Blessed are the tin can and cardboard slumsBlessed is the spirit that overcomes Ok, this is pretty extraordinary, even for himself. A new (old) unreleased song from U2’s The Joshua Tree sessions. It’s 20 years ago this month that TJT was released and the boys are giving us a taste of “Wave of Sorrow,” a song Bono wrote about his experiences in Ethiopia during the famine of 1985-86. Read more
Sunset in Vermont “When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator.” — Mahatma Gandhi Read more
GODSTUFF HOW DO YOU REDEEM A SACRED SPACE? STONE TOWN, Zanzibar — It was hard to see the hallowed ground for all the minibuses full of tourists jockeying for position in the parking area outside Christ Church Cathedral one recent sweltering afternoon in Zanzibar’s main commercial center. I had come to this place not because of the church itself — one of only a few in Stone Town, where upwards of 90 percent of the population is Muslim. Instead, what... Read more
A lot of wonderful, downright miraculous things are afoot behind the scenes to get Vasco the help he needs. While we can’t share details just yet, two Chicago hospitals have offered Vasco free medical care. And other folks have come forward to help arrange travel. We’re amazed and humbled by people’s generosity and are so very grateful. What we can tell you today is that a trust fund has been established for Vasco. Many of you have asked where you... Read more
Into the woodsWithout regret,The choice is made,The task is set.Into the woods,But not forgetting Why I’m on the journey. The view from the Vermont cabin, courtesy of Laurel Casey The time has come. The final hour. The last dance. The push for the summit. Showtime! I’m off to a cabin in the Vermont woods to finish writing Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace for the next month or so. I won’t be updating ye olde Dude for a while,... Read more
A little less heavy … It’s been a big few days. Very serious, heavy stuff. Need a break myself and thought you might appreciate one as well. So here are the Fact Checkers. Enjooooooooy. Read more
This is a new blog intended to keep folks updated on Vasco’s situation. Vasco is 10 years old. He lives in Malawi. He’s an AIDS orphan.He’s very sick. And he needs our help. You can read a bit more about Vasco HERE and HERE We’re hoping to have information about a trust fund being set up for Vasco’s medical and potential travel expenses available in the next few days. Grace,Vasco’s friend Read more
GODSTUFF VASCO’S STORY: RUNNING TO STAND STILL BLANTYRE, Malawi — They warned me about this. They said to be careful, to not get too close, to not let “it” get to me, to not become overwhelmed or “too emotional.” After about three weeks of behaving myself and keeping my head and heart in check while traveling through east Africa, I did exactly what they said not to do. I fell in love. Hopelessly, helplessly, achingly in love. His name is... Read more
Zanzibar: Doors (and Windows) of Perception A photo essay by God Girl from Stone Town, Zanzibar. Read more
Homeward bound (Sunrise this morning in Matemwe, Zanzibar, taken by Crime Boy) We’re leaving Zanzibar and our beloved East Africa in just a few hours, catching flights from here to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Nairobi in Kenya and Amsterdam in the Netherlands before landing home in Chicago tomorrow afternoon. It’s been the trip of my lifetime. There is much more to come about our adventures and epiphanies in Africa here at The Dude Abides, in the pages of the... Read more
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