Today I realized that some of you who are reading my blog posts may not know what the World Race is! You may be reading my posts and wondering, "What on earth this 11-month 'World Race' thing that Emily is preparing for?" That is a very good question!
The World Race is a program done by an organization called Adventures in Missions. It is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries. I am on a squad of about 50 people who are leaving in July to begin an 11-month mission to bring the Gospel to people in Romania, Ukraine, India, Nepal, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. At training camp a couple weeks ago, our squad was split up into teams of seven people. See my previous post to learn more about my awesome squad. 🙂 On the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children who are trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restoration and hope of the Father's love to many tribes and nations.
In order to go on the World Race, I must raise $15,500, which covers all of my expenses on the field. As of today, I have raised slightly over $4,500, which means that I still need almost $11,000. I have every confidence that God will provide for my needs. Ultimately, my prayer is that He will do that through you. I am asking you to consider partnering prayerfully and financially with me in my ministry. Financial support can be given as a one-time gift or as a monthly donation (if you do a monthly donation, you can choose the amount and the beginning and end date). To make an online donation, click the "Support Me" link in the upper left hand side of this page and complete your donation as instructed. If you prefer to pay by check, you can make the check out to Adventures in Missions (make sure you write my name on the memo line), and send it to Adventures in Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA, 30353-4470. (You can find more information about supporting Adventures in Missions by going to adventures.org/give.)
Here is some information about the countries I will be going to…
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, I will teach English, lead sports camps, and minister to the gypsy community who are normally rejected by society.
Answers to prayer:
Romania has a large and growing evangelical population, Europe’s fourth largest. Evangelicals are the only growing major religious group. Romania is considered one of the most spiritually receptive European countries.
Prayer needs:
-The numerous social evils that are widespread across Romania such as prostitution, pornography, human trafficking, and substance abuse.
-The abortions that are rampant in the country. Romania has one of the highest abortion rates in the world, with 3 or more abortions for every baby born. Pray that people will realize the truth about what they are really doing and will be able to see other options.
-Poverty is common, causing high unemployment and corruption that is penetrating the entire country.
-The government has divisions that cause the leadership to not to be effective in making decisions. Pray that the leadership will be able to make the right decisions for the country.
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.
Praise the Lord for:
The spiritual background Ukraine has. This was considered the "Bible belt" of the soviet sphere. The Church has persevered through communism and persecution. The country shows a spiritual hunger and the people are open to truth. This is a great opportunity for us to show and tell them about the Absolute Truth!
Pray for:
The effects of communism that are still felt in the country. Corruption is rampant in the country as people struggle economically. The majority of the country lives in poverty while a few rich continue to grow their fortune. After the soviet union fell, alcoholism and AIDS rapdily increased as their was a lack of morals in the country.
India
India is home to a sixth of the world's population and a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam (and blends of folk religions and other faiths), it is a country of pluralism – twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers. While the country is on the edge of full economic development, India still suffers from the likes of poverty, human trafficking, forced prostitution, and religious persecution. I'll have the opportunity to partner with ministries that have had a long and storied presence, and/or with local churches to encourage believers whose testimonies will challenge me. Our presence will bring hope and truth to the marginalized, those that society deems "untouchable".
This country is lost! They have the largest amount of unreached people groups in the world- 98% of the country is unreached!!
Praise God for:
The fall of the Hinduistic government which means there is more religious freedom in the country. Political centrism has helped to correct some of the injustice brought about by the caste system. There are policies in place now to correct some of the injustice that has happened to the members of the lower classes.
Prayer needs:
-That religious freedom continues to grow. There are still some state governments within the country that deny benefits to people who turn to Christianity and often abuse Christians as well.
-The corruption that is widespread in the leaders of the country at all levels- national, state, and local.
– The slave trade that is happening among men, women, and children for forced labor and sexual exploitation. India has provided little proof that they are doing anything to stop this from happening and to protect these people from being victimized. The lack of government effort to punish human traffickers is one reason why this has become such an uncontrolled problem.
– The levels of poverty in the country. India has the highest number of poor people, the fourth most millionaires, and the greatest difference between rich and poor. Ways to reduce poverty must be found so the millions of people in the workforce can be employed.
Nepal
Most of Nepal adheres to Hinduism (about 81%), with a plurality following Buddhism (about 11%); Christians comprise half a percent of the population. Just over half of Nepal is literate and half of the population that is old enough to work is either unemployed or underemployed. Here, I will visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of the World Race will immerse me in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Answers to prayer:
The political change that has happened in the last several years with Nepal becoming a democratic republic. This paves the way for Christian ministry in the country.
Need for Prayer:
-The stability of the government. With just having become a democratic republic there is much to be done to establish stability in the country.
-The Maoist rebels, considered a terrorist organization, still have some power in the country that is going to corrupt the country if they continue to hold that power.
-Wisdom and courage of the leaders of the country as they work through the major political disagreements that are happening and the economic problems in the country.
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. My team and I will help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound. 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.
Answers to prayer:
-Since 1994 the political structure has been stabilized allowing for road development, and education, sanitation, and political systems to be put in place.
-Rwanda has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. The nation has stated that they want to be independent of foreign aid, which is a sign of confidence.
-The presence of women in the leadership. During the genocide, many of the victims were women. Today over half of the parliament are women
Pray for:
–Healing for those affected by the genocide. Many people still have deep wounds from that. The churches there are attempting to and must continue to focus on providing counseling and reconciliation for those people.
–Ethnic tensions that still go on. Even years after the civil war and genocide there is still some tension. Pray that all these tensions and inequity in Rwanda will be dissolved.
–Process of justice. Most criminal cases are poorly handled and people are treated unfairly
–Healing from HIV/AIDs. As you can imagine, this is a widespread problem in much of Africa.
Kenya
The Kenyan people are hungry for the love of Christ. 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, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on even after we leave.
Answers to prayer:
Kenya has been and continues to be a popular place in Africa for church mission, Christian ministry, and theological education.
Pray for practical solutions to these problems:
- Droughts that have caused the deaths of many livestock
- The widening gap between rich and poor
- Fragile ecosystems
- Aggressive clashes between ethnic groups who try to claim the limited resources
- Scarce water
- Urban slums that are expanding rapidly
- Growing population of children living on the streets and AIDS orphans
Uganda
During most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord's Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. My team and I may be 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.
Praises:
There has been a revival and spiritual growth for the last several years. There is a strong evangelical presence in the country. Church attendance is high and public prayer is common, even in government and judicial buildings.
What you can pray for:
-The AIDS epidemic that is widespread. This causes high mortality rates, lower life expectancy, higher death rates, and an overall younger population. There are over 1 million people in Uganda with AIDS.
-Pray for peace with the surrounding countries and within the country as there are many rebels, gangs, and militias that stir up fighting.
-That the government will act with honesty and integrity and show a real concern for its own people.
Thailand
The 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population of Thailand is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim and 0.7% is 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. In the city we will minister to prostitutes, and in the countryside we will serve youth, care for orphans and encourage believers.
Praises:
-The Church in Thailand is growing. Many missionaries there think that the country is ready for its greatest breakthrough in church growth ever.
-Increased understanding and sensitivity to the Buddhist worldview and culture have helped missionaries be more effective in reaching through to the people. Too often our westernized version of Christianity turns people in other countries off to the Truth so this is a blessing that missionaries there are able to reach out to them in their culture!
-The Thailand Evangelism and Church Growth committee has plans to reach Thailand’s 80,000 villages with the gospel.
Prayers:
-The lack of church growth for the last several centuries. Despite dedicated missions workers the number of Thai Christians is only a miniscule number, about 1% of the population.
– The widespread sex trade, some estimate that 10% of all tourist money is spent on the sex industry. Nearly 2 million people have been forced into this awful trade. Pray for the girls who have been sold into this, those who profit from it, and the people who come to the country for this purpose. The government opposes this trade but does very little to stop it. Pray that this evil trade will be brought to an end.
-Needy groups of people. Children in crisis: Over one million are estimated to be child laborers. There are thousands of homeless children living on the streets. HIV/AID victims: Thailand has the highest number of sufferers in Asia, estimates are around 700,000, but the real number could easily be double this. Refugees: Thailand is a refuge for many people from surrounding countries and many are involved in harsh manual labor. They need people to reach out to them with compassion and hope. Maybe we can be those people!
Cambodia
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 and the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.
History: For the 1st to 14th centuries the country was a powerful monarchy. For 500 years after that it became caught up in conflicts with Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and France. They became a victim of the Vietnam war and then came under the rule of the Marxist Khmer Rouge from 1975. During this time they went through a tragic slaughter of over 2 million military personnel, doctors, wealthy and educated citizens, and their families. Many were killed and many turned in were forced into labor camps around the country. In 1979 the Vietnam army overcame the Khomer Rouge but civil war continued until 1991. Democracy began in 1993, initiated by international nations. The same prime minister has been in rule since then. The corruption in this country is widespread.
Answers to prayer:
-A feeling of responsiveness to the Gospel in the country. The door remains open for ministry although there are some limitations.
– The unexpected church growth in the last twenty years.
Pray for:
-The scars left from the genocide of 1975-79. Many over the age of 30 have deep psychological wounds from this traumatic time. Pray that they will be healed and that the government will seek good for the people of the country.
-The spiritual darkness that is prevalent in the country. This can be seen through the shrines, the moral disintegration, and Buddhism’s opposition to any ideological opponent.
-The Church in Cambodia that has survived against all odds. During the genocide in the 70’s almost 90% of Christians were killed or fled from the country. Since then the church is continuing to grow but pray for effective discipleship and that religious freedom will continue to be allowed.
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.
Answers to prayer:
-A growing church despite years of persecution.
-There is a growing number of Bibles being printed in Vietnamese and in the tribal languages that are being released with permission from the government. This is a continual need as the church is spreading and in need of these Bibles.
Challenges for Prayer:
-Being one of the few communist countries in the world there are many restraints of freedom on the people. There are also many common social ills such as prostitution, drug addiction, and exploitation of children. Pray that the darkness over this country would be lifted.
-Leadership development and theological training are urgent needs. As the church grows so does the possibility for false teaching if there are few people properly trained.
Philippines
This Asian island nation, once a Spanish colony and an American protectorate, is a country in tension, trying to cross the threshold between the third and first world. The Catholic Church is a substantial piece of the religious pie, however, Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. Here, I will be living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.
Answers to prayer:
-Continued growth of nearly all evangelical denominations. They are all growing at a tremendous rate and the diversity of ministry has come a long way.
-Increased spiritual unity. The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches works toward developing common goals for different denominations and congregations. Pray that this unity continues to strengthen.
– The Philippines have become a missionary sending force. They have a Philippines Mission Association that supports over 2,000 cross cultural workers.
What to pray for:
-The Philippines has a great economic and political potential that has not yet been realized. Failures by governments to deal with economic and social issues have held back growth and keeps half the population in poverty.
-Spiritual vitality doesn’t equate to Biblical truth. The Philippines have many sects and cults that blend Christian principles with false teaching. Pray for these lies to be exposed.
-Leadership development is a priority. There are over 100 seminaries and Bible colleges yet this cannot keep up with the need for spiritual leaders. Pray that these institutions continue equipping godly leaders.
-Pray for the less-reached people and areas. There are many isolated tribal regions that practice tribal religions.
(I found this country information on the World Race website and from some research that my squadmate, Rachel Balson, did.)
