Courage to See & Show - Victoria Skyvalidas

F.R.E.E. the captives!

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Isaiah 61:1

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me. ..

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the captives. .."

In honor of Freedom Sunday (did your church participate?),

I decided to share some powerful blogs about HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Do you realize that there are 27 million slaves in the world today?!

Check out F.R.E.E. International for more information and ideas.

My former teammate Laura Meyers

and

World Race alumni Matt Snyder

also do a lot of work in this field,

so visit their blogs too

(click their highlighted name).

Meanwhile ...

Jordan McGuffin (WR Oct '09 Team Increase)

has seen the face of sexual exploitation during her stint in SE Asia.

She wrote this:

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Someone's Daughter. Someone's Granddaughter. Someone's Sister. Someone's Mother. Someone's Wife. Someone's Friend. ALL a part of a family.

Some go willingly. Some tricked. Some coerced. Some forced. Some kidnapped. Some sold. Some curious. ALL wanting out NOW! [What if they could be free?]

BOUGHT for an hour. BOUGHT for a trick. BOUGHT for a night. BOUGHT for a week. ALL bought for a price. [What if they knew someone paid for all of them with His life?]

Beat. Used. Treated as less than human. Property. Affected by STDs. Forced abortions. Taking on shame, fear, and worthlessness. Just getting by. Trying to survive. Trying to provide. Facades of pleasure. Facades of joy. [What if their mask of joy could become the real thing?]

Some turn to alcohol. Some turn to drugs. Some turn to memories of old. Some turn to DREAMING about what could have been. Some turn to suicide. ALL are trying to escape, even if for only a minute. [Who will tell them who to turn to?]

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Someone's Son. Someone's Grandson. Someone's Brother. Someone's Father. Someone's Husband. Someone's Friend. ALL a part of a family.

Businessmen. College "studs." Old lonely men. Some see women as a "sport". Some are experimenting. Some are a result of peer pressure. Some curious. Some are running. ALL are searching for something. [What if they found Jesus on their search?]

Some brag on the number of women they've used. Some try to HIDE their deep, dark secrets from everyone. Some are addicted. Some tormented by shame. Some disgust. Some guilt. Some are numb to all feelings.They are hurting on the inside. Their need is not physical. ALL are in need of a true LOVE. [Who will tell them about that LOVE?]
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My God is that LOVE, that perfect love. He died on the cross and rose again for each and every man and woman ever created. More specifically, He paid the price for each of these women, in EVERY bar and in EVERY brothel. He paid the price for EVERY man in these places, as well. He loves each of them as much as he loves me. He has a plan for all of them as much as he has a plan for me. They are all searching for Jesus, even when they don't know it.

There are more questions that begin with the word "How," than answers. However, I know that God has a plan to end their searching, and use people to bring His Kingdom into this darkness.

We can not beat this in the physical, so we can't look at this problem in the physical. There is a spiritual war raging on this earth. We can't be defensive. We have to be OFFENSIVE!

We already have the authority and victory over this spiritual darkness that is affecting our world. That is the GOOD NEWS. The BAD NEWS is that most people are unaware. Some people just don't care because "it doesn't affect them." There are too many Christians who live on the defensive in their spiritual life, and God is calling this generation to pick up their swords for the offensive.

You don't have to be in the middle of the "sex industry" ring to be on the offensive. You can become aware. You can spread awareness about this "human slavery" that is going on. You can pray on the offensive, and use your authority and victory. You can pray for the organizations and people who are in the midst of these women and men. Our world deserves what we have put up with! Let's take ownership of our world and fight this in the face! LOVE FIGHTS BACK!
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Galatians 1:3-4

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

who gave Himself for our sins to RESCUE us from the present evil age."

And Jessica Johnson (WR Oct '09 Team Rev217) made this awesome video

about the power and love of our REDEMPTIVE GOD!

I hope that your spirit is stirred into action!

Hope for Haiti

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

How much you all have been keeping up with the news of what is still going on in Haiti in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake?

Adventures in Missions has been raising awareness and support by mobilizing teams as well as by regularly posting related information on this new site http://haiti.adventures.org

I've compiled a few pictures and excerpts from stories to share with you. I hope they inspire you to pray and consider giving.

* * *

Out of the utter horror of Haiti, comes a picture of incredible joy. Kiki was found alive and well after eight days under the rubble of earthquake-blitzed Port au Prince. He never gave up hope that he would be freed. Asked how he managed to survive without food and water, he said: "God helped me."

By Mark Bulstrode, Press Association, Eveningstar and nigel.pickover@eveningstar.co.uk

* * *

"The relief effort in Haiti could end up being the most difficult, faith-testing recovery from a modern disaster.

Haiti, already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, has a poor infrastructure. People are fleeing the capital for villages that are unprepared for the influx.

To help manage the chaos, the United Nations and the United States signed a two-page memorandum of understanding to formalize their roles and end the tensions that flared earlier in the week. Haiti maintains overall control of the aid and rescue efforts. The United Nations is in charge of peacekeeping and coordinating the work. And the Americans remain focused on delivering aid.

Aid workers are shifting their focus to delivering shelter, water and medical care to hundreds of thousands of injured, hungry and displaced Haitians. They are racing against the approach of the rainy season, which aid groups fear could unleash disease."

* * *

A few days ago, six World Race alumni (three from my G squad) traveled to a town on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic where they are working in a hospital, praying, and setting up logistics for future incoming teams. AIM is planning to send in waves of teams from now until at least August for the purposes of medical ministry, prayer ministry, relief, and reconstruction.

Please pray for safety and health - physical and spiritual - and clear communication - including opportunities to lead people to the Lord. You can visit the blogs of the current team by clicking on each person's name: Ashley Musick, Aaron Bruner, Jacob Hoyer, Sara Choe, Sarah Diederich , Steph Tyrna.

You can also donate and stay informed by subscribing to the Haiti blog:

http://adventures.org/haiti/

How You Can Help Haiti

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Haiti has suffered immeasurable loss in the last few days.
They were hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake two nights ago,

one of the worst earthquakes that the country has experienced in decades.

Adventures in Missions (AIM) has two missionaries in the area right now.

(They are based in the Dominican Island, on the other side of the island.)

Miguel and Kristen Shaul are already working to provide first-response relief to those in need.

They are hoping to reach out to smaller communities outside of Port-au-Prince as well.

But they need your help, specifically to purchase supplies,

such as food, blankets, and materials for shelters and basic health care.

>> Click here to donate to AIM's relief work in Haiti <<

Besides giving financially, you can offer prayer support.

Haiti regularly suffers the effects of tropical storms, floods, and mudslides.

It is a place of political unrest and spiritual darkness.

The Lord loves the people of Haiti very much, and

He is doing a mighty work there.

If you want to be more involved,

click here to apply for the World Race!

And again, please give to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

* * *

The Promise of Children

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

When I was younger

- and I'm talking about when I was just a kid myself -

our gracious Lord spoke to me.

He put a dream in my heart, and

He promised me CHILDREN FROM MANY NATIONS.

At the time, I didn't know what that was going to mean for my life.

And I didn't know what I was supposed to do about it.

Even now, I can't imagine all that it might still mean for my future,

but I am amazed at how this promise has already been fulfilled.

He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).

I actually kind of forgot the promise - worded as such -

until just over a year ago, at a debrief in Hong Kong.

Our World Race squad was worshipping and praying,

and our coaches urged us to ask for the desires of our hearts and then just listen.

For encouragement. For revelation.

I heard several things as His love flooded over me.

Then I heard a voice say,

"I promise you children from many nations."

The voice belonged to someone else in the room

who did not know me very well yet

and who had certainly not known about the original promise.

To get that kind of confirmation from an outside source

reminded me of how worthy the Lord is of adoration and renewed my hope!

* * *

By the time I graduated college, I was already a victim of wanderlust.

As my friends started their careers and families,

I entertained the idea of traveling around the world,

adopting a kid in each country along the way...

You see, I've always kind of had big dreams and radical ideas about how to live.

I wasn't doing anything intentionally to pursue that early promise,

and yet it was always there in my heart, directing my decisions.

I ended up taking a job teaching at an international school in South Korea.

My students came from 50 different countries:

Norway, Bulgaria, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Canada ...

And they were definitely my babies, even if they were in high school!

Living abroad inspired other opportunities to travel and volunteer,

which in turn prompted me to sponsor a child with Compassion International.

Obviously I got to continue traveling with the World Race this past year,

and so many children touched my heart!

Since I have been home from the Race,

I have gotten more or less settled in my hometown in Missouri.

I've been spending time hanging out with my family

(including my adorable one-year old nephew)

and getting ready to start my master's degree (in education/literacy).

I have also been substitute teaching and volunteering with children,

both at church and at an after-school program.

There are a lot of international students and visiting professors at the university here,

and our community also welcomes refugee families.

So whatdya know?!

The children currently in my life are indeed from many nations!

It is remarkable how the Lord has already fulfilled this promise in my life,

and I look forward to being WOW-ed as

He continues to deliver and provide.

His interpretation of His blessings may be different than what we expect,

but I assure you, His way is better - it's the best!

* * *

What has God promised you?

What whisper echoes in your soul?

What dreams has He planted in your heart?

And how has He started to fulfill those promises?

Listen and look again.

And praise His name!

* * *

"Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise is for you

and your children and for all whom the Lord our God will call."
(Acts 2:38-39)

What's My Purpose? (by Seth Barnes)

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tomorrow starts a new year

- time to look at the big picture of life,

answering questions like,

"Why am I here - what's my purpose?"

So starts the latest of AIM director Seth Barnes' blogs. (www.sethbarnes.com)

It's a great question, and

one that I have been thinking a lot about lately

- more on that coming soon.

But Seth simplifies in it a way that inspires me again.

I hope it will do the same for you as you continue reading.

Click here to read the complete original

and/or to read more of his insight.

Your primary purpose on earth is not to do good works.

If you follow Jesus, your purpose is to embrace the ministry of RECONCILIATION.

Though we're separated from God and feel the distance,

we were born to be with Him and to bring others into His presence.

He reconciles us in our broken state to Himself and asks us to invite others to the party.

Maybe that sounds like evangelism to you.

The word "evangelism" sticks in a lot of people's throats like a bone.

They equate the term to acting like a kind of a religious used car salesman in a cheap suit.

The problem is that when Jesus asks us to share the gospel wherever we go,

we complicate his assignment with threadbare words.

My guess is that if we really understood how so many people feel,

it would be much easier to embrace the ministry of reconciliation.

Perhaps you've never experienced the sense of utter despair

that comes when you feel abandoned by God.

Perhaps you've forgotten what it was like to feel God's embrace for the first time.

People all over the earth feel ugly, forgotten, and estranged from God.

The Bible calls them "children of wrath," and that's how they feel -

at odds with themselves and the God who made them, living in a scarred and forgotten place.

How do you respond?

I think, "Someone needs to launch a rescue mission to set these people free."

And if you were to launch such a mission, people would call you a "missionary."

And you might blanch at the thought.

What do you feel as you read these words?

Perhaps you feel a small twinge of the pain they describe.

Perhaps the word "missionary" conjures up a picture of people being preached to

who are quite content to be left alone.

Whatever your response to the words, don't let them distract you from your purpose.

We mustn't let words trip us up or water down the urgency of our assignment.

As a follower of Jesus, your purpose is a noble one.

You are called to partner with God to help people realize their belovedness,

to see a God who is lovesick and wants to woo them back to Himself.

It's the task of setting things right, of restoring the natural order to things

- orphans brought into a family,

parched lips feeling the refreshment of a cool drink,

lonely hearts feeling the glow of companionship.

Jesus described his kingdom as a place where lost things are found.

When we're that lost thing and he finds us, we realize the treasure we are in His eyes.

And we get to join Him in helping others to see themselves that way too.

It's an incredible thing to partner with God.

It's wonderful to help a person see that God loves them.

If you've experienced it, it may have been the high point of your life.

To join with God in helping others experience His love is a privilege that we we need to grasp.

It's a purpose to which we must commit.

If you have lost sight of this purpose or if this is a new idea to you, it's okay!

Pray, open up a Bible, and talk to me or someone else you trust.

If this doesn't sound like the God you know,

please contact me and let me introduce you ...

a girl & a guitar

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There's just something about a voice and a guitar -
music that somehow stirs up and soothes my soul, all at the same time.

Last Monday night, I volunteered at the Compassion International table
that was set in the lobby of a small local church during a concert.
I am a big fan of the work that Compassion does
to "release children from poverty in Jesus' name,"
and that night, a dozen people signed up to become sponsors!
Halleljuah!

I didn't know who was performing at this concert when I agreed to work the table,
so imagine my delight when the emcee welcomed Bethany Dillon to the stage!
She is my new favorite artist, as of three weeks ago when I first bought her CDs
- recommended to me by my squadmate Lindsey Hogg -
and started listening to them non-stop in my car!

Now, imagine my surprise when this famous Christian artist took the stage,
and it was the girl in T-shirt and jeans that I had just been talking to in the lobby!
Yeah, I didn't even recognize her because I had no reason to associate her with this environment.
She was so laid-back and cool that I didn't want to harrass her for a photo-op with me later,
especially since I was already on the verge of becoming a hyper-fanatic!

As she introduced her songs, Beth jokingly complained
about constantly traveling with a dozen smelly guys - sounds familiar,
and about her new husband who serves as a mirror for her - also very familiar.
She also spoke of how hard it to spend time with the Lord because she is rarely alone.
Tell me about it! When Lindsey used to go off and have quiet i-pod time with Bethany,
I'd listen to the glorious tunes of Tara-Leigh Cobble.
(Tara-Leigh makes incredible music, and she writes books.
And she's friends with my friends, Mandy & Paul!)

Like I said, there's just something about a voice and a guitar.
Music is so powerful ... the melodies, the rhythm,
the words - when they seem to speak directly to your soul,
and, oh, especially when the singer herself speaks to you like a friend!

I met another awesome young female Christian artist
at World Race training camp last month.
Rachael Hurt is a very talented singer/songwriter and worship leader.

She compares her sound to Francesca Battistelli, if you're familiar with her (also very good!).
She, Rachael, is selling her CDs to raise support for her mission trip -
she's launching in January 2010.
So click here to order one, and
go to i-tunes to check out these other ladies' music.
And if you can recommend any other musicians to me,
write a comment below. Thanks!

I also want to thank all the girls - and guys - who performed for us and led us in worship
with their guitars during the World Race. :)

I AM the Source - by Stephanie Fisk

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Stephanie Fisk, a World Race alumni and leader, recently shared
"an outpouring of [her] heart and of the Holy Spirit" in poetic form on her blog.
I thought it was beautiful, so I've included it here below.

* * *

Prophetic Mysteries of I AM

(Mystery of Potential)

I AM

I AM the source inside of the FRONTIER yet to be EXPLORED.

I AM the source inside of the COURAGE yet to be MOBILIZED.

I AM the source inside of the STORY yet to be TOLD.

I AM the source inside of the BABY yet to be BIRTHED.

I AM the source inside of the SONG yet to be SUNG.

I AM the source inside of the WORD yet to be WRITTEN.

I AM the source inside of the DANCE yet to be EXPRESSED.

I AM the source inside of the STEP yet to be TAKEN.

I AM the source inside of the LAMP yet to be LIT.

I AM the source inside of the COLOR yet to be PAINTED.

I AM the source inside of the TEAR yet to be SHED.

I AM the source inside of the TOUCH yet to be GIVEN.

I AM the source inside of the ORPHAN yet to be HELD.

I AM the source inside of the POOR yet to be TAKEN IN.

I AM the source inside of the LIVES yet to be INSPIRED.

I AM the source inside of the BEAUTY yet to be ADMIRED.

I AM the source inside of the RELATIONSHIP yet to be REKINDLED.

I AM the source inside of the JUBILEE yet to be REALIZED.

I AM the source inside of the MANNA yet to be EATEN.

I AM the source inside of the WELL yet to be TAPPED INTO.

I AM the source inside of the TRUTH yet to be REVEALED.

I AM the source inside of the PASSION yet to be EMBRACED.

I AM the source inside of the LOVE yet to be RECEIVED.

I AM the source inside of the HEART yet to be LOVED.

I AM the source inside of the COVENANT yet to be AGREED UPON.

I AM the source inside of the MYSTERY yet to be DISCOVERED.

I AM the VOICE.

I AM

by Stephanie Fisk, November 2009

* * *

Road Trip Reunion

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I 've been itching to travel and see my Race buddies again,
so October became road trip reunion time (Month 13)!

I picked up Laura in Ohio, and we visited Jeff and Sharon in Kentucky, and John in North Carolina.

But the highlight of the trip was being back in Gainesville, GA
for the World Race training camp for the January 2010 squads.
Literally half my G squad (25 of us!) was there to serve alongside the AIM staff, and
I also finally got to meet, in person, some other Race alumni whom I have blog-stalked!

We quickly fell right back into the natural rhythm of ministering together in community:

encouraging each other up and having fun!

We did a lot of behind the scenes tasks like cleaning and setting up,

but we were also fortunate enough to spend time building relationships with these future Racers,

to hear their stories, answer their questions,
pray for them, worship with them, and just love on them!

Their lives are about to be "wrecked" in ways they can't even begin to suspect,

and they are going to encounter the living God in deep and powerful ways.

They are hungry for it, and the Spirit is moving!

Click here to meet them:

M squad N squad

squad leaders

Mark Schandel & Kyla Cornelius Robby Riggs & Tara Stephenson

Can you believe it?!

There are almost 120 new Racers going out onto the field in January!

And there are FIVE other squads already out there!

They have simply responded to God's call, stepping out in faith to make a big impact on the world.

So many lives are being transformed through the power of grace!

The next group leaves in July... Do you want to join them?!

We were created for relationship, and I am so blessed to be part of this World Race community

which reminds me that I am an anointed child of God and that He is crazy in love with me;

and where it is considered normal Christian living

to listen to the voice of the Lord and to prophesy life over each other,

to dance for deliverance and to walk in freedom!

Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken,

let us be thankful, and worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

for our God is a consuming fire.

(Hebrews 12:28-29)

Thanks to Angi Francesco, Sara Choe, and several of the January 2010 Racers for most of these photos!

Back in the States

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It has been two weeks since I hugged my teammates.

Two weeks since I have been back in the States.

Two weeks. Too hard.

My squadmate Carly Farver recently posted a blog that captures a struggle that we may face as we transition. I've quoted some highlights below, but I strongly recommend that you click here to read the original in its entirety. She writes, "It's harder than I thought being back, though not in the way I thought. Rather than feeling misplaced and misunderstood, I feel too comfortable, too the same. If satan is going to reach me in these next few months, it's going to be by siphoning my Race experience away into oblivion. Back home in the familiar, satan whispers, nothing has changed. And in some ways it hasn't. But at the same time, everything has changed..."

I can understand that to some extent, because the memories are already threatening to fade into dreams. But since I haven't actually lived in the States for SIX YEARS, for me, it's almost more like a 12th month on the Race, adjusting to a new culture and trying to make new friends. Except this time, I am physically separated from my team community. Whagh whagh, but seriously, having spent every day of the last 11 months constantly surrounded by incredible people, it has definitely been difficult for me to come back to my parents' house in Missouri and find myself pretty much alone all the time. (I did finally meet my nephew, who was born the week after I left on this trip!)

The Lord has introduced my spirit to new levels of intimacy and developed my understanding of His Kingdom, but I'm not sure what that looks like here and now. I guess that's part of the fun of walking in faith and obedience, right?! I have grown so much in my willingness to do things for which I am not trained but equipped, and the Lord has astounded me with His trustworthiness. I want to know Him more!! Since I am a student at heart, I am in the process of applying for seminary/graduate school, hoping to start classes at the new year. I also am eager to go abroad again already... I am particularly interested in going back to India, so hopefully I can arrange to go on another mission trip in the near future.

The Lord stirs people's hearts and uses His people to stir up nations!

Thank you so much for following me on this journey and for reading my blog. Believe it or not, it only touches on a few of the things that God did this year. Even though the travel portion of my World Race experience is finished, I plan to continue to post stories, pictures, and lessons I have learned or am learning. If you, your family, your church, or your fellowship group are interested in talking with me personally, please don't hesitate to contact me!

I urge you to adopt another World Racer or even a team. There are three squads on the field right now, with three more scheduled to depart in January! Your prayers are so important, and your comments on blogs are really encouraging! Click here to read the latest updates from all teams. (On that page, click any of the tabs on the top or on the right to select specific squads, teams, or participants.)

I also invite you to click here to watch a video that my squadmate Ian Schumann made for his teammate Marisa Banas to thank and inspire her supporters. I don't have the skills and creativity to make my own video, but I shared many of their experiences, and I certainly agree with their sentiments.

Lastly, throughout the year, I tried to send my friends and supporters a postcard from each continent we visited. Unfortunately, last month in Nicaragua, the second third of the batch was misplaced and therefore was not sent. I didn't keep a record of who was in that pile, so I apologize if you expected a postcard and didn't receive one this time. It probably would have looked something like this:

Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

Traffick in this place

Sat, 5 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"The practice of slavery in the US is something most people think ended
with the 13th Amendment in 1865, but in recent years it has returned in an even more virulent form.
Fueled by the collapse of the Soviet Union and other eastern European countries,
new technologies like the internet, and sieve-like borders,
the traffic in human beings has become an epidemic of colossal dimensions.
The State Department estimates that as many as 800,000 people are trafficked over international frontiers each year, largely for sexual exploitation.

Eighty percent are female and over fifty percent are minors.

Many people in this country push this atrocity out of their minds,

believing that it only occurs in faraway countries...

The truth is that the United States has become a large-scale importer of sex slaves..."

from http://www.tradethemovie.com/index.html

Human Trafficking:
the movement persons

between different places

for the purpose of trade (buying and selling)

My teammate Laura Meyers is passionate
about anti-trafficking work,
so I have learned a lot about it from her.

When we were in Mexico,
we watched the shocking movie Trade,
about a teenage Mexican girl and a young mother from Poland
who are kidnapped and sold in suburban America.

* * *
Then, to remind me of how close to home this issue really is,
World Race alumni Matt Snyder recently posted this news article on his blog:
(Emphasis added.)

KC Firm Charged in Human Trafficking Case
AP - Bill Draper

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - From a nondescript brick building a few blocks from the bright lights of Westport, Kansas City's oldest entertainment district, Giant Labor Solutions lured hundreds of foreigners to the city with promises of good jobs and a chance to live the American dream.

But from 2001 until this spring, Giant Labor and two other metro-area companies turned the workers into slaves, fanning them out to housekeeping jobs in hotels and other businesses in 14 states while forcing them to live, sometimes eight at a time, in small apartments for which they were charged exorbitant rent, federal authorities allege. Most of the workers were in the country illegally and were threatened with deportation. Click here to read more from the newspaper's website.

* * *

Below are two great videos about human trafficking that I strongly recommend that you watch.

The first is sponsored by the International Justice Mission,
which, according to their website (www.ijm.org),
is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims
of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.
IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials
to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare,
to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems.

The second was made by World Race alumni Brian Alonzo
to llustrate the staggering numbers inside human trafficking.

If you think that you are so far removed from modern-day slavery,
think again.

Building Blocks

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A theme of this past month in Nicaragua was
BUILDING BLOCKS.
Literally, we did a lot of construction.
Spiritually, we invested in children's lives and affirmed their hope for the future.
As a team, we talked and prayed a lot about transitioning
into the next phase of life after the Race.

* * *

We worked hard every day mixing concrete and building the walls

of a new feeding center by the church.

We also had a lot of fun practicing Spanish

and joking around with the pastor's adult son Santiago.

working hard & having fun

after work & after church

* * *

CICRIN welcomes volunteers on a regular basis.
(There were three other groups there at the same time as us!)
That means there are always a lot of hands around to help.
I was concerned that it might be hard for the children to have people come and go so often,
but it actually seems to have made them more flexible and friendly.
Thankfully, many of the teams have established relationships with CICRIN,
so the same people return year after year.
It's definitely a place I hope to visit again!

such charmers

playing at the playa

* * *

And now I entrust you to God

and the message of His grace

that is able to build you up

and give you an inheritance

with all those He has set apart for Himself.

Acts 20:32

The Rancho

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Comfortable communal space can make all the difference in BECOMING FAMILY.
In Tanzania, we had a dining room table where we spent hours each day talking.
In Budapest, our apartment had a great living room.
In Nicaragua, bienvenido al rancho.

This simple covered concrete slab overlooking the lake
was the perfect loccation for relational ministry.

We spent a lot of time here ...

in prayer,

having quiet times,

meditating on the Word of the Lord,

cuddling in the hammocks
- they could each fit three adults
and/or a lapful of children,

having conversations,

story-telling,

studying,

and practicing Spanish with the kids,

playing cards,

practicing a healthy lifestyle,

smacking piatas,

admiring sunsets,

and so much more!

If you have a space like this where you live, enjoy it!

If you dont, create one!

I repeat:

Comfortable communal space can make all the difference in
BECOMING FAMILY.

* * *

My dad owns a restaurant in Missouri,
and the front table has always been our special spot,
our home away from home, our dining room table and our living room,
the site of much business and drama,
our rancho.
I look forward to stationing myself there next week

to catch up with people:
my biological family, of course,
and all the employees and customers who become like family.

Celebrating 15x2

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last weekend was quite the fiesta!

It was my teammate Angi Francesco's 30th birthday,

so we went to the colonial city of Granada for an adventure

of ziplining through a canopy of trees!

(My face has a look of terror, but I really did enjoy myself!)

When we returned to CICRIN: Christian Children's Center on Saturday evening,

we celebrated the Quinceeara (15th birthday) of Haissel and Isamar.

It was a coming-of-age / prom / wedding-like extravaganza!

It began with a procession through decorated archways.

In the lead was a little girl carrying a fancy "15" sign,

followed by another young girl carrying the Bible.

Fifteen couples, the girls' closest friends, came next,

culminating in the arrival of the girls themselves,

accomplanied by their dates, of course.

Aaron Darlington, my squadmate from Team Clay, participated as an escort.

The pastor encouraged the youth to remain pure and committed to Christ,

then we ate a nice dinner and danced the night away.

Feliz cumpleaos!

CICRIN & Construction

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It is our eleventh and final month of the Race, and
we are in Nicaragua.

My Team Banah, once again with Team Clay, is working on the island of Ometepe with CICRIN: Centro Infantil Cristiano Nicaraguense (Nicaraguan Christian Children's Center). The purpose of CICRIN is to provide a safe environment and a good education for children who have been orphaned, abandoned, or who are otherwise in danger in their homes.

There are just over 20 children and youth living at the Centro currently, and they are precious! Four year old Julietta and I quickly became friends. One afternoon she fell asleep with me on the hammock. Normally, she is full of energy: she loves to dance and play! Eleven year old Darell showed me the proper technique to use when hand washing my clothes. And twenty-one year old Elsa-Maria loves to chat and braid hair.

CICRIN accepts financial support for each of the children and for various projects on site.

Click here to check out the CICRIN website (in English). Click here for the Spanish version.

* * * * *

Our primary ministry here, however, is not at the Centro, but at the local church. While the children are at school during the day, we go in to the village to do construction. We are working to build a feeding center next to the church. (Currently, the program is run out of Pastor Miguel's home.)

* * * * *

Please PRAY ...

- for the protection of these children at the Centro and for government decisions that may affect them.

- for our squad's health. Several individuals are experiencing serious symptoms.

- that we finish well. Traveling the world, living in community, and serving in ministry is thrilling but exhausting, and we can only do it by relying on the strength of the Lord. We have officially begun reflecting on our experiences and preparing to come home soon, and that, too, is exciting but tough.

As we focus on the Lord, may we bring Him glory!

Crunch Time for the Jowers

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As I have gone around the world this year, serving people and living in community,
I have experienced the POWER of God's LOVE and GRACE.
If you have been keeping up with my blog, then hopefully you have experienced it too!
I am so thankful for you, the friends and supporters that help make this whole adventure possible!

My teammate Mark has an awesome buddy from home, a former college roommate,
who has walked alongside him the entire year, so he knows all about the thrills and the struggles.
And he wants it!
In fact, he is planning to go on the World Race with his wife as part of the August 2009 J-squad!

Their names are Chad and Leslie Jowers, and they are crazy!

Crazy for Jesus!

I have not met this couple in person, but I do know and love them!

Besides the encouraging comments they have sent me,

I have heard all about them from Mark, who usually laughs out loud as he reads their emails

or asks us what we think about some challenge Chad has posed.

Chad and Leslie are quirky and fun.
They are faithful.
And they are eager to experience more intimacy with their Savior
and to bring God's Kingdom to people around the world.

They quit their jobs. They are selling their home. And they are ready for action!

They have agreed to be part of the generation that seeks God's face.
They are committed to serving God in various countries around the world.
The August 2009 J-squad is going to Europe, the Middle East, East Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Chad and Leslie are on Team Unwritten (as in the song by Natasha Beddingfield).

They are handing over the pencil to God and inviting Him to write His story in their lives.

Okay, so why am I introducing you to Chad and Leslie?!

Because they need OUR support!

The August 2009 J-squad is scheduled to depart on the World Race very soon.

In the next TWO WEEKS, Chad and Leslie need to raise $10,000.

The total amount seems overwhelming,
but I know from experience that every little bit of help makes a BIG impact.

Plus, we are confident that "nothing is impossible with God," (Luke 1:37),
and there are no crises in His world.
He will provide and orchestrate situations to bring Himself glory.

I have been praying for Chad and Leslie as well as supporting them financially.
Will you join me?!

$4 will feed both of them for one day.

$10 will give them both a place to stay for one night.

$20 will allow them both to spend another day on the field.

The World Race is 11 months long. That's 334 days.
You do the math. Your money goes a long way.
Could you help send Chad and Leslie out onto the field and keep them there?

By skipping a coffee, a movie, or a dinner out,
you could make it possible for lives to be changed!

If you have been financially supporting me, THANK YOU!
I am fully funded, but you can continue giving.
Simply re-direct the money into Chad and Leslie's account.

You can make tax-deductible donations on-line at any time.
If you prefer to write a check, make it out to "Adventures in Missions" and
write "appealed by Chad & Leslie Jowers" in the memo section.
Send it to: Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470

Whether or not you choose to financially support Chad and Leslie,

could you consider two more things:

1. PRAY for them.

They need encouragement as well as money.

2. PASS IT ON.

Click "Tell A Friend" tab on the top left of this page to email someone.

Or strike up conversation at work or at church.

Again, THANK YOU for all your support of us World Racers.

May God's Kingdom come!

And may God bless you!

Big hugs from me, and big kisses from Chad and Leslie! :)

* * *

Vomos a Juegar?!

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We got back in the truck and headed to another village for several days last week.

Vomos a juegar!

("Let's go play!")

Mel Gibson aptly described our mornings on her blog:
"Roosters cock-a-doodling, dogs barking, turkeys gobbling, ducks quacking,
people chatting, trucks passing by, and Spanish music blaring
caused me, in my tent, to unpeel my sweaty body from my sleeping mat,
wedge some ear plugs in, put eye mask back on, roll over and pray."

The locals start their day at or before sunrise because it's blazing hot in the afternoon sun.

Yes, there are chores to be done, but vomos a juegar!

Thankfully, this village was located on a river, so we spent a lot of time there.
The villagers do their laundry, bathe, and play in the river.
It's also the water they drink and cook with.
I wish I could post more photos, but there was a lot of nakedness going on (not by us!
As you can see, we were ultra-modest with our clothes on.).

The kids repeatly chanted Vomos a juegar?!
And how could we refuse them?!

So we played. And sang. And reinacted Bible stories. And performed skits.

And testified of the power of God's love.

Sarah Diederich loves to cook, so she also helped our host mother prepare meals for us.

One morning, Pastor Marcos told us about some of the struggles
that the villagers are facing: poverty, drunkenness, abuse, sickness, hopelessness.
A woman named Rosa recently attempted suicide because of her husband's infidelity.
Churches are divided and not meeting the needs of their congregations,
so people are turning back to witchcraft.

Pastor Marcos loves God and loves people so much,
He faithfully reaches out to his community, and
we were honored to join him in prayer,
boldly assuring him that he's not alone in this work and
that God has equipped and empowered him by the Holy Spirit.
Despite the difficulties, he presses on in joy.
Vomos a juegar!

It is such a blessing to come alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world!

I hear the Lord calling. He is saying, Vomos a juegar?!
I say, "Si! Here I am."

What do you say?

* * *

Our Mexican Village Neighbors

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The region of Chiappas, Mexico is gorgeous: lush and tropical! (And very hot.)

We went to a village last week, and the neighborhood kids captured my heart!

We had a little coconut tree climbing adventure ...

And we enjoyed the 'fruit' of our labor.

These kids are so adorable and photogenic!

But little Anna is also a photographer herself. We caught her in action, and we got her shot.

Kids are easy to talk to -

sometimes they don't even seem to notice that we're not always using the same language!

But when it comes to talking to adults, I had to consult my diccionario nuevo.

I was the 'official' interpreter at church

where we preached and performed dramas every night.

No, yo no hablo mucho espaol, pero - Gloria a Dios - the messages were mostly understood.

I also had really deep discussions with our host pastor ...

... and with community members when we made home visits.

Sometimes when we share the love of God, we use stories from la Biblia,

and sometimes we just participate in daily life alongside them,

whether that means tending to farm animals, washing dishes,

or rocking babies to sleep (my favorite).

We are headed to another village this week.

Please pray for effective communication and for hearts to be receptive.

***

Thanks to my teammates Laura Meyers and Angi Francesco

who took most of these photos.

They also have recently posted about our time in the village,

so check out their blogs by clicking on their highlighted names.

***

Dark yet Lovely

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I am dark [in my heart],

yet lovely [to God].

so realizes the Beloved Bride
in King Solomon's Song of Songs 1:5.

And I, as I study this beautiful and poetic Scripture,
accept this as TRUE about me too.

So simple.
So profound.

I am dark

yet lovely.

I am naturally so sinful,
but God loves me anyway!

He sent His son Jesus to earth
to pay the price of reconciliation,
to make me righteous.

Wow!

The more mature I grow in my faith,
the more insight I receive from His Spirit.

The more light is shone into the dark corners of my heart.

The more exposed I am.

The more aware I become of my sinfulness.

"The heart is deceitful above all things..
Who can understand [all the horrors it is capable of]?"

Jeremiah 17:9

The more humble I become.

The more grateful for His grace.

Satan attacks me with lies,
focusing on the truth of my darkness.

But the WHOLE Truth is that
I am nevertheless lovely to God.

I am dark,

yet lovely.

My sinfulness does not even surprise Him.

Though it may surprise me sometimes.

          Because of my pride.

I don't have to impress God.
     Not by trying to be perfect. (That would mean Jesus died in vain.)
     Not by moping around to convince Him of the sincerity of my repentance.

I am beautiful to God because
     I have received His gift of righteousness.
          The perfect righteousness of Christ.
          That cannot be improved upon.

He has put His Spirit in me.
     It is a willing spirit, and
          every movement of my heart toward Him pleases Him.
He is an affectionate Lord.
And He sees me in the eternal destiny of my heart,
     through the lens of a billion plus years!

I am dark,

yet lovely.

In Luke 22, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked for him.
You will deny me, but your faith will not fail.

My spirit is willing.
But my flesh is weak.

One of the roles of the Holy Sprit is to convince me
     of the weakness of my flesh.
     So that I won't trust in it nor boast of it.

What am I going to do when I realize this weakness:

          Run FROM God?
                                              OR
                                                          Run TO God!

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Romans 8:1
He offers us mercy and grace in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Peter is overwhelmed with grief by his own betrayal.

So in John 21 we find him going fishing.

He was resigning from his apostolic mission.

He realized that he was completely unqualified.
In his heart, Peter cried out,

"I am so unfaithful!

I cracked under the simple question of a servant child.

How can I be trusted with a lifetime of ministry?! "

I am dark,

...

He is so wounded by his own failure,

so disappointed in his heart

that he doesn't want to face the Lord.

He was almost willing to settle for a lesser vision,

a lower standard than what God has called him to,

which was the same for him as it is for me and for you:

Love the LORD your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 4:5, Matthew 22:37

Jesus shows up at the lake and asks Peter,

"Do you love me?

Do you trust me to uphold you in your failure?"

Jesus restores Peter's confidence before the Lord.

assuring him that his love is enough.

...

yet lovely.

The king is enthralled by your beauty.
          Psalm 45:11

Not because of anything I have done.
     But because He created me in His image.
     And He sees me through redemptive the blood of Jesus.

I am dark,

yet lovely.

Thank you, Lord, Lover of my soul!

(inspired by a sermon series by Mike Bickle from the International House of Prayer)

Pescador a Palenque

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This month, my team and Team Clay are working in a region of Mexico famous for its concentration of Mayan ruins

(a civilization that thrived from 100 BC to 800 AD).

When we prayed together upon arrival, I heard the word "pescador" which means "fisherman," and I received a vision of us casting a fishing net over a pyramid (similar to the one in the photo here).

I don't know what that means except that when Jesus called His disciples, He promised to make them fishers of men. There are people in Palenque who are searching for meaning, and I have the privilege of bringing them the Good News that God loves them, and Jesus has made reconciliation possible!

Mexico is officially a Catholic country, but many people practice other forms of spiritualism, related to that of their Mayan ancestors. In any case, there is a strong sense of superstition here.

Just as the American church needs more Holy Spirit, the church here needs more knowledge of the Scriptures.

Es perfecto that we are camping out at a Bible Training Institute this month. (The students, who are pastors from all over Mexico, start their semester of studies in August). I am now even more inspired to pursue a Masters degree in Bible Education myself!

Meanwhile, join me in praying for opportunities to preach the Word of the Lord and to build relationships with people here ... using le poquito de espanol that I can figure out. Intiendo mucho, but sometimes I feel like I'm just speaking French with a Spanish accent! Glorify Yourself, God, by blessing me with the gift of tongues/interpretation!

A Prophetic Worship Extravaganza

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The few days we spent together this past week with the entire G-squad in Antigua was amazing!
The I-squad, which launched in Guatemala at the beginning of June, was still there.
And our squad leader Allison came down with our coaches, Michael and Kathy Hindes,
along with a prophetically gifted man from their church named Gary.
So it was quite the fiesta!
A worship extravaganza!

One morning, we listened to the Lord on each others' behalf.
Actually, during one exercise, we didn't even know for whom we were listening.
We had counted off into two groups, the first of which stood in a line with our eyes closed.
The second group chose a partner by standing in front of someone they didn't know.
(This worked especially well since there were two different squads there.)

Then we listened.

We listened for a Reima word (from the Holy Spirit),
fresh from the Lord for this specific person in this moment.
If we didn't receive anything, we simply prayed for our partner speaking life over them
using Truth available to us in the Logos Word (the Bible).

Next, we listened to the Lord in small groups.
Again, eyes closed, standing in a circle around one person.
It can be intimidating to be put on the spot like this, but we had created a safe place.
We agreed that God does speak, and we made ourselves available to Him.
There was no pressure to deliver a lengthy insightful message.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded that God delights in us.

For example, I heard the Lord call one girl in our group a princess.
Another person associated her with a lily.
Three people in our group saw a vision of one guy as a warrior, and
they were able to describe his armor and admire his boldness.

Afterwards, our coach Michael proclaimed God's redemptive plan,
reminding us of how God always works things out for good.
"Watch and see how He will glorify Himself through your healing and restoration!"

If I still had any doubt that I am known and I am loved,
it evaporated the next morning during a one-on-one (in this case two-on-one)
I had with Michael and Gary. Michael has only recently adopted our squad, and
I haven't had much personal interaction with him. And Gary and I had never met.
The purpose of our meeting was basically just to check in.
But I had asked Michael to fill out a recommendation form for me
as part of my graduate school application process,
so I also felt it necessary to share more of my heart with him.

I did do that, as well as gush over my incredible team
and the impact of community in my life.
In turn, these mature men of God
affirmed my identity in Christ and
encouraged me to use my gifts and character qualities to advance the Kingdom of God
here on earth.

Gary also explained a specific vision he had received the night before,
which he believed was intended for me. He said it began with blue dots,
which hadn't made sense to him at the time ... until I walked in to our meeting, wearing this necklaces of cascading blue beads! "I am blue dot girl!" I exclaimed!
The vision was of a harp and smoke.
The harp is symbolic of harmony, which is the thing I want most! ("World peace," for real.)
And smoke represents intercessory prayer, which the Lord has asked me to do more of,
and which may be my most important role in achieving said harmony.

It is always an adventure, listening to the Lord!
I am thrilled by His promise to grow me to my potential in the ways of the prophetic!

We worship an awesome God!
His love is extravagant!

Climbing Volcan Pacaya

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Another transition.
We have arrived on our fourth and final continent.
That's right; we are back in the Americas again.
Two months of the World Race to go.
Let's get fired up!

My Team Banah and Team Clay will be serving in Palenque, MEXICO this month
while the rest of our G squad serves here in Guatemala.
More info about that coming soon.

Meanwhile, we've spent a few days in Antigua,
receiving teaching, building one another up, and climbing volcanos.

Yes, we were actually five feet away from oozing lava!

***

Sex & This City (Budapest)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Scantily clad women smile suggestively from poster advertisements. Sex sells; we know.
And summer inevitably means more exposed skin.
But when and how did these things become normal and accepted?
And how much is too much?

Budapest brags about being the new porn capital of Europe (many erotic businesses are moving here from notoriously naughty Amsterdam). Hungarian families are even rumored to watch porn together on TV.

Couples ages sixteen to sixty can't seem to keep their hands off each other, especially on public transportation and park benches. Not a day goes by that I don't see or hear people kissing while on the tram on my way across town.

Sex is everywhere in this city.

But more so than anywhere else I have ever been - it is almost an overwhelming presence.

It has even invaded my mind.

My teammates, too, have admitted to being adversely affected. We noticed that we were making inappropriate jokes with sexual innuendos, for example. The Word of the Lord warns, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving," (Ephesians 5:3-5).

We must guard our minds. But when those lustful whispers and visions come, we have got to take them "captive" and surrender ourselves again to the Lord, refocusing on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable," (Philippians 4:8).

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome strongholds!
Praise God that the VICTORY has already been won!

Imagine walking around this beautiful city with me, and

join me in PRAYING
to break down and bind up those spirits of lust and impurity and
to loose spirits of true LOVE and PURITY.
Let's also claim Jesus' promises of HOPE for the Hungarian people.

***

Some of my teammates participated in a ministry to prostitutes this month.

One evening, they were a direct answer to prayer for one young man.

Click here to read Mark Schandel's story of the encounter.

Soul Food

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Almost every morning and for several lunch shifts, my teammates and I have volunteered at the local homeless shelter in Budapest, making sandwiches and serving soup. The staff are incredibly generous, and the friendships we have developed with them this month have touched my heart!

***

Waiting for God - oh!

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Meet Sam and Terry. They are the two men in charge of the YWAM street evangelism program.

Terry (on the right) is 68 years old, and he is not "your typical Christian, Hallelujah!" He is a British man who boxed professionally for more than twenty years. He found the Lord after a stint in prison for having stabbed a man. He's a crazy, banjo-playing prankster!

Sam (on the left) is a little bit tamer. He is from a small town in Alabama, but he has lived and served in India, Africa, on Indian Reservations in Montana, and now, obviously, he's in Budapest. He plays a mean electric guitar, changing the lyrics of rock & roll songs to describe his life story. At the age of 20, his friend died in his arms after a car accident, leaving him pondering the question, "What will happen to me when I die?"

Both of these men are on fire for the Lord and want to see His Kingdom come here on earth.

Me too! They are gifted and anointed evangelists. Me too?!

So the basic deal is: we pray and then go to a park or plaza where we take turns performing, preaching, and mingling with the crowd. My team has experience with open-air crusades and home visits from our time in Africa, but this is a bit different. So at first we were a little shy. But walking up and initiating conversation becomes more natural with practice, and, for some reason, Hungarians are not freaked out at being approached by strangers. The location where we set up shop yesterday and once last week is a busy thoroughfare, and many people lean up against the railing waiting for friends who are inevitably late. "Waiting for God - oh" is what it seemed like to me!

Yesterday, I met two high school freshman girls who are disillusioned by life. Within a minute of introducing ourselves, Lutsa blurted out that she was unhappy and lonely. (This candidness reminded me of China, where the Lord practically laid students on my doorstep!) She identified with the main character of our "Everything" drama (click here to watch another group's performance of this drama), (I play the drunk girl, if you can imagine that!) so that led to a great discussion about the dark forces of this world that beat us up all the time. Lutsa is familiar with Bible stories, but she isn't yet convinced that God is desperately reaching out His hand to her even now and that Jesus is willing and able to block the attacks and rescue her!

My teammate Laura talked to a young woman named Denise, who was having an "awful" day. When Laura asked her what she wanted most, she replied, "To die!" Thankfully, she kept hearing the name of Jesus in Sam's lyrics, so Laura took the opportunity to share the truth of God's love with her. Click here to read more.

We invited these girls and several others to the coffee house Friday night, so please pray that nothing will prevent them from coming. We hope to build relationships with them as ambassadors of reconciliation.

I believe that everyone is waiting for God, whether they realize it or not.

And He is waiting for them!

* As always, THANK YOU to my teammate Angi Francesco who takes many of the photos posted on my blog.

Constructing the Coffee House Experience

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Our coffee house ministry has not worked out quite as we expected. We expected to work in a coffee house, much like Team Clay is doing this month in Croatia.

(Read about their experiences by clicking here.)

Instead, we found that the coffee house connected to the YWAM in Budapest is still under construction. Meanwhile, they are open (in a different location) every Friday evening, and a bunch of people, including English teachers and their Hungarian students, come to hang out and make new friends.

Justin (the director of the YWAM coffee house) is very serious about good coffee, so volunteer employees must go through a series of training courses to use the machines. We didn't qualify, so our job is to clean up, chat with people, or pray in another room.

During the week, we paint the future coffee house, blessing it with each stroke of the brush. There are big plans for the new space - library, live music performances, etc - so I'll have to come back next year and see how it is going...

My teammate Laura is constructing her own coffee house experience. She chose a coffee house in our neighborhood, and she goes there everyday to build relationships with the baristas. They have had many good conversations already.

Even though it has not been quite what we expected, we are big fans of coffee house ministry in its various forms, mostly because it's something that we (you, too!) could very easily do at "home."

Click here to read my squad mates' blogs. They are in neighboring European countries doing all sorts of ministry!

Finding Freedom in the Promise of Grace

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the morning, I read 2 Peter 2, which warns against people who make promises they can't keep, people who think that they are free but are actually slaves. Later that same day (this was a couple of weeks ago), I visited the Museum of Communism in Prague.

Busted!

While potentially good in theory, communism has not worked well in practice. Or so it seems to me, especially now that I have visited a few former communist countries. It's a system that is all about CONTROL. Citizens are well rewarded for reporting suspicious activity and harshly punished for not reporting and for "committing" crimes themselves.

Christianity, on the other hand, is all about FREEDOM.

And all about GRACE.

You were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.

Rather, serve one another in love.

(Galatians 5:13)

Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

(Romans 5:20)

There is so much to say about this, but believe it or not, I'm not even going to try to go there today!

I'll just let you take a moment to meditate on this truth:

God is faithful to keep all of His promises

- even if His ways and His timing are not exactly what we want or expect.

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ.

(2 Corinthians 1:20)

Now take a moment and reflect on those promises...

What has God promised you?

Search His Word for promises that He has made to mankind.

And listen to His Spirit for specific promises that He has made or is making to YOU personally!

I guarantee that you will find true freedom in His promise of grace!

A Word to the Would-be Wise

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In my last blog post, I wrote about the different pathways for connecting to God.

Did you take the assessment? buy the book? go for a walk? call a friend? sing a song?

DID YOU DO ANYTHING IN RESPONSE?

Because, as you'll see, that is the point of this blog post. It's a word to the would-be wise.

(That's me, by the way. And I welcome you to learn alongside me - even to teach me through your comments!)

As a student and contemplative type, I want to be wise. I want wisdom from heaven! So naturally, I ask myself: what is that? What does that mean? As soon as the questions popped into head, I confess the first thing I did was grab a concordance and start compiling a list of Bible references (some of which you will find below ...).

I do want to be wise. I do not want to be just a data-head.

The Pharisees had memorized the Scriptures, but they did not recognize the Word Made Flesh, Jesus as the prophesied Messiah. They followed all the rules, but missed out on the relationship. They had only an appearance of wisdom (Colossians 2:23).

By the grace of God, I determined to really read what I was reading, and not get caught in the trap so typical of people with similar inclinations, which is to focus on the letter of the Law and sometimes miss out on the benefits of community.

The Word of the Lord says, do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)

So, we must ask ourselves:
How do we APPLY messages to our lives? What do we do with information?

To be worth anything, knowledge must lead to a changed life. In this case, a holy life, a life that exemplifies the Fruit of the Spirit.

Please note that these character qualities are the evidence of the work of the Spirit in our lives. They are not something natural to us.

Thankfully, God fills us and strengthens us. The Apostle Paul wrote, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:9-14)

Wise people pursue more wisdom. They are teachable, humble, and self-controlled. And they demonstrate their wisdom by their good deeds.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:13-17)

The ultimate goal of our life should be to know God, and to serve Him through serving others.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6)

You can't talk about faith & deeds without referencing James - just as I should already have mentioned King Solomon, he wisest man who ever lived, famous for having collected proverbs, among other things.

And as long as we're examining textbook answers, let's include the definition of love according to 1 Corinthians 13. The repetitve formula of those verses is: "If I ... [do anything] but have not love, I am nothing."

The Lord is the ultimate source of love, so sometimes He calls us to just be, to be still, to rest, to meditate on His Word. Through that still meditation, we renew our minds, thus being transformed.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

To conclude what seems to have become an extensive list of Scriptures (I can't help it! and this is the revised limited edition), I want to emphasize one more thing:

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17) So that you may know God better - that is the point of wisdom.

Seek God. Be in relationship with Him. Know His Word. Apply it to your life.

Got it?

Amen.

Pathways for Connecting to God

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Is God there, in this gorgeous cathedral with stained glass?

Is He in the lighting of the candles?

In the kissing of the icons?

In the silent promenades through the catacombs of saints?

I ask because since we've been in Eastern Europe, we've visited a lot of cathedrals.

And I just don't sense God's presence there.

But, sure, of course He is there.

He is wherever His people are.

That's what doctrine calls His "omnipresent" quality.

I guess that's like asking:

Is He in nature? In song? In the warm embrace of a friend?

His presence in those places or moments just seems more obvious to me.

That's because we all connect to God in different ways.

That's the beauty of our unique design and

the joy of the personal relationship He wants to have with each of us.

It's important that we figure out how best we connect to Him so that we can do it often.

And, sometimes, when our preferred style is not available, we need to be intentional about seeking Him in another way. That variety adds excitement to any relationship!

Writer Gary Thomas has identified nine "Sacred Pathways" which he explains

in his book by the same name. He says that people connect to God via:

nature, senses, traditions, or ascetics,

and people are:

activists, caregivers, enthusiasts, contemplatives, or intellectuals.

(Sometimes these are referred to by slightly different categories.)

Take an on-line assessment to find your Sacred Pathway!

While I can appreciate each of those pathways and want to experience all that God has for me,

I am definitely an "intellectual" who needs to "contemplate," preferably in "nature."

(the photos are of me in Uganda preparing for Bible Study and in Kenya under a fig tree on the coast of Lake Victoria!)

Give me a book to read and study, and I'm all set. I love to take notes of information, journal my thoughts, compare them to other things I have learned, possibly discuss them with someone, or simply pray about them as I take a walk or sit and gaze out on His creation. That's how I get filled up and receive insight.

That's me.

Maybe you've noticed some of that about me in the way I write these blog posts. I actually have to restrain myself sometimes from simply typing up quotes and outlines from my studies - things that fascinate me and that I think everyone should know!

But that might bore you, or confuse you, or just plain drive you crazy if you thought that that's what you had to do to connect with God.

"How can you be so different from me?!" I often wonder, as I consider my teammates' interests, passions, love languages, gifts, etc. It's sometimes frustrating, but it's also beautiful and amazing! That's why the Bible calls us a Body of many parts.

One of my teammates cracked me up when he stoically confessed to us one evening after a worship service, "Singing just doesn't turn me on."

Okay.

What does turn you on?

Once you figure it out, do it! Get turned on to God. Only He can satisfy.

Try different pathways too - sing, pick up a book, visit a cathedral, support a cause, etc.

Believe me - believe His Word that says - God is turned on by everything about you, and

He is delighted by everything you do to seek Him!

Brown Bread & Chocolate Cake

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Armed with mini-notebook, pen, and calculator, I hit the aisles ... Only to check out two hours later with only one bag of groceries containing: pasta, oatmeal, eggs, and yogurt (I'm tired of rice).

This is not for lack of food available, but for lack of knowledge about and desire to cook for myself. In each country we have visited so far this year, my team has had hosts prepare our meals for us. Hallelujah! Bless them for serving us in this way and for introducing us to local cuisine! Our food budget is $2 a day per person, and that has been shockingly sufficient. (We use our own personal money whenever we go out to eat and for treats.)

But the prospect of shopping and cooking for myself this month made me groan, and - I'm ashamed to say - whine a little bit. Despite the assurances of my teammates, I feared that I might go hungry while in Hungary.

Want to hear the good news?!

I'm not going hungry! In fact, God has provided in amazing, unexpected little ways!

The director of the soup kitchen where we have been making sandwiches every day insists that the volunteers eat too. Okay! Today, they even gave us a loaf of brown bread (my favorite!) to take home because they didn't think they'd be able to use it. Are you kidding me?! Hallelujah!

Plus, my teammate Sharon brought home lots of leftovers of pulled barbeque pork sandwiches and moist chocolate cake (my other favorites!) from her missionary cousin's high school graduation party earlier this week.

Eventually, I will rise to the challenge and stop being lazy and ignorant around the kitchen, but meanwhile, I thankfully receive!

And I repent of my little faith.

I acknowledge that the Lord has provided for me in every aspect of my life. In addition to filling my belly this week, He has also filled up my support account. I only need $50 more to complete this mission. THANK YOU to everyone who has been obedient to His prompting and has donated. Glory to God, Jehovah-Jireh!

Hungary for more!

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This month, our squad was not assigned to any particular country. Instead, we were told to Ask The Lord where we should go and what we should do.

After much prayer, the results are in:

Team Clay is in Croatia.
Team Fuse is in Slovakia.
Team Holy Banditz and Remnant are in Germany.
Team Lunchbox stayed in Romania.
And we, Team Banah, along with Team Crux, are in Budapest, Hungary!

We are working with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), serving in their coffee house ministry and doing street evangelism. Not sure what that means exactly, but I sure hope it involves dramas in the park!

We are also trying to connect with local churches and other ministries or social organizations.

If you know of anyone in the area, please contact me or have them contact me.

Hungarians are a unique people group with an interesting history. Many call themselves Christians by tradition but do not know the intimate love of a Savior. Others submit to the atheist philosophies that were promoted under communism, and they are desperate for HOPE. I look forward to meeting people and developing relationships with them!

Click here to read the blogs of my squad mates.