NOTE: I have based my first entry off a letter (with slight modifications) I sent to Mr. Tarte, who is graciously supporting me financially by offering $3,800.
Family and friends,
It has been said that life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. I choose to live the former.
This summer, 10 members (including myself) of various racial, cultural, and educational backgrounds in the United States will join a community in Africa for seven weeks to engage with young Africans. We will be assigned a project starting at the grassroots level with the opportunity to forge an everlasting bridge of friendship, a deeper understanding of a foreign lifestyle, and appreciate the intricate web of social, economical, and political design of a small community. I am going to partake on this journey and am inviting you to partner with me through your prayers.
Operation Crossroads Africa is a nonprofit organization found in 1958 by Dr. James H. Robinson. The program is designed to promote understanding of Africa and African Diaspora based on the belief that one can truly enter another culture by living and working in it. Over the past 50 summers, Operation Crossroads Africa has sent over 11,000 persons to more than 40 African countries. Each participant has learned more about themselves through the program and honed invaluable experiences that have surely impacted their lives forever.
As a Crossroader (pun intended), I will be living in close quarters, cooking outdoors over a wood fire, and eating a modest diet. The pressure of communal living with a diverse group in a foreign environment may be overwhelming and intense at times, but I believe the experiences and adventures gained in Africa will leave an indelible memory in my life.
I am writing so that you may join in on this daring summer adventure of mine. Through your prayers I hope to do God's work and come back to the states safely. I will, hopefully, (depending on internet access in Africa) be updating this blog throughout the summer so that I may share my experiences with you.
Lastly, I will be leaving Texas to New York to attend orientation on June 16, 2009. Orientation will last for 3 days. Afterwards, I will be leaving the states on June 19, 2009 and will be coming back August 9, 2009. (This is for you Paul! :P) I thank you all for your kind support and prayer. I wish the best of luck to everyone this summer and hope to see ya'll soon! :D
Sincerely yours,
John Kim
May God bring you back to us safely and full of more hope and love to share with us and our community.
ReplyDeleteThe difference you make in your journey is not going to be measured by what you did in that summer, but what man you will become using those experiences and actions.
Be safe in not only your body (MALARIA), but also in your good heart, as well as your spirit and personal relationship with God, all of which will be strained over in that distant land.
I love you very much and I wish I could go with you but they probably want people with actual expertise so I'll stay here and pray for you and miss you everyday even though you don't miss me.
I'm so excited for your experience and can't wait to see the maturity that will grow from it. I'll pray for you every day while you are there and read your updates. You're doing a great thing and may God's glory be shone through your actions. I can't wait to hear your stories when you come back! Be safe, and we are supporting you here in Texas! :)
ReplyDeletei loveee youuu have a safe trip john :) ill be praying for you :) keep me updated ^__^
ReplyDeletei <3 you more than stina!!! hehe
ReplyDeleteare you happy? i finally read your blog! ;)
you better record everything you do! i want DETAILS SON! DETAILS! and PICTURES!!!! i expect you to take pictures of a giraffe, camel and a lion!! (plus any cool animals/plants/things you see on the way) and scenary pictures!!!
be safe john!!! use that pepper spray i gave you! hehe
i'm gonna pray for you every night until ur back :) love u!!!!!!
p.s. maybe, when you come back, you'll finally be a man!!! ( w/a deep voice!) you can be the next BIG JOHN!! hahaha.
hahahaha.. oh maxie.. =P
ReplyDeleteJOHN!! =)
just be yourself - just the way God made you.
k?
-Taeyoung
Hey, John!
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you as you prayed for me when I was in Nicaragua. Totally depend on God and surrender everything! Then, God will use you mightily.
Blessing,
Jeremy
hi! i love you more.
ReplyDeleteOBVIOUSLY BECAUSE IM COMMENTING TWICE. =) AND BECAUSE I INTRODUCED YOU TO CAIN AND ABEL. im sooo goooddd ^_____^