I’ve realized (Ok, multiple people have told me) that I need
to share some more details about this wild journey I’m about to embark on. That is: where I’ll be going, what I’ll be
doing, and all of those nitty gritty details everyone likes to know. In keeping with the absolute craziness of this
mission – I don’t actually know many of the details, and probably won’t know
many of them until they are happening… and anyone who knows me well knows an
adventure with no plans is my kind of adventure in deed! That isn’t entirely true, at least the part
about there being “no plan.” The plan obviously
is to venture into parts of the world – where few youth group short term
missions teams can or want to tread to live, work with, minister to, and
hopefully shed some light and make an impact for the Kingdom. The details however are sparse. I can assure you, patience will be a virtue
and there will be plenty of opportunity for practice.
What I do know I will be happy to share here – in the form
of questions I am asked most frequently.
I’ll share updates as they come available.
Where exactly are you going again? I often answer this question with an
enthusiastic “Everywhere!” Well, that
isn’t exactly correct – but hitting four of the seven continents in one fatal swoop
isn’t too far off the mark of “everywhere!”
As far as exact locations I am not sure, but as I’ve been told we will
often be breaking up into smaller groups to go to different areas around each
country as the need exists. We will be
going to 11 different countries, and effectively circumnavigating the world
over an 11 month period (one month in each location). Specifically the route will be: Ireland –> Ukraine –>
Romania –>
Israel –>
Egypt –>
Kenya –> Uganda –>
A.T.L. – Africa (I’ll explain) –> Thailand –> Cambodia –>
A.T.L. – Asia –>
and then back home. What is A.T.L.? –
Ask the Lord. This is an open month
where you go wherever the Lord is calling you to go within that continent. I have no idea where I will be, but I am
excited about the unknown!
Where will you be living? Amongst the people we will be ministering
to. It is recommended to bring a nice
but not too heavy tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag as this will likely be
the only consistent accommodations available.
Not exactly 5-star hotels, but I dig it!
There may be other places provided in some locations like community
living housing and such, but I expect all accommodations to be “rough around
the edges” by U.S.
standards.
What type of work will you be doing in each country? Good question! Difficult, and rewarding work in the name of
Jesus is about the only thing I can tell you for sure. I can guess based on what others have done in
similar areas and based on the people groups The World Race focuses on. In Eastern Europe we
will likely be focusing on the Gypsies, which I’m really excited about as I’ve
wanted to do this for years since I was last in Romania
in 2005. Additionally I’m sure there
will be plenty of opportunity to work with the orphans of Eastern
Europe, as they have a disproportionate number for the
continent. In Africa
I really don’t know, although the needs are almost countless, and incredibly
varied between two countries like Egypt
and Uganda. In Southeast Asia the
focus will likely be on those trapped in the sex trade, human trafficking, and
ministering to the severely impoverished.
In both Cambodia
and Thailand
these issues are rampant and although they are more recently getting more attention,
the devastation is continuing.
We may be working with a new church plant, we may be
strolling the streets to meet and talk with people, we may be laboring in the
fields and loading 50lbs bags of rice on to trucks… each place and each trip is
different and completely based on the needs of the people at the time. Please keep checking back on the blogs as we
are in the field and each member of my team will be sharing their work and
their experiences each week.
When are you leaving?
Sometime in the middle of June, 2010.
We really don’t know yet! Believe
me, there are some restless people on the team who want to know (not me)! It will be at least after June 13, 2010… these details are
subject to change.
What will you be eating? I can assure you this will likely be the most
“adventurous” part. Basically, whatever
is available and whatever is served. I
am also very excited about this… eating is my favorite part of being in other
cultures… even when I’m not sure what that stuff on the plate is. I mean – I ate ants off of trees and poison
tree root peelings hundreds of miles deep in the jungle of Ecuador
and was fine until I went to a nice restaurant in the tourist district of Quito
– then got sick for two weeks straight!
You never know!
I know there are many other questions people have, and
please feel free to ask. You can even
ask questions as comments on this blog and I will be happy to answer, as I’m
sure other people are wondering the same thing as well.
Please continue praying for me and my team as we go through
the last few months of preparation before launch. Ask for confidence and direction for each of
us during this time, and to leap those final hurdles that stand in each of our
ways. Specifically pray that my house
sells, and that financial support continues to be provided, as I am walking completely
on faith on these two fronts. I know God
will provide, but I still struggle each day with letting go of control of these
items. Again, thanks to all of those of
you who have played a part in helping me this far along; I couldn’t have done
it without each of you!
