Welcome to the first post of my blog!! I never thought I would be a blogger, but some pretty incredible things are happening in my life and are only going to get bigger, so this blog is going to become my outlet to share those things with you as they happen. So here is a quick update:
For about the last two years God has really been giving me a heart for the “least of these.” In Matthew 25 Jesus calls us to go and serve these people. I had the incredible opportunity to work with an orphanage in Jamaica a couple years ago. This experience really opened my eyes and my perspective. Most of these kids didn’t have a family to call their own and basically only had the clothes on their backs, but they LOVED Jesus and their joy was undeniable. God really showed me through those kids that I make way too many excuses for not loving and serving those around me. Since then God has begun to really work on my heart. There are too many things to write in this letter at the moment about that, but most recently I’ve felt like God has been preparing me for something bigger. This has led me to a missions program called the World Race.
What is the World Race?
The World Race is a program run by Adventures in Missions (AIM) and it’s an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries around the world. I will leave sometime in the first 2 weeks of July 2012 and return May 2013. My route includes Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Estonia/Lithuania, Latvia, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Thailand, Cambodia, and another Asian country yet to be determined. On the World Race, my team of 7 and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to spread the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to the poor, and to bring restoration and the hope of God’s love to those we meet. James 1:22 tells us to “be doers of the word, and not just hearers.” This is the “action” God is currently leading me toward. I know without a doubt that I can’t do any of this through my own ability, but I’m so excited to see what God has planned and what he is going to accomplish through us.
I am so grateful for this opportunity that God has given me and have every confidence that He will provide for my needs! He has already started to provide in absolutely incredible ways! I am writing you to ask if you would consider partnering prayerfully and financially with me in this ministry. First and most importantly, would you be willing to pray for my teammates and myself? Pray that God would prepare our hearts and the hearts of the numerous people we will meet along the way. Pray that God would use us for the glory of His kingdom. Second, I must raise $15,500 in order to go on the World Race, which covers all of my expenses on the field after I leave. This financial support can be given as a one-time gift or as a monthly donation, wherein you choose the amount and beginning and end date. I’ve currently raised $9,000. You can support me by check or by an online donation through my blog site at: tylervessels.theworldrace.org. Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed. Be aware that if you pay with a credit or debit card, 5% will be used for processing fees, so if you can, it’s best to mail in a check. For checks, make it out to “Adventures in Missions” and mail it along with the slip I’ve included to the address provided on the slip. Or if you didn’t get a slip mail to: Adventures in Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. Just make sure to include my name on the check so they’ll know to designate your money to my account.
Words cannot even begin to describe how excited I am to see how God is going to work in the next year. What an honor to go around the world serving others and being able to share the love of Jesus with those I meet! I will update my blog listed above as often as possible when I have access to internet. I encourage you to check my updates on how God is working through my team. Also feel free to facebook or email me often even once I leave and I’ll respond every chance I get! If you cannot support me financially, or even if you do, your prayers would be so greatly appreciated! I especially ask your prayers from now until I return home next May because this journey is going to take me light years beyond my comfort zone and at times I know it’s going to be extremely difficult! If you want more information about this journey, ask, and I would LOVE to tell you about it because I can’t fit it all into this letter. I love all of you and I thank you so much for the support and for being a part of my life!
More information about the places I'll be traveling from the World Race Website:
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'll 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.
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.
Challenge: Asia
Blaze a trail for your team and future World Racers. This will be the opportunity for you to continue flexing your faith muscles as you depend on a few words of advice from the staff and mostly God's guidance. With God, all things are possible and the possibilities are endless.
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.
Vietnam
After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. Here you'll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God's light and presence everywhere you go.
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.
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 Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera 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, participants help bear lasting fruit with current ministry partnerships (ministries like evangelism, orphan care, and community development), and build foundations of future partnerships.
Latvia
Sandwiched between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is home to the largest medieval church in Europe (built in the 13th century). Like Estonia, Latvia is another gem as far as tourism in Europe goes but per Lonely Planet, still rather hidden from the spotlight. Unemployment rate here was at 22% in 2010 but is improving. Sadly, Latvia's been ranked with lowest ranked healthcare systems in the EU and second lowest life expectancy. Over 22% of the population identifies itself as Roman Catholic, while over 19% claim to be Evangelical Lutheran; however, only 7% of the population actually attend religious services. As the country recovers economically, you could be an agent of spiritual revival and show the people what they've been missing out on.
Estonia/Lithuania
Lonely Planet touts Estonia as having been Europe's best kept secret, with its lush forests, beautiful coastline, quaint country-sides & charming cities. Did you know nearly half of Skype's offices are in Estonia? Usher in a spirit of freedom as you carry God's presence into this beautiful country. Lithuania, once one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union (EU) prior to the recent global financial crisis, nearly 14% of Lithuania is unemployed, and less than 2% of the population live beneath the poverty line. With the highest suicide rate in the world and the highest homicide rate in the EU, this nation needs you revive the people back to life with the love of Christ.
