Preparation

June 15, 2010
As I stand in the kitchen, the sound of bacon sizzling and smell of freshly ground coffee percolating have me excited for the moment when I sit down to breakfast.  My mouth is watering in anticipation.  I have a few more things to do before then.  The bacon is not quite done.  My eggs are not scrambled.  I haven't decided whether to have toast or make a breakfast burrito.  But preparations are underway.  And I am excited.
That's where we are with this adventure, too.  Just about everything is ready. There is a list of things to do.  Pack 72 Spanish Bibles. Wash the last few loads of laundry.  Vacuum the van.  Pack crazy amounts of peanut butter and breakfast bars (for missionaries who don't get much of either).
By the way, I went with the breakfast burrito, and it is awesome.
There is another kind of preparation, too.  Because this morning feels almost like a marathon morning.  On marathon mornings, I wake up with an anxious energy.  I am excited to run the race, and I have no idea what is going to happen over the 26.2 mile haul.  I have no idea what the ups and downs will be like.  I think about my training: the good runs, the great runs, the bad runs.  I wonder if I am really ready for this.
This morning feels a bit like that.  The energy is there.  The self-doubt is there- a little bit.  But that's okay, because I am not ready- but my God is.  This morning, I pray that God will continue to prepare my heart and mind for this adventure.  I pray that he prepares our entire family.  I pray that he prepares every individual involved in going to Peru for this project.  And I pray that he prepares those whom we will touch.
Please pray for us and Love Extreme in Peru.

Que Dios te bendiga,

Chad

By Grace

An old saying goes "The will of God won't lead, where the grace of God can't keep you." Over the last 6 months our family has been on a great journey of God's leading and honestly, I can't remember most of it. Today would be my baby sister's 18th Birthday, but instead of wrapping gifts we are packing bags, instead of cake and ice cream we are looking at eating cuy (guinea pig) and instead of showering her with love we are passing love onto Peruvians who desperately need to know the love of God.

The will of God has lead us to this place. James reminds me perfectly of God's intentions for us; "when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." Natalie is perfect and complete and we are on our way to join her eventually, but in the mean time, pray for us over the next 3 weeks. Pray that now, since God has led us to this place, that His grace will keep us and use us in an Extreme Expansion of His kingdom!

Day FOUR

June 12, 2010
We made the trip here to Florida almost uneventfully.  Almost, because Miles threw-up twice on the way down.  The second time was just before the exit for my brother's house, so we used Uncle Ben's house for a quick shower and a car cleanup.  Then we stopped in Beckley to use Nana's washer and dryer and eat her food for lunch (she was already in Florida waiting on us).  We didn't get to our hotel in Hardeeville, SC until 11:00 on Wednesday night, then we finished the trip on Thursday.
Since arriving, we have been spoiled by trips to the beach (1 mile away), hours in the pool (in PawPaw's backyard) and dinners at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza and Captain Charlie's Reef Grill.

I have gotten a couple hot steamy runs in- I'll have to do my next one either before sunrise or after sunset to avoid the major heat and humidity.  Rachel is excitedly preparing to speak at Northlake Church of the Nazarene in the morning. (Seriously, she is typing, laughing and talking to herself as she prepares- don't tell her I said that).
We are having a blast spending time with family and vacationing a bit, but we are anxiously waiting to get to Peru.  Rachel just groaned in "righteous" jealousy (is there such a thing?) as she saw some pictures of Love Extreme posted on Facebook.  Yes, she is multi-tasking.

Well, I need to go burn some calories.  More later.
Que Dios te bendiga,


Chad

Day ZERO

Tomorrow morning we will be driving towards Jupiter, Florida. But we won't get there. Not tomorrow. When we'll stop, no one knows. We'll spend the night along the way and we'll eventually get there, recuperate with the in-laws, then fly to Peru as we continue our Extreme Family Adventure 201o.

Rachel and I will update this blog as often as possible as we are traveling, ministering and witnessing the hand of God in Peru. Check back often, or better yet, click this link and register your email to get our blog emailed to you when we update it.

I had better get back to packing and getting the house cleaned up so we can get on the road with the sunrise.

Que Dios te bendiga

5Kuhns Extreme 5K

When: May 8, 2010 beginning at 9am

What: A 5K (3.1 mile) Race

Where: Centerburg Church of Christ (or on any 5K course you map out if you can't make it)

Why: to bring together a physical fitness activity and raise support for the Kuhns to take all 3 boys with them to Peru

Cost: $30 per Adult, $15 per child (12 and under)
How to Register: Send an email to chadkuhn@gmail.com with the following information:

• your name, age and gender
• your expected 5K time (just a general idea of your time will make recording times easier for us)

How to Donate: You may send the registration fees as a gift via PayPal to rakuhn27@gmail.com, send a check made out to Extreme Nazarene to PO Box 120, Centerburg, Ohio 43011, or bring a check or cash with with you. If you write a check you will get a giving statement for tax deduction purposes. If you donate via PayPal we will send you a receipt for tax purposes.

This June the Kuhns will be traveling to Peru to participate in Love Extreme II with International church planting events, mega-impact conferences & celebrations and special 40/40 field launch celebration.

At first we thought we would just bring our oldest son, Ryan, 8. But then we felt led to make this an entire family event. Extreme Ministries projects and services are not just something that Rachel has committed to as a full-time volunteer supported by generous investors who monthly give to support our family. No, it is a way of life that WE have chosen; all 5 of us are invested in the work that Extreme does and we want all of our children to see and be a part of God's work in Peru, so they can have a greater understand the things that we do and the choices we make about how we spend our time and money.

The additional expense of taking 2 more boys with us is not a small one. It is also not one that fits into our current budget. Since running has become such a large part of Chad's life and well-being over the last 16 months, we decided to host a 5K race to raise funds for this trip.

We are inviting you to be run the 5K with us and support us by donating $30 per adult runner or $15 per child runner (12 and under).

Thanks for your prayers and support.

The Kuhns

News From Home

First, we would like to thank all of those who have been actively supporting our family through your prayers and financial sponsorship. We are all doing well and anticipating our move to Centerburg OH on July 10th. No, we have not sold our current home in Harrisonville and would covet your prayers for that.
Chad has taken a 5th grade teaching position at Centerburg Elementary School. He is excited to see how God will use him to be Christ to the students, parents and co-workers there.
The boys are also doing well. Ryan will be in 1st grade at Centerburg Elementary School. Joel will be attending the Esther Jetter Preschool that is run from the MVNU campus and will offer great opportunities to help him succeed. Miles will get to stay home and help mom work with Extreme a few days a week, but he will need some time with friends, too. We are currently praying about the best place for him to be with friends a couple days each week.
I am EXTREMELY excited to continue connecting people here in the US with the mission project in Peru. God is truly working in amazing ways. Since I was 15, I knew I was being called to mission work and feel truly blessed to be a volunteer missionary here in the US. I can’t wait to see God’s plan for our lives as it continues to unfold.
None of this would be possible without God’s call on our lives and your prayers for our ministry. Beyond your prayer support, we would like to also invite you to consider sharing in our ministry financially. To date, we are $400 dollars short of our needed monthly bare-bones income. We would appreciate you prayerfully considering a monthly pledge starting August 1st for a 24-month period. Whether it is $5, $15 or $50 a month, God will bless and multiply it. We currently have a donor that will match any monthly pledges that we receive by August 1st. All donations are tax deductable. Feel free to contact us for a pledge card or click here and let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you for being a part of an Extreme work of God!

Praise God!

I just wanted to let everyone know how amazing God has been to us this last week. I was gone for a whole week and everything went great. Joel and the boys did great for Chad and those who helped take care of them. God reaffirmed that I was doing exactly what He desired for me at this time in my life, Chad was offered and accepted a job at Centerburg Elementary Sat. and a couple wants to put a contract on our house this week...

BUT even if none of this would have happened, God is still Good. I never cease to be amazed at the fact that despite of my inabilities God loves me and wants what is best...He is Good!