our god is not just a god of america. we are called to love on all his children, not just the ones here. it isn't a matter of patriotism, it isn't a matter of whether or not i stand by my own country, it is a matter of what i know i am called to do. i have a heart for this, i am called to this, and me going isn't an attempt to compete with the military, to team up with american hating, woman hating afghanistan-- it is me being obedient, and i know that this woman, in all her ignorance and emotion, cannot see that. i consider it a blessing, that i get to leave my life of priveledge in my own "ravaged country" and see, even if just for two weeks, the lives of others. yes, there is heartbreak in america. i am sure there is equal amount of heartbreak, but surely joy as well, in afghanistan. it is of the utmost ignorance to think that afghanistan is an undeserving place of the love and glory of god- god is IN afghanistan, through all the war-torn horror that exists there. He is there, He loves the people there dearly. it is not mistaken that god calls upon the people of all his nations. i missed the chapter, i guess, where "all his nations" means "america only". i know there are times when I will surely be called to help in our own country, but right in this moment, to deny this oppurtunity in the wake of recent disaster, is denying what I know the Lord has called me to do. He has asked, and I shall lovingly obey.