A Challenging Letter and A Challenging Next Step

**Be sure to visit my new website!**

A couple weeks ago, I sat down to write a newsletter to my wonderful family of supporters. I didn’t think it would be too hard, with so much to talk about. Knock this out in just a few minutes…. But then I sat down and put my fingers to the keyboard. And it went a little something like this…..

“Eleven countries, eleven months. Here we go.

…..

(Thinking)

…..

Hm. Well, there was the experience making bricks out of mud and dirt for a month to build an orphanage in the Peruvian Desert. . . Or the girls in Thailand we brought out of sex slavery. . . Or, I could write about the miraculous healings in Western Thailand. . . Or playing soccer with the Masai Tribe. Or maybe when we taught English and God’s love to one of the first generations of Cambodians since the Khmer Rouge genocide. . . How. Will. I. Do. This?”

So many stories. And yes, they were great, and I’d love to tell you about them someday in person. But, that’s all they are – stories.

The stories weren’t what my World Race was all about. They weren’t the heart of my trip around the world. They weren’t what made the trip worth taking or the sacrifice worthwhile. So I’ll save the stories for another blog or for just another time, and get right to the heart of my trip. Because that’s easy. The heart of my trip was God’s heart. Finding it. Struggling to do that, sometimes. Finding what it looks like. The characteristics. The beauty. The grace and love. And then, being his heart to the world.

When I returned home, the challenge was trying to tell friends and family about the trip, while getting past the stories and to that heart. So, there were questions like, ‘What did you get out of it?’ or, more commonly, ‘What did you learn?’

To answer those questions I had to go back to part of a blog I wrote in August of last year:

“The easy answer is: something changed in me. And on this trip, when something changes in me, it’s not really because I learned something. Learning something can only change your mind. It takes more than that to truly change.

In Ephesians, Paul writes, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints.” To change your heart, it takes finding God’s heart – My eyes opened.”

Following the question, ‘what did you learn’, usually came, ‘what’s next?’ I’m glad to say the answer to that is much simpler. Along the way on the World Race, I couldn’t help but discover new passions, even ones that I never imagined I would ever have. But I guess after seeing and going through so much, it’s inevitable.

To take the dreams of my heart and put those dreams into action, I will be attending a school designed to do just that: the G-42 Leadership Academy in Malaga, Spain.

“The 42nd generation is a network of Christ-followers with the mission to plant churches, businesses, & ministries to spread the Kingdom of God around the world – to inspire and develop leaders who are passionate about laying their lives down for Christ.”

Only 25 students are accepted into the Academy each semester, so the discipleship and teaching is very intentional. I will begin my 6-month training in the media course under Dutch Pastor Herman Haan, documentary filmmaker and author or five books, and in the non-profit course under Seth Barnes, founder of the World Race. I will also be apprenticing at G-42, focusing on discipleship, writing, and a desire to lead men into the greatness and honor they were meant to carry.

As a support-based missionary, I lean on my family of supporters to believe in me and my journey that began with a month-long trip to Haiti in 2010. Since then, knowing that my support family is believing and praying for me back home has helped me to get through challenging times. Please continue to pray for me – for any fear to be broken, to receive more of God’s love, and to give it back to his people. Your belief in me gives me strength.

For this next step of my ministry I am also relying on the Lord for financial provision. As well as purchasing a plane ticket, the cost of the school is $1,000 a month for six months, which covers classes, housing, meals, utilities, course work and textbooks. Please prayerfully consider continuing to support my ministry and current time of discipleship. I’m looking for monthly or one-time sponsors to partner with me for the next six months. Your donations will be tax deductible and can be made online here or sent to the G-42 main office. I will be regularly updating you from my blog here, and at my new website,www.kellengorbett.com. Be sure to check it out!

I’m honored to partner alongside such amazing people. I appreciate your hope, love and support, and look forward to continuing our impact in the Kingdom together!

(615) 596-3043

www.kellengorbett.com

G42 Address:

P.O. Box 130611

Houston, TX 77219-0611

Check Memo: Kellen Gorbett