Arrived in Uganda

Posted on: 09/4/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

As you read this, I’ve probably just landed in Uganda. That means the worst part of the trip is over (29 hours of flights) and the exciting part begins!

A few weeks ago I told you about this opportunity to train youth workers and parents in Kampala, Uganda. I’ll be spending the next two weeks hanging out with African youth workers, dialoguing with them about ministry, and then teaching my CONNECT workshop and how to Continue reading “Arrived in Uganda”

Flying to Uganda

Posted on: 08/15/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

On September 2nd I fly to Uganda to train youth workers and parents in the city of Kampala…

and I am SOOOOooooooo out of my comfort zone!

I’m not talking about lions, huts or language barriers… I’m talking about “preparation.” Everyone keeps telling me, “be prepared for the unprepared.” My focus right now is doing a lot of listening.

This will be my first time Continue reading “Flying to Uganda”

Experiencing New York City

Posted on: 07/17/13 10:23 AM | by Jonathan McKee

This past week I took my 15-year-old daughter Ashley on one of my speaking trips, speaking 8 times in three states… then two days in New York City just for fun!

Rather than blabbing all about it… here’s the picture highlights:

The flight out was very comfortable. It’s always nice when the person next to you doesn’t take up any of your elbow room at all Continue reading “Experiencing New York City”

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Teenage Tech Advice

Posted on: 06/17/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Last week I had the privilege of teaching at Doug Field’s 2013 Student Leadership Conference in Dallas (the next two are in July). Wednesday night when I arrived, I interviewed a bunch of student leaders, recording their answers for my “Lure of the Glowing Screen” workshop.

I asked these student leaders the following question: What advice would you give to a young person if they just got a new iPhone for Christmas?

Here are some of the answers I received:

“Don’t drop it!”

“Don’t let it become an idol in your life. You need to honor God first.”

“You gotta be careful with Continue reading “Teenage Tech Advice”

Top 10 Air Travel Tips

Posted on: 05/10/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Yesterday I covered the Top 10 Tips to Hoteling, so today I’ll tackle air travel.

I’m on a plane quite a bit. I seem to average 6 to 8 legs a month. I’ve learned a few tricks, quirks and tips over the years that make travel easier… or at least more bearable. I’ll try not to repeat the obvious ones I covered yesterday in my hotel post like, “stick with one airline.” But definitely do that to earn free flights and other perks. So here they are…

The Frequent Travelers Top 10 Air Travel Tips:

  1. Live in a hub city: My friends Mark, Doug, Greg… almost all my friends who travel like I do… live in hub cities. Their airline can get to most cities in one leg. I however, do not live in a hub city. That means it takes me two flight to get to most places. If you plan on flying for a living… live in a hub city!
  2. Take the first flight of the day: It’s this simple: the earlier your flight, the greater the chance of you getting to your destination. Later flights depend on earlier flights, earlier crews, earlier maintenance and weather conditions. If just one of those Continue reading “Top 10 Air Travel Tips”

10 Tips to Hoteling

Posted on: 05/9/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I’m in a hotel 6 to 10 nights a month (like next week I’ll be in a hotel for three nights while I teach at Azusa Pacific’s FAM Conference). Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade that have helped me get the most of the experience, taking advantage of the perks… and getting a better night’s sleep!

Frequent Traveler Tips to “Hoteling”

  1. Stick with one hotel chain: I used to jump around finding the best deal. But, in the long run, I lost out. Pick one chain, sign up for their frequent traveler’s program, and you’ll get all the perks (if you travel enough, you’ll often get free upgrades, free nights, free breakfasts…). This still works even if you don’t travel a lot. It will take more time, but you’ll earn rewards.
  2. Set air conditioner colder that you would at home: Don’t pay attention to Continue reading “10 Tips to Hoteling”

A Week Off

Posted on: 04/25/13 12:03 PM | by Jonathan McKee

I just spent a week hanging out with my bride on vacation. We used some airline miles and hotel points and went to a tropical escape (a pic I took yesterday) for 6 nights… and wow! It was so nice just having “us” time.

(This is rather ironic… as I’m writing this, here in my hotel just 30 minutes before we leave for the airport, my wife is now tugging at my shirt, saying, “Come hang with me.” So I’m neglecting her for 5 minutes to write to you about how important she is. This will be a quick post.)

We spent 7 days Continue reading “A Week Off”

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Six Cities in Seven Weeks

Posted on: 04/1/13 2:57 PM | by Jonathan McKee

April is already here and I’m getting ready to head out to six cities across the US in the next seven weeks to speak and train, starting with a quadruple-header in MN this weekend, and eventually landing in Southern CA mid-May with my friends Doug Fields and Jim Burns teaching at the FAM Conference. Join me at these upcoming locations, or consider bringing me out to your city! Continue reading “Six Cities in Seven Weeks”

Uganda

Posted on: 03/21/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

My pastor asked me if I’d go to Uganda with him again. I keep telling him, “If God tells me he wants me to go to Uganda… I’ll go.”

I’m not trying to be a pain in the butt, but I just haven’t heard the call yet.

My friends are all working on me. They all want me to go. So I’ve been asking God, “God, is this just the cool thing to do… or do you want me to go?” And I’ve been listening.

Well, as you know my daughter Alyssa just went with a team of 21 people from my church. This team consisted of my family (Alyssa, my mom and my dad) and some of my closest friends. I had other speaking engagements already scheduled, so the decision was already made for this particular trip… but now my pastor asked me Continue reading “Uganda”

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