Important Update!

• Panama
• Costa Rica
• Nicaragua
• El Salvador
• Malawi
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Cambodia
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Malaysia        

I want to tell you a little bit about each county that I will be going to!

Panama– Home to the Panama Canal and the largest rainforest outside of the Amazon, the country of Panama connects Central and South America. And thanks to the Canal, which connects the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, Panama is one of the leading economies in Central America. But the Panama Canal is a two-edged sword, because it also allows for increased drug trafficking. Panama sits at a place of power of opportunity in the world, as it holds the key to crossing between oceans, hemispheres, and continents.

Costa Rica– Outside of the tourist destinations, there are large pockets of poverty and family brokenness throughout the nation. The country itself is transitioning from self-sufficient farming lifestyles to more urban living. Traditional morals and lifestyles are giving way to a modern, consumer-oriented world. The people of Costa Rica need to remember the unchanging love of Jesus—and that it is still real and relevant to their lives.

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.

Nicaragua– Hopelessness, addiction, destitution, and poverty plague many in Nicaragua. The poorest nation in Central America, almost 80% of Nicaraguans live on less than $2 a day. One in four Nicaraguans is either starving or suffering from malnutrition. Entire families live on and scrounge for scraps in city dumps. The people of Nicaragua need to know they are seen, loved, and not forgotten by God. 

Malawi– Home to at least a dozen distinct people groups, Malawi is known as “the Warm Heart of Africa”. Wide varieties of cuisine and breathtaking views make Malawi a unique experience that you can’t get anywhere else on earth. But the people of Malawi are dying. One in ten adults live with HIV/AIDS, and 70% of all of Malawi’s hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from the disease. The epidemic causes overcrowded orphanages, a lack of workers to harvest food, and an attitude of hopelessness. The people of Malawi need hope.

Zambia– With the country near the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index, the Zambian people still suffer from poverty, short life expectancy, malnourishment, lack of clean water, and the AIDS crisis. Zambia needs encouragement from missionaries who can remind them of God’s faithfulness in the face of challenges.

Zimbabwe – Formerly the British colony of Rhodesia, Zimbabwe shares the majestic Victoria Falls with Zambia. Yet despite its natural beauty and resources like gold and diamonds, this country struggles for hope. Amnesty International reports that the current government has allowed human rights violations in Zimbabwe to escalate for years, and a recent economic meltdown has led thousands to emigrate to other countries, or be displaced within the country. While 75% of Zimbabweans claim Christianity as their faith, it’s often mixed with tribal practices and ancestral worship. 

Cambodia– Cambodia boasts the famous Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple that later became a Buddhist monastery. Hidden for centuries under dense jungle, today Angkor Wat is one of most photographed places in the world. Cambodia itself is struggling to heal from one of the worst genocides in modern history. In the 1970’s, the Khmer Rouge killed over 1.5 million men, women, and children. Faced with inconceivable poverty and desperation, Cambodia became a source, transit point, and destination for human trafficking. The people of Cambodia are hungry for hope and healing. 

Thailand– Behind Thailand’s beautiful beaches, its people’s smiling faces, and the tropical jungles lies a terrible secret: modern day slavery. In Buddhist culture, women work to support their families so men can earn spiritual merit as monks. Many parents send their daughters to work in cities where the only option is prostitution. As the country’s natural beauty continues to draw visitors, sexual tourism continues to grow. It’s estimated 60% of tourists visit the Red Light Districts—and 90% of Thai men visit local karaoke bars for the same reason.

Indonesia– Composed of over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the largest island nation on earth. Though it has the 4th largest population in the world, barely a third of Indonesia’s islands are inhabited. The rest are so densely forested that they rival the Amazon jungle in their beauty and inaccessibility. Indonesia’s motto of “Many, yet one,” refers to its incredible diversity as a symbol of its unity. Over 700 languages are spoken throughout the country, which is the largest Muslim nation on earth.

Malaysia– Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has one of the most competitive economies in all of Asia. Known for the tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Towers, it is a rising power in our global economy. With a large number of immigrants from India, Thailand, China, and Burma, Malaysia is culturally rich, with heavy influences of Hinduism and Buddhism. However, this culturally diverse and rapidly developing nation is mostly Muslim. With 61% of the population practicing Islam and 19% claiming Buddhism, the majority of Malaysians have never heard the Gospel.

I am beyond excited for my new squad and new route! My last squad ( F squad ) was such a blessing to me. They were so encouraging and loving. I am so thankful I got to build those relationships , I know it wasn’t by mistake that I was on that squad at first. 

Change is uncomfortable to me. But I have to get use to change because it will occur often on the race. I have to give up control completely. It sounds easy but for me I am so use to making my own decisions and doing what I want when I want to. God is in control. He will guide my footsteps.

Prayer request:

-It would mean the world to me if you could please continue to pray for my journey. I have been feeling attacked lately, not feeling good enough or that I could make a difference in someones life. I have also been having pretty bad anxiety lately. I know that isn’t true so I have been trying to meditate on what God is speaking to me. 

– Pray that God will soften my heart and prepare my heart for the race.

– I have been having back and knee problems lately. So I am believing that God will heal those things in my body.

– I am having a worship night September 15 at 7:30 for the race as a fundraiser, so please pray for that event ! 

– Pray that I will meet my upcoming deadline of $5,000.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read this and for following my journey this far. Please subscribe to my blog here for more post on my journey ! I love you guys so much, but most importantly JESUS LOVES YOU! Have a great day,

Lindsey Brown