Later
We just got back from an amazing "wilderness" experience in lake Arrowhead, CA. Our class of 40 students became a community of believers and was trully beautifull to watch. Now on our one day off, we prepare to head into Chiapas, MX. Our minds are focused, our hearts are amplified and our spirits are strong in Christ. The mission is " To be an evangelistic force for Festival De Vida". We'll be back to a "normal" life in 2 weeks, so until then.....
Here I Come
If you have ever stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon you know what its like to stare into huge hole and wonder; why does it take your breath away? Many enjoy the beauty of the vast colors in the hills or the 6,000 foot drop to the bottom, I get stirred up when I think about hiking it. A 26 mile trek down steep cliffs with no guardrails and icy paths that border strait drop-offs that will fill your heart with fear and your eyes with splendor at the same time. But, I wont be setting out on this adventuer for at least a few months. For now I have the honor of serving the Lord in an amazing way. In 2 weeks there will be 100 students living in Chiapias, Mx for 14 days. We're all there to win people to Christ. All talents combine in local parks and town squares to evangelize the population and the first step is to draw a crowd, thats where I come in. Im in charge of the outreach band; a secular style group that plays popular American and Mexican hip-hop. We are "Los Devinos" and the larger the crowd we draw, the more people hear the Gospel, the more people come to the Lord. Thats my "Grand Canyon" I'm starin at. We have 1 week to learn 7 songs with only acoustic instruments. Pray for the people of Chiapas and for the band. Untill next time-
Tombstone
Some time ago, this classic VW bus cruised through towns, going to somewhere and coming from some place else. Who knows who drove it or for what reason. This relic could yeild story after story if she only had a voice. Now, in a final resting place she sits idle, bare, stripped of all the wild times and discoveries of the next road trip. This was a sad sight at first, almost like I was looking at a tombstone. Like countless others, Im sure in the middle of a trip down Route 66 she just reached her last mile of travel, and the owner pushed her out into a field and walked away, never to return. In a way this reminds me of the first 20 years of my life. Just crusin through, racking up storys and enjoying the scenery. But, somewhere along the way I was told that I was on the wrong road and that if I didnt get turned around, I would be lost forever. The new road could not be traveled in the comfort and ease I was used to and I would be provided no map, just a destination. I had to make a choice; leave everything you have on the side of the road and pursuit a new direction or wander even further on my current path and risk coming to the end of the road. In a way I guess this old VW is a tombstone, marking the end of a journey and reminding me of the new way that is available to all of us. As she sits there and rusts and falls back into the ground she came from, I wonder, where did this traveler end up ? Was this the end of the road, or just a memorial.
Back In Action
Well, I have been informed that there are still some diehard fans of Revivalroad, so with that in mind I have the duty and pleasure in serving up all the juicy details of these two Christian travelers
as we make our way down the path of life. Let me start by saying " Jesus is trully Awesome". Ever since we let go of our lives in Charleston, SC He has lead us in an amazing journey that no blog or even phone call could tell of. We left off (last blog) just after the trip to Korea. Since then we have Gone to Ensenata, Mexico for two weeks, collected 14,000 shoeboxes for Opperarion Christmas Child, graduated Horizon School of Evangelism (semester 1 ), spent 6 weeks in SC earning funds for the next semester, drove 3,000 miles across this beautifull country and restarted school (extremely abridged version). Our lives are rich, and trully satisfying. So often I share with this audience the effect of the impact of Christ's love in my life, others I share the impact of Christ in THEIR life (evangelism), and I want you to know that wherever and however and whatever we do in this day to day story is a reflection of His goodness of those who love Him. A new season has begun and we anticipate the coming days like the developing climax of a really good action movie. So, hold on to the edge of your seat and stay tuned as we roar down this open road, Revival Rd.
Kim Chee
It amazed me how many people were Asian. More than 99% in their country. A group of 50 or so foreigners took to the streets of S. korea to deliver a message of Hope. Why? The Korean gov. is not like ours at all. The people are rushed through their lives at lightning pace. Bussiness, production and education are the pulse of the culture. Asia has an alarming suicide rate as an effect of this and many other factors. Our Church was invited over because their local churches (for the first time ever) had a drop in membership. It was the youth, The Koreans didnt know how to relate to the next coming generation. So we showed them how its done. From big concerts in big venues to a street band in a train station, we traveled throughout Bucheon and Seoul inticing the youth to come to an event we called the Festival of Life. Once there we presented them with the Gospel. The local Churches were outdated for this state of the art and upcoming generation. When we met them on their own turf and stopped acting "churchy" they could very well relate to the thought that they needed a God to get them through and beyond this life. The main event was powerfull, the altar call was made and a flood of people gathered at the front of the stage in tears and humble before the maker of the Universe. I was trying to decide witch pictures to show in this story, and after reviewing the choices I discovered that I didnt take as many pics as I thought I should have. For 2 weeks I was on full throttle, trying to get Koreans to see the hope that was in me, the hope that they were not born with and didnt come from success either. Well, it was amazing. I will miss the people, perhaps not the food. Pretty much the whole team from the States caught a nasty little bug before we returned, so sorry for the delayed entry. Blog ya soon
I love the USA
We'll we just got back from South Korea yesterday and boy are we wiped out. Two weeks in Asia was amazing! If I had a lot of time I would tell you all the juicy details. However, I cought a cold the last few days we were there and I am still trying to recover. All the pics are on the way and I will blog in a day or two. Later-Jeff
Thank For Your Patience
Well, the response to my last entry was small, but I would rather share my life story with 2 or 3 dedicated people than a nation of people who are too busy or just not interested in the amazing journey we are on. And it is amazing. We spent the last week in the wilderness of Catalina Island, Ca. 25 miles of the west coast and 2,000 foot in elevation, this is a VERY secluded part of the world. 99 percent of the island is totally undeveloped and beholds great beauty. We backpacked 27 miles (about 50 pounds per person) in groups of 12 people. Each day was met with real challenges and rewards alike. The hikes were too much for some people, packs got doubled up on some of the men and keeping a positive attitude was a struggle. We left a camp in the morning together and arrived in the evening together and everything in between was done as a unit. It was very hard to let go of our independent state of mind, but the hike would never end if we failed to work together. Camp fires, mountain fog, starry nights, quietness.....6 days living in Gods wilderness was awesome. On the 16th we leave for South Korea for 2 weeks. This is a safe country to preach the Gospel in. I'm in the band (I love to say that), so I will be in parks and other populated areas playing loud pop-style music to draw a crowd, then we will present the Gospel to the same crowd and watch the Lord move time and time again throughout the 2 weeks. We are part of "The Festival of life" in that city. For a couple of weeks they have rented a large venue in the middle of Bucheon (a highly populated city 1 hour south of Soul) and are conducting crusade style events day after day. The crowds are estimated in the tens of thousands so please pray for the people of Bucheon. So here we go, I'm glad you are with us, the road is amazing and leading us ever greater destinations, we are thankful for our audience (even if only 3 people) and want you to know that you are watching two people who have let go of their own small, little story and are living the role that Jesus would have for us in His Huge, everlasting story. Till next blog, Jeff
