Steph Fisk - the 42nd Generation - g42leadershipacademy.org

From Asia to Europe

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This Thursday, I graduate from the G42 Leadership Academy out in Spain. It has been six months jam packed with new revelations and relationships that are serving as a springboard to launch my vision into reality.

The G42 hiking crew on top of one of the mountains in our 'backyard'!

An overarching theme: I feel a bit like the Apostle Paul. On his second missionary journey, he took off for Asia. He was moving and focused on bringing God's word to the Gentiles. Asia was his destination, but preaching the Truth was his focus. While Paul's focus and mission remained in tact, God re-directed his footsteps towards Europe. So, Paul preached the Word throughout Europe.

How does this apply to me? As many of you know, I have been talking about returning to Asia (Thailand), to work with women and kids who are at risk of or are being prostituted. As I have taken steps towards Thailand, God has continually re-routed my footsteps towards Europe. While my focus, passion and heart remains the same, my destination has changed. I have committed to returning to Spain indefinitely to work with G42 and "the women of the night" (prostitutes) in this area. Will Asia still be in my future? I think so, but it might just look different than originally expected.

In the past, I have always marveled at Americans who buy round-trip tickets starting from a foreign' country. It's seemed to make the statement, "I have left home and am committed long-term to (insert a country) no matter the cost..." Last week, I bought a round trip ticket from Spain. I return to the States April 13^th and come back to Spain January 4^th, 2011.

Skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains!

I will give the quick version of What, Why, Where, Who and When, but will be providing more info in future blogs, and soon - face to face conversations with you!

My heart aches for the women here along The Costa del Sol (southern Spain where I live) who have fallen victim to the life of prostitution. There are hundreds of women who sell themselves or are sold by others here in this area. And there is virtually nothing being done about it. This is not right and something needs to be done to help provide hope and an opportunity so they can pull themselves out of the grave if they so choose. Most of these women are tenacious. They are dreamers just like you and me. They are from Brazil, Romania, Russia, Nigeria, Columbia, Spain, Morocco. They desire love - yet settle (or in some cases forced to settle) for a twisted version of lust night after night. "The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy"...Death comes in the night... Yet, God comes to give life abundantly...His mercies shine anew with each new day.

I desire to provide love and counsel - a home where she is removed from her current environment and can be restored to the women she was created to be - WHOLE AND LOVED. Obviously, this removes her income and a stop-gap measure (alternative income) is needed. These women need jobs. They need to be trained in self-sufficiency.

I am currently in the research phase and have been meeting some girls in this area who desire a way out of prostitution. They are very real girls who need very real answers. Not just a "Jesus loves you" and "I hope that you change your ways"; but a "If you want to quit this lifestyle, come with me and I (Jesus) will make you..." as Jesus told his disciples. He didn't leave them hanging, he invited them to join Him.

I desire to invite these girls to join me in experiencing and sharing the FREEDOM that is found in Christ.

This will not be easy, but Christ never told us it would be easy if we choose to follow him. In fact, it will cost us our very life.

Jesus is FREE, but Christ will cost you EVERYTHING!

Now, this isn't a warm and fuzzy, but a call to action. And we are moving. And I truly mean WE - Jesus, You and Me - We need to do something. I pray that you will continue to fight alongside of me in this new season of life. With our prayers, time and finances, We will bring hope and love and freedom and opportunity to women who would not otherwise experience it!

Also, as I mentioned before, I will be helping out with the G42 school out here in Mijas. Watch the video below to find out more about what goes on out here in Spain.

Three Days in the Life of a G42 Intern

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While I've been sharing some revelation that the Lords been teaching me through poetry, I thought that it might be helpful to give you a glimpse into my daily routine. Many of you have asked me, "what are you actually up to in Mijas, Spain?" Here's a sample of 3 days in the life of a g42 intern (scarily similar to my last three days)...

Monday

8am - Go running, shower, eat breakfast. Have quiet time.

9:30am - Coffee time with who ever is sharing that morning.

10 - 12pm - Class (ex - Tabernacle of David)

12pm - Lunch and Internet in the town square

2-4:30pm - Class (ex - Dealing with Failure)

4:30pm - Homework and study (if it's your week to cook, you prepare dinner for the crew)

6pm - Dinner with all 7 interns and our teachers and their families (Discipleship over the "kitchen table" is a huge part of our time here at the training center. Our teachers not only share their knowledge and wisdom with us, but they invite us into their lives. A lot of the incarnation and impartation of the spiritual comes over this casual, yet intentional time together)

7:30 - 8:30pm - Modern dance class (a friend and I are taking dance in a local town and we are loving it! It's an expression of myself that the Lord has reintroduced into my life and I believe that it is giving me a new sense of freedom.)

9pm - Monday classic movie nights with the 7 of us (Casablanca, Godfather, North by Northwest are a few we've seen so far)

11pm - Movie finishes and conversations about what the Lord's been teaching us/laughing/prayer ensue until the last two decide to retire for the night

Tuesday

8:30am - Wake up, eat breakfast, read

10 - 12pm - Guest speaker (ex- prophecy)...We break out in prayer and speak life to each other, the nations, family, friends, home towns, human trafficking, etc. The Holy Spirit rocks us!

12pm - Sandwich lunch at the house

1pm - Have a one-on-one' time over caf con leche at a local caf (I love going out for coffee with one other individual in order to learn about them.)

2-4pm - Class (We hike up the mountain behind our house - group activities that reinforce leadership and listening)

4:15pm - Meet with a lady who is actively involved in ministering to the prostitutes in this area. For this semester, each intern has a hands-on project that they get involved in to serve the community. I am becoming educated on the issue of prostitution and human trafficking in this area and next week I am going to be going out in the evenings to meet the girls and start building relationships with them. I am praying about how the Lord wants to use me in this area)

5:15pm - English class (Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for one hour I help teach English to 6-8 year old Spanish kids)

6:15pm - Dinner with the entire crew

7pm - Homework (or dance party - some of us are learning the dance to Thriller!)

9 - 11pm - Go over to our "teachers" house: amazing stories are shared over wine out on their terrace...

12am - Goodnight!

Wednesday

8am - Girls breakfast at a local bakery

9:30- 12pm - Class (ex - drawing up a ministry plan)

12pm - Lunch of leftover Indian food:)

1-4pm - Afternoon off from class and time is spent working on our ministry write-ups. (We have a semester-long project of creating a ministry plan. Two other girls and myself have a vision of opening a hostel/caf here in Mijas that serves as a place of discovery. Individuals will feel welcomed and loved. "Church" will happen everyday as people discover hope and faith and are challenged to walk in their passions and callings. We will educate the locals and tourists to orphans, genocide, human trafficking, etc and provide opportunities for them to serve in their community. We will offer wine tastings, poetry slams, open-mic night, bible studies, etc at the caf. I will employ women who used to prostitute themselves on the streets - teaching them about gardening, baking/cooking, managing a caf, customer service - while discipling them in their faith. This is the brief intro...side note: I also want to become a beekeeper!)

4:30pm - We tour a building that is For Sale'. It would be the ideal location for our hostel/B&B. Huge potential for renovation, but currently quite run-down. ( I think of Under the Tuscan Sun and Chocolat - two of my favorite movies set in Italy and France where women see the potential and transform a building into an environment that inspires those who enter)

6 - 9 pm - Dinner with the crew again followed by dance party and game night. (Pictionary, charades, Who's coming to Dinner...)

9-12am - Homework/reading (interrupted by a craving for chocolate chip cookies...we run to the store, buy chocolate, rush back and make cookies. Yum!)

1am - To bed I go

__________________

I hope that this gives you some insight into my life. I LOVE every minute of it and wish that every one of you could come out here to Spain yourself to experience the heavy anointing upon this place. Tomorrow, we take off for Barcelona for a week. We will be working with a church up there - manual labor, helping with a conference, teaching English, bringing life...!

Thank you all for your prayers and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! (Which reminds me...last year around this time is when my World Race squad was stuck in Bangkok, Thailand due to the rioting that was taking place in the airport! Crazy!)

Mysteries of I AM

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here's an outpouring of my heart and the Holy Spirit...a cry to bring dead things to life...and prophetic call to WAKE UP!

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

November '09 by Stephanie Fisk

I am currently attending a leadership training center in Mijas, Spain. Check us out on our website if you would like to learn more about the school....or please send me and e-mail if you have questions! http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/.

Plunge into the Promise

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To set the scene, Charles Stock - the senior pastor of the Life Center in Harrisburg, PA - came to the G42 school and blessed us with his wisdom.

I have had class for two weeks now and love every minute of my time in Spain - learning from amazing men and women of God, making lemon bars with lemons from our lemon tree, watching the sun rise above the Mediterranean sea, praying for 'thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven', drinking Spanish wine and eating Spanish olives, dancing while doing dishes and running up and down the cobblestone streets...

(left: mijas, the Spanish pueblo i inhabit)

The Glory of thee Lord was in the room. I believe his glory is in this room every day we have class, but by God's grace, my capacity to recognize it increased in that day. Charles said he was coming "heavy with His glory" - but knowledge of Glory and the manifest impartation of that glory is something totally different.

(re-wind) The night before Charles spoke in class, I had specifically asked God to grant me more wisdom. God was also challenging me on "asking in faith and believing that God would answer my prayers". So, I boldly asked for more wisdom and a greater capacity to grasp God's love.

(fast-forward) During the time of impartation - when Charles was praying over us individually - his main prophetic word for me was "God was granting me an increase of wisdom". I couldn't help but jump for joy...or plunge into this promise. He spoke James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

After that, I felt a new heaviness' in my gut and my spirit. My chest and stomach were burning. I felt as though there was a stream of wisdom pouring from the Lord into my very being. An impartation...

I began to ask the Lord what this new "heaviness" was because it didn't feel like a burden, but a blessing. I felt the Lord say - this heaviness is a new realization of your "righteous responsibility" that you have in me and the glory surrounding it all is a new sense of awe and reverance...a deeper Fear of God...

(overlooking Mijas)

And then it hit me..."the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Ps. 111:10a)

I had truly received an increase of wisdom. It was evident in my spirit and I needed to claim it as truth and proclaim that it had happened. It was not just an act of pretending, but an actual impartation had taken place. Charles came "heavy in Glory" and had imparted to me that which my spirit longed for and had asked for!

Just like Abraham had to stand upon the word that he was a Father (before he was truly a Father), I had to stand upon the word that I had a 'spirit of wisdom' (a word that many people have spoken over me). I had to Plunge into the Promise spoken over me....and stand upon what is unseen, not what is seen...

(Andrew - founder of the G42 school, tara (another intern) and Me)

Soak in the revelation of what the word below has to say to you today...

We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"?

Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!"

Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said.

That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God. (Rom 4:17-21 in The Message)

(downtown Mijas)

DayBreak Besos

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mijas, Spain is the mountain puebla where I will be laying my head for the next six months. I love mornings here. Around 8am, I crawl out of bed, grab a blanket and walk 5 feet to my bedroom balcony. This view of the Mediterranean sea greets me anew each day with God's besos ('kisses' in Spanish) and breath of life. His Voice often inspires my spirit through words...

Between 7:58am and 8:01am, the horizon transforms from a mysterious black haze,
to an orange and red glow.

Pale pink and blue hues emerge.

Africa can be seen in the distance -

looming almost beyond reach -

highlighted by the colors staining its contours. (What's new?)

As the sun rises above the tree-lined hill, the sea shimmers like diamonds.

The clouds dance lazily,

yet expectantly, upon the first mercies of day break.

Two morning doves join me...

perched on the tippy-top of an evergreen tree.

Taking in the wonders from the best seat in the house.

Look at the birds...worry not.

My breath escapes me as a new morning awakens from its slumber.

New paints. New hopes. New mysteries.

New opportunities. New cups of coffee. New smiles.

A new day has come!

Your Kingdom come.
Thy will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven...

"Come, meet with Me again tomorrow morning,"

I hear a Voice beckoning. "I will do it all over again.

Just for you."

And for some reason, I know this to be true.

- Mijas sunrise 9-7-2009

(What am I doing in Mijas? Check out the new Generation 42 Leadership Academy website www.g42leadershipacademy.org)

Flour Fight Gypsy Style

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two weeks ago, while in Romania, my travel companions (Dre and Tara) and I made it back to Ville Tecii - a tiny, gypsy village that we lived in last spring. When we were there previously, some of the men were building an outdoor pizza oven. This time we capitalized on that incredible oven and baked around 50 personal pan pizza's - sausage, bacon, ham, cheese, onion, pepper, mushrooms - all topped with ketchup or gypsy sauce. No tomato sauce here.

I have eaten a lot of amazing pizza all over the world, but I dare say that this takes top honors. My belly was beyond satisfied. When I didn't think that I could possibly eat any more - cinnamon, nutella, and blueberry jam was smeared on top of the remaining dough to create scrumptious dessert pizzas!

Then, the first fist of flour was thrown...

...then the first BOWL of flour was released...

...hand-fulls of nutella, butter and blueberry jam added an artistic touch...

...followed by buckets full of water and eggs smashed in the hair...

...We soon BECAME the pizza...

No life-changing message here, but I can testify that food fights need no cross-cultural translation:)

Below is a video about the ministry - Gypsy Agape - we partner with in Villi Tecii. And click here to read a blog I wrote last April while serving with them.

Eating my Inheritance

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have just returned to Spain after a three-week journey to Moldova, Romania and Hungry. It was amazing to reunite with friends and literal enjoy the fruit of our harvest - spiritually and physically.

Last May, we worked in the fields alongside the villagers (picture above). Planting season: seeds, potatoes, beans - buried in the rich soil as a prayer is uttered from the lips...hopes and life lie in the hands of mother earth...

Four months later, we return. Harvest season. The air is heavy with the sweet fragrance of watermelon, grapes, pumpkin. A plate of creamy, yellow mashed potatoes is placed before me. As the rich, buttery flavor dances on my tongue, I am reminded of that windy day in May when I placed these very potatoes in the ground.

As a daughter of God, I often ponder my inheritance....now that I have tasted it (literally) - I can say with new reverence "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!" (Ps. 34:8) Talk about enjoying the fruits of your labor!

Moldova is a country of irony. The land is blessed as harvest is found in abundance, yet many families do not know where their next meal will come from. Inflation and corruption choke out joy. Many love the Lord, yet are tied down by religion.

Below is a poem that I wrote one afternoon while eating the purple Isabella grapes I hand-picked from my friend's 50 year-old vineyard.

Moldova

Harvest in abundance. Inheritance...

Grapes hang heavy on the vine. Tantalizing, sweet juice drips down the throat as they burst with life. Harvest realized.

Wine. Made with excellence, yet exported.

Dance. Made to celebrate, yet forbidden.

Old wine skin stretched as new wine is released. Come, Holy Spirit.

Moldova is ripe. Mouths hungry to be fed.

Hearts aching for hope. Bodies crying for rest.

Come to Me. Come and lie down in green pastures.

Enjoy the fruit of your labor. Do not labor in vain, but rejoice, for the bridegroom is here.

The curtain is ripped.

The blood is spilled.

The law is banished, the prophecy fulfilled and freedom is released.

Forgiveness, grace, mercy reign down. The old wineskin is parched...and stained with blood...

the new wine cries for acceptance.

The old has gone, the new is here.

The Everlasting Covenant.

The table is set...

The call is out...

For all who care to respond.

His love is Great. His love is real.

To be loved

Eternally.

When will she awake?

Moldova

(More from Romania and Hungry to come)

I'm in Spain

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I just wanted to let you all know that I made it safely to Mijas, Spain where I will be attending the G42 Leadership Training Academy for 6 months. My term does not actually start until Oct 5th, but I wanted to make it out here before my friends (who are currently at the school) return to America.

Many of you have been asking me what this school will be like and what the purpose behind it is. Below is a video made by the students who are currently out here in Spain. It explains how and why many of them made the decision to study at the academy. Many of us realize that the Lord has placed a gift of leadership in our lives - like the others, I feel so blessed to be able to develop this gift and passion under the discipleship of incredible men and women of God who believe in us.

Videos: Goosebumps Guaranteed!

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I am going to start blogging again. I've been meaning to for the last month...

I have had an amazing two months of summer, building memories with friends and family and savoring my "hello's" and "Good-byes". In one week I take off again for Europe. September will bring amazing reunions with friends in Moldova and Romania and October will signify the start of my 6 month leadership training school. (http://g42global.org/leadershipacademy/)

To kick off this new season of my life, I want to share two videos with you. I guarantee goosebumps for both. The first video (Awakening) reflects a personal look at how my July '08 squad was awakened to God and himself/herself throughout their journey. One of my squad-mates, Katie Rowland, made it. The second video is an incredible overview of The World Race program. Kim Daniels, another World Race alum, produced this one.

Why am I involved with the World Race program? And how are your prayers and donations changing my generation and the world? Just watch...

To watch the second video: click here.

Come with me to SPAIN!

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My feet landed on American soil two and a half weeks ago. Since then I have personally talked with many of you and two main questions surface: 1)What have you been up to since you finished the World Race in May? And 2) What are you going to do now?

As I blogged earlier, May 20^th - in Kiev, Ukraine - was the last day of the race. While many of my companions were flying home, I had other plans in store. I had always dreamed of backpacking Europe and over the years had saved up specifically for this adventure. Since I was already in Europe and had no immediate commitments, I didn't see why now' was not the perfect opportunity to indulge this long-time dream.

I traveled back down to Romania to help debrief another World Race team, then I headed over to Belgium to visit family friends. In Paris, I met up with one of my best friends from home. For three and a half weeks, we train hopped throughout southern Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. The breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and Itailan coastline; delicious gelato and fresh hot pretzels; local wine, beer and cheese - a cultural smorgasbord at your fingertips. As corny as it sounds, it was a wonderful ending to a great year.

While I may not have deliberately reflected back over the last year as much as I would have hoped, the nature of this virtually stress-free month (example: traveling with 2 or 3 instead of 32), I noticed a refreshing and settling of my spirit. Currently, I am still attempting to process the last year - lessons learned and how to apply these new schools of thought and truths gathered into my everyday lifestyle.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have enjoyed face to face meetings with friends and family. E-mail and skype may be a blessing while living abroad, but it definitely doesn't substitute a hug and a conversation over a meal or coffee.

Currently, I am enjoying a week in the Black Hills with my parents and next week I get to serve alongside my churched youth group on the North Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana. The beginning of August, I head down to the AIM headquarters to help with another World Race training camp (for the Oct 09 race).

So, what's next? In September, I head to Leadership Training School outside of Malaga, Spain. Check it out here: http://g42global.org/leadershipacademy/. Close to three years ago, Andrew Shearman - one of my spiritual mentors - started sharing about his vision of a school who's purpose is to raise up Ephesian 4 leaders of the church (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers). When he described it the first time, I knew that one day I would be "sitting around the kitchen table" with him and others. The school is designed to foster visions and to put legs on them. The school is three-fold: biblical training in the classroom (taught by teachers from Europe and America), the kitchen table (living in community and sharing meals together) and practical outreach (to Portugal and Morocco). Discipleship and equipping are at the heart of day to day activities.(Below: Mijas, Spain. Where I will be living.)

After spending three years with the World Race, I have been transformed and have been able to witness that transformation in others. I believe wholeheartedly in the program and will probably be involved in some way or another for years to come. You might say that "missiology (my involvement in missions) has been a major factor in forming my theology". This 6 month school is an excellent opportunity to help fill in gaps in my biblical knowledge and further equip me for a life-long commitment to missions - whether opening a hospitality house in America, Thailand or Moldova; or fighting against the modern day slave trade; or rising up leaders; or providing a loving childhood home for foster children.

NOTE TO ALL CURRENT SUPPORTERS. I continue to ask for your prayers and involvement as I head to Spain. Financially, I am fully supported to attend all 6 months of the school. So, I thank you all for that blessing. Currently, I am in the process of switching over my support account. So, if you are a monthly supporter, I recommend stopping your donations for the time being and I will be getting a hold of you soon to answer any questions you may have and talk about where we are going from here. (or you can e-mail me at stephanie.fisk@gmail.com)

If you are in the Milford area on Sunday, July 26^th at 5:30, please join me at the First Lutheran Church to hear about my last year on The World Race. Dinner is also included.

Reality in Slobozia

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Read my previous blog first...

It was the typical story. A family of 6. The mom left for work two years ago and disappeared somewhere in Kazakastan. I assumed a case of human trafficking. The dad was a shepherd and an alcoholic. The 13 year old was left to take care of her younger brother and two sisters. They were awaiting the return of their mom. She was going to rescue them.

They slept above the stove and on a dirty mattress right beside the cat and her three kittens. Brightly colored bandanas covered uncombed, lice infected curls. Blackened pots and pans with weeks old, molded food sat on top of the broken chest. Mounds of clothes were strewn across the dirt floor. The smell of dampened hopes hit me as I entered the room. Through the streaked windowpane, a single beam of light cast a spotlight on the shattered dreams that hung defeated on the broken bed frame. I could not shake the feeling that something ugly had taken place in here before.

We cleaned. We burned, a lot. We cut hair and gave bathes. We painted doors blue and tore down cracked walls. Then the mom came home. True story. The reality was the mom standing in front of me, holding her 3 year old daughter. The kid hung on to her mom as though she knew her. The mom had the opposite affect on the 13 year old. Did the mom really just reappear after two years? And ironically during the time the church was coming to their aid? Was she trafficked in the past? What was the true story?

I do know she cried. Actually, she wailed. She also yelled. While I do not know the whole truth of what was happening before my eyes, I do know there was pain and brokenness. There was desperation and separation. I wish that I could wrap up this story' for you so it could be beautifully wrapped with a happy ending, but I cannot. I do know that the church body in Slobozia is still working on the house and the mom is present. But other than that, the memory remains fresh and continues to paint a very real picture in my spirit of life in Moldova.

Moldova: The Wolf Wears Two Coats

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A week before arriving in Moldova for the second time, they held their presidential elections. Long story short, it was political corruption at its best. One candidate was democratic (for the people and for change) and one was communist' (for the control of society). People who had been dead for quite some time even appeared to cast their vote for the communist party; thus, Moldova remains "communist". Of course, the younger generation protested and the government pushed back. According to my friends in Moldova, the president had many of the girls (protestors) arrested, transported them to a make-shift prison, and held them hostage to be used and raped by government officials. The protesting has yet to resurface and Moldova still lies in the jaws of the wolf...

This is reality. Yet,

...God wants to pour down His blessings upon Moldova. I just have a feeling about this one. The land is fertile and the vineyards are abundant. The wine flows freely, the seeds are planted in the rich, black soil and the red tulips and fragrant lilacs are in full bloom. In the bible, wine and a good crop are symbols of abundance and blessing. While Moldovan wine is loved all over the world - locals are not so lucky. If they are fortunate enough, they may be able to savor one drop of the blessing upon their parched tongue. Human trafficking, alcoholism, corruption, greed and fear - to name a few - steal hope from this tiny country. (I highlighted the general overview of Moldova and it's "issues" during my first visit. Read Moldova and Me.)

During my three weeks in Moldova, I was able to spend it in two villages: Slobozia and Cornesti. I think that Slobozia stole the drop of blessing from Cornesti. Slobozia is a quaint village near the Ukrainian border where the sunrise brings life and the church is thriving, while Cornesti is located in the dead center of Moldova and is being smothered from all sides from the burdens of it's people. It is a dead village where it takes the breath of a windstorm to keep the tiniest flame lit.

I first want to highlight my week in Slobozia, followed by the two weeks in Cornesti.

While in Slobozia, 5 of us girls had the privilege of staying with an amazing family of 5 boys and 1 girl. A hard working family who feeds hearty stomachs from their vegetable garden and fruit trees, drinks their own milk and makes their own perogies (European ravioli with potatoes and brinza). Think 1800's and picture me as a pioneer. I loved itJ The dad has been the town pastor for around 20 years and the boys rally the youth. In Slobozia, the church is an active body. Praise God for that because there are plenty of gardens to be planted, homes to clean and lives to heal.

Alongside the church members, we were able to practice our gardening skills: planting potatoes, beans and cucumbers and hoeing entire fields until our arms about fell off. (Due to my many years of service at Fergusons and being trained by only the best ...thanks mom and dad... I soon came to be known as the master gardener!)

In fact, one afternoon - our unlikely tribe of 7 - was an answer to prayer. Earlier that day, an older women had prayed for God to send her husband and her workers to help them plant their garden. They were thinking of hiring some able bodies when we stumbled across their path and offered our services. The rest of the day was spent digging holes and planting potatoes and hoeing rows and sewing bean seeds. Later, we found out the entire story. While the old women was a Christian, her husband was not. God answering her prayer in such a direct manner was a clear testimony to His provision. While we were planting seeds in the natural, we know that God was planting them in the supernatural!

We were also able to spend a lot of time with the youth of the church...

and in fellowship around the kitchen table.

The church also came to the aid of a very poor family in need. Little did we know that we were walking into the middle of an unfolding drama...

To continue to reading, click here. (coming soon)

"Brinza in the Soup" Video

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You'll just have to watch the video below the understand the line "Brinza in the Soup". Brinza is the traditional Moldovan cheese that we put on/in EVERYTHING we ate: soup, maccaroni, rice, bread, salad, cookies...

All I can say is I love Moldova and Brinza!

Enjoy the video...it's a taste of the Moldovan blogs to come.

Thanks, Katie, for making the video!

Butterfly Bye-Bye

Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My second journey with the World Race finished a few nights ago when I was crowned with a pink Ukrainian butterfly tiara at our squad banquet. It matches beautifully with my coconut shell butterfly necklace. About three weeks ago, I started a three point blog: A Wine Challis, Butterfly and Silver Key. The first two rolled off my tongue while I was in Romanian. But then I disappeared into the "black hole" called Moldova. It appeared as though I had disappeared off the face of the earth, which, unfortunately, paints an all too accurate portrait of what happens to many Moldovan children and women. (Blogs about my time in Moldova are coming soon - so please stay tuned!)

For the moment, I want to return to the butterfly. Transformation. I want to tell you about the beautiful transformation that took place in the lives of 32 individuals over the past 11 months. While countries flew by - Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, England, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, Malawi, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine - one thing stayed the same: our Father. One jealous Father whose love changes lives.

It's still very difficult for me to find words to explain how I feel. My heart is imploding and exploding all at the same time. Joy in watching them (my squad) soar, yet a sense of loss in seeing them leave the nest. Pride in their victory, yet pain that naturally accompanies a runner at the end of a race. Love cuts deep into one's spirit; yet entwines lives eternally.

I am so proud of each one of you: not for what you have done, but for WHO YOU ARE. And if you only remember one thing, let it be this - "You are still the same person right now (in America), that you were in Nicaragua or Cambodia or Mozambique or Romania. God did not transform you throughout the past 11 months for you to just forget WHO HE IS or WHO HE HAS CREATED YOU TO BE. You are a Hebrew's 11 saint. Read it...everyday if you need to. Your faith in God's character changed the lives of prostitutes in Pattaya and Hi Chi Minh City. Your faith in God's name restored the lives of once hopeless and voiceless women in Swaziland. Your faith in the truth that God is the one and only God challenged the belief system of Muslims in London and Malawi. Your faith in the idea that God is the Father to the fatherless comforted orphans in Mozambique and youth in Moldova. Your faith in the notion that God can do what He says He can do raised people from the dead and brought them into the Kingdom in 26 countries across the world!"

I love each one of you and Thank God for you. Each of you has impacted my life more than you will ever know. My butterfly crown off to you! This video is dedicated to YOU and your transformation!

Thank you supporters and prayer warriors for believing in my squad and me. I hope that as you watch the video, you will see the impact that you had on the lives of 32 racers. Because of you, I had the opportunity to serve them and love them along their jouney.

(Sidenote: I am currently helping out at another World Race squad's debrief in Romania. In a few days, I head off for my European adventure with a best friend from home. I'll return to the states on June 20^th.)

Video: Community Life

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Enjoy this video that one of my squad mates made. This is a true testimony of the joys, trials and challenges of living in community. Congrats to my squad for being the first World Race squad to finish with all 32 that started 11 months ago. Actually, for finishing with one more than we started with - Congrats to Josh and Tara Bruce for being 2 months pregnant! Love you guys...

Gypsies hold a Silver Key

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Please read A Wine Challis, Butterfly and Silver Key first.

When I was around ten years old, I dressed up as a gypsy for Halloween - complete with my long colorful skirt, bandana and large hoop earrings. A gypsy was always a mystical character that lived in my head alone. Little did I know, that over the past few years, the free spirit that appears to govern the path of some gypsy families has also had a hand in navigating my nomadic lifestyle. (Over the past 5 years, I have lived in St. Paul for 1 year, my hometown for 1 year off and on, around 16 different countries for a month each and all 48 of the continental United States for a week each.) Just like the gypsies, "home" is a bit of a foreign concept - it's where I brush my teeth at the end of the day.

For the past two weeks, I have been living with gypsies in a small village near the Transylvania mountains in Romania (yes, yesterday we visited one of the so called Dracula castles). According to worldly standards, gypsies are the outcasts of society: they are lazy, poor and a nuisance to those around them. Gypsies do not have a homeland and typically live a nomadic lifestyle. They travel country to country to find work - digging ditches, picking oranges, construction...

Gypsies living in Romania are often not viewed as citizens of Romania. Moldovan gypsies are not from Moldova. My gypsy clans even have their own language, customs, songs, food and flag. Their identity is found in their gypsy heritage, independent upon where they live.

"All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God. They agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth. And obviously people who talk like that are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16

Many of the gypsies I have lived with and served alongside these past few weeks know that their citizenship lies in an eternal kingdom - heaven.

Gypsies remind me of the Karen that live in Myanmar and Thailand: both are outcasts, forgotten and are not considered citizens of the earthly countries in which they reside. The silver key I wear around my neck represents Kingdom: "And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven..." (Matt. 16:19a). I found it 5 months ago on a street on the Thai/Myanmar border while walking with some of my Karen friends. As I have mentioned before, I have a very special place in my heart for the Karen people.

God's kingdom longs to evade earth and touch the hearts of His sons and daughters all over the world.

Love - whether demonstrated by physical acts of service or Holy Spirit manifestations - is a visible kiss of His Kingdom on earth. While here in Romania, we have cleaned rugs, visited homes, washed dishes, delivered food, eaten food... We have taught English, played with kids, shared healing stories with women, testified to God's glory in church services, colored eggs for Easter, prayed for healing and listened.

"Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven..."

baking Easter bread

face painting

manual labor

Katy. visiting homes of local believers

Gaby and me...his mom is his 16 year old sister

Jenny. Praying for healing.

girls time...listening and sharing our stories

Easter egg hunt

Sandu and Me. A gypsy pastor who is our adopted Romanian dad

Tomorrow I head to Moldova where I will spend the final 2 1/2 weeks before final debrief.

Beautiful Faces Video!

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These Romanian people are do darn beautiful! I'm really going to miss them...

Enjoy the video that one of my squad mates put together. Thanks Katie!

The Wine Challis II

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

(Please read The Wine Challis first.)
"All I have is yours. And all you have is mine."

In a covenant, two parties share EVERYTHING. Two become One. A covenant is an everlasting agreement between two individuals. Throughout history, all covenants between God and humanity have been God initiated. Ever since the beginning of time, God has been in pursuit of His beloved, His church. He desires to be in a relationship with his creation. He has never broken a covenant with us. Unfortunately, we, mankind, cannot say the same...would I be lying if I deem the church "The Runaway Bride"?

Here in Romania, most churches operate off the Orthodox calendar, thus Easter is actually celebrated this Sunday - a week after it is celebrated in America. All week long people in the village prepare for this special holiday by baking bread and cookies, cooking special foods, cleaning there homes, dying Easter eggs. Hospitality and family are focal points in the gypsy culture. Thus, upon entering homes of local believers, I would estimate that I have eaten over 10 green and red hard boiled eggs, 6 pieces of cake, 11 cookies, a loaf of home-made bread, a pot of potatoes, way too many grilled sausages (and a few sticks of butter for flavor!); upon leaving a home, I have received over 100 kisses on both cheeks accompanied by hearty hugs. I guess that's how Jesus feeds you when you enter a home in fellowship.

Easter. The turning point in history for me and for you. God gave us himself. He poured out his blood as the everlasting lasting covenant. He sealed the fate of humanity. If we choose Him, we choose life. He initiated a marriage relationship with me. He is the bridegroom, and when I accept Him into my life as my personal savior who died for my sins, I become His bride. We have entered into a covenantal relationship.

As His church, we live far below the covenantal provision God intends for us to live.

When God says "All I have is yours, and all you have is mine", He really means it. I have a very difficult time understanding fully what this means. But I think that I am beginning to get it...

If all I have is His, then my death, my sins, my pain, my burdens, my joys, my enemies, my time, my money...my life is His. All I have to offer Him is ME.

If all He has is mine, then all of heavens resources are available to me: eternal life, victory over death, freedom, joy, hope, sonship, love, patience, authority, healing, the keys of the kingdom...

As the church, we need to understand the significance of the covenant in order to carry out the work of Jesus. We need to continue where Jesus left off. In order to do that, we need to understand the authority He gives us through the Holy Spirit and boldly walk as heirs of His kingdom. The enemy is no match for a believer armed with covenant authority!

I am a daughter of the King who is sent out into the world with God's authority, power and victory through the Holy Spirit. All He has is mine. The poor, the orphan, the lost, the widow, the sick are mine to love. Because they are His, they are mine.

The more I discover about the depths of His intense love for me, the more I fall in love with Him. I feel like I am just on the edge of discovering how to walk out this covenantal relationship in my everyday life. Walking in victory and truly believing the words "Your Kingdom Come, on earth as it is in heaven".

"We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life." 2 Cor. 3: 4-6

(enjoy more pictures of my Romanian villages)

The Wine Challis

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Read the previous blog: A Wine Challis, A Butterfly and a Silver Key

A Wine Challis

This symbol represents the Cup of the New Covenant;
the Cup of unbroken relationship.
"Do this in remembrance of ME."
Taste and see that I AM God
The First, The Last, The Same
Drink and eat,
I'll complete the work for which I came
Living Waters flow from deep within My Vine
fruit of My flesh,
your skin's made fresh to carry
My New Wine
everlasting marriage
by My Own Blood we're bound
I'll never leave,
to My Word cleave
your heart's now Holy Ground'

This last Christmas, Seth and Karen Barnes, our squads' parents, gave each racer a unique pendant. They gave me a silver wine challis. Accompanied by the poem above...

Covenant. A mysterious word that sat heavy on my spirit. There was power in the word that I didn't understand. What does this word mean? What does it mean for the church? What does it mean for you and for me?

I began searching and the Lord responded by calling me into a new season. I could sense the Lord's hunger to cement our relationship. Let's rewind for a second. Long story short, when I left home last July, the Lord was leading me into an intense season of obedience and servant-hood. One of the marks of this season was fasting from all alcohol for the year while I was on the world race. Then, month 8 of the race, as I mentioned above, I felt the Lord leading me into a season of intense intimacy with Him. A season of abundance and blessing. A season where I would begin to discover the depth of the COVENANT relationship that my Savior so longed for.

When God solidified His covenant with His Creation, He sent Jesus, His son, to die on the cross. By My own blood we're bound. Do this in remembrance of Me. A wine challis and wine.

As this new wine represents an unbroken relationship with Our Maker, the wine challis represents a new wine skin.

As the Lord was calling me into this new season, I felt like He was introducing wine back into my life as a symbol of what he was calling me into. But, I didn't want this to be my flesh talking. So, that night, I asked the Lord a question, "If you truly are wanting to introduce wine back into my life, tomorrow bring up the word covenant in a conversation...then I will know that this is a blessing from you." (Side note, this was during the week that I had a vacation with my sister in South Africa, so I was not around other racers. I thought to myself, Who in the real world uses the world covenant? If I hear this word it will be of God's doings!)

So, the next day it's 6pm and I had not yet heard the word "covenant". My sister and I go to a movie, and, by default, choose the new Jim Carrey movie Yes Man. (Tiff, don't laugh.) It wasn't twenty minutes into the movie and Jim Carrey starts yelling "Covenant, Covenant, Covenant....", so on and so forth at least 20 times. I burst out laughing...

I know that God has a sense of humor, but using Jim Carrey as one bridge in guiding me closer to understanding covenant tops the cake in my books. I know that this is a very random side story, but I believe it is just one demonstration of the unbroken relationship that God so desires for each one of us. God hears us when we talk to Him. And this marked the beginning of the new season: the wine challis season.

Please continue reading The Wine Challis II.

A Wine Challis, Butterfly and Silver Key

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Taste and See that I AM God. The First, the Last and the Same...

Drink and Eat. I'll complete the work for which I came..."

As we near the end of the race, I find myself peering over my shoulder as I walk ahead. I can't help it. I am in awe of my Creator. In spite of me, my life is a living testimony of God's goodness; His strength; His power; His provision; His patience; His passion; His love and His mandate. While my faith lies in His character; I cannot help but hit rewind on this last 10 months and re-watch him display WHO HE IS.

I stand in front of the mirror. Three symbols have found their home as a permanent adornment around my neck: a wine challis, a butterfly and a silver key. All have been accumulated since I left home last June. I look at myself in the mirror and smile. My life reflects back at me. God's truth stares back at me.

Symbolism outlines the projected truths of a painting. It can bring a fuzzy picture into focus. But the color is all yours. The true emotion and beauty of a painting lies in capturing the color and light. That color and light is a clear projection of your life-experiences, what you see as truth and how you view the world around you. Depending on what color you choose to use for your painting, a symbol may cast a rainbow of interpretations.

For me, my life is a wine challis, a butterfly and a silver key. Now, "paint the world with God colors" as Matthew says in the gospels. For some, I am speaking your language; others may be thinking that I am a nut-case about now. I love it. I know that some of you who are reading this love the Lord, some of you love a lord and others confess no lord. Thus, these three symbols could potentially hold very different meanings for each one of you. And that's OK...

Can I invite you into my life for a minute or two? I would love to give you a glimpse into the secret place where I meet with my Lord; to share a whisper, a vision, a thought, a touch, a smile, a tear. The Lord of my life loves me and it is beautiful. As the created, I am loved...and I cannot help but love Him back.

It's not about ministry. It's not about the World Race. It's not about being squad leader.

It's about Him and me. And Painting the world with God Colors.

It's about a wine challis, a butterfly and a silver key.

Covenant. Transformation. Kingdom.

More to come.

(The pictures are all from Romania, where I am working in a small gypsy village.)

Moldova and Me.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Moldova has issues. Since most of you can relate to the harsh realities that face a dying Swaziland, I am going to use this small African country as a reference point. Moldova is the Swazi of Europe. It is the poorest country in Europe and the population is shrinking in record numbers. A few years ago, in this tiny agricultural, wine-gem land lived over 5 million people. Today, less than 4 million inhabit the country. What is happening?

"The wolf's coat is just changing colors; but its heart or character still remains the same." Communism fell in 1992, right? Well, in Moldova, communism is becoming relevant. Just like Christianity. It is changing faces, but still has the claws that that hold people down.

In Moldova you cannot home school. That would promote the family, not society.

Everyone has to pay for medical insurance. Yet, one of my friends just had surgery and they had to buy their medical tools, pay for surgery and the patient even had to pay to go to the bathroom.

There are over 60 orphanages or boarding schools in Moldova. Around 100-250 boys and girls live in each home. When they finish the school at age 13-16 they are kicked out of the orphanage. They have no where to go and no one to go to; yet they cannot stay in the home' that they grew up in. I've heard that around 80% of the boys end up in prison and over 50% of the girls are trafficked as sex slaves or choose to enter the life of prostitution.

Economy is falling and everybody looks for work outside of Moldova. On average people get paid $100-$150/mo; yet their prices of living are the same of other European countries.

Human trafficking is a reality that lives in the eyes of abandoned kids. Every day it is estimated that 3-5 individuals are trafficked from Moldova to other countries (Istanbul is the hub). These are mainly moms in search of jobs to support their kids. Only they are tricked and sold to brothels. I talked MANY orphans whose parents have left the country for a better life or better jobs. How many of these moms and dads ended up locked in rooms forced to service men all night long or forced to work 16 hour days in the dirtiest of dirty jobs?

Many orphans are trafficked for there organs. In Western Europe, many kids need heart and kidney transplants. The lack of available organs leads to preying on the helpless, orphan kids in Moldova who have no one watching out for them. They are a commodity that is readily available.

Sometimes I wish truths would remain hidden in the shadows. Revelation brings responsibility that has the potential of lying heavy on the spirit for years to come.

On the flip side, I love revealing truth. I love opening the eyes of those who are in the dark. I love introducing the forgotten one as the known one. Bringing "their" stories into the homes of Westerners.

After this month, I had a self revelation. Why is it so difficult for me to settle down in one place and focus on one issue, one country, one people group? Do I have commitment issues? (Well, maybe, but that's another story.) Am I addicted to travel? (Again, maybe a little, but that's not really it either.)

I have seen too much. I have not been burdened and broken for only one country, or one issue or one ministry in particular. As a Christian, I am responsible for what I know. (Not responsible for playing God, but responsible to be the body!) Is the need necessarily the call? No; but the knowledge will constantly live in my mind and the emotion in my heart and the truth in my spirit...in the names and faces that I have met in Haiti, Peru, Malawi, Nicaragua, Thailand, China, Moldova, etc... To settle down in one community, I am choosing that community; thus, by default, I am choosing to not act on all the other challenges and needs that still ring very true in my spirit.

I might desire to live in Northern Thailand and work with the marginalized Karen, while I think of the women being trafficked from Moldova to Turkey. I could live in the trash dump in Nicaragua while thinking of the kids in Cambodia eating food from the garbage. I could return to teach pastors in Malawi, knowing how thirsty university students in China and Vietnam are for truth. I could provide shoes for hundreds of kids in Swaziland while imagining barefoot children in Haiti. I could prepare cuey (guinea pig)with a local family in the Andes Mountains, but my heart could be making empanadas in a sleepy town on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

While this "philosophy" could be a bit skewed, it is a very real challenge that keeps me on the move daily. Yesterday I arrived in Romania; my 26^th country (or something like that). By June 19^th, the day I arrive back in America, that number will be around 35 (backpacking Western Europe).

So, Moldova has issues. I did not know about them a week ago. You did not know them 5 minutes ago. But now I do; and so do you. Now, I am responsible. Now, you are responsible. What is the body going to do about it?

For the next week or two, I will be in Romania debriefing the squad and serving in a gypsy community. Then I head to Moldova for the rest of the race (mid-may) . Yes, Moldova stole part of my heart.

Lord, Why do you have to be God of the nations?
"The nations are my heartbeat...just as I am yours," He gently whispers to my spirit.

Trekking through (the) Ukraine: Lugansk

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lugansk is a city on the very eastern edge of Ukraine on the Russian border. The forgotten land, so it appears. Russia still has it's claws in deep and the peoples' mindset is still spinning in the rut that communism entrenched them in. The younger generation is trying to break free, while the older generation is more than happy with the one-track mindset " the one where you don't have to think much for yourself because society will just take care of you.

Communism placed emphasis on society and downplayed the family structure. People were numbers. Personal identity didn't exist. Names were more just a formality " maybe that's why every other person you meet here has the same name?

Lugansk is thought to be the mail-order bride capital of the world. And the most corrupt city in Ukraine. The moffia rules here. It is believed that Lugansk has it's own hard-core moffia system that can rival that of Russia.

Many people still do not trust Americans. Love, grace and forgiveness are totally foreign concepts " just like the Americans delivering the message. Hard hearts that take years to thaw. Hearts that believe you have to earn your salvation and that you can lose it on your own accord also. Christianity is rated by what you don't do, rather than by what you do.

Alcoholism affects around 80% of the population. I heard a story that four 11-year-olds went into a restaurant, ordered two pitchers of beer with their pizza, and the waiter served them without batting an eye. And that's normal. For the villagers, beer for breakfast and vodka for lunch and dinner. Drugs and tobacco to sustain you through the harsh winter. (And food wrappers to insulate the windows!)

Bleak and grey is the forecast. Or so it appears...

Read Numbers 13 and 14. Moses sent out one leader from each tribe into Canaan to scout out the land. This is a similar role that team Pioneer (6 other racers and me) has right now. Go ahead of the troops and report back what you find.

Yes, we could take all this disheartening observation and data back to the troops and discourage them from stepping foot on this soil. We could focus on the giants and impossibilities. Or, as Caleb and Joshua challenged a few verses later, we could choose to step out in faith believing that God is with us. Proclaiming the Kingdom and claiming the Promise Land.

We, as his chosen people, are armed with his covenant authority. Yes, things may look bleak " in claiming the Promise Land or reaching people in Ukraine " but, God has claimed the people as His own and is sending us there in His authority.

Instead of focusing on the worldly realities that plague not only Lugansk, but Ukraine as a whole, we can focus on spiritual truth.

God is who He says He is.

He will do what He says He will do.

I am who He says I am.

And I (the church) can do the impossible through Him who gives me (us) power.

God is choosing to usher in His Kingdom through the racers.

God is establishing His church in Lugansk.

Old women will be cured of the bottle.

Old men will be healed of the cough.

Young girls will discover their self-worth

and young boys will stand up for truth and justice.

Even if God is only calling a few out of their turtle shells, it's still worth it.

I choose to be Caleb and I hope you are choosing to be Joshua.

If we didn't think one' person was worth the hassle, then we would just be solidifying what they already believe about themselves. They are just a number and one is not worth the effort. But the one' is worth the effort and we believe that God is doing mighty things throughout the land right now.

Please Pray!

Trekking through (the) Ukraine: Kiev

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For the past two weeks, I (and two other girls) have been braving the cold and trekking across the frozen steppe that used to be part of the Soviet Union not too long ago: Ukraine. That's it, just Ukraine. Upon my arrival, I soon found out it is not THE Ukraine...as many of us Westerners refer to it as (maybe THE Soviet Union triggered this?), but just simply Ukraine. I like it.

We started off in Kiev, the capital and made our way by train to the Ukrainian/Russian border. Now we are in Odessa, which is located on the Black Sea. Tomorrow morning we take a bus to Moldova. A week later, we push on to Romania. This month has been amazing - the company (pamela and ashley!), the friends we've been blessed with along the way (Clinton, Luta, Allyson, Vicka, Brian, Michelle to name only a few), and our ministry contacts (Intervarsity, Paul and Christine, Shane and Marilyn, Forrest and Darcy) and all the others who have stepped in with a helping hand to fill the gaps of my russian or post-communist knowledge!

This month I am on a scouting mission. In April and May around 80 racers will be partaking in ministry in Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Hungary. This is the first time the World Race has visited Eastern Europe. So, Team Pioneer is forging on ahead of time, meeting with potential World Race partners, and loving every minute of it!

I hope you enjoy this picture blog of my first week here in Ukraine.

This is Independence square (above) where thousands of protestors gathered in 2004 due to electoral fraud. The public believed that the wrong guy was voted into office. It was termed the "Orange Revolution". The protests and public attention led to a second run-off by the two presidential candidates and the other guy actually ended up winning! This was a huge statement of freedom for this post-communist country.

Yes, it's cold here.

Flowers seem to be the answer for all occasions. Note - you must buy in odd numbers. Only buy even numbers if you are going to a funeral!

Contrasting colors are key in Ukraine!

Don't leave home without your umbrella or you're bound to get wet. I admit that I'm just waiting for the rain to pass!

Social orphans are a huge 'problem' in this country. If the mother chooses to leave her baby or kid with the government, due to lack of motherly care, alcoholism, poverty, or just plain doesn't want it, she can. Just like that and the child is the governments responsibility. So, there are hundreds of orphanages (or boarding schools) across Ukraine that house and school both true orphans and social orphans. The sticky thing is that the mom can come back into their life at any time and take the child back.

Above: We got to visit a hospital one day. The mom left this little one behind and he already lives in an orphanage but was here for health reasons. Below: Also, one day we had the opportunity to visit an orphanage that was located closer to the Belarus border. About 150 kids fending mainly for themselves.

One of the biggest needs at these orphanages is life skills training. During Communist years, family was downplayed and society was the main focus. Now, take away the society and you've got a lot of people who do not know how to be a family. Basic mothering classes, cooking and gardening classes, etc are in huge demand!

Below: And, we can't forget my B-day dinner at TGIFridays with Clinton (a guy who did the first WR with me!)

We'll, on to Lugansk!

Video: Ashes of Pain, Beauty of Spirit

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thank you everyone who prayed for this beautiful weekend. Please continue to pray for these women...just because the weekend is over does not mean that their story is finished!

Read more about this amazing retreat here.

Safari Video

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Enjoy this video that Katie, one of the racers, made a couple of weeks ago.

Yes, I agree, the squad is CRAZY! But I guess if we ever need to minister to African animals we know how to 'do as they do'!

Also, we made this while my sister, Tiffany, was with us...so you get to see us both in one video. Mom, I hope this makes you very happy...

Malawi Meanderings

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Since I have left you all dangling for a good month now, I know that this single blog does not do justice. How can you shrink the experience of spending a month in Malawi - the Heart of Africa' or Flames of Fire" - into words that appear inadequate and thoughts that have yet to be pondered?

Yet, today was my last African morning. The birds began singing at 4:59am. My thoughts awoke with it. Tonight, at 9:45pm, I board a plane for Europe; leaving HOT Africa and arriving in FREEZING cold Ukraine 2 days later.

In attempts to leave you all with a hint of my last month, I will jot a handful of my meandering thoughts down in black and white. Actually, where I lived last month - Nkhotakota - means "meandering" in Chichua. Nkhotakota is located on the shores of Lake Malawi, yet I only stuck my toe in for a brief second. The short time we resided in this fishing village, three people were killed by crocs and many more attacked. The harsh reality of many who earn their living as fishermen.

Fishers of men would be a suitable phrase to describe the history of Nkhotakota. 200 years ago, the slave trade flourished here. This rickety train track that you see below, used to carry hundreds of captives to their boat that would transport them to Zanzibar...and beyond.

Another notable fact. This same village served as the point of entry for Islam. Arab traders began their conquest pre-slave trade and made a killing on the selling of human beings'. Any individual who would not convert to Islam faced severe hardships ahead: be thrown to the crocs or sold as a slave. So, as you can imagine, Islam flourished in the early 1800's. Those that converted to Islam stayed in Nkhotakota, and those who would not renounce their Christian faith were dispersed around the world. (Could God have used these slaves' as some of the first missionaries to the New World? I don't doubt it one bit!)

In 1850, David Livingston, one of the first missionaries to Southern Africa, made an agreement with the chief who was in control of the slave trade. Through perseverance, Livingston finally convinced the chief to stop selling human beings. So, under this tree (above) an agreement was made and a symbolic umbrella was traded as a sign of this covenant. Yes, physically, people were set free on this day; but, spiritually, people have been held captive by the generational influence of Islam. Muslims easily make up 75% of the population of Nkhotakota today.

Covenant. A word that has lost it's salt' in modern-day language. Since the beginning of time, God has demonstrated his intense love for His creation through covenants: agreements that denote action, not just words..."All I that is Mine, is yours." One afternoon while I was sitting on a rooftop by the lake, God decided to remind the people of Nkhotakota (and me) of His love. He not only painted one rainbow in the blue sky, but echoed His heart by displaying a second rainbow - double portion?

Covenant. I want you all to KNOW the fullness of this word in your life. A book could come from all that the Lord is teaching me about his intentions for me and the world. Covenant. "All that is Mine, is yours." Reflect on this. (Just hold on a few more days...I don't want to rush that blog, but it's on its way.)

Flashback to London - two months ago. I know I couldn't reveal much about our ministry back then, but I think it's OK to shed more light on it now. Basically, we were trained on relational evangelism and Islam...more specifically, how to share our faith with a Muslim. As you may remember, London was an unplanned country on our journey. But God knew the future. If I had not received this training in London, I would have been ruled by my ignorance and fear rather than understanding, compassion and love while talking with the Muslims in Malawi. Instead of being scared, I could approach them in confidence and truth. God has changed my trembling heart with His heart. He loves the lost. He longs to see Mohammad-followers fall in love with his son, Jesus.

As I head into a post-communist country - Ukraine - please keep me in your prayers. This is not a time to check-out'. Yes, physically, there is snow on the ground; but, spiritually, hearts are frozen year-round. The other day, I asked the Lord to give me a heads up on what I need to communication to the people in Ukraine...Love and Forgiveness. Love and forgive them while teaching them to love and forgive their neighbor...and their enemy. Wowzers!

Please pray that I remain present. I admit that I often find myself living in my imagination instead of persevering through the day and focusing on the goal. I am tired but do not want to withdraw. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak...

I leave you with a poem that I wrote the other day that reflects this prayer...

I call it "Meanderings"

My imagination permeates the present
and replaces reality with fantasy...
teleporting me to a different time and place.

Comfort wears many masks.
Those appearing most innocent and harmless
grow like vines until the present day is choked.

Lying strangled in the setting sun -
                 its hopes, dreams and promises fading
                 as the flaming orange sky turns grey and eventually black -
                 snuffed out before they had a chance to bloom or flourish.

Think of the fragrances, sight, sounds that could have been.
The smiles that could have re-ignited passion...
The hugs that could have redeemed the spirit...

The love that could have been...
but never came into existence...
the sun set before it had a chance to rise over Lake Malawi.

Maybe tomorrow I'll imagine what today could have been.

Swazi Women's Retreat

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Beauty from Ashes"
"I told my story"
Isaiah 61:3
*********
February 20-22, 2009
Manzini, Swaziland

*****

God has been speaking to Seth Barnes, the founder of A.I.M., for sometime about the women of Swaziland being the hope for this nation. In a culture where there is so much brokenness (a large population of orphans and widows) and many people hiding behind taboo topics such as AIDs, shame masks this country. So, the overwhelming question that's seems to haunt not just our team this month, but every person that visits Swazi is "What can be done?"

As God continued to speak to Seth, the vision for a "Storybook weekend" unfolded where women could have a safe place to be authentic and vulnerable through sharing their stories, with no veil of shame. It would be through this type of change that many of them would find freedom and healing, therefore empowering their nation to do the same. Though we don't have God's power to save an entire country from AIDs, or prevent beautiful children and women from being orphaned or widowed we do have the power to love.
Through fostering this type of environment God will... "provide for those who grieve in Swaziland'-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3

On the more practical side of things, this is a 3-day women's retreat with 40 women total (32 Swazi women & 8 Racers as staff). In order to make this as successful as we've planned, we can't do this alone. We need your help through prayer & finances. Below is the financial breakdown necessary to accomplish these purposes.

Please join us in touching the lives of women here in Swaziland!!!

Click here to give to help the women of Swaziland.

Please write "World Race Ministry - Swazi Women" in the space provided in order to make sure your gift is designated to this ministry.

$1,000.00 US Dollars - All supplies for activities, decorations, gifts, etc. (including "I told my story" Nametags & T- shirts) &

transportation

$1,192.00 US Dollars - Venue & All Meals
************

$2,292.00 Total US Dollars

PLEASE PRAY: For breakthrough in these women's lives through:
      *vulnerability in sharing stories of tears & pain
      *freedom from shame & masks
      *healing through encountering God's love & grace
      *God's true beauty to come from their ashes (not just for a weekend but throughout their entire life)
      *That these women would empower their nation in hope, freedom, and healing!

Journey of the Sisters

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The last three weeks have been and amazing whirlwind with one of my best friends - my sister, Tiffany. Yesterday we split at 5:30am - me heading to Malawi and her to the S. Africa coast. I miss her already. Fif - thanks for joining up with me during this time and embracing the crazy World Race community and lifestyle. And to my WR family - thanks for befriending my sister!

As I blogged a few weeks ago, we kicked off our time together in Joburg. One afternoon we visited Soweto - the southwest township that was created to segregate the blacks from the whites at the beginning of aparteid. Today it is still strickly a black community with over 4 million people living there. To date, I have spent over two months in South Africa and find it more interesting every day. Imagine America in the 70's or so. Racial segregation and fear between the black and white population is still very real. Below is the memorial of one boy who became a martyr for the voiceless. He was a black schoolchild who was shot by a white policeman during a protest against instilling Africkans (white culture) as the only acceptable culture/language in South Africa.

My sister and I met up with the rest of the squad for debrief.

One day of the debrief was spent at Kruger National Park on a safari. She definitely taught me a thing or two about African wildlife! It was so cool to see her come alive in her passion.

We couldn't pass up the photo op in this amazingly old tree!

Then we all moved on to Swaziland. The squad, my sister and I met up with 9 vision-trippers from the states - eager individuals who were ready to serve the poor of swazi. These 5 days were life-changing for many as the reality of poverty, survival, AIDS, death and hopelessness came alive as we played with orphans, visited families, hosted a women's retreat, counseled HIV/AIDS individuals, listened to stories...

With each extended belly... and with each tear the truth sits heavier...

...if AIDS continues to kill at the rate it is currently, by the year 2050 Swaziland may cease to exist. Can you even imagine a whole country wiped out?

Yet, with each smile a spark of hope flickers. In the face of despair, Jesus lives in the precious reflection in the mirror...and in the simple act of washing one's feet...

One day we were able to wash the feet of over 500 children, pray for them and give them a brand-new pair of shoes.

AIM has established around 9 care-points in the most poverty stricken part of Swaziland. Many of these kids live by survival. Some days they are without water. Food is scarce and may only arrive when the government decides to deliver food or rain blesses the land. Family members die from AIDS and diarrhea and it's normal. Kids may go to school if they are lucky.

Thus these carepoints provide food, water, family and security.

Bellies are getting full and spirits are beginning to get hungry.

Smiles replace a dull stare. Awaken Swazi....

The time I was able to spend with my sister was a true gift from God and I know that she was a gift to those beautiful kids. Fif - I hope you know that we - the F squad - has adopted you as ours and we will continue to pray for you!

On Feb 5th, I head up to Malawi for the month. We should arrive later the following day. Please pray for safe travels and for our time as we partner with HIM (Harvest International Ministries) church planting and encouraging the body.

Support Brian and Stacy!

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey everyone,

I want to ask for your prayers and financial support to help keep my family together. Brian and Stacy Alonzo have been on this journey with me since July '08 and I really want to complete the whole 11 months with them. At the moment, they still need to raise around $12,000 in order to stay on the race. If they do not get at least $6000 by the end of Feb they are getting on a plane heading home to America.

They know that the Lord called them to change the world and change our generation, so they are persevering and praying to stay with us for our 4 remaining months. Brian and Stacy are instrumental to the squad and they bless me and help me as the squad leader in ways that would be extremely missed. Please pray about how you can be a part of my journey through blessing them. It really does affect me and the world directly. I could not think of a better way to truly invest in what God is actively doing in the world. Please help them be Jesus in Swazi, Malawi, Ukraine and Romania!

Much love from Swazi....still three days left with my sister and loving every minute of it. Don't worry, a personal update will be coming your way shortly. Internet has been very scarce these days!

Support Brian and Stacy here!

A little of this, A little of that...

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Quick squad update: As of a few days ago, finally all of the July '08 squad arrived in Mozambique. The racer who was home for a wedding and the three who stayed back in South Africa to see a doctor joined up with the crew that is stationed in Southern Mozam. This group has been learning a lot about church planting and are loving it. But, as you can notice, have been without e-mail access. The group in the North has loved working with the kids at the orphanage. As of yesterday, they moved back closer to ocean and will be doing outreach there for the remaining 4 days. On Jan 25th we all reunite with our coaches for debrief at Kruger National Park!

As for me, this last week has been spent with my sister in South Africa! Since I am on staff with AIM, I guess you could consider this my 'vacation week':) (Us below getting our face painted at the restaurant Moyo in Jo'burg.) She has been volunteering with a wildlife rehabilitation center in South Africa for the past 3 month. Who would have ever guesses that our paths would just happen to cross in Africa? Since I have been traveling for the better part of the past two years, time with family has been few and far between. What a gift this has been to be able to share some of this crazy experience with a family member. We reunite with the squad this Friday for debrief and then my sister will also be traveling with us to Swaziland for the AIM vision trip.

Lately I have been reflecting a lot about how the NEW COVENANT, LOVE and the GOOD NEWS intertwine to paint a beautiful picture of RELATIONSHIPS! Enjoy this little ditty that I wrote the other day...

Good News looks like

A hug...to the untouchable.

A hot bowl of soup...to the hungry.

A shirt...to the shirtless.

A warm bed...to the homeless.

A word of encouragement...to the hopeless.

A mother...to the motherless.

A father...to the fatherless.

A smile...to the unwanted.

A healing touch...to the sick and broken-hearted.

A friend...to the friendless.

A visit...to the shut-in and imprisioned.

A listening ear...to the ignored.

A word of truth...to the lost.

Yet, all is worthless - a clanging cymbal - if not done in LOVE.

And what is this LOVE, you may ask?

An EVERlasting Covenent,

The sacrificial Lamb given for all.

Hope.

Joy.

Grace.

Life.

Redeeming LOVE.

Good News...