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June 15, 2007- My trip to Brazil My beloved family and friends, Some of you already know, but for those of you that don't, I'm going on a mission's trip through my church, Reston Bible Church, to Brazil from June 23rd through July 9th. RBC supports a missionary, Lynne McLeavy, down there who lives in a very impoverished community at the city dump in a town called Benevides about 20 or so miles east of Belem in northern Brazil very near the equator. Our team's main goals with be to minister to the kids and families of the community that Lynne has integrated with and also to do repairs/build on an archaic water supply infrastructure and run down buildings. You can find more info at RBC's site. Suffice to say, I am very excited at this opportunity and really look forward to being able to bless Lynne, this community in Benevides, and RBC. I've already shared my desires for going with a few of you, but I'll try to relay them here also. I've added some pictures throughout of the place we'll be going to and the kids and people we'll be living with and helping.  
It's been my desire to go on a church-sponsored mission's trip, specifically an international one, since I was very young. Seeing some of my family members go share the Gospel abroad in word and deed always spurred me on, not only to share Christ in word and deed, but also a desire to see the "real" world, outside our bubble, albeit a big one, of single-family homes, BMW's, and satellite TV. This was never something I felt I was "obligated" to do, or something I needed to check off my "Christian To-Do List" - it's just been an inward desire as a result of God's blessings in my life both physically and spiritually. I've never wanted to "force" it just to do it, but have relied on God's specific and confirming call.   
Throughout high school and college I seemed to always be too busy with sports activities, work, or vacations to go on a trip and it wasn't until I got back from VT that I started to consciously and somewhat consistently pray about God providing me with a mission opportunity, whether short term or even long. A few years passed and a few things came and went, but nothing really struck a chord with me or seemed to work out practically. A lot had to do with my inactivity in the local church, which was merely my own selfish pride - but perhaps God knew I wasn't "ready" yet. I'm not sure. Either way, the first very feasible opportunity that I came across was back when Hurricane Katrina hit and RBC was sending monthly teams down there to a sister-church to assist in any way possible, which mostly consisted of manual labor - which I was very much interested in because that is one facet of service that I feel I can greatly and tangibly contribute to. And though I looked into going with one of their teams, it just never materialized. Again, I'm not exactly sure why. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that it was more like a "service" project then a "missions" trip.  
So about two or so months ago, they announced this Brazil trip at RBC during the service and instantly my interest was piqued and my soul was wakened. Even after that first announcement I know God was calling me to at least consider it. And so I did. I kept checking the trip updates and went to an informational meeting and even though a lot of practical things and details hadn't been worked out yet on my end and theirs, it wasn't long before I knew God was calling me to commit, be obedient, and go on this trip; and that he'd work out all the details. Because of that early assurance, I've felt completely at peace and excited about this. I didn't really know anybody else going personally beforehand, but the Keith of today is ok with that now. I know I will make friends and bond in no time. A lot of the other people are parents and teenagers so it will be interesting and I'm sure fun being sort of "in-between".  
Financially speaking, I committed to this trip fully feeling called to go by God which meant I was sold out to it, literally. I didn't care if I received a cent of charity; I was going no matter what it cost me because I knew God was in it. Yet God, in his sovereign grace, eventually blessed me with so much gracious charity that his mercy and holiness blew me away. So I thank all of you who God used to bless me. I pray and hope you experience his blessing also. Ultimately though, you're prayers are my most valuable support. I thank you for them. 
Thank you all for reading this and for the prayer I know you'll give to me. Rest assured, you can expect a full photo/multimedia presentation on my website when I get back. Our team leader will send out updates while on our trip I believe so if you haven't already received word that you're on that update list, just email me before the 23rd and I'll have you added to it. Have a great weekend everyone! All praise, honor, and glory to the One who has ransomed us from sin and death, Jesus Christ, our Savior, Love, Keith   
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