What's next?

Welcome to the World Race........
Over the next 11 months I will be traveling to the following 11 countries to take Christ to the Nations, do live out what Isaiah 58 says is true fasting;

⁶ “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
⁷ Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

A few other brief facts about the next year of my life;
-Every month ahead is completely unknown to me right now, where I will be staying, what I will be doing, where I will be living, all of these things I so dearly like to know are trusting God's direction and his desire.

-In each country our group of 6 or so will be living and working together with a contact in that place, serving them to the best of our abilities in whatever manner we can.

-AIM's goal is that we would learn to live dependent upon God and that our lifestyle would reflect simplicity and focus on the task ahead of us not the comfort we live in, therefore we will be spending the next 11 months sleeping on the floor (with some possible beds here and there depending upon where we are) in our tents, wrapped in sleeping bags, and living out of our backpacks.

-There will be times (potentially a month at a time) where we will not be able to contact home or update our blogs, etc. but what better time to truly focus on the Lord than a time with forced separation.

-I am very much looking forward to all that God has to teach me over this next year as well as the things I will be able to share with each of you who choose to be a part of my journey. ( I will post in my next blog about how and why and I made this decision and what you can do to help me make it a reality!)

My schedule for the next 11 months:

July- Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy community. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here, you will teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more. It will be an exciting time of learning about a people group you may not have known even existed.

August- Ukraine
Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many ups and downs. Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like wildfire throughout this nation. Is it the kingdom of God coming in power? We think so.

September- India
India bursts with people and culture. Home to a sixth of the world's population and a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam (and blends of folk religions and other faiths), it is a country of pluralism - twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple cuisines, socio-economic classes, and political parties. While the country is on the edge of full economic development, India still suffers from the likes of poverty, human trafficking, forced prostitution, and religious persecution. You may have the opportunity to partner with ministries that have had a long and storied presence, and/or with local churches to encourage believers whose testimonies will challenge you. Your presence will bring hope and truth to the marginalized, those that society deems "untouchable". You'll change India from the inside out.

October- Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. Nestled in between India and China, this Hindu kingdom boasts a variety of climates (due to the variation of altitudes). Most of Nepal adheres to Hinduism (about 81%), with a plurality following Buddhism (about 11%); Christians comprise half a percent of the population. Just over half of Nepal is literate and half of the population that is old enough to work is either unemployed or underemployed. In addition to the adventurous experiences you will have here, you will also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will immerse you in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God. And guess what? You'll be that encounter.

November- Rwanda
Many who hear "Rwanda" immediately think, "genocide" - it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months. According to the U.S. State Department, Rwanda (once colonized by France) has the highest population density in sub-Saharan Africa; and like much of sub-Saharan Africa, this nation also is fighting hard against HIV/AIDS. This nation played a part of the genesis of this human rights organization and inspired this song; as you help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound, God may birth a dream or vision in you...

December-Kenya
Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera slums comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on even after we leave.

January- Uganda
This East African nation was also once a kingdom and British protectorate. During most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord's Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. You may find yourself in the north partnering with ministries that are bringing still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.

February- Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim and 0.7% is Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes or in the countryside, where you may serve youth, care for orphans and encourage believers.

March- Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point and destination of human trafficking and the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.

April- Vietnam
After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. Here you'll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God's light and presence everywhere you go

May- Philippines
This Asian island nation, once a Spanish colony and an American protectorate, is a country in tension, trying to cross the threshold between the third and first world. It offers a variety of landscapes - beaches, mountains, volcanic lakes - and languages, with Tagalog as the national tongue. The Catholic Church is a substantial piece of the religious pie, however, Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music and dance and community. While there, you may find yourself living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.

Jour 6 & 7

Ben says the Dardnest things in Africa

We recently took a trip to the bush, this post has to be brief since we are fixing to get on the plane to head back to the states but we began early that morning with packing up the trucks.

as soon as we began we found a flat tire, this was nothing new to us, we know that when God is doing something big satan is attacking.

team photo in the bush, well on the way there.

welcome to the road to the bush

We finally made it to the village after 3 hours.

This is what the rest of our day looked like in the bush, and night as well. We spent some time digging holes for the new church, or a hangar that the church will meet under. As well as spent the evening showing the Jesus film to a completely unreached people group. (aka people who have never heard the name of Jesus before).

(these little boys are shepards, they do not attend school and most likely never will, they will spend the majority of lives doing this very thing.)

Bush food, keep in mind it was pitch black out when we were eating...you never know what ends up on your plate. This night we had chicken (gabi and dusty ate the head and feet) and to(e) which is a mashed up millet sponge thing with no flavor, beans, and well soupy okra sauce. We had a few sick people after this meal....

when we got the the larger village to show the Jesus film we had a little while of dancing, here are the guys breaking it down.

this picture was taken early on in the film and by the end we had about 400 people there hearing about Jesus for the first time.

The next morning we got up and filled the holes for the new church.

Then we went to this pond/lake and did this; (ps. these are wild crocs, not trained or in cages or anything of the sort)

See you all in a few hours!!

Jour 5

Ben says the darndest things in Africa

"Whatever kid picks the fox, he's mine."

"Your lifes a movie and it's rated PG-13."

Today was Compassion day, a day that is always legendary for every single person on the team. And everytime I have the honor of experiencing one of these days with people who have never seen the work of Compassion I am beyond blessed.

Let me tell you a little about Compassion before continuing with our day. Compassion is a child advocate program that is based in Colorado. It's goal is to seek and serve the least of these through a sponsorship program that costs a measley $38 a month. I have been sponsoring children through Compassion for 6 years now and have never once been disappointed with the program. From the American side Compassion works in that once a child is chosen to be sponsored a packet is received with all of the information about that child, the country they are from, what they like to do, information on their parents, and letter heads to write to the child. It doesn't seem like much is required of the sponsors but much is given, I have seen this time and time again in my travels to foreign lands, and in visiting multiple Compassion sites. On field Compassion is a highly respected program that aids in developing these children physically, emotionally, mentally, educationally, and most importantly spiritually. Compassion works with those who are the worst off, through a local church. I have seen countless lives changed by the work Compassion is doing, not just the children have profited but families, friends, and entire communities. In Burkina children go to Compassion on thursday (that's their day off school) and they are fed breakfast and lunch. Between the meals they are in classes, learning about Jesus, about health, and most importantly they are being taught how to just be kids. Here in Burkina once a child is about 3 they begin working, whether that means taking care of their younger siblings or helping make meals, they are put to use so almost none of the children actually have time to experience what it's like to play and Compassion allows them ample amounts of time to get out play games and have fun. One of the children's greatest joys about being involved in Compassion is corresponding through letters with the sponsor and this is where the 2 worlds meet. Letters are what inspires the children to pass exams, to play sports, to have fun, to go to church, to dream bigger than just today. I have sat and watched the indescribable joy that that child has as they receive a letter from their sponsor or as they write one in return. I have gone to the homes of the children and they have every single thing that has ever been sent to them (even stickers, still in packets), they cherish those things. The Compassion center also has extremely detailed packets on each child with letters, health reports, school reports, spiritual evaluations, copies of pictures, copies of everything. And the most amazing part about Compassion is that the children are not just a folder, or a packet, here on site the directors and teachers know every single child by name (up to 2 or 3 hundred per site) and know every single SPONSOR by name (of the children at their site). It blows my mind how amazing this ministry is. I could go on and on and on on my little soap box about compassion but I would much rather you check it out yourself, and see what Compassion is doing through the pictures below. Be inspired, sponsor a child, change a life!!!

www.compassion.com

(some random shots of normal sites along the road)

(a well in the city)

these children are fed, something they rarely get out here. In Burkina the man eats first, then the woman and if there is any left it goes to the child that they have chosen according to their potential for the future. (many children will never attend school because their parents can only afford to send one, and many will die of starvation or disease because their parents could not afford to feed them all-this is where Compassion is coming in to change and more so give hope of life.)

Quick funny story, this little girl was attached to Ben's hip, she said that he was her husband and she was his wife. Ben is now married to a much much younger woman who very much adores him.... ;-)

(that's fish in case you are curious)

The cook staff making lunch for all the children.

this is how they tie the children on the backs...Probably wouldn't fly too well in America.

Ben's wife giving him a kiss..

This is Claudine! I have been sponsoring her for about 6 years now and I have seen and visited with her, her family, and her center 6 times now. She has been the most amazing blessing in my life.

The most heart wrenching thing was to eat lunch with these children who literally have nothing apart from this program and to watch them offer you, someone who has everything in comparison, their only meal (maybe for that week). (There were few dry eyes during this time)

Our team with the majority of the kids at this center.

Dane sponsors a little girl in Burkina, her name is Florence and he had the amazing honor or meeting her, and her identical twin sister.

Susan also got to see Kadi again.

This is what children play with out here, trash.

This is 'ma petit soeur' aka my little sister Salee, she is quite a hoot and was soo excited to see me, as I was to see her.

Dane with the twins.

Dusty also got to meet the little boy he sponsors but he had the incredible opportunity to go to his house as well and meet the family. It was a very surreal moment in their lives, both Dusty and Serge his boy. This is the hat Serges family gave to Dusty for all he had done for them and their son. Receiving a gift is a very huge honor in Burkina, people will give all they have to bless you.

Dusty and the boys family.

saying goodbye

Today was one of those days that changes your life. No matter how many of these 'days' I have experienced I am never found numb to the power of Christ working in the lives of these children. Their joy overwhelms and captivates you and your heart beckons the love of Christ to be so much more than you are for their sakes and for Christ's commission.