Lindsay Heston - Learning more everyday

Thank you, Colt McCoy

Sat, 9 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

My father, the minister and ex-sports writer, wrote the following article after Texas' loss to Alabama in the championship game just a few nights back. Please take the time and read this article. I hope that it touches you, the way that it touched me.

I am an NCAA football fanatic. I'll take the collegiate game over the professional game any day. I love the bowl games and, even though I'm no fan of the BCS system, I still follow its championship game with fervor.

As a result, I stayed up well past my bedtime last night to watch a pair of unbeaten powerhouses--Alabama and Texas--fight it out for college gridiron bragging rights. I had picked the Tide to win, which might not have happened under a different scenario, but I didn't really care which team actually came out on top.

Like any true fan of the sport, however, I was devastated at the 10:54 mark of the opening quarter when the Longhorns' Colt McCoy, the winningest quarterback in major college football history, took a seemingly inconsequential hit--similar to hundreds he had taken before--and left the game with an injury that caused him no pain, but left him without feeling in his right arm. He never returned to the game.

Instead, Texas was forced to pin its championship hopes on a second-string quarterback, a true freshman who had taken barely two-dozen snaps on the season. Alabama, spotted the Longhorns a pair of field goals, then reeled off 24 unanswered points, carrying a seemingly safe 24-6 lead into the locker room. Things got dicier than expected for 'Bama down the stretch as the Longhorns' second-stringer and his receivers began to play in sync. Texas drew within 24-21 late, but it was too late. The Tide's defense did what it had done all year long: made the big plays. Two closing-minutes scores made the final margin 37-21.

After the game, a reporter on the field asked Colt McCoy a stupid question. There was nothing unusual in that. I used to think that sports journalists had to take classes in how to ask asinine questions, and I've seen nothing in recent years to alter my opinion. This particular reporter had obviously been well-trained in the long-standing journalistic art. She wanted to know how the Texas quarterback felt as he stood on the sidelines instead of on the field, watching his team instead of leading his team.

Stupid question.

Anyone with a gram of feeling would have at least a general idea of how Colt McCoy felt. A national championship had been his dream since his freshman season at Texas, as he stood on the sidelines and watched Vince Young engineer a remarkable do-or-die scramble to wrest the title from the clutches of USC.

"How did it feel to watch my dreams die? Like being sawed in two with a dull razor blade, thank you."

To McCoy's credit, though he struggled even to find a way to begin his reply, when he finally did manage the words, they were profound.

After praising Alabama--"a tremendous football team"--his own team's valiant effort, and the gutsy performance by his backup, Gary Gilbert, he turned the direction of his faith.

"I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do. God is in control of my life. And I know that, if nothing else, I'm standing on the rock."

Thank you, Colt McCoy.

Thank you for reminding us that faith is not the domain of champions alone, but of losers as well. Thank you for reminding us that commitment to God is not merely a possession of those whose prayers have been answered and dreams fulfilled, but also of those who have just had their guts kicked out and their long-cherished hopes crushed.

Colt, I heard you thank God many times after big wins and mountaintop experiences, smiling, even basking, in the thrill of victory; but it meant even more to me to hear you thank God through the hot tears of fresh disappointment and the choked voice of dashed dreams, in what was probably the deepest valley that you, as a young man, have walked to this point.

Thank you, Colt McCoy.

I have watched enough football for enough years that I am familiar with--and even thankful to God for--all the simple testimonies of faith I occasionally see on the field: a raised index finger pointed heavenward, a bowed knee in the end zone. But those are always seen at high points, moments of celebration. I have yet to see a quarterback, having been sacked, rise to his feet and point a finger of thanks to God. I have yet to see a running back, stopped short of the end zone on some all-or-nothing game-ending play, move off to one side and take a knee, offering a prayer of thanks.

If you want to get my attention, then don't talk to me about the game where you generated 400 yards on 25-of-30 passing, or the game where you bullied through the defensive line to score six touchdowns, or the game-saving play you made to salt away a victory that came within a whisker of defeat. No, if you want to get my attention, then talk to me about the game where the only receivers you hit were those on the other team, where you spent your day getting tackled in the backfield, and where the running backed faked you out of your shoes on his way to the game-winning score--tell me then how great your Jesus is.

Or, in Colt McCoy's case, talk to me about faith when your dream-of-a-lifetime has just been unfairly ripped from your talented hands; talk to me of commitment when everything you've worked for, everything you've given yourself to through grade school, high school and college eludes your give-it-all-you've-got grasp; talk to me of standing on the rock when the ground has just been pulled out from under your feet and there's not a thing you can do about it. That's how you get my attention.

Colt McCoy got my attention.

I hope I continue to see bowed knees of gratitude to God after touchdowns. But what I hope even more to see is young men like Colt McCoy who, when life has done its worst and dashed every hope harbored in the heart, may not even have the strength to lift a right arm and point a finger to the skies, but can say--and mean every word of it--"I always give God the glory . . . And I know that, if nothing else, I'm standing on the rock."

Thank you, Colt McCoy.

By Patrick Heston

Valleys Fill First

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There is a great song by Caedmon's Call called, Valleys Fill First. It comes off of their Long Line of Leavers CD. The lyrics are as follows:

This is the vally that i'm walking through
And if fells like forever since
I've been close to you
My friends up above me don't
understand why i struggle like i do
My shadow's my only,only companion
and at night he leaves too

Down in the valley, dying of thirst
Down in the valley, it seems that i'm at my worst
My consolation is that you baptize this earth
When I'm down in the valley, valleys fill first

Down in this wasteland I miss the
mountaintop view
But it's here in this valley that
i'm surrounded by you
Though I'm not here by my will
it's where your view is the most clear
So I'll stay in this valley it takes 40 years

Down in the valley, dying of thirst
Down in the valley, it seems that i'm at my worst
My consolation is that you baptize this earth
When I'm down in the valley, valleys fill first

And it's like that long Saturday
your death and the rising day
When no one wrote a word,
wondered is this the end
But you were down there in the
well, saving those that fell
Bringing them to the mountain again

Down in the valley, dying of thirst
Down in the valley, it seems that i'm at my worst
My consolation is that you baptize this earth
When I'm down in the valley, valleys fill first

Often we get down on ourselves, when we realize that we are no longer having our "mountain top" experience. We wonder where God is. Why did this happen to us? The truth of the matter is that God is stretching us. We need a perspective change. One of my all time favorite movies is Dead Poets Society. In this movie, John Keating (Robin Williams) challenges his students not to conform, but to branch out and see things from a different perspective. Keating says, "I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way." As a believer, I try to remind myself that, I should never settle into a way that I think things should be. You want a new perspective? Ask for Gods eyes. That will shatter your vision.

The mountain top experience in a Christian life is a good thing, but it is not where we spend a majority of our lives. We come down. We live in the real world. Do not be discouraged. VALLEYS FILL FIRST.

There's a 1st time for everything...

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

TEAMS: KARIS, JUDAH AND HEPHZIBAH AT OUR CHRISTMAS IN KENYA

Last year was a crazy year of 1st's for me. Especially during the month of December.

Here are a list of my first's that happened in Kenya:

* First visit to Africa

* First time drinking hot chai every morning in 90 degree weather

* First time eating Ugali

* First time eating goat (appropriately named Billy)

* First time I was given a sheep by a tribe. (Myself, Janina and Jessica had no idea what to do. Somebody has a picture of this somewhere).

* First time I saw Santa's beard as a mop. (Thanks Jake)

* First time riding on top of a bus on African roads (Definitely an extreme sport. Maybe summer Olympics 2012)

* First time I was called a Mzungo

* First time I was called Obama (it continued for 3 months)

* First time I cooked in a pot that was large enough for me to fit into. (We would start cooking around 1pm so that we could eat between 8-9 at night)

* First time 20 mesquitos bit me on my forehead.

* First time I saw God give the miracle of water to us so we could eat.

* First time I danced everyday for hours on end for 3 1/2 weeks.

* First time God revealed the mother in me. (I was very protective of my team and the teams at the house with us.)

* First encounter with a demon and my first threat from a demon.

* First time I saw street children sniffing glue.

* First time on the race that I slept in my tent.

* First time I watched HOME ALONE while huddled around a laptop with 20 other people.

* First time I got sick on the race. (Along with just about everyone one else at our debrief)

* First time I looked for a pickle in a tree

* First time I saw an all male cast act out the Christmas story. (This also marks the first time I saw an Asian baby Jesus. Thanks Dennis!)

* First time I celebrated Christmas outside the USA

* First time I was on a Christian Radio show (Gave a big shout out to B-randon and J-sizzle)

Wow, honestly I could go on for a while. I thought this would just be a blog with a few firsts. Little did I know that there were so many firsts.

Fellow G-squaders I want to hear your favorite "1st" memories :)

How are you doing?

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Literally, just minutes ago, a friend asked me this question in an e-mail. Actually, what she wrote was the following:

"How are you doing? How's the Windy City?"

It was just that simple.

I am not quite sure what came over me, but my response was not what I expected.

"I am doing well. By far, Chicago, is the city that has given me the most "culture shock". It is ridiculous. Everything that is expected of LA is what I have found here in Chicago. My theme for Chicago is LOVE. At least, that is what the Lord is showing me.

Please pray for me.

This is the most intense battlefield I have been in and I know why the Lord has brought me here. To love the unlovable and to reach the unreachable. Why me? I don't know nor do I dare to ask. I just trust. I have stepped out of my comfort zone more here in less than two months then I ever did on the race. Funny, right?

Daily the Lord amazes me, and daily I realize that my life is not my own. I am not here on my own accord. I am here to serve. Where ever He takes me, I go. No questions asked. Just fully trusting in His word. He will reveal His work in His time.

Right now I just need prayer.

Pray for strength. My weaknesses are being played upon. I know I am not alone, but satan is a great deceiver. I refuse to become a prisioner to his taunts and his lies. Pray for community. I need a community of believers to join with here in the city. Pray for boldness: to continue to live the gospel no matter what the cost. ESPECIALLY here in the states.

Wow, I didn't know all that was going to come out. I guess all we really need sometimes is for someone to ask the question.

Thanks for caring, sister ;)"

Tonight I leave you all out here in CyberWorld, America, those on the WR, those who aren't, those who feel stuck, those who feel ignited, those who feel unseen and unheard, those who are lost, and those who have just been found- the following question:

HOW ARE YOU?

Honestly, how are you? I want to know. I want to hear your story. I want to know what we can praise God for together and what we need to come before him with in prayer. What thing has been weighing upon your heart that you have been keeping to yourself and not turning over to God? I would say, I don't want to make any of you reveal anything that makes you uncomfortable, but part of the problem is that we worry too much about what man will think of us that we aren't fully ingnited into true accountability and we handle the world on our own. This world wasn't meant for us to handle on our own. God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

I want you to know that I care. I may not know you and that is fine. Whoever you are, I know this much about you: YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. That is all I need to know. There is a link just to the side here that says "EMAIL ME". It is not just for fun. I want to know how you are doing and how I can pray for you.

Know that you are loved!

The FURIOUS Longing

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In Brennan Manning's book, "The Furious Longing of God" he talks about a how Paul mentions that Jesus "emptied Himself" for us. The following is taken from his book on page 124-126.

"He cried from His heart, nails in His hands, and poured out His blood that we might believe His love for us. Significantly, Jesus chose the giving tree, His cross, as the demonstrative sign of His absolutely furious love from men and women. In the words of one early church father: 'the mightiest act of love ever to arise from a human soul.'

How is it then that we've come to imagine that Christianity consists primarily in what we do for God? How has this come to be the good news of Jesus? Is the kingdom that He proclaimed to be nothing more than a community of men and women who go to church on Sunday, take an annual spiritual retreat, read their Bibles every now and then, vigorously oppose abortion, don't watch x-rated movies, never use vulgar language, smile a lot, hold doors open for people, root for the favorite team, and get along with everybody? Is that why Jesus went through the bleak and bloody horror of Calvary? Is that why He emerged in shattering glory from the tomb? Is that why He poured out His Holy Spirit on the church? To make men and women with better morals?

The gospel is absured and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that he lived, died, and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand new creations. Not to make people with better morals, but to create a community of prophets and professional lovers, men and women who would surrender to the mystery of the fire of the Spirit that burns within, who would live in ever greater fidelity to the omnipresent Word of God, who would enter into the center of it all, the very heart and mystery of Christ, into the center of the flame that consumes, purifies, and sets everything aglow with peace, joy, boldness, and extravagent, furious love. This, my friends, is what it really means to be a Christian. Our religion never begins with what we do for God. It always starts with what God has done for us, the great and wondrous things that God dreamed of and achieved for us in Jesus Christ."

I don't understand...do you?

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

PROVERBS 4:7b

"Though it cost everything you have, get understanding" New International Version

"And in all your getting, get understanding." New King James Version

"If it costs everything you have, get understanding." New Century Version

"Write this at the top of your list: Get understanding." The Message

Why? What is so great about understanding? Among the all the talk about Wisdom and her importance Solomon puts this in here. Wisdom gives us judgment, but understanding gives us comprehension, (or so Webster's dictionary would tell us).

Many times I have heard it said that, "I wish I could understand what is going on", or even, "I can't begin to comprehend what (insert situation here) feels like." When we completely understand people and their situations it costs us dearly. The greatest testimony to understanding was done on the cross. When Jesus utters the words, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." He was able to comprehend to a magnitude far greater than that of our own accord. Understanding requires us to literally put ourselves in someone else shoes. To feel what they feel. Jesus, put himself in our place on that cross. He understood us, our sin, our hurts, our joys, and the sacrifice that he was making.

Understanding oozed forth from the cross. Understanding sat with the tax collectors, Understanding conversed with a woman at the well, Understanding caused controversy, Understanding saw Peter's denial, Understanding took judgment and replaced it with compassion and grace.

Why is understanding so important? Why is it the thing to have at the top of our list? Why are we encouraged to get it no matter what it costs us? Could it be because understanding has nothing to do with us and everything to do with the people around us?

I urge you to find out for yourself. To truly dive into the Proverbs 3 and 4 and see why, Solomon, the man who asked God for nothing more than wisdom, urges us to get understanding

My confession

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The days have passed quickly. Without even realizing it a month back stateside has come and gone. Like many things in life I have become easily distracted; distracted by normal, everyday things. I am distracted by trying to find a job, trying to pay bills, and trying to get around a city like Los Angeles on a Metro system that might as well be a horse and buggy.

My ego wants to tell each of you that re-entry to the states has been amazing. That I have come and set a wildfire to LA, like they are not use to seeing. However, my spirit knows better. Like any other fire that is lit you have to put the right things on it to maintain its strength and power so it doesn't die out. If you put the wrong kind of materials, such as plastic, you get a bad smell. If you put a piece of damp wood you get smoke. I have been put things on my fire, but they have not been the things that I need to make my Spirit grow. I've thrown on things like: meeting with friends, volunteering for the church Easter play, looking for a job, and fretting over finances. Instead of meeting daily with my Friend, hungering for his presence, looking for His advice, and be grateful for the $20 that remains in my account. I have to remind myself of a blog that I posted a while ago about $20 and what it gets in the US and what it gets in Uganda. I am a rich woman with that money compared to a lot of the world. Then Satan comes in and reminds me that bills need to be paid and that I have no job or any prospects of a job, and I let those lies distract on detour me from what I actually need, which is more of our Savior.

On the field, it was easy to seek God every day. I have been referring to it as positive peer pressure. Everyone else is doing it and I actually get something out of it when I do it as well. I haul my bible with me here in the states. I open it on Sundays and maybe once or twice a week. There honestly is no excuse for not spending time with God, but I have tried to factor in a few. Looking for work has honestly become a full-time job in and of itself. It is a huge avenue where I am vulnerable at (in terms of jobs and finances) and Satan is taking complete advantage of my weakness. Instead putting on the armor of God, I am putting on the lies of Satan.

It is tough. I am the sheep that has gone astray while the 99 remain behind. At first, I didn't even notice. I was just grazing for essentials like food, shelter, and didn't realize I had drifted away. Then, when I noticed, I convinced myself that I could do it on my own (which is just my pride). Even as I write this Satan is mocking me with lies about how I can't handle things away from "the pack". About how I am weak and I am countering them with the truth that the Lord never leaves or forsakes me and how God is my refuge and my strength. My ever present help in times of trouble therefore, I will not fear. One of the things that I have taken for granted back here in the states is that it is a CONSTANT BATTLE. We let the normalcy of life distract us from being on the front lines. We see ourselves as hanging out and having a drink and talking with friends until we are actually needed. Guess what. We are needed. Every second of everyday your armor needs to be fully on and we need to be loaded up with the Spirit. We are always on the front line and we are always in battle. Don't let "things" distract you.

I repent. I pick up my cross and I follow Him. Whatever the cost.

I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. NO TURNING BACK.

Not That Different (part one)

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I awaken early...

That is usual these days. I have past off any remaining signs of jetlag, but continually awaken earlier and earlier everyday no matter what time I go to bed. This morning it was at 3:21 that I awoke. A big jump from my usual 5am stirring. I got up went to the bathroom hoping that after i peed I could just fall back to sleep. Not the case at all. I laid there. As thoughts tumbled through my mind I closed my eyes and saw darkness. Not darkness like one normally finds at the shutting of their eyes, but the kind of darkness that takes your breath away and trys to rob your soul of any light that it has.

"Okay, Lord, I get it. I need to pray."

Quickly, I pray against the darkness that surrounds me, this city, this nation, and the world. I arm myself in His armor, and then my roommates, my family, and the g-squad. I try to fall back asleep again, but i am quickly convicted of my lack of intimacy with the Lord since being back stateside.

You see my biggest thing I dealt with in processing my return to the US was dealing with all the changes that would have taken place in my 5 months away. I did not process everything staying the same. Los Angeles hasn't changed. The same people still walk around with their false salvation, their lack of godly identity, and clothe themselves in idols of all varieties. My friends still have the same struggles, hopes, and dreams. It is still hard to make ends meet. This is something I did not plan for. With everything remaining so consistant, I find myself slipping back into "life before the race" and "Lindsay before the race". This is the exact opposite of what I want. I had to name the spirits that surround this place and call them out and act out in the opposite spirit, just like I would when entering a new city/nation on the race. I have to claim kingdom over this place. If any place in American is in need of the Lord, Hollywood is it. It is my mission field. This is where the Lord has called me. Why? I don't know. However, I am willing.

Please join me in prayer. In prayer not only over all nations, but also over our own. Often we look at the speck in our brother's eye and ingore the plank in our own. I need your help. If there is anything that I have learned on the race it is that I can't do it on my own. I need community. I need fellow believers and most importantly, I need God. This transistion back has been easy. That is what frightens me. Pray that I may speak out in boldness and truth. That I will not be ashamed of the gospel or what the Lord has shown me over the past 5 months. Stories need to be shared. God's healing power needs to be shared. God's love and redemption need to be shared. I have witnessed it all first hand. There is no better testimony for my friends and this city to hear.

I am a woman of God. I have a voice, and my name is Lindsay.

Drawing a blank

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Many times over the past two days I have opened up my laptop and gone into Microsoft Word. Upon opening up a new document I draw a blank. I know there is much to say, but I don't know how to focus those thoughts into one concise blog.

Where do I begin? Do I begin with processing going home? Do I begin with processing leaving my squad and the race? Do I tell you about the amazing children I have met? Do I tell you about Mr. Sanga and Mama Sanga? Do I tell you about our time in the villages? I want to do it all, but there never seems to be enough time. No matter how descriptive or enticing these blogs are it isn't the same as you actually being surrounded by palm trees at the foot of the mountains here in Tanzania.

I could tell you about Abby. (The two year old girl who lives next door to us at the YWAM base here in Morogoro.) She has bow legs and continually makes my day each time I see her. However, it is not the same as you getting hug from Abby and listening to her laugh as you play with her.

I could tell you about the disabled camp we went to. How the government funded facility hasn't actually be receiving the funds from the government and how they are lacking on supplies, food, and sleep with rats. That has nothing to do with the power of prayer and healing that was released over the blind, the lepers, and the lame as we asked for the Lord to move in each of them.

I could tell you about the YWAM preschoolers who we made passports for. How it was more than just making them passports. Isaac (the teacher) explained to us that we had just prophesied over these children. How is it difficult to acquire passports in Tanzania, but after what we just did he knows it will be easier for the children to get them.

What about our three days in the village? I could tell you how we were without water and electricity, but that doesn't do anything for you. It doesn't grasp the power of the Holy Spirit in a bush church. Our environment has nothing to do with the God these people know and experience on a daily basis. It is the same God we have in America, but they have not limited him like we have. He is real.

Mama and Mr. Sanga. The moment you meet them you will be their family. I could describe their hospitality and how they were constantly protecting and caring for us. You know, it would be better if you could hear Sanga's heart and his vision for the people of Tanzania. You would feel it more if you ate at his house twice a day and spent an afternoon under a mango tree with him and just talked.

I could tell you about Joyce. How when we went into the special education room at the primary school how her face lit up with excitement. How her faith in the Lord is the most genuine that I have ever come in contact with. 45 minutes with those kids was some of the most rewarding time that I have had to see God move.

I could tell you about our door to door ministry. How we went to a house where the mother believes in Jesus Christ and she wants to accept salvation, but cannot because her husband is Muslim. How she has a deep yearning to be united with Christ, but still takes her daughter to a witch doctor for healing. God's favor is upon her and her husband will come to know the Lord through her.

The worship in an African church is something else I could tell you about. Experiencing that pure joy and celebration in worship and praise is something that comes with rejoicing alongside of them. I have read that God inhabits the praises of his people, but never understood or truly felt that until Africa.

Each of these ministries was different. Each showed me something new about God. Each showed me how he can and will use anyone.

Team Lunchbox

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I know it is a little late, but it was hard to upload. Enjoy!

Transparent Transitions

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Transitions are difficult. There is usually an unspoken awkwardness that exists that no one intends. These past couple of months have been all about transitions for me. First, we had squad wide team changes. Some of us were kept in leadership and others were brought in to give others a much needed rest. No team stayed the same. Everyone was put somewhere else. This month we have been adjusting to those transitions. A little over a week ago a new shift occurred when I decided to leave the world race (Please read this blog to be caught up to speed.) Now my team and I are going through the process of me leaving and having another leader step up. Also, in the last two weeks of my ministry I am trying fully to invest in what is going on here, and not worry about if I will have a job back home and how I will pay my bills. Truly, I desire to make the most of every opportunity, but I also can't neglect that fact that I have to process what is about to happen so I don't enter the states completely blindsided what actually happens compared to my expectations of what I think should happen.

I don't have any idea what I would say to you if you asked me what God taught me in my five months on the field. I don't even know if people will ask me that. For the past five months I have had people, even you, genuinely interested in how I am doing. It isn't like back home where some passes you in a public place and casualy asks, "Hi. How are you?" and then immediately keeps walking. People are invested in me and I am invested in them. I know I will get asked about my trip and what my favorite country was, but will anyone genuinely be interested in the work the Lord is doing and not about my experience? I don't know. I won't hold any grandstand performance trying to rally the troops to go into overseas missions. Do I think you should? Yes. Is that my decision to make for you? No. That is between you and God. Do I think the World Race is for you? Yes. Obviously you do to, or otherwise you wouldn't be here contemplating whether or not to sign up. (Go ahead! Click here to fill out the quick application.)

I don't want to force people to listen to me, but I also will not remain silent until they ask. What if no one asks? I don't need someone to ask about my time abroad in order to demonstrate the work the Lord has done in and through me. It should be evident in my actions. I cannot change the church. I cannot change people. Only God can. As the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." People may ask me, "What are your plans when you arrive back home?" Honestly, the only thing that is currently on my list of things to do is to serve.

Jesus did come not to be served, but to serve. That is the best example I have. That is what I strive to be. You may find me cleaning toilets. You may find me at a nanny job. You may find me on your TV doing some acting. Who knows? All I can tell you is that the Lord will bless the works of my hands. I am walking in obedience and in his favor. There is no other place to be, and from there I serve. On the ground as I break my Alabaster jar and pour myself out at his feet.

I'm leaving on a jet plane.

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go. I'm standing here outside your door. I hate to wake you up to say goodbye. "

Goodbyes have never been hard for me. I always know that I will eventually see those people again. It is not that I am heartless or that I don't care. We all just deal with things differently and goodbyes are something that I have just been good at. That is until now.

On January 14, 2009 The Lord placed a scripture on my heart. Ezekiel 36:24-27

"For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

For those of you who have been following my blogs, that scripture came to me when I was in crunch time to raise the rest of my support to go to Europe. I had prepared myself to go home because I thought that was what the Lord was telling me. However, the support money came in and I thought I had heard in correctly. That is until the past few weeks. I had received news from back home and I had to make a choice: stay on the race or go take care of responsibility. Immediately this scripture came back to mind. The Lord was preparing me for this during my support raising. During that time he was showing me that he is faithful and that I can trust Him.

Recent events have led me to withdrawl from the race. This is an extremely difficult choice for me to make. Decisions that I made 5 years ago are effecting me greatly now. I must take responsibility for my actions. Although I would love to stay, and continue to see God move in my team and the squad firsthand, I know that I must trust that His plans are greater than mine and that I must submit to His will even though it goes against my own wants, desires, and what I think He should want for me.

It is one thing to follow God in obedience when you want what he is asking you to do. It is a completely different thing to step out in obedience when you don't want to go. This is honestly the hardest decision I have ever made. Fully I believe that if you would ask anyone on the leadership team with me that they would tell you I would be the last person to leave this race. I have come into this race with full faith knowing that the Lord had much to teach me and with the knowledge that I was subconsciously running away from things at home. Now I must face those things.

Let me establish for you that I depart on no ill terms. I am extremely grateful to AIM, the staff, Gary and Lisa, Allison, Jake, the leaders of G-squad and G-squad as a whole. You have all played a part in my development as a member of the Kingdom. My eyes and mouth have been opened and I can't help, but proclaim the things that I have seen in my 5 months on the field. I can only imagine what would have happened in 11 months, but know that the Lord has asked to come home, "for such a time as this." The World Race will always be a part of me, for it has propelled me onto something greater. (I just don't know what that is yet.)

Daily the Lord is teaching me to trust him more. He has shown me that my faith is limitless, but my trust in him could use a little work. The Lord is showing me in these 5 months the vast difference between faith and trust. I am completely trusting him with this. With each obstacle that has come my way, whether it been support raising, family issues, or bad news from home, God continues to show me deeper levels of trusting him. Going home is enabling me to trust him with more than I expected. However, with each thing that has been placed in my path it has been easier each time to surrender it to him.

When we talk about giving up rights and entitlements here on the race, and how we have none, I have never seen the World Race as my entitlement until I had to give it up. It is hard. The race has broken me of a lot of my entitlements, but the greatest one still remains, the Race itself. Just because the money has been raised doesn't mean that I should get to finish the race. The Lord was showing me how to trust him with and in my finances and now I need to trust him with my life, especially when it is going a different direction than what I had planned. He is proving His faithfulness.

This goodbye is hard. I signed up for 11 months not for 5 months. Obviously the Lord needed me here for only 5 months. I accept that and I am ready for what he has for me back state side. The people are hard to leave. Their fire and passion for the Lord and His Kingdom challenge me daily. They push me beyond what I have ever been pushed before. My iron has been sharpened because of them and it will continue to be sharpened as I join with you in following their blogs for the next 6 months.

You have been a major support to me. That support is just a crucial now that I am leaving behind 49 others that have grown to love deeply. They are family.

Thank you. Thank you, for understanding and continuing to cover me as I depart on March 5^th. It is definitely needed.

I will keep you posted and would love to meet up with any or all of you when I arrive back in the states to thank you face to face. Just shoot me an e-mail.

28 in Kenya!

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well, I celebrated my 28th birthday in style here on the race. We had a great time dowing sodas and dancing.

Maxwell: Good to the last drop

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There are all different types of ministry opportunities on the race. They can range all the way from prayer walking, preaching, and healing to orphanages, hospitals, and universities. Last month, in northern Uganda, we were in a town called Lira. For three days towards the end of our trip our team visited the hospital. African hospitals are far different from American hospitals and chances are it would be hard for you to stomach the sight of them. The one we were in was one of the better ones that has been seen on the race and that isn't saying a lot. At least all of the patients have beds. On our third day at the hospital, Allison, (our squad leader) had asked us to stop in and pray for Maxwell since she was unable to go with us. Maxwell was our first stop. We all laid our hands on him and began praying for healing

BACKGROUND INFO:

The problem with Maxwell is that he is losing all control of his muscles. It had been anywhere from one month to four months since Maxwell had opened his eyes. He had not been able to look at his wife, who has been at his side through it all.

The chief of police had been visiting Maxwell back on the first day the team was at the hospital. (Maxwell, use to be a police officer.) He is a Muslim, and was told on that first day that when Maxwell was healed that he would believe in Jesus and accept him as Lord and Savior.

BACK TO THE MAIN EVENT:

We all prayed for healing for about 15-20 minutes. Praying that the Lord would allow him to open his eyes and look at his wife again. Cindy then prayed for his wife and told her that she needed to pray to and read the Psalms over him and pray for healing for her husband as well. Then we left. Well, some of us did. Braedon and Katie were still in the men's room praying with other patients. Tangi was outside praying with people, and Brandon, Cindy and I were playing with Nelson Mandela (click here for that story). We had been outside for about 30 minutes when Tangi and I start to head back over to the men's ward. Katie has come running out of the building and is throwing her hands in the air. She is screaming, "He's opened his eyes! He's opened his eyes! He staring at his wife right now!" Tangi and I run into the ward and Maxwell is looking lovingly into his wife's eyes. He wife just smiles at us, and we are told we have to leave cause the doctor is making his rounds. What? I want to see his face when he sees that Jesus healed Maxwell, I don't want to leave, but we had to.

Katie plays the whole story out for us saying that she and Braedon were praying when Maxwell's wife started calling out saying, "come here! Come here!" Katie saw that his eyes were open and she started scream with pure joy at him, "You're healed! You're healed! Do you understand how much Jesus loves you? He just healed you! He loves you so much!"

We left that place filled with the fullness of the Lord knowing that he is a God who heals and delights in us as we delight in him. I don't know what happened with the chief of police. What I do know is that no word from the Lord is void and I know that he will come to know Jesus through Maxwell and his wife. He cannot deny the power of healing. I look forward to see Maxwell, his wife, and the police chief when I get to heaven. Until then I press on, knowing that God promised his Kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Well, earth doesn't look too much like heaven, but daily a little more of it is revealed to me. I will continue to pursue what the Lord asks of me. I will continue to go to the hard places, whether that is here or in America. I will continue to live a kingdom centered life. I have seen too much not to pursue Kingdom.

morogoro, tanzania

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well, we are officially in Morogoro, Tanzania. We are working with the Pentacostal Assemblies of God Church here for two weeks. We will be preaching alot, doing bible studies, door to door evangelism, prayer times at the local universities, and eating a lot of food. The men leave for manistry with the massai tribe on the 19th and then the 5 of us women head out to the bush for two weeks. We will have no water, electricity, or form of communication since there will be a lack of electricity. It will be great. I have been looking forward to living in the bush all throughout Africa and now I finally have a chance. PTL! Internet time will be limited, but I will do the best to keep you informed of all the work the Lord is doing here. Miss you and love you all.

Uganda (Pictures)

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My Birthday Wish

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Like I told you in my last blog you all have been amazing. There is a squadmate of mine who currently needs your help getting to India. Now we leave for India in one month so her ticket needs to be purchased and this is of the upmost importance. Click here on her name Angi Fransisco and go to her support and donate! God is doing some amazing work in this woman and she is truly seeking after what He has planned for her. She is giving up a lot and dying a lot to herself. There is more work to be done. Please help ensure here stay here on the World Race.

Update

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We have arrived safely in Nairobi, Kenya for our next debrief session. All of us survived the crazy rapids of the Nile River and even some of us were able to bungie jump and touch in the Nile. (Don't worry mom, I wasn't one of them. I am saving that for Central America.) We had a nice 1 day vacation, and now we get down to the nitty gritty team stuff this week before we head into Tanzania for our fifth month.

It is crazy to think we are already entering into month five on the race. You sure are kept on your toes and moving from one country to the next and from one adventure to the next. Like just two days ago we had a bus with 16 open seats for 26 people, 26 packs and 26 day packs. Plus the bus ride was 6 hours, but T.I.A. (this is Africa) and T.I.W.R. (This is World Race). Anything is possible and hold everything with open hands because it is subject to change.

You all have been amazing at making sure I have the financial support needed to stay on the race. Now I am petitioning you on behalf of two of my teammates Cindy Flores and Katie Duff. Both of these women of God have changed my life and made an impact on me for the better. To go to Europe without them hurt the ministry that we have done together and change the course of the momentum that God has given us. If you can, please support them. By supporting them you are also supporting me by keeping to sisters on the race who help hold me accountable and challenge me daily to become more Christ-like.

Click on their names and go to their sites and click on support me on the left hand side.

Thank you.

Dazed by Benadryl

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Consumed by drowsiness and distracted by life I sit down to lunch.

This past week, nature and I have been at odds. I have learned that my body is a harvesting ground for mosquitoes and bed bugs. Itching my skin is a new norm for me. Restless nights of sleep are a norm as well. Taking Benadryl daily to combat the reactions is normal as well. My afternoons are packed with naps. Mostly because I cannot keep my eyes open long enough to be productive at anything. (The effects of the Benadryl are quick and strong.)

We have been blessed this past month to rest. To be at a place where we weren't needed around the clock, and we could actually rest and spend time with the Lord. Four months in and you need some rest here on the race. Rest is needed and it is appreciated when you get it. Like Benadryl though it can cause you to enter into a lethargic mentality thinking you need more rest then what you actually need. You awake from your rest knowing that you can awake and be productive, but more rest sounds more appetizing then any form of movement.

The thing about rest here in Africa is that if you take too long in your down time you end up in a pool of your own sweat. Then you are uncomfortable. Then you no longer want to rest, or be productive, you are just miserable. You look for direction, but you lack motivation. You are stagnate. This is the worse place to be in. Moving in no direction is worse then moving in the wrong direction. Once I move my course can be more easily corrected. I can tell if I am going in the right or wrong direction once I get going.

The effects of the Benadryl are strong. I don't notice them until I stop moving. Once I am in one place for 30 minutes my eyes begin to close and I realize that rest is not only needed but necessary. Even now the effects of too much Benadryl cloud my thoughts and leave me squinting through my distractions to focus on the sun that is struggling to be seen.

Moral of the story: Don't take too much medication and then write a blog. You try and make something out of nothing. Only God can do that.

Dear Anonymous...

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Anonymous (all 22 of you),

The donations that you have given have ranged all the way from $3 to $1,000. Each gift is treasured and appreciated. I wish there was a way for me to thank each and every single one of you personally, but since that isn't an option I will do my best to speak from my heart here on this page.

I am overwhelmed by the way the Spirit has led you to give. Truly there is no expression that can come forth and share with you how grateful and humbled I am at the generosity that you have shown me. All with my other supporters you have rallied behind, not me, but he Kingdom. That is what truly speaks to my heart. That is what motivates me to continue you on. When things seem rough out here, or I am missing home, it is your sacrifice that motivates and encourages me.

I remember that I am called and have a purpose. Whatever distractions the enemy throws my way are automatically counter acted when I received e-mails, comments, and donations from people I have never met.

There are some of you that I know really well, but you don't want me to focus on what you have given me, you want to focus on the work and on the mission that I have been called.

Then there are those loyal blog readers. Whether you are parents of other World Racers, you are going on the race yourself in the near future, you have been on the race, or you have just heard about it and you are addicted to reading each and every blog...Thank you.

Your support has been astounding and the Lord will bless each action of your heart and see it through to completion. You have kept me on this race. You have ensured that I go to Eastern Europe and I know that the Lord will see that I am able to raise the rest of my support and finish the entire race through people like you.

Once again, thank you.

Conversations with a demon

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IS TRUE AND I TESTIFY TO IT IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. I SHARE THIS STORY FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND NOT ONLY GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, BUT ALSO HIS POWER OVER DARKNESS.

This is a journal entry of mine from Kenya dated December 23, 2008. It may run a little long, but it is worth reading to see what happened. And how God worked.

Tangi and I were coming back from being in town where we were trying to upload our Christmas video, but it wasn't working. Where the bus dropped us off our group had just set up for an open-air crusade that evening. We just set up some speakers and some microphones, sing some music and have a church service right then and there. As we were worshiping I noticed a lady getting closer and closer to me. Eventually, she was literally shoulder to shoulder with me. I started praying in the spirit immediately. This woman was not "right". Quickly I noticed that while a couple of girls were giving their testimonies, this woman was laughing at inappropriate places. (I mean the women were sharing from their souls things that they hadn't told anyone.) I asked the woman what was so funny, but she just smiled and looked straight ahead.

Katie, my teammate said that the boy sitting next to her said she wasn't right in the head. I placed my hand on her shoulder and continued to pray in the Spirit. Once again she laughed and I knew the Lord wanted me to take her away from the women talking. We went and sat on a patch of grass and I asked her what her name was. She mumbled. I couldn't understand her. As she spoke literal chills went down my spine. What she was speaking was neither Swahili nor English, but a demonic tongue. She was rubbing my arm and my leg and speaking things over me. I told the Lord, "If you want me to cast out the demon you have got to let me know." Nothing, no word. I continue to speak and the Spirit and she continues to speak in her tongue. Then, she looked right at me and said (in perfect English), "You are not going to Europe." I looked at her and asked, "What?"

"You are not going to Europe," she answered and then continued to mumble. About ten minutes later she pointed directly at the cross tattoo on my arm and asked, "What is that?"

"You tell me," I replied. When she didn't respond I told her it was a cross. At this point Katie walks over and sits on the grass with us. I begin to ask this woman if she knows Jesus. She replies that she does. When I asked her if Jesus was her Lord and Savior she responded with, "I believe in Jesus." Quickly, I respond with, "Even the demons believe in Jesus." With that she laughed and began speaking in counterfeit tongues again. Then she looked at my tattoo and then at me and told me she was going to hit me. Katie and I were just looking at each other with huge eyes and praying continually. We were covered, we were protected, and my Spirit knew not to leave that place. Then a few minutes later she said, "I don't want you to leave."

"Why do I need to stay?"

"If you stay then you can't complete your mission," was her answer.

Um, excuse me, but who had talked to this lady? No one had told her about our trip. No one told her we were on a mission. No one told her that we were going to Eastern Europe for month 7 and 8 of our trip. Now Katie and I are on high alert. We have been talking to this demon, but there has been no red eyes or anything crazy and we know we aren't suppose to cast it out, but we also aren't suppose to leave. She sought us out; we did not seek her out. This is the first time that either of us had "talked" to a demon. This time when the woman begins mumbling and touches me a sharp pain runs straight down my back. Immediately I tell Katie that when we leave we have got to pray these curses off of me. Next, I notice that she is standing, so we stand. She said, "I am going to go straight home, go to bed, and not wake until morning." Then Pastor William asked everyone to stand and pray and she took off.

Upon arriving back my team and I prayed everything off of us. We broke the things Satan tried to put in and on us. This story has incredible relevance considering that 6 days ago I was told that I didn't have enough support money in my account to go to Europe. My mind couldn't help but go back to this conversation with a demon when she told me that I would not go to Europe. However, I know our God, and when a demon tells me I won't go, my faith skyrockets because that was just a confirmation to me that I am going.

You have aided in that. In six days, less than a week people, you have given just over $3,000 and have help ensure that darkness is defeated, and that I can continue like Paul to go into the world and preach the gospel. Thank you for your faith. Thank you for your obedience. Thank you for your support those of us who are out here among the nations because the Lord has called us. Decisions to do this aren't easy. We go because we have been asked. You make a difference. Your support encourages us. It spurs us on. Your iron sharpens our iron. Continue to be a warrior for Christ. Continue to do what you can. Continue to pray. You are needed!

As of today I am at $11,754 raised! Praise the Lord! Only $2,046 more to go so that I can complete the entire race. Eastern Europe here I come! If we can raise $3,000 in six days I know, without a doubt that within the month, we can raise $2,000! Thank you so much! Click here to donate.

$20

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What does $20 bucks get you?

Here on the World Race, $20 goes a lot further than you think it would. You make a list of what you can get in the states for twenty dollars and compare it to the following of what I can get in Uganda this month:

10 days worth of food (3 meals a day)

4 nights of sleep (in a hotel with running water and electricity)

80 Cinnamon rolls (Made fresh daily)

18 Pizzas (cooked to order)

60 liters of water (Filtered and ready to drink)

12 dinners at a nice restaurant

60 Coca-colas

There is just the beginning of how useful even $20 American Dollars is. Can you give $20? Can you give $5? Can you give more? The fact of the matter is that whatever you give will make a difference. That $20 could be the $20 that keeps me here on the race. Your money goes further than you think. Especially, when it has an opportunity to help advance the Kingdom of God. I am in need. I am in danger of going home. If you can give even $20, it will make a difference. Click here to donate!

The Big Coat Club

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"What is the Big Coat Club?" you ask.

Well, for the first two months of our trip the leadership was struggling to come up with a team name. Nothing was really sinking in and really speaking about what we are going through. At our last debrief in Kajabie Mike Hindes spoke on 1 Samuel 2:19.

"Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him

When she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice."

You are probably thinking, "That man got a whole sermon out of that random verse about Samuel?" The answer is yes, he did. My rendition of it probably won't do justice to what was actually said, however, I am still going to try. (You shouldn't have captured my attention so much Mike. I was so enthralled that I didn't take notes.)

Here it goes:

Hannah was barren. She was unable to provide a son for Elkanah. Hannah cried about before the Lord and the Lord heard her and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel. Then she takes Eli, after she has weaned him, and gives him over to the Lord. Every year she would visit Eli and bring him a new robe/ coat. Since she only brought him one coat a year chances are that she made it big so that he could grow into it over the course of the year. (You would hate to get a new coat only in two months not to have it fit any more.) The same goes for us. Sometimes the Lord presents us with a coat (responsibility, gifting) and we say, "God this coat is too big. It doesn't fit. Don't you know me at all? You know the number of hairs on my head, but you don't know what size coat I wear?"

The fact is that God knows us better than we know ourselves. Clich, but true. He sees are potential and he won't give us more than we can handle. God gives us a big coat because he knows we will grow into it. Then, when the time comes for a new coat we get another, and it is to big too. We aren't meant to stay the same spiritual size our entire lives. We are meant to grow. We are expected to grow. We need to grow. If you are walking around in a coat that is too small for you it limits your movement. A coat that is too big for you let's you move freely. You may trip over it a few times because it is so big, but God is there to pull you back up and help nourish you until you out grow it.

As a leadership team we thought this only fitting as we step into leadership roles here on the World Race. We came just to serve, and while and training camp, or through the course of the trip God called us up to leadership. He gave us a bigger coat than we anticipated. For some of us it seems tough to fill. For others we are growing faster than we expected. The truth of the matter is, that as scary as that big coat is, I want to wear it. I want to grow. I want more.

We have deemed ourselves the Big Coat Club (The B.C.C.). I am always want to wear a coat of the Lord that swallows me whole in His presence. Continue to challenge me. Continue to stretch me, and if you have a bigger coat, I'll take it.

My support is doing very well. We are daily getting one step closer to keeping me on the race. In the name of Jesus I claim I will not go home early for insufficient funds! God is good and will provide. click here if you would like to donate

Let Your Annointing Fall

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have been struggling a lot this month. It is my forth month away. Usually, I don't get home sick, but this month it really sunk in that I am not coming home for 7 more months. Being away from family and friends usually doesn't bother me, but maybe that is because they are always a phone call away or a day or two drive away. Africa doesn't remind me of home. Neither did China or the Philippines. I wouldn't trade what I was doing. I am seeing and learning so much on a daily basis. The world is a mess and absolutely beautiful all at the same time. There is much more appreciation in my heart for things I take forgranted on a daily basis. Part of me wishes everyone could do a trip like this. You know, get their hands dirty, hold an AIDS baby, paint a school, change a community, push the envelope, feed orphans, encourage widows, and lose the boundaries and limitations that we place on ourselves and the rest of the world. All these things people can do in the states, they just don't realize it. (I feel like I sound like a politician's wife. Well, if I ever became one I have a cause.) Daily, I am guaranteed, when I wake up in the morning, that I have another opportunity to make a difference. Another day, to die to myself and be like Jesus. Another day outside of my comfort zone and into the hearts of people. Another chance to learn more about who God is and who he has created me to be. Embracing the vision that God has given me and knowing full well that he finishes the work he begins.

If you have been following my blogs the past few days you know that I am in extreme need of support to finish my last 7 months here on the race. You should also know that I am willing. Willing to go where ever the Lord leads. That is how I came into this race and that is exactly how I plan to leave it. Whether or not that is in just a month or in 7 months, literally depends on you. I want to stay. Maybe for completely selfish reasons, but I want to stay. I want to go. Also, for completely selfish reasons, but I know full well, that the Lord is not finished with me out here. I started this race saying that I was coming back radically changed. Do I think I am radically changed yet? No. Do I think the change has begun? Hell, yes. There are parts of me that I don't even recognize any more. I read these blogs of my fellow squad mates who are petitioning for support on my behalf. I read their blogs and think, I want to meet that woman of God! Who is she? Hopefully one day someone will say that about me. The things they say about my faith astounds me because I am struggling to find it on a daily basis. They say that I challenge them. If so it is only as iron sharpens iron. I guess I am just astonished at the fact of how the Lord has used me within my own squad and I haven't even noticed. These people are my family. I hurt with them, I laugh with them, I cry with them, I praise with them, I intercede with them, I dance with them, I pray with them, and I love them. We have dealt with a lot as an entire squad family over the past four months. They have taught me more about faith, love, and trust then anyone I have ever met. What they write about me is only a reflection of what they are radiating themselves. We are united. We one. If I am that way then so are they. RADICAL OBEDIENCE. Let's continue to live it out. No hesitations, just obedience. Thank you! You all have been tremendous. We only have $4611 left to go. You amaze me!

You can click here to donate.

Perfect Strangers

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Back at training camp at the beginning of August a thought occurred to me, "Your support money will come from people you do not know." This was extremely random and I was new at my gifting and did not realize that the Lord was actually giving me words of knowledge.

6 weeks later (one week before we launched) I was informed that it was crunch time. There was certain amount of money I need to have in 5 days and I didn't have it. It appeared as though I would be launching with the January team and not with the October team. Literally, I was at $1600 in my support account and I needed $6900 in order to leave. I thought, "There is no way, but Lord I am trusting you. Your timing is better than my own." Then I get a phone call from Ashley, Jimmy, Casey and the rest of the staff at the office. They begin to tell me that if I had $5000 in my support account they would let me launch. Ashley tallied it up and I was literally at $5001. 98% of that money came from people whose names I had never heard before. Yet I knew them. The Lord had told me about them. I knew it was coming in. No doubt. I just didn't know when. Step by step the Lord had shown me patience, understanding, his timing, and has been building my faith and trust in him with every obstacle that is presented my way. The new obstacle is that I might have to leave the race early because there isn't enough money in my support account to get me to Eastern Europe. This is an immediate need since tickets will be purchased in the upcoming week.

In Acts 10 Cornelius receives a vision from the Lord telling him to find Peter in Joppa, and that Peter would speak and he and his family would be saved. Peter also receives a vision about the clean and the unclean. He was wondering about the meaning of this vision when the men that Cornelius sent arrived. It is when Peter arrives at Cornelius' house that he understands what the Lord is saying. God takes two strangers and makes things perfect. Peter answered a call and it led him to the door of reaching out and unlocking the kingdom for all the Gentiles. Cornelius' family hears and they received baptism of the Holy Spirit and then of water. A step of faith and trust was taken.

Who says that strangers can't help each other out? If Peter had dismissed the Lord's prompting, God would have chosen someone else to unleash the power of his love on the Gentiles, because getting His word to the Gentiles was part of God's plan. Peter trusted the Lord. He knew the Lord had a plan for him, even if it seemingly went against his beliefs. The Lord assured him that it was okay and that his hand was in it.

Are you my perfect stranger? As you have been reading the blogs over the past 4 days has God put a prompting in your heart to give. You might be waiting and thinking, "someone else will step to the plate and give." I have thought that many times myself. What if you're that one? The one like Peter who will open the door to the word continuing to be spread in places unimaginable. Is he asking you to be one of the strangers that gives to fulfill his word to me? I don't know, but you do. You hear from him. He speaks to you. You know. You feel it.

Click here to donate

Ask and you shall receive...

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A stirring has accord deep within beckoning me beyond the borders that have ensnared me, and kept me from reaching out in faith and love. Why do I not turn to God's people? Why do I doubt that they would offer their prayers and their money to support a random missionary who they do not know? Why have I ever thought that I was undeserving to receive?

This is actually one of the battles I am fighting out here on the "mission field". There is something within me that is able to give freely to others and to bless them, but when others try to bless me I feel undeserving. Logically, I know that I deserve what the Lord is trying to bless me with through others. However, something inside of me halts at the thought of having others care for and love me in this way.

Recently, I went through deliverance of my finances, and with deliverance from that came a freedom from other things. Accepting and receiving things now is not nearly as hard as it was before. I am growing, I am changing, I am finding my identity in Christ, and know that I deserve to be blessed. It is not always easy and I hear the Lord whisper, "This is my gift to you." With that I open my heart to receive from him through his people.

Fully I trust and know that this race is where the Lord has called me, and that I have to fully rely on him convicting the hearts of readers such as yourself to give from your soul. He has convicted me to sit back and receive. Much easier said than done, but He is giving me an opportunity to see him through you. What an amazing gift to see the Father!

Let me encourage you and let you know, that when you give a gift it isn't forgotten. Your name doesn't go unnoticed (unless you click anonymous). Your gift is noticed. You are prayed for. You have partnered with me in the Kingdom and that is not overlooked. Many praises and petitions for blessing on your behalf are offered up. Every gift from $1- $1000 is a crucial part to keeping our ministry alive and well.

Thank you for wanting to be a part of the ministry/journey with me. I thank the Lord for using you to change the world and bring his kingdom to earth. There is still ground to be covered. (7 months worth to be exact.) Great things are taking place on a daily basis. Most of them are so small that I don't even notice them until our contact points them out and assures us of the impact that we are having. We are making a difference.

Amount needed to be raised: $5,031. You can click here to donate.

Please pray about your partnership. This is an immediate need to keep me on the race, and whatever part you are called to play: whether it is prayerful or financial is greatly and desperately needed. If there is anything that I have learned out here it is that I can do nothing from my own strength, but only by the strength and grace of our Lord.

Philippians 4:13

Houston we have a problem

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The following is an excerpt from Max Lucado's Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.

"Biographies of bold disciples begin with chapters of honest terror. Fear of death. Fear of failure. Fear of loneliness. Fear of a wasted life. Fear of failing to know God.

Faith begins when you see God on the mountain and you are in the valley and you know that you're too weak to make the climb. You see what you need...you see what you have... and what you have isn't enough to accomplish anything.

Peter had given it his best. But his best wasn't enough.

He is aware of two facts: He is going down, and Jesus is staying up. He knows where he would rather be. There's nothing wrong with this response. Faith that begins with fear will end up nearer the Father.

We must realize all we are doing to produce lasting peace in our own strength is not working. We work, but there is never enough money to go around. We try, but it seems relational harmony doesn't last long enough. Our households are in upheaval more times than not. Then we panic because we are running out of human strategies to keep the peace'. We need to experience the peace of God."

Mike Bickle says in his Song of Solomon studies that, "It safer in the water with Jesus than on the boat without him."

I know for certain, that being on the race, I am on the water with Jesus. Trusting him and fixing my eyes on him only. Obviously this is easier said than done, but even when I begin to sink I am still safer among the waves with his arm outstretched then in a boat being tossed through the waves. Currently, there is giant wave heading my way, but I know that I am taken care of because I am in the will of our Lord. Yesterday I found out that I am "in the red" as they say. The reason I am "in the red" is because of my support situation. Basically as I was informed that I am "in dire need" of funding. In two weeks ticket purchases for Eastern Europe are being made, and because there is no more money in my account a ticket cannot be purchased for me. If this situation doesn't change I will be leaving the race prematurely. As I have spent time in prayer and worship I am completely at the mercy of our Father and what he chooses to do. I step forth in faith and boldness and proclaim that I will finish the next seven months on the race through God using people like you. Pray about contributing to my ministry, as the Lord leads please give. If you can't not give financially, join with me in prayer knowing full well that the Lord will use others to provide the funding. We are in this work for the kingdom together. Daily, I will be keeping you posted over the next two weeks to let you know where we stand and what the next step is. I believe wholly that within two days I will be posting another blog praising the Lord for his complete provision and how through you He has provided my funding not only to get to Europe, but to complete the entire year. I look forward to rejoicing with you! Please click here to donate!

knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"What did you eat?"

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"What did you eat?"

Maybe it was the 3 sugar cookies, the cookie dough bars, or the no bake Oreo cookies that we had with our squad Christmas dinner on December 31^st. Who knows? The only thing I do know is that I wasn't the only one who had the experience. The next morning I brought in the New Year over a toilet, literally spilling my guts to my new "porcelain" friend. I wasn't the first infected, but I was definitely hoping to be the last.

Debrief is usually a time of relaxation and filling back up after we have outpoured all month long. A chance for us to find our focus if it has gone astray and assess the highs and lows of the previous month. However, for a good 45 out of the 50 of the October team spent the week consumed by something other than health.

Currently, we (Karis, Libre, Transformers, and Hephzebah) are delayed here in Kampala, Uganda until further notice because we have an 8 hour bus ride on bumpy African roads that will not help the situation.

Please cover our entire squad as it is running quickly through our squad and our bodies. It seems to only be a 24 hour bug for some, and a 48 to 72 hour for others. Pray for God's hand to heal and cover us, so that we can be fully affective in the ministries that we are called to this month.

Team Karis at Squad Christmas Dinner

Kenya in Pictures

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Our Radio debut in Kenya

Katie and I posing for our Christmas prom picture. (She went as Braedon.)

Me giving Allison some time off of her feet to relax. What a great squad leader she is!

Team Karis at Christmas Dinner