Sharp in Greece

I know it has been way too long since I actually wrote something on this blog of mine but trust me, I don't plan on it being this way once I go abroad. I promise to update it every week with at the very least some pictures that will help me share this experience with all of you (whoever is following). And don't fret, your boy has some MAD photography skills! Now, that could be MAD as in slang term for sick, awesome, totally impressive photography skills or MAD as in these pictures are so horrible my day just got ruined because I looked at them, MAD. I guess you will just have to tune in weekly to find out which MAD it will be.

Since the last time I made a blog post some big things have happened but to no surprise to say the least. 1.) The Euro was as high as $1.35 and crashed as low as $1.19 on June 8th due to an immediate loss of confidence in the country's stock markets until the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and all the other countries in the European Union - with Germany and France carrying a majority of the burden - came to Greece's rescue with some immediate stimulus to prevent complete fall on your face bankruptcy. The rescue package has bought Europe time and nothing else. 2.) LEBRON JAMES is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier! Yup, you heard it here first (or for the umpteenth time) folks, LeBron James is a "runaway slave" to Dan Gilbert as put by Rev. Jesse Jackson. 3.) the oil spill in the Gulf had just started and has yet to stop. We have spillionaires scratching their heads in hopes that the light bulb will all of sudden turn on with an idea of how to actually put a stop to this catastrophe. I can imagine the CEO's of BP and Deepwater Horizon's reaction being something similar to that of Steve Urkle's "Did I do that"? Bottom line, it has been too long and the real reasons for not getting around to putting my thoughts inside this "tabernacle for words", if you would, are... 1.) Its summer. 2.) I've been reading more than ever before in this young life of mine, AKA nerdin' it up, AKA giving my best impression of Cornell West (the dude sleeps 4-5 hours a night)! 3.) I'm in the best shape of my life. Something to the comparison of my glory days riding the Southport High School basketball team's bench! And 4.) I have been surrounded by and have become close to some of the best friends/ counsel/ leaders/ encouragement/ brothers and sisters of faith/ "scholars" (in my own opinion), a young person my age could ever ask for. This summer I have had the opportunity to live with a man named Nick Buck (who is a force to be reckoned with) and his wife (an even fiercer force to be reckoned with, especially on a theater stage near you), oh and their dog Desmond Tutu (not really his picture)! This young lad and a few other inspirational pioneers have begun to really lay a strong foundation this summer for the church they have started, Poiema. This is a church - minus a building currently, while we allow God to demand that in the near future with growth of his ministry - in Indianapolis. Poiema is "A community of Jesus followers working to join God in the restoration of heaven and earth". Next time you're in the Indianapolis area please let me know and surely we can get connected! However, for now check them out online @ PoiemaINDY.org

Finally, here is the low down on what is new with, originally the only purpose for this blog, studying abroad! I received my flight itinerary last week and my plane departs September 19th. I'm set to return December 18th. The plane ticket cost a little more than I originally budgeted for, $1477! I have everything ready to go minus my Visa now, which I am traveling to Chicago two Mondays from now to get because for some dumb reason (terrorists) you must apply for this in person. Overall, I am anxiously counting down the days until I step on a plane for the first time but more importantly the first time a foreign country gets to experience JOHN SHARP (as America sits back with a sigh of relief) haha! In the coming month and a half I have a lot more reading to do as well as A TON of overtime at work to put in because trips like these don't pay for themselves!

Another SHOUT OUT to all the donors who have contributed to my Greece Fund. THANK YOU for any thoughts, prayers or donations you have made recently! You all can be expecting a postcard, although I know that is only a mere tease! Sorry but I don't know how to say THANK YOU enough.

Signing off here,

Your favorite Blue Collar Visionaire,

John Sharp