Anything is possible if a person believes…. Mark 9:23
So about a year ago I planned a mission trip to Uganda. My first mission trip! The trip was scheduled for July of this year (2011). I was planning to only be there a week. In my heart that was not long enough! I had the desire to go somewhere more long term. So I browsed the internet… I found the World Race. I created a profile and picked out a race. A few hours later I received an email from someone at the World Race and I freaked out! I thought "there is no way on earth I could leave for almost a year and there is definitely no way I could ever get $15,000." So, I forgot about it. I buried that desire away and settled for my week long trip to Africa…. Suddenly, a year later the desire came back and this time I was determined.! I cancelled my trip to Uganda and applied for the World Race! A few days went by since I applied and I never heard anything from them. I was so confused because I really thought the World Race was what God was leading me to do.. I turned off my lights in my room, lit my candle, sat on my floor and cried out to God. I told Him I didn't understand why this desire was so strong on my heart and why they haven't contacted me. I told Him I felt inadequate and I didn't think it would be possible for me to do this because I didn't have any missions experience. I also told Him I thought I shared too much information about my past on the application. I finished my prayer and got in my bed. I opened my bible… The only thing highlighted and underlined on the page I opened was Mark 9:23 Jesus speaking: "anything is possible if a person believes." WOW! That's when I said "Ok God, I believe, I believe!" I cried and smiled and thanked Him for that beautiful moment He gave me! The next morning I received an email from the World Race 🙂 If you have a desire in your heart that seems impossible please do NOT give up!!!!! Anything is possible <3
So here I am 11 countries in 11 months ready to share God's love with any and everyone! I would love for you to be a part of this journey with me both prayerfully and financially. My goal is to be fully funded $15,500 by July 2011. If it's on your heart to give you can find the "support me" tab on the left hand side of the screen. No amount is too small 🙂 I will be leaving July 1st 2011 and will return June 1st 2012. Below are the countries I will be visiting. I love you all and thank you for your support.
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, we 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 we may not have known even existed.
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.
India
India bursts with people and culture. 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, multiple cuisines, socio-economic classes, and political parties. 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. We may 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 us. Our presence will bring hope and truth to the marginalized, those that society deems "untouchable". We will change India from the inside out.
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. Nestled in between India and China, this Hindu kingdom boasts a variety of climates (due to the variation of altitudes). 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. In addition to the adventurous experiences we will have here, we will also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of our World Race experience will immerse us in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God. And guess what? We will be that encounters.
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. 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. This nation played a part of the genesis of this human rights organization and inspired this song; as we help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound, God may birth a dream or vision in us…
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, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on even after we leave.
Uganda
This East African nation was also once a kingdom and British protectorate. During 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. We may find ourselves 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.
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% 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. Change lives in the city where we, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes or in the countryside, where we may serve youth, care for orphans and encourage 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 and the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope we 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 we'll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God's light and presence everywhere we go.
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. 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, Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music and dance and community. While there, we may find ourselves living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.
