Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas… I know I did! I spent time wth my family everyday this week almost. We actually decided on not giving gifts this year and concentrating on spending time with family and growing in our relationships… and it worked!

So today is Sunday the 27th of December. To get into the feeling of backpacking and living by local means… I wore my Chocos (sandals) with shorts and a t-shirt along with my large internal frame pack around town. When I say around town I walked all around Newport Beach for a few miles to the bus stop. Took the bus for 45 minutes to Costa Mesa then walked another 2.5 miles to church. I have been here praying all day and chatting with teammates via Skype followed up by a dinner with one of the pastors at Rock Harbor Brian Rottschafer.

 
Coming up this Tuesday night I have a deadline of $2,250 more in support that is due. And after todays talks and prayer sesh I feel at ease and confident about the direction God is sending me. The passage I have been dwelling on is Matthew 5:26-35 — namely not to worry about tomorrow and enjoy and delight in the Lords blessings today!
 
So I wanted to touch bases with all of you and reiterate the past 6 months leading up to this and why I feel called to do this excursion.

I want to see what God has created us to see. I want to know what God has revealed to each man, woman, and child on Earth. I want to know why I feel so entitled when such injustice is taking place all around me.
 
By laying down my desires, my wants, my entitlements… to God. I am praying that He will show me what life is. What he created it to be! I can honestly say that this years trials and the preparation for this trip alone has been more than enough for me to never come back. Never will I come back to normal life in Orange County – possibly even the United States
.
 

I am asking for you all to see my passion and heart to seek God and see His Kingdom come… to glorify and honor Him. I am setting aside not only this coming 11 months to serve but the rest of my life. This trip isn’t the answer for me. It is a vehicle. A vessel to get me started and get me going. This, I am praying, will break my heart for what breaks His.
 
I ask you to pray about supporting me. I know that God will put on someones heart to donate. I know I will be going. Money is not an issue for God. Our hearts are! It is said that the fastest way to see someones heart is to look at their check-book! What if we made a change as a people and as a nation as to what our hearts really conveyed!
 
 
 
Here it is — $2,250 needed by the end of Tuesday. I leave this coming Sunday night and still need to pay for international health insurance ($390) and my yellow fever shot ($90). As well as another $250 to cover some smaller items for the trip.
 
 
Last thing I ask is this. Donate anonymously! Do it in the quietness of your heart. I don’t want to know. Also when you donate online it is tax deductible! If you would like to purchase some items and still stay anonymous please contact

my Mom Laura at  — (714)-404-4111— and she will get the support to me. 

So guys take a second and ask yourself if you want to be a part of this story. If you want to be a part of Gods Kingdom showing up in the orphanages in Cambodia and the back alleys of Thailand, the streets of Kiev and the plains of Kenya. Take part in an adventure unlike any other. I need your support and your prayers to get going and to see me through! 

Tell your friends and family! Email them this blog and tell them to watch the videos. Gods story will be amazing this year. 

Love you guys and enjoy the New Years!

gtm
 
skype — theNBsandman