Its hard to believe that in one month, I will be jumping on a plane and leaving America. Goodbye TV, bed, flushing toilet, and readily available food; Hello Bible, tent, holes in the ground, and rice with beans! As I began filling my backpack, I realized that after the tent and
sleeping bag, there really isn’t much space for anything besides the
most bare necessities. I concluded there is only room for 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants for this entire 11-month trip (in 4 completely different climates).
sleeping bag, there really isn’t much space for anything besides the
most bare necessities. I concluded there is only room for 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants for this entire 11-month trip (in 4 completely different climates).
This whole process has really got me thinking about what I actually need to survive. There are so many things that I have been spoiled with my whole life–luxuries that I supposedly can’t live without. Although it was a difficult decision, I have had to make some cuts. Sorry mr. electric razor, comb, soap dish, floss sticks, contacts, pillow, second pair of shoes. You guys didn’t make the cut. I am sure you all will enjoy the year packed away inside a box in my parent’s garage. Deodorant, shampoo, toothbrush, backup glasses; consider yourselves honored to have been deemed worthy of limited packing space. But for my concerns for scaring off people I encounter abroad, you too might have been left behind.
Although I have been out of the country for months here and there, and done plenty of camping–it was always short term. I could
always find comfort in the fact that I would soon be returning to hot
showers, soft beds and plenty of good food. Its finally
starting to hit me that all those “necessities” I am so accustomed to are going to disappear for almost a year. I remember as a kid watching the TV show Survivor, a show in which a bunch of normal
people are thrown onto an island with practically nothing but rice and
expected to survive in the wild. Periodically, the contestants would
win rewards such as a warm shower or normal food and the contestants
behaved as if they had won the lottery. And those contestants were only on the show for 2 months! Soon I suspect that I too will be willing to trade a day’s worth of labor for 1 night in a bed.
always find comfort in the fact that I would soon be returning to hot
showers, soft beds and plenty of good food. Its finally
starting to hit me that all those “necessities” I am so accustomed to are going to disappear for almost a year. I remember as a kid watching the TV show Survivor, a show in which a bunch of normal
people are thrown onto an island with practically nothing but rice and
expected to survive in the wild. Periodically, the contestants would
win rewards such as a warm shower or normal food and the contestants
behaved as if they had won the lottery. And those contestants were only on the show for 2 months! Soon I suspect that I too will be willing to trade a day’s worth of labor for 1 night in a bed.
To top it all off, I am having to pay my own way–sacrificing a year of lawyer wages–in order to rent a plot of dirt and volunteer my time and labor for the sake of people I don’t even know. To the world, this seems like a pretty crazy thing to do. I should be moving my way up the corporate ladder and trying to make Partner so that I can pay off my loans, buy a house, start investing money for my kid’s education and my retirement, and ultimately have a comfortable life for myself and my family… Well, after investing 7 years to my education and career, I’ve decided I really should start focusing on preparing for life after I retire. Although I already have a pretty good benefits package–a room already prepared for me for eternity, unending joy, and solid dental–I want to ensure that I have as many neighbors as possible. 
God has called me to take a big step back from all my assumptions about what I think I need and to show me that if I just keep my eyes on Him, he can provide me with all that I need. I know the disciples weren’t alone in their ministry. They relied on the help of others to house them and feed them and provide prayer support. I really pray that some of you reading this can be that support and partner in this trip with me. Together, we can share God’s love with people on over four different continents. I will be taking pictures and videos and chronicling everything that happens via my blog, so that you will know exactly what is happening and can experience the joys (and pains) right along side me.
Thanks to an incredibly generous sponsor, all funds raised will be matched! That means that if you donate 100 dollars, it will become 200 dollars. Even a $20 donation becomes $40 dollars and moves me a another step closer to my goal. Based on the matching funds, I need to raise at least $3,285 this month. That means I need 33 of you to donate 100 dollars via the Support me tab on the top left. It only takes a minute and you will earn my eternal appreciation, (not to mention your treasures in heaven!) Plus, its all tax deductible! I thank you guys so much for all your help thus far and have been really amazed (to the point of tears) at all my friends, family and even non-Christians and strangers who have contributed so far. I really pray that I will be a worthy steward of your generosity and make a powerful impact on God’s Kingdom this year.
Forever your servant,
Brian
