiable appetites for more and more.

In this world then, I often think of that world, the one, where no one has electricity or a car. Food is a constant concern - totally dependent on the size of the rice crop this year. Health care is non-existent and access to transportation means walking. People do have homes - provided they are strong enough to build them themselves. People around the world struggle just to survive until the next day.

No, it wasn't a dream, I really did travel to Africa about three months ago to make a small difference and I thank God for that opportunity. So when it seems surreal, I remember that in at least one village people now have plenty of clean and safe water, and I can live with that.