Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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  Since I sent my support letter out this week this blog is a little different.  My first blogs have been mainly to the people doing this trip with me who don’t know me. This one is for those of you who do know me, but don’t know a lot about my trip.  In my letter I told everyone to check out my Web page, so thank you if you made it this far. I sadly won’t be able to talk in person with everyone I sent a letter to, but I know there are probably some questions you might have.  So this is my attempt to answer the most common questions I’ve received so far that you likely have as well. Hopefully this helps you understand a little better what exactly I will be doing. Feel free to comment and ask me any other questions you have that I don’t answer here, and don’t forget to put your e-mail in on the side so you’ll know whenever I update.
 
Where am I going and what exactly will I be doing there?
  Yes, this is a copy-and-paste off the World Race site, but it’s really good at giving you a short description of what we might be doing in each country and explain why I don’t know 2 countries I’m going to yet. The countries are listed in chronological order. There’s also several videos from some of the countries we’re going to that show some past trips there. They’re good – watch them if you have a little free time.
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, street evangelism, pub ministry, and the relationships that just happen along the way, the World Race reintroduces a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic culture.
Ukraine
Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many ups and downs. Thankfully, there’s hope, light, and life spreading like wildfire throughout this nation. Is it the kingdom of God coming in power? We think so.
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here you’ll teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more.
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 in this new World Race location while walking the paths trod by Christ himself.
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.
Kenya
Who hasn’t heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, the Kiberra slums…comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. 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, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on even after we leave.
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 incredible region of the world.
Pioneer Africa
Twice during your World Race experience, your team will take a month to ATL (ask the Lord) for a new mission field. He may lead you someplace in the middle of a buzzing city or somewhere that can’t even be found on a map. Either way, it’s a time of listening to the Lord’s voice and following him with true abandon.  Uncover more of your inheritance…
Thailand
With nearly two million people estimated to be stuck inside of prostitution in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city and rock worlds in the countryside. Thailand’s sure to capture your heart.
Cambodia
28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides known to man where over one third of the country’s population was slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia are thirsty for hope.
Pioneer Asia
Ask God where to go and do what He tells you. It’ll be one of the most adventurous and memorable months of ministry that you’ll have on the Race. Back to Thailand or Cambodia, or maybe to Vietnam, China or Malaysia… God could lead you anywhere to unveil His kingdom. Are you willing to abandon your last month on the Race to Him?
How many people am I going with? How are we organized?
This question is surprisingly asked more than any other. Hopefully this explanation makes sense.  I’m going with 60 people total. We’ll train together and travel from country to country together. However, we will be broken down into smaller groups of about 7.  I don’t know who these people are yet.  They’ll be determined at training at the end of May. These people will stay with me from month to month. Depending on how many service opportunities there are in each country, we will work with various other teams from our big group at each stop. For example: I may work with teams A and B in Ireland, and then team C in Ukraine, etc.
 
Do I just get randomly dropped off in the middle of a foreign country, fend for myself, and sleep in random places all while trying to figure out where and how God wants me to serve?

Ok well the question isn’t always phrased exactly like that, but you get the point and the answer is No.  Adventures in Missions, who is in charge of the World Race, has been in operation for about 20 years and has sent out tens of thousands of missionaries.  Obviously along the way these people have made connections or perhaps settled down somewhere and become the connections themselves and AIM has a relationship with people in the countries we’re going to.  Sometimes we’ll be lucky enough that someone provides us with housing. Other times we’ll be blessed enough to just have a place to put up our tents to live.  Also, the countries my team are visiting have been visited by past World Race teams.  So we’re going back to continue the work others may have started and other teams will follow us.  We don’t just randomly appear for a month, help some foreigners and then leave never to be heard of again.
 
Can I describe Adventures in Missions’ faiths and beliefs?
I can do you one better. I can give you their exact statement of faith which I agree with 100%.
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is authoritative and infallible in the original writings.
We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.      
We believe that faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is essential for the salvation of lost and sinful man.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ
 
Can I stay in communication?
Yes, I will have my laptop with me the entire race and will be able to update this blog you are reading right now throughout the trip.  Obviously some regions (Africa) will have limited Internet access so my updates will likely be a bit more sporadic then, but I will try to update as often as possible so those who have helped me get there can see how I’m serving and how God is working. So that’s why it’s imporant to subscribe for blog updates so in those months where I can’t update that often you’ll know when I’ve been abled to provide you with one.
 
When exactly do I leave?
I’ll train in Gainesville, GA outside of Atlanta the last week of May. Then I get about 2 weeks to get everything together before leaving. Right now we’ve been told somewhere near but not before June 15th. I’ll let everyone know when I find out for sure.
 
Am I crazy?

No, actually I’d be crazy if I heard God call me to this unbelievable opportunity and said no thanks.
 
So hopefully that answers some questions you might have, but like I said feel free to leave me some more questions below if you have them. And please pass this site along to others you know. Thank you so much for your support.