“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
– Frederick Buechner
Since I was 14 years old, I knew I would be helping or working in some kind of mission work. I never thought I would be living in Africa, at the age of 25. However, that’s the road God, chose for me and I would not have changed it for the world.
I lived in Uganda from July 22, 2009- September 21, 2012. While in Uganda, I volunteered at an orphanage and I fell in love with over 100 babies, staff and made lifetime friendships. Even though, these babies were abandoned and neglected by their parents and are called orphans; the joy they have is unexplainable. The people of Uganda taught me the true meaning of contentment and they will forever be in my heart.
I am beginning a new journey; one that I know is going to be hard. I am going to 11 different countries for 11 months in September 2013 to serve the least of these. I know I’ve said this time and time again however it is true…. my adoptive parents took the time to plant the seed of Agape (unconditional love) into my life and show me the true meaning of Christ. I would like to do the same to others, through compassion, grace and serving. I believe I will learn more from those that I will be serving than they will learn from me. I am confident that we will learn together. Whatever happens on this trip let God get the glory because I am merely a servant to be use by him.
Please keep me in your prayers.
If you would like to help support me financially just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page. Thank you and May God Bless You!!!
Below are the 11 countries:
Philippines
This Asian island nation, former Spanish colony then American protectorate, is a country in tension, trying to cross the threshold between the third and first world. It offers a variety of landscapes – beaches, mountains, volcanic lakes – and languages, with Tagalog as the national tongue. The Catholic Church is a substantial piece of the religious pie, however, and Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music, dance and community. While there, you may find yourself living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.
Malaysia
Enter a world entrenched in Islam. A people within the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians still live in ignorance of the Good News of Jesus Christ. As you delve into this culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline, and uncanny faith, you will have the unique opportunity to deliver hope and point the people to their Redeemer.
Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
Rwanda
Many who hear "Rwanda" immediately think, "genocide" – it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months. According to the U.S. State Department, Rwanda (once colonized by France) has the highest population density in sub-Saharan Africa; and like much of sub-Saharan Africa, this nation also is fighting hard against HIV/AIDS. This nation played a part of the genesis of this human rights organization and inspired this song; as you help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound, God may birth a dream or vision in you…
Uganda
Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord's Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. You may find yourself in the north partnering with ministries that are bringing still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.
South Sudan
In the news for decades, Sudan has been the site of brutal military conflicts, human rights violations, drought and starvation, and underdevelopment. The longstanding Darfur conflict has ravaged the Sudanese, along with two civil wars and Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army. Fighting between the North and South resulted in the deaths of at least 2.5 million people and the displacement of another five million. Peace talks eventually led to South Sudan's decision to secede from Sudan and form their own independent nation on July 9, 2011. Devastation covers a land looking to start anew. Help local partners improve conditions of schools and orphanages. Love on children orphaned by civil war. Be hope to a nation seeking a fresh start. Will you help build foundations —both physical and spiritual— for South Sudan?
India
With nearly a sixth of the world's population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India's struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. You might work with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your presence will bring hope and truth to those that society deems "untouchable."
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences you will have here, you may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will submerge you in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Ukraine
This Eastern European country is caught between its past oppression under the Soviet Union and the desire to be accepted by the West. People in the east tend to be more nationalistic than those in the west, where Russian is more commonly spoken. There’s a substantial orphan (social and full) population and human trafficking’s an issue here, too. Most people claim to belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox church, which is subdivided into three bodies. God’s desire is to bring hope, peace, authentic relationship with himself, and unity to this nation; you’ll find out how exactly you’ll participate in that!
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy community. 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 will teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more. It will be an exciting time of learning about a people group you may not have known even existed.
