Photo by MK Hill
I tried to imagine what it would have looked like if each of us on this Squad had literally stood before God to answer this question, “Who will go for us?”
Some, undoubtedly, would stand and declare loud enough for the whole world to hear, “HERE AM I! SEND ME!” Some would answer with a question, “Here am I?… Send me?” Others yet, would answer in a hesitant voice barely above a whisper, “Here am I. Send me.” A heart that says “yes” to God will always be heard no matter how soft or sure the answer. I wonder how beautiful this song of surrendered hearts is to God.
This year is about being God's love story to the lost and broken. We partner with people ministering in each country and see how God wants to use us there. In the 6 weeks since we left home we have sought out the hopeless, the lost, and the hurting. We have fed the hungry, played with children, built churches, cleaned roads, dug ditches, and whatever else God put before us. He is changing hearts and lives where ever we go, starting with our own.
We are a hodgepodge group of people with 52 different roads traveled. Only God could have figured out how to bring all of us together and use us for His glory. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Nepal, and India; 11 countries in 11 months, it's the trip of a lifetime. It is also a place of total dependance on God. Few of us really knew what we were in for when we decided to leave all we know behind and walk out this journey called The World Race.
God has stretched us beyond our comfort zones spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It isn't always a comfortable or pretty process by any means, but absolutely necessary. When you reach the end of yourself you are perfectly positioned to see the miraculous things of God. As a squad we have seen multiple instances of personal healing and deliverance. Teams have seen people healed in their hospital beds, an 88 year old man accept Jesus, a Spanish Bible turn up in debris when someone was just wishing that they had a Bible to give someone. Then during a Bible study on a volcano a mother and her three children accepted Christ. The list goes on and we have faith that it will only continue to grow as we keep stepping out.
For many, coming on the race was a huge leap of faith, not really knowing how we would raise the funds. And yet God said come… so here we are. We stand in a place of faith and dependance. Will you join us here by prayerfully considering supporting someone in this blog?
Below you will find pictures of the Racers who haven't met the next deadline. You'll also have a glimpse into our hearts for this year. Feel free to stalk our blogs tp get to know us and what we are about. To donate simply click on the Racer's name and you will be directed to their blog.
Once there you can click the “Support Me” button on the left of the screen and follow the directions to donate. Our next deadline is to have $11,000 in our accounts by April 1st (*Most funds donated online take at least a week to process.) Then we must be fully funded ($15,500) by the end of July. Not only will you be helping forever change our lives, you also touch all those we come in contact with.
However you feel lead to get involved (financial support, prayer, encouragement, or all of the above) know that you are part of God's love story all over the world. To those of you who already support us, hear our “THANK YOU” 52 people strong! Those of you faithfully pray for us, please know we feel the effect of those prayers.
**I almost didn't include this but I am learning that if we are going to trust God we might as well trust Him in a big way. In order for this entire group (18 people) to be at the April 1st deadline we would need approx. $55,123. To be fully funded we would need $136,123. If you feel like God is challenging you to meet one of these needs please contact me at [email protected] .
Photo by MK Hill
Jessie Schwartz
I am really excited to be in Honduras and helping teen girls working through drug addiction. I have such a passion for teens and it brings me so much joy to watch Christ become number one in their lives and not drugs.
$ 4,360 due by April 1st $8,860 by July to be fully funded
Malerie Parenteau
I love working with kids and teens and I am excited for the opportunities to share Christ with teens who have never heard of Him before. I can't wait to minister to young people who have turned to drugs and/or prostitution and show them the freedom that is to be found in Christ. I want to help them break the chains of bondage from sin and become free!
$2,900 by April 1st $7,400 by July to be fully funded
Annie Goertzen
I am really looking forward to working with people caught in human trafficking and women in prostitution. I'm excited to get back to Africa; Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda will be new countries for me.
$870 by April 1st $5,370 by July to be fully funded
Danielle Leppo
I can't wait to work with children all around the world, and for them to know that they always have the love of Christ in them. So many kids have never been told that they are loved, and I want to change that.
$ 1,133 by April 1st $5,633 by July to be fully funded
Anika Erickson
I have dreamed my whole life about going to Africa and I can not wait to see what God has for me there. I am so excited to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the nations.
$779 by April 1st $5,279 by July to be fully funded
Brittany Holmes
I really just want to experience the culture in Asia. I am also looking forward to growing in my relationship with God.
$1,375 by April 1st $5,875 By July to be fully funded
Karen Aiello
I am looking forward to continuing to learn more about who God wants me to be. I am also looking forward to getting back to Africa! I have experienced Kenya before, so I can't wait to go back, plus getting to experience God is Rwanda and Uganda as well. I know this is the journey God wants me on, so thank you for considering partnering with me!
$2,400 by April 1st $6900 By July to be fully funded
Chanell Copeland
I've wanted to do missions in Africa since I was 10. I'd watch the adopt a child specials and had set in my heart that one day that would be me. Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda are the countries I'm looking forward to the most for that reason. I'm not able to adopt right now, but I am able to spread the Gospel and love of Christ. My hope is to finish this race and ultimately my life race as a child of God, artist, writer, mentor, and friend. I can't wait to love on the children of my ancestors and of my God.
$3,000 by April 1st $7,500 By July to be fully funded
Abigail (Abby) Soucy
I want to see Jesus more among His people. I want to share and be a part of that movement. I want to see deep restoration and the breaking of bonds. I want to see the captive find freedom. I want the Truth to be communicated and see God's people transformed in a mighty way. I do feel called to the Race; thus I want to chase after the Holy Spirit and see where He leads me personally.
$1,896 by April 1st $6,396 by July to be fully funded
Angie Allen
I am looking forward to going to a different part of the world that I have never been and meeting new people. I love seeing God work all over the world and showing God's love to people everywhere. I know I am right where I am supposed to be, but I need a little more funding to be able to stay here. Thank you for partnering with me to reach many people all over the world!
$4,000 by April 1st $8,500 by July to be fully funded
Madison Christie
I'm looking forward to working with women who have been rescued from the sex-trade. I also really feel like God has placed India on my heart and I can't wait to see what He has for me there.
$1,904 by April 1st $6,404 By July to be fully funded
Pamela Gessler
I love looking for ways to share the Gospel! When I have Bibles to give away or get to share my testimony with others, I come alive. I'm looking for open doors wherever we are, but I'm definitely looking forward to ministering in the Red Light District in Thailand.
$2,230 by April 1st $6,730 by July to be fully funded
Kent Cranford
I am looking forward to continuing growth into the man that God has called me to be. I am learning that God is so much bigger than what I think and am walking in the truth that the more I see Him, the better man I grow into.
$3200 by April 1st $7,700 by July to be fully funded
Taylor (Bug) Lawson
I am really excited for Asia. I wanna sweat more than I ever have, hug prostitutes, love babies, get lost in translation, and just live amongst more of God's beautiful children.
$4,212 by April 1st $8,712 by July to be fully funded
Tatiana Famania
I'm looking forward to working with women and children involved in the sex trade and the lady-boys in Thailand. I also really want to ride an elephant in Cambodia; all while spending time growing to be the woman God wants me to be.
$4,500 needed by April 1st $9,000 by July to be fully funded
Jeff Tyner “El Jefe” (The Boss)
I really enjoy serving the squad as one of the logistics leaders. Basically I make sure we get where we need to go when traveling between countries. I am looking forward to continuing to serve in this way. I would like to raft the Nile and am working on growing an epic beard. Lets be real; faces were meant for growing beards!
$1,700 needed by April 1st $6,200 to be fully funded
Gabe Bedford
I am really looking forward to letting kids all around the world, who have broken homes and struggle with abandonment, know that they will ALWAYS have a Father that will ALWAYS love them and never abandon them.
$4,300 by April 1st $8,800 to be fully funded by July
Rebekah Perkins
I am expecting big things from God in these 11 months. He has already shown up in some awesome ways and is forever changing lives, (mine included). It has been a life dream to be able to spread the love of God to the hopless. I am most excited to do praise and worship in each country.
$ 4,364 due by April $8,864 To be fully funded by July
