Today my brother left for Kenya to help women and children who have been raped and sex traffic to come along side them to build greenhouses to help them run a sustainable business. Words cannot express how happy I am for my brother to be given the chance to be apart of something of this magnitude. As Austin's older brother, I feel this post will give a lot of people who are a part of Austin's life a different perspective, a perspective that I know will benefit and encourage you in.
Back in July when this opportunity came about from the Rohrer's, the approached me about it, but with my new job in Portland and new life, God wouldn't allow such a quick trip to happen. To go along with that I just served in Singapore with Sports Ambassadors in the spring so the timing wouldn't have worked out. When I heard they would be building greenhouses, I knew that this would be a great opportunity for my brother because it is right up his alley in terms of his degree and passion. But would God allow it? Of course time would come to show that He would allow it.
Austin first brought up this idea of him going on this mission trip a couple months ago. As the supportive older brother, I was all for it! But I also told him he would have to really weigh his options and make sure above all else to honor our parents. Being that the trip would be 2 months after deciding to go and making the commitment, it would take shear faith if everything worked out. And I knew my parents wouldn't like the rash decision.
Of course this didn't sit well with my parents, knowing that they will be reading this post they would agree with me on this one. Regardless Austin still felt passionate about going and believed God was telling him to go. In my mind if God tells you to do anything you do it. As a parent I can only imagine how hard it would be worrying about the safety of your child. Like my parents I am nervous and scared of my brother. But along with those emotions comes the excitement that overwhelms my heart for what is going to happen in his life!
Growing up with Austin as a brother and for those of you who know us really well, we are complete opposites. There is no denying that! Besides that fact, we are still brothers and I love him to death, and care for him very much. These past 3 years I have seen great strides in my brothers life. The man that he was in high school is not the man he is today. Austin has always said he looks up to me. This is an honor and I believe that he means it.
The past 3 years when I was in Corvallis, I was always there for my brother when he had questions, and there was a lot of them. Something I was very fortunate to learn at a young age how to basically take care of myself. I take a lot of pride in that and at times it has come to bite me in the butt because I am so stubborn. Austin really never caught on as quick as I did. That is okay though. He probably thought I thought he was stupid at times, which I did. But regardless of what the issue was, Austin isn't me and never will be. Austin will be Austin.
I could use the rest of this blog to delve into more of me and Austin's personal life as siblings, but I will choose not to. This I do know as his older brother. This trip will change Austin's life forever, and will make him a different person. Austin is so easily influenced by anyone his is around long enough. Being Austin's older brother I have had that impact. But at the same time, that can be dangerous and Austin knows that. This trip I believe will change Austin in such a way that he will no longer need to call me up for help. He will no longer have to worry about what people will think of him. Austin will finally be able to take that next step in his faith and walk with the Lord, and it will be all him!
Not being in Corvallis anymore, I believe Austin is realizing that. He doesn't have his older brother to lean on anymore. I don't want this to even one bit sound like I am puffing myself up. That is exactly opposite of what I am doing! Austin felt led to go on this trip because God told him to and he know he needs it for this next step in his life. I am excited for him to come back and to hear all the stories of what God did. I am of course nervous for his safety but know God's hand is covering him and the team of individuals there! When Austin gets back, it will not be the Austin you all remember. I truly believe that! The outside will be the same, but it will be the inside that will have the biggest change. I love Austin to death and will be praying for him daily these coming days until he is back safely in the US. God bless and thanks for reading.
