A few days ago we received an email requesting prayer for a World Racer, Tara Reed (June 2009). Shortly after leaving a big WR conference in Romania she fell from the second story of a building and was rushed to the ER... all we knew at the time was no paralysis and a broken pelvis. The WR community (many of you included!) have been praying for a complete healing and God is so faithful to our prayers! God is a God who LISTENS to our prayers and shows us his justice and compassion in so many ways! We continue to believe in faith that God will provide a complete healing in Tara and that she will continue to bring his Kingdom in any situation she faces!
Want to see an amazing example of how to praise God at ALL times and in ALL things?? Here it is!
The following is from Tara's blog: please visit her site to encourage her and to be blessed by what God is doing all over the world and in her life! tarareed.theworldrace.org
He Reached Down from Heaven and Rescued Me - Psalm 18:16
It all happened so fast. One moment, I was sitting on the 2nd floor balcony having my time with God, the next moment, I was falling helplessly towards the pavement in Bucharest, Romania. I hit the ground. As I lay there gasping for air, all I could do was call out the name of Jesus. I heard people yelling my name, and I told them I couldn't breathe or move. After lying in agonizing pain for about 25 minutes, the ambulance arrived and people gathered around. They stabilized me and put me in the ambulance, while my team was calling out prayers for me. My teammates followed me in a taxi, while in the ambulance I was crying out to God to take the pain away and let me walk again. I then realized that I could move my arms and legs, and I thanked the Lord. He had saved me from head injuries, paralysis, and even death. As they wheeled me in to the Emergency Room, it seemed like 13 doctors and assistants surrounded me, all speaking "Romanian" to me in loud voices as fast as possible. One doctor said in broken English, "We take off your clothes now", then looking at the pain in my face, he said, "we cut off your clothes now."
On the way to x-rays, one of the doctors asked if I was a Christian. I told him "yes", and asked him if he was a Christian. He said "yes". I said, "Isn't it great to know that God loves you and you can feel His love?" He said, "God doesn't love me." I explained to him how he is God's child and that God does love him, and then I prayed with him. (We have found that although over 90% in Romania claim to be Orthodox Christians, many have never experienced God's love).
After x-rays and ct scans, I found myself in a large open room with many other patients and doctors. The man in the bed next to me screamed out in pain, saying "stop!!!please don't!!!" The doctors were having to re-set his arm. As the doctors walked away, he was whimpering in "gypsy". I began singing to him the only song in "gypsy" that I know, "Nadeek tu", which says that we are all the same in God's eyes and he loves us. The man settled down and fell asleep.
After many conversations, prayers, and pain medication, I was admitted into the hospital. Damaris, Tiffany, Heather, and Scottie stayed with me in the hospital all night. I didn't receive any more pain meds that night, but the girls prayed and read Scripture over me all night. The Dr. came in and explained that I had fractured my pelvis and it was separated and would require surgery. He told me that within three months I would be able to sit up in my bed, and would gradually improve. We continued to pray and sing songs to God, as other team members came and left, but God surrounded the room with his presence and peace.
"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6
God made this familiar verse truly come alive in my life.
As news leaked out, people began praying all around the world. My mother and friend headed out from Phoenix to be with me. The rest of my I-Squad had to leave for Turkey, and the decision was made for Dan and Becky to stay with me. What a beautiful ministry it has been! It has been incredible to have them there to comfort me and help me in so many ways. Dan & Becky spent one night in the hospital bed next to me and assisted in duties such as bed pan duty, holding hands during shots, making sure the bathroom was clean, talking with the Doctors, and more. We spent most of our time praying for each other, and praying over other people in the hospital, and making cards for others in the hospital. It was incredible to see each of us have our own ministry with different people in the hospital yet still love on each other as family.
On Monday, the Doctor took another x-ray and this time the results showed four minor fractures, but it was no longer necessary to have surgery! God again shows himself faithful and He is the great healer!
God made my favorite Psalm come alive.
"I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior. My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. The ropes of death entangled me; the floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress, I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his santuary; my cry to him reached my ears...He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters...He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me...You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush any army; with my God I can scale any wall. God's way is perfect . All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield to all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. The Lord lives! Praise to my rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! -Psalm 18:1-6, 16, 19, 28-32, 46
So what's it like going back to a place you went on the World Race?
There are risks: How would finances work? Was all that travel time really worth it to go for just 11 days? Is this really wise to go in the middle of the education God has called me to? What if I want to just stay forever?! What if I really do kidnap about 10 of the kids and bring them back with me? To name a few...
It's Challenging: Being in a place the second time around is way different. You see all the things you loved the first time around. But you also see the ways things have changed... and it's tough to not wish it back the way it was. It's hard to pop in and out of a place and be able to really understand what's happening and all the reasons behind it. It's hard to be humble and let God take control of MY plans for this place and let Him use me as a tiny piece of HIS plan. I think the more someplace feels like home the more entitled we feel to having opinions about how it should be.
It's also more challenging to leave. Between ManMan asking if I would be back in 3 days and Benjii serenading me as I walked out the door with "Leaving on a Jetplane"... everything in me wanted to stay. As I was laying in bed the last night wide awake with a sore throat (which stayed with me for 2 weeks... hence the delay in writing this!), I was praying "OK God, If you want me to get on that plane tomorrow... please help me feel well enough to move... if you want me to stay (wink wink) make me sick enough that I can't fly!"
I'm back in St Louis.
It's Fun: I mean, really what could be more fun than: seeing old friends, spending time with World Race family, tucking beautiful children into bed, drinking coffee, seeing waterfalls, hanging out in the nursery, spending time with in the Special Education classroom, sleeping on a trundle bed in Christie's room, visiting families in the community... and having enough travel time each way to read an entire novel?!
Not much.
It's Inspiring: I LOVED seeing the vision of Kid's International Ministries unfolding day by day. God's provision and blessing of the vision he has given the Long family is remarkable. God says "go" and Jeff and the crew take off full speed ahead.
I got to meet a variety of people who are ministering to the people of Manila in AMAZING ways. Every few days I was blown away by the ministries I was hearing about (more to come about those).
I actually returned to St Louis so excited to be back in school. As I saw kids out in the community I realized that I know a lot more than I used to about what's going on with them... now I just need to know what to do about it! I am so honored to be back in school this year to learn how to actually be an Occupational Therapist. I'm refreshed, refocused, and excited for the future.
So, in a little over 500 words... that's what it's like to go back.
Christie's child of the week this week is Armie (see blog below)! I love this little girl. She is a little bit sassy and then just loves to cuddle all in the same 5 minutes.
Here is a picture from the last time we were here at Christmas time:
And here's a picture of the two of us at a basketball game tonight:
This week, I would like everyone to meet Armie. Armie is 7 years old, going on 30. Trapped inside of this little body, is an adult ready to get out there in the world! Armie is in 2nd grade at our community school and is one of our best students at reading and speaking English.Just last week I saw her writing encouraging notes to a fellow volunteer after she got out of school.
People who come here often describe Armie as very sweet; she loves to help children's home staff, volunteers, and vistors around the house. Armie also loves to do people's hair, and frequently is seen in the afternoons sitting in the shade, creating a new and unique hairstyle!
Armie has asked that we pray for her mother and father. She is an only child and doesn't know where her parents are currently living. Please also pray for Armie's time in the children's home. Pray that she would understand and accept Jesus in her life, pray for the possibility of being adopted, pray that she would know how much she is loved for by people here, and also pray for her ability to cope with anger, because sometimes she has a difficult time doing so.
Armie is a beautiful young girl, and I hope you are able to see her sweet sincerity in the video below. Enjoy.
Where do I start? I am back in Manila, Phippines for the next two weeks. The logistics are surreal! A surprise clearing of my summer schedule, a chance to minister again with Colleen and Danny and see Christie living her dream, a small scholarship to help with some school finances... I love God's attention to detail.
All I can tell you so far is that I am blessed to be back here. The last 24 hours have been a barrage of memories, emotions, and blessings! I was walking up to the Children's home with Colleen last night and I took a deep breath and said "did you ever think you'd miss this smell?" It's a weird mix of unpleasant odors, yet it filled me with joy.
The last day has been a whirlwind of such experiences:
I saw Man-man's smile.
Went running with Colleen on one of our favorite runs from the World Race... recalling so many memories. "Remember when you wiped out right here?" "Remember when Seth (Sr) told us he went running "in" the golf course but he really meant "by" the golf course" (we found this out only after being chased by guards trying to enter the golf course!)
Spent time in the nursery with little people who were just babies last time we were here and babies that will be people next time I'm back.
Was serenaded to sleep (and woken back up) by ridiculously loud and off key karaoke happening out the window.
Just to name a few!
Christie has been posting a "kid of the week" update on her blog:
I'll post some on here but please go and subscribe to her blog to support her and the ongoing work of Kids International Ministries here in Manila!
It could be argued that this act of faith is a little more involved than the ones I shared yesterday. But, it still involves this idea of stepping out in your everyday faith into what God's calling you towards.
Ben is a senior in college who I met when he was a baby freshman in our bible study my senior year of college. I went back to visit a friend over spring break who had an interesting looking book called "Green Bean Spirituality" sitting on her nightstand. I picked it up and saw the author was Ben MacKinnon.
"ummmm Colleen? Is this the Ben MacKinnon from DCA?"
"Yes. He wrote a book."
"Seriously? Is he done school??? That's amazing."
"oh no, he still has a year left... he's pretty motivated huh?"
Yeah. I'd say so. Later we ran into Ben in a Mexican restaurant and I asked him about the book. His response was "Well, I always wanted to write a book. God said do it now... so I just kinda made the time and wrote it last year."
Ummmm I don't even think I have time to write email and Ben wrote a book and raised the funds to have it published... while he was a junior in college... working part-full time to pay his way through school. Wow. This floored me. And the book isn't half bad either! J
In the book Ben shares his faith via 5 points in the Gospel message: Sin, God, Jesus, Grace and Faith. What intrigued me from the beginning is what he shared in the preface. He encountered a 12 year old who was bold and courageous in sharing the gospel with one of his friends.... At first he was taken aback and even offended and the "canned" gospel message presented ... but as he built a bridge and got over it, it encouraged him to write this expression of his faith.
Here's an excerpt: (...s are added by me... i don't know how to properly excerpt something, sorry Ben!)
"Spencer is a child prodigy whose left brained prowess has enabled him to take 400-level math classes at the age of 12... In the academic sense it could be said that Spencer is much better at math than I am, and if you feel you are impervious to bitterness, try being trumped in any area of your life by somebody who has yet to reach puberty. I did not realize how intense this self righteous rage was until a friend of mine had a run-in with my pint sized counterpart.
My friend Dave was walking out of class one day in the Physics building and Spencer pulled him aside... and began questioning him. He was asking if Dave has ever lied, stolen, cursed, etc. Dave answered these questions as honestly as a twenty year old should, which gave Spencer the fuel to move to his next point. Spencer told Dave he needed Jesus!
... My knee jerk reaction to this story was to rip into the math departments' pre-pubescent evangelical. I thought this kid was completely wacko thinking that canned theology was going to have an impact on anybody... Did this kid realize he was dancing in murky water with people who are much smarter and much more combative than he is? In mid-rant my friend Dave stopped me and told me his presentation was fair. According to Dave, Spencer mentioned sin, grace, Jesus, God, and faith with elaboration on each part by use of his twelve years of experience to draw parallels. Dave even mentioned there was a lot to be said about a twelve year old kid stepping up to the plate and sharing the gospel with people almost twice his age. Dave may have been right, but I still thought this kid was a looney-in-training. When I later got home I began to think about what it was that made me so vehemently opposed to this young man's tact."
And the result of this thinking was Ben's expression of faith on those same points Spencer shared in his gospel message in a busy college hallway.
When is the last time you were obedient knowing the road He was calling you wouldn't be easy and you would probably be rejected along the way?
If you want a copy of Ben's book to support this young author, display the cool cover art, or even perhaps to read you can buy it on Amazon: Green Bean Spirituality
In my blog yesterday I shared a bit about what's been happening (or not happening) with my faith the last few months. Here is the first of 2 blogs about some people and actions that have been inspiring to me recently.
Jamie is one of my dear friends here at school. She is ready to change the world... one small act a time. She has a huge vision for her life and is a great model to me of using the here and now to build the foundation for the bigger life things God is calling her to. A week before Easter an email arrived from Jamie inviting people to her house to enjoy Easter dinner. As I was reading this 10 sentence email I was blown away... there were at least 3 powerful professions of her faith. When I examined more closely I discovered... this wasn't just sent to our group of "Christian" friends. It was sent to the whole list-serv!
"If you were planning on spending Easter alone, please, please come over and enjoy the company of others; it would be a shame to rejoice in this glorious day alone!"
Another sister of mine here in St Louis, Ali, has this incredible burden for her friends who don't know Jesus yet. It's amazing... I feel like every week she comes in jazzed up about who she's praying for, who she might see this week, and who is talking about coming to church with her. She comes alive when she is someone's "Christian Friend." It means they see something unique in her... which means they see Jesus. One of the really creative ways she shares her faith is during holidays. For Christmas and Valentine's day she has a zillion cards made up with a picture of her and her dog Budweiser (we live in St Louis... it's normal I promise... I have met several dogs named after beer/ Cardinals players). She writes a one line saying "Happy WhicheverOccaisionItIs! Love, Ali and Buddy" and fills up the rest with scripture. Then she sends them to everyone... classmates present and past, family, friends, etc. People love the cute picture and often comment how the scripture was a great reminder of what it's all about. Sometimes she sees one in the trash or finds one crumpled up back in her mailbox but her response is always something to the effect of "Sweet, they read enough scripture to get ticked at me for sharing it! At least that means they read it!" I love this idea and how she turned sometime so common into a statement of faith.
When is the last time you told someone about the victory of Jesus over the grave and invited them to the feast?
Complacency is alarmingly comfortable. I haven't written a blog on here in months. The list of excuses is pretty long and fairly predictable. But the one I'll highlight here, and perhaps the best reflection on where I've been is complacency. Last semester I was high on world race spiritual steam. Last fall some rough life stuff happened and I would literally just put all my faith in Jesus, call him up to bat... and things would work out. This was my mantra:
"I need to put God first, choose people second, and let everything else fall into place behind that."
And it worked... for a time. But this past semester those priorities got all kinds of out of whack... and before I knew it I was a busy student and that was without a doubt my #1 priority. The scary thing to me is I didn't really know it had happened until I came up for air and God knocked on my butt (He is so good at that isn't he?).
I think in some ways I got sidetracked expecting God to call me to my next great act of faith. "Send me to the other side of the world! Tell me to quit school and go! Make something happen so I can show you how greatly faithful I am!" There's a lot of "me" in that line of thinking.
I'm learning (slowly) that it's a greater act of faith to step out in the everyday. When something huge happens (good or bad) it's really not that extraordinary a measure to show God we love him... when the ground is shaking I am more desperate for God. It's the seemingly small, mundane acts... the waiting and rejoicing in the small whispers... where faith really begins to mature.
Although I was pretty lame this semester, God is never so. In the next 2 blogs I'll post are a few of these "small" acts of faith I have encountered in the last several month. They don't involved World Racers on the other side of the world or anyone that is "in ministry." They remind me that God just calls us to be obedient wherever he places us and whenever he calls.... which often requires a great faith.
I am back from the Dominican Republic. It was awesome. I intend to write about it but I started school again on Monday and am too brain dead to process it all... plus i got sick (have i mentioned on here yet that I was not sick once on the world race and have been sick 3 times living in St Louis?!).
In the meantime, here is an awesome blog that Matt Snyder (January 08 World Race) wrote recently. If you're reading this and have been thinking about going, shoot me an email, lets talk.
10 Reasons to Go on the World Race
Maybe you're sitting behind the computer screen
contemplating reasons why you should go on the World Race.Here are ten reasons for you:
1.You learn
who you are.Going on the World Race
introduces you to the person that God wants you to be.You won't necessarily be the Jack Bauer or
Indiana Jones of missionaries, but you'll definitely learn what the heart of
God is and how He wants to use that to show you who you need to be in the
Kingdom.And let's face it - you're more
than just another employee slaving away in a cubicle, or a student going
blindly into the �real world' after college.
2.You get
to see the world.Surely somewhere
within you there's a desire to see the world.Most people think it's only a fantasy or a fairytale, but let's be
honest, with God anything is possible.The
World Race takes you to over ten different countries across four different
continents... and God pays the bill, not you.Plus you can tell everyone you've been to Africa.
3.You can't be labeled a boring Christian.Most people think that Christianity is kind
of a drudge and there's propaganda everywhere claiming that.Well, thankfully, you don't have to be a
boring Christian.Twenty-four hour bus
rides through the African bush is anything but boring, and feeding orphans and
widows is a lot more adventurous than people give it credit for.But there's only one way to find out.
4.You will
change the world.This isn't meant
as a joke � you really will change the world.For each life you touch and empower with the love of God, they in turn
will touch a life.It's just like the
pay-it-forward principle, only with Jesus and love.It's pretty cool.This gets engrained into your everyday life
when you go on the World Race.Maybe
along the way you'll change the life that's going to find the cure for AIDS.
5.You learn to hear God's voice.Seriously, God still talks.There are a lot of rumors going on out there
that He has a British accent and that He even talks in Spanish.Moses and Jesus weren't the only ones who had
an �in' with God; you do too.Going on
the World Race perfects your ear for His voice.
6.You get to
learn the things you didn't learn in Sunday school.What if, hypothetically speaking, they didn't teach you something in Sunday
school?Would you know what is?Because on the World Race, they know what you
didn't learn... and they're willing to teach it to you.
7.You'll raise
the dead.You really will raise the
dead... literally and figuratively.There
haven't been any reported cases of World Racers raising the literally dead yet,
but maybe you will be our first.It's been prophesied... are you it?
8.Learn
about the Matrix.Maybe the
Wachowski brothers were onto something when they created that infamous movie
back in the late 90's.What if you
really are living in a reality that isn't really reality?If you've ever wondered if there's something
behind everything you see, you should check out the World Race � swallow the
red pill and see how far the rabbit hole goes.
9.You learn
what community really is.Relationships can only go so far with people
when you're sharing just a dorm room for nine months.Community runs a lot deeper than a dorm
room.Living life with a group of people
united in purpose and Truth changes things � like the world.Explore the heart of Acts community and see
it come to life through relationships that you'll maintain even after the World
Race.
10.Pursue
the dream God's planted in you.Sometimes
there are dreams we have in life that get crushed by your typical 9-5
obligations.The World Race helps awaken
your wildest dreams and plants a picture in how they can fit into the
Kingdom.Do what you love doing while
seeing God's Kingdom come to life through your life.
So what's it going to be?You're sitting on the edge of something great and it's as easy as
applying.This is more than a mission trip. Go on the World Race and
change your life and others'.There's
something more out there... are you willing to look for it?
So you know when something starts as an idea.... and you kind of think about it a lot... and then all of a sudden you are seeing this idea everywhere and slowly but surely it kind of overtakes your thoughts for awhile? Maybe that's just how my brain works... but thanks for coming along for the ride.
For weeks now I have been praying for missionaries in America like Gary and Lisa who have dedicated themselves to serving my generation and waking us the heck up! Or Colleen and Jeff who graduated from college and decided to put off the world of jobs and home owning and pursue their passions. Colleen is doing campus ministry with athletes at UD and Jeff became wrecked for boys living in inner city Wilmington and has committed to Father them through Urban Promise.
And the January squad has been on my mind... how myself and other past racers have an opportunity and responsibility to carry their cause, cover them in a thick blanket of prayer and support.
I keep wondering how it's possible that people who have decided to follow God's call could be struggling with finances. I understand (in a very basic way) that there's a financial crisis. Right now, I live in the world of grad school where everyone is living on borrowed funds (hellooooo student loans!). Cash is tight. But I still buy coffee.... and fuel up my car to drive wherever I want.... and buy Christmas presents out of tradition.... why? I think consciously I know where my money should be spent.... and occasionally I get it right. But culture is a sneaky and pervasive thing.... it's engrained in us and it becomes part of our subconscious. So when not actively trying to weed it out of my system.... it's the default world view from which I will make my decisions.
I think as a whole people want to give to something bigger than themselves. We want to be free from our culture and to be a part of kingdom of God. But it's a hell of a lot of work and we get tired. So what I want to pray is for the kind of energy that doesn't come from sleep and for the will to press in and donate our time and resources to things that are lasting. ESPECIALLY at this time when our culture is saying "buy buy buy, this is what you need!"
Maybe this year I'll buy a few less gifts and give G42 for Christmas, or give one baby being held in swaziland by a world racer, or just give away some of myself....
Here are a few more things that came into my consciousness recently... I hope they will inspire your imagination like they have for me:
Look at this picture! How could anyone not want that?
This is the next squad of world racers who have answered the call to pack up the life they know it, shove it all in a backpack, say their goodbyes and head out into the unknown. When I look at this picture I see JOY and energy. They will need it! They will be stretched and broken. They will be set free of all the baggage they have carried with them for so long. They will be changed and transformed and will never be the same. Trust me, it's impossible to go back to the way you were.
They will experience all of this AND they might just get to set some captives free and bring the light of a savior to places filled with darkness. They might get to hold a baby in Africa and tell him that God is in love with him. They might see an angel in China. Perhaps they'll see a miraculous healing. They might. We don't know at this point what they will get to do and see, it's all part of the mystery.... But we do know they want it. And it's beautiful!
I am getting to join this squad in the Dominican Republic this January to help launch them into the great unknown. Again, I don't know what will happen, but I know God is calling me to invest here and what an exciting call that is!
Here's the deal. They want it. And anyone who has had experience with the world race and seen and felt what it's all about... we want it for them. They need a little help getting there! MANY of them are in dire need of support and the deadline is bearing down quickly. I remember the highs and lows my team experienced with support raising... it is a tough process because it is not of this world but the miracles that happen are amazing. I LOVE World Race support miracles!!! I'm praying for about 16 of those in the next week!
Please consider supporting one of these amazing world racers to be. If you go to the world race homepage you can get to their blogs by clicking on the January 2009 link.
If you want to connect with a racer that I have some personal ties with, let me introduce you to Di Dinnis. Di and I connected through Dave Berg when I was still in the field. Di met my parents and I in Georgia and has asked my Parents and I to cover her in prayer and to mentor her this year... and all this when my Mom was starting to get her life back with our squad back from the race and blogging less and less ;) We got to meet her at REI over Thanksgiving and pick out a beautiful pink sleeping bag (among other really "serious" camping gear!).
She is a fireball of energy and an amazing woman. In the short amount of time we have gotten to know her she has planted herself deep in our hearts.
Di didn't grow up in a church family and so is in need of some churches to take her in by praying for her and supporting her financially! What I want for Christmas is donations to her account. You just click the "Support Me" link on the left hand side of her page or by clicking the handy direct link I've set up below. It's an investment in her transformation and in God's kingdom. Giving at a time when money is tight and storing up treasure in heaven... wow, that's hard to wrap and put under a Christmas tree but what a gift it is!!
