KuyaKevin.com

I thought I'd share a funny story from October, 2003:

It was a Sunday morning, and I was in Intramuros.  I stopped by an ATM machine before going to church.  A couple of small children kept watching me as I punched numbers and made my withdrawal. They were clearly fascinated with the pale stranger before them.

One of them approached me for a short conversation:

Kid: "Sabi ng tatay ko, aswang ka daw." (my father says you are an aswang)
Kevin: "Ano?" (what)

Kid:  "Sabi ng tatay ko, aswang ka daw."

I was pretty good in Tagalog at this point, but I did not recognize that word (aswang). It didn’t sound too flattering. I later asked a friend at church about my mystery title.

Kevin:  "Johnette, some kid just said I'm an aswang.  What is that?"
Johnette: "It's a monster--kind of like a vampire."

Turns out that the aswang is the most feared creature in Filipino folklore.  It is a mythical, vampire-like creature that has wings but only half of a body (though descriptions vary greatly).

The kid didn't seem the least bit afraid of me.  Maybe he didn't believe his father, or maybe I didn't look hungry.  

I would encourage my Filipino readers to watch Qtube.  This show features blogs, websites, and gadgets from a Filipino perspective.  It airs Thursday nights@10:15 pm Qtv, Channel 11 (24 on SkyCable).

I've found some cool blogs from watching this show, and I also like the way they feature Filipino internet entrepreneurs.  

You can also check out the hosts' blog: The Andi and Andy Blog .

Practice isn't the thing you do once you are good.  It's the thing you do that makes you good.
-Malcolm Gladwell

I'm about a third of the way through Outliers: The Story of Success, written by Malcolm Gladwell.  I've already learned something about the role of practice/discipline in becoming truly great.

Gladwell begins one particular chapter by discussing a 1990's study of Berlin's elite Academy of Music.  Students were divided into three groups: the "stars," those who were only "good," and those who were unlikely to play professionally.

They discovered one factor that separated these three groups--practice.  The best players had practiced relentlessly, putting in around 10,000 hours (starting from childhood) before they enrolled in the academy.  Similar patterns were discovered among pianist.  This was surprising--the researchers didn't find any exceptions (no "naturals" who effortlessly achieved excellence; no "grinds" who put the time in but didn't make elite status).

The authors looks at other examples of this 10,000 hour rule:

*Mozart started writing music at age six, but his greatest work came after he had been composing for twenty years.

*It takes about ten years to become a chess grandmaster.

*Bill Gates was introduced to computers as a teenager (an era when access to computers was extremely rare).  He spent thousands of hours on computer programming before graduating high school.

*The Beatles performed for hours on end in a German club during the early 60's (sometimes playing eight hours straight, seven days a week).  They were just a mediocre high school band before spending all this time on stage.

The list goes on.

This 10,000 hour rule may surprise you--it did me.  I tend to overestimate the role of "natural talent" and underestimate the role of practice.

It kind of reminds me of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  Each man was given talents by his master.  They had a choice between maximizing or squandering what had been given to them.

Here's my point:
God has given all of us some kind of gift/talent.  I think we owe it to Him to be excellent--to make the most of whatever He gave us.  But there are no shortcuts to greatness--it's up to you to invest the necessary time to become great.

I've pretty much finished the manuscript for the second book.

I received two more submissions over the weekend.  I've edited the new stories and written a response to both.  I'm very pleased with the way everything has come together so far. 

I was at my "office" (Starbucks) this afternoon working on some of the final corrections.  I was sharing a table with a young woman who was studying something for her work.  We struck up a conversation and I ended up showing her the manuscript.  She kept reading it until her friend showed up.  "I love it," she said.  I know this is very non-scientific, but it's kind of cool to have a completely random person respond with such enthusiasm. 

University Baptist Church celebrated its 43rd anniversary today.  Praise God for over four decades of ministry!

In this episode:

*Review of the "Two Commandments."

*My friend says she's a Christian, but she's involved in a same-sex relationship.  She won't listen to me.  What should I do?

*I've been dating this girl but I don't think she's the one I want to marry.  Should I break up with her?


Just go to the podcast page to download: http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com

You can also go to iTunes and look up Basta LoveLife.  This podcast is 100% free. 

From Erwin:

"Benguet was struck by typhoon Pepeng. Over 300 people lost their lives and thousands lost their homes. We are reaching out to the isolated barangays. Basic needs have been met but there are alot of kids who lost families.  They have been traumatized. They need clothes, toys and coloring books. If God has touched your hear to give. please contact Greenhills Christian Fellowship Baguio at (074) 442-7029 or 0922-8757552."

In case you haven’t noticed, I love student ministry--I’m always talking about how much I love my job. But student ministry (like anything else) has its own unique challenges. The same things that make it so exciting also make it hard.

Students are in constant transition. This makes them very open to the gospel, but it can also make it very difficult to keep up with them. Sometimes it feels like . . . well . . . try to heard a bunch of cats.



Here are just a few things that can happen over the course of the school year:
*A student leader you’ve developed can transfer to another school.
*Inclement weather can shut down school for several days, which interrupts ministry.
*Students graduate and move.
*A Bible study group can get splintered if the members are no longer classmates the next semester.

I’m sure other student ministers/leaders can relate to what I’m saying here.  Let's keep facing the challenges and do all we can to reach the next generation. 

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
-Luke 19:10 

The Basta LoveLife Show will be on The Edge Radio (90.3 FM):  Friday nights at 8:00 pm.  Tune in!

Here's something I ran across a few days ago:

"For the last 11 years we have not observed any increase in global temperatures.

And our climate models did not forecast it, even though man-made carbon dioxide, the gas thought to be responsible for warming our planet, has continued to rise."

You can read the whole article here:  What happened to global warming?

In this episode:

"Is it OK to ask God for someone who is already in a relationship?"

"None of the guys at my church seem interested in me.  What should I do?"

"Is it OK for a girl to date a guy who is ten years younger?"

Just visit the podcast page http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com or look up Basta LoveLife in iTunes to download (free). 

Efren Penaflorida has been nominated as one of this year's heroes on CNN.  Efren, who grew up in poverty, founded the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC).  They teach children through "pushcart classrooms"--carts loaded with books and other supplies.

CLICK HERE to vote for him.

The Basta LoveLife Show is coming to Lucena!

We'll be on The Edge Radio (90.3 FM).  The tentative schedule is Friday nights at 8:00 pm.

These pranksters decided to give a taste of fame to unsuspecting pedestrians.  Love it!

Hey guys,

The manuscript for the second book is coming together nicely.  I received an incredible contribution from a Filipina who has had an abortion.  I've also received a couple of good stories from guys.  I've edited these recent contributions and written a response.

I'm about 3-4 stories away from having a complete manuscript.  Three of my friends have promised to send their stories, but I'll still be open to other submissions. 

Please keep this project in your prayers.

Some of my FaceBook friends introduced me to MioFightsCancer.com.

This single mom is blogging about her five-year-old son's battle with cancer.  Check it out and show some love.  

I had the opportunity to volunteer for Ondoy relief efforts a couple of days last week.  Sometimes we had to move a stack of supplies from one place to another.  What's the easiest way to do this?  A human chain.  You simply line up with your fellow volunteers and start passing boxes/bags from person to person.  We moved large quantities in just minutes--work that would take hours for an individual to do.

The human chain is more than just a way to move boxes.  I believe it is symbolic of what's happening in the Philippines right now.  Churches, organizations, and individuals are all working together to help those in need--accomplishing so much more than we could if we tried to do this alone.

Let's keep the chain going, guys!  Mabuhay!

Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves.
       A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
-Ecclesiastes 4:12

Basta Lovelife Typhoon Ondoy Relief Operation Special.

Just go to the podcast page http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com to download. You can also look up Basta LoveLife on iTunes. Download is 100% free.

Please continue to remember Erwin and his family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of Emelyn.

I had the privilege of volunteering at World Vision this evening (I've posted some pictures on facebook--click here to view them).  I need to update you on a few things:

*When I posted a few days ago, World Visions was hoping to distribute 3,000 three day survival relief packs costing P2000 each.  The goal has increased--they now want to distribute 20,000 packs.  They have already distributed around 1,500 packs.

*Donations have been coming in--thanks to everyone and let's keep the money coming!

I've seen their operation first-hand.  They are doing great work and they deserve your support. 
 

Donation Information:

For cash donations, please deposit at BPI account number 4251-0024-15 or BDO account number 2700-4341-1.  You can also call their donation hotline at 849-6911 or 372-7777.  Click THIS LINK for online donations. 

For those in the States who would like to contribute to World Vision, here's the information:
Account Number: USD SA Account # 4254-0050-08
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Bank Address: Matalino corner Malakas Street
Diliman Quezon City
1100 Philippines
Bank swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Volunteer Information:

World Vision needs volunteers to help sort, pack, and distribute supplies.  There office is located at 389 Quezon Avenue corner West 6th St, Quezon City, Philippines (coming from Manila, it's right after the U-Turn on the Project 6 route).

IMPORTANT: PLEASE CONTACT THEM BEFORE COMING TO VOLUNTEER.   Call 372-7777 or TXTLink 0917-8664824.