cue music... All the leaves are brown...and the sky is gray.... OK FOCUS!
Alright family - My month of Kingdom Dreaming is coming to a close as i just finished a week long Searchlight conference, in Gainesville, GA to better define and refine my Kingdom Dream.
My dream: To create a safe home for young girls and boys who have been trafficked within the US. To bring light to those in darkness and restore hope to those living in hopelessness - all through Jesus.
Through Searchlight, i've learned:
The next steps to creating my dream
New contacts to help my dream succeed
New opportunities to gain me the experience necessary
G42
MATTOO
Thailand trip
etc
Lives will be changed for God's glory because of the work 's given me to do for the Kingdom
and KD can help you too - lots of encouragement, hands on learning, direction, community, etc
I've got a lot to do over the next few weeks and i'm looking forward to seeing how God moves through it all. Stay tuned, follow me and partner with me as i embark of this new adventure to build the Kingdom and fullfill my Kingdom Dream!
If you've got a Kingdom Dream - Come to Searchlight and learn how you make your dream come true.
This blog is being stolen from Michelle Cook because its hilarious and TRUE - a lot great examples of life on the WR. I hope you all enjoy!!!
The World Race is a totally different culture from anything I've ever been a part of. World Racers are a breed of their own...I have compiled a list of super random nonesense that can only happen on The World Race! Thanks to my teammates who have helped...either by going through one of these experiences or helping me to remember that I experienced quite a few of these myself!! Some of these you may not understand...some of them will sound completely ridiculous...just know that each and every one of these is true without exaggeration. Much love to you all! See ya soon :)
You know you're a world racer when:
1. You use your webcam as a mirror because there are none at any of the places you stay or even the reflection from your iPod.
2. You try to piece together your broken pieces of deodorant because it's the last one you brought from home and you still have 3 months left. Most places only have bad roll-ons.
3. A ceramic squatty looks good after a month of squatting over a hole in the ground.
4. You'll use pretty much any facility available to relieve yourself...regardless of how clean (or dirty) it is.
5. iPod-alone-time is not a foreign concept...you stick your headphones in, crank them up, and shut your eyes and you are suddenly "alone" even though there are at least 5 other people in the room.
6. A 9 am start time happens no earlier than 11 am.
7. You hoard napkins from places that actually have them because you know you'll need to use it as tp at some point. (It's hard to find tp in a few countries!)
8. You routinely need to send a text to your contact for the month simply telling him you will be late for dinner because your casting out demons.
9. You use Deet to take off your fingernail polish.
10. You try to create new clothing combos out of the same three outfits you left home with.
11. The free table at debrief is like shopping at the mall
12. You cram 6 people into an ATM booth because it actually has air-conditioning.
13. A 66 hour travel day is normal.
14. You get vomited on on the bus and you can't do anything about it for another twelve hours.
15. The bus stops for a restroom break and the men stand beside the bus and the women simply cross the street. There's no hiding behind bushes!
16. You use grass to clean the dirt from your teeth. Yes, that has happened lol.
17. You have testimonies of most of your squad-mates memorized and can even fill in the details left out because you've heard it over and over in every country.
18. "Fellowship meeting" really means three people will be preaching 45 minutes each.
19. Breast feeding in public is more normal than seeing a baby being bottle fed.
20. You no longer care if the water you are brushing your teeth is bottled or even boiled for safety.
21. Your only escape for privacy is your bucket shower.
22. You're considered high maintenance because you shower daily as well change your underwear daily.
23. The "special mat" to sit on consists of leaves pulled off a bush.
24. You'll use any sort of paper or object to clean under your nails...receipt, notebook paper, plastic, tooth pick, fork, or the knife from your leatherman, stick.
25. Your friends from home can't remember the last time they had diarrhea and you can't remember the last you didn't.
26. You'd prefer to sleep on the floor of the airport because it's more comfortable than the airport couches.
27. You walk around barefoot anytime you see carpet because you know it'll be months before you feel it again.
28. Staying two days in the airport is actually preferred because it means you'll have air conditioning, western toilets, and food other than rice.
29. You're not sure if the tan line on your feet is from the sun or the African dirt you've been walking in for 3 months.
30. You've finally thrown away your malaria meds to save space. Either you were taking them and still got malaria or never took them and never got malaria. (I took the pills like 3 times...never got malaria! :)
31. You think the space cleared up by removing your malaria meds will actually make your pack lighter and less crowded.
32. You finally decide to shave your legs after a week and a half and you shave off dirt that didn't come off from using your loofah.
33. Filling ANY size of vehicle over capacity by at least 5 people is not out of the ordinary.
34. You'd rather stay in the same clothes for a few days because it's easier than digging into your pack during travel times.
35. Your nicest or cleanest outfit is one that has only been worn 4 or 5 times in the same week.
36. You call 34 ragamuffin nomads your family. Much love for the Q!
Alright, well, our team finally made it to Nepal - course this was after a flight from Hyderabad to Delhi, a 37 hour (supposed to be 13 hours) bus ride to the border of Nepal (this included our bus accident), jumping onto another bus for 10 hours (supposed to be 4), and then jumping onto another bus - b/c the driver didn't want to take us all the way to our hostel.
Finally, just before jumping onto the final little bus our old bus driver took our bags hostage - prob had something to do with us not paying him b/c he didn't take us to our agreed upon location.... Course me, using my half asleep brain, jumped into ninja stealth mode and climbed my way to the top of the bus - at which time i began untying ropes to the sound of angry men yelling at me. Fortunately our contact arrived and we were able to negotiate with the driver and get our bags back. But....WE MADE IT!
Ok, now on to some other exciting news...TEAM CHANGES
Just before leaving for Nepal, i was asked to step down as my team's finance person but was later raised up a one of the new team leaders for our squad. YES...well sort of yes - bittersweet i suppose.
As great as it was to be raised up into a team leader position, there was still a bit of sadness over no longer being with my old teammates/friends that i've grown to love and learned to do life with for the past several months.
Despite my sorrow, i have to say that i'm super excited to have the new team that i've been given. Our team name, "the Messengers" (awesome right!!) consists of my old team leader Laura Finley, Gina Beukelman, and former leaders Samara Murtaugh and Taylor McKellar. The fab five (can't remember the group - hope thats a compliment).
I'm excited and certainly looking forward to what God's going to do over the next few months. I've got big shoes to fill and lots of responsiblity, but i'm excited to learn everything i can from being a leader on the WR and to continually pour out what God has taught me.
Below is an email that was sent to one of our contacts, Paul with Capstone, in India after working with World Vision and several children who are affected and/or infected by HIV. Personally it was one of my favorite days of ministry in India.
Before the kids arrived, we were told not to mention anything about HIV (how they got it, who in their family has it, how they feel about it, etc.) for fear of calling them out and making them feel bad - totally makes sense. Personally, I'm glad I didn't know anything and couldn't ask anything. I think it would've been a completely different day if those restrictions weren't there.
Singing songs and Playing games
More songs and More games
Thankfully every one of these kids, for 3+ hours, were able to forget about such things and just concentrate on simply being kids - having fun, laughing, playing games, singing, dancing, etc. It was Amazing! And for that I'm proud. I'm proud that for a short period of time we were able to help those kids forget about the difficulties they face and just allow them to be the awesome kids that they are.
David triumphs over Galiath once again
Dear friends
Greetings
I just wanted to share few thoughts, it was real fun time the other day @ capstone, and the kids loved it. I have been working with these kids for the past 1 ½ years. It has been a real blessing for me to work with these kids.
Some of these kids have experienced deep pain; they have been stigmatized and disowned by their own family members and communities where they live, at very young and tender age.
These kids have shared their feeling to us, they questions they have asked us, was really disturbing, as a team in world vision we found it difficult to address like....
When we have to die one day due to HIV, what's the use of living??
Why people hate us?
Why did I get HIV?
Will I get married?
Like these, there are numerous questions. They are just longing for real love and to be accepted.
You guys just brought smile in their faces, which was over whelming; they enjoyed it, loved it and had a great time with you guys.
Please do remember these kids in your prayers. May God bless each one of you and continue to use for his glory.
This month has been a much-needed breath of fresh air! We have partnered with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) as well as Capstone Ministries, both located in Bangalore, India. One of our contacts Paul, with Capstone, was praying upon our arrival, and felt that God was telling him that we needed rest, time to fill back up, and lots of time to WORSHIP our amazing God...he was right! Living in new surroundings, with new contacts, cultures, programs, etc. can be a bit draining, especially after almost 8 months.
First of two times to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe
Laura's Birthday Dinner at Ruby Tuesdays
Paul has a very refreshing ministry style, non-traditional, which has been a huge encouragement to both teams I am with right now. Their slogan, which is true to the ministry's environment, says, "keep rockin' until the churches are filled!" Almost every day, we find ourselves playing the guitar and singing songs to God on the rooftop of a 5-story building overlooking Bangalore.
Paul runs a school of music and ministry from this building so young Indian men and women are constantly coming and going. Some come to learn how to play different instruments, some come for bible study and worship, but most seem to come just to have a good time...to be around the constant energy! It reminds me of just hanging out with friends back home. We lounge around, talking, laughing, drinking coffee and chai, while building relationships with those around us. It has given me new ideas about what church looks like.
Hanging out on the rooftop
After starting our day on the roof in worship to God, we usually spend time reaching out to the community around us. This has looked different for us each day:
One day, we went to an art show at a local university. Paul has a huge heart for the youth and thought this would be a good opportunity to reach out to college age students, while providing a fun day for us as well. Another day, we visited a local park to help a non-profit run a day camp for young disabled and mentally challenged children. We acted out skits, sang songs, and helped with arts and crafts. We also worked with World Vision and children who were both affected and infected with HIV. We performed skits, sang songs, played games, danced, and laughed. It was definitely one of my favorite days in India.
Performing David and Goliath for the disabled youth
My new friend loving his time at the park
Another awesome day was when about 70 of us that headed to the local coffee shop. As we piled into the small café, locals looked at us in wonder. Part of the store was reserved for us, so we crammed in (with our cappacino's) and began to worship God so loud that before long the whole store was filled with singing. Paul then gave a quick word of encouragement, and then off we went (in groups of 4) into the local community. We walked around the night-lit streets, talking with several different people, and simply telling them that Jesus loves them. It was amazing to see how much that simple sentence affects people...knowing that they are not alone, but are loved by an amazing God.
Typical World Race Shot
I am so thankful for our contacts this month. Paul told us today that he wants to spend the remainder of our time preparing us for what lies ahead, both in the short and long term. I'm not sure what that will look like yet, but I'm sure it will include a lot of time in worship and prayer....and probably lots of fast food since they love to spoil us!
Today was our first day doing school ministry in Uganda...
After we arrived at our first school, we all piled out of the hot van, each gasping for a cool breath of fresh air, and began making our way to the school's auditorium. Their auditorium wasn't quite like the ones we are used to back in the states - it was a long, free-standing building, with windows that lined two sides. Inside it was empty, with the exception of a small table toward the front of the room. As we walked in, we were met with a wave of heat similar to that of a sauna. It was obvious that no one had been in that building for a while or at least for that day. As we slowly fought through the heat wave and walked in, we quickly made our way to each window and began pushing every window open to allow some sort of ventilation.
Not too long after we walked in, students began to file into the auditorium. Some students were carrying chairs to sit on while most were just walking through with the intention of standing through our presentation. The process of students filing into the auditorium seemed to take quite a while - at which point I asked one of them, how many students attended school here? The young girl that I asked, said she didn't know, but told me just several hundred. As I batted my eyes with disbelief as to the number of students I would be speaking to, I took one last opportunity to step away and ask God for the clarity and the words to say that would make the most impact on the lives of the students.
I quickly returned to the building and continued waiting for the remaining number of students to file in. As we were waiting we began to notice that the students weren't just coming in to the building and finding a place to sit or stand but instead they were lining the front - almost to the point of standing on one other. I suppose you could equate this to people at a concert. Typically, and depending on where the concert is being held, everyone seems to push themselves toward the front and pack their bodies in with everyone else's to the point of no personal space and no breathing room. It was actually quite flattering and funny to watch.
As we began our presentation, one of the school leaders and a couple of the church leaders began to talk to the rowdy crowd. Basically, just thanking us for being there and letting the students know why we were there. Next, each of us - my teammates and I - went down the line introducing ourselves to the crowd and thanking them for allowing us to be there.
We opened up with a song I used to do back in Vacation Bible School, and to be honest I haven't heard it since, called the Hallelujah Song, to get the students attention and to get them involved and excited. We followed up with a few more songs, one of which we learned here in Uganda, called Katunda Murunjie. After the final song, it seemed apparent that we had captured everyone's attention, their enthusiasm was high, and they were ready for more something.
Finally, it was my turn to step up to the stage and share what God laid on my heart. Prior to this moment, I had an idea as to what I was going to do - but couldn't quite figure out how it was going to flow. I grabbed a few verses and held on to them tightly in my mind with the hopes of retrieving them when the right time came. I used this opportunity to share a little about my life as I figured of all the things I could say, they might be able to relate to my testimony the best. I started from the beginning and worked my way to the present making sure to hit all the highlights and to use those verses I referenced earlier. I then I closed with one last verse, Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember your creator in the days of your youth. I wanted to hit home the point that they, as young people, always need to keep God/Jesus in the forefront of their minds in everything they do. That life and trials are going to come and decisions are going to need to be made. And the decisions they make will ultimately determine the direction their life goes. So it is imperative that they keep God/Jesus in the forefront of their minds and make their decisions based on what the Bible says and what Jesus would do. By doing this, they will remain in God's will and avoid the heartache and the trouble the world has to offer.
Once I finished my message, our interpreter and friend Michael, gave an invitation for anyone who wanted to receive Christ as their Savior and desired to be born again. He asked them to come forward and to make their way to the front so that we recognize them and pray with them. At first it seemed as though no one was going to come forward, and we were just going to wrap things up, pray, and dismiss everyone back to their classes. However, not soon after that thought ran through my mind, one of the high school girls stepped out of the crowd and came forward. She made her way to the front and when she reached us, she said something that I will never forget, she said, "I don't want to go through what he went through in my life". She said that she wanted to receive Christ so that she would be delivered/spared from such a mess. I didn't really think about her response at first, but instead, I was more interested in her decision for Christ. As we pulled her to the side and began to explain the salvation prayer to her, two more girls stepped out from the crowd and made their way to the front - each confessing their desire to receive Christ and make Him the Lord of their life. We then explained to the three of them the salvation prayer and what is necessary in order to receive Christ as their Savior. We prayed with them, introduced them to the crowd of their peers and encouraged them in their decision.
After the final word had been spoken and all of the students were dismissed from the auditorium, I began to think about what the first girl who came forward had said. She said, "I don't want to go through what he went through in my life". Basically, my story scared her to the point where she wanted to surrender her life to something/Someone bigger and better. It scared her straight.... to Jesus.
I had never thought about it that way before. I had never thought about our testimonies being something that would scare someone into the realization of what might happen without Christ in your life. I had always just thought of it as a way to show people how Christ's love delivered us from whatever pit we had fallen into and how we had been redeemed through his blood. Either way though, that's ultimately what it's all about - using our life stories of struggle, pain, heartache, etc to show how Christ's love redeemed us and lifted us from the pit we've fallen into - to reach more people for Christ and to further the Kingdom. And no matter how the listener receives it or how it opens their eyes to reality, as long as it brings the Lord glory - it's all good.
