Day Two Mexico

(This is the video for monday)

First morning in Mexico City (Video)

So Far So Good...

Summer update...

Where to begin; even only sitting in early June it seams that so much has gone on this summer that I'm way behind on blogging. I just got back to Colorado from North Platte, Nebraska. I was doing the music for the week for a early middle school camp. And I just have to say... those kids are CrAzY!*%!! The first set, the first night and they were far from the deer in the headlights look I'm used to getting as the music guy. they were interactive, LOUD, and bouncing all over the place. I love Middle Schoolers, they will tell you when their wanting to be there or wanting to be somewhere else. There is no guessing with them and thats why I like them so much more than adults. All in all the week went well. Most camp weeks you see the end of chapel recommittals; and such. And I have no real authority to decipher what is genuine and what is hype. But especially as the music guy, I commonly get used as the emotional driver to fake or flimsy committals to God. And this week didn't really do that. Although there was opportunity for kids to do that, they seamed to be driven more to interaction. The stage time instead was joyous and fun, and I like that.

Moving on, I leave for Mexico City this saturday. I'm an odd form of excited, considering what the trip is. For those of you that don't know I'm with a group called IEmpathize going to advocate against sex and human trafficking in Mexico City. I'll be meeting with members of the Mexican Congress and touring different brothels that the Mexican Police have busted recently. CNN published a report this week about sex trafficking in Mexico City; with an estimated 10,000 sex slaves in the city alone, there were only 12 arrests last year. Anyone with a sense of justice should be shattered by these figures. and this is only one issue in one city on the Globe. The problem presents society with a mountainous traverse that no individual has the ability to climb solo. thats why the awareness of the issue is so important. But like always "its not the education we get but the empowerment we give that makes a difference to others." (-John C Maxwell) I think that best surmises the journey I get to take next week. Personally its more out of my comfort zone that I had to raise the money to go than the nature of the trip itself. The Business side of ministry is still something of work in process to me. Below I've put the shortened video from Iempathize about the work in Mexico City, I'm trying to keep this post more of a cleft note's type of update, so I'm gonna just leave you with the video and keep coming back to this site next week as I'm in Mexico City, I'll be updating here about the trip as I get opportunity too each day.


iEmpathize Mexico City Short: The Way Home (English Version) from Simon Scionka on Vimeo.

If you would still like to support the trip, were still short on funding, and you can do so on the link below. Then Click the "support me" link on the right.

Support Mexico City Expedition

Other than all of these happenings, I'm getting behind on school already, I don't know how a thing like that could happen taking 15 credits over a summer with all of this also happening. It just blows my mind.

And I've been presented with a familiar crossroads, to operate in my nature. turning down the opportunity to put down roots and do what society sees as the normal or wiser plan for the next few years. OR... in line with all my life decisions and flighty nature. To choose instead to operate even more as a drifter than I am now? Hmm perplexing choices. Roots creep me out honestly. So I'm at an impasse with wanting to be responsible but also being who I've always been and wanted to be; Active, extreme, and living a life like few have tasted seeing both the world being involved with people all over instead of an isolated few...we shall see ;)
The prospect went with an interesting conversation, one that I have with myself often, but none the less was a feature our dialogue. It was about the nature of this itinerant life style. This conversation was with a man that knows me well, and he observed how uncomfortable I am with settling in. weather that be with a normal job, a house, a girl... "its like your so used to change that your afraid to commit to anything that will keep you from the ability to be where you feel you need to be from moment to moment." I couldn't agree with him more... that is me (hence the tittle of the blog in case you were wondering)! And I mean that as a very good thing. I like writing my address in pencil (I've lived in the same place for a year and a month now... that's a record in a nine year time frame) I enjoy that I get to live a life outside of a 9-5 prison cell, looking back 10 years later and realizing you've only existed well and not actually lived. I get to experience life that few do... and what affords me this right. I pathetic gross income every year and zero stability. I can deal with that. So I guess the only thing on that list to figure out is the Girl part.... yeah... I haven't figured that one out yet obviously. (How emphatic can you make one "!" ?) Perhaps i'll post a blog when I get back from mexico with a girlfriend application section. Except I think the "need not apply" section would be depressingly limiting :/    ... Well 2/3 figured out is nice I suppose, story of my life!  (lol)

If it bores you... it must be godly!

I watched this video almost two years ago, and haven’t been able to find it since despite a few wasted hours. Grrr… Recently it was found and posted on Christiannightmares, which is great for you… because now you can enjoy it with me (insert overt sarcasm here)!

I’ll give him this much, at least he’s not totally ignorant, he knows basic music theory. However I fail to see where in the bible God revealed this “Body wants to dance” doctrine. I’ve looked for it, yes, even in the ever touted King James Version (you’re supposed to lift your chin a bit when you say that by the way, who knew?) The only original source I’ve found this is in Fundamentalist Christian dogma.

As in all things (yes I do believe this) the bible does have something to say about this.  In 2^nd Samuel chapter 6 David is bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem. Which was far deeper than simply the return of a national Icon. The Hebrew people are heavily about poetry, and so they would not have overlooked the deep symbolism here. The Ark was the Icon of the presence of the one true God. And bringing it back to the Nation of Israel was also symbolic of the Nations reconnecting to God. And as the Ark was carried into the city after a long journey; King David, warring what was called an “Ephod” (A rob that was worn by priests, which was disgraceful for a king to wear because it showed his knees (*Gasp! I know)) danced through the city streets with the people in celebration of his people being Rejoined with the presence of God again.

You see there are things that are worth throwing a party for! There are things that are worth dancing through the streets! I’ve even heard it said (by a pastor) “It’s honestly a sin to not have fun.”In the psalms it tells us to “praise him with a clashing cymbal and a Gong.” To Praise with both a harp and Lyre (a first century guitar) And I’m sorry if being biblical doesn’t sit as pretty in your church. But I’m going to dance, shout, raise my hands, and dance with my friends when I praise a God who’s presence has been brought back to me by Himself!

                                 

As some of you know I’ve been involved in youth work for some time now in a variety of capacities: Youth pastor/Leader, working with inner city kids and incarcerated youth. My ministry involvement over the past few years has allowed me the opportunity to witness an ever increasing world issue commonly referred to as “social Justice.” This umbrella covers issues like Sex and human trafficking, Child Soldiers, and a host of victimized people used as prostitutes, drug peddlers, and unpaid labor forces all around the world. The specific issues vary, based on the Geographic and political situations. To give you an idea, human Traffickers alone grossed an estimated 3.2 billion dollars in 2010, that’s more than Nike, Google, and Starbucks COMBINED!

This coming June I’m on the first of three teams going to Mexico City with the Colorado based organization “IEmpathize.” Mexico is currently on virtually every top ten list for countries with human trafficking violations. While there, I’ll be from one side of the city to the other; spending time in some of the worst slums and meeting with members of the Mexican senate who are battling social injustices within Mexico. With great respect my team will be spending some time with residents of safe houses in Mexico City. However a large part of my time there will be spent on awareness education in Government, Educational and also public venues; using art, media and other exhibits to boost awareness to the issue within Mexico. These are key strategic efforts to confront the issue with lasting effect, as one of the main reasons human trafficking is able to thrive is its limited awareness.

For more information on Social Justice, my expedition to Mexico City or “IEmpathize” please visit IEmpathize.org or feel free to E-mail/facebook me directly. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for myself and the rest of the team going, as you can imagine this will be both a stressful and emotionally exhausting experience. I would greatly appreciate those of you who would like to be a part of the work by donating to help cover the expenses of making this trip happen. All Financial donations are Tax deductable through IEmpathize. I’m still in need of nearly $1,800, with our leave date steadily approaching. (The $1,800 will help cover air fare, hotel, and transportation costs; projects and advocacy events; gifts/items for the girls and safe home. And over 25% of the cost directly funds our Mexican child protection and restoration partnerships in Mexico.) Checks can be sent to IEmpathize directly (4845 Pearl East Circle, Suite 101, Boulder, CO 80301) payable to” IEmpathize,” Please make sure to write “Chris Cook Expedition” in the memo line. Pre/post trip updates will be here on my Blog with obvious omission of certain details to help protect the people on the ground in Mexico City.

                                                                                 

This is a great watch if you have the time!

Ok this is a bit long I realize but the full version I think gives the best look at what he's exposing. Derren Brown; has made a name for himself in the UK, he's an illusionist/mentalist, and also a sceptic-type whistle blower. Takes an ordinary man and trains him in the so called art of "faith healing." 

Now I find that most people are skeptical of faith healers in general but there is a reason why it remains a multi million dollar industry every year, because there are people out there that need and want genuine hope. Brown does (I think) an excellent job in showing both simply and scientifically the methods of these con artist praying on people asking for help. I do wish his finale performance had a higher turnout, but I respect their decision to take a hit on the numbers to protect both the goal of the project and also protect people that didn't know the ruse. Well done Derren Brown. 

Lead 1: Ownership

I've had it in mind for some time now to write a small series centering on practical leadership. I don't know how many I'll do, and they probably will be spread among all of my other random blogs, but I've been thinking about this particular facet for some time now, and thats the concept of  "ownership." On its own, it embodies the arching goal of nearly all leadership; but is also focused enough to give it also individual attention.

In all leadership the emphases is on the people about the task, and not on the task itself. Thats the key difference between a manager and a leader. Robert Townsend understood this when he said:

"A leader is not an administer who likes to run others, but someone who carries water for his people so they can get on their jobs"

Townsend's words convey the idea servanthood, not manipulative slave driving. Its seeing a need that the people under you have and providing for their health/benefit. A true leader is not just someone who can produce results; because truly , both success and failure surround the majority of the worlds greatest leaders. The merits of a great leader are seen best when they step out of the way. If a man initiates a movement; teaches a concept, or creates a product, success in many ways can be seen on paper, escrow, or real-estate. But to put a value on someone as a leader, judge what is done when the leader removes himself from what they initiated; observing the health of what is sustained following their absence.

What happens when someone steps back from pushing an idea/agenda and instead invests in the people they've instated; an opportunity is created for those people to have a vested interest themselves in what their doing. Whatever success will follow, your people can look on and say..."I did that!" Their hours of work, weren't just a paycheck anymore. They have ownership in the success of what once was only your vision. Much like a company that goes public. But the investment that you give your people has to happen before the success. to turn around from the finish line and say, "oh thanks guys" is nothing more than what they earned from before. As a leader you never pay back, you always pay forward. Glancing back from the finish line and adorning the people responsible for getting you there with a semantical pat on the back is more demeaning than appreciative. Your people see that they are the last thing on your checklist at the end of the journey, not the focus of the drive to get there. And believe me they can all tell!

So how does a leader go about giving away ownership of their vision? Easy... in fact, often so easy most leaders find it difficult. the quick answer is "vacuum." The majority of leaders, and to be picky, people in authority too. are those who exercise the courage it takes to be the first to volunteer, the first to venture new ideas or create change. That same courage however seams to be infused in them, causing them to keep stepping in, and stepping in and stepping in. In their defense their motives are good, momentum if neglected can end up in a variety of places. So most modal their efforts to confine the momentum to direct it to where they see the best end. See now your thinking like a manager.

A leader who steps in to solve every problem or correct every course robs his people the very possibility of ownership. It builds up the "leader" [notice my subtle quotations now ;) ] and demeans the people. It sets a precedence that each member on the team clear things through higher powers. Which when your in-charge makes you feel indispensable, and who of us doesn't like feeling needed right. We all like that right. Which is why John C Maxwell describes weaker leaders as failing to delegate. Only the strongest leaders will surround themselves with other strong  people. Those who are smarter, stronger and more capable. Such a structure is a threat to most leaders. By knowing that you have competent people on task, a real leader can place trust in those individuals to take vision to conception. A roadblock to many leaders is that often the delegation and subsequent ownership their vision means that the steps to success will be decided by someone else. The majority of leaders tend to be control freaks [Ask me how I know]. Gen. George S Patton, a type "A" leader with courage and drive if there ever was one said this:

"Never tell a man what to do, you tell him what needs done and let his ingenuity surprise you"

He understood this principle of ownership. I've had the privilege to meet two different men who served under him; They'll will be the first to tell you what a son of a bitch he was, and yet it was the honor of their lives to serve with him. You see they don't read a history book and see that "Patton defeated Rommel;" and "Patton conquered Sicily." They own every victory still today, and Patton treated his men like they did from the day they shipped out.
For many of us who strive to be leaders leaving a vacuum is unnerving, but without it your people will have no need for their own incentive. There may be a more politically correct way of saying that today but its the usual truth. After your vision is cast, and competent people are in play towards its completion, a leader can really come alive; Investing solely in the people pursuing the task. Success now is bigger then the efforts of one man, no matter how loud they are or how much money they invest. And when the inevitable day comes when the leader steps aside, those who are personally invested wont need them there any more. They now own the vision and are striving themselves for its success.