On Legacy Work, Realizations, And Manifestations Of Life’s Mysteries

“There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.”

-John Lennon

It is one of the mysteries of the human experience and the riddle by which the universe keeps us in check. It is the sands of time through the hour glass and the invisible path on which we walk our lives. Most often that path that we walk is a winding one that is constantly influenced by our choices and also by forces we have no control over. This is where the mystery comes in, for in our lives we are not privy to when, why, and how monumental shifts will happen. We simply follow our passions, listen to our hearts, and allow our faith to guide the journey we take.

This is no more evident then when I take a long look at the path by which I came to arrive at this point. Not so long ago I could have never imagined I would be here, in this moment, on the current trajectory I find myself. Even so, in retrospect I am able to discern the specific affects so many of my choices and life events have had on the outcome I find here and now. But even with hindsight I am still in awe of how and why this life has chosen me. All I seek to do is honor the gifts I have been given and remain true to what my heart and soul tells me to do.

Today represents a realization, a commencement of something that even I, right now, at this moment have no idea of the magnitude or impact it will have. The domino roller-coaster that is about to begin is something that has been a lifetime in the making and is just beginning. We are all here for a reason. You. Me. Us.

As many of you know I am in the midst of my own Day Zero Project which you can check out here. As I was compiling this list and thinking about the adventure this project would be there were a couple of the items that were closer to my heart than others. Namely, the first three on the list:

• Start A Non Profit Organization
• Help Create a Child Rescue Center in Kenya
• Help Create and maintain a medical clinic in Africa

These three items represent what my legacy in life will be, as well as the legacy of those close to me. When I typed those three things I did have some idea about how and when these things might come into reality, but honestly could not imagine what would actually happen. That is where today comes in: the first step in the realization of my purpose on earth and the destiny that has been set in motion for some time.

I want to share with all of you (and hopefully anyone you know and would share this with) what is beginning today. I want to introduce to you the Kisumu Child Rescue and Advocacy Center. This is a collaborative project in which myself, my wife Kolena, and our good friend Sally Lunetta in cooperation with many amazing people in Kenya and in the US have come together to see it realized. You can visit the website here for all the information but let me give you some background right now.

First of all where is Kisumu? For those who don’t know Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya in East Africa and is a place I have come to call my second home. The time I have spent there with the people I now consider my family has been the best time of my life. I have seen, experienced, and been a part of countless miracles I never thought could be real. There is amazing, transformational work going on as we speak in so many communities there that I am privileged and honored to be a part of. The blessing of that place and those people is something I thank God for every day.

Now, for the Center. Right now we are in the fundraising stage and have just begun to gather support to make this Center a reality. The location has been chosen and now all that is needed is for amazing people like you to make it happen! You can get all the information on supporting this center at the website above and I hope you can come along side us and make this resource come to life.

What is the Center going to do? Great question!

OUR MISSION

To rehabilitate abused children, give them a safe home if need requires, protect them from further abuse, and advocate for their right to justice and to basic needs. As an Advocacy Center, we will create more awareness on children’s rights and protection of those children by bringing individuals and other organized entities together to ensure the education and social development of the abused children in Kenya.

HOW WILL WE ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION

1. Set up an operational center in Kisumu Kenya and have it staffed with qualified professionals who will work to rehabilitate abused children and provide them opportunities to better their lives
2. Partner with legal professionals, human right groups, and medical professionals in giving support to the abused children.
3. As a non-profit institution, the center will depend on individual donors and corporate sponsors for funding as well as the recruiting of volunteers to work at the center to keep administrative costs low.

What is unique about this Center is that it is completely community supported and maintained. The idea, concept, intital work, and continued operation of the Center will be done by radical, forward-thinking individuals in Kenya with an eye toward a self-sustaining resource that will bring empowerment, health, and esacpe from the bonds of poverty and abuse. This is not something me or any other non-Kenyan decided to do or thought of or conceptualized. We are simply here to come along side the people of Kenya and support their work in any way possible.

YOU CAN BE PART OF THIS AMAZING WORK

One of the biggest things we talk about here is the idea that we are all connected as human beings, not separated individuals floating through a completely disconnected life but each part of the tapestry of humanity that make our world beautiful. With that connection at heart we must take responsibility to care for our fellow people and live with the knowledge that our actions affect others we may never know or meet, but are connected to us none the less.

It is going to cost $13,500 to make the Kisumu Child Rescue and Advocacy Center a reality.

You can honor your connection to all of humanity in many ways, some that we have talked about here. This is one of those opportunities. Even if it seems insignificant to you, every dollar is one step closer to providing abused children the chance to take control of their life and make something of themselves. You can do that. Go here and join with us in this work.

Now that we are here, what is next?

As you may have noticed there are three items I referenced earlier and we have only talked about one of them. Very observant of you. I want each and every one of you to be right here with us as these things come to life. Many things are happening right now and are in the process and I want to be able to keep you up to date on them. In addition to writing posts when things become ready for the world I want you to visit the “Special Projects” page to your left. Here you can see and follow along as this and the other items make progress.

I never could have imagined when I started this little blog that it would become such an integral part of something so huge. Equally, I never could have imagined the support from so many people, those I know and those I am getting to know, and how that has played such a huge part in what is happening right here, right now. Whether you know it or not you are the catalyst for change. Your actions, your choices, your passions are what is going to make this something great. I am counting on that, and on you.

Even if you decide to read this and move on without taking action please know you are still appreciated and still a part of the transformation that is happening. How we touch others as we speed through life at light speed is not always evident to us at that moment. But just know that we are all here for a reason and the choice we make right now is the power we have to shape this world. What choice will you make?