Kimberly Daniels - God takes us out, to bring us in.

Do you want to go to Haiti? You can....

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

One of the things I love most about working with Adventures In Missions (which is, for those of you who don't know, the umbrella organization over The World Race) is that when there is a need, we as an organization immediately begin working to respond. And that includes everything from collecting donations to mobilizing people to actually go.

One of our directors just got back from Port-au-Prince yesterday. Paraphrased, this is what he told our staff this morning: "We didn't initiate the Kingdom there. We didn't single-handedly bring it. It was already present. God is already moving, and the people are responding to Him. The people of Haiti are releasing the Kingdom into their own nation. But God is inviting us to be a part, and to join with them as a family, as the Body of Christ. We aren't going to be their saviors; we are going to support them; to show them we love them. It is our honor, and our privilege."

Sweet and simple: If you want to go to Haiti, AIM is taking teams consistently for the next 6 months. If you want to go, we want to help get you there. If you know someone who wants to go, please pass this along to them.

This page has all the listed trips available as of now. Most are 7 days, some are 9, some are 14 days; for the next 6 months

This is the main site.

Take 3 minutes to watch this practical video on what your time in Haiti might be like. And let me know if you have any questions, or if you decide to go!

How Does God Feel About Haiti?

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Seth Barnes wrote a blog about how God feels about Haiti, something he was reminded of earlier this week:

God weeps for his children. He sees the horror they're experiencing in Haiti and he feels a grief that human words cannot describe. He sees the woman holding her crushed child and he feels the sorrow coursing through her being. He wants to hold her in the same way.

The sovereignty of God is a mystery that seems at odds with a tragedy of this scale. As humans we struggle to explain how a good and omnipotent God can allow it.

Worship is the proper response, not speculation or theology on the cheap. For a Christian leader to speculate on national television, for example, about the linkage between the country's leaders' pact with the devil centuries ago and this calamity is irresponsible and grossly insensitive. It's an anthropomorphic syllogism akin to Peter asking Jesus for permission to build booths on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Too often we Americans let our rational minds spin with speculative and convoluted proof-texting. And I want to say, "Can we just stop having to explain this God of ours in ways that bring our tiny minds a shabby and evanescent peace? Can we just let his response be the one that he took four chapters to give Job* starting with, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?"

God help us when we go through our similar tragedy one day, be it through cancer or a car accident. We will have a choice, to bow at the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil and ask "Why?" Or, to bow at the tree of Life and worship. Let's choose the latter, knowing that our God weeps for his children in Haiti.

*Job 38-41

Haiti

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

It should be no surprise by now that Haiti was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake two nights ago, one of the worst earthquakes that the country has experienced in centuries. The Red Cross has estimated 50,000 people are dead.

The January 2009 World Race squad's first stop last year was Haiti. They spent four weeks ministering there, and one participant Teri knew that part of her destiny would be fulfilled in reaching the Haitians for Jesus. She returns next month. Many more World Race alumni will follow in her footsteps, restoring devastated places, and this summer, the July Race will visit Haiti as one of their first countries. In addition, AIM will soon have opportunities for other short-term volunteers to go and help.

But many people have still been asking us how they can help Haiti right now.

Full-time AIM missionaries Miguel and Kristen Shaul are in the field in the Dominican Republic and as of last night are headed to Haiti to provide some much-needed relief and help to the country. They recently posted to their blog the following:

If the borders are not too difficult, Miguel will attempt to get in as far as possible and access the nearest need closest to the Dominican border. We imagine smaller, poorer towns will have massive devastation as well due to inadequate structural integrity even though they are further out from the epicenter.

The primary goal is to bring first-response relief to those in need, supplies such as food, blankets, shelters, and basic health care will be needed.

Our secondary goal is to identify communities in which we can get involved in long term rebuilding. In both of these cases, we request prayer for the Lord's leading of our effort and favor, and we also ask for partnership in funding our response. Please consider joining in our work to respond to this great brokenness with the love of Christ. Read more...

Here's how you can help:

Give a Gift.

Click here to give a tax-deductible financial gift for the purchase of supplies needed for first response (food, blankets, shelters, basic health care, etc.).

Give Prayer.

Continue to pray over the country of Haiti, over the ministry that we're establishing down there, and for the restoration of lives! Leave a comment on this blog with a prayer for the Haitian people.

Give Yourself.

Spots are still open on the July 2010 Race - second stop is Haiti. Apply Here!

Also, we'll be sending more short-term AIM teams out soon for immediate response. Check adventures.org/haiti for updates.

Join us in prayer for the people there. Please do not entertain thoughts that this is somehow God's punishment for the evil perpetuated in this country and consider the people, made in God's image, who are suffering and desperately in need of hope. This could be a new day for Haiti as the people of God show true love and care.

*Photos courtesy http://www.reuters.com/news/world

Urbana

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

20,000 people showed up in snowy, blustery St Louis.

For 5 days, they listened, they accepted challenge, they spoke. And many acted.

It's called Urbana. It's a conference that occurs once every 3 years, gathering people from all around the world.

It's unique because the vast majority of people who come, come because they have dedicated their lives in some capacity to missions work, both domestically in America and foreign, to every nation around the globe.

I was there, and had the privilege of representing The World Race along with 3 others.

Caroline Crawford, Aaron Bruner, Kelly Chadwick and I spent 5 days talking with over 500 people about what The World Race is, how God is using it as a vehicle in our generation, praying with people about the next step in their lives, and telling the stories we've experienced and heard from all around the world. We watched many people's eyes light up and say, "This is just what I've been praying about being a part of!"

In our booth, we set up a tent, wore the giant backpacks and WR t-shirts, played the promo video (a thousand times on repeat), gave away hundreds of brochures, and helped about 150 people fill out quick applications right then and there. Every member of our 4 person team brought something unique and valuable to the table, and we worked really well together.

During the evenings, sessions were held in a giant dome, where speakers like Shane Claiborne, Sundar Krishnan, and Oscar Muriu (from Kenya) shared about issues affecting the world, why we should care, and what we can do about it to take action and BE the will of God.

To be perfectly honest, while I'm not normally a fan of these kinds of huge gatherings, this one was pretty sweet. The moment the band started playing a familiar African song of worship, I looked around and saw 20,000 other people from every country in the world singing in one language, a language that wasn't their own. And goosebumps covered me like a long sleeved shirt. I thought about the global church, not just the one in America, and I thought about my brothers and sisters by name in Malawi, Thailand, Peru, Mozambique, and Bolivia. I thought about their work for the Kingdom in their homelands, and about how blessed I am to have met them. Their love and service for Christ has been life-giving to their families and neighbors. And to me.

Our presence at Urbana 2009 was a way to introduce people to what The World Race is, and if they had interest, to help them take the first steps. The World Race is a Matthew 10:10 journey... take only what you need for the road, live simply, as you go "heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons..." (Matt 10:8), while over the course of 11 months, getting the chance to experience Acts 2:42, being the church to each other and learning about what intense, intentional community can look like.

Currently, we have 265 World Racers out on the field. Over the last 2 years, t's been fun to watch how God molds, shapes, and reshapes this thing as we go along. It's His vision, His World Race. I'm loving the imperfect process, and loving the journey.

Let Them Go

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Today I want to share with you a blog that Michael Hindes wrote, and it is a must-read. Michael and Kathy are the directors of The World Race, and are 2 of my favorite people in the wide world. If you only read one thing today, let it be this.

My wife, Kathy, and I have been married nearly 29 years. We have three sons ages 22-25, they are all in the middle of pursuing God's plan for their lives.

It often feels that their walk into destiny is actually a walk away from us. A recurring thought I've had as we raised our sons was that they were trying to move away from us. See when they crawled, they crawled away; when they walked, they walked away; when they ran, they ran away, we taught them to ride bikes, they peddled away, they got their licenses, they drove away. Now we see them in pursuit of independence and finding their voices. The problem we are having is they are fighting to get independence from us and their voices rarely sound like us. It's a painful job this calling to be a parent.

It's getting more painful all the time because the world is getting scarier and increasingly unsafe. On top of that we are the generation that has over indulged and over protected our children. We have cared more about their comfort than their character development. We have done everything we could to keep them from pain - every sharp corner covered, every outlet protected, "baby on board" signs in every minivan. We haven't wanted them to feel the pain of losing either, so now every sports participant gets a t-shirt and a trophy for just showing up. We call their bosses if they get harsh evaluations at work. I recently heard a professor interviewed and he said "parental intervention is getting out of control". He was further quoted as saying "that for the first time in 30 years he was having to regularly defend grades to parents of undergrad and grad students a like".

We must stop the madness of constant interference. These young people are actually God's plan to bring in the next great harvest. The work is going to be hard, painful, lonely, humbling, and even dangerous. We can't run behind our children any longer with pillows trying to soften the pain that God himself may be orchestrating.

Our young adults need an alternative to our interference. They need places that will offer initiation into adulthood. They need places to find their voices and independence. They need places to be exposed to real pain and have the Holy Spirit ask, "What will you do about it"? They need places with close community that will challenge the behaviors and attitudes that we have previously excused. In short, they need places to grow up and grow away from us.

The World Race is one of these places and it provides this kind of discipleship. It offers ministry in tough places internationally while bringing ministry to tough places internally.

Real discipleship should offer real ministry while providing a real invitation to real maturity.

The world needs our kids and we need to let them go!!!

November Newsletter

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

:: November 2009 :: Newsletter ::

11 countries in 11 months; One update

:: In this Issue ::

Current & Upcoming Races

Word to the World Race Alumni
Stories from the Field

Videos from the Field

:: Current & Upcoming Races ::

October 2009 Teams are off and racing.
Follow Oct. 2009 Racers here

January 2010 Teams will be leaving soon.
Follow Jan. 2010 Racers here

Are you ready to join the race?

We are already accepting applications for June 2010 and July 2010 Races.

Apply Now

:: World Race Alumni ::

Attention World Race Alumni

Join our Facebook group so you stay in the loop about how the World Race is expanding, how lives are being changed, how the world is being served, and how Jesus Christ is becoming known throughout every nation, tribe and tongue. And the best part? Learn about how you can stay involved while remaining connected to a rapidly growing network of World Race Alumni.

>> Join the group here <<

:: Stories from the Field ::

Finding Justine

Andrea Wendel writes:

Today was an adventure of finding Justine. Justine was found, originally, by Ryan Stewart, a January 2007 World Racer. He has several blogs about teams who have found Justine since then. Today, was our turn. Today, God continued to carry out His persistent love for His Daughter.

The Real Outback
Erin Winget writes:

I want to introduce you to Carl. I learned to say his name with an Aussie accent. Listen: "Caaal". Long a. Carl was doing good stuff with Aboriginal communities so I was lucky to get a hold of him via Skype and he invited me and Mark to join him on visiting some of the communities that he ministers to on a regular basis in the outback of the Northern Territory.

Impossible Odds...
Haley Smith writes:
My team and I are currently in Jinotepe, Nicaragua. Our ministry contacts for the month are Glenn and Lynne Schweitzer, pastors and missionaries from Maryland. They are involved in various ministries in Nicaragua including feeding programs in neighboring communities, several church plants, and a teen home for abandoned, abused and neglected children (Quinta Esperanza).
Read more about Haley's experiences in Nicaragua...

:: Videos from the Field ::

Who is Jesus?

One of the best parts of being on the mission field is getting to interact freely with complete strangers, especially when you get to ask them thought-provoking questions and share the gospel with them. Team Mosaic felt led to film a media project this month in Turkey asking people in the community questions such as, "who is Jesus?" Check it out:

More and more people are going deeper in their relationship with Christ through their participation in The World Race. Lives are being transformed.

Ilsa.

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My dear friend Andi Wendel is out in Guatemala right now, serving as a squad leader for the October 2009 World Race. This is a blog she posted today that absolutely stirred me to the core. I have to share it with you... because it's a powerful depiction of the fact that God's DNA is made up of restoration and redemption, and it's an example of how He is going to the darkest places of people's lives through us as His Bride... all so that people can experience love, freedom, and grace to know Him.

Hope you can take a minute to read:

This young lady is mentally handicapped. Her name is Ilsa. She is 26 years old. She lives in an orphanage that resembles hell. She sees in the spiritual realm. There is a battle raging in and around her.

We were there only to clean the grounds yesterday. But I could feel the Spirit leading me to the girl's dorm. I walked into the main room of the girl's dormitory at the orphanage, which looks like a 1940s psych ward at a creepy hospital. There are two old metal school desks at one end of the room. A chair in the absolute center of the room. And a TV barely hanging onto the wall at the opposite end. There was one person in the whole dorm. It was Ilsa. She was standing about 4 feet from the chair looking directly at it. Frozen. Tormented.

I walked in very slowly. She turned and saw me. She immediately started backing into the corner, terrified of me. (Note that we have been here before and have met her before. She knows me and has hugged me and played with me before). Not yesterday. She backed away abruptly. I stopped, dropped to my knees, and laid my palms open before her. She still backed away.

She got to the wall, and positioned herself directly under the TV, facing the chair still. I stayed kneeling on the floor about 5 feet from her. I started to pray. In English and in the Spirit. Nothing.

I started crying. I couldn't help it. She had such fear all over her. Her eyes kept darting around the room. She was seeing tormentors. I kept praying. I started singing. I was sensing sexual spirits. Harassing spirits. It was awful. I was in pieces before her. She just kept staring, eyes darting.

I said, in English, 'God loves you.' She shook her head, 'no.' I choked up. I said it again, in English. 'God loves you.' Again, a certain head shake, 'no.' I said it again, 'GOD LOVES YOU.' And again, a head shake.

I felt led to get up-- go to her. Slowly. Very slowly. Very humbly, low, peacefully, gracefully. She hesitated. I started singing. She stayed. I moved a little closer. She shook her head. I prayed in the Spirit. I cried out. PEACE! IN THIS ROOM IN JESUS' NAME! I sang.

She let me come closer. I reached out my hand, palm up, slowly. She shook her head. I waited. Sang. She looked up at me. Something was breaking. Leaving. I reached my hand closer. She shook her head more. I couldn't wait any longer. I rested my hand on hers. And an outpouring of the Spirit came off my tongue over her in tears and song. She started to cry. I kept praying peace. I stayed beside her for a long time.

Finally, something disarmed. She calmed. I felt a release. The atmosphere changed. Ilsa started to move, not frozen anymore. Another girl walked into the room. She started talking to me and Ilsa-- looked at me and made the hand motion for, 'she's crazy,' to me-- and my heart broke even more. I yearned to know enough Spanish to say, 'yes, but she sees more clearly than the rest of us do.' I could only get out, 'yes, but...' with some hand motions signifying more.

And I approached Ilsa again. Had my palms out once again, and she received me. Came to me. Hugged me. Clutched me. And clung to me. She smiled.

-----

So, I don't have a pretty conclusion to this. I just know that the spiritual realm and battle going on is very real. And I know that love trumps it all.

from those who have gone before

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately about the different seasons of life that we live, why each one feels so different, why change is so beautiful, why it hurts, and how God equips, stretches and expands us for what each new season will hold. He's real gracious like that.

When I was out on the field in 2008, the ministry looked different every single day. Sometimes it was to AIDS orphans in Africa, sometimes to women stuck in prostitution in Thailand, sometimes to earthquake victims in Peru, sometimes to the homeless in Cambodia, sometimes to my squad-mates, and sometimes to my friends & family back in the United States through videos and blogs. Here in 2009, the ministry is no less important; it's only different.

Summer time is hot, frankly unbearable for me, and every year, I can't wait for it to be over... mostly because it leads into my favorite season, which is Fall. The colors turn richer and deeper, the air feels more free, and it's time to build fires in the living room again where family cuddles up together. Winter is magical and very Disney-isque to me, and being that I am a giant fan of hats, winter is the perfect occasion for them. Then there's Spring, and it always spurs me to remember that after every death, there will inevitably be life again. "This too shall pass..."

I think I'm coming out of a SumTer in my own life (that's Summer and Winter mixed together. Because they did it in that picture over there --->). Summer, because there have been some borderline unbearable parts, and Winter because, even amidst all it's mystical beauty, there's been a lot of death. I'm coming out of Winter's death, right as Winter is about to politely arrive again in Michigan. And so, I've been reflecting. From 2008 with The World Race to now, things have obviously changed. (For one, I no longer brush my teeth in a river.) In this present season, a portion of the ministry I get to be a part of is telling our story through video, so that the masses of undiscovered World Racers can see, hear, and hopefully feel what it is like to be a part of this journey.

But it goes way beyond The World Race. In fact, it's really not about The World Race at all. My hope is to inspire people to take a step into the unknown, out of systems and structures, to choose to be in places where they have to depend on God, to begin to understand that the Kingdom of God is withIN us, and therefore doesn't need to be conjured up by laws or re-doubled efforts: it only needs to be released. There have been seasons where I have completely missed the point, not released the Kingdom, not accepted or given grace, not loved well, and not clung to hope. But outrageously, God has lavished kindness and patience on me, and taken me out of the corners I crammed myself into. He's put me in a spacious place. Now out of the freedom I've received, I want to see it released in other people's lives. He has grown in me a desire to see us begin to understand our destinies. To take risks. To live freely under authority. To understand who we are and who we are not. To grasp that we have an inheritance, and it is the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is made up of people. To live the greater things that Jesus promised.

Here is a video I just finished that features the experiences of some of our Alumni. I'd love it if you'd take a few minutes to watch, and pass it on.

Video: A Word from our Director

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here's a video I put together of a few words from our director, Michael Hindes. He talks about The World Race, the process of initiation through pilgrimage, and what it means to release the Kingdom of God outside of ourselves.

I'd love it if you took a few minutes to watch, and then pass it on if anyone comes to mind to share it with.

World Race Promo Video

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Why we do what we do.....

WR Vlogging Session 101

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For the videographers of the January Squad....:

Here are some of the examples we talked about at Training Camp, and more:

Montage:

The music is your narrator; pick songs that tell your story, and clips that offer a glimpse into what you see and feel everyday. Rarely do you include audio clips besides the choice music.

Kids of Tambo De Mora

Maasai Wonderland

Family Home Video

Never Going Back to OK

Philippines Month

Report:

The report is a clear and concise way to relay the events on the field to your viewers by narrating and showing clips, just like a news report. Being informative for your supporters doesn't have to be drab and boring. Let your personality come out--

Lean and Squeeze

The Whole World

Cambodia Orphans

The Legacy of Baby Moses

School in Swaziland

Life on the Race:

To remind people at home that you are still human-- not a super-Christian who doesn't laugh. Again, be mindful of how many of these you post!

Covert Operation

Mixto Complete-o

SGOT Award

Cribs in India ; Cribs in Peru (This is a great concept; both of these are just a little long)

Call to Help/Go:

The purpose here is to raise awareness for a need and ask for extra help, whether that be for a ministry contact, or for one of your own teammates.

Nsoko Project

Shakira. Call Me.

Don't Let Money Tear Us Apart

Simple Update/Message
Do you want to tell your family you made it to Africa safely? Do you want your supporters to know that you're thankful? Do you want your friends to know what you are going through emotionally? ....but you don't want to write a blog?
Simply sit in front of the camera and speak a 45 second update. A word of caution: BE CAREFUL with these... no one except your dear sweet mother wants to see/listen to you for 10 minutes. Remember that you are building a relationship with your viewers and you are ministering to THEM. So make it more about how you can minister to them rather than make the video what YOU want it to be.

For those of you who have little video editing experience, don't own a camera, don't want to tote around a camera, or know a minimal amount about how to put together a video at all, do not despair. Here are some practical, user-friendly ways to create a VLOG, and the reasons why we choose to do it at all.

Storytelling Elements

WHY do we VLOG at all??
-Because God has stories to tell through you. Your life journey is one of the clearest pictures of Love, Redemption, Truth, and Grace that people will ever see.
-Because media is a language. And one that our culture speaks very fluently. Most people are more likely to spend 5 minutes watching a video, than 5 minutes reading a blog. If we can learn to speak it well, we can engage our generation on a whole new level.
-Because when you can't find the words, pictures are worth a thousand words. And videos are worth 2,000-capture the movement, the time... done well, a video can portray more than just the facts of a location; it can portray the emotions, the humanity, the divinity, the needs...
-Because these WR videos are a ministry to your friends, family, and supporters back at home. Not to mention the hundreds of people that you don't even know. Videos are another form of ministry. Was there a video that YOU saw somewhere that helped guide you to where you are today?

WHERE do we VLOG?
-Where there is a story worth telling.
-Caution: Never make anyone feel exploited. American tourists already have a bad enough reputation around the world for being self-focused locusts; let's not add to it. Most of the time, people will be excited to have their picture taken, but make sure that you build a relationship with the people FIRST.

HOW do we VLOG?
-With tact. Purpose. Heart.
-Learn how to be more than just an editor, more than just a shooter. Learn how to tell the story, and learn how to draw the story out of people. Ask the right questions.
-We obviously want you to enjoy yourselves and have fun while making videos on The Race. We need to keep in mind though, that when all your supporters see is videos of you goofing off, it doesn't send the message that you are doing much to change the world, love the orphans, heal the sick, etc etc. So while videos should be fun, also remember why you are doing them.

WHAT makes an effective video for The World Race?
-Focus on telling your story in a way that keeps the attention of your viewer. Remember, this is a ministry first and foremost. It is not about you.
-There are some practical techniques you can keep in mind to help your videos captivate:

Variety
    -Of clips (close, far, fast, slow, different angles, color, black and white, etc)
Movement
    -Timing/Transitions: on beat with music
Music
    -That FITS your objective
Text
    -Use it to tell your story; narrate
Time:
    -Under 4 minutes

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I'm here to help along the way, so use me as a resource!

You guys are great.

More than a numbers game

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Human trafficking is a reality for millions of people all around the world. As World Racers, we've built relationships with people that are directly involved in this growing and horrific industry. The World Race isn't the only group that seeks to educate people about this, but helping get more people out on the mission field through our program will ensure that more people are taking responsibility for the problem and loving the people involved.

Brian and Stacy Alonzo are fellow racers, fellow leaders, and fellow world-changers. They have giant hearts of compassion and a cry deep within them to BE the change. They put together a fantastic video on one of the biggest issues our world is facing.

For Sale: Children

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

From Matt Snyder's blog:

I saw this on Jeff Goins' blog this morning. It pretty much disgusts me because I'm absolutely sickened by human trafficking. I've heard about the problems in India, but never have seen them on video like this. I've been to India and seen the effects, but I've... geez... never seen this.

I know the video's 11 minutes long and you probably live such a fast-paced life that you couldn't spare 11 minutes, but if you could... please watch this. And ask God to break your heart for what breaks His.

And I apologize for my tone this morning, I'm writing this just after watching this video and I'm a little miffed.

What The World Race can do to you...

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

They say:

No need to hide anything anymore.

Can't return to who I was before.

I can finally breathe. Suddenly alive.

I can finally move. My world feels revived.

This video is by Jennifer Crane, WR Alumni July 2008 Squad.

Want to apply? Or know someone who might?

Click here: Breathe deeper.

Video Tribute: WR July 08

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I'm currently in Gainesville, Georgia at our World Race headquarters. This week, we are training and empowering a squad of 88 men and women who will launch out of Ireland in August 2009 and begin to partner with God to write the next chapter of The World Race story, and the next chapter of their lives.

At the same time that we are beginning something new, something else has come to completion.

This week, the squad that left in July of 2008 has just finished their World Race.

They've come back changed, awakened to the realities of injustices all around the world, but further,

awakened to the Kingdom inside of them and inside of those they met along the way.

This is a video by Katie Rowland from the July 2008 Squad.

Please take a few minutes to watch it!

D.E. at RMH on ABC

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

He is one of those people that, more often than not, doesn't appear to have a "filter".

And you love him for it.

He says what is on his mind with grace because, more than most people, he's learned that life is far too short to stumble around in the endless, dark fog of people-pleasing tendencies. He loves people, wants to hang out with them in their pain, and on purpose empties himself of himself in order to let God's extravagant love seep out through his pores.

To me, my step-dad Dick East is a shining example of someone who is living to bring some LIFE in dead places. He does not live like there isn't hope, and to those who feel that it's somehow been lost, he has a knack for ushering it back in.

This is D.E. (Dick East) at RMH (Ronald McDonald House) on ABC (...the tv station...), bringing some Kingdom to Houston, Tx.

Narimon

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When girls who have found themselves working in the Thailand bars, often as prostitutes, reach the point where they are looking for a way out, there is a place for them to go. 'The Well' is a home, a family, a workplace, a school, with a goal in mind: to restore that which has been in shambles, reconcile that which has been broken, and give hope where it has been deferred.

Bangkok, Thailand has thousands of bars, with thousands of women who believe that selling themselves is their only option. Some have been forced into this life; some have been trafficked and work because of fear. The Well is a safe place where women can begin to build another life for themselves and their children, learning life skills by making high quality jewelry and crafts as an occupation. But she learns more than life skills here....

She learns that her intrinsic value has nothing to do with what men will pay for her. Instead, it is because of Who she belongs to and Who loves her heart and soul enough to pay the ultimate price out of selfless ambition; He did not pay money for her. He gave her His life.

She learns that her identity is not 'prostitute', 'dancer', 'pretty lady'.

Her identity is 'Daughter', 'Beloved', 'Chosen', and 'Cherished'.

She is 'Narimon', the Thai word for what Jesus named her: pure', immaculate', flawless', innocent', spotless', stainless', queen'.

The Well

To donate to The Well

Visit Corridor of Hope

The Blood Song

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Love Amongst Prostitutes

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

from www.theworldrace.org

"I'd felt intense all day, and it culminated especially as I stepped out of the taxi and laid eyes once more on the chaos of the downtown scene. The lights, the pounding music, the men, the women, the beer, the smell...

"Once I get into intense mode, it takes the Jaws of Life to pry me out. I wanted to just get in there. I walked fast, fiercely praying through the downtown streets, blessing little kids and speaking limbs into cripples..."

World Racers embrace the love of God in such a way that they want to go unleash it on the world around them. Kim Daniels is one of those people. While in Bangkok, Thailand ministering to the prostitutes in bars, she saw another opportunity to infect somebody with Truth.

"As we sat inside, drinking our waters, a random man came in and sat down. After about three minutes of trying to hit on me, he realized that getting hit on was not what I was in this bar for and started to ask some different questions and listen to mine. We talked for about an hour.

"His was a classic story: He'd come with his two friends from Australia to Thailand to 'do what the Thai people do' after his three-year relationship with his girlfriend had ended... he asked why I was in Bangkok and I said, Those girls up there,' motioning with my head and turning my eyes to the girls on the poles. He followed my gaze and looked back at me.

"'Those girls are somebody's sister, somebody's mom, somebody's daughter. No matter how they ended up here, none of them are too far gone. Basically, I want them to know that they CAN get out. And if they won't yet, I at least want to tell them that their intrinsic value has nothing to do with their outward beauty or how much men will pay to sleep with them. Most of these women have never ever heard that in their life.'

"His eyes were glued on me. He said, What are you really doing here?'"

God has a heart for those enslaved to darkness, for those that are imprisoned to something that they feel they have no way out of, but he uses willing and obedient followers to go to some of the most obscure places in the world to unleash freedom.

Is God calling something out of you? Do you have a heart for prostitutes in bondage to something they can't get out of on their own? Do you have a heart for orphans and widows in distress? Is there a chance The World Race is for you?

Find out here.

"That's part of my dream for Thailand. It's not just for the bar girls, it's for the men here, too. That they would travel halfway around the world thinking that they'll dive deep into pleasure and ignore the pain that drives them here... but instead of meeting girls for sex in the bars, they meet God. Because God's Kingdom invaded the bars incognito, and they didn't even see it coming. And in the very place that they thought they'd play Jonah to keep running from Him, they crash into Him."

To read more of Kim's story, click here.

speaking in tongues... what?

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This blog is by Jimmy McCarty, and is one that I absolutely could not pass up re-posting. Jimmy is our World Race Program Director. I've had the pleasure of working with him on World Race staff for about 4 months, and in addition, he was our lifeline back in the states while I was on The Race in 2008. I feel that the way he approaches and processes the following subject is fantastic, and on so may levels, I appreciate this blog.

I realize that it is a bit long, but if tongues is something you have ever wondered about, it is worth the read until the very end.

We're control freaks. No, seriously, it's kind of outrageous when you think about it. We're absolute control freaks. Not only will we try and control the things that happen to us, but we have back up plans for how to control our protection if something is threatening and our control begins to break down. If that doesn't work we have backup plans for that and if THOSE desperate acts of manipulation don't work, it's fight or flight baby (which is a backup plan in and of itself...so Darwinian I know...).

This past training camp, I had an epiphany.

I've felt the need for the last several years to defend the position, integrity, and reputation of Adventures in Missions and if I'm honest, defend God. I don't know what possesses me to take on these burdens (as if I truly understood what I was doing) but I work fiercely to protect the things I see as important. Not that it's all bad, but wow, the stress is unbelievable.

This past training camp we had some of the most outrageous, amazing, momentarily terrifying but truly honest and real experiences with the Lord. The Spirit of God moved through our midst in unprecedented ways. Freedom began to occur, new understandings of God began to be realized, celebrations, grievings, joy, honesty...I could go on. The fruit of our time was precious, sacred even.

When these nights happen, I get the rush of Holy-Spirit-adrenaline and just bask in the wonder of it all...until it's done. Once it's done I immediately launch into crisis management mode. "Who had a problem with this?" "How am I going to back this up?" "What are people going to say about our ministry (truth or not)?" All these management thoughts run through my head. They're not all faithless, some are pastoral, but the emotion that accompanies them carries a little trepidation.

This past camp I realized a truth that has changed everything for me. The truth isn't "I'm a people-pleaser" (though I do have those tendencies). The truth isn't "let God be your defender" (though He IS and I am learning to trust that everyday). The truth wasn't even that ground breaking...but it's given me clarity that is taking away anxiety.

Speaking in tongues is always an issue. No matter what the Spirit did (laughter, tears, dancing, worship, even people falling to the ground) nothing gets challenged the way speaking in tongues does. As a Southern Baptist kid I get it. I've seen the whole "we believe it we just don't encourage it" argument. I've heard the cessationist doctrine (I studied in seminary). And at the end of the day, I realize that the notion of tongues sounds irrational.

It's always the hardest issue to overcome, but it's always so surprising to me that the issue arises not from a conviction from Scripture but from fear of loss of control. Remember, we fear what we can't control and when our control disappears, our backup plans get haphazardly thrown into gear.

If doctrine is the stumbling block for you, I want you to listen to this. I was able at this past camp to talk through some of the core doctrinal issues on tongues with a group of racers. I feel a good understanding of audience, context and the simple facts of what Scripture says will alleviate any crutch it affords when you want to challenge the fruit of experience people have when God moves.

So here goes:

Question #1: Is tongues real?

Scripture talks frequently about tongues. Acts 2 and 4 note that the Apostles spoke in tongues, preaches in tongues, etc. Some might argue 1 Corinthians 13 but factually, it has no conclusive language to say that tongues is irrelevant for today. If you're still skeptical, talk with someone who prays in tongues and see the fruit of that discipline in their lives. It's either Satan, their flesh or the Spirit. Decide for yourself.

Question #2: Scripture never actually talks about a prayer language' what's that all about?

Romans 8 talks about the Spirit groaning and uttering words we do not understand as He intercedes on our behalf. Keep in mind that the Romans were highly educated and the Roman church was well established when this epistle was written. If we are to interpret this through the lens of philosophers and scholars (as the Romans were), the Spirit inside us intercedes to the Father on our behalf. If that's what's happening then we must be the ones uttering and groaning right? It's not about the content of our prayers (though God might choose to reveal the meaning), it's about the Spirit inside us communing with the Father.

Question #3: Isn't tongues only of God when it has an interpretation?

People always throw this out and never seem to be able to refer to where this is actually listed in Scripture. So here you go: 1 Corinthians 12 refers to a list of "spiritual gifts" noted by a specific Greek word for "gift" ("charis"). These include things like healing, miracles, faith and also tongues and interpretation.

Let me pause here and suggest something: does God only heal people when someone with the gift of healing prays? What about miracles? Faith? We can infer then that if someone is given supernatural faith without necessarily having the "gift of faith", couldn't someone also be able to speak in tongues under the influence of the spirit without necessarily having the "gift of tongues"?

Another way to think of this is: is a gift for a lifetime or for a moment? If it's for a moment, then we truly have no control over when God chooses to give and have no obligation for performance.

1 Corinthians 14 spends several paragraphs talking about this whole "tongues and interpretation" issue. I want you to read carefully what 1 Corinthians 14 says. Keep in mind that the audience is an unlearned, unestablished church. They are at the very beginning stages of their spiritual journeys and establishing any kind of system needed guidelines. The verse clearly states that if someone speaks in church there must be an interpretation. Think through this scenario: God gives a word to an individual while the body of Christ is assembled. The intent is to build up the body (though Paul admonishes elsewhere that prophecy is better for this) and is a direct word to a congregation. This is different than a prayer uttered to the Lord by the Spirit inside us.

My epiphany is this: I don't think I have the gift of tongues. I think I allow the Spirit of God to pray on my behalf, but not once have I felt the Lord call me to give a word to a body in a tongue. Following this to its logical conclusion, praying in tongues doesn't fall under the guidelines of 1 Corinthians 14 because it's not directed to an individual or body where an interpretation gives the tongue meaning, credibility and accountability.

Question #4: If it's alright for us all to chatter away in tongues as long as we're praying, it feels chaotic, isn't God a God of order and peace?

My question back is this: when then is passionate prayer appropriate? If the community operates in freedom and in unity, then prayer should be passionate. Can God not hear our prayers even if we utter them at the same time? Christians all over the world pray like this but Americans tend to have the utmost of concern for this method of prayer. Even in English, praying in a "concert of prayer" can be a faith-building, life-giving thing. The principle is not "order vs no order" it's about freedom, loving one another, and refusing to venture down the road to judgment and legalism. Is there a threshold where we're simply babbling in our own pride? Absolutely. Is that why we live in a community that has permission to bring correction and guidance? Absolutely. Is the answer to mandate that the only way to pray is reverently in a circle listening to one voice hear from the Lord at a time? God forbid.

I know this is long for a blog post. But it's been burning in my heart the last week or so. Judge the fruit. God is a redeemer and like I told the racers last week repeatedly: God works in spite of us and our best efforts. Our community is one where it's okay to try and fail, where it's okay to make a mistake. I told one racer that "God's a big boy." He doesn't want our defense, He wants our obedience. Defensiveness is just another assertion of control...God wants that too.

Chuckin' Demons Back to Hell

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On September 5th, 2007, I found myself on the grounds of The World Race Training Camp in Gainesville, Georgia, feeling like my entire world was being turned upside down. I was changing at such a rapid pace that my head was spinning... and yet in the midst of all the spinning, I had more freedom than I had ever known in my life. All of a sudden I came face to face with words I had been spouting off for years: "God is so much bigger than we think! And He doesn't live in a box! And He isn't TAME! And He can do ANYTHING!"

So... He showed up in a 'new' way that day, and I began to ask: "Does God really work like THAT? Do miracles STILL happen? Do the blind still see? Do the lame walk? Do the dead really rise?? I mean really... And do demons still get cast out?"

Big questions... and some very satisfying answers, but mostly more questions. I left Training Camp feeling like I'd experienced something out of the book of Acts... like I'd peered into a glimpse of heaven's eternity... like I'd swallowed the red pill from the Matrix. My paradigm was officially shifted.

Three months later, on January 5th, 2008, I boarded a plane that took myself and 26 other ordinary radicals to Peru on the start of our very own pilgrimage that we affectionately call, The World Race. We saw all kinds of crazy Acts-like things that blew our minds. Legs that grew before our eyes. Ears that were opened up. Broken limbs that mended. Demons that got thrown back to hell.

But it all started for us at Training Camp--- an intense 10 days designed to equip and prepare Racers with what they'll need to thrive amidst the difficult spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental challenges they'll face out in the nations over 11 months. After completing The Race, I know now more than ever just how imperative it was that God did what He did in me and my squad back in 2007.

I'm on the other side of Training Camp now... Instead of going through it, I get to help facilitate it. I just returned home to Michigan from Georgia on Sunday night after spending 10 days with the June 2009 World Race Squad. They will launch out of Guatemala in a couple of months.

There's no easy way to say this, but... crazy things happen at World Race training camps. It's almost as if the book of Acts is resurrected back to life. The Holy Spirit falls, it breaks people, heals people, delivers people, and It uses us as a vessel (at times) to see change come in others' lives.

In the following blog, June 2009 Racer Taylor Griffith, talks OPENLY about his experiences at training camp.

Theology and doctrine BEWARE...

Eighteen years ago I became ensnared by the attractive web of hardcore porn. I was a six year old Christian and the 18 years that followed have been full of many different struggles. I mean, I'm sure we can all attest to having mommy and daddy issues, issues of self-worth, loneliness, insecurity, and hopelessness. I experienced all of these and more. It was all big stuff, but the porn, that eventually grew into a drive for sex, continued to be a CRUSHING burden with no escape in sight. I did experience growth and success in areas of my life and even bared fruit in the name of Christ, but I never experienced deliverance, deliverance that we all read so much about in the Bible. That is until this Thursday, April 2nd, on AIM's training grounds.

After five days of experiencing freedom from my generational family sin, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, the need for female attention, and a laundry list of others, we began talking about spiritual gifts like: prophecy, healing, visions, and intercession. After Pastor Mark finished speaking, he invited any member of our 34 person team, who wanted more of what God had to offer, even if we weren't sure about all this stuff, to come up and be prayed for. I knew that I wanted to receive any gifts that God would give me, so I walked up, trying the whole time to fight off the doubts that continued to grow in my mind. You see, after experiencing days full of emotional freedom, and a pouring and softening of my heart, it was strange that on this night I didn't feel a thing, nothing at all. As I'm standing there, waiting, Matt, one of our leaders, looks up at me from praying over a friend. He gives me a huge smile and points at me while mouthing the word, "You!" At this point I knew it was time to get down to bitness.

Continue reading at your own "religious" risk, because I'm about to blow the top off that box you've kept God in all these years! I'm not really sure why I fell, but as Matt and Pastor Mark began praying over me, I lost my footing and Matt slowly lowered me to the ground. They never stopped praying, even for a second. Pastor Mark walked off to tend to others, while my brother Will walked over to replace him. At this point I had begun to shake sporadically . I would experience short bursts of intense shaking, or a long sting of gentle shaking. My left hand began to take on the form like that of a stroke victim and my mouth was locked in some form a "O" shape. I began to feel something moving in my arm and mouth as well. It was as if my body were numb and asleep, without the needling pain that usually accompanies such sensations. As my convulsions grew bigger and more intense, I started sputtering. The men praying over me were encouraging me to speak in tongues and inviting the Holy Spirit to work through me. All the while I was thinking, "Hmm, this is getting pretty weird, but I guess I'm starting to speak in tongues!"

Matt heard my sputters and urged me to speak louder. Will was beginning to praise God, but his heart was telling him to, "Rebuke!" Will was confused, "No God, this is a good thing! He's speaking in tongues and your Spirit is on him. This can't be bad!" But his heart continued to shout, "Rebuke!" He was getting frustrated, so he opened his eyes. When he did this, what he saw and did after his eyes were open confirmed what his heart was saying. At the base of my throat was a giant lump and when Will put his hand on the lump, I think we all knew at that moment it wasn't the Holy Spirit I was manifesting, but a demon! "Holy s--t...it's a demon," I remember thinking. The intensity of Matt's prayers increased and I could literally feel the air around me growing thicker as my convulsions and their prayers grew in paralleled unison. Once Matt felt that it was a demon, he began asking God to give him its name. He prayed louder and harder! "Give me a name Lord! I need the name!" That was all Will needed to hear and he finally confirmed his heart with his mouth and shouted, "I rebuke you!" Matt immediately followed that with the demon's name, "Sexual shame!"

My eyes shot open! My body took on a mind of its own! I had no control, but I felt everything. Anger, so much anger! Their hands had been on me, but they lost their grip as I tried to pull away. I started for the left side of the room, but by this time they had tackled me back to the ground. I was clawing the ground and screaming, "Nooo! Nooo! Nooo!" With a guttural scream that came from something deeper than myself. It was full of fear, power, and hate. I was literally dragging the two of them across the room. They never stopped praying! Time seemed to slow down and the two to three minutes after the demon manifested itself seem much longer now as I'm remembering it. By this time two more guys on our team joined Matt and Will in holding me down and praying over me. I remember seeing Warren and AJ with their faces taking on intense forms of prayer as the demon was trying to fight them off. Four men were trying to hold me down and I was still dragging them as I fought. I was so strong! Then there came the turning point...

I literally felt a weight come over me, that was so heavy, I can only assume was the hand of God. The demon was powerless, but I could still feel the intense hatred! Somehow during this time they flipped me onto my back and Matt had begun praying into my face as loudly and powerfully as he could muster. The demon looked him square in the face and the hate grew more intense! It was hard to believe! My screams of, "Nooo!", turned to curses of, "F--- you! F--- you! F--- you!" They never stopped praying. The process climaxed and the Spirit of God was upon me. The demon had no choice, but to flee, he was beaten.

I immediately felt an incredible peace. I was sweating, hoarse, and exhausted beyond measure, but there was a giant smile on my face. I knew and felt God's love in the deepest parts of my soul. I had been given freedom, a word that has become the theme of my life these past days. I finally recognized the power of God's people and the strength he's put in all us Christians! The box of religion that I've always put him in was laying pieces around me. "Thank you Father," I breathed.

--- If you have any questions, I encourage you to ask! This is pretty big stuff for most of us. It is big for me! But I believe that our God is capable of anything! He loves you and wants you to know that He sent His son to set you free!

Free indeed.

AUGUST 2009 WORLD RACE ROUTE

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

August 2009 World Race Route

Interested in joining the World Race?APPLY HERE!

Accepting only the first 85 who apply!

Ireland

Ireland boasts a heritage of Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the lifeless display of faith reveals that this nation is farther from God than ever. Rampant alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need for hope. Through sports, children's outreach, and the relationships that just happen along the way, World Race hopes to reintroduce a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic culture.

Romania

The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people of Romania. Strangers in their home land, they are segregated, ostracized and forgotten. Yet, they are a strong, proud and colorful people who are beginning to embrace the light of Christ in a whole new way. Teaching English, leading sports camps, and planting churches are but a few of the tasks set before us as we enter this area of the world.

Egypt
Egypt is a country rich in historical significance. The Egyptian people are no less rich in their cultural goings-on today. A country shaped by the past and under religious bondage, the people of Egypt are hungry to hear of the freedom brought through Christ. While pyramids and palaces give the land a romanticized veneer, under the surface lie hearts in need of relationship and hope.

Jordan and Israel
The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of a location so rich in our combined religious roots. Serve the people of Israel while walking the paths trod by Christ. Serve in this new World Race location while walking the paths that Christ Jesus once did.

Kenya

The Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, the Kiberra slums...comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, we hope to leave lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on beyond us.Watch more...

Uganda

From the Ugandan islands to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the African people of these nations share a common bond. Through the wild lands, home to Africa's "Big Five" animals coexist people, reached and unreached with the Gospel of Christ. Through evangelism, church planting and discipleship, we will be a part of a movement to further the kingdom of God in this precious region of the world. Read more...

Pioneer Africa

During your World Race, your team will take a month to "Ask the Lord" for a new mission field. He may lead you to a location developing, growing and booming or He may lead you to a land untouched by the World Race or even Christianity as a whole. It will be a time to listen to the voice of the Lord and, with true abandon, follow Him into the wild blue yonder.

Vietnam
Leaving the Caribbean, the team will cross the Pacific and land in a whole new world. The country of Vietnam has been under communist rule for decades and the oppression has taken its toll through seasons of warfare and rebuilding. The government is adamantly against religious freedom and as the country suffers in Buddhist bondage, the light of the Christian remnant shines as a candle in the darkness.Read more...

Cambodia
Fifty years ago, Cambodia saw one of the most devastating genocides in history. The Khmer Rouge slaughtered nearly two million people - 1/3 of the country's population at the time. In 24 hours cities were emptied, left to be ghost towns. The nation has been in constant upheaval until recently. The strength and resiliency of the Cambodian people is inspiring. Be a part of holding orphans, born into a new era; meeting felt needs in some of the worst slums in the world; and church planting with an adolescent generation on the verge of religious revolution.Read more...

Thailand

Even though the official law states that prostitution is illegal, it is estimated that nearly 2 million women and men engage in this practice daily thus creating the lucrative sex industry of Southeast Asia. In addition to reaching out to the rural communities of Thailand, we go to the streets, into the darkest of spiritual environments to share what is most needed: hope. By helping women learn practical vocational skills and providing an alternative form of income, the face of Thailand's premiere sex industry is being changed one life at a time.Watch more...

Want to know more about the World Race?CONTACT US!
Interested in going on the World Race?APPLY HERE!

Invisible Because

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Abducted in the middle of the night, awakened out of a deep sleep to the cold metal of a machine gun to his temple.

"Cry, and we'll kill you.

Try to escape, and we'll kill your brother while you watch."

They are forced to massacre their own families. They are forced to perform unthinkable mutilations. They are forced to become pawns of hell's own strategy.

And they are 8, 10, 12 years old...

They are the children who remain invisible because no records are kept of their age or their names...

...because they vanish without a trace...

...because their own armies deny their existence.

Northern Uganda has been "terrorized for almost 20 years from the late eighties, killing and maiming more than 10,000 people, abducting 20,000 children to use as soldiers and sex slaves, and forcing at least 2 million civilians to live in camps."

And today, on March 11th, 2009, it is still happening.

Between September and December 2008, it is estimated that the LRA killed 800 people and abducted 500 children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"A genocide of mass proportion, and with no end in sight, is continuing on today throughout all of central Africa. But in its midst, a voice of awareness and activation is resounding. This is what living out Kingdom is all about -- actively getting our hands dirty in what is going on in this world today and choosing to play a part in seeing real change come to manifest." -C. Crawford

Click here to watch the video that is giving a voice to the invisible children who are
unnumbered,
unknown,
and unseen.

* Below is an excerpt from the film. The above image is from invisiblechildren.com.

Restaveks, Child Slaves of Haiti

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Swaziland

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Some days it's easier than others for my head to get buried amidst in the tasks of my day, forgetting for hours at a time the faces, the real-life stories, the names...

Sometimes it's easy to see them as blurred, mass numbers of people in a far off distant land that I can neither touch, nor hear, nor see face to face. I can't smell the dirt, I can't taste the bitterness, I can't experience their world.

And so sometimes, though I don't ever mean to do it, I go through entire portions of my day remaining unscathed by the horrors that these children are forced to endure every minute of their days.

Jesus help me.

If you're wondering how this affects you....

God has made it clear throughout the course of history (though we may often do a wretched job of listening) that His people are to be ministers of reconciliation to a sick, twisted, hopeless and tormented world. Just as a medic administers treatment and medicine to a trauma patient, so we are to administer hope, resources, and life to people who have embraced physical and spiritual death.

If the heart is the well-spring of life, and we are made in His image...

...if God's heart breaks for the conditions of these children...

...then ours' should, too.

Brokenness should always lead to action. Otherwise we're just... thinking, broken people. And what good does that do them?

Only God can tell you what kind of action to take. For some, it's to go. For some, it's to give. For some, it's to pray fervently.** Whatever it is, we need to become a people of action, not just of broken thoughts and talk.

Please take 5 minutes to watch this video made by a July '08 Racer who is currently in Swaziland, Africa.

The epidemic is horrific. And if there is to be any change, it sure as heck is not going to come from the world. It's going to come from the church. Because the Peace Corps is good, but only the Kingdom of God can bring utter restoration to utter devastation.

**I'm here to help in that process, whatever it is-- feel free to click on 'Contact Me' to the left

June 2009 Race Route!!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For any of my readers, friends, family, etc. who may be interested or KNOW someone who may be interested...

-- thenewroute for the June 2009 Race is awesome.

Maybe you want to apply?? It will rock your world and change your life-- guaranteed.

UPDATE: NEW LOCATIONS ADDED TO RACE ROUTE!

Apply for the June 2009 World Race(deadline is March 1st)

Guatemala.The nation of Guatemala is a region known for its spectacular beauty, volcanic ranges, rich cultural heritage and Mayan roots. Temple ruins from the past speckle the landscape and stand as tributes to the historical significance of the country's spiritual history. Guatemalans are people of art and expression; yet, very few see the beauty around them as evidence of a divine Creator.

Nicaragua

The nation of Nicaragua has been heralded as one of the poorest regions in the Western Hemisphere. Homelessness, slums, addictions, destitution, poverty and a severe lack of medical, educational and spiritual resources make Nicaragua a challenging environment to communicate hope. Yet, God's love is reaching the far corners of the country in miraculous ways.

Romania

The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people of Romania. Strangers in their homeland, they are segregated, ostracized and forgotten. Yet, they are a strong, proud and vibrant people who are beginning to embrace the light of Christ in a whole new way. Teaching English, leading sports camps, and planting churches are but a few of the tasks set before us as we enter this area of the world.

Ukraine
The developing country of the Ukraine stands caught between its past oppression under the U.S.S.R. communist regime and the desire to be accepted into the Western world. The forgotten and marginalized of this area are quick to be found if one looks close enough. Come be a part of a revolution, taking back a region from the bondage of Islam and other folk religions. It's a new day for the countries of Eastern Europe!

Israel

Israel is the epicenter for pilgrimages worldwide. The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of a location so rich in our combined religious roots. Serve in this new World Race location while walking the paths that Christ Jesus once did.

Mozambique/Malawi

Enter a world of lions, elephants and monkeys, and welcome to Africa. Potentially the most fruitful of mission fields, northern Mozambique and Malawi is seeing sweeping revival in the form of mass conversions, miracles, and churches planted on a daily basis. Teams will be a part of breaking the hold of fear on the people bound by witch doctors and animism.

Swaziland

Swaziland made history by being the first country to reach a 51% HIV/AIDS infection rate across the general population. Through lack of education, superstition and other such deceptions, it is speculated that in 50 years, the country will no longer exist. Though small, Swaziland has great potential to spread the light of Christ to all of Africa.

Malaysia/Indonesia
Enter a world entrenched in Islam. A people with the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lampur, Malaysians still live in ignorance of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Delve into this culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline, and uncanny faith, while delivering hope and pointing the people to their Redeemer.

The 17,508 islands that make up the nation of Indonesia are as diverse as their population. Certain areas are completely untouched by outside influences; others carry the exposure, even if only for a moment, of the Gospel story. Be prepared to explore uncharted territories and forgotten areas to further the cause of the kingdom of God.

Philippines
The Philippines exists as an Asian nation marked by notable Spanish influences. The Catholic church and the Spanish derivative of Tagalog (the national language) display a developed and developing front. Yet, the Filipino people are in need of truth to combat their folk religions and deceptive fronts, allowing them to understand God's greater purposes for their lives. They are a strong, beautiful people found in a marvel of God's creation that includes volcanic lakes, island beaches, beautiful mountains, etc.

Thailand
Even though the official law states that prostitution is illegal, it is estimated that nearly 2 million women and men engage in this practice daily thus creating the lucrative sex industry of Southeast Asia. In addition to reaching out to the rural communities of Thailand, we go to the streets, into the darkest of spiritual environments to share what is most needed: hope. By helping women learn practical vocational skills and providing an alternative form of income, the face of Thailand's premiere sex industry is being changed one life at a time.

Are you ready for the World Race?

Click here to apply!

If you have more questions, you canvisit the "About" pageor email us at info@theworldrace.org

*Race route subject to change.

Football, Grace, and Kingdom

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Kingdom of God shows up everywhere.

We have 150 World Racers out in countries all around the world right this second, bringing Kingdom to the remote villages of Africa... to the bars in Thailand... to the mountains of South America...

And we have Kingdom people working (sometimes undercover) every day in America, looking for opportunities in the classroom, in the home, and even on the football field to extend the love of the God who is passionate about second chances, bringing dead things to life, and hope where it seems it's faded.

This story speaks volumes to me, and echos what Brennan Manning writes: "God issues a call to choose between generativity and stagnation, between continuing to have an impact, or sitting around waiting to die."

"The grace of God operates at a profound level in the life of a loving person"

Already Among Them

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Chincha, Peru sometimes feels like a lifetime away, though on this day 1 year ago, I was 4 weeks into our time there. The people there had lost everything in a devastating 8.0 earthquake 6 months before we arrived. They were living in make-shift houses constructed of tarps and bamboo. The children had flee bites all over their ankles, were sick from the unsanitary conditions, and sensed the deep pain and anxiety of their parents.

They had nowhere to go.

They became a people without an identity. It seemed the government was ignoring them. And hope was grim.

Our squad came to breathe some life into that place. To hold the children. To laugh with the grandparents. To sit with the moms and dads. Hear their stories. Visit the remains of their homes. Cry with them. And upon any opportunity, pray for them.

I believe that before we even arrived on the scene, Jesus was there, alive and well among them. But I don't believe that many of them knew it. We didn't necessarily come to bring Christ to them, but to help them recognize that Christ was already among them... to help them to know that God has been there all along, in the midst of their pain, frustration and anguish, feeling it all deeply-- just as they are. The people of Chincha desperately needed to know that while He undoubtedly is in control and all powerful, still God ached over the things that happened to them. They needed to know that He's near, and always has been. And that He wasn't about to leave now.

You should've seen the smiles on their faces once they heard....

The Face of Slavery

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's difficult to put myself in the shoes of a girl who has never known safety.

Forcefully kidnapped, brutally beaten, and repeatedly abused, her life becomes a series of moments where she waits to be thrown back in, her initial treasures of hope fade away with each customer... each threat... each beating... each electric shock.

Glance at her from her left, and she looks like a normal, fun-loving girl, with a pretty face and a joyous smile. Then move around, and you see where her brothel owner gouged out her right eye. Anyone who thinks it is hyperbole to describe sex trafficking as slavery should look at the maimed face of a teenage girl, Long Pross.

This video is disturbing and very difficult to watch, but it's infinitely more painful for Long to recount the humiliations she suffered, yet she summoned the strength to do so because she wants people to understand how brutal sex trafficking can be.

I strongly believe that a large reason why human trafficking is so widespread is because most of us have little understanding of what is really going on. And that is the work of hell. That which is not recognized can never be dealt with. As long as its not talked about, as long as it remains largely under the radar, human trafficking stays in the DARK.

That should awaken some kind of righteous anger is us... that should set our blood boiling. Abuse is happening right this second. And these girls deserve to be freed from their private little hell.

The first step to piercing dark with LIGHT is exposing the truth... because truth will set people free. We need more warriors who will fight. Please, pass this onto people you know. Hell will hate it.

Friends, meet Michael.

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I'd like to video-introduce you to Michael Hindes, director of The World Race, spiritual father, and one of the most committed men I know, giving his life to raise up a generation of Kingdom-building, fire-breathing, LIFE-bringing world changers. I'm deeply grateful to both Michael and his wife Kathy for welcoming the 7 of us into their lives, hearts, and food pantry. :)

We'll be doing short video teaching segments on various topics by Michael from time to time.

Meet Michael...