Yes, the rumor is true. Once again, you and I are embarking on a journey through the nations. (At least I pray you’re still aboard!) I am doing the World Race for a second time. In 9 short weeks, on July 1st, I head down to Palenque, Mexico with 33 other amazing individuals (picture of us below). The adventure will take us through Central America, over to South East Asia, down to Southern Africa and finally up to Eastern Europe. Eleven more months…Are you up to it?
Many of you may be wondering: Why? Well, there are many reasons…
In Feb. I came on staff with Adventures in Missions, the “Mother-Ship” of The World Race. My role has been mobilizing the church through speaking engagements and justice events (Biking Against Human Trafficking). In the beginning of March, I was asked to be squad leader of the July race. Truthfully, at first I was a bit dumbstruck. But, since returning home last November, I knew that I would be leaving the country again within the year, but I didn’t know how or for how long. So, as this proposal started to sink into my spirit, the Holy Spirit made it loud and clear, out of servant-hood, love and obedience, I was to dedicate this next year of my life to the July ’08 racers. The racers are my main focus. To love them and serve them. I will also be helping with set up and logistics and am the liaison between the racers and the World Race office in Georgia.
I am committed to building the Kingdom. I am committed to the nations. I am committed to discipleship. I am committed to my generation. I am committed to the World Race, and to the spiritual mothers and fathers who are taking me under their wing. And now, I am committed to the racers of the July ’08 squad. I am honored to serve them and grow alongside them as we trek throughout the world. (Below: the July ’08 girls while playing capture the flag)
On a personal note, as many of you know, I am also committed to raising awareness on human trafficking and the modern-day slave trade. I do not think that it is a mere coincidence that on the race we are tentatively traveling to countries that are notoriously known as “Hot Spots” for this very act of injustice: South East Asia and Eastern Europe. I pray that the Lord will set captives free through our hands and words. That these women and children will learn about a Savior that loves them unconditionally and yearns to see them set free spiritually and physically!
Oh yeah, if you are needing another concrete reason why I should be going out again, this should solidify it: I need to return a piece of Tupperware that I borrowed to Kent and Shay (missionaries) in Nelpruit, South Africa. I promised them that I would return it some day and I’m not about to break this promise. I still have it (see below), and in fact it’s already in my pack – ready to make the trek back home to South Africa.
I pray that I will not only be able to meet back up with my friends in Nelpruit, but those whom I met all over the world. For those of you who traveled alongside me last year (physically or through reading my blogs) – Do you ever wonder how the Mohica family (below) in Nicaragua is doing? Or Paul, the man who Nessa came across in South Africa who was attempting to take his own life? Or Chantear (below), the 12-year old girl that I wanted to take home with me who lives in a Cambodian orphanage? Well, with God’s grace and provision, I pray that we will be reunited in order to encourage and build one another up. I pray that we can be a light that shows them, “We did not forget about you and we are still praying for you”!
So, once again, I’ll ask you, “Are you up to it?” I know that I am, with the grace of God. But there is another key player here. You! So, I hope you answered ‘Of course’ or ‘Yes!’ or ‘sign me up!’ to the question above. This team needs you. We need your prayers and support. Your commitment and encouragement is like sweet honey to our hungry spirits. Trust me, your prayers got me through last time, and is the glue that will keep us united this time. Please sign up in the “Update Alerts” to receive my blogs. And send me an e-mail through “Contact Me” if you would like to be an integral prayer warrior.
If you feel the Lord is putting it on your heart to support me financially, click on the “Support Me!” link and be blessed! Even through I am traveling as AIM staff, I still need to raise my own support. It is $13,800 for the year. I currently have around $6,000 in my account. To all who are considering joining the battle financially, I would like to ask you to consider giving monthly. If you were going to give a one time gift of $110, consider giving $10 for 11 months. (E-mail me and I can send you an automatic payment form.) Why? Because, this will also serve as a monthly reminder to pray for us! And your prayers are ultimately what is making a difference in the spiritual realm!
I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has been a part of this journey over the past year and half, and I am excited to see how the Lord is going to transform us and use us to spread his love, hope and truth over the next year!
