grow - josh kinder
22nd November 2010 by MORE
I am 17 years old and I attend Menai Corps.
Brought up in a Christian home as an Officer's kid, I didn't really live the Christian life up until a year or two ago. I was really into the drinking and partying.
Although I had made the decision in the past to change my ways, I had my first real wake-up call at my friend's 18th. Everyone was drunk and I hadn't drunk too much but my friend was really intoxicated. I went up to hug him and say happy birthday, but we started to trip and fall. My hand went through a window and it shattered on my wrist.
The doctor told me I couldn't use my hand for a couple of years. I was pretty devastated and I lost it bad because I just got accepted into State AFL.
Every Wednesday morning, the boys and I would meet up for Bible study. They prayed for me every week and then one Wednesday morning I woke up and opened my hand. That was a bit of a miracle because the doctor said it would be two years before it would open again. God woke me up to the fact that I couldn't say I was a Christian when I was going out partying.
Then, after I finished my yearlies for Year 11, my friends had a barbeque. I had a few suspicions that a fair few people would be drinking but it was only supposed to be a small barbeque. It ended up turning into one huge party and my mistake was not leaving when it started to happen. That night my best friend got stabbed by a bunch of guys.
This was another wake-up call. So, I have now stopped partying and drinking and I am now becoming a soldier.
I took my best mate to The Big Exo Day this year and he came to know Christ. He's reading the Bible every day and praying. It makes me so happy.
I just went on a mission trip to South Africa with all the boys from Menai Corps. We learnt so much about ourselves living for three weeks with no outside distractions. It was so good to see so many kids respond to God over there and that we could actually help them. I want to go back now and I definitely want to keep supporting the African kids by giving them money.
After having a pretty rough year, I also found out about seven weeks ago that my Dad had a tumor. The whole church, my family and church friends were all praying for him. Not long ago, my Dad had an operation where they put a tube down him and saw that the tumor was gone. God just keeps giving me miracles.
I came to GAC (Gospel Arts Camp) this year to keep growing in God. GAC is one of those places where you come to hang out with God having no distractions. He has done so much already in my life and now I just want to keep growing and seek God more.
save. grow. serve.
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Comments
Inspiring to read your story bro! Great to see you become a Soldier on Sunday! :)
Hey Josh, good to read a little of your journey over the last year....I've been learning a lot about trust lately, trusting God and also trusting in God's people. Trusting that when I can't see the way God's word will light the path way for me. keep focused on God, He has a fantastic purpose for you. It's great to see a young man after God's own heart. Hey child sponsorship is a great way to keep supporting kids with your mission heart. If you can't do it on your own get a group of you together to sponsor one child.
Hey Cuz! this is really good, and inspiring! God is good!! wow Josh! good to see pictures of u as a senior soldier, you are truely amazing!
Hey Josh....I am humbled at the way you stayed true to God through these hard times since you moved to Menai....PRAY IS POWERFUL...your story is of both your hand and your dad (and SOUTH AFRICA) and on behalf of REBS (Ridiculously Early Bible Study - 7.15am Menai Maccas) we were touched every time we prayed man
blake your a legend :) an thanx for your support guys :)
so,i was having a look at the more sight and i came across this, and i was like wait..thatsmy cousin! . i absolutly love being able to see how God is working through people-love you heaps josh, keep continuing on your walk with Christ, it wont always be easy, but it will always be worth it, and there are so many people who will be supporting you the whole way :) xx