Took this picture on my way through CDG recently. Only here would such a mistake go unnoticed.

I will say that going back to the States this time around was the biggest culture shock I’ve had so far. I was taken aback by the relative largeness (not largess) of people, and women’s propensity towards heading out on the town wearing clothing otherwise normally reserved for bed or the beach. American public transportation also needs a severe kick in the pants, but the news seems to indicate we’re heading in the right direction.

On the positive side, the US has such great food, and I managed to eat my fair portion of it. Five Guys, Anita’s, In-N-Out, Alfredo’s Grenada, chinese, japanese, and much more!

Mostly, I loved going back to church and being welcomed back into my family of believers as if I hadn’t been gone for a single day of the previous four months. Christians who are in love with the commandments of Jesus are amazing people to know, and I’m blessed to be able to head back to Washington so often and be in their company. One of my good guy friends gave me just the dose of honesty I needed, reminding me that going back once a quarter isn’t enough – that I need to be connected to a church here in France, too.

Well, I took his advice and walked into a local church on Sunday and was welcomed with the same open arms I see in Washington. Thanks to my buddy for giving me some honest love, and to my local church who I’m looking forward to serving alongside.

I’ve started a read-through of some of the most known chapters of the Bible with some friends here in Vannes. If you want to read along, you can find the study at this link. Happy reading, et à bientôt!

Vannes is holding its annual jazz festival this week, and I’m reaping the benefits of having one of the stages just outside my window.  Here’s a sound clip and a picture for you.  Hope this Friday leads to a great weekend, wherever you’re reading from!

"Home" Trailer | Bande-Annonce « Home » | Tráiler de "Home"

I saw the globally-released Home documentary this week, and really enjoyed it. Like the Planet Earth series, Home features aerial shots of some of the most awe-inspiring parts of the Creation, from the misty caps of the Himalayas, to the spectral hot springs of Yellowstone, to the great plains of Africa.

The film also takes an educational stance, profiling the changes that the Earth has undergone in the last 50 years, and how our lifestyles are inextricably linked to the cycles of the planet.

Check it out on YouTube: available in English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian.

President Obama was in Africa this week after his trip to the G8 Summit in Italy.  To the disappointment of some Kenyans, he didn’t visit his Grandfather’s homeland, opting instead to visit Ghana, in West Africa.  CNN explains why, and gets reactions from folks on the streets in downtown Nairobi.

]]> http://www.kduarte.com/lang/en-us/2009/07/obama-in-africa/feed 0 http://www.kduarte.com/lang/en-us/2009/07/bastille-day#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.kduarte.com/lang/en-us/2009/07/bastille-day#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:45:03 +0000 Kyle http://www.kduarte.com/?p=1408

It’s Bastille Day (14 July) here in France, and the town is abuzz with national spirit.

This morning, I was awakened by the sound of a band playing La Marseillaise, the French national anthem.  And yesterday, a parade went by on the street outside my window, featuring costumes traditional of French royalty and Breton customs; there was even a bagpipe band.

Check out the gallery.

It’s a beautiful day at the beach in Carnac – hopefully where you are too!

Who can tell me which language this page is written in?

Um, okay.

We saw this sign on a storefront in Vannes. Doesn’t really inspire much confidence.

“Heart,” by United Airlines, featuring a special rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin.

Most of you know that I stick to my oneworld alliance guns (American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, etc.) when it comes time to fly.  But I’ll admit that United airlines has done a fantastic job of reminding us of the magic of flying through their “It’s time to fly” television ad campaign since emerging from bankruptcy in February, 2006.

Watch the ad above (embedded) and then head to United’s YouTube page to watch a documentary on the making of this ad.  Featured are legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, and rising classical piano star Lang Lang from China.  They do such justice to the masterpiece that is George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

I’m a diehard Apple fan, some of you may know.  So much so that I’ve NEVER owned a dreadful PC, and have no intentions to do so now.

However, I’ll admit that Apple’s recent iPhone 3GS and 3.0 software update announcements are seriously underwhelming.  One year after releasing the iPhone 3G, Apple has modified the GPS chip to include compass-like technology, changed the still camera to a video camera, and “improved performance.”

Also, the new iPhone 3GS features voice control of the phone, iPod, and other features.  But, despite Google having previously added these features via a software application, Apple seems to have relied on improved hardware for this to work, and the features will not be available on previous-generation phones upgraded to the new 3.0 software.

(yawning)

I’m going to be content with my (old hat) iPhone 3G for now, and awaiting a forward-facing camera to be able to chat with my deaf friends, and other, better, enhancements for the next round of iterations.

And, finally, despite the title of this post, I’m still proud to be an Apple-exclusive household, and hold that the iPhone is by far the best-designed device on the planet.

Last week, I called the Mormon church inspiring; today, the “Inspiring” series continues.

I was watching CNN this evening when the latest business news came on.  Broadcast over the global network of CNN channels was a shot of representatives from the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce ringing the bell to begin Wall Street’s trading day.  I tilted my head to the name of the organization, but seriously, it works.

What if Christians did the same thing?

• When was the last time you heard Christians banding together under the name of our Savior to promote our local businesses?
• When did you last witness a Christian on television or in print delivering an articulate account of what the Christian Church stands for?
• Do you think Christians could make allies with non-Christians to advance the causes of the Church?

These are the things that the gay community does every day.

Suppose Christians were shamelessly ardent that Christ is the best political agenda, used strong but inclusive words to articulate His Gospel, and managed to get Muslims and Jews to support that mission.  How amazing it would be to see Jesus become a mainstream issue for the world!

Which brings me to ponder just why we have school during the summer here in France – is this the only country where that happens?  I know my friends in the States are enjoying a little time away from the hectic pace of classes to enjoy summertime get-togethers and inter-session workshops.  I’m jealous.

But at least I have the sun and France!

[Video]

Alright, so for those of you who have ever heard me speak of high school show choir, this is it – Fox’s newest hit show, Glee.  It’s the story of a bunch of misfits trying to have a little fun on stage, though not without pressure from their friends and competitors to give up.  Despite their long chances, however, these kids aren’t going down without a fight!

To see what the real world of show choir is all about, take a close look at the YouTube video above (the 2:45 mark), where my own show choir is featured as the national champions that are going to be tough to beat.  Now don’t tell me you don’t miss performing!

I’m beginning a series of posts today titled “Inspiring,” profiling the enviable qualities of organizations separate from the Church, often at odds with it.  I hope you find these essays thought-provoking, and I invite constructive discussions on the topic.

So as you know, I’ve moved far across the Atlantic from the sunny beaches of Southern California.  Bretagne is lovely country, and I have come to expect surprises every day: sometimes the pleasant smile and “bonjour” of a passing stranger, and at other times, the annoyance of shops being closed at times I would expect them open.

Recently I was surprised to see a pair of Mormon missionaries wandering the streets of Vannes – a sign that despite my distance from home, some things haven’t really changed much.  I began to imagine the force of the Mormon church throughout the world because of its missions program.  Young men (and sometimes women), typically after their first year of college, leave home to spend two years living out the Great Commission, making disciples by preaching their scriptures¹.

What do American Christians do?  They say their job as an accountant is their mission field, though none of their coworkers have been told anything about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What then should we do?

The Christian Church needs to put a renewed focus on extended-term missions that take advantage of support resources from established generations, as well as the dispatch-ability of younger generations.  Christians need to consider what the Great Commission means for them, specifically with regards to going into the nations and preaching the Gospel.

What an influence for Christ the Church could become if it were to live out the Great Commission with the same fervor as Mormon missionaries!

So I will be (have been) taking a break from my blog and Twitter as I refocus on being a conduit for the teaching of the Word in France.  Some friends have agreed to help me with translations to get this thing in good French, so I’m excited for what the Lord has planned for these writings.

Stay tuned…