8/17/11
Dearest friends,
I wanted to write and update all of you on some exciting things taking place in my life. Soon, I will embark on an 11 month journey across the globe to reach the lost, feed the hungry, shelter the poor, love the hurting, and spread God's kingdom! How, you ask? Well hopefully, with your support!
The breakdown:
- I'm selling $20 custom-made t-shirts to raise money
- I'm selling $30 durable self-designed, professionally-made photo books documenting the trip
- PRAYERS are greatly needed & appreciated on behalf of my entire squad
- Monthly and one-time donations of any amount are extremely needed/appreciated
There are many things regarding this trip that are currently unknown to me and overall only loosely planned in advance. With travel as well as missions, it's all about being adaptable and understanding that plans may constantly change. Although it might not always be the easiest of things to deal with out on the field, that's perfectly fine with me! I'm well aware that the Lord's got my back! Besides, regardless of how much control people think they have at any given time, it's never really true! I know all too well how one unplanned moment can change your entire world in an instant!
In talking with people over the last several months about this trip, I've been met with a lot of varying responses and levels of concern. Some people are excited and almost jealous of my journey ahead. Some people are scared about potential threats and nervous about the cost. Some people think I'm on some kind of unrealistic quest to save the world or full of naive dreams that will never come true. (Wrong!) Some people think this whole thing is gonna be some kind of vacation. (Wrong!) On the other side, some people are thankfully very much supportive and interested in helping this cause. (For those of you this applies to, I thank and love you more than you'll ever know!)
"You don't need to see the whole staircase, you just need to be willing to take the first step." MLK Jr You don't need to have everything in life figured out or planned step by step. . You just need to be willing to take the first step into wreckless abandonment! No matter how well you try to plan out your life, things are ALWAYS going to happen that catch you off guard! Oftentimes, the more flexible you are, the less thrown for a loop you'll be! If you can't be flexible when things are going well or easy, how in the world are you gonna handle having no choice in the matter when things are hard?! In a way, plans are just a false sense of control anyway, so cast off and sail away from the safe harbor. Join me on this journey into the vast unknown! The kingdom needs you… are you willing to answer your call? Like Isaiah, I've already made the first step by saying, "Here I am Father. Send me." Will you help me down the staircase i can't yet see? It's not my own will but HIS ultimate will that shall be done! It's ultimately not about me at all, it's about reaching my lost brothers and sisters around the world.
