Heavy traffic squeezes its way around road construction projects. Billboards compete for the exploding mobile phone market. Young women and men compete for the best university spots and a chance to participate in an economy bursting with double-digit GDP growth. Street vendors push products from around the world and the weekend newspapers feature the new Ipad 2. A commercial break in the radio reminds listeners of tonight's local version of "American Idol" before another rap song.

It's a cool evening in a bustling capital city swelling with immigrants from the rural areas, struggling to cope with the growing challenges of the great city- pollution, crime and growing red-light district.

It is not Shanghai- it is Kabul, 2011.

And contrary to public perceptions, we aren't dodging bullets, or meeting angry glares with our western looks. In fact, we are having an evening of good food and fun with friends.

No one should minimize the challenges this country faces. It has tough roads ahead and deep problems. But somehow, I think the media's given us all the ugly stuff. The truth is the country is probably better off today than it has been three decades ago. There is more democracy here than many countries in the Middle East. They have better trafficking laws than New Zealand and a better real estate outlook than most of the US.

It is not easy for Hagar to work in Afghanistan. Not too long ago, an organization engaged in human rights issues, with transparent faith-based principles and largely western funding and leadership would not have been allowed. For some extremist, these credentials are as good as painting a target on our backs.

But they don't represent the views of most Afghans. And this is the bigger story- the warmth and support we experience from so many here.

Every country has its corners of hell, that in silent desperation, we try to ignore. But Hagar has the courage to confront that hell one dark story at a time. And when people see the hope they say, "Yes, this is good and right. We want to stand with you."

The risks are real as they are everywhere we confront the darkest of human conditions. But we don't face the angry mobs the media wants us to see. We are supported by so many in the government and the community.

And we have a great team of staff that bring new meaning to Hagar's core value- Courage.