Accidental Missionary: Reverse Culture Shock

Culture Shock: Is the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life during immigration or a visit to a new country, or to a move between social environments. Also a simple travel to another way of life.


Since coming back I've felt something that has been described to me as "reverse culture shock."


So as most of you know I was born and raised here in Canada. Just recently I've been able to serve as a missionary in the Philippines and I also got the chance to observe the way of life there. It really made me appreciate what a great life I've lived in Canada, but it's also changed the way I think now.

Being back here in Canada.... It's tough.... I don't see things the way I used to. I definitely have a new perspective  on things and I believe its for the better. I'm not concerned with the petty things anymore. Some of the things I see around at times just kinda make me wanna cringe. I'm not being judgmental or anything like that I'm just kinda sharing what your little friend is feeling. I love my home and my hometown, I'm just simply trying to say..... I kinda feel like a stranger in my own home, if you know what I mean.

I love that I have a new outlook on life and that now I feel like I've found that direction, that purpose that I've been looking for. It's a great feeling and can't wait to get back to the Philippines to continue serving and observing. 

Thanks for reading &
Stay classy

I almost got charged with Illegal Posession

So I'm back in Canada (temporarily) but I had to post up a blog about my trip coming back. It was borderline nightmare but in hindsight a funny story to tell. Okay you ready? #Leggo

So in natural Kevin fashion, I wait till last minute to pack up my room and move some of my stuff to a friends house while I'm gone. I'm quickly but carefully putting things in to my luggage, my carry on and the bag that I will leave in the Philippines. 

The reason I was almost branded a terrorist!!

I come across my butterfly knife that I bought that I so dearly loved playing with. All my other bags were already in the car so I put the knife in my carry on and made the mental note "Hey dummy don't forget to take this out when you get to the other house..." So i put the knife in the bag and went on my way.

Some of the Youth from Youth United Philippines again wanted to escort me to the airport, so we all hung out and had some fellowship, bonding while killing time until we go to the airport. 3am.... the car... or truck service i should say arrives and we're on our way. When we get to the airport I think to myself that saying bye to these kids will be easier the second time around.... I was sadly mistaken. It was even harder this time!! I didn't cry in front of them but I was definitely sad. We said our "see you soon's" and then before I knew it, I had to go and check in.

I check my luggage and verify my seat on the flight. No problems there. At customs they tell me I have to pay a fee for exit clearance.... So I had to run to an ATM and pay the crazy fee. Then off to scan my body and bags for weapons of mass destruction. I follow the process and put all my things in a bin. I place the bin and my carry on, onto the conveyor to be scanned. I go through the human xray thing and I hear the words "Go ahead sir." So I collect my things and realize I'm missing my carry on. I'm thinking that someone picked it up by accident or something. I kindly tell the officer I 'm missing my bag and they not so kindly tell me to stay exactly where I am.

I see another dude holding my carry on and he pretty much slams it onto the metal counter.... Mind you this is in front of other passengers so i'm feeling kinda cool cause I'm thinking I aint got nothin to hide!! So the guy is taking things out of my bag and searching vigorously for something.... I'm thinking go ahead chief you aint gonna find noth... and then he pulls it out.... The butterfly knife.... I'm thinking OH shhhhhhh... The officer repeats these 2 words "Illegal Posession" He says it like 3 times and in my head I'm like shut up dude!! 

Another officer says "come with me" we walk a ways down to an area not well lit and where I can no longer see any witnesses who can verify my existence. He just stands there not saying anything. He's just playing with this knife. He says (while playing with the knife) "You know... I'm supposed to take you to a  room and interrogate you. You could be a terrorist... Are you a terrorist?" I obviously said no. Apparently I could have gone to jail cause bringing sharp object onto an airplane is frowned upon. He said you are either a terrorist that really doesn't care to hide your weapon or you might be telling me the truth. He then proceeded to ask me some more questions and finally he decided to let me go since my flight was not too long from then or because my small cute stature didn't pose a threat to homeland security.

As I passed through customs I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the good Lord. I wouldn't have gotten through there without Him. I would be in some Guantanamo type prison getting water boarded if the good Lord's blessing and grace wasn't upon me. Thank you Lord!!

PS. mental notes are not good if you forget them. lol

Stay classy

& don't bring sharp objects on airplanes ;)

This one time at band camp.....

Good morning/afternoon/evening!! Whatever time you get to read this.

So I know I suck at communication, and I know I was supposed to post this one a few weeks ago but here it is.

Oh BTW before I start MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope you all enjoyed the Holidays with friends and family.

So back to the story.... It's the first week of December and the youth group Youth United Philippines is asked to put together a performance for a KBCF Talent competition. So we brain stormed and finally came up with the idea to do Drum and Lyre.  The kids are really good at using the instruments.... My friend Dave can play a song on the Lyre while texting his girlfriend!! AMAZING!! Most of the kids have been using these instruments since they were very young and this is what they were most comfortable with. So it was decided that we would play Christmas songs..... But little Kev is not musically inclined....

Im sure they all felt bad for me and that's probably why they gave me cymbals.... I'm guessing that it is the equivillent to playing the Triangle in music class lol. Anyhow I gratefully accepted and we began practice. I didn't think that it would be fun but banging 2 pieces of whatever those cymbals are made of have never been more fun!! I don't even know if I was on beat but I just let the animal in me come out!! hahahaha!!

We practice for 1 or 2 days and I think I've got the hang of it. Just to make sure I was super ready I downloaded the movie Drumline with Nick Canon just to get inspired. In hindsight it didn't help me cause the movie had nothing to do with the instrument I was playing but hey it's still a favorite of mine and my dude Brian Aquino.

Its game day. Everyone is a bit nervous and when I say everyone I mean ME!! Doing it for fun was cool but now people are gonna watch me. Now I feel like Eminem in 8 Mile when he throws up right before the rap battle.... I suck it up and say to the kids " Hey let's just have fun" What I really meant was "LET'S CRUSH THEM!!"

When we get to the Church we find out that we are the last performance. We watch the other performances and they were also very good. It's time.... we line up and wait to be called. "And now please welcome the Youth United Philippines!!" We marched out there and banged the cheese out of our instruments....

In the end we didn't win but I think the kids learned a lesson in team strength. We practiced hard, played hard and lost.... but we did it together. Win, lose, we did it together. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of this group the Youth United Philippines!!

PS. There are things in the works to try and take this Drum and Lyre group on some sort of Asia Tour.... Please keep the youth in your prayers as they take on new responsibilities in the group and experience new adventures on their walk with Christ.

All Glory to Him!!
God Bless and.....
Stay Classy