I leave next Friday the 6th of January. This wont be my last post, but I just wanted to write real quick to where Ill be traveling in case you havent checked out the rest of my blog.
I start in Guatemala…
Guatemala
A country rich in history and natural resources — fertile soil from the
volcanoes help yield excellent coffee — Guatemala is the perfect place
to initiate your World Race experience. Outside of its aesthetic appeal,
Guatemala needs God’s touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit
of religion, the people of Guatemala hunger for the kingdom of God to
pervade their lives. You’ll have the opportunity to usher in the kingdom
to this land and to these people in the form of relationships through
incarnational ministry (read: living just as they do), reaching out to
the people in the fringes of society, hard work, and maybe even a
miracle or two.
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.
El Salvador
El Salvador is the third largest economy in the region after Costa
Rica and Panama and the smallest country (in land mass) in the Americas.
A coup d’etat in 1979 led to civil war from 1980-1992 in this country.
Oscar Romero, a Catholic bishop well-known known for supporting
liberation theology, advocating for social justice in El Salvador, and
protesting the government’s persecution of the church was assassinated
in 1980 while conducting mass. Much of the country’s revenue comes from
remittances. In a land whose name translates to “The Savior”, you’ll be
the signs that point to the one true Savior – not a better political
system or economy – Jesus Christ.
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 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.
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.
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.
Tanzania
Tanzania has a one-third split between Christianity, Islam, and
indigenous religious groups. This diversity creates a colorful landscape
of people and beliefs. Whether you are doing open-air crusades,
door-to-door evangelism or visiting hospitals and orphanages the people
of this diverse country will capture your heart.
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.
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 t
