I've been blown away. Yet again.
And even saying that is not giving it enough justice.
I am completely and utterly blown away by how much God loves me. How He allows me to see through His eyes at times. How He allows me to love as He loves. How He calls me His son. How He pulls me from my past sin and struggle and turns the ashes into beauty again through the unlikeliest of processes. I know there's so much that is still be learned in my walk with God, but to be walking in the consistency of confidence in Him is the most freeing experience I've had in my life. For I've seen the glory of His love…and it's beautiful.
For the past three months, I've been able to see a large part of Asia. It wasn't a coincidence that Asia was on my squad's route. Simply put, the place touched me. It touched me at my core. More than anyone will ever realize. Going into Thailand and ending now in Cambodia, I never would have thought that giggles, high pitch screams and smiles from random strangers would move me as much as they have. In each face, I never once saw a person not good enough to love, but I saw a perfect creation made in His image to His likeness.
I can't begin to say how hard it'll be for me to leave Asia in a few days, but I know that what I will take with me will serve as a cornerstone for my future. A foundation to love the people I meet from this point forward better because of it. The freedom and authority I walk in now will change the lives of those around me forever.
Dear Asia,
Growing up, I never really understood much about the world. And I never understood anything that happened in my life. Nothing really ever made sense to me…then I came here and all of that changed. For that, I can only say thank you.
Thank you.
In the three months we've been together, you just didn't show me the world…you gave it to me.
In Thailand, you blessed me with redemption through the most precious hearts I've ever seen. In Malaysia, you blessed me with beauty unparalleled through the faces of a community. And in Cambodia, you blessed me with your heart. Not just for a month, but forever. Through each smile of all those searching for something deeper, I got a piece of your heart to treasure for the rest of my life.
With each step I took, you molded and refined me into more of the man God has called me to be. You transcended everything I've ever sensed and everything I've ever known. There's no thought or measure that could grasp what you've thrown at me.
When I was working with Remember Nhu in Thailand two months ago, I wrote that the kids there were able to pour out a love that is unlike anything I've ever felt. Then I felt it in Malaysia. And now I feel it in Cambodia. The words, “I love you”, which usually are so hard for me to let go of seemingly flowed off my lips time and time again these past few months because of each and every little thing you did. Those things and moments are forever etched into my heart and are more than a memory, they are the fresh air that gives my soul life.
When you finally get around to reading this letter, I'll probably be on a plane heading to Africa. I'll be starring out into the distance with tears streaming down my cheek like they are right now as I type this very sentence. It will inevitably be different and difficult for me…and it needs to be. That's okay. In that, I want you to know you're coming with me everywhere I go from this point forward. You're my cornerstone. And I promise you when I encounter those in Africa and later in Nepal and India that I'll love them like you deserve to be loved every day. I know I can make this promise because of the love of the Father in me. These three months of being with you has taught me more than I'll ever be able to fully convey. The love God blessed me with through you stirred my emotions and touched my soul to the very core. In doing so Asia, you gave me a new heart. His heart.
And with His heart, I gave you His love.
Everyday.
Everyday I gave 100% of the love I have for you.
However you find His love during the time I'm gone, please don't run from it. But don't chase it either. Be patient and love will come upon you when you least expect it, like you, like spending the last three months of my life with the sweetest and most joyful people in the world.
Sorry, America…
…but this is home…
So to Nee, (Pay)Fhone, Ma Nim, Nhu, Jordan, Erica, Gim, Nice (Bababobo), Mike and Margie, Tracy and Dan, Pat and Forrest, Nan, Ploy, The Kumar's, Joey, Aiena, Sah, Auntie and Uncle, Siew Chin, Josaphine, Srey Pov, Naomi, Lan, Tam, Peanut, Srey Nech, Vandy, Te, Cheata, Roat, Rachel, Chan Thea, Girl, Neat, Bohpa, Yuy and so many others…
…thank you one last time…
In three months, you showed me the whole world and then you gave it to me.
As my journey keeps going, I am blown away at the thoughts of what God has in store for me. I will never be the same because you were you. This is not goodbye at all, it's just see you later. No thoughts, no measure, and no words can grasp the elation that your beauty threw to me. I love you as I write this and I love you as you read this.
"You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" – Matthew 5:14,16.
Despite not wanting to leave Asia so soon, I have to as my squad and I are heading to Africa in a day to continue to love on the least of these. I am still a little bit away from being fully funded to continue the rest of this incredible journey. If you'd like to partner up with me financially…you can do so two different ways and now would be the PERFECT time.
First, you can click the "Support Me!" tab on the left of my blog and it will take you directly to the website to donate by credit card. Secondly, if you'd like to partner up with me by check, you can do that as well! Make it out to AIM and on the memo line write CRANFORDKENT
Send it to:
Adventures In Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA, 30353-4470
Each and every donation goes 100% towards helping me show the love of Christ and to expand the Kingdom of the living God.
Thank you and much love all around!
