So as I'm sure many of you have been wondering, there have been some updates to my trip. It has been a very emotional time of prayer and decision making. I realize that most of the "facts" I had been getting were coming from the media, which tend to sensationalize the news. Mark really helped me to understand what exactly was going on over there and a big thanks to him for helping clear everything up. The area in Japan where they are is a very safe place to be right now. Even in a worse case scenario, their area would remain unaffected by radiation. The earthquakes of course are a constant reality in Japan, but they are something Japan is continuously prepared for. All this to say: I would be in a totally safe area of Japan. Daily life is pretty much normal again.
As I prayed about the situation, I prayed that I wouldn't be swayed or moved by fear. I didn't want to be afraid that I wouldn't be safe in Japan and I didn't want to be afraid of not having all the provisions if I went. I also didn't want to be afraid of what people would say if I stayed or entertain the "what-ifs" of this decision. I prayed that this would be a decision that I felt the Lord lead me to make and that He would give me peace about it. It was very emotional to say the least, and I feel that it stretched my faith in ways that I don't know that I fully see yet. After a few days of much prayer and seeking, I felt like the Lord placed it on my heart to stay. It was a hard decision, and my heart felt very heavy and saddened that I wouldn't be going after so much time and effort got put into the preparations. However, I do believe this is the right decision. This is the decision that I felt I wanted to make and I'm trusting the Lord that He is taking care of everything.
I know that this was a very hard decision for me to make, and I cannot thank enough those of you who have supported me nor tell you how much I appreciate you in my life. Your love and encouragement have opened my eyes so much more to the love of Christ and the support that the body gives to one another. I also want to thank Mark and the FUSE ministry for being so patient and understanding. I feel like, from the short time I was able to spend with Mark on Skype, I was able to feel the love they had for me and excitement about me coming, even when they had never met me. What a tremendous blessing!
I do want to be open and transparent about the funds that many of you have donated to support me and this trip. I do not plan to use those funds toward my own selfish purposes. On the contrary, I hope to be in close contact with you to let you decide what you would like to see happen with your funds. I've come up with three options, but of course, being that it's your money, if there's another way you'd like to see that money used, please feel free to let me know. One option is to receive your donations back. Please know that there is no shame in asking for those funds back. I just wanted to make that option clearly available. If you would like that money to go to the FUSE ministry in Japan, that is another option, and an option that I'm planning to take with some of my own funds. A third option would be to open a separate account that is not easily accessible to me that would be reserved for a future trip to Japan. I realize that the Lord still has a call on my life and I believe that part of that call is to Japan, so even though I don't know when I will get to go, I still believe that I will indeed get to go. So if you would like those funds to go into this special account, you may opt for that. Again, I want to be as transparent and open as possible with your giving so that there is no room for the enemy to connive or deceive or tempt. Also, again, if there is something else you would like to see done with your donation, please, please, please feel free to let me know. I apologize for any inconvenience and I know that this can be a sensitive issue. I also, again, cannot thank you enough for how much you have generously supported me. It's really been so overwhelming how much of an encouragement this has been and I pray with all my heart that no one would lose their reward in Heaven, nor that your gift would be squandered or disrespected.
Thank you again for all your support and encouragement and most of all, your prayers. If I could, I would please ask that you continue to pray for clarity as the Lord continues to lead me from this decision. It was a tough one to make, but I'm doing my best to hear the Lord and follow Him. I'm so thankful and honored to have a family such as you around me. Thank you! I will continue to keep you all updated and informed.
Blessings,
-Travis
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
It's Monday, March 21, 2011, and I was scheduled to be in Tokyo as of right now, however the Lord saw fit to change my plans. It was hard to take in what exactly was happening when I first heard the news that a major earthquake had hit Japan's northeast coast. Tsunamis battered the shores and wiped a few coastal villages off of the map. It was crazy to say the least. There was a mix of emotions as well as a bit of confusion and a lingering sense of being overwhelmed. I was so close to leaving and then all this happened. What do you do after that? I guess I did the only thing that I could do at that point, I prayed and I waited. After several days of watching the news reports go from bad to worse, I felt like there was something I was missing. I knew God had a plan in all of this, but what was it? How did I fit into all of it? Did this change plans? How does this affect my trip? Is it even safe to go over there? There were so many questions, and yet because there was so much that was unknown by American news teams, it seemed there were little answers.
After much prayer and consultation with Mark, the pastor in Japan, and my friends and family, and after the smoke began to clear in Japan, it became apparent that I needed to stay. This was not a decision that I made because I was told that I should stay. In fact, I had the same people who were saying, "Stay," telling me to go if the Lord was still calling me. This decision, I felt the Lord lead me to make. So on Thursday afternoon, the day before I was supposed to leave, I called American Airlines and asked them to postpone my flight. They offered a one time, flight change with waived fees and told me that my flight was basically now an open-ended one. I still have a ticket, but it's up to me when I want to leave. I felt that I needed at least a week to pray, seek the Lord and wait for more of the situation to unfold.
News reports were saying that the Japanese government was telling people within a certain radius to stay indoors or evacuate. Americans were being urged to either leave Japan or avoid "non-essential travel." I felt that what needed to be taken into utmost consideration was the radiation situation. At the time, it didn't seem like where I would be was in any immediate danger. Ten weeks is a long time, though, and much could change. How would I know that it would stay unaffected over time? How do you tell? Radiation isn't something you can see coming, and it doesn't always show signs right away that it's affected you. I didn't want to act out of fear. I think if I had, I would have canceled the flight long ago. The situation was growing more serious as the days progressed, however, and it just felt like the Lord was laying it on my heart to wait a week at least to see what happens.
My contacts in Japan are safe and unaffected by the earthquakes and tsunamis so there wasn't any fear of that, although I knew that they were still experiencing some aftershocks. I wanted so badly to go and help, but would my ministry still be the same? In other words, would I still be used the way I felt that God was wanting me to be used if people were staying indoors or if everything I would be doing was focused on the relief efforts? I would happily help with the relief efforts if I knew that God was calling me to be involved in them, but as of now, I'm not certain that I could be of best use in that situation. However, I'm still praying about it, and I need much prayer about how to continue forward from here. Do I go in the next few days? Do I wait another week? Does God have other plans for me? These are the main prayers that I have right now, and I know that God is faithful to answer them. I know He has a purpose in all of this, but it does seem a little like my world is a bit upside down right now. I do know that I need the love, support and of course, prayers of those of you who have committed to pray for me during this time.
I do know a few things though, I originally planned to leave on Friday, March 11, which is the day this all happened. However, I decided to postpone the trip a week because the following week was my girlfriend, Grace's, spring break, and we decided to spend that week together. Had we not decided that, I would have been over there in the midst of all this turmoil. (Praise God for her!!! :)) I was also told that the winds were blowing North so the radiation was being blown away from Tokyo. However, I was talking to a friend and one of the thoughts he presented to me was, "What if the winds change while you're there for 10 weeks?" It was something I had thought about and I'm glad that he brought it up to me as a need for serious consideration. Today, I heard a news report say that the winds had in fact changed and were blowing South. Now, I have no idea how much that will affect Tokyo, and I don't know how serious it is. It may not be as a big a threat to the area that I would be staying in, but I do know that for me, it's very serious. There are many things that I need to be taking into consideration at this time in my life, and I don't feel like the Lord is leading me to make such a risky venture, although He knows that my heart is going out to the Japanese and is aching at their tragedy.
Please continue to pray for me, if the Lord brings me to mind, for wisdom, strength, clarity and decisiveness to do His will no matter what He leads me to do. There are still many challenges I'm facing in the midst of praying and waiting. I thank you for your support and for your encouragement, and I can't wait to speak and see all of you who are supporting me through prayer! Much love and many thanks in Him!
P.S. Don't ever stop thanking Jesus. Even if our plans are upset, it's because He loves us. Everything that comes to us must pass through Him because we have accepted His Lordship over our lives. He is good! He will always be good! And everything He does is for our good! (Rom. 8:28) Thank the Lord! Amen!
After much prayer and consultation with Mark, the pastor in Japan, and my friends and family, and after the smoke began to clear in Japan, it became apparent that I needed to stay. This was not a decision that I made because I was told that I should stay. In fact, I had the same people who were saying, "Stay," telling me to go if the Lord was still calling me. This decision, I felt the Lord lead me to make. So on Thursday afternoon, the day before I was supposed to leave, I called American Airlines and asked them to postpone my flight. They offered a one time, flight change with waived fees and told me that my flight was basically now an open-ended one. I still have a ticket, but it's up to me when I want to leave. I felt that I needed at least a week to pray, seek the Lord and wait for more of the situation to unfold.
News reports were saying that the Japanese government was telling people within a certain radius to stay indoors or evacuate. Americans were being urged to either leave Japan or avoid "non-essential travel." I felt that what needed to be taken into utmost consideration was the radiation situation. At the time, it didn't seem like where I would be was in any immediate danger. Ten weeks is a long time, though, and much could change. How would I know that it would stay unaffected over time? How do you tell? Radiation isn't something you can see coming, and it doesn't always show signs right away that it's affected you. I didn't want to act out of fear. I think if I had, I would have canceled the flight long ago. The situation was growing more serious as the days progressed, however, and it just felt like the Lord was laying it on my heart to wait a week at least to see what happens.
My contacts in Japan are safe and unaffected by the earthquakes and tsunamis so there wasn't any fear of that, although I knew that they were still experiencing some aftershocks. I wanted so badly to go and help, but would my ministry still be the same? In other words, would I still be used the way I felt that God was wanting me to be used if people were staying indoors or if everything I would be doing was focused on the relief efforts? I would happily help with the relief efforts if I knew that God was calling me to be involved in them, but as of now, I'm not certain that I could be of best use in that situation. However, I'm still praying about it, and I need much prayer about how to continue forward from here. Do I go in the next few days? Do I wait another week? Does God have other plans for me? These are the main prayers that I have right now, and I know that God is faithful to answer them. I know He has a purpose in all of this, but it does seem a little like my world is a bit upside down right now. I do know that I need the love, support and of course, prayers of those of you who have committed to pray for me during this time.
I do know a few things though, I originally planned to leave on Friday, March 11, which is the day this all happened. However, I decided to postpone the trip a week because the following week was my girlfriend, Grace's, spring break, and we decided to spend that week together. Had we not decided that, I would have been over there in the midst of all this turmoil. (Praise God for her!!! :)) I was also told that the winds were blowing North so the radiation was being blown away from Tokyo. However, I was talking to a friend and one of the thoughts he presented to me was, "What if the winds change while you're there for 10 weeks?" It was something I had thought about and I'm glad that he brought it up to me as a need for serious consideration. Today, I heard a news report say that the winds had in fact changed and were blowing South. Now, I have no idea how much that will affect Tokyo, and I don't know how serious it is. It may not be as a big a threat to the area that I would be staying in, but I do know that for me, it's very serious. There are many things that I need to be taking into consideration at this time in my life, and I don't feel like the Lord is leading me to make such a risky venture, although He knows that my heart is going out to the Japanese and is aching at their tragedy.
Please continue to pray for me, if the Lord brings me to mind, for wisdom, strength, clarity and decisiveness to do His will no matter what He leads me to do. There are still many challenges I'm facing in the midst of praying and waiting. I thank you for your support and for your encouragement, and I can't wait to speak and see all of you who are supporting me through prayer! Much love and many thanks in Him!
P.S. Don't ever stop thanking Jesus. Even if our plans are upset, it's because He loves us. Everything that comes to us must pass through Him because we have accepted His Lordship over our lives. He is good! He will always be good! And everything He does is for our good! (Rom. 8:28) Thank the Lord! Amen!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
It's 11:20 PM and just over a week away
Excitement is building as the date draws nearer to my departure to the land of the rising sun. I can't believe this is actually happening. It's beginning to sink in how crazy awesome this is and how crazy awesome God is for making all this happen. My departure and return dates had to be changed because of some minor schedule complications between here and Japan, but nothing a quick call to American Airlines couldn't handle. I'm now leaving on Friday the 18th and returning Monday, May 30th. It's going to be an exciting but challenging 10 weeks. I can't wait to see how the Lord will use me, and what He's going to do in me while I'm there.
I know I will miss my friends and especially a certain special someone, but the Lord has been so good to put so many loving and caring and supportive people in my life I know that I will be well taken care of while I'm gone. It's amazing just how much of a blessing it is. God is so magnificent to design the body to support each other, rejoicing and weeping with one another. What an amazing God we serve!
The ping pong tournament is coming together so well, and that again is thanks to all my friends and family who have been supporting me and encouraging me through all of this. This is something that you will want to look forward to! (I sure am lol). It's this coming Sunday the 13th from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at Freedom Fellowship Church here in New Braunfels, so come if you can!
Thanks for reading this blog and my heart as the Lord leads me on this journey. I hope to share much more as the weeks progress.
Blessings and love in Him,
Travis "Taco" Keas
I know I will miss my friends and especially a certain special someone, but the Lord has been so good to put so many loving and caring and supportive people in my life I know that I will be well taken care of while I'm gone. It's amazing just how much of a blessing it is. God is so magnificent to design the body to support each other, rejoicing and weeping with one another. What an amazing God we serve!
The ping pong tournament is coming together so well, and that again is thanks to all my friends and family who have been supporting me and encouraging me through all of this. This is something that you will want to look forward to! (I sure am lol). It's this coming Sunday the 13th from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at Freedom Fellowship Church here in New Braunfels, so come if you can!
Thanks for reading this blog and my heart as the Lord leads me on this journey. I hope to share much more as the weeks progress.
Blessings and love in Him,
Travis "Taco" Keas
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Japan Update 002
Ohayou Gozaimasu! (Good Morning!)
The trip is only a few weeks away and excitement is steadily building. I'm looking forward to the day that I arrive in Japan, a country I have longed to go to since I was in middle school. What a blessing God has brought to me that He would fulfill this lifelong dream to go and to send me with a mission to bless and serve the people He loves there!
I purchased the plane ticket on Monday afternoon, and what a huge sigh of relief, and step of faith it brought. I knew that I wanted to continue to take the steps necessary to make the dream a reality while still trusting in the Lord to provide so I went ahead and bought the ticket. Now, I'm the kind of person that likes to have everything in order, especially with something big like this, so when I bought the ticket knowing I still don't have all the funds, it made me a little nervous. However, I believe that God is going to use this to grow my faith and to rely on Him all the more between now and then. Praise Him!
Again, the biggest thing I need right now is prayer. I need prayer for peace to do His will, to hear Him as I continue to prepare for service and for the trip, prayer once I'm over there (big time!), and prayer that He will do His work in me while I'm there. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about the trip. As excited as I am about this, I can't help but feel a tinge of nervousness about getting there. "What if I forget something," is a thought that is familiar to my mind. The encouragement the Lord has brought me comes out of Psalm 34.
Join me in spreading the news;
together let's get the word out.
God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
God's angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
I ask humbly that you would pray for me as the Lord leads you, whether that's in daily, consistent prayer, or if the Lord should simply bring me to mind now and again. I would love to answer any questions or share testimonies or anything like that if you'd like.
Keep an ear out for my fundraiser which is coming up on the 13th of March. I'm putting together a ping-pong tournament to raise some funds for the trip. The entry fee will be $10 per person. I'm working on getting prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners this week. Please pray for this also! It will be at the Box at Freedom Fellowship Church from 5-9 PM! Again, feel free to ask any questions you might have, and thanks for reading!
You can find me on facebook at facebook.com/tkeas or
Follow me on twitter username: t_keas
The trip is only a few weeks away and excitement is steadily building. I'm looking forward to the day that I arrive in Japan, a country I have longed to go to since I was in middle school. What a blessing God has brought to me that He would fulfill this lifelong dream to go and to send me with a mission to bless and serve the people He loves there!
I purchased the plane ticket on Monday afternoon, and what a huge sigh of relief, and step of faith it brought. I knew that I wanted to continue to take the steps necessary to make the dream a reality while still trusting in the Lord to provide so I went ahead and bought the ticket. Now, I'm the kind of person that likes to have everything in order, especially with something big like this, so when I bought the ticket knowing I still don't have all the funds, it made me a little nervous. However, I believe that God is going to use this to grow my faith and to rely on Him all the more between now and then. Praise Him!
Again, the biggest thing I need right now is prayer. I need prayer for peace to do His will, to hear Him as I continue to prepare for service and for the trip, prayer once I'm over there (big time!), and prayer that He will do His work in me while I'm there. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about the trip. As excited as I am about this, I can't help but feel a tinge of nervousness about getting there. "What if I forget something," is a thought that is familiar to my mind. The encouragement the Lord has brought me comes out of Psalm 34.
Join me in spreading the news;
together let's get the word out.
God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
God's angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
I ask humbly that you would pray for me as the Lord leads you, whether that's in daily, consistent prayer, or if the Lord should simply bring me to mind now and again. I would love to answer any questions or share testimonies or anything like that if you'd like.
Keep an ear out for my fundraiser which is coming up on the 13th of March. I'm putting together a ping-pong tournament to raise some funds for the trip. The entry fee will be $10 per person. I'm working on getting prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners this week. Please pray for this also! It will be at the Box at Freedom Fellowship Church from 5-9 PM! Again, feel free to ask any questions you might have, and thanks for reading!
You can find me on facebook at facebook.com/tkeas or
Follow me on twitter username: t_keas
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