Ashley Johnson - The World Race 2008

Pictures from the Year

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Coffee, but no Creamo's

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This has been a crazy year. Thirty-two people, eleven countries. Who does that with their life really? We travel for days and days every month. We change and adapt to new cultures and languages every few weeks. We carry one heavy bag. Our entire life stuffed into one bag. We've have slept in tents, on floors, in barns, on a mattress without a middle, on pull out beds, on strangers floors, in dorms on trains, on planes on buses, and in the back of trucks. My diet consists mostly of rice (which I strongly dislike) and peanut butter (which I'm not too fond of either) We go days without showering. We live on seven dollars a day. If that all isn't enough the kicker is this, I share this life with thirty two people. That means no privacy. No time alone. No entitlements. No quiet mornings to sleep in late. No quiet evenings. no quiet anything. Nothing is your own. Everything is shared.

Now for those of you who know me well, I need time alone. I process life well only when I have time by myself. Running has been my one outlet this year. My one source of sanity. My only time alone. My time with God. My time to think and pray.

The last few days of our trip have been spent in Bucharest, Romania for debriefing. In the past our squad debriefings have been overwhelming to me. And often I would just escape and run, sometimes for hours. (Well, I don't actually run the whole time, but I would run walk for hours just to be away).

However, this debrief was different. Way different. I guess because, I am different. It was the first time in two months our whole squad has been together. And you know what? I wanted to be around everybody, all the time. I have truly grown to love these people, the men and women, who I God has given me privilege to walk this year. I sat at breakfast one morning, sipping on some coffee, and I looked around the room. All I could think was haw each person is living evidence to me of Jesus Christ. It's Jesus's church, and I have the great honor to drink coffee with His people.

Moldova and ME

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Moldova and Me.

Thanks to Steph for a great blog.

Posted in Moldova by Stephanie Fisk on 3/27/2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The global problem: Human trafficking

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We say that slavery has vanished from European civilization, but this is not true. Slavery still exists, but now it applies only to women and its name is prostitution. VICTOR HUGO, Les Misrables

As we departed the plane in Kiev, Ukraine, the cold crisp winter air was a drastic change from the heat of Africa. Our squad is the first in the World Race program to travel to Eastern Europe. As a result our team was sent ahead a month early to scout out the region and set up ministries. It was a hopping month. I thought I had traveled a lot already this year, however, this month we moved lodging about every other day. The Lord taught me a lot and my faith was deeply encouraged. But foremost, among God's teaching in my life is the ever increasing awareness and burden for the evil of human trafficking.

One evening we sat in a room with about ten young men between the ages of fourteen and twenty-two. Externally they looked like typical teenage boys, but their lives were far, very far from typical. Initially we arrived and just kicked back laughing together. They were smiling, a little awkward at times, and simply a joy to be around for the afternoon. As the time pressed on the conversation got deeper. Each boy began to share the story of his life. All of them are orphans. Each had a story more horrific then the one next to him. One boy's mother just left him. He is fifteen years old, and he was working in the fields when a friend came and told him his mother was gone forever. Another young man sat next to me and with a small tear in his eye he explained that his parents were killed after they emigrated from Kazakhstan. His grandparents raised him and beat him brutally before they passed away. Story after story. Heart after heart. Boys becoming men, without any fathers and without any love. It was a moment -most literally- that no words can ever begin to describe. It has impacted my life forever. It was God, the author of life, writing the story if His people on my heart as they shared their lives, their pain and their hearts.

In the middle of our time, a set of brothers were well into sharing when they made a statement that has stuck with me... "Our mother was trafficked leaving the six of us children as orphans." It stuck with me because they said it so matter of fact, it's merely a part of life in Moldova. As we continued to meet numerous pastors and missionaries in Eastern Europe the issue of Human trafficking always arose. Moldova is currently the world's lead of the countries where women are being trafficked from before being sent over seas. Ukraine and Romania follow closely behind in rankings.

Human trafficking is a global problem.

"Human trafficking involves the movement of people through violence, deception or coercion for the purpose of forced labor, servitude or slavery-like practices. It is slavery because traffickers use violence, threats, and other forms of coercion to force their victims to work against their will. This includes controlling their freedom of movement, where and when they will work and what pay, if any, they will receive..."

http://www.antislavery.org/homepage/ antislavery/trafficking.htm

Most often it involves forced prostitution. Men, women, and children are all vulnerable to trafficking. However, women and girls stand as the people group that are most at risk. Traffickers target orphans specifically. Often orphanage directors are paid corruptly for young girls.

This declared indifference, but, as I must think, covert, real zeal, for the spread of slavery, I cannot but hate. I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery itself. I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world, enables the enemies of free institutions with plausibility to taunt us as hypocrites, causes the real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity, and especially because it forces so many good men among ourselves into an open war with the very fundamental principles of civil liberty, criticizing the Declaration of Independence, and insisting that there is no right principle of action but self-interest.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, speech, Oct. 16, 1854

Slavery never ended with Abe Lincoln and the Revolutionary War. Slavery exists today. Among the areas of the world involved is Africa, the America's, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Russia. Each year, an estimated 700,000 to 1 million women and children are shipped across national boundaries and sold into modern-day slavery. The United States is as much involved in trafficking as any other country with an estimated 50,000 women brought into the United States for sexual servitude, domestic servitude, bonded sweatshop labor and other debt bondage each year. Humans are the third largest illegally imported "good" ranking closely behind illegal drugs and illegal weapons. Human Trafficking is the fastest growing crime today. No country is immune or unaffected.

Celebrate Us!

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Celebrate Pi Day!

Pi, Greek letter (), is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi = 3.1415926535... Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14th.

Pi is also the beloved name of the greatest team of all time. Josh, Dan, Dre, Shanda, Ashley, and Pamela are the wonderful pieces that make up team Pi. We were going to have a competition to see who could memorize Pi to the 147,231 decimal, but instead, wrote a rap to the theme song of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air":

"Team Pi of Azungu Air"

Now, this is a story all about how
Our lives got flipped-turned upside down
And we'd liked to take a minute
Just sit right there

We'll tell you how we became thepieces of a team with a whole lotta flare

Four continents later scoutin and eatin' maize
On the tuk-tuks was where we spent most of our days
Straight Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool (literally now in eastern europe)
And all eating some peppers actin' like a fool (Dan)
When the black magic man
Who was up to no good
Startin making trouble in our neighborhood
He got in one little fight and Rocco got scared
and Josh said, "we're on a one-way ticket flyin Qatar air"

Shanda whistled for a bike taxi and when it came near

The wood plate said and it had a Rasta to steer (named coconut)

If anything Dre would say this bike caused fear
But she thought 'Now forget it' - 'We are team Pi-oneer'

Pamela pulled up to the tent about 7 or 8
And she yelled to ashley 'Yo, the diesel smell's Dan's fate'
With the keys to unlock God's kingdom
was finally there

To sit on our throne, and 'choose in' and start to share.

Team Pi, thanks for an awesome journey! We LOVE you!!

love,

Ashley and Pamela

Melchizedek Madness

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hebrews 7:1-17

Now this man Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham and blessed him when he was returning from defeating the kings. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. In the first place, his name means "king of righteousness," and then he is also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace." 3He has no father, mother, or genealogy, no birth date recorded for him, nor a date of death. Like the Son of God, he continues to be a priest forever.

4Just look at how great this man was! Even Abraham-the patriarch himself-gave him a tenth of what he had captured! 5The descendants of Levi who accept the priesthood have a commandment in the law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their own brothers, even though they are also descendants of Abraham. 6But this man, whose descent is not traced from them, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the man who had received the promises. 7It is beyond dispute that the less important person is blessed by the more important person. 8Mortal men collect tithes, but we are informed by Scripture that Melchizedek keeps on living. 9One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10because Levi was still inside his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

11Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood-for on this basis the people received the law-what further need would there be to speak of appointing another kind of priest according to the order of Melchizedek, not one according to the order of Aaron? 12When a change in the priesthood takes place, there must also be a change in the law. 13For the person we are talking about belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14Furthermore, it is obvious that our Lord was a descendant of Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests coming from that tribe. 15This point is even more obvious in that another priest who is like Melchizedek has appeared 16who was appointed to be a priest,not on the basis of a genealogical registry, but rather on the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is declared about him,

"You are a priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek."

Melchizedek. He is an odd character, isn't he? He has no mother and no father. Hebrews explains the dude really has no genealogy at all. Abraham, the father of our faith, esteems him so highly that he tithes to him. He is a priest and king, yet he is only mentioned three times in all of scripture! (His appearance three times in scripture include: First in Genesis 14, then in Psalm 110 and lastly in Hebrews 5-7.) Furthermore, his priesthood has a direct correlation to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. However, Melchizedek's priesthood is different than the Levitical priesthood. More importantly, Christ's priesthood comes from his. Psalm 110:4 "The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.' " Yet the larger majority of writing in the Old Testament focuses on the Levitical priesthood not Melchizedek's priesthood. Why is that.

I really like Melchizedek. In fact, I may even place him on my list of favorite Biblical characters. I like him mainly because his mysterious. I have read numerous commentaries over the years on this peculiar man. Some believe him to be Jesus Christ as a preincarnate in Abraham's time. Others would say that Melchizedek was an angel taking human form. Wherever you land on this debate in scripture, hear my heart for one moment. I write this out of a motivation to spur you on to study scripture for yourself, and I give just one perspective on this crazy character.

So here its goes, Melchizedek. To understand him we have to take a moment to discuss the Levitical priesthood. The tribe of Levi were one of the twelve tribes if Israel. The Levites were specifically ordained for religious service. The priests of Israel had to be Jewish and furthermore, they had to be descended from the tribes of Levi. (However, not all Levi were priests. Others jobs of Levites included singers, instrumentalists, servers in the tabernacle, helpers to the priests.) The priesthood was only Jewish. This is very important to understand, because it gives us the basis of understand this truth. Melchizedek's priesthood was a universal priesthood, not a Jewish priesthood. Thus, Jesus' priesthood is universal and a priesthood to all nations.

In Abraham's day, the name for God was Jehovah or Yahweh. However, if you were chillin in ancient Hebrew culture, this name for God would not have been used in everyday lingo- actually it wouldn't have been used at all. For the name Yahweh was considered too holy to pronounce. When scriptures were read aloud the title Lord or Adonai was used for the name of God. This name holds a divine connotation for the Hebrew. The word Adonai makes a direct reference to God's covenant with Israel. It was His covenant name.

"The Levitical priests, therefore, were priests of Jehovah. The Israelites were Jehovah's people, and the Levites were Jehovah's priests. The Levitical priests could minister only to Israel and only for Jehovah.

Melchizedek, however, was priest of the Most High God. (El Elyon, a more universal name for God). It represents God as a possessor of heaven and earth, God above all nations or dispensational distinctions. The Most High God is both over Jew and Gentile, and first mentioned in scripture in relation to Melchizedek. (Gen 14:8)" John Mc Arthur, New Testament Commentary Hebrews.

You see culturally this truth, the truth that Christ is a priest to all nations, flew in the face of everything a Jew was taught in regards to the Messiah to come. To Jew there was no other true priesthood outside of the Jewish nation. The Levitical priesthood was it. And that was only for Jews.

"Here they are reminded that their father Abraham, the first Jew, offered tithes to another type pf priest. This priest served as the one true God, but lived hundreds of years before the Levitical priesthood came into existence. It is significant that, immediately after the encounter with Melchizedek, Abraham spoke to the king of Sodom about 'the Lord Most High' (Genesis 14:22), a combination of the covenant and universal names.

The indecisive Jew were told, in effect, 'Even your own Scripture recognizes a priesthood not only that is completely apart from Aaron (the Levitical priesthood) but that existed long before Aaron's.' This was a powerful argument. " John Mc Arthur, New Testament Commentary Hebrews.

Just yesterday I spent the day at an orphanage in northern Ukraine almost to the Belarus boarder. The day was long, and exhausting. Through out the day I heard numerous stories that at the end of the day just left me emotionally depleted. Child abuse, corruption of government, child abandonment, sexual abuse, the list could go on and on. And that was just one day out of a year of seeing and experiencing first hand the literally thousands of injustices in this place we call earth.

Isn't it is an amazing truth that Jesus is the Messiah not just to the Jewish nation, but to the whole world?

"You are a priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek."[

Picture Perfect

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I was talking to my Dad last night, he told me that I need to post more pictures of myself for him to see.

Dad this blog if for you. I love you so much. Thanks for being a great father. I appreciate you tremendously.

Dan and Ashley at teh Zimbabwe boarder

Lay Over in London

London by Night

AIDS hospital in Kiev

Steph and Ashley in front of the circus in Kiev (Its very cold and very gray here)

Downtown Kiev

Independence Square Steph Ash and Pamela

Kiev again

And Again Kiev- Outside the Museum of Art

I dont feel like figuring out how to flip this one around right now. Bu tyou guessed it Kiev again.

At an orphanage in Northern Ukraine

Mozambique- Me with a chameleon

Mozambique with the kiddos

Shoe distribution in Swaziland

Marissa and Ashley- An African Safari

Jenn Dre and I after our Safari

On Earth as it is in Heaven

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

    If you asked me what one lesson did you walk away with from your time on the race, it would be this resounding truth. Through Jesus Christ, God's kingdom came, comes and will come to earth.   Jesus teaches us to pray "on earth as it is in heaven." He teaches us to pray those words because He intends for his kingdom to reign on earth.

    The day started out as normal. Well, as normal as life goes in Nkhotakota. I woke up with a stiff back from sleeping on a rock hard floor. As I stood brushing my teeth a spider crawled across my foot. Breakfast consisted of a piece of bread and horrible coffee. I was tired and exhausted. I wished I was awaking in the comforts of my American life. But I am far, really far, away from home. So, with a not so hot attitude, I tied up my worn down sneakers and hit the dirt road for my daily run.
    Not five minutes into my run , I caught a glimpse of a young African child running after me. A normal days run for me in Africa is quite an experience. In spite of the heat, humidity and bugs, I acquire quite a following of young African children. It can be anywhere from about eight children to up to thirty. Most of them are too young to keep pace with me so I give them a high five and they trickle off as I run. Others I have to humbly confess can easily keep my pace as they run along side with me without one thought to slowing down or letting up. I have come to believe it's a game they are playing....the rules include running directly in front of the white girl and you earn points with each successful trip. As I finish my run they follow me to the front door. Then the children simply sit outside our front door. Awaiting what? I haven't figured that out yet.
    So, anyway, Im kicking along with my I-pod jamming out some Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes, and I hear above the music, "Azungu" (That means white person, and it is what Africans call us here.) It was early and I was in no mood to deal with the abundant amount of children. But it's just one child and I had resolved to have a good attitude. As I turned around to give my friendly fellow a high five, I looked up and behind him was about twelve other children running toward me. "Azungu, Azungu!" Great, I thought. But in the stillness of that moment, I hear the Lord whisper, "Ash,don't miss this moment."
    I took a deep breath, still annoyed, but I turned off my music and smiled. I started high-fiving the children as they gathered around me. One high five after another. A smile. A laugh. Then I tickled one young girl, and more laughter.   I even got crazy and I threw in a double high five. Moment by moment, smile by smile, child by child...the kingdom of God.

"Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven"

Matthew 6:9-10

Next on the morning agenda was prison ministry. A few of the local pastors have been pastoring inmates for years. Every Saturday morning they visit the local prison and lead service. I was not sure what I expect. Moments before entering the prison I was told I would be preaching. Ha, thats a joke if I've ever heard one. As we entered, the heat from mid day sun was felt on the back of my neck. We were escorted into the prison with a guard dressed in an olive green uniform and a red trimmed hat. We walked through the prison doors and immediately I could smell urine. There were hundreds of prisoners. They were dressed in dirty tattered clothing. There was one main courtyard with prison cells lining each side. It was dirty and loud.

Above the loud rumble prison life, worship songs echoed. Worship had already started. About forty men were gathered in the corner singing. They trotted our posse front and center. What on earth am I going to say to these men? As I stood there, in the hustle of the moment, again I heard God's gentle voice "Ash, don't miss this moment."
I spoke and so did some of my other teammates. When I was all over, then men began to sing again. Let me just say, one of my favorite aspects about Africa has been the music. Africans have this crazy ability to all clap on different beats, but yet somehow, its sounds amazing. They also can dance way better than any white boy, and when they worship they dance with authenticity before God. In native tongue of Chechwa, men stood together praising God. One man caught my attention. I watched him the entire time.

With his head turn upwards and arms open, he sang. He sang and sang and he never once opened his eyes. Donald Miller writes this author's note in Blue like Jazz.

I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Baghdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.

After that I liked jazz music.

Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way. "

God was there. He was there in that dirty prison in Nowhere land Africa and He was there in hearts of the children of Africa.

"Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven"

Matthew 6:9-10

"It's my kingdom, Ash, Don't miss this moment." God's kingdom....on earth as it is in heaven.

Team Pi in front of teh Livingston tree. The place where the slave trade was ended in Africa.

The team of pastors we worked along side in Nkhotakota.

Counting the Cost

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The testimony of Edward Sheko written by Eddie himself. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did. I am working on a video as well and should have that posted in a couple of days.

I was born of influential Muslim parents; I was almost killed for believing in Jesus Christ in May 1982. My grandparents were associated with Arab slave traders in Malawi. These Arabs were Muslims. Thus my grandparents were among the pioneers of Islamic religion in Malawi. Our village is Islamic and my family is a Muslim family.

From the age of 7 my Uncle began preparing me intensively for active participation in the Muslim religion, he trained me in the principles of the Islamic faith and taught me the practices of Muslim propagation. All of the training was based on refuting the claims of Christianity, by pointing to assumed errors of the Bible and it's teachings. I was instructed that there were over 50,000 errors in the Bible.

Naturally I became so committed to the anti Christian religion. In 1976 I was placed in the actual work. I joined the Islamic movement whose goal was to confuse Christians, especially in their meetings. This movement brought me into frequent contact with Christian workers, especially freelance evangelists and consequently I became skilled in presenting my arguments against Christianity and its book the Bible. Many Christians became aware of my influence and began praying for me. Though I was committed to the Islamic Faith I did the opposite of its claims. I was doing magic, witchcraft, drinking beer, smoking, involved in sexual immorality, fought with people, robbed and many others. I saw these indignities as help in my aggressive approach to Muslim propagation. It was a total (though blind) commitment.

The turning point came in 1982. My Uncle just returned from his trip to Mecca and I was invited to a Christian meeting. I proudly accepted and I was ready to fire confusing questions at these Christians about their Bible. I sat at the back row. The gospel was preached and this time I heard it differently. It was so powerful that I began paying attention and I miraculously moved forward and knelt in front of the preacher. The preacher however, did not care about me, because he thought I was there to start opposition. But, the Lord had touched me within. The word convinced me and the Spirit convicted me. I was a rebellious sinner. There and then my life was transformed and I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and the Lord on my life. I stopped fighting against God. The peace of God subdued my worries. How it happened is God's mystery.

When news of my conversion reached our Islamic village, Satan stirred the hearts of all my relatives to attack me. I was severely beaten by my uncle to the point that I fainted. The next three weeks I was again severely beaten and fainted three times by the elders led by my uncle. He was the first man to beat me. He beat me heavily with his walking stick to the point of death in his house. He then ordered that all my clothes, schoolbooks and papers be burnt. He also ordered to take me to the circumcision camp. I was already circumcised but this time it was to subject me to great pain so that I could renounce Jesus Christ, the Bible and my new found faith in Christ. They tied my hands and my feet and with a big pole carried my body to the camp. There I was tied upside down to a tree and I stayed hanging there head down, five feet above the ground, for the whole day. This was repeated for the next six days. They rubbed substances all over my body and I was brutally beaten for three weeks, fainting three times in the process. When my uncle saw that I was determined to die as a Christian, but never to live as a Muslim, he ordered for my release.

Commitment to the evangelical faith in Christ resulted in being disowned as a member of my family and my village. I was ordered to leave the village. During this time Christian brothers opened their homes to me. They took care of me spiritually, physically, paying my school fees and involved me in Christian fellowship where I was asked to share my testimony to them and other Christians. Many were convicted and challenged. In April 1984 is when I was baptized in a Baptist Church in water at a public testimony of my faith.

I am now serving the Lord as Pastor - Evangelist and pioneer worker among Muslim people in my area. The majority of the people that I work among are Muslims, the youth and prisoners in jails in the rural area. In my ministry I hold open-air meeting, conduct door to door visitation, distribute gospel tracts among the lost and reach many people with the word of God through Crusades. At the Crusades many people who are sick are being healed and delivered from the bondage of the devil. Through prayer my goal and vision is to plant churches among the Muslim villages and to serve the youth and prisoners in the jail. Please pray for me that I will fulfill God's plan to expand His kingdom. Pray for me as they are still hunting for my life. But, God our father is still protecting me. Romans 15:20 and Isaiah 54:17 are two verses that really minister to me. God is always great. I praise him for he is always faithful. I am now ready and prepared to work with those who are ready to do the mission of reaching the unreached, church planting and rural evangelism.

May God bless you as you read this testimony and pray for the expansion of the great commission of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ - Eddie Sheko

Thanks to Tara Bruce for this great blog!

Snap shots in Africa

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Swaziland

Jenn's future albumn cover

Kruguer National Park

Team Pi

Baby Elephant

Pamela and Ashley

Maitalie Ashley ANd Kara

Nosoko Swaziland

Baby Gators!

The Gator Nation

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Gator Nation
In light of our recent national title (which really isn't too big of a deal for us Gators anymore these days) I thought it would be appropriate to follow up on a blog I wrote in Central America. I had written that one of my stupid world race goals was to find a Gator fan in every country. Thus proving the audacious statement claimed by the university of Florida that..."The University of Florida is in Gainesville, but the Gator Nation is everywhere.

So here's the tally...I have found a Gator fan in every single of the following countries:
Mexico
Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Taiwan
Cambodia
Thailand
Mozambique
South Africa
England
United Arab Emirates
Qatar

Beyond the World Race on previous travels I have meet Gator fans in
Germany
Ireland
France
Italy
Austria
Switzerland
Spain
Canada

Now it have to regretfully report that I never meet a fan in the country of Vietnam. However, I still have full faith that somewhere in this great world a there's at least one Vietnamese friend whose allegiance is to my alma mater. And my prayer is that by the end of the race Jesus would allow me the high honor of meeting this fine fella.

Go Gators!

Florida, our Alma Mater, thy glorious name we praise
All thy loyal sons and daughters, a joyous song shall raise.

Where palm and pine are blowing, where southern seas as flowing,
Shine forth thy noble gothic walls, they noble vine clad halls!

'Neath the orange and blue victorious, our love shall never fail,
There's no other name so glorious, all hail, FLORIDA HAIL!

Mozambique

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Shortly after landing in Johannesburg International airport our team piled into a small van and rolled on to country number seven- Mozambique! Thankfully, sleeping pills allowed me to survive the lack of AC, potholes the size of small craters and twenty-two hours of travel. After appropriate rest we headed off to ministry. We arrived in Tamane, a "town" nestled in the heart of Mozambique. (Let me take a moment to define town. By town I mean we had to walk close to four miles to obtain water. By town I mean in between the red dirt roads and miles of farm land, occasional straw huts stand tall.)

Our main objective in ministry this month was to move an orphanage to a new location in the bush. I'm a Florida girl to the core, but Mozambique was hot. I mean kicking hot. The small patches of shade and lots of water was our refuge. We slept in tents, cooked food on a fire and pooped in holes in the ground. That can seem all hard core, but honestly it really isn't all that when you see these children. Dressed in tattered unwashed clothing and no shoes, these children literally are among the poorest of the poor. No parents. No money. No medical treatment. (The nurse in me shivered as we attended to infected toes and wide open wounds.) No home. No healthy meals or afternoon snacks. Every meal consists of rice and beans. No real future. No dreams for tomorrow.

In the midst of Malaria pills and rationed food, I got to sit and talk with the pastor named Nunis. Nunis is a man I would put on my most remarkable people I have ever meet in life list. A native of Mozambique, he is a tall man with a good strong build and smile that captivates you instantly. He has been married for close to fifteen years and is a father of four children. As we sat on mats under the African stars, we talked for many hours one evening. Mozambique is a predominantly Christian country. Christian in the sense of the word that everybody goes to church on Sunday morning. Nunis went into a pastoral career strictly for the sake of making money. He was a pastor for three years before coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Crazy, right? But God is dgood, and this mans life is a testimony to the greatness of our awesome Lord. With passion and a sincere smile, he explained that he runs a radio show in Mozambique. The main object of the show is to teach the Bible. The radio ministry is bearing fruit all over the country. He was eager to recount testimony after testimony after testimony of real lives changed for the glory of Jesus Christ.

I write all of this, because Nunis said one thing over and over in all the time we spent to together. And it has stuck with me. I have thought about this a lot these days. It resonated somewhere deep in my heart. He said, "A mans highest calling in life is to defend and proclaim the truth of the Bible." Did you catch that statement? Read it again, until you do. As my time in Mozambique draws to a close, I can truly say some part of my heart will be left here. I am thankful to have shared my life with a man like Nunis, who in a humble boldness defends and proclaims the truth of the Bible.

May we give our lives to live for such a high and holy cause?

My list of things to do ...

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Things I have always wanted to do in life, that I didn't know I wanted to do in life until I did them.

Roast marshmallows on molten lava at the top of a volcano in Guatemala.

Sing solo (most likely the worst rendition of Sweet Home Alabama ever sung in musical history) in front of one hundred plus Nicaraguan shoppers.

Learn about a countries existence when you look at your flight itinerary and it says you're lay over is in Qatar.

Swim in glow in the dark algae in the Indian Ocean at one in the morning.

While 32 grown adults are riding in the cab of a truck in Mozambique, continue to stop and pick up more passengers.

Partake in Thai Karaoke by rapping Gangsters paradise in front of way too many Asians.

Break dance with Vietnamese orphans.

Watch an African sunset.

Ride motos on an island in Thailand screaming as the wind blows through your hair.

Have a detour that lands you in London (how cool is that)

Chop down "weeds" aka small trees in the jungle of Thailand.

Watch the sunset in Thailand.

Buy a sub at subway, and have the server ask if you would like soy sauce on your meatball sub.

Participate in bubble tea ball wars.

Try on a Tiffany's diamond at Harrods in London ( I didn't do this one, but my side kick Jenn did)

See the play Wicked in London.

Watch Batman on the Imax in Bangkok.

Chill at the pub in Oxford where two of my favorite authors of all times, JR Toilken and CS Lewis, also chilled many years ago.

Eat coconut jam. Coconut jam you ask? Yep that's whats I said. It's the single greatest food I have ever eaten in my whole life (Know that you should never touch my bag of coconut jam for Dre and I might accidentally punch. Josh has learned his lesson well, when he attempted to steal the jam while I was sleeping one morning.)

Ride on a packed full bus, and watch the bus driver purchase red plastic chairs to put in the isle to make seats for more passengers

Watch the sun rise over the main temple at Angkor watt.

Take pictures with random people on New Year's Eve.

Get a three dollar message in Cambodia.

Drink Starbucks as I walk the streets of Oxford University.

Get lost in Bangkok and have one of the best days of you're life.

Ride in a hot pink cab.

Listen in it's entirely "my China girl."

Dry my hair with a ceiling fan.

Take a make shift bath in a local grocery store.

Pack for an international flight in less than a few hours.

Play ping pong on a moving bus.

Down to Africa

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Travel Update

Our squad leaves England tommorrow morning. We will arrive in South Africa and immediately leave for Mozambique. Our small team will be serving in an orphanage in Mozambique for the month of January. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Pictures of England

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Christmas Eve Service

Josh and Josh Racing Cars

Streets of London

Harpenden England Train Tracks

Christmas Day

En Route to London waiting in the Bangkok Airport

London by night Josh Ashley Steph Jenn Josh Tara

Thanks to the Pratts and Steph F for great pictures!

Merrry Christmas Video

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks Katie for a great video!

British for Dummies 101

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I've never excelled in languages. Grammar. speeling and learning foreign language was never high on my top areas of academics. As a result attempting to master a new language every month has been quite a challenge as I travel from country to country. On my first day in London I went for a run. I had got some what turned around and I couldn't find my way back to our flat. I ran for about twenty minutes before it dawned on me. I was in an English speaking country. I could just trot myself up to somebody, anybody and asked for directions! So, thats exactly what I did. A elderly British man dressed in a black coat walking his dog strolled by me. "Excuse me, Sir. Do you know how to get back to Broadmore Street?" As he pointed down the street, he instructed me that I need to go fifty paces past the sqiggley bridge. "Thanks." Even though I thought his word choice was odd, I thought Lord thank you for a month with no language barrier. Boy was I wrong. After spending time in London I quickly came to realize that the British have a whole different way of speaking. So, I just wanted to take a moment to do a crash course on speaking British.

Here we go....British for Dummies 101.

American Word /Phrase British Word/Phrase Translation

Kool- Aid Squash

Mom Mum

TV Telly

Apron Valance

Hood Bonnet

Boot Trunk

Petrol Gasoline

Flashlight Torch

Crow Bar Tommy bar

Math Maths

Pants Trousers

Sweater Jumper

Example* "I'm getting warm; I think I'll take off my jumper' would refer [in American English] to 'taking off my dress' instead of 'taking off my sweater'

To mail a letter To post

Rent a car Hire a car

Dessert Sweet

Blueberry Bilberry

Chemist Druggist

Police officer Constable

Potato chips Crisps

Scotch tape Sellotape

Santa Claus Father Christmas

(And finally the phrse word you must learn in any foreign country you visit.)

Where is the restroom? Where is the loo?

Nabonidus Drum

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Caution* To my readers out there. This is a long one

Geisler and Nix wrote: "The influence of the Bible and its teaching in the Western world is clear for all who study history. And the influential role of the west in the course of world events is equally clear. Civilization has been influenced more by the Judeo-Christian Scriptures than by any other book or series of books in the world. Indeed, no great moral or religious work in the world exceeds the depth of morality in the principle of Christian love,and none has a more lofty spiritual concept than the Biblical view of God. The Bible presents the highest ideals known to men, ideals that have molded civilization". Who among us today could deny the tremendous impact of this truth upon our lives? The freedom that we enjoy. The moral quality of our laws. The vast blessing of our way of life has been molded by the regard that the founders of our country had for the Holy Scriptures."All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

I am proud to be a Christian. Christianity is unique. As I travel the world I gain a deeper understanding of other world religions. In contrast to false belief systems, Christianity overwhelmingly prevails. I realize this world is more corrupt than my little white class mind could ever comprehend, but that Jesus Christ is the true answer and one source of true hope. Our foundation as Christians stems from the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived. The Alpha, the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Almighty God, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the One Savior and our true Messiah. Jesus changed every aspect of human life and he has determined the course of human history. As Christmas season gets kicked into full gear my prayer is that we would not miss the meaning of the season. Don't miss how Jesus has so completely impacted the world. How tragic it is that people have forgotten Him to whom they owe so very much.

Thursday afternoon was our day off. Offered to our squad was a free (the best price ever) tour led by Jay Smith. After picking up some hot coffee on the morning subway ride into town, we hit the halls of some of the world's most famous institutions. The tour walked us through the British Museum and British Library in London with the intention of supporting the historical veracity of the Bible using archaeological, documentary and manuscript evidences.

Jay wears a pair of dark rimmed glasses and has deflection in his voice that sounds much like Bob Barker from the Price is Right. About half way through the tour he marched our posse up to a very small exhibit containing a tan looking barrel and a small tablet with ancient writing.

He jumped right into the book of Daniel-Sweet! Daniel is my favorite book in the Old Testament. Daniel is a book packed full of prophecies. Daniel describes the rise and fall of four major empires- Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires. So, what's the big deal, right? Well, it's a huge deal when you realize Daniel authored his book in the 6th century B.C., hundreds of years before the Grecian and Roman empires ever came into existence. Thus, if historians could prove that Daniel was not written in the 6^th century B.C. they could therefore discount the prophecies. One area where Biblical critics had succeeded in disproving the authenticity of Daniel is found in chapter 5. Lets take a look.

Balshazar throws this kicking party with lots of food, alcohol, and women. In the midst of his festivities he manages to defame the sacred articles of the temple. Next mysteriously this creep-ball handwriting shows up on the wall and freaks everyone out. To make a long story short, Daniel figures out what the writing says and saves the day. Balshazar as a result makes him number three in the empire. However, his reign as number three doesn't last very long at all. History supports that the same night the Babylonian empire was attacked, overthrown, and conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire.

But, lets back up for a moment and address some of the criticism presented by historians. So the question presented by historians is twofold. First, there is no historical data that describes this Bashazar fellow? Second, why was Daniel made number three in the empire, instead of number two? Good questions right? All historical data to date supported that Nabonidus was the last king of the Babylonian Empire with no mention of Balshazar. We know that Nabonidus was in power when Cyrus overthrew the Babylonians. Historians have thus concluded that whoever wrote the book of Daniel most likely wrote in the second century B.C. during the rule of the Roman Empire. This author then redacted back to the Daniel in the 6^th century B.C.

Now we introduce the Nabonidus Drum into our discussion. The drum contains a prayer written in this crazy language called cuneiform. It contains a prayer written by Nabonidus for his son. And take a guess who his son is. Yep, you guessed - our party animal-Belshazaar. Belshazar was the son of Nabonidus. So, mstery number one is now solved. Balshazar is a documented historical man.

But,we still have to deal with our other question. Why wasn't Daniel made number two in the empire? Well,next to the barrel is a tablet. The tablet describes that Nabonidus moved to Teman in Arabia for the last tn years of his reign as king of Babylon. As a result we know that Belshazar and Nabonidus were co-regents of the kingdom. In Daniel 5:16 Balshazar turns to Daniel and says," I'll make you number three in the kingdom." We know what he's saying as he and his father were number one and two.

If the historians are right and Daniel was written during the Roman Empire, how could the author know specific details? How could the writer know it was Balshazar in Babylon while his father took a ten-year vacation to Arabia? Because Darius had destroyed Babylon and the evidence of Balshazar, Herodetus, a historian writing a hundred years after Daniels life, didn't even know this privilege information. Thus, this tiny little barrel that I probably would have strolled right by on any other day supports that the author of Daniel had to have been eye witness to the events. From two artifacts we can support the accuracy of the book of Daniel, thus supporting the biblical prophecy.

I write all this because I want to make one cheesy point. Jesus truly is the reason for the season. I am with Marissa when she says " I am a no bull s**t girl." I want to know that my faith is based on truth, and that truth is factual. No stories, no lies, no spending my entire life believing in the wrong God. No, when I became a Christian it was huge that I aligned my life with a belief in God that is true. Jesus Christ is undeniably historically, scientifically, archeologically, documentarily true. Don't let any one ever tell you the Bible is full of children's stories. Don't let anyone ever tell you the Bible is corrupted or written by man. Jesus is great, and He is worthy of your whole life.

Starbucks and Toilet Seats

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Due to the changing political climate in Thailand, our team was unable to leave Bangkok. As a result our travel has taken a small detour. Our squad had originally planned to spend Chistmas in Swaziland serving at a local orphanage. However, since the Bangkok airport was closedv due to protestors, a trip to London was our sure fire way outta of Thailand. We will leave the logistical details out of the story, but the bottom line is this: We will be spending the Christmas season in London. Our squad will be working with cross-cultural ministires throughout the month. Starbucks and toilet seats, what else could any World Racer really ask for from Santa?

Extravagance and England

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I have had the incredible opportunity to spend the last week in London, England and our squad will remain in London through the New Year. As I start my blog I want to back pedal a few days. In Bangkok our leaders found out we would not be going to Swaziland for the month of December. In less than ten hours, thirty-two world racers were packed and on a one way ticket outta Asia. After the whirlwind of travelling, our squad had just arrived in London. Jenn (also known as J Lev or the Lev-Fash) and I were headed to the mall to invest in some warm clothing. (I quickly realized my pair of reef flops weren't going to cut it in the middle of an English winter.) Jenn is a beautiful southern girl with a surprising amount ghetto-ness locked away in her DNA. She ranks very highly on my list of favourite world travelling sidekicks. We laugh together often and overwhelmingly the Lord has blessed me by our friendship. Throughout the year Jesus has used her to encourage me and to challenge. This time Jenn and I were headed to the mall and we are just talking. In conversation, she stops and says to me. '' You know, Ashley, I am just amazed at the extravagance of God.''

Extravagance- A condition have going or being beyond what is needed, desired, or appropriate.

Extravagance- The quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth.

Extravagance-Something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity.

Yeah, Jenn is right I thought to myself. The Lord truly is extravagant. As a result, the thought I have mulled over in my mind throughout the last few weeks is this: The simple truth that God chooses to bless me. Pondering the blessing of God over my life in recent days literally left me without words for an afternoon (which is quite a feat in light of how much I can talk).

So, here's my thankfulness list......The extravagant blessings of God in my life.

I am thankful to be alive.

I am thankful that I know truth and the truth has set me free.

I am blessed with being enlarged in a community of saints.

God loves me. Isn't that awesome!

I am thankful for Christmas lights and hot chocolate.

I am thankful for surfboards and ski mountains.

I am thankful for books, every kind of book. From murders mysteries to theological commentaries. From Dr. Seuss and Harry Potter (Josh and Dan you are not allowed to comment) to my path physiology textbook. I am thankful for the finances to afford books. Moreover, I am thankful for the education I have been given which allowed me to learn to read.

I am thankful for Scripture.

I am thankful for music- Coldplay, Denna Carter, Gun n Roses, Billy Currington....

I am thankful that God allows me to grasp the love of God with others in a way that you cannot grasp it alone.

I am blessed with strength through His Spirit.

I am blessed with the love of God, which surpasses all knowledge through the Spirit of God.

I am blessed with a sound mind and intellect.

I am blessed to have a nursing degree (from the greatest university ever....Go Gators).

I am blessed to be a nurse.

Hilarious friends bless me.

I am thankful for great friends and family.

I am blessed to be American, and all the profound blessing and responsibility that comes with American citizenship.

I am thankful for those who remind me deepest identity and legitimacy.

I am blessed with those who care greatly about me.

I am thankful for huge earrings and red shoes.

I am thankful to spend this year on a kicking team- Shanda, Dre, P-One, Josue and Dan- Yall rock!

I am stunned that I am a daughter of the One True King.

''A man who is eating or lying with his wife or preparing to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness and temperance, is ,by Chirstian standards in an infinitely higher state than one who is listening to Bach or reading Plato in a state of pride.'' C.S. Lewis

I am dreaming of a White Christmas

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bowling in Bangkok

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks Katie for a great video!

Delayed in Bangkok

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you've been reading the headlines on cnn.com, you should have heard about the recent protests at the Bangkok Airport. I mention this only to bring understanding and ease any worries that family and friends of the July 08 World Racers may have.

WE ARE ALL OK

We are actually located very far from the protest and would be completely unaffected by the chaos if it were not for our scheduled flight to South Africa. As a result of the protests the Airport has been closed and all outgoing flights have been canceled. As of right now the airlines have no information about when we might expect to get on a flight to our next destination. In the meantime we will remain in Bangkok, once again, very far from the protests. I will keep you updated as we receive more information from our airline. Keep the squad and the city of Bangkok in your prayers.

How to's of the SP

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How to use a Squattie Pottie....aka SP

Pre-Usage

Assess area for any creatures (i.e. snakes, spiders, lizards and mosquitoes that can bite you're bottom.)
Decide if you will be going number one or number two to determine the appropriate direction to face on the SP.
Hints Number one- It is ideal to face backwards on the SP in order to decrease splashing. Number two- It is more beneficial to face forward.
Decide upon fee placement. There are many options: Place feet on feet grids on the side of the SP. Place feet immediately outside the grids on the tile around the SP (this is my preferred choice.) Some friends suggest one foot anteriorly to the SP and the other foot on the gridded area.

The final option is peeing tipi-toed.

Once adequate feet placement is secured, you can proceed with "business."

HInt: Make sure you don't miss the SP.

Wiping Asians typically don't use toilet paper. Instead there use hose like contraption next to each SP to rinse.

TipsMy best suggestion to any westerners would be to keep a large stash of TP in your bag at all times.

It is also important to note that you should never flush TP down the toilet in most foreign countries. So after wiping if there is a trash can place the TP in the trash If there is no trash can place to TP in youre pocket and carry it until you can find a trash can.

If TP is not an option:

Remove the rinser device from is holder.
Decide if you will rinse anteriorly or posteriorly. Angles work best.
Rinse with a passion for cleanliness.
After rinsing allow about one minute of air drying to decrease wetness of clothing (running backwards speeds up the process).

Flushing

Fill up the bucket of water next to the SP.
Use the bucket and pour the water into the SP.
Assess to see if the flush was successful.
If unsuccessful repeat the above steps until all droppings are gone.

WashingHands

NoteAgain I would suggest to Westerners to carry you're own stash of hand sanitizer. If that is not an option you will have to get use to the idea that washing you're hands does not include soap. Soap is usually not available so be prepared.

To wash hands:

Again fill the bucket of water.
Pour the water an youre hands.
Rub hands together.
Shake to dry.

Exit the bathroom

Have a great day.

Divine Destination....Partnership with God

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Divine Destination....Partnership with God

The truth about our lives is threefold. We are designed by God. We are designed for God, And we are designed for His divine purposes. Among the numerous teachings at our debrief on Koh Samet Island, Andrew Shearman addressed the profound truth that we are created to partner with God. Genesis 1:26 says, "Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness..."

"Let us"

There you have it. A verse, that in all my Christian-ness, has been so instilled in my heart and mind, yet somehow I missed it. God says "Let us" He doesn't say "Let me" or "Let I" No He says "Let us." Packed into the very first chapter of Genesis is the heart of the Living God. God is all about partnership. God values relationship. God values intimacy. He made up the term team work, and he loves covenant relationships. The trinity, a perfect triune communion, partnered in the creation of man. That is why at the very heart of man is the desire to be truly known by another. We desire deep abiding relationships because we are made in the image of God.

Furthermore Genesis 1 describes that the earth was in chaos, without form and in darkness. The first three days of creation our great God spent the time structuring chaos. The next three days of creation God spent filling the earth. In the filling of the earth God created Adam and Genesis says, "The Lord took the man and put Him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" Genesis 2:15. It is significant to note that Adam was not created in the garden. No, rather God put Adam in the garden. So where was Adam created? He was created in the chaos, in the darkness, in the void. Adam knew barrenness first hand.

So Adam's was removed from the wilderness, and now he and God are kicking it in the Garden of Eden. God gave Adam some instructions, five mandates to be exact

Be fruitfull
Multiply
Fill the Earth
Subdue the Earth
Take dominion over creation

If I can paraphrase God for a moment, in a nutshell Gods says "Adam, Go fill barren lands with fruit."

The Old Testament physically parallels the New Testament spiritually. As with Adam, God commands him the fill the barren land with fruit, and we are to do the same. Today God says to you and to me, "Take goodness forth into the wilderness. Go, my son or daughter, structure the chaos. Take light into darkness, and destroy evil with goodness."

God is God. He does not need to use humans to bring His plans to fruition. However, if you begin reading the Bible today, it won't take you long to realize thatwhen God wants something done, He looks for somebody to do it through. Moses, Joseph, Joshua, Esther, Paul, John, Daniel, Bazalel, Deborah, Mary, and the list could go on and on and on...

At the heart of our God is relationship.Heis inviting us to partner with Him, in accomplishing His purposes. Hear the Lord say today, "I chose you. My glory will fill the earth. My name will be proclaimed by every tribe nation and tongue. And, I want you to partner with me in bringing my kingdom forth on earth as it is in heaven. I am appointing you to the single greatest purpose in all the universe. You have a divine calling. I am using you, to be me, to a world that is dying. Be Jesus with skin. Live righteously, humbly and powerfully.Together we can change the world by by bringing mykingdom to earth. "

A Thousand Words

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Thousand Words

Pictures from Asia

Cambodian Children

Ho Chi Minh City

Correctly Done Shanda!

Shiounkville, Cambodia

River Cruise on the Siagon River

Dre, Josh, Dan and Me!

Saigon by Night

Kanachanaburi Thailand

Students

Monks sporting the Orange

Angkor Wat

Happy Birthday!

Natalie and Ashley

Working in the Fields

Ashley and Marissa

No Tuk Tuk, Please!

Dre Ashley and Pamela

Good Shepherd Orphanage

Cambodia

Gone Country

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks the Josh for another great video!

Myanmar need you!

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The People of Mynamar need You!
Please help us help those who were devastated by the cyclone last spring...
Will you help us raise $2000 by November 12th?

As you read this blog, we pray that the Lord starts to connect you with what He is doing in Myanmar. For the next two weeks, five members of our squad (July '08) are faithfully "Being Jesus" in this country that is so hungry for his love. We, as a squad, are petitioning for your support - both spiritually and financially. We would love to have you join us in this step of faith. We need the encouragement of our supporters that lies in your prayers and financial contributions.

During this year, our squad will choose projects that we want to raise not just money for, but awareness on how you back home can tangibly be involved with what we are doing on the race. Our first 'project' is raising funds so we can send a small group of racers into Myanmar. The Lord started speaking to individuals a few months ago about going to the Burmese and sharing His love, hope and joy to these beautiful people who live daily in fear and devastation.

We are a pioneering squad. Following the Lord faithfully into uncharted waters. Going to Myanmar seemed impossible. But the Lord started to swing doors wide open. We obtained VISA's within 3 days (very few people are even granted VISA's) and permits to go south into the delta region; got connected with an amazing organization that is dedicated to 'going into the more difficult places'; and were blessed by an incredible individual who is going to translate for our team the entire time they are in Myanmar.

Under the Lord's direction, the plan is to connect with underground churches and orphanages and to "be Jesus's hands" in the delta region where Cyclone Nargis killed thousands last spring. Check out the following link to see what other organizations are now helping with the cyclone survivors click here.

The purpose of this trip is to 1) Be obedient and step out in faith to where the Lord is leading 2) Bring the Kingdom to a hurting country 3) Pioneer and form connections with the hope of sending more World Race teams in the future 4) Provide a first-hand account of what is going on in Myanmar and sensitize us to urgent prayer needs.

If you would like to join us in this ministry financially, we ask that you send a check to AIM by Nov 12th.
Within the next two weeks we need to raise $2000.

Send checks to: Adventures in Missions P.O. Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353-4470

Write checks out to "Adventures in Missions" and in the 'for' line write "World Race Ministry - Myanmar".

If you prefer you may click here to donate through AIM's secure website. Please indicate "World Race Ministry - Myanmar" in the box.

As soon as the team gets back to Thailand, they will be blogging and posting videos on their time in Myanmar.
We thank you in advance for all your prayers and support!
World Race July Squad '08

Here's a write-up from one of our racers who is in Myanmar...

In Matthew 28, Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. Twelve men set out with an enormous task that would ultimately result in the glorious message and truth of Christ spreading to the four corners of the earth. The work of the initial disciples continues on this very day as this commandment to go and do is charged to all who know and love Jesus Christ. We have been obedient to the call of the Lord that led us to go on this journey knowing that we are carrying on the work of disciples that goes as far back as the original twelve. We have counted the cost and know that all the heartache and pain we have to endure is worth every second of it if it means that lambs are being added to the flock of the Lord.

We have been obedient by following the Lord this far but God rarely stops talking and we have to make sure that we are obedient to His voice on a perpetual basis. On the world race this means going to places that may not have been on the itinerary. That is where 5 of us find ourselves this month. While most of our squad will be doing ministry in Thailand, we have been called by God to venture out to a new territory- Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Christ said, "Go to ALL nations." What an exciting opportunity! Not only are we venturing into a country where few western missionaries have gone before, but also we go in hoping to build a bridge and create contacts so that others may come in armed with the power of Christ. Myanmar is under the oppressive control of a military government. What could be more incredible than bringing the only message that liberates completely to a people that so badly need to hear it? Christ is ready to move.

While we are not totally sure what our time there will look fully, we know that there is major need in the areas that were hit hard by cyclone Nargis. That devastation is still fresh as the cyclone hit in May of this year. There could also be possibilities of working with orphans and other students as well. No matter what we do, we will be a reflection of Jesus and that is what is most important.

However, we are in great financial need here. As you know, we have had to raise a lot of money for this trip but our venture into Myanmar is not supported (not even close!) by our monthly budget. God is calling us there physically but He is calling you there in another sense. In Luke 9, Jesus sends out the twelve, but tells them to "take nothing for the journey" including money, bread and other necessities. This is how we are approaching Myanmar- with empty hands lifted upwards.

God will provide and He will do it through you. Thank you for taking the time to prayerfully consider this request and remember what the Lord said through Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:22 "to obey is better than sacrifice". Please be obedient to Him in this matter.

Stay posted...More to come!

Welcome to the Jungle

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After ridding along a winding red dirt road we arrived at the farm in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Kanchanaburi, a small village of about one hundred thousand people, tucked away in the river valley of Thailand's majestic mountains. The golden steeple of the local temple could be seen in stark contrast to the lush green mountain peaks. Our tree houses over looked fields of banana trees, and the noise of cow bells could be heard ringing as the herds grazed in our backyard pasture. My favorite time of each day was enjoying a vibrant array of colors dancing through the evening sky as the cool air rolled in with the setting sun.

The schedule for a typical day was as follows. In the morning Arun had us weeding. My first thought was weeding?....this would be no problem. That assumption was quickly challenged, when I realized weeding a lawn in suburbia America is very different than weeding a hundred acre lawn in the depths of jungle of Thailand. In Thailand "weeding" really means cutting down small trees with hand held machetes. Our arms were covered by scrapes and bruises from chopping throne bushes the size a small Asian elephant. And do I dare say the "S" word. Snakes....where to even begin? For all my readers out there that do not know me well, we can start by addressing my issue with snakes. I fear snakes. In fact the statement "I fear snakes" would be quite an understatement. I hate snakes, with all the hate my little heart can muster up. Also, I must note that I really believe it is wise to face fears. However, let it be said, I am perfectly ok never facing the fear of snakes. Not now, not tomorrow, and not ever. However, this week I had to face my fear of snakes head on. Paul commands us to "pray continually." That become very real, as I stepped in snake holes big enough to encompass the entire width of my right foot. As the guys on our team say it best, the snake situation was "no bueno, no bueno at all." In addition to the snakes, the sun was scorching, and I was able to wring out buckets of sweat from my dirty clothing. Dre and I jokingly remarked, in "weeds" up to our shoulders, that nowhere in proverbs thirty-one did the author include machete usage or snake smarts as ideal qualities desired in a woman of God.

Our afternoon's work was a little more light hearted. We had the chance to teach English at the local school. Teaching held is own challenges. On the first day of teaching, the students asked for Dre and I to sing and dance for them. Don't ask my why, but in the hurriedness of the moment we chose to sing "Silent Night." So, if you could imagine, there we stood. Singing in front of twenty five Thai children, the worlds most off key rendition of "Silent Night" complete with hand movements of us rocking little baby Jesus. It was humorous to say the least.

When its all said and done I was thankful for the opportunity (and Thailand now has some well weeded banana fields). The week was a blessing, and the slow pace of farm life allowed me to breathe a little bit deeper. Our team has spent the last few months in the craziness of city life. Ho Chi Mihn City is moto-mania land, and in Phonom Penh the sweet smell of urine can be enjoyed on every street corner. The mountain air was literally a breathe of fresh air. Each day I walked in step with the heart beat of God's mighty creation. On our last day, Mia, a endearing white pit bull (who I have decided to adopt as our new team mascot) and I marched ourselves on a two and a half hour walk through the winding dirt roads.

At one point on the trail the trees cleared and the mountains majestically rose on both sides of the the river valley. The sapphire blue sky radiated as a cool breeze blew. My Ipod hummed Bob Dylan's classic song "Blow'n in the Wind." In a lyrical master piece , Dylan pounds out some of the world's and life's toughest questions.

Blowing in the Wind

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man?
Yes, n how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, n how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before theyre forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, n how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, n how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before its washed to the sea?
Yes, n how many years can some people exist
Before theyre allowed to be free?
Yes, n how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesnt see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,

The answer is blowin in the wind.

With each new day on the race and with each new country on the race, God personally hits me head up against many of life toughest questions?

Why is the Catholic church killing and harming Christian families in Mexico?

Why are thousands of children born with birth defects abandoned by their parents at birth in Vietnam?

Why are women abducted and sold into sex trafficking?

How can a man be so enslalved to sin that he rapes a women?

Who is going to address the emotional and physical and spiritual pain that results in a woman after being raped?

What about poverty? And the millions of children that die each day as a direct result of lack of clean water?

Why do men worship golden statues?

Why do men worship trees, when the One true Living God reigns?

Why do men worship ancestors? Why do thousand of spirit houses exist in Southeast Asia?

Why did the Khmer Rouge occur in Cambodia? And why is a genocide occurring today?
What do you do with corruption in government? What do you do when police officers are trafficking drugs into Penom Penh?

What about natural disasters? Hurricanes? Tornadoes?

Or car accidents killing million of teenagers in the states each year?

Why are there gangs walking the streets of Mexico City? And Ocotal, Nicaragua? And Brooklyn, New York?

Who is going to tell the man involved in a gang, that there is a good God who forgives and loves him?

What do you do when a gang member who has murdered a three year old girl, sits in church weeping?

Why are there orphans? Who is going to love them and raise them and tickle them and hug them?

Why do so many people choose sin? Why do we choose evil? Bitterness? Unforgiveness?

Why have we denied God? Jesus Christ? Truth? Why do we deny Jesus the one true source of hope in a world that is dying?

Dylan is saying that the answer to all these questions is right in front of us, yet we do not see. All the answers are there, we just decide not take hold of them and turn our heads again. But the answer is there?

"How many times can a man look up and not see the sky? There is a sky up there to be seen. You may look up ten thousand times and say you don't see it. But that has absolutely no effect on its objective existence. It is there. And one day you will see it. How many times must you look up before you see it? There is an answer. The answer, The answer, my friend, is not yours to invent or create. It will be decided for you. It is outside you. It is real and objective and firm. One day you will hear it. You don't create it. You don't define it. It comes to you, and sooner or later you conform to it-or bow to it. That is what I heard in Dylan's song, and everything in me said, Yes! There is an Answer with a capital A. To miss it would mean a wasted life. To find it would mean having a unifying Answer to all my questions" John Piper Don't Waste You're Life.

The One Word Challange!

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks to Stephanie for a great video!