UPDATE: As expected, at Training Camp our leadership announced that our route changed a bit! Instead of Guatemala, we will be starting our journey in Panama! And instead of Japan, we will be going to Malaysia! My friend who just got back from the Race gave me some great advice regarding my route: my route will change, but my squad (YEAH ISQUAD) will not change. Political issues happen, ministry contacts end up not needing us during the month we were planning to go, expenses are too high, or a dozen other things may come up that cause our route to change. But I will always be with the same 39 other people on iSquad for this whole journey, and that’s what matters! We’re traveling the world in mission, and we’re doing life together! So…stay tuned for the high likelihood of more route changes… 🙂
So I’m traveling the world for 11 months, but most of you reading this probably have no idea where I’m actually going…
Choosing my route was actually pretty easy. At the end of the summer every year, we have a high school and college-aged group from Chester County come in to camp for what we call “Bonus Week.” All the youth in this group are immigrants. Some are now very accustomed to life in the U.S., some are still adjusting. Some are super excited to be at camp, some are more reserved. But all of these people have a zest for life like I’ve never seen before. In their own ways, each person in this group reminds me how incredible life is and inspires me to spend my life helping and empowering others.
For the past few years, a good chunk of the group has been from Cambodia, so when I was choosing my World Race route, I knew I wanted to go to this country. My heart is with my Cambodian friends, and I knew God was calling me there. Through stalking World Race blogs and talking to friends, I had also heard amazing stories about Honduras, Nicaragua, Thailand, and South Africa, so when I found a route going to Cambodia and all these places, it was a no brainer!
So without further ado, my new homes starting in September:
Panama
Much of Panama’s revenue comes from the eponymous canal, expected to be wider by 2015. The double-edge of the canal is the spike in drug-trafficking. Panama also houses the largest rainforest outside the Amazon but suffers from crime in its urban slums. In these relatively well-off Central American countries, you’ll find creative ways to bring more life and light to the people.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a hot spot for surfing and just enjoying “pura vida” – literally, “pure life”, it’s a concept of a “chill,” relaxed, laidback way of life. The beautiful beaches that line both coasts are the perfect setting. Among the Central American countries, Costa Rica (“Rich Coast”) lives up to its name. While the natural beauty attracts lots of tourists, there are still large pockets of poverty and family brokenness. Because of its relative affluence, Costa Rica also draws in immigrants from neighboring countries, like Nicaragua, who don’t fare much better than they did before. You might help feed their physical and spiritual hunger – and discover other creative ways to give new meaning to the concept of “pura vida.”
Nicaragua
This location is always a World Race favorite. It’s a country full of wonderfully warm and caring people, and participants always leave having had a powerful experience. However, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the many lives of Nicaragua. There are orphans who have grown up without knowing the love of a parent and families who get by each day by scrounging scraps from the city dump where they have made their homes. In Nicaragua, you’ll have the opportunity to bring God’s love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.
Honduras
“Hondo” comes from the Spanish word for depth and there’s lots of depth to Honduras. It’s home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins are still stand. Honduras is mostly mountainous and the weather’s as tropical as it gets. What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, Honduras has had her of share political/military troubles, e.g., the six-month constitutional crisis in 2009. There’s a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g., gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they’re loved.
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
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.
Laos
Following a brutal civil war, Laos came under communist rule in 1975. Therevada Buddhism and spirit worship dominate Laos with Christian missionary work monitored by the government. This ruggedly beautiful nation is home to some of the most unreached hill tribes in the world. The need is great for people to bring God’s love to the isolated places in Laos.
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.
Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the last remaining monarchies in Africa. Home to 1.1 million people and breathtaking scenic views, it’s also where the world’s highest HIV/AIDS infection rate lives (26.1% in adults and over 50% of adults in their 20s). It’s estimated that by 2050, Swaziland may cease to exist. Young orphans are scattered throughout this nation in desperate need of attention. For years, Adventures has been committed to seeing these statistics reversed. Here, you’ll most likely find yourself involved in a variety of outreaches, including education, orphan care, care point feedings, and more.
Botswana
Recently, Zimbabwe struggled with hyperinflation. Under the current regime, the human rights violations continue. Zimbabwe also has one of the lowest life expectancies. Zimbabwe is also home to intriguing ruins and shares Victoria Falls with Zambia. Botswana has the second highest HIV infection rate, second to Swaziland, its southern neighbor. The land itself struggles with drought and desertification yet boasts the largest elephant population in the world in one of its national parks. The majorities of both populations identify themselves as Christian but very much need people like you to advance the kingdom with love and in power.
South Africa
While it’s been several decades since apartheid has formally ended, there’s still more healing and reconciliation to take place in South Africa. One of the wealthiest countries on the continent yet much of the population living outside the cities is poor. Like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, this country struggles with a high rate of AIDS/HIV. Host to the 2010 World Cup and breathtaking natural attractions, it’s also a place full of kingdom potential, waiting to be released — by you.
So there you have it.
These are the 11 countries that my team and I will be traveling to as God’s hands and feet to reach out to “the least of these,” and I could not be more excited.
A couple of weeks ago, I started praying for one country a day. Each day, I pray for the people of these countries, I pray for my team, and I pray for myself. I pray that our hearts will be prepared to positively impact and empower every person we interact with, to help the people of these countries feel loved, and to plant seeds everywhere we go. I pray that our hearts will be ready for change; that we may “be the change we want to see in the world.” I encourage you to join me in prayer for my route and my team!
Thanks for reading! If you want to support me along this route, simply click on the “Support Me!” tab at the top of this page or message me your contact information!
Love in Christ,
Ronny
