India - and other misc. things.

I wrote all of this yesterday morning. I hate long blog posts, but hey whatca gonna do?

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So I woke up at 4 am wide awake. I tried to fool my self into thinking I could go back to sleep, but I knew. So lying there in the bed I got the bright idea that I could just get up, get ready, and go to the airport early and try to get on an earlier flight to Atlanta stand-by. I even check online to find out if there was an earlier flight. YES, DL 1991 - EWR - ATL 6:10 AM.

Unfortunately, in the recent years all the airlines have gone to extreme measures to make extra cash. There's no longer "stand-by." Delta said they'd be happy to change my itinerary to the earlier flight for the low-reasonable price of $50. But, I already knew that since I had to spend the night on an international itinerary they were going to make me pay $25 just to check my bag (jerks). So I said no, and here I am sitting in the Newark airport with nothing to do but sit and process my thoughts about this recent trip, and the past 2 months of my life.

It's 5:30 AM and my flight doesn't leave till 8:30. I am actually sitting in the terminal watching all the people on that earlier 6:10 flight board. I'm actually glad I'm getting this time.

So, I'll try to keep it brief.

First, some context, on the trip I read, from cover to cover, Donald Miller's "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." It is great! I won't explain the book here, I'll just say the book had a profound impact on the way I'm looking at every facet of my life. You should read it. It's never too late to start writing a great story with your life.

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Now, the trip:

So this trip made my 11th trip with Compassion. I realized on this trip how lucky I really am to get to go on these trips. I am so absolutely honored to be a small apart of what Compassion is doing around the world. I've said it before, but Compassion is the most transforming ministry I have ever heard of.

Compassion projects are like McDonald's fries. No matter where you go, no matter the culture, continent, or country, they're all the same. I was chatting with my buddy Kinsley, and he said it best, "It's really amazing how they are able to duplicate them selves all over the world throughout so many cultures." I think the secret to their success is the fact that they always partner with local churches, and local churches all have the hope found in Jesus in common.

I remember hearing the president of Compassion say, "You'll never out give the poor," and this couldn't be more true. We were in places where the community is having a hard time feeding everybody, and they cooked royal meals for us.

There was a pastor from Wisconsin, Brian, who went to church somewhere in the remote jungle of northern India. His church in Wisconsin is partnering with this church. Anyways, he and his wife were at the service, and they passed the plate around the congregation for the offering. Now these are 50-75 of the poorest of the poor people in the world. There were even some women who gave little sacks of rice, cause they didn't have money to give. You get the picture... So after they offering was over, the pastor of this church invited Brian up front. THEN HE PRESENTED BRIAN WITH THE OFFERING THAT THEY HAD JUST COLLECTED. Brian tried to refuse, then finally the Compassion staff member from India explained that he had to except the gift, because they would insulted if he didn't.

There are hundreds of stories just like that one from this trip, hundreds. Needless to say, everyone who went on the trip came home yesterday with a new understanding of poverty, and a profound love for the work of Compassion.

You could not support a better organization. In case you wanna sponsor.

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The last 2 months of my life:

If you didn't know, I no longer work at Student Life. I've been saying for years that if I ever leave SL it would be for one of two reasons: 1) to go to work for Compassion, or 2) to start my own production company.

I got lucky enough to do #2, and by lucky, I mean super-dooper lucky. I've partnered with Jason Wallis, a man I've respected professionally, creatively, and personally since the day I met him.

Now, I'm not one of those people who thinks God will make every decision easy and clear if you'll just trust him completely, but in this case He did just that. In fact, I'd say God made it easy and clear even before I trusted.

I loved my time at SL, and had a blast. It was just time. And when it's time, it's time.

We're called Six Foot Five Productions. We make videos.

Here's the last script I wrote for SL:

Fade in:

A black stage, dimly lit. From the dark corner of the stage Taylor Robinson walks out to a single microphone standing center stage. Taylor is dimly lit only from the back, his face remains in the shadows. Taylor reaches into his pocket and pulls out a worn out piece of paper that's been folded a million times. He take a deep breath then begins reading the page.

Taylor:

"Dear Student Life,

I apologize that this letter has taken me so long to write. I guess, in a way, I've put it off writing this cause I love this place so much. But, as many of you already know, I'm out. Off into the great unknown. It's "that time" for me. More specifically, I'm partnering with Jason Wallis to start a video production company. Feb. 10 is my last official day on the clock, but Monday Feb. 1 is my last day in the office.

Student Life, you've had a big impact on my life. And by big, I mean gia-normous. I've been a part of Student Life camp every summer since I was a sophomore in high school (1995). I like to think of my self, my family, and my spiritual journey as proof that this ministry works. Thanks for all that you've done, thanks a ton.

Personally, the hardest part will be not getting to see the people of Student Life everyday. I've literally had the opportunity to work with my best friends for the past (almost) 10 years full time. That is an incredible blessing (period).

Even as I write this, I can't believe this chapter in my life is over. I said to Tiff just the other day, "I may be quitting the coolest job I'll ever have." But I know that this is the right decision for us, and I also know that it's the right time. All the other questions/worries/doubts that we might have we leave to faith.

So, thanks Student Life, thanks alot.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band said it best, 'May the circle be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by.'

It was my pleasure. I'll be around, you can be sure I'll be around.

Taylor Robinson"

Taylor begins folding the paper back up as he walks off the stage. He gets almost halfway off the stage, then suddenly from somewhere off camera Travis Hawkins yells out.

Travis:

"You didn't cry!?"

Taylor turns around. Then alot of people in the audience chime in.

Drew:

"Yeah, you said you were going to cry."

Taylor:

"I don't know what to tell you."

Travis:

"Do it again! But this time with the cry."

Taylor:

"I'm not doing it again."

Kinsley:

"BORING!"

The whole audience laughs. Taylor laughs then walks off the stage.

Fade to black:

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Other Important Stuff:

Please keep my mother in your prayers as she is still in the process of getting cancer free. Nonette is her name, and she's the kind, wonderful co-author of my existence. Jerry, is my dad. He smells a bit but has a heart of gold. Love'em.

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Well that's all I got for now, it's 7am. What am I going to do with the next hour and a half?