I found our next mission trip...

Posted by: John Thompson

I'm sure some of you will read this and afterwards say, "John needs more to do with his spare time or he's completely lost his mind." If you think that, then you are right because I'm in my hometown and there isn't a whole lot to do here and I am always made aware of the general brokeness that seems to surround this place every time I come back for a visit- especially this time.

But I digress... I remember reading and watching some stuff on TV about how landmines are a big problem in some parts of the world- especially for children who stumble across them. Apparently I heard right as the United Nations has put up a report on it.

http://www.unicef.org/graca/mines.htm

And since I'm an avid military channel watcher (I should have just joined the military instead of going to UCF, but, I digress again), I saw this cool little gizmo that some old British guy invented to clear landmines.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4388261.stm

It says local communities with little training can use them. It also says they are made from low cost readily available materials (Wal-mart maybe?)

And then, a friend of mine sent me this article. Apparently, some bright individuals built a school and a housing development in Orlando right on top of a World War II bombing range.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/30/backyard.bombs/index.html

So there we go. We can test and train in Orlando and then off to Africa, Afghanistan, or Cambodia. Of course we would have to get someone to train us first, but, details... details...
It might even feel like being a kid again when lighting a roman candle in your backyard and wondering why your friend is holding it in his hand while its burning... BUT this time you would actually be doing something worthwhile and making a difference.

Comments

[Loren Eaton]

These are a different kind of fireworks than I was thinking about for Independence Day ...

[Filipe]

can we please do it?

[amy]

The parents are going to have to sit out the de-mining trip, but ya'll have fun.