Well…To be honest why it has taken me so long to write this blog is because I have no idea what to write! I do not no what to expect.
I have heard many things (here are a few of the most extreme):
“Your going to get leprosy and die”
“You will be martered over there because people who live in India hate Christians”
“This will be such an amazing expierence that you will never forget, you will not come back the same that you left.”
“They will not allow you to keep your dreads so just cut them off now.”
I do not care what I have heard, all I care about is getting as many souls as possible into the Lord’s massive Kingdom! Yes, I do believe that this trip will change my life. No, I do not believe that I am going to die, have to cut off my dreads, or catch leprosy.
I guess what this blog is really about is not what others are expecting but what I am expecting. I am expecting to reach the lost, broken-hearted, and hungry. I am expecting challanges. I am expecting to be broken, humbled, and healed on this trip. I am expecting to reach the nations for Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour! I am expecting to heal the lepers and to pray over anyone who needs it. I am expecting to go and help the dalites (hopefully that is spelled right). I am expecting to love on others as Jesus loves on us!
As I was writing this I thought “this is cool what am I expecting, but what is expected out of me?” That question is very valid to me. What is expected out of me? I am expected to love. I am expected to join the nations together. I am expected to fulfill the great commition. I am expected to open myself up for God to move in me. I am expected to love. I am expected to love. I am expected to love.
Here is a cool little story I once heard that really encouraged me to go out and focus on the little things, not just the big picture:
There was a boy on the beach. The beach was covered in starfish. Seeing this, the boy got sad and started saving the starfish’s lives by throwing them back in the ocean. A man walked up to the boy, and saw all the starfish. The man asked the boy, “Why are you trying to even save these starfish? You will never save them all.” The boy replied, “Yes, I may never save all of them but there is one more saved (as he throws a starfish in the ocean), and another one saved (throws another starfish in)”.
This story just encouraged me, as I hope it did to you. Let’s rise up, children of God! Let’s stop feeling bad for our surroundings and stop looking at the overwhelming truth about them. Let’s start looking at the overwhelming truth that our Lord can do anything, and that He wants to use us like never before as vessels to bring complete glory to His kingdom!Let’s start focusing on saving one starfish at a time! Let’s focus while we are in India, not on the horrible look of things, but, the amazing power that our God holds that He can transform it in a snap of a finger!
Blessings upon all of you children of God!
Kevin McKinnon
Kevin! Great blog! I must begin by saying, “Do no cut off your dreads. I repeat, Do not cut off your dreads.”
1. Because at training camp Myself and Maggie (another admissions representative want to see them – she has dreads too)
2. Because dreads are a wonderful creation and representation of God.
3. Read this blog about a girl that got dreads while she was on the field:
http://tarabruce.theworldrace.org/?filename=beautiful-tangled-knots-introduction1
It’s a six part series. You should read it all. 🙂
Anyways, enough about dreads, you are right. The key to understanding is repition, and truth is what you repeated. God’s love, if you let it, will shine through you. Christ is living in you brother and I can’t wait to see as you further the kingdom this next year. It’s getting close! I’m praying for you.
Barton Girdwood
Admissions Department
Kevin,
I am so proud of you and the story that you tell is sweet and very touching. I know you will do wonderful things there, and not come back the same as you left here today for your venture. You will have grown and learned and experienced new things in life. A wonderful opportunity for you, even tho I wanted you to stay home with us.
Love you Kev and proud of you !
Auntie Bren
Kev! okay i think by now you are on your way to amazing africa, i’m still soo jealous! i wrote you a letter but i really need to send it. I miss you tons already and hopefully these “seconds” will go by incredibly fast! I just realized that i’m listening to the song “rhab” hahah so wierd! Well i cant wait to take you to my new favorite coffee place ever and talk about your fantastic adventures your experiencing. The flowers are still beautiful but starting to die, so i think i’ll dry them and put them in my room 🙂 Some little words of encouragement: if when you eat the food over there, and it doesnt taste very wonderful…imagine it being a huge blue nami roll haha or mama’s tacos! MMMk well i have to go get ready for bed soon because i’m terrible exhausted, but i love you lotsss and i konw your going to have the time of your life. Write back whenever you can.
llllooooovvvveeeee, Chels!
My sweet darling Kevieee.. I cannot believe God has taken you so far away from us..We miss your beautiful face and precious smile.. I am here praying that our Father is keeping you safe and that you always know you have us whether your there or here.. we are your “other family”.. I will be stopping by to see your Dad and dropping something off.. I know you’ll be so busy caring and loving on those who need it, when you can let me know your wearing your sunscreen and thinking of this Mama cos’ you’re right here in my heart… I love you baby!!! XOXOXO Mama Cristina…p.s. come home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey kevy, i miss you. i hope that you are having an amazing time. Dad and i think about you all the time and can’t wait for you to come home. i was talking about you at work today and i just realized that you are going to be eighteen this year! crazy! i am so proud of the person you have become kevin. seriously! i know we don’t spend that much time together but i hope you know how much i love you and care about you. excited to see you when you come home and hear all about your admazing adventure. love april
hey kevein glad to see ur doing good. post a picture of u without dread i wana see !! lol talk to u soon
nick
YES! thank you so much…I read the blog and it is amazing…you definetly see her heart and it is very encouraging…Barton, you have stirred something new in my heart to grow my dreads down to my butt!!! haha jk…but thank you for the dread support…and life support at that! : )
blessings upon you, you man of God!
Kevin McKinnon
Hey Kev~
I pray for you every day and nite! I hope you are safe and God is with you. Please know how happy I am for you to fulfill this dream of yours and how very proud I am to be your mom. How was the loooong flight? Have you had any food? What kinds? What do you guys do on a daily basis? I miss you so very much. Are you feeling okay? Warm and Safe? Let me know what is going on okay Honey. I love you with all my heart and soul and miss you like crazy. I will write more after you blog. Lots of big hugs.
Love you,
Mom