Dear Family and Friends,

            I haven't seen many of you in years, while others I see every day but haven't gotten a chance to update you on my life! This past quarter as a junior at UCLA has largely been one of surrender. Lately, God has been gracious to reveal specific areas of my life that I’ve been grasping too tightly. I’ve attempted to control my relationships, leadership positions, academics, wealth, comfort, safety, and my future career. These things may be inherently good but can quickly wedge themselves between God and me, creating a gap. Slowly but surely, the burdens, stresses, and entitlements often slide into place and obscure my access to my Heavenly Father—access achieved by the power of Jesus on the cross that I didn’t even deserve in the first place.

            So, I’ve learned to relinquish control—and this surrender has brought indescribable joy. I’ve experienced more of God in the past few months than I have in my entire lifetime: I’ve grown in knowledge, passion, and love for Him, and His presence has been abundantly clear. I have been given a desire to know Him more and grow in knowledge through scripture. I have recognized his constant love and affection for me—as a result, I’ve understood that my joy must be based on the steadfastness of God, not my ephemeral human nature. I have become more diligent and joyful in academics and have learned the importance of praising His name regardless of the outcome. I haven’t “given up” on my future, my grades, or my friendships: I’ve simply placed them in more capable hands.

            I have been “filled with all the fullness of God,” as Paul likes to put it (Ephesians 4:19). His perfect peace, His comfort, and His love—no part of Him has escaped me, and it rocks. Walking in step with the Spirit, being obedient to His nudging, and surrendering my burdens and entitlements to Jesus has given me so much life.

            Now, how this relates to big life decisions: I am confident that God purposefully called me to pursue medicine as a potential career one year ago. I don’t think that idea was coming from my own head—I truly believe I was obeying His call for me at that time. Over this year, I grew excited to become a doctor, abroad or in the states. However, God is now calling me away from that path. Along with it, He is asking me to surrender my backup plan, a long-term career in photography. God has redirected my path, and I believe wholeheartedly at this time that He is calling me to global missions as a full-time “career.”

            The need for the gospel to be heard is overwhelming in our world, and the laborers are few on foreign soil. I am so excited to devote my whole self to this endeavor. How cool is it to have a “career” in spreading the good news of Jesus?! I don’t know specifically where I’m being asked to go in the coming years, but I know I am called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and work toward fulfilling the Great Commission.

            Next, how this relates to this coming summer (or: the main reason for this page). Before God made this change clear to me, I’d planned to serve alongside my friend Rayna on a medical mission in Kenya. I now have the amazing privilege of traveling to Kitale, Kenya to volunteer for one month in a clinic and hospital with Sister Freda’s Foundation. But now that I am no longer pursuing medicine (at least for now), I am even more excited for what God has for Rayna and me in Kenya. I am going solely because God has placed me there—there is little personal gain career-wise, and I am looking forward to simply going and being obedient. The theme of my weeklong missions trip to Ensenada, Mexico last year was “Jesús Úsame,” which means “Jesus Use Me.” This past year has been a lesson in what that really means. Now, I am constantly praying that prayer, “Jesus use me,” both for my ministry at UCLA and also in preparation for my trip to Kenya.

            Sister Freda’s Foundation was founded and is currently run by Freda Robinson, who left a job at a private hospital in Kitale in 1994 to open a free clinic closer to the slums for the impoverished people of her community. Due to increasing need for more than what a basic clinic can offer, Sister Freda decided to expand her clinic into a hospital, open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Since then, the hospital has grown to include a pediatric ward, a labor ward, an operating theater, a laboratory, a pharmacy, and general diagnosis and hospital ward. In addition, Sister Freda has established mobile outreach clinics, an orphanage, a children’s school, a girls’ high school, and a nursing college. I am thrilled to meet the amazing woman behind this foundation in person and serve wherever I am needed.

            In order to participate in this incredible experience, I need to raise a total of $3000 for the month-long trip. This funding will cover my plane ticket, food, lodging, a donation to the foundation, and various smaller expenses. Please prayerfully consider supporting me financially – I would greatly appreciate any support you can give! Most importantly, please keep Rayna and me in your prayers. Pray that our hearts would be prepared for this trip, and pray for the people we will come in contact with. Pray that God would give us opportunities to share Jesus with people we meet, and pray that He would strengthen us “with power through His Spirit in [our] inner being,” as Paul prays in Ephesians 3. Pray for boldness and obedience. Pray that “[His] kingdom come, [his] will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” as Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6. And finally, pray that we would be constantly reminded of Jesus’ words at the end of the Great Commission in Matthew 28: He is with us always, to the end of the age.
 
Thank you so much for reading this lengthy life update; I am excited to hear from you soon!

Sincerely,
Kevin Moore