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Sending U Some Hope Internationally! Let’s Roll! Support team!
WELCOME!!!
Squad Worldrice! Beloved Warriors!
11 countries (all over Asia!), 11 months, 1 epic mission!
This blog is going to be a record and journal of sorts and I am so excited that you’re a part of it. Subscribe to get immediate updates on new posts/pics and the MOST recent information! To subscribe, click on Update Alerts after any of the Blog Posts and fill in your email or cell number!!!
Even though I told a friend that blogging might make me more apprehensive than squatty potties, my hope and excitement is to print it out when we’ve returned and see God’s faithfulness to all of us. Write, comment below, share life stories, prayers, personal victories, trying new things, making dreams a reality, thoughts, questions, etc.. Join the community!
You’re also welcome to contact/connect with me by email if that is more comfortable for you. It’s just as much of a joy to hear from you either way. [email protected]
My first blog post for this trip was actually started in the “About” section, if you’d like to take a peek…just click “About” on the left. You are viewing this because you care and it’s kind of humbling and so fascinating to me how this works and how this team…those going and those blessing us from home…will come together. I am so grateful!
If you are here to donate, THANK YOU! NOW is the time! Just click “Support Me!” (on a phone- scroll down, computer- left side bar) and give as you feel led either online or by check. I need to raise $16,000 to complete the The World Race. It is tax deductible. I’ve been saving and it would also be a HUGE blessing to have help with the funding. And it’s so much fun to watch the percentage move up! THANK YOU!
We’ve raised $15,000 in about 3.8 months!!! I can GO, now we’re working on FULLY funded! NOW is the time! I’ll let you know asap when I know about the goal being met!!!! This has been incredible! Praise God and amazed at the people truly being called to join this mission and team. The senders and go-ers are all equally important as we work together in prayer and partnership! Each member is a unique piece of this God-completed puzzle :o)!
You are a member of TEAM SUSHI in prayer, encouragement, and financial gifts. Bring others on board! It’s a blessing to all of us!
You could be praying for something as we are experiencing God’s answer in person! Amazing team of senders and go-ers!
For all the ways you are supporting, THANK YOU.
Please also send your picture so I can take it with me, or if you’re supporting with a group, send a group or family pic, to me at [email protected]...TEAM SUSHI members ROCK!…I might even be meeting you for the first time!
Here’s the wonderful, incredible, God-lovin’ team I get to do life and serve with for 11 months…Beloved Warriors! You can learn more about them on the sidebar :o)! From left…Ali, Leah, Landon, me, Kyle, and Grace!
SQUAD WORLD RICE…All Asia bound! We go to each country together! Then we break into our small groups around that country…sometimes a few teams will be together, sometimes not…It’s always all one mission either way!
And now, dear TEAM SUSHI…introducing…a birds eye view of…
The World Race: Asia…September 2014-July 2015!
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.
Laos
Following a brutal civil war, Laos came under communist rule in 1975. This ruggedly beautiful nation is home to some of the most unreached hill tribes in the world. The need is great for people to bring God’s love to the isolated places in Laos.
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. 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.
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 their Redeemer.
Japan
Known as the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is made up of almost 7,000 islands and boasts the world’s largest metropolitan area, Tokyo. Religious freedom has been in place since the end of World War II, but 84% of the Japanese people practice Buddhism or Shintoism or a combination of both, and fewer than one percent are Christian.
China
Host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and home to 1.3 billion people, China’s not just grand in land mass and population. Beside the Han Chinese, there are over fifty minority groups. While China has grown in leaps and bounds industrially, intellectually, and economically, it’s still a politically closed nation. Depending on where you are, you may meet Buddhists, Muslims, and Taoists; there are even churches – government approved and regulated. The underground church is extensive and continues growing, even thriving, amidst persecution. While there, you’ll have to pay homage to the Great Wall, and bring light and hope to a people in darkness and depression. How you’ll do that exactly – you’ll find out once you get there.
Mongolia
Founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, and under communist rule for most of the 20th Century, Mongolia went through a democratic revolution in 1990 to become a parliamentary republic. Containing the Gobi Desert and very little arable land, Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world. 30% of the population is nomadic. The majority of the Mongolian people are either nonreligious or Tibetan Buddhist, and the nation is in great need of missionaries to encourage the Christian population and help reach out to those still searching.
Philippines
This Asian island nation, former Spanish colony then American protectorate, is a country in tension, trying to cross the threshold between the third and first world. It offers a variety of landscapes – beaches, mountains, volcanic lakes – and languages, with Tagalog as the national tongue. The Catholic Church is a substantial piece of the religious pie, however, and Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music, dance and community. While there, you may find yourself living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.
