If American Idol is any indication, the music industry in Birmingham is second to none. Two of the last four winners have come from Birmingham (Rueben and Taylor) and a third Birminghamian made the final two (Bo). Is the magic city now the new music city?

The taxi/bus strike only lasted one day (although there are rumors they will do it again) so I was able to go and visit San Miguel yesterday. It was great to get reaquainted with the kids who had become so much a part of us during our stay here last summer. I have surprised myself with my command of the spanish language. Not sure I would say I'm fluent, but I was able to carry on some pretty lengthy conversations. I have retained quite a bit of what I learned last year and it should only get better as the summer rolls on.

Being back in San Miguel reminds me of why I have so much wanted to continue working here. Poverty really stinks. I guess what really eats at me is feeling pretty confident that God gave adequate resources for all of us and yet, by most conservative estimates, over 75% of the world lives in extreme poverty. Shame on us.