The World Race October 2009 - Making Disciples; Reaching Our World

Getting the Most out of Your Donations

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Some of you may have seen fees showing up on your support account recently. I apologize that we did not explain this in advance... there were a few technical errors and clarifications to make. Let me explain now how you can get the most out of your donation.

1) Credit Card Donors. Our society loves the quick and efficient. Most donors will appreciate being able to click a simple link, put in their info, and be done. Donors love even more to set up an account to automatically donate on a regular basis and forget about it. However, efficiency comes with a price. Credit card companies make their money by charging fees to be able to use this service. When a donor gives via credit or debit card, you will see a 5% fee deducted from your support account for that convenience.

2) Bank Draft Donors. In order to reduce the fee for donations, we have added a Bank Draft choice to your online giving. Donors can choose this option online and then they may enter the information from the bottom of a check rather than a credit card. By choosing this option, you will only see a 3% fee deducted from your support account.

3) Written Check Donors. One of the cheapest options is to have donors write a check or money order and send that to Adventures In Missions, P.O. Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. This sends the check directly to our bank where it is deposited. The bank then sends an image of that check to our accounting department to apply toward your support. There are no fees for checks mailed this way. However, please allow 2 weeks from the date you mail the check before you expect to see it in your support account. Also please note that you cannot receive letters or any correspondence at this address. It is only for checks or money orders.

4) DynaPay Donors. This last option is to try and combine the convenient and cheap options as best as possible. By signing up for DynaPay, a donation is automatically deducted from a checking account each month with no fees. To sign up for DynaPay, request a form by emailing info@theworldrace.org. Have your donor fill out that form and return it signed with a voided check to Adventures in Missions, Attn: Accounting, 6000 Wellspring Trail, Gainesville, GA 30506. IMPORTANT: The downside of DynaPay is that the donor MUST contact us in the office to stop the automatic withdrawal when they no longer wish to keep giving. DynaPay will continue to deduct each month unless the donor directly says "Please cancel my donation now." Should your donor sign up for this option, please make sure they clearly understand that.

When speaking with donors, we recommend that you succinctly explain each giving option, allowing them to choose which option works best for them.

Welcome to La Cama !

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Extra Ordinary In Guatemala

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Extra Ordinary In Guatemala

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey everybody! I hope you are all having an amazing time wherever your ministry has been here this first month and I hope God is teaching you lots! My amazing husband has made a video of our time here in Guatemala (me, Brad, Jessica, Will Jung, Christine, Nicole, Josh, Haley, Mike Sanders, Melina, Kelsie Dawe, Justine) and we wanted to share. Jessica has also made an amazing video and we hope she will post it soon! See u all in less than 2 weeks!!

Love,

Erika

it really is that simple...

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It really is that simple...

The Lord spoke this morning to me, "It's all about love. I want them to feel
my love. I want them to know my love. Without love, it ALL means nothing.
I covered you and filled you and knit you together with My Love. It is not
meant to be yours...it's meant to be given away." As I embark on this
journey of love around the globe, I stand in awe of how simple it really is.
It really is all about His love.

He draws us to Himself with His love. He sets us free by His love. He
gives us gifts because He love us and He empowers us to use them to
love others. He gives us the precious gift of the Holy Spirit to go with us
on this journey because He loves us. He calls us to live in community with
others because He loves us and wants so much for us to look like Him. The
greatest of ALL LOVES has captivated my...well, he has captivated nearly
every fiber of my being. Because He loves me He calls me His daughter and
has given me the keys to His Kingdom and has asked me to co-labor
with Him in helping get His children back all over the world. Because of this overwhelming Love that kisses me while I sleep and empowers me while I
dream at night, I willingly go in search of His lost children. I cannot keep this
crazy love..it's not mine. When I give it away, this crazy thing happens....I
just feel overwhelmed by it once again .

God is love and Love makes you beautiful. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Perfect love casts out fear. Love bears all things. It endures. It sets the
captives free. Love breaks down walls built over many generations. Love
makes you dance. It inspires a new song without words that we understand
here in this realm. Love heals. Love is so gentle and kind and patient and
love willingly takes last place. Love knows it's power, yet chooses to give
that up to serve. Love speaks life. Love believes in the impossible things.
Love changes you. You cannot stay the same once you know Love.
Love is simple, yet so complex. Love gives up life if it means other may live.
Love knows this life is not the end, but only the beginning. Love motivates me.
Love dreams without limits. Without it, it's all just noise...Oh Lord, Lover of my soul.
Help me to never tire of wanting to know and encounter more of your
consuming love. Daddy, I don't want to be noise. I want to be just like you...

TWO Surprises for you!

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

First, you may remember about a month ago we let you know that some changes were coming to our website and your profile pages. That has officially happened last night!! If you log on now, you'll see everything is much different. The biggest thing is that you need to turn in less paperwork and it can all be uploaded online instead of mailed in. For today and over the next weekend we are going to be working out the bugs in the system and coming up with new instructions for you all. You can expect to hear from us on Monday to explain what needs to be done now.

The most important thing you should know is that NOTHING is lost. You may see that your page says that your application isn't complete, or you haven't turned in paperwork. That's part of this transition... we'll be getting everything up to date very quickly. Just know that we still have your folders and anything you've sent in still exists. It will just take a bit of time to get everything up to date.

The second surprise is that I have the pleasure of introducing someone to you. Tangi Holmes was a part of the October 2008 G Squad. That Race finished just a month ago and she has now come on staff to help all of you get ready for your Race! Tangi is in process of calling many of you who haven't turned in flight information, so you may have already met her. She's also available to answer your questions and will be working to get your accounts up to date with the paperwork you've turned in. If you have questions, feel free to call her at 770-983-1060 or email at TangiHolmes@adventures.org.

Welcome Tangi!!

If you are flying in on 10/5 AFTER 11:30 PM

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey guys! I just talked with DJ and instead of Sunshine having to go back and forth I am going to pick up the people who come in AFTER 11:30 and shuttle yall back to the church! I'm leaving Saint Augustine this Sunday with my parents and driving down to South FL to visit my grandma, and I will be staying at a hotel nearby the airport! So I will be able to drive those coming in late!

**IMPORTANT** For those of you that are expected to get in after 11:30, can you please comment so I know who to look for and also to ensure I don't leave anyone behind! Also, I need to know what airline you're coming from and what time you are coming in. The Miami airport is quite big, and I need to know what concourse to go to and all that jazz! :)

Sidenote: I am picking Bethany up from the Ft. Lauderdale airport around 10:30 PM so if I am not there by the time you get in, don't worry, I will be on my way! :)

Thanks bunches and I can't wait to see your faces!

I say. . . YES

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A week ago a dear friend of mine shared this amazing song with me. As I listened to these lyrics read out loud tears filled my eyes as I felt like the Lord whispering these very words to my heart. As my days at home, my days of comfort, the days of my life as I currently know it come to an end I find myself wrestling with these very questions. What am I truly willing to sacrifice for my God? Am I willing to leave my family, myself and the life that I knew and loved behind in order to answer yes to these questions? My answer is yes albeit a feeble, weak and not much more than a whisper yes. A yes that I've never questioned but at times haven't enjoyed the reality it might bring. A yes that scares me as much, if not more than excites me. A yes that easily and quickly brings tears to my eyes for more reasons than I'm even aware of right now. However, it is a yes that as this journey unfolds I expect to grow more confident in, and in time won't merely be whispering it but rather yelling it from the mountain tops.

Yes Lord, I will follow if you but call...

The Summons

John Bell

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

(Update) If you are flying to MIA on the 5th

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey Everyone, hope you are full of joy.

Just wanted to let everyone know:

If you are flying into MIA on the 5th and need a place (or just want a place) to stay the night on October 5th, I have found a church that wants to let us stay the night in their building. It is super close to the airport, and They plan on making us breakfast before we head out on the 6th!

SO, if you want to (please do) stay....

Make a comment and let me know ASAP so I can let them know how many to prepare for.

Sunshine, a woman from the church, is going to be bringing their church bus to pick us up from the airport. She is going to pick us up at 11:30 at Concourse G. So plan on being at Concourse G (carrousel 10) by 11:30 if you are coming to the church. Otherwise, you will need to work something out with Allison.

These are the people I have listed as coming in before 11:30 that I will be looking for in Concourse G:

Tim Carlson

Tyson Payne

Lindsay Fox

Jordan McGuffin

Chelsea Wonders

Kelsey Sage

DJ Kelley

Alana Serna

Courtney MacLellan

Sydnee Mela

Justine Zins

Haley Smith

Michael Sanders

If anything changes let me know. If for some reason, some of these little sheep don't make it to the Terminal on time... I will try to stall for you. Then, I will just pray for you. If there is anyone else, let me know ASAP.

We're going to have so much fun, I think.

Thanks, and I love you all... still.

dj kelley

This baby knows whats up!!!!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikTxfIDYx6Q&feature=player_embedded#t=168

work it baby!!

Stationary Bikes and Ceiling Fans

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I sit here, leaned back in this plush leather reclining chair, staring at the ceiling fan rotating above me, its five blades whirling around like spokes on the wheel of a stationary bike. And I think to myself, my brain feels like that right about now. So calm on the outside -- even in its movement, tranquil and unruffled -- but inside its motor is spinning around and around like crazy. At times, this period before the Race seems torturous. Its like spending a week and a half in the waiting room before going into the operating room and getting sliced open. Waiting rooms always try to be welcoming and pleasant...but...we know deep down, past the magazines and predictable hackneyed paintings, it is a sterile box where the only thing we can do is mull over again and again what has happened, what might happen, and why things are the way they are. And deep down, past my visits to relatives, trips to REI, and relaxing at home, deep down I know this is that sterile box. And I am mulling over what has happened, what might happen, and why things are the way they are. I am thinking about that operating table that I will lie down on come October 6, and the 11 month surgery that will follow - on my heart, my brain, my feet, and my hands. I reflect on my present condition, and peer into my future one...though through a glass dimly.

I'm pedaling a stationary bike.

I'm feeling like the ceiling fan.

Come on, oh Great Physician, cut me open.

Hope in My Pocket

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I can't get what happened to Jory and I out of my mind so I thought I would share with you all! Just a little encouragement before we head out!

Jory and I had just gotten to Niagara Falls (Oh Yea). We checked into our hotel and dropped off our bags and decided to head out to see the falls. As soon as we stepped out of the parking lot and turn the corner we walk past this old black man. We say hi to him and ask how he is doing. He says hi and asks how we are back and as soon as you think the exchange is over he is flagging us back down. He goes on to tell us not to be scared that he won't hurt us and that earlier a woman had called him something very rude that I won't repeat, but was totally undeserving of this sweet man. He explained to us how he had just gotten out of prison and needed an address to go on welfare. The shelter down the road had no vacancies and he got kicked out of the park for sleeping under a tree. The YMCA would rent him a room for $14 and allow him to use their address in order to file for welfare. His problem was he did not have the money to rent the room.

So now you expect this man to ask you for money so he can go on his way and get this room (if this whole story is real) and be done with it. BUT there was so much more to this exchange. As he slowly started to get choked up this man continued explaining his situation to us. How hard it was for him, a man with such pride, to ask for money. A tear began to run down his cheek, as he was overcome by such emotion. Jory opened up his wallet and instead of giving the man a couple of the loose $1's he had he handed him a $20. Tears started pouring down his face as Jory spoke words of encouragement to him. He hugged Jory and then turned and hugged me. There was something about this man in his old black shirt, pants and orange shoes. His whole story and appearance and everything on the surface just vanished and I didn't want to let go of him. I just held onto him, doing the only thing I knew to do in the moment... show him love and affection. Even if his story was real or made up that man needed something way more than money. He was longing for someone just to show him love. For someone to not pass judgment based on his looks or his past. God put Jory and I in that spot that day for that very reason and it has touched me forever. I wish I knew what happened to him. Part of me really wants to go back and find him and just remind him again how much he is loved. I can't help but think about what a preview of the race that was for Jory and I and how God was really showing me what he has called me specifically to do on the race. It's amazing the ways that he speaks to us and reminds us of our purpose. That man walked away with wealth in his pocket, but more importantly he walked away with a wealth of love at least for the hour, hopefully longer, and a little hope in his pocket.

We were so blessed to get to share breakfast and time with Will as well! I love these boys so much!

Expectations of My Mission Trip

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I am expecting...

I can expect only that which is promised in the Scriptures and obtained through prayer, for His words are true and His promises are sure.

Lord willing, in just two weeks I will leave my "comfortable" American lifestyle, my friends, my family, and the church that God has placed around me, and dive headfirst into a global quest for the glory of God.

So, what am I thinking?

"29 Jesus said, Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.'"

Mark 10:29-30

I am thinking that leaving the security of knowing where I will lay my head each night will be replaced by the joy of being housed and welcomed into the communities of believers spread abroad. I am expecting the relationships I form with the family of God will grow much deeper than any biological relationship I have ever experienced. I am convinced that any persecution I might receive in this short life is no big thing compared to the eternal glory that is to come.

But, what about the people I love?

"21 Another of the disciples said to him, Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' 22 And Jesus said to him, Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.'"

Matthew 8:21-22

I am thinking that the potential pain of not being able to bury a loved one is a small loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing and following Christ Jesus my Lord.

^"7But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, ⁹and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; ¹¹in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹²Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. "

Philippians 3:7-14

So, I gladly lay it all down. I will take up my cross and follow Him for the prize of the upward call. As for expectations... the great desire of my heart is to be delighted in Him. Lucky for me, God has already made me a promise in that regard.

"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Exponential growth!

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey yall!

Yesterday my pastor gave a prophetic word to the congregation and I really feel heavy on my spirit to share it with the L-squad!

"I asked the Lord about exponential and how to prepare for it. How do you prepare for the exponential? God reminded me of Peter and when he had fished all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus told him to launch out and throw your net on the other side.

Go back out into the deep and throw your net on the other side.

They were not prepared for this exponential growth that I was giving them. And when they went out according to My Word, Peter, in his boat with his men, dropped their nets, and pulled in a load that they were not able to handle. And they had to draw on the gifts of other partners that were on the sea and call them over to help carry the load.

The Spirit of the Lord says to you this morning that exponential is upon us and that each one's gifts are necessary. The partnership is necessary because it takes every one of us to carry the load. So be in a position. Stay in the water and get ready to hear. For when I call you to come and bring your supply, your gift, because of your partnership, then you will help carry in a load that even to you when you get part of it, it will seem as if you'll go under. For when the partners came and began to take that load into their ship, their ship began to take on so much weight that it seems like it was going to sink.

As I pour Myself out, it's more than you can... it seems like it's more than you can handle... it seems like, 'I can't take on anymore,' but I've not given you something you can't handle. I've not given you something your gift can't bring to shore.

So you can't stand on the shore and watch those who are in the ocean and be a participant and be able to receive the blessing that comes with those who are in the water. You've got to launch out into the deep. You've got to be in preparation. And though it may not be your net that's being cast, you are going to be a part of helping pull in the exponential. So be ready. Be ready. Be ready with boldness and launch out as I speak My Word to you."

See you all in TWO weeks!!

Peace and Love,

Allison

Final Paper Work Past Due 1 Week

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Your final paperwork is past due!
This was expected to be in the office. If your Account Page does not show that all is in; you need to get that done today, NO EXCEPTIONS!

You need to mail ALL the documents to:

Adventures In Missions
Admissions Department

6000 Wellspring Trl

Gainesville, GA 30506

Fire Sale -- Everything Must Go!!

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When I first applied to the WR, I had more than enough to pay for the entire trip, and help others to go. As months went on, I spent a lot of money on fixing up my house, and buying tools for the renovation (remodelling) business I was looking to start after the race. Not that I was going to pay for the entire $13,800 out of my pocket, but soon, it was more than clear that I needed to raise a lot of support.

I was asking for financial help from friends, family and strangers. Not something I had hoped to do. But through it, I was learning to ask for help. I was going to raise $10,000, and pay the rest on my own. But with more time passing, summer happening, gear purchasing, and other things coming up, I came to the haunting realization that I actually can't pay for what I had planned to...

God's teaching me right now, that I need to rely on Him. I always did. I felt I didn't need to when I signed up. Then I relied on him partially. But my God is a jealous God--he wants ALL OF ME. So here I am, fully relying on God to be my provider.

Today, I had a garage sale (first one ever in my life!). It was planned less than a week in advance, and really thrown together the night before. God taught me more through this:

-I sold dozens of toys, collectibles, keepsakes, bobble-heads, and more toys that I've cherished. Lots of things I've been collecting for more than 10 years. As much as I've loved having these all these years, in the end, they're just things. They are of no eternal value. I parted ways with things I wouldn't have if it weren't for WR...my teammates...God.

-I gave one lady a gardening book I got somewhere for free. She was so happy to receive it, saying that 'you don't get things for free much these days.' I told her I didn't want to charge someone for something I got for free. Small gestures can make big impacts.

-A lot of these things I've collected have never been opened. Never appreciated, used for it s purpose. If I am given a gift, it is to be used, not saved or hidden. We have the gift of God's salvation. Share it!

-I pretty much had my life on sale and realized that I have waaay too much stuff, and a lot of it no one wanted.

-I printed out why I was selling all of my things, a bit of WR info, and my sharing from training camp and handed them out to my "customers." You can turn everyday situations like a garage sale to share your testimony.

-People appreciate those who are willing to help others. On top of a lot of encouragement and even donations, one man that came was an associate pastor for a local church. His church (members) is involved with ministries in Vietnam, and gave me a contact number, just in case.

All in all, it was a great day. Friends dropped by, I met some of my neighbours for the first time, and raised $890 CAD! I'm still selling my other power tools online. I'm literally hoping to have nothing left but what I need for the race by the time I'm leaving in 10 days!

God provides. My God who feeds and clothes the birds of the air will surely provide for me, who am much more valuable than they.

How He Loves

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As I was driving to work this morning I was reminded of this video. The truth of the matter is we have been given the privilege of being in God's presence and worshiping Him for eternity.

Eternity- infinite time; duration without beginning or end.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eternity

Eternity has already started! He is near to us!

A Servant's Heart

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Remember the Underground Church simulation we had at camp? Well last Sunday an actual member of the persecuted church in China, came to preach. And this is what he said:

Matt 20:26-28

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

A true servant will serve automatically.
Don't go confidently,thinking you are going to have a big word. Instead, go with a humble heart.
You are there to SERVE the people.

He gave us three Greek words, and told us to use the example of a waiter.

1.Diakonos-means waiting on God.

A waiter does any menial task.
A waiter is always standing, ready to be mobile at any time.
A waiter makes himself invisible (always in a hidden position).

God asked him, "Are you willing to be totally hidden for me for the rest of your life?

Do not expect affirmation.
God will always see you in secret and He will reward you in secret.
A waiter keeps his eyes on the customer (the people). As you serve the people, your eyes are fixed on Jesus.

2. Hyperetes-under rowers

1 Corinthians4:1

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

In the Phoenician ships, while everyone was upstairs partying and having a good time, the under rowers were below the ship. Rowing and sweating, making sure the ship kept moving.

Be an under rower: Continue working, quietly, for the Lord.

3. Doulos- the "love slave"

Deuteronomy 15: 16-17

But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you. Then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door and he will become your servant for life.

This is a true servant of the Lord. We serve Him for life.

In final: He told us a story that happened back in China.

In one of the underground churches, people were praising the Lord, and shouting how much they loved Him. Communist soldiers came in, holding machine guns, and broke up the service. They took a picture of Jesus and said if you say that you do not know Him, and spit on the picture, your life will be spared. One after another, people took turns, denying Jesus and spitting on the picture. All but one, an 8 year old girl. She picked up the picture and wiped off all the spit. She kissed it, and told the soldiers they could kill her if they wanted to, but she loved Him. The soldiers looked at the group that had denied Him and said, if someone asked you to deny communism just to spare your life you would do it. Therefore, you are not truly loyal. They killed everyone in that group, and spared the life of the little girl.

Quick Response Needed!

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Friday, September 11, was the date that all your neccessary documents were to be in the office and I am very disappointed to let you know that most of you do not have the paperwork in. This needs to be a priority!

At Ignition Training Camp you were given time to fill out your Emergency Form. Most of you did not have the infomation you needed at that time to fill it out. If your account page shows that it is not received, you need to send in another form.

Very few of you have turned in your flight information. You can email that into us, but please only put the infomation that is on the form, please do not email your whole itineray. You can find the form from your paperwork link on your account page.

The rest of the paperwork is to be in by now too. The Medical Release, Participants Release, Shot Record, Proof of Insurance.

Please check your account page and see what is missing! We need all of you to do this today. When we do not have this info on you, it makes it very difficult for us. Please cooperate and send it in today!

If you have mailed in all your information and it is not showing up yet, we apoligize. Remember mail to Gainesville takes about a week to show up. Not sure why, but it just is slower mail service here.

We appreciate your quick response on all these matters.

He is literally our glue

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Also check out the

Louis Giglio: How Great is our God

series on youtube ssoooo biiiig haha :P

lata!

Do you realize?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Do you realize?

Do you realize

that YOU

will lead people to Christ?

That YOU will speak with people, who have maybe

never

heard

the gospel?

or have never heard it articulated quite the way that YOU can?

and they will surrender their life to Christ!

And they will forever be changed, here and for eternity!

Do you realize that YOU are a World Changer?

Do you realize that YOUR hands are the hands of Jesus?

Do you realize that blessed are the feet of those who bring good news?

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:13-17)

Do you realize

that YOU, like the apostles, will see this world

turned upside down

for Jesus?

Do you realize?

Expectations of my mission trip

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I'm expecting...

Prior to training camp I was a little worried about whether I would like my teammates, I mean I have to spend an entire year with these people...I was just praying they weren't freaks, or at least as different as me. I was worried about how my holiness would compare to my teammates, I don't speak in tongues and I have never healed anyone... I think I was most scared of how God would change me and use me...

Was I willing to completely give everything over to Him, to live only for Him, and to make Christ and Him crucified my only boast?

The first night of training the leaders asked us several questions as we trekked through the woods in silence with only a small torch of light (mine caught completely on fire and exploded after about 2 minutes). If we answered 'yes' to the questions they asked, we agreed with our fingerprint. The questions are revolved around us laying down our expectations.

"Are you willing to lay down your expectations of your teammates for who they might be?"

"Are you willing to allow your perception of who God is to be transformed into something you might not expect?" Now this is tough..I love to see God in a loving light, the creator of the universe, our heavenly father, the lover of our souls, the light in the darkness; but what about God revealing himself as a just God when I am wrong or when I choose my own will over His, or in the midst of suffering.. Am I still willing to call Him great, almighty, and sovereign during the storms?

"Are you willing to allow God's definition of adventure replace your own?"
This is another challenging question..I would love to go into this year and lead 20 people to a relationship in Christ, work alongside the gypsies in Romania, and play with orphans in Africa but what if God's plan only involves me sowing His seeds in a way I might consider boring? I spoke with a previous world racer who said that his group sorted receipts for a business for an entire month--that was their ministry... i am guessing that there will be times this year where I will want to feel more useful than I will feel.

I pray that over the next year I will put my own expectations aside (at least as much as humanly possible) and allow God to move, on His terms, in a huge way.

Please pray that I allow God to use me in whatever way He pleases!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog!! Blessings to you!

Matthew 10:8 The Message

Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.

Listening Prayer Part 5

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

God speaks to us basically in any way available. The important part of this is to listen and be able to accept what you hear as the Lord's voice. "God speaks to us and we disregard what he has to say, proving that we can't be trusted. We spend time seeking the Lord, we hear from him, and then we fail to follow through on what he's shared with us." Act on what God is telling you.

What is earned when you finally hear God's voice and you say "That was nice" and never act on it! When God speaks to you he does it for a reason. Maybe it is just to bless you with his presence but I think more often than not he wants you to do something.

At AIM we do a ministry called ATL or ask the Lord. Where we listen to what God wants us to do in that time and then go do it.

Here is a story of participant Elisa Bryan in Swaziland:

This week I spent much of my ministry at the hospital. I was really excited the first day I went because Cindy and her baby girl, Nomeeswa, were there and I had actually met them in October the first time we came to Swazi. I spent a couple days just sitting and talking with Cindy and the 11-month old Nomeeswa. It was so cool to form a friendship with her and really get to know their life. I left the hospital Wednesday telling Cindy I would be back and I couldn't wait to see Nomeeswa well again. On Thursday, I decided to change up my ministry for the day and go to a carepoint instead. But, I had promised Cindy I would be back to see her and Nomeeswa, so I went back Friday. However, when I got there, Cindy wasn't there. I assumed she must have gone home with Nomeeswa and began asking around when she had left. Another mom that was there then informed me that the 11-month old baby girl had actually died that morning and Cindy had left right before I got there for home. This was, and still is, really hard for me to deal with for a couple reasons. I felt as though I should have been at the hospital on Thursday so I could have spent the last day with Cindy and Nomeeswa.

I think this story make me really think about how much each decision we make matters. I am not saying that she disobeyed God by not going to the hospital. I'm just saying that acting on what the Lord tells us is very important and if we don't obey the effects can be very painful.

Exercise:

Take one day this week to begin your morning with 10 minutes of prayer for what you should do that day.

Then do it. If God doesn't give you what you should do, though I have faith that he will, spend more time praying. But don't pass of what God is telling you to do by not accepting God's words as his. God might not call you to do something big but it's God so nothing is unimportant. Show God that you are trustworthy to do what he tells you to do, which you are cause you are going on this trip for God.

50 Ways To Say Thank You

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50 Ways of Saying "Thank You"

(To your giving partners)

1 _______ and I are excited that as you "honor the Lord from your wealth and from the

first of all your produce," He will take care of you! And through your gifts, He is taking

care of us too.

2. Thanks for your gift last month. It encouraged me.

3. It's a privilege to serve the Lord here in ____. Thanks for standing behind us.

4. I never get tired of thanking you for your support.

5. When David commissioned Solomon to build the house of the Lord, "the people

rejoiced because they had offered so willingly and made their offering to the Lord with a

whole heart..." I thank God for your willingness and wholeheartedness in giving.

6. It's a joy to serve Him in this ministry with you.

7. We are grateful for your gifts these past months. They have freed us to focus on

training ten college students to share their faith.

8. I thought of the story of the widow in Luke 21 today and praised God that you also

reach past your surplus to give to the Lord. Thanks for sharing it with me.

9. We rejoice that you faithfully supported us this year. That meant alot to us.

10. Students at _____ are bombard with pressure and opportunities to have sex outside

marriage. Your giving helps us reach them with the truth that only Jesus can satisfy our

craving for genuine love. We value your partnership.

11. I am filled with thanks to the Father as you help supply my needs and make this

ministry possible.

12. We praise God that you "do not neglect doing good and sharing." We appreciate

how you share with us your gifts unto Him.

13. We often remember you in prayer and thank God for doing your part in our work.

14. I appreciate your readiness to give. Thanks.

15. Your giving is a ministry of His grace to us. Blessings to you.

16. You are a continual source of joy and encouragement to us as you pray and give so

faithfully.

17. We thank God for you and pray that the Lord will "supply and multiply your seed for

sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness."

18. At our Bible study last night, ___ asked how he could know Jesus is God. Thanks

for helping make it possible to reach businessmen like ____.

19. Each time your gift comes, I realize that your prayers back it up. That is such an

encouragement!

20. The Lord overwhelms us with joy through your faithfulness to us.

21. Military personnel can search for fulfillment in the system, at the bars and in their

performance. Thanks for helping me reach officers to show and tell them that Christ

wants to be their Commanding Officer and their fulfillment.

22. It thrills me to receive your gifts these past months. May His grace be yours in

abundance.

23. As Paul said to the Philippians, your gifts are "a fragrant offering, a sacrifice

acceptable and pleasing to God."

24. Your prayers and gifts often cause me to praise God for His goodness.

25. Each month you bring a smile to my face as I see your gift. His blessings to you.

26. We appreciate your trust in God and decision to support us. We couldn't do it

without friends like you.

27. I just returned from ____ where I taught about how to help a new believer. Your

support helped make this possible. Thanks for investing in raising up laborers for Christ.

28. You are a vital part of our lives and work.

29. Each time our monthly statement comes and we see your gift, we stop and thank

the Lord for you!

30. What a pleasure to partner with you as God changes lives here in_____. Your gifts

are touching lives like____. She is understanding more and more of the Gospel and

learning to trust. Thanks for you help!

31. We appreciate your friendship and partnership. We love you.

32. Often we are reminded of how precious you are to us. We appreciate you and your

generous heart.

33. We feel such gratitude to the Lord for the way He touches hearts to be a part of this

ministry. Thanks for your part!

34. As I write this, my heart is filled with gratitude for all you mean to me and helping

make this ministry possible.

35. We realize you have choices where to give your money. Thanks for partnering with

us in reaching the ____ with the Gospel.

36. Thanks for standing behind me with your financial gifts. I feel honored and

humbled.

37. Your prayers make a difference in our lives and at work. And your faithful support is

so helpful and encouraging. Hope you know what a joy you are to us.

38. It encourages me that you keep praying and giving.

39. We love you and are grateful for your partnership.

40. I am glad that the Lord brought you into my life and for your continued support.

41. Your support makes it possible to serve the Lord in the task of ______. Thanks!

42. _____ and I feel humbled and glad that you are part of our support team. Many

thanks!

43. You are truly partners with us in this work.

44. You are part of a team that "holds the ropes" for us while we "repel" into the

fatherless neighborhoods of _____. Your giving is a glorious gift to us!

45. You are storing up treasure in heaven as you give to the Lord through this ministry

to _____ families.

46. As Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not so unjust as to overlook your work, and the love

which you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do."

47. I appreciate your sacrifice to give so generously to this work.

48. Your gifts cheer our hearts and we praise Him for your partnership.

49. Thanks for standing behind me and enabling me to rub shoulders with men like

____. He is beginning to understand his anger and see the Lord as his help.

50. I deeply appreciate you and your heart to give.

Final Paper Work Due in 1 Week

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

PAPERWORK - Check on your Account page and see if you have all your paperwork marked as being in. If NOT, then read the next paragraph.

In one week ALL your paperwork is due in the office. If you do not have your physical scheduled, then do that TODAY! If you have not looked into securing insurance, then do that TODAY! You cannot put this off any longer. To process all the papers and get you ready to go out is a BIG job and we NEED your paperwork!!!! You will NOT be able to go on this trip unless it is all turned in

TGYT - Meet Cartoon Character

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Would you rather...

meet Fred Flinstone or Yogi Bear?

Overcome the World Recently?

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

1 John 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.

What more is there to say?

Important Worship Info

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here are the songs that Mr. Matthew Snyder gave me at training, and after are some other ones that I've picked up since then...

So what I really need everyone to do is find these songs, listen to them, learn them, know them, BEECAAUUSSEEE we wont have a projector screen or anything like that, also what you could do is print off the lyrics to the songs maybe for every other person on your team...

And one more thing PLEASE EVERYONE email your top 5-10 favorite worship songs, songs that really bring the presence of the Lord! Because were not going to be able to memorize all of these songs so if i can get like 10-15 favs that we all know that would be sweeet!

timcarlsonmn@gmail.com

K thanks!

All Creatures of Or God and King

Beauty of the Lord

Blessed Be the Name

Came to My Rescue

Devotion

Father Will You Come

Forever

He Is Exalted

He Loves Us

Hosanna

How Great is Our God

I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

In Christ Alone

In Love

Inside Out

It Is Well

Let It Rise

Meet With Me

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Prepare The Way

Revelation Song

Savior King

Sing My Love

Sing To The King

Tear Down the Walls

The Stand

You Won't Relent

Where You Go I'll Go

How He Loves Us

All Consuming Fire

Surrender

Praise Adonai

Take Me In

Light Of The World

I Can Only Imagine

My Savior My God

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

All Because Of Jesus

Awesome Is The Lord Most High

Arms Of Love

Above All

Beautiful One

Better Is One Day

Famous One

God Of This City

Glorified

Holy Is The Lord

Heart Of Worship

Holy Moment

Holy, Holy, Holy

How Can I Keep From Singing

I Will Rise

I Surrender

I Cant Wait To Get To Heaven

I Will Lift My Eyes

I Will Worship

Let My Words Be Few

Lord You Have My Heart

Lover Of My Soul

My Soul Longs For You

My Eyes Are Dry

Make My Life A Prayer To You

Mighty To Save

Oh Lord Your Beautiful

Open Your Eyes

O Praise Him

Peace Be Still

Rushing Wind

Rescue

Shout To The Lord

Sweetly Broken

Savior Please

Show Me Your Glory

There Is A Redeemer

Unashamed Love

Undo

We Cry Out

Word Of God Speak

Your Love Broke Through

How I Was Called to the Mission Field

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story...

I was once told to, "Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples." I wouldn't think much of it had it not been for the One telling me to do so.

Several thousand years ago, God flooded the earth because of man's wickedness. Before he did, He called a man named Noah to build a massive boat so that Noah and his family could repopulate the earth. The bible says that Noah was a righteous man and a drunk.

A little while later, God's people were enslaved by the Egyptians. God called Moses, a onetime murderer with a killer lisp, to lead his people out of slavery. Moses' speech impediment was so bad he had to talk through a translator.

When the giant, Goliath, was mocking God's army, David killed him. David was just a child at the time, not even large enough to wear the armor he was given. David killed Goliath with a slingshot, and a single stone.

Then there was Jonah. God called Jonah to go and preach repentance to the people of Nineveh. Jonah would rather have died than to see the people of Nineveh repent. In fact, upon God's call, Jonah ran the opposite direction of Nineveh and it wasn't until he was eaten by a fish that he decided he would do it.

When Jesus chose his disciples he started with Andrew, James, John, and Peter. These guys were uneducated fisherman, and that was long before The Deadliest Catch made fishing cool. Then, Jesus called Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him. As a tax collector, Matthew's job was to raise money to fund an occupying army that had murdered and raped many of his countrymen.

And the Apostle Paul? Prior to meeting Jesus and writing a large chunk of the New Testament, Paul killed Christians.

So, why is it that God always seems to call the wicked, the messed up, and the weak? It is because in using these men, God has proved himself all the more glorious. None of these men could take credit for anything that God did through them. All the glory belongs to God. It wasn't really because of Noah's righteousness that God used him to repopulate the earth; it was because of God's mercy. It was God that delivered His people from slavery. God that defeated the giant of the Philistines. It was because of God's lovingkindness the people of Nineveh repented. Why did men listen to the preaching of Jesus' disciples? It certainly wasn't because of who they were.

So, why would God use me to call men to repent of their sins, when they could easily point to sin in my life? Why would God call me to love on strangers and orphans and widows and AIDs patients and gypsies and prostitutes when I fail to love the people that love me the most? And why would God call me to go and to preach the Gospel around the world, when I haven't even been bold enough to proclaim it to all of my friends and family members?

Maybe it is because the Gospel is not about me. It is about Him. It is about Christ and what He did. His glory. That He bore my sins. He died the death that I deserve. He was crucified, and on the third day He rose again. He defeated death that all who repent and put their trust in Him might enjoy Him for eternity. He has called me to the mission field, not that men might look to me, but that they might look to Him.

But, I guess that doesn't fully answer the question of how I was called. It's actually pretty simple.

God commanded me to proclaim the Gospel that men might repent of their sins and put their trust in Him, and that I should baptize them in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God said He would give me such a love for people that upon seeing the lost and distressed without the hope of knowing Him, I would be moved to compassion and action.

God promised me that His name would be made great among the nations, and that in Central America men would worship Him, and that in Southeast Asia prostitutes would make offerings to Him, and that in West Africa orphans and AIDs patients would sing of His greatness, and in Eastern Europe even the gypsies will give Him glory.

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.'"

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

"Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among the peoples."

Psalm 96:3

Systems Overhaul...

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey friends!!!

Just letting you know that our database systems are going through a major overhaul tonight. If all goes smoothly you'll see a new, easier system coming live this week. We don't plan on losing any information, so there's nothing you should need to do. However, as with all computer fun-ness... anything is possible.

We are maintaining your folders with all of the paperwork you have sent in. You will not see these documents on your new profile page, but they are not lost. Your support account should stay the same and the info there should be unaffected.

Over the next few weeks when you access your support account or profile online, if you notice anything out of place or broken, please just drop me an email and let me know. We'll get things fixed as soon as possible.

Blessings!

Laura Jacobs