Team B Discussion Site -

Peru Update

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I just got and update from one of the teams that went to Peru. They were in Musho and Tumpa, working with pastor Pedro.

Apparently the two girls I was meeting with, Pillar and Danilla, were asking if they knew me. That put a big smile on my face and warm fuzzies in my heart. There was also another woman in Tumpa who said one of us came and spent a lot of time with their little girl, and she wanted to thank us. I'm not sure who that was.

Emilio found the teams and was very excited. He told them all about how we shared Christ with his wife just before she died, and how he also gave his life to Christ. He was very grateful for the love that we showed them.

The team said that things are going really well. Pedro is now the pastor of the church in Musho. I am not sure where Josue is now, but he apparently moved to a different church. They said there is a lot of fruit from the work that was done there, and that we had a huge impact on the community. They were able to go in and do a lot of follow up, building on what God had started with our teams.

The "false prophet" was still coming to the square and yelling at them. Don said that a lot of the local Christians still associate him with Christianity.

Hearing this update meant a lot to me, so I wanted to share it with all of you too. I hope you all are doing well. Stephanie has posted some great updates from Palenque also. If you haven't read them, you should check them out.

Moving - need places to stay

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So, I actually am planning to move now. Except I am not moving to Pennsylvania, I am moving to Georgia. I really could use some free places to stay because gas is gonna take about everything that I have. So, if you can help me out or know somebody else who can, I would really appreciate it. And it would be fun to see some of you guys too.

I have a friend that is driving with me, so it would be two of us.

So, I am thinking I will take I-5 from Seattle to San Francisco - Lynette, are you going to be around? Can we stay with you?

After that, I just plan on heading East. I can pick different routes depending on where I have I place to stay. So please let me know if you can help me out.

Snow Angel

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As I have mentioned, I moved to Fairbanks, Alaska recently and have been exposed to a whole new world of living in the extreme cold. I know that some people think I am crazy and always chasing dreams of adventure, but I truly do believe I am chasing Him first - I can't help that this is the adventure He chose for me, but I sure am glad it is! I also know that there are some people who worry about me or worry for me, since I seem to lack that attribute (in some opinions). When I am confident that I am following God's plan there is little to worry about and that stresses some people out. I'm not saying that I am completely free of any worry to cross my mind, that would be presumptuous, but I do have an overlying peace in my life. I have done things that I knew were pushing the boundaries of where God wanted me, I know the feeling of being out of sync with God - and I know what it is like to be wrapped up the grace of His plan and direction. I'm learning to more consistently choose the latter.

God likes to send me little reminders of how intricately involved He is and wants to be in my life. Usually He drops leaves on me as I'm walking, the other day, a first; He dropped a pile of snow in absence of suitable leaves. I'm still not sure where the snow fell from, but He lets me know it is Him. Yesterday, God sent me an angel named Alan. Well, he wasn't a real angel in the sense of wings, glory and heavenly form, but he was an angel to my circumstance.

My boss has been very gracious, accommodating and a huge blessing in helping me get moved into the Fairbanks scene. He helped me find a place to live, gave me a couch so I would have something besides a floor to sit on, showed me around town and gave me a key to his car. I've more recently acquired a warmer jacket from him, on loan, until he returns from a business trip in Colorado. Needless to say, I've been taken care of and I always turn that praise back to God, He is the ultimate Provider. But, the angel story is yet to come.

With the boss out of town for the week I had plenty to do in the office as well as run some personal errands around town. Shortly after he left the temperature dropped 20 degrees to reach a low of -45F hmmm, seems rather convenient to me. :) Two days passed before I was able to drive the car again. As I pulled out of the parking lot I noticed a rather frozen flat tire and decided I probably shouldn't drive the car in that condition. I went to move back to the parking space and the car was stuck. Completely, not moving, tires not even spinning, stuck! What have I done?! A couple guys came to offer their assistance, mainly because I was directly behind where they were trying to pull out, but only concluded that the emergency brake had froze to the tires and I wasn't going anywhere soon. So, I got another extension cord, plugged the car in with it still sitting in the middle of the parking lot and walked to work.

Another whole day passed with a couple attempts to move the car, but I only succeeded in adding more frozen flat tires and spinning out the other wheels. I left work early yesterday to check the car and see what could be done. While I was out staring at the car, wondering what could be done, the mail man walked by. He gave a friendly smile and greeting, I responded with "I'd be much better if I could just get my car about 15 feet forward" and a smile of course. He stopped, gave it a look and spent about 10minutes trying to figure out a way to get it to move. Since the tires that weren't frozen flat were now spinning, it was probably a good sign that the brakes were no longer frozen, but the new dilemma was that the tires were so flat and square, they wouldn't even roll forward. The mail man said he needed to finish his route, but that he would call a few buddies to see if anyone had a portable air pump and that he'd come back by when he got off work.

What? Seriously, who does that? So, I waited and sure enough, a couple hours later up rolled the mail man (no longer in the mail truck) and he immediately started putting air in my tires before I could even get dressed (in the many needed layers) to go out to meet him. We chatted a little about this and that, I ran in to look for a rope and when I came out I saw an Ichthus fish with Jesus written in the middle on the back of his SUV.

At that exact moment he said that he didn't want a thing, but just wanted me to promise that when my car was moved and running that I'd go to church somewhere and just praise God for his provision. My heart leapt. Praise God! I'll praise God right now! :) I couldn't help but wondered what he thought of me, some lost wandering 20-something soul, in need of a Savior. How cool, there are people who do things in everyday life because of the testimony it gives to God. He quickly discovered that we had the same Savior and was so excited to be in the presence of another believer. We talked some about the importance of being the body and a community across race lines (he was a black man) and how it didn't matter what church you went to as long as the Word of God was being preached and the Spirit was in charge (amen, brother!). I told him it was edifying and encouraging being in fellowship with other believers and that life is a mission field. He was already living proof of that.

About that time the tires were full enough to get the car rolling and he had me follow him to the gas station down the road to get more air to top them off. We gave our introductions and goodbyes outside the Chevron auto garage and I watched my angle of the day pull away down the snow covered road. I couldn't have fixed the car on my own and I really wanted to show my boss and myself that I could take care of things while he was gone. Instead, God decided to show how He could take care of things; how He continues to take care of me in everything.

I love and miss all of you

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hey, I was missin everyone today, so I put together some pictures and started praying for you all. I hope your finding that the Joy of the Lord is your strength, God is good, I thank God for each one of you, and pray that you find favor both with God and man.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

No catchy name here...

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Here's a bit of my update (started off with a bit of poetic gibberish)...don't feel bad about not understanding it all:)

Lord, I am confused and unfocused and feel worthless and that just drags me further down - especially because I see the faces of my brothers and sisters around the world and hear their cries for help - "give me a mommy or daddy.""Lord, rescue me out of this brothel - this hell-hole.""Take the HIV/AIDS away." and I am simply crying out for direction and for the Lord to close some of the doors of opportunity, while others cry for just one door to crack open - for a ray of light - for a glimpse of hope

Lord, I wish that I could disappear - that all my selfish ugliness would be scrubbed awayyet I still see myself crying out to you. And you listen and answer in your mercy. I feel at a loss of words - or loss of focus; all the millions or words, fragments, ideas, disappointments, struggles, frustrations and joys getting tossed in the sea of abstract "mind-numbingness"so that nothing escapes the dark-hole of my mind - torture - screams of nothingness erupting inside of my heart - afflicting pain on my Spirit - yet vanishing into thin air the minute something concrete attempts to dress it up in reality - to pull it down to earthto grow roots.

That is a hope, but the wind keeps it from landing anywhere long enough to create a name for itself. It only lives in the Spirit; in the changing wind; in the visions, hopes and dreams that propel it forward in theory, but chained in reality. This constant struggle tears, but is careful not to kill. It might be easier if the voice' goes away for a while. It might be easier to settle, to not think of what could be. Yet, its that whisper that keeps me alive. So I live in a constant state of despair: see how the world should be/could be, and for what it truly is - held captive by reality. When will visions and dreams win? When will hope and perseverance and passion uproot those chains that bind?

When will abstract utopia - heaven - grow legs and plant itself deeply into the heart of pain and confusion? Lord, come quickly. Love us and help us.

So, I know that the Lord has already set us all free' But emotionally, this is the cry of my spirit right nowa broken spirit that yearns to see heaven on earththe cry of a visionary who can't seem to get her head out of the clouds

So, physically what's new with me? I'm in Iowa. For the past two months I have traveled a lot (LA/Kansas City/New York City/ Minneapolis/all over IA) to see family and friends and have had numerous opportunities to share with churches, organizations, schools, Sunday schools/youth groups, radio and papers. These two things will continue well into march. The rest of my life/future is a whole bunch of abstractness that ranges from WR mobilization, writing, advocate for human trafficking, raising awareness through sports (biking/running), cooking, baking, returning to SE Asia..so, there you have itabsolutely nothing set in stone. Each day still brings it's surprises.Am I scared of commitment? I don't know, maybe?

Here's one revelation He has deeply been laying on my heart: Ministry does not flow from a set time and place. Ministry flows from my identity in Christ. Thus, the Kingdom is brought where ever we go (as long as Christ is King/Lord of our life). It's about a lifestyle. It's 24/7. I knew this for awhile, but I think the lord is deepening this mindset' within my heart and spirit. So maybe that's why he's not bringing a specific ministry' to me right away. It's not about what I do, it's about who I am in Him. Love needs to be the motive - not duty or pity. It is all worthless without love.

Praying for you all and thinking of you often.

stephanie

joined the blogging trend

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ok, a blog has been started...I've come to grips that we live in a high tech world, and have seen the fruits of our blogging this past year, so I'm going to try to continue to post every so often...plus, it really is a fun, quick way to see what friends are up too!! my new blog is: http://amyemorris.blogspot.com
Love you all!!!!!!!

Above and Beyond

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Life is full of so many stages and transitions, each one full of new adventures, opportunities, excitement, struggles, growth...all building on prior ones and preparing for what is yet to come!!
I absolutely LOVED this past year, and know that it will be very long reaching...I refuse to let go of the things which the Lord has taught me and all that He has opened my eyes to internationally. I remember saying many years ago that I didn't feel called to long term overseas missions, but it's funny how the Lord has been slowly- step by step- opening my heart to this and placing in me an evergrowing desire to minister to people around the globe. I find myself often thinking about what's going on around the world, and longing to go be a part of bringing healing and joy! So, while I believe it won't be long til I am back overseas in some form...right now I believe the Lord is calling me to a place not so far from home. I really wrestled with this for awhile because the needs are so great around the world and I am willing to go, but He has also shown me that He is God of ALL people and that since ministry really is just about loving people (the next person He brings across your path/those who are around you)...I will be in DC area for the time being.
It's been a long time dream of mine to be a flight nurse, and along with that to be a part of something bigger than myself, to serve my country and to travel. So, one of the vehicles which I will be using to go back overseas (though in a very different form) is the Air Force Reserves- going "above and beyond"(as the motto goes). I have joined the AF as a Flight Nurse, and will likely begin in February. This year will involve about 3.5 mos of training (to be an officer/leader with many responsibilities, flight school, survival training, and ground school). The flight nurses I've talked with say that it is a tremendous responsibility, but there is nothing more rewarding to them than to take care of our wounded soldiers in flight back from war zones to their homeland. I read an article about the AF flight nurses recently, and when one was asked about what they do, their response was "I'm living my dream."So neat- because "Fly your dream" was painted specifically for me in China as yet another message from the Lord to me of where He was directing me next. I see it as a tremendous honor to serve my country and the soldiers who fight for freedom not only for Americans, but also for all nations- in this war which I know is a spiritual one, manifesting in the physical. I will also be working in an ER (another goal I've had as a nurse) in Arlington, VA. The Lord provided a house to live in with 3 other neat Christian girls (more community I prayed for!) with an extra room just for guests (Yes! Big on hospitality! Beautiful!). So anyone who wants to come visit is very welcome!
It's going to be quite a transition, but I am really excited about the opportunities that await there and the people to love and live life with!

New contact info:
516 S. Harrison St.
Arlington, VA 22204
cell: 703-268-3631 (verizon)

0 degrees Fahrenheit

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The word has been passed around some and the confirmation I was, oh so patiently ;) , waiting for is finally here!

I will be moving to FAIRBANKS, AK by the end of JANUARY to accept a position with Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (www.yritwc.com). O'F is the current temperature there, warmer than the last time I checked :).

The move is coming a little sooner than what I would have expected post WR, but I am super excited about this opportunity and definitely believe God has arranged it all. I will be working with this small grassroots organization to help develop and be a part of a program designed to monitor the water quality for the Yukon River basin (field work! AK and Canada, eh!) and work along side the Native and Indigenous communities who live on and around the River, to help implement programs that support healthy community/environment interactions.

It is exciting to see how God is taking my passion for the environment and blending it with my passion for working/living with Indigenous communities and throwing wilderness/adventure in there too! It is an 8 month commitment (WAY shorter than a world race... the standard to which all is measured) so, I will be living in AK from late Jan - late Sept. (at least that is the current plan - all plans are subject to change/extension upon approval from Headquarters ;) aka. the Big Man )

VISITORS WELCOME!!!! Also, any people that people know that know people who know people who live in Fairbanks... you get my drift ;) let me know! I know one person, which is more than I knew going on the Race, but slightly different circumstances, so if it passes through your thoughts from time to time... please pray for me :)

Shawna; how close are you to Whitehorse?

I pray that all of our paths continue to take us closer to our Father and that we will not be a generation that forgets what HE has done and IS doing in lives all over the WORLD! Love you all!!

Videos

Sat, 5 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hey guys hope all is well with ya and the holidays were good.

I'm uploading the promo video for all to see in addition in the

mail is a DVD I put together with three different videos.

My laptop crashed and I spent a lot of money rocovering videos and files and there is still glitching here and there.

the Jose video on the DVD has a four second time delay on the audio so I appologize but I tried everything to get rid of it and almost pulled my hair out but Jose and the promo work just fine. If there are any problems with the DVD let me know

I'm also going to India January 27 so pray for me. Check out my blog and read what's been going on in my heart.

http://christelfer.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=the-power-of-the-orphan

Inspiration Comes Standard

Sat, 5 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello my dear old friends
I have been kind of hidden away for the last month or so. But now I am back from hiding. I want to give you guys an update on what is going on, as well as an invitation. This last month has been a great time to get some rest and relaxation, but now I am itching for some action. So now I am joining on staff with Adventures In Missions. I am pretty much starting this week with it all. So I am excited to continue work with the world race. I will be doing some stuff with this mobilization team, getting people out the door. So with that, I will be doing some support raising to come on stuff. Also, I will be probably doing some traveling, speaking at different colleges/churhces, the like. And today I had an idea. I have been thinking about doing a bike trip (not motorcycles) from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. It would be roughly 250 miles each way, going there, significantly uphill, and coming down, well, very downhill. Today I went on a 30 mile bikeride as mini training. So my idea is that I form a fundraising campaign that would appeal to anybody, secular and non-secular, something I might call "adventure for life" or something along those lines. Anyway, what I would like to do is inform a few newstations, newspapers, etc. about me and anybody who would join me, to do a bike trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, then at the Grand Canyon, hike down to the bottom, camp one night, then hike back out, and bike back down to Flagstaff. I would want to do a documentary about the trip that could go out to the news stations, and any support raised would go towards the world race or missionaries, or anything that the participants chose. So what I am calling for is anybody who might be interested in doing such a trip (granted it would be very physically taxing and would require some training beforehand). But if the actual doing it does not interest you, then maybe helping just to get the word out about it (anybody know how to operate a non-worldrace website?). Let me know if anybody is interested in helping me with this, if anything else it would just be fun!

Video: The Pilgrimage

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hey all

It is good being back, but each time i tell stories and look through photos the emotions definitely surge - and that's a daily occurance! The other day I was looking through an international cook book - when I would come across a recipe that I remembered eating (for example 'mangos with sticky rice' - my fav) I would start to cry because I would start thinking about people from that country! Kinda pathetic but true...

anyway, I put together a video that I think some of you might enjoy - it's for my supporters also...about my 'personal spiritual pilgrimage' if you use WR lingo. Click below to go to my blog with the video - I know some of it is kinda dorky, but...

http://stephaniefisk.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=videothe-pilgrimage

Thanks for all your great photos!

Thinking and praying for you all. Enjoy the season...

Support Accounts fixed...

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So for what seems to be the past 11 months you guys have had problems with your support accounts not reflecting your accurate balance. Just so everyone knows, we have kept separate records in order to always know how much you REALLY had... despite your accounts being double charged somethings or some of you not being charged at all...

Well... we finally have them fixed! We hope... :) Please log on to your support account and check to make sure everything on their matches your records. If you find any problems, please let me know IMMEDIATELY!

Also... please remember that all reimbursement receipts are due by December 15.

Maybe not fixed...

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Well... things are still fuddled in your Next Step accounts... your expenses should now be correct, but many of you may be missing gifts. Specifically we are seeing gifts after 9/30/2006 that are not on your Next Step page.

The important thing to know is that your gifts haven't REALLY disappeared. The problem is with our Next Step database, NOT with our accounting software. The accounting software still has all of your records and they are correct. The accounting software is also regularly backed up so it won't ever be "lost."

For now... please have patience with us. As things are getting worked on and fixed your account may reflect different things. Please feel free to let me know what you are seeing on your account versus what you should see on your page, but know that it may take some time before we get all the kinks worked out.

So sorry for any problems!!!

First hand account from Colorado

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I'm not sure how much you have all heard of the shootings lately - we haven't seen much news on it around here, but for anyone who is interested, I am sharing an e-mail from Jessie Smith, the 18 year old daughter of one of our church elders. Both she and her brother, Jed (23) are in programs at New Life Church. This is her journal entry from that evening. It's long and some sentences bear less importance than others, but it's a good reminder of God's faithfulness. I don't know how to understand this whole thing - God protecting some people and not others. I'm really wrestling over this, I guess because it's a place and people close to me. I don't understand the injustice of it all - of all the shootings. I guess all I can know is that God is still good and still sovereign, even when I don't understand. But anyway, here's her e-mail. The names are mostly friends of her's that are in the 24/7 program with her. Brady is the senior pastor there.

Today, December 9^th 2007, the day of the shooting. I woke up at 5:30 got up and got ready to go to the caf. I was determined to have a good attitude even though I was SO tired. Today was evidence that your attitude is a choice and all mental, I hate to admit but it's true because I was in a great mood and singing all morning in the caf. It was also gratifying because I got to talk to Adriana (a girl from the youth group whom I've befriended) about her boyfriend and help her with that. JD and Grider left at 9 thirty to go to the Broncos game with Kent and Joe Couch. Surprisingly I wasn't too sad that they left. I have such peace about them not being there, I know there is a reason those two weren't supposed to be there this morning. I don't know if its because they would have already been in the foyer and have gotten shot or if their "hero" spirits would've gotten the best of them and they would've run towards the killer and gotten shot.

Hannah Lohner, Brandon Cone, and Steph Foley were all on a skiing trip and I know they weren't supposed to be there either, because they would've been in that foyer socializing. At around 12:45, I was out in the foyer by guest services and I Jed and talked to him for a while and I got to watch him walk out the door. I normally wouldn't have been out of the caf and I wouldn't have seen him leave. I know it was God letting me see him leave with my own eyes so that the rest of the day I didn't have to worry about him. Thank you Father.

After saying good-bye to Jed I went back to the caf and all the workers had come back from the second service so I was just taking it easy and hanging out with Jeff Jones and he and Nick Zachmen were teaching me how to use the espresso machine. We made Jeff jones' special which I named the Jelusa (show's you that I was in a really goofy mood) just minutes before the shooting. So then I'm leaning against the counter next to a 247 boy I don't remember who though drinking my coffee. When all the sudden we see this sheet of people all running as fast as they could toward the door with panicky looks on their faces. I didn't' hear the gun shot. All of 247 in the caf just froze, we didn't know what was happening.

I thought it was a fire drill or a joke and then Van Dyke and other 247 guys and Taylor Brook started yelling and they pushed us in through the kitchen and through the theater. I was still so confused and didn't know what was happening. As we were running through the theater I heard a super loud gun shot right outside the theater where the Mill usually has coffee. If the gunman had come into the theater the only people he could've shot were from 247 because we were the only ones who ran through there. I praise God, because it was only a wall separating us from the shooter. When I heard the gun shot I realized that this was real and the shooter was VERY close, we ran out the exit and came out by the playground (which I later found out that the gunman's driver was right over there and maybe saw us). We then ran behind dumpsters and started praying and calling other 247 people to make sure everyone was accounted for. This is where missions training kicked in, all I could think of was where was my team and where were the men on my team to protect me. I was trying to find Mat Lujan and Adam. Adam and Mat found me quickly and Adam stayed with me till we got to safety. After that we had to run to "L3" (the basement of the WPC) and each girl was with a guy and so Adam and I ran from the Pikes Peak parking lot to WPC with Ben Johnson leading us.

We stayed in the basement for probably an hour. During this time people weren't panicked but were praying with each other and singing worship songs. Melissa, Autumn and I were very worried because no one had heard from Julianna yet. So we were praying hard for her and finally Sara Lara came and told us she was alright. It was when we were all sitting around when I overheard a 10-13 year old black boy tell how he saw a man running as hard as he could down the hallway and then hitting the ground hard because he got shot in the back. That broke me down right there because I was so heartbroken that this young child witnessed someone die. I'm so pissed at the devil for having the gunman run down the Sunday school hallway so that the kids could witness it. My heart is breaking. While in the WPC, cops were surrounding the building, inside and out. When we had to go to the bathroom we had to go 5 at a time. We were in the WPC till about 5pm. They started letting us leave, but as we left they had to get our name, address, age and phone numbers. Then each person was escorted to their car by a police man. After that we headed over to the Hildebrants and all of 247 (minus Julianna and Jaron) met there and aaron stern came and talked with us for a little while and we all prayed and ate.

Some of the reasons that I know God had his had upon it was that if it had been maybe ten minutes earlier way more people would've been in the church foyer right after the message. Also 247 decided to have a dismissal meeting that day and we rarely ever have dismissal meetings on Sundays. This was so God's hand because if they hadn't had the meeting 247 would've been most likely scattered around the whole foyer or church. Another thing was that special needs was planning on having a Christmas banquet that morning but got canceled around 7:30 that morning because of the weather, they didn't have ways to pick up the special needs. Tristin had already started preparing the food for the banquet when she heard it got canceled. But what's so amazing is that the gunman was right by where the banquet would've been and they wouldn't have been able to evacuate them very fast because they would've all needed help.

Another thing that makes it so obvious that God was protecting our group is that the shootings in Arvada, Colorado happened around 1 am that morning. 247 was dry-docked (stuck at the church overnight due to weather) and so we were all up at 1 am and I remember looking at my clock about to go to bed at that time and over half of us first years were just sitting in the foyer of the WPC talking, only about 100-200 ft away from the YWAM offices in the building. So if the gunman decided to hit New Life that night instead of Arvada, 247 students would've been the first and most likely only people he would've seen. That shakes me up and makes me realize that even when I don't notice God is protecting me.

I don't know personally the families who've suffered from this, but I do know that because I'm a member of this church they are my family and so I'm mourning. I'm also so humbled and privileged to be a part of a church that Satan is so threatened by that he keeps attacking it. That actually confirms in me that I'm in the right place. Another thing that I keep visualizing is me walking into the church that morning being completely clueless of what was going to happen that day. But I visualize God up on his throne with his eyes on me, watching every step I took into that church and knowing that hours later a gunman was going to walk through the same doors to accomplish a scheme of the devils. Yet I know that God was watching not surprised or excited or shaken at all, I picture him with peace still on his face. He is in control.

God, I want you to know I love you. I'm filled with so much thankfulness. Thank you. I see your hand so heavily on this situation and I praise you for your faithfulness to your people and your church. You are amazing, merciful and full of grace. I praise and love you. Thank you for keeping my family safe and all of 247. I thank you that JD and Grider weren't there, I know that was of you. I thank you for the timing. I praise and trust in you. I surrender New Life into your hands and I'm so glad to be a part of it. Give Brady wisdom Father. Surround him with sound counsel and fill him with your peace, joy and energy. Remind him that our church supports him. Again I thank you for your mercy. I love you tons.

Jessie Smith

Colorado Shootings

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Some of you may have heard by now that there was a shooting at a YWAM base in Arvada, Colorado (Denver area), about 12:30am. Two people were killed and two more wounded. We just received a call from one of our church elders whose 2 children are attending programs at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. His daughter called to let him know there has also just now been a shooting at New Life Church. There is no news posted yet, but apparently it happened this morning while she was in the parking lot. Please pray for all these people and the church and base. This is hitting me a lot closer to home for me than the other recent shooters due to the fact that two people I love are there. Please also keep our elder's family in your prayers. Greg and Julie, Jed and Jessie who are at New Life, and Joanna and Jill Smith.
Thanks.

Caught up in the movement...

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

...of hair dying that is:)

My sister and me (and my red hair)!

Updated Contact Info...

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So many of you changed your email addresses, and now we aren't sure if we know how to contact you all via email. Please post a comment or send an email to info@theworldrace.org and let us know your correct email. If you think we have your correct email, you should have received an email from us today.

time on my hands + me missing you = this

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

WR Press Release for Returning Home

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Please distribute this press release to local newspaper, radio, church, college, TV, and any other media contacts. Let's make this thing go viral. see if you can get some interviews, too. We can send you an email copy, too.

News Release

THE WORLD RACE

For more information, contact:

Adventures In Missions (AIM)
ATTN: World Race Dept.
6000 Wellspring Trail
Gainesville, GA 30506
Toll free: 1-877-811-0210

For media related inquiries, email: jeff.goins@gmail.com

For general inquiries, email: info@theworldrace.org

Website: www.theworldrace.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2007

Twenty-somethings Return from Journey of Self Discovery and Service

Gainesville, GA - When over 50 twenty-somethings left the comfort of their homes and possessions in January 2007, they were in search of a life filled with adventure. They called it a pilgrimage - an opportunity to find themselves and experience the Third World firsthand. They have just returned to tell the story.

The group's adventure, called the World Race, was conceived and birthed by Seth Barnes of Gainesville, GA. He designed a trip that would remove young people from their comfortable lifestyles for a year to see the world.

"This is a commitment to a transformational discovery process," Barnes says. "The World Race taps an ancient human compulsion to take a spiritual pilgrimage."

Participants travel to 11 countries in 11 months, spending 30 days in each location. They volunteer their time and talent in the communities they visit, caring for orphans, rescuing prostitutes from the sex slave trade, visiting refugee camps, and much more.

The nearly year-long trip contains a competitive edge: Teams race from location to location and are rewarded for the races they win. But the majority of time spent in each place is focused on serving the local people and building relationships with them.

The second year for the World Race has drawn more than 100 participants. But as the adventure spreads by word-of-mouth and the momentum builds, many more are expected to participate in the coming years, says Barnes, founder of Adventures in Missions.

He predicts: "Thousands and thousands of young people are going to eventually embark on this pilgrimage around the world, because it provides a context in which they can discover themselves and how they fit in the world."

With nothing but a backpack, these young travelers live simply. They travel from place to place in hopes of discovering a life that is authentic and vibrant. They post blogs and videos on the internet of their new experiences so friends and family back home can hear the stories.

"Most young people have more questions than answers and what better place to find answers than on this pilgrimage around the world," Barnes says.

One World Race group has just returned, two are still in the field, three more are scheduled to leave in 2008. Each group relies on the hospitality and generosity of strangers - whether this means living in a tent in a farmer's field, staying in an urban shanty, or enjoying the rare comfort of a warm bed. Through their experiences, World Racers learn the interdependence of humanity. They also learn to care more and live with less. It's a journey of self-discovery and worldview - a chance to explore life in a whole new way.

World Race participants and staff are available for interviews and speaking engagements upon request.

WR Mobilization

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hey guys, welcome back.

We're trying to spread the word about the WR through just about as many different ways as possible. Here's some projects I've been working on:

Press Release: Just wrote a release for thousands of media outlets. Blog this. Send it to friends, family, churches, college newspapers, local news stations, radio stations, etc. I can send you a word doc or PDF, too. This is a great way to get you guys some speaking engagements. Here's the online version: http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/672054854.html

Relevant Magazine article - http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life_article.php?id=7488

Facebook - we have a group and a cause. You can just search the words "World Race" and find them, or I can give you a link, too. We're really trying to get a lot of people to rally around the cause. It's a form of brand marketing - getting people familiar with the name "World Race" as something that is legitimate and credible. You can only invite 20 people to join a cause per day, so I really need your help with this.

Myspace - www.myspace.com/theworldrace. I will gladly give you the password to this account if you have some free time to dedicate to sending out friend requests to the masses.

Xanga - www.xanga.com/theworldrace. Same as myspace; I'm looking for someone to post daily blogs on here, just copying and pasting from www.theworldrace.org. You can even post your favorite stories from this past year. Just another way to tell the story (we've gotten several QAs from it already).

It's time to really turn this thing into a movement. If you're onboard, email me and we'll get started.

danced my pants of (not literally)

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So I immediately got thrown into the mix, as you all did I am sure. Last night I went to some good friends wedding, and I saw about 50 old college buddies there. It was a great time, a little overwhelming, but there was an open bar, so I survived (dont worry, I was responsible Seth). Throughout the whole night I was able to talk to old friends, some who followed me, many who didnt. But it was amazing how much people wanted to know about my time. Some people were completely blown away by what I experienced. I could see people genuinely weighing their lives and seeing the path before them, most were unhappy with the way their lives were going, but didnt know there were other options. I think there might be about 3 new WR applicants from last night.

Also, it apparently has been a really hard year for a lot of my friends back home, a couple of tradgedies, and a few near tradgedies. But it is kind of tough after having such an amazing year, to see good friends who are really struggling. So to encourage you all that while we are at home, we are always ministers of reconciliation. Always bring the Light no matter where we are. I love you guys and I already miss you. Hope to see you guys in the near future!

Where I'm At

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Getting back was a little rough. I actually wasn't all that excited to get back. It kind of hit me when everybody was cheering when we landed in LA. I felt more like crying.

I am glad to have a break and see my friends and family, but I didn't want the trip to be over. I didn't want to leave my team and the rest of the racers.

The first couple of days back were really hard, but I have slowly gotten over the shock. I am still overwhelmed by all of the questions and expectations, but doing okay. Praise God I have a friend here who lived in Kenya for a year, and knows for the most part where I am coming from and what I am going through. She has been a great help.

I am still trying to sort through stuff and get a presentation together for this Friday, and my birthday is on Saturday.

After that, I will be heading back to Pennsylvania to spend time with my parents. I haven't really committed to living here or there yet, but I was feeling led to move back there for a while. My dad said they were hoping to have me there for at least a few months, which just put a lot of pressure on me about moving back there. Now I kind of dread it because I feel like the choice was kind of taken away from me. So please pray for me that God will give direction and peace about where to live, and that I won't worry about it or rush into making a decision.

As for future stuff, I am still interested in IHOP and coaching, but also interested in Spain with Andrew. Right now, I am just keeping in touch with both options, but waiting the Lords timing and direction.

I know I need to get alone and just sit with Him. The pace of things here and tasks to get done is beginning to overwhelm me. I am in the process of getting my Jeep insured so I have a little more freedom.

Miss you guys.

I Survived :)

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

And I thought I had finished will all my "firsts" and need of "survivals" for a year... little did I know, there were more waiting for me back in the States!

I survived my 1st day in the USA in 2007
I survived my 1st night with out my team (I love me some ZEO!... and all of you;) )
I survived Thanksgiving with my own family + extended in California
I survived my first post-race Church service today
I survived driving my car for the first time today (shh... I haven't un-expired my license yet)
First cuddling with my dogs and anyone within arm distance back home ;)
First questions that are bound to be asked 100 more times (what was your favorite country?)

It has been nice, strange, relaxing, weird, overwhelming, fun... and many more emotions I can't figure out yet, since returning to the States. I don't know any more of what I'll be doing in the future than I did a week ago, but my family and friends have been great at welcoming me home and not pressuring me to do things or make decisions. I even already have a super flexible job for as many hours and for as long (or short) as I want. Nice to know.

I am also already feeling restless. Is that possible?! I've been home in KY for 2 days! I guess I just want to be sure I'm in the right place and heading the right direction. More soaking time, I guess. Love you all, keep keeping on and keeping in touch.

A GREAT OUTLET

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello everyone. I wanted to start off the email chain and outlet for those who need to talk. The A Squad shot out an email with updates and it brought peace to my heart. I know that we can all help out a ton with our entrances back to the states so lets post the good and the needed about our lives. I am a bit overwhelmed by everything that is going on and I am soon going to run to the mountains for a five day retreat. I need to download what is going on because everything that is in me wants to keep running. I love and miss you all a ton. Let see pics too.

WR Photo Blog - Please Contribute

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Guys, we just launched a photo blog for WR. It has some of our favorites from the past three teams out in the field, a lot of which are from your squad. It will be an ongoing "best-of," so that means we'll be putting up more photos as we send out more teams. I know we didn't find all of your best photos from this year, so if we missed something, send us your favorites.

Of course, we just got started, so we'll be adding them as we go, and I'd like your help in that. You can nominate some photos by sending me [jeff(dot)goins(at)gmail(dot)com] links to the photos. Don't download the pic and send as an attachment; just send the link. If you have questions about how to do this, just let me know.

Yes, you can nominate yourself, but just don't send me a bunch of photos of your lampshade - I don't care how artsy they are. Oh, and training camp photos are legitimate, too. If they're your own, please still send them to me with a link (upload to your blog, then copy the location and send my way). Include in your nominations captions (if you know what the pic is of) and try to put several pic links in one email (don't need to send one at a time).

Lastly, feel free to put this list on your favorite links on your blog. This can serve as a database where we can all share our best photos. Please help us improve the quality of this photo blog with your thoughts, feedback, and nominations.

Here's the site URL: http://photos.theworldrace.org/

Thanks!
Jeff Goins
jeffgoins.myadventures.org

In Harlingen

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I am staying at La Quinta in Harlingen on Lincoln Ave. If anybody else is in town, call me at 206-819-5016.

FINAL PACKING TIPS

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Time to get focused and organized (actually I think it was time a few weeks ago, so I am a little behind, thank the Lord for grace under pressure)

Tips from the guys at Whole Earth Provision...

Take the paper core out of the toilet paper role, squish into into a ziplock freezer bag (no air)

Permethran spray for your clothes
Deet product for your body

Tents - take the metal poles out on the tent bag, pack them in your bag or clip to outside of bag, then you can fold the tent in half and put it in your bag. (I have the REI half dome, i folded it and put it inside at the top of my pack) really helped to distribute the weight for me)

Get an superabsorbent towel (REI) and CUT IT IN HALF, use the first 1/2 for the first few months, save the second half for later (they will get nasty and need to be thrown away)

Take xtra caribeaner clips.

Clip your chacos to the ouside of your pack (you can get to them fast, and they will be dirty most of the time)

Take a bunch of extra ziplock FREEZER bags with you.

TEAM SUPPLIES (make a list of team supplies, take 1 item per team, share the load)
Superglue for cuts and repairs
Duct tape (1-2)
SOS pads x 4 (cut into 4 each) for cleaning cookware (reuse each 1-2 times)
Cookware/plate etc (if you are cooking on 1 stove, you will be heating things in shifts, thus everyone does not need plates etc, double up and take one set per pair (2 people)
Use a frisbee as a plate, have fun with it after meals.

Get in groups of 2-3 and take ONE shampoo, sunscreen, bug spray, lotion, etc per pair (share the load) NO need to take a 1 year supply - I am told you can get all this stuff enroute (CHAD, am I correct here)

Pack and unpack your bag 15 times before leaving the house. Do it a few times in the dark.
Put your tent up and re-pack it several times.

If you are taking a nalgene bottle (wrap the outside with a few layers of duct tape... rather than take a roll of tape. when you need it just peel it off your bottle.) Although we are buying bottled water, you can pour 2 + bottles in your nalgene at a time and not have to carry as many plastic bottles with you during the day etc.

LAPTOPS, cover your lap top with stickers, make it look loss attractive, at a glance make it look more like a book or something. definately cover up the Dell or Apple logos and the blinking light indicating power source.

When you are in a town buy a pack of cookies... use it for trade along the way (I laughed and he said he was not kidding :) )

LADIES ONLY -
Take Compact Tampons, or no applicator style
Check out www.divacup.com (there are lots of opinions going around the teams about this product. I think you should go with what ever YOU are personally most comfortable with. I am taking tampons and a diva cup. I am a health care professional, I looked at the research on Diva cup, I beleive it is a safe and effective option.)

SWIMsuit, take the simple Speedo brand type, make sure it does not have padding (it will get moldy and take longer to dry, so the guy said... ladies last year if you are reading, what do you think?)

Hope this helps... if i have been misguided on anything please let me know. Let's use this final packing blog to ask questions and post helpful tips.

LOVE YOU ALL
Kelly

Funds for teammate scholarships, translators, & other ministry

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

*Important*

We have set up a WR scholarship/translator/ministryfund. If you are doing well and you want to help fund your teammates who are struggling with their finances or you want to be able to help raise funds for ministry, please give to this fund.

If you want your donors to give to it, that money is available to hire additional translators or to help with ministry or to support a teammate. It will be distributed once every three months. Donors should put "WR ministry fund" on their checks.

Facing the Last Couple Days

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,
I know we are all in the last days before we take off and are all probably stressing about various things, so I guess I just wanted to share a little about my stresses and ask you to join me in prayer. I got home to Des Moines on Friday and though I have worked on getting ready everyday, with Christmas in there, and as much as I feel I still have to do, it seems like I haven't done anything. I have an order from REI with some of my gear, that for whatever reason, hasn't been shipped here yet, though it should have arrived a couple weeks ago. I am still waiting on my passport and visa from the Chicago Indian Consulate. My parents are not 100% supportive of this endeavor, which is hard for me since it's the first time I've had to fight through stuff like this without them backing me up. I haven't packed things yet, because I only just moved back home, and I know I still have some shopping left to do, and a lot of loose ends to tie up. I am feeling a bit alone here, but I know that I'm totally not, so I'm coming to the ones who are beside me in this journey. It's hard for me to share with people when I'm having a hard time, but I suppose it's good for me to learn a little in advance, (even if it is only 4 days!) I imagine I'm not the only one becoming overwhelmed by what we are doing, and in some ways feeling very unprepared. I am praying for all of you as you are each facing your own personal struggles, and am asking that you lift me up as well. Thank you all, and I can't wait to see everyone again. Love you guys!

Insurance

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

If you haven't purchased travel insurance yet, you need to. You cannot go without it. Luckily for you procrastinators, your procastination may pay off for you... Starting in June, AIM has arranged group insurance for WRers. However, those of you in January can still jump on to the policy. It is extremely good coverage, and the cost is approximately $425 for the year (this includes one month when you come home).

If you are one of the 22 WRers who has not yet purchased insurance and you are interested in this policy, call me on Wednesday 770-375-1683.