An abrupt thud rattled the door, breaking the somewhat peaceful silence…and then another followed. The single bulb of light that illuminated the cramped, concrete chamber suddenly went off leaving me in complete darkness. The mischievous sound of giggles trailed off into the dorm and then multiplied. After a few seconds passed I finally shouted at the top of my lungs, “Kennedy! Joseph! I can hear you laughing! Get over here now and turn the stinkin’ light back on and leave me alone while I’m on the toilet or else!” This is a daily scenario in my life since I moved my [View Full Entry]

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The pulse of cowhide drums echoed off the concrete walls like thunder, bean filled gourds rattled the air and the clapping of hands vibrated the pews beneath. I scanned the room to find countless little eyes questioning my presence. My attention then turned to the right where Solomon and Ruthie were dancing in the aisle like little, bouncing bumble bees. A smile grew across my face and was quickly returned tenfold. I could feel my heart pulsate as if in laughter…for I had returned again to my home away from home. I have returned to Kenya for a third time in [View Full Entry]

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Two years ago I spread my wings and left my worries behind. I began to paint brushstrokes of culture and experience onto the canvas of my life, because I believe our lives should be an adventure and not a routine. I decided then that I wasn’t going to waste another minute nor take it for granted, because you never know when it’s your last. Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to see the world, not as a tourist but as a traveler. For a tourist’s experience is normally confined to a schedule, prearranged, comfortable, and they usually only see what [View Full Entry]

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“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by”… and wouldn’t you know it, I landed myself in backpacker hell. Leaving the Middle East and touching down in the former Soviet republic of the Ukraine has proved to be a logistical and communicational nightmare. Actually, it all began when I nearly didn’t make it out of Cairo due to the fact that my plane ticket had a different date than what was confirmed in the system. When I changed the dates of my last two flights in order to stay an extra two weeks in the [View Full Entry]

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“Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him the whole land from Gilead as far as Dan; all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all of the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho, the city of palms, as far as Zoar. Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said I will give it to your descendents.’” [View Full Entry]

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Gazing past the ship’s bow, my eyes surveyed the coastline of the Red Sea within the Gulf of Aqaba. My exodus from Egypt was underway and the shores of Jordan lie only a few minutes ahead. In that moment, I simply sat and marveled at the fact that not only could I see Egypt behind me in the distance and Jordan just in front, but I also had Saudi Arabia to my starboard and Israel to my port. There I was floating in the Red Sea with four countries I’d only previously read about or observed on the television, now as [View Full Entry]

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The sounds of Egypt pulsed through the speakers of my taxi as we sped through the streets of Cairo and traversed the bridge spanning the Nile River. Soon the hazy skyline delivered the surreal scenery of two giant pyramids in the backdrop of the palm-speckled metropolis. Buildings of faded-red brick and pallid concrete complemented the insipid colors of the vast desert that surrounded the city. Cairo, known as the “Mother of the World,” is the home of eleven million people and probably somewhere around the same number of scams. As we neared the Pyramids of Giza, my taxi driver whipped into [View Full Entry]

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As I’ve traveled over the past two years, I’ve left behind pieces of my heart scattered throughout the world. Families have opened their homes to me, countries have shared their culture, experiences have left a permanent mark, extreme poverty has opened my eyes, missionaries have inspired and strengthened my faith, travelers have given their friendships, civilian struggle and injustice has broadened my awareness, and children, from ever corner of every country, have stirred my emotions and reached me deeply. When one travels and opens themself up to the experience, it is nearly impossible not to be changed in some way. There [View Full Entry]

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Solemn expressions appear painted across the faces of the Kenyan citizens who flee from the violence that has erupted around them. Hundreds of thousands walk away from a life they once knew, now refugees in their own country. Hundreds will never see another sunset. What began as fighting and protests against election results, has now turned into, what is known as, an ethnic cleansing. This is claimed to be the worst uprising in Kenyan history. Anger has fueled hatred, hatred has encouraged evil hearts, and led to cold-blooded murder. My heart is saddened for this battered country and my tears fall [View Full Entry]

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Their eager little eyes stare up at me hungry for interaction and learning. Their smiles are radiant, and suffused with an irrepressible joy. It truly is amazing how children smile with so much of their heart; so honest and kind. To look into their eyes is like staring into the soul of the world. It feels as if God himself is smiling back at you. To be in their presence transports me back to my innocence; to a time before the world had sunk its claws in. As I watch from a far, those memories of how I once played without [View Full Entry]

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