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The Story of a Lifetime Part 1



The Story of a Lifetime Part 1

I woke up this morning to the rushing waters of the Nile River. I slowly got out of my sleeping bag and crawled out of my tent. I walked over to the edge of the balcony and just gazed into the majestic views of the longest river on earth and began to ponder life.

 I just finished reading a book entitled A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. All throughout the book he talked about life being a unique story, a story that demands a character that overcomes conflict and yields reward. I started to think about my life and my story. I started to wonder if my life were a movie, would I want to watch? Well actually, I first questioned if others would want to watch my life on the big screen but then I realized that I am not living this life for anyone other than the Lord; so, then I questioned if I would want to watch and would it please the Lord?


 Miller expanded on the idea of conflict and reward. Essentially, he reiterated the age-old idea: the greater the risk, the greater the reward. He explained that in order to add excitement to a story that there needs to be an element of risk. No one wants to read about the man that stood on the bank of the Nile and watched the rapids ferociously devour everything that entered its path. They want to read about the man who took a risk and challenged the beast. They want to read about the man who got into a raft and conquered class five rapids.  

 So, I had a decision to make. I had the choice to be the man that stood on the bank of the Nile or I had the choice to be the man that conquered the rapids. If you knew my personality, then you would know that I would never pass up an opportunity to experience something so incredible. I decided to be the man that would enter the mouth of the Nile River.

 

To be continued...

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It Doesn’t Need to Be Thanksgiving to Be Thankful



It Doesn't Need to Be Thanksgiving to Be Thankful

 I was on the phone with my parents the other day talking about possible return dates, so we could schedule a flight home for Thanksgiving. It is hard to imagine that in three and a half months we will be at home celebrating Thanksgiving with our family and friends. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a bit homesick. I spent the rest of the day thinking about that Thanksgiving meal: the green bean casserole, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, the yams, the vegetable platters, the deviled eggs, the pumpkin pie, the jello dishes, and of course, the turkey. But then, I started to think more about the people that made each of these amazing dishes than the actual dishes themselves.

 I started to think about my dad who would take me to the local practice fields when I was younger just to go toss the football around and then take me to get a slurpee. I started to think about all the late night movies and market runs that we would make together. I started to think just how fortunate I was to have a father that was so involved in my life.

 I started to think about my mom who always puts my needs before her own. I started to remember all the fun we would share in the short-trips down to San Diego or Malibu. I started to think about the times when she would have to go into work but still needed to watch me; so, she would bring me into work, set up a movie in the conference room, and get me breakfast from McDonalds. I started to think just how grateful I was to have such a deep agape love from my mother.

 I started to think about my aunts, uncles, and grandfather who would treat me as if I was one of their own. I started to think about all of my cousins who are basically my siblings. I started to think about all of my friends who would drop anything just to help me if I ever asked. As I thought about these blessings, I thanked God for such an incredible group of family and friends. I am reading a book called Boundaries and it states that one of the greatest desires in life is to build relationships. I have those relationships and could not be more thankful. The Bible says that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for someone. I would definitely lay down my life for my family and friends without hesitation because I have the greatest love for them. So, I don't need to wait for Thanksgiving in order to be thankful for such a blessing. I love you all so much and cannot wait to see you all soon!

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Slightly Different from Church Back Home



Slightly Different from Church Back Home

            After a ten-minute walk from our house, through the sandy roads of Moshiba, we arrived at the Malanatha church.  It always intrigues me to see the differences between cultures, lifestyles, and even churches as we travel from country to country. Below are a list of differences between my current church and my church back at home.


                                           Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania                     Agoura Hills, USA     

Length of Service              4 hours                                                     1 hour

Congregation Size           20 ppl                                                        5,000 ppl

Type of Worship                Extreme Evangelical                              Conservative


Prayer Focus                      Freedom of Witchcraft/Demons            Strength in Spiritual Journey

Types of Ministries            Door-to-door                                             Habitat for Humanity


 We are all so different yet all play such a vital role in the kingdom. In order to reach the people in Tanzania, a certain type of ministry, worship, and prayer needs to be practiced; and in order to reach the people in Agoura Hills, a different type of ministry, worship, and prayer needs to be practiced. Thank God for our differences and our strengths.            

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Busia, Kenya Video



Busia, Kenya Video

I thought it would be better to explain my time in Busia, Kenya through a video. I hope you enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed making the video.


*Sorry about the quality. I will try to upload a better version once I get some better Internet but we don't have much quality Internet here in Africa.



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Country #7: Tanzania



 Country #7: Tanzania

It is hard to believe that we are already entering month seven of this journey. My team and I spent 14 hours on a bus traveling from Nairobi, Kenya to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

  We are working with a local pastor sharing the message to the congregation as well as the surrounding community. So far, I have had the chance to speak with the youth in the church as well as share at the Wednesday night service.

 We were recently blessed with the opportunity to travel to Zanzibar, as our pastor visited a team in another region. Although the trip was brief, it was an incredible opportunity to travel some place new and experience yet another culture.


  I do have to admit that fatigue is beginning to set in as we begin our second month in Africa. During our first month, 10 out of 14 of our teammates were struck with malaria, 2 of those teammates that were infected with malaria were also hit with typhoid, and one team member had malaria, typhoid, and pneumonia. Furthermore, one of my immediate teammates was recently sent home because of an ailment that was not properly treated by the doctors here in Africa. I have been blessed with great health and have not had to endure any sicknesses so far on this trip. Will you all please keep these team members in prayer and pray for renewed strength for all the missionaries on this trip as we head into the last leg of our mission?

  Currently, my team is not all together as some are still back in Nairobi receiving treatment and resting. We are hoping that we will be back together within the week and will be able to finish our month in Tanzania strong. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I hope that you are all doing well and that the Lord is making His face shine upon you. May God bless you all.

 

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The Simple Life



The Simple Life

  After an interesting bus drive from Kitale to Busia, I arrived to something more than just another ministry site but another lifestyle. Although I was mindful to the fact that we would be living a simple life at some point during this trip, it still proved to be a bit of a shock compared to life at home.

 

 I was in desperate need of doing laundry, so I asked where I might be able to wash my clothes; I was directed to a bucket on the front lawn. I soon learned that the water needed to fill the bucket came from a well on the side yard. Our contacts informed us that we were not to use any water from the tap because it may be disease ridden. So, every time we wash our hands, brush out teeth, wash the dishes, or take a shower; we need to drop the bucket down the well and pull up water free of disease. This is our first exposure to bucket showers and although I don't feel as clean, it does the trick. Finally, due to the scare of mosquitoes and the various diseases they carry, we are to spend our nights under a mosquito net. Although it can be difficult getting adjusted to this lifestyle, I am grateful for the opportunity to live as the people do here in Kenya, such a different yet amazing life.

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Country #6: Kenya



Welcome to Kenya

As we arrived at the airport in Nairobi Kenya, memories began to flood my mind. I walked through the terminal and remembered sitting in the same exact seat three years ago waiting for a delayed flight with my cousin. I remember purchasing something from a shop and then having my cousin inform me to rip up my receipt because the entire credit card number was printed on the receipt. I never thought that I would be back in this airport, let alone within a few years. Although I was excited even at the thought of visiting Africa again, when I stepped on African soil it was such an incredible feeling. I just hope that Africa loves us just as much as we love Africa and none of us have to experience any severe sicknesses.

 

  We spent our first few days at the Milmani Backers Hostel in Nairobi to hold a debrief covering the last few months in Asia. Although it is meant to be a time of rest, it was absolutely crazy. However, it was great to see everyone. We have since departed to our respective ministry sites to start month six. I still can't believe just how fast this trip has gone so far. This month we will be working with Deliverance Church in a variety of areas: construction, evangelism, preaching, and other service projects. We will not have much Internet connection so I wanted to be sure to send out at least one post.

 

So, this was from the last time in Kenya with my cousin Megan, but I don't have any current pictures yet and I wanted to give you something.

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Everything is Futile



Everything is Futile


"People don't know whether to expect love or hate. Everything lies ahead of them. Everything is the same for everyone: there is one fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner, as for the one who takes an oath, so for the one who fears an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: there is one fate for everyone (death)" - Ecclesiastes 9:1-3


Solomon speaks on the futility of life: the emptiness of pleasure, the emptiness of possessions, the emptiness of work, the relative value of wisdom, etc. What is the meaning behind it all? After the loss of my brother, I truly began to ask these difficult questions. What is the goal of life? What are we to do here on earth? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why were my prayers unanswered?


"When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the activity that is done on earth, I observed all the work of God and concluded that man is unable to discover the work that is done under the sun. Even though a man labors hard to explore it, he cannot find it; even if the wise man claims to know it, he is unable to discover it" - Ecclesiastes 8:16-17


Well, that was not the answer that I wanted to hear; I wanted to understand why. It is hard for me to remain content with, "Let it be". Honestly, I am a bit confused because we are also instructed to seek wisdom and knowledge. Are those not contradictory thoughts: seek understanding but you will never understand? I know that I will never cease in my search for truth. Sometimes I may receive an answer that I understand, other times I may receive an answer that I don't understand, and still there will be times where I may have yet to receive a response. As we search for truth in our lives, it is important to remember "there is no end to the making of many books and much study wearies the body. When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil" - Ecclesiastes 12:12-14. So, as I endure this state of being discontent with answers, I realize the importance of remaining obedient and upholding faithfulness.

 

"The journey begins in darkness but ends in light, but it is important to recognize that even behind the darkest cloud God is smiling down on those who remain obedient and faithful."

- Summarization of When God Turns off the Lights,

Cecil Murphey

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Fighting Fires...Literally!



Fighting Fires

  The last few weeks have been anywhere from the 90 to 100 degree weather; the last few days have been around 104. Just yesterday it got a bit hotter though when we had to put out a brush fire. We were playing a card game of golf, when the neighbor ran over and told us that the property, which is a few miles away, was on fire. We quickly changed our clothes, loaded 20 people into a truck that normally holds 10 people, and raced over to the site. When we arrived we were met with clouds of smoke and few different flames covering the property. We quickly grabbed any buckets, water lines, pick axes, hoes, rakes, etc. and tried to tend to the flames. The goal was not so much to fight the fire, as it was to prevent the fire from burning the new house that was just recently built for the girls of Remember Nhu. We were fortunate enough to actually prevent the flames from burning anymore and allowed the flames to burn itself out. I have never had to fight a fire before but it is the world race and anything can happen. 


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Support John Smith



Hey Everyone,
 My friend John Smith needs to raise an additional $4,000 by the end of this month in order to continue this mission. The men on our squad created a video just to show how much he means to us and how vital he is to our team. If you feel led to help fund John, please visit his blog at jonathansmith.theworldrace.org.  Thank you so much for following my blog and all of your encouragement. 


Support John Smith from Trevor Curington on Vimeo.

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