To say that my dinner tonight was a blessing would be an understatement. Tonight, I was able to join Kyle and his wife, along with Daniel and Becky, and we just talked about the Kingdom of God. I was so encouraged to see this strong framed guy begin to tear up as he talked about the power of God in his life and how his whole definition of the church was shifting. He had been blessed with a true experience from God and now he just wanted to push and encourage everyone else to seek the same.
Several months ago, Kyle and his wife did something they said they would never do. He has been working his way up in Exxon and laid a pretty good path for himself. While he has been a strong member of his church and heavily involved with his small group, he knew the mission field was never really a place for him. He told himself that there are missionaries out there and there are people that send them. Kyle was more than happy to write the checks and be the sender. That was until a few months ago.
Almost reluctantly, Kyle made the decision to head out to Africa to just fulfill his duty. The second he stepped on the plane, his life would never be the same. He headed out into the bush of Kenya and to some of the most impoverished places on the planet. One of his biggest fears, like many others out there, is that once he saw this, he could never go back to his normal life. Well, part of that is true, and Kyle met it head on. It’s impossible to see what he saw and experience true hope in the middle of hopelessness and escape unchanged. He would truly never be the same.
When he came home, Kyle was filled with a new passion for the word, love, and hope of God. These kids he saw had no reason to hope except Jesus, and he realized how powerful that was. Immediately, he had a message to share with others and Kyle couldn’t stay quiet about it. While most people have this mountain top experience and slowly work their way back down, Kyle has been actively fighting not to lose ground. Being in DC, in the midst of so much poverty, he sought out how to help his neighbors. In a few weeks, he’ll be starting a mentoring program for inner city kids, and in a couple of months he’ll do a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and share the Gospel in his own hometown.
People often ask me how they can support the ministry. They often want to know who to make the check out to and how to send it. Now that’s incredible and hugely needed, but I often have a different response. If you truly want to make a valuable donation, fill that check out to Priceline and come with me. I believe, without a doubt, you will not only impact the people you come to serve, but you will experience an unconditional love that seems to only be written about. If you want to make a true investment, come with me and return home to tell your stories.
Kyle has a good life and a solid ministry in his company. Part of his worry was that he would be called to sell and leave everything and head out to the mission field. That’s not always the case. Often times, God just wants to give you a testimony to shout out and tell to others. This is hard for me to say, but sometimes it’s easier to just write a check. Again, they will always be accepted, but my bigger dream is to have you join me. Let’s go see hope in the middle of hopelessness that is only explained by a God that loves us. Just think about it…
