Life On The Road

for the love comes the burning young

6 weeks. That’s how long I’ve been on the road. At some points it feels like I’ve been out here for 6 years. At others, it feels like we just left from San Diego. I have done more living, learning and growing in the past 6 weeks than I have in the first 21 years of my whole life.

When this film went online, I didn’t really know what to expect. I thought that maybe some of my friends and family would watch it because I posted it on their Facebook pages and that maybe they would share it with a few of their friends as well. Along with my other Invisible Children supporters doing this, I thought maybe we could get a few thousand views in a couple of weeks. In 24 hours, we had one million views. I remember that day. I was really, really sick. All I did that day was lay in my bed of the home we were staying in and watch the view count climb. and climb. and climb. I honestly didn’t believe it was real. People were watching the film. Celebrities were tweeting about Invisible Children and Joseph Kony. 9 years of hard work, of blood and sweat, were paying off. It was amazing. 

Then came the criticisms. I think that’s the one thing I hadn’t really prepared for. I was so use to getting one of two reactions from people. 1. Invisible Children? Nice! or 2. Invisible Children? What’s that. But this film is different. It gave everyone an opinion, and they were not afraid to share it.  People were attacking a film that was supposed to inspire them. They was division were there was supposed to be unity. And it was so confusing and painful. I’ve heard some of the most disrespectful statements regarding Invisible Children and Jason that I’ve ever heard. It’s ridiculous.  Peace and Justice are two things that anybody can agree that everybody deserves. The levels of cynicism astounds me. People are so quick to try to find the faults in something genuinely good, and that goes for way more than just Invisible Children. Society has been rather jaded, and it’s really unfortunate. People were, and still are, letting the politics of the issue paralyze them into non-action and that doesn’t do anybody any good. 

On the other side of the spectrum, the people who have supported Invisible Children from the beginning and that are sticking with us through all of this craziness are absolutely incredible. I am forever indebted to them and there are no words to express the gratitude I, and everyone else, feel for them. They are getting hit just as hard as we are and maybe even more so. But the press on. They are fighting the good fight along side us, and I could not be more proud of the people that come along side us. 

To the people who have shown up, thank you. The people that are attending our events may have decreased in quantity, but the quality has been out of this world. I have seen a youth set on fire. They know love and want it for the world. They know that justice cannot and will not be stopped. They are the shapers of the world and the attendees of history. I’ve seen it in their faces and it only inspires me to not stop. They are giving everything and I can only do the same, until I am face down in the dirt, compassion in one hand and freedom in the other. 

It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

Teddy Roosevelt said that. And that’s the stance I’m taking. I am so glad I am in the arena with the people that joined me. Our faces are marred, neigh covered, with the blood, sweat, and dust that has come along with the journey. The world keeps throwing more and more into the arena for us to face. We fight on, pausing only to wipe the dust and blood from our eyes, and the sweat from our foreheads. 

We will continue to fight. I hope you join us. I’ll see you out there.


Saul. 

Pioneers

I haven’t told many people this, but one of the goals of my life is to be labeled a pioneer. I think part of why I haven’t told many people this is because that’s a hard goal to achieve, and frankly one that’s not easily achieved. I guess that’s out the window now, since this is now (somewhat) public knowledge. 

Ever since I started learning about the pioneers that went West in 5th grade, I’ve been obsessed with them. Those trailblazers that dared to go where literally no man in their community had even seen, much less stepped foot. Their spirit of adventure and desire for something great always fascinated me. I did every project I could on Louis & Clark, and read books about Zebulon Pike’s exploration of the Rockies. The only game I would play on the computer was Oregon Trail (I usually died of dysentery. Lame)  and I read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen at least 10 times.

If your parents never got you this book, they clearly liked your sister more. Tough break.

As I grew older, I had the realization that being a pioneer doesn’t always mean slinging a rifle over your shoulder, hitching up a covered a wagon and fording the river. Pioneers are also people that look at things that already exist, and then take them to the next level of the potential that these things have. Thomas Edison, John Glen, Neil Armstrong, George Lucas, Harriet Tubman, A Tribe Called Quest, Steve Jobs. Heck, even Jesus. All pioneers.

I think that is part of why I was first so attracted to Invisible Children. There are lots of terrible tragedies and cases of injustice all over the world right now, and they all demand action and attention. But for me, it seems that so much of this “action” is to hand some older guy in a button up shirt some money and let them take care of it from there. This wasn’t the case with Invisible Children. They had me from the beginning. They used film, and had people my age that talked with me, not down at me. They took what people said a non-profit should be and showed the world what a non-profit COULD be. They put their money where their mouth was, putting life saving programs on the ground and showing the world tangible results of their work. All using the people that everyone was the quickest to give up on, youth. 

I have been out on the road for only 9 days and I have already seen some of the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen and learned some of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned. I’ve been all over the this country so far and I now feel like I somewhat know what those pioneers that traveled West felt like. America is beautiful and it’s so cool to see so many parts of it. California, New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska. So many states. I feel like I’m really discovering our country and there is so much to take in. Sure, my covered wagon is a bright red 15 passenger van and nobody is dying of dysentery (yet. fingers crossed). I still feel as if I’m going places no one has been yet.

Covered Wagon 2K12.

People crossed this in a wagon pulled by oxen. Nuts.

The people I have met on the journey so far have been incredible. We stay with families that have never met us and they completely open their homes to us. We sleep in their beds, eat their food, use their showers and they love it more than we do. It’s crazy how much my team and I have been blessed by random strangers. God has been so good there. It’s really cool to think that people who were going West with each other did the same thing. They depended on each other to survive and to help when the occasion arose. 

I truly feel that each person that is involved with this whole Kony 2012 campaign is a small pioneer in their own way. Our organization is trying things that have never been tried before by a non-profit, not even us. It’s absolutely crazy that I get to be apart of all of it. From coast to coast, we are blazing a trail for justice that will cover the world by the end of this year.

In all of the history of the things that have been written, there is one thing that I wish I had penned. “Pioneers! O, Pioneers!” by Walt Whitman. It’s incredible. To me, Walt Whitman is what I think of when I think of the all - american man that headed west.

Look at the man. His beard alone could kill a bear.

I really suggest you “O, Pioneers” and all of his other works a read. ( I linked it above.) I promise you won’t regret it. Here’s a snippet: 

For we cannot tarry here, We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,         5

We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend,  

Pioneers! O pioneers!

Anyone else get goosebumps? Go out and do something.

I think everyone should aspire to be a pioneer. Set foot, literally and metaphorically, where no one has set foot before. Look at things that are and take them to where they they could be. That’s what I want when someone looks at my life. I want them to say “Man, think of where we’d be if he hadn’t done that.” 

I believe that everybody here is already taking those small steps. We are all starting to blaze that trail that those earlier pioneers did. We are just doing it in a completely different arena, with completely different rules. And we are going to shape the world by doing it.

Stop At Nothing,

Saul  

Sacrifices

“Are we not human beings?”

These were the words asked by a voice that shook with indignation. With frustration. The voice of a man who had seen violence and terror beyond comprehension and far beyond what any person should ever have to live through. And they cut right to the core of me.

It’s moments like these that make me realize why I’m here in San Diego working for Invisible Children. I’ll be the first to admit, it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. We work 12 hour days, trying to convince people who we’ve never met before that we’re worth their time and effort to have come to their school/church/bar or whatever they run. It’s frustrating. People are difficult and there are a lot of road blocks. On top of our job of booking our tour, we have a few trainings a day to learn about IC’s programs, policies, and how to be a Roadie in general. It’s like going to a full day of work and then topping it off with 2 college classes. It. Is. Exhausting. All 64 of us are beat when we end the day.

But it’s exhausting in the best way. We all do it together, as a family. It’s so cool to see. We rejoice in each other’s victories and mourn each other’s defeats. We move closer and closer to the ultimate goal of ending this war and seeing these child soldiers free and reunited with their families.

I think the coolest part of that fact is that everybody is giving up something/someone to be here, to be a part of this. We say here that everybody’s sacrifice is different. People may be giving up different things, but when it comes down to it everybody is giving up SOMETHING. Relationships, comfort, security. You name it, somebody had and they left it behind to be a part of this movement. You HAVE to be here 100% of the time, all the time. It becomes your life and you have to be okay with that. And everyone here gets that. 

And holy shit. Do I respect that so much. It literally blows my mind. People so often talk about sacrifice and giving up something to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Then those people go back to those things they talk about giving up. Not here. Here, I am seeing that mindset, that determination, lived out on a daily basis. It’s inspiring. It’s encouraging. And it’s incredibly humbling.

Last week is the week that I truly what it meant to sacrifice. I lost a lot of things that I would have preferred not to have lost. And I lost them because I’m out here working for IC. At first, it sucked. A lot. And then I started looking at the bigger picture. Why I’m here. Why God has allowed me the opportunity to be here. I have the chance to literally end a war and change the course of history, as well as the lives of thousands of people.

So tonight, as the Ugandan man looked into the camera and asked “Are we not human beings?” it all came back into focus for me. Yes, yes you are human beings. And it was way to long before people realized that and started fighting for you.

And that’s what makes all of this worth it for me. Those people who, for the longest time, we refused to acknowledge. Who we pushed to the side and conveniently forgot about. Myself and the people I’m working with are literally changing lives, both of our African brothers and sisters, and our own.

I was sharing a cigarette and some really good conversation with a few of the guys I work with tonight as we looked over a busy street. During that conversation it was discussed how crazy our mission really was. We are literally trying to work ourselves out of a job. One of the guys mentioned how we work so hard for nothing materialistic. That really struck me, the simple truth in it. We work for something far more valuable. Human rights. Human LIVES. That’s why it’s worth it. 

And looking at it, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. 

Keep watching. We’ll change the world. I promise. 

(Side note. I’m getting a new tattoo on Saturday. I’m pretty excited. Also, sorry if this blog doesn’t exactly flow. I’m a little sleepy. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy it.)

Until next time,
Saul 

Beginnings

So. I’m here. San Diego, California. Sorry it took so long to let you guys know what was going on, but literally since the moment I touched down here it’s been non-stop movement. 

The first night I got here was a whirlwind. I got into San Diego about 2 PM local time. I was picked up in an Invisible Children van (awesome) and was taken to the Roadie House, otherwise known as The Villa. It was amazing. This house is incredible. I live on top of a huge hill that looks over the little town of La Mesa, where the house is located. We have two balconies that offer spectacular views of the town and the rolling hills. I spent the first day meeting all my fellow roadies. To say these people are incredible would be an understatement. I’ve never felt so much love, happiness, and genuine compassion in one place. It’s addicting to be around. The conversations I’ve had in the past week or so have blown me away, each and every one of them. I have a friend-crush on everyone of them.

All the guys split two rooms. Ours is known as the “Chamber of Secrets.” Guess who named it? I’ll give you a hint…it was me.  There are literally 7 bunk beds crammed into a tiny room. More often than not, you end up spooning with the dude next to you. It’s strangely….comfortable? Ha, which is not as weird as it sounds. It’s just a big community and everyone is just naturally comfortable with everyone. 

The second day was our first day at the office. 

Here it is. That’s the basic set up. A huge table with two teams set at each. The energy in this workplace is incredible. I’ve never been apart of anything like it ever before. Everyone is striving for the same goal, the same dream. Ending this war. We have 6-7 hours of training every single day. It’s so much information to take in at once and it can be a little overwhelming at once, but all the team leaders are so patient and helpful. It’s been such an incredible learning experience and it’s only been one week. 

Besides my peers, I’m getting to rub elbows with some of the people that are literally changing the world. I sat catercorner to JASON RUSSEL, one of the founders of Invisible Children at a STAFF MEETING. What is my life? It’s amazing. I’ve got to have 45 minute conversations with Jedidiah Jenkins about life and his philosophy on Invisible Children. We’re going to get tattoos together in like 2 weeks. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m actually NOT dreaming.

This is what a meeting usually looks like.

Like I said. It’s amazing. Work should not feel this fun. 

Speaking of amazing people, my team is mind blowing.

Here we are. A few things: 1) We’re incredibly attractive, we know. 2) I’m pretty sure that Chris Tuttle (the other guy in the picture) and myself are soulmates who have just been waiting to finally meet each other. We’ve know each other less than a week and I’m pretty sure this will be the best man at my wedding. Weird? Maybe. But seriuosly. The connection we have is incredible. And the coolest part? I can literally say that about every person I’ve met here so far. 

The cool part about IC is that we work hard, but we play just as hard. I’ve spent the last week getting to know my surroundings. La Mesa is so cool. It’s a tiny little town right outside San Diego. We walk everywhere. Everything is local too. Stores, places to eat. Everything has a really cool local flavor. The office is located in downtown San Diego. It’s so cool to think that I work in a high-rise office building in San Diego. It blows my mind everyday with how incredible this blessing has been. 

I’ve been doing a lot of the typical California things that you “have to do.” Most noticeably I stuck my feet in the Pacific Ocean for the first time (during a night bonfire on the beach where they filmed the video for Stolen by Dashboard Confessional. The high school Saul in me was freaking out.)  

Also I ate here

It was good. But it’s no Whataburger.

Anyways, I think I’ll wrap this up. Again, sorry it took so long for me to get this up and running. I promise I will try and update this as much as I can. Until then…

Living the dream,
Saul