Every week our field support sends an email telling stories of what God is doing in participants on the World Race. When I read the updates today I was excited to see two of the guys that I mobilized! Please follow their Races and be in prayer for them as they go!
Dusty Dills, from Z squad, came to the race thinking all the talk about healings was crazy - and never thinking it could actually happen to him. When he showed up at launch, he realized he forgot all of his asthma and pain medicine for the year. Pretty unnerved, he settled as best as he could that God was just going to have to show up. The night Michael Hindes spoke to the squad at launch, Dusty stood up for some healing prayer over his back - still doubting that anything would actually happen. His teammates prayed over him and he headed to the Philippines to begin the race. Now at 24 days in, Dusty has yet to struggle a single day with asthma or back pain and is declaring loudly that healing showed up in his life when he was questioning it the most. www.dustydills.theworldrace.org Read the blog Healing In His Hands!
About to launch in just over a week on B, Ryan Banko was struggling to purchase the materials he needed for the race. He posted a blog with a list of things he needed and in faith believed God would provide them. One day after having a conversation with his parents about acquiring these necessary materials, Ryan headed out of the house. Just before he opened the front door, he shouted back to his parents that he was sure God would provide. Ryan turned around, looked down and just missed tripping over a box of the exact things he had posted on his blog that he needed. www.ryanbanko.theworldrace.org
I also wanted to share an email that I received from another participant who is about to launch who was struggling to get to this last deadline:
I have the money to send in to you! He did it! He provided! You guys were right :) YOUR prayers are powerful :o you were right, oh my. Thank you so so so much for praying for me. Don't strop praying pleeeeeeeeease.
It's not just my prayers that are powerful and effective, it's yours too... Don't Stop Praying!!!
It is a movie that just opened last weekend in select cities. Last night I was able to go to a prescreening in Atlanta, and it opens tomorrow night here. For all of you in Indianapolis it will be opening next weekend. Is it a highly controversial movie? Quite possibly.
The synopsis: http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/movie/synopsis/
I became aware of who Sam Childers was while I was on the Race. I was in month 5 in Laos. My mom sent me an email telling me of this guy who was going to be preaching at my brothers church. She sent me a link to the website telling me more. I was hooked from that moment.
We had an ATL (Ask The Lord) Month coming up in Africa. I asked my squad leader if my team could go to Sudan. We were ministering in Southern Africa at the time, for those of you who don't know what travel is like in Africa, it's ridiculous. There was no chance at that time to go.
When I came back from the Race I heard that Sam was preaching again at my brothers church so I went. I listened to his simple message of love (not exactly what they portray on the movie). What I noticed was that the people listening were on the edge of their seats. They wanted to hear what he had to say. This is a man of action, fearlessness, and great determination. People are drawn to him.
He saw something that needed to be changed in this world and went and did something about it. His tactics are not what the typical person would use. But that's Sam. When I was introduced to Sam and told him about the World Race, his response was, “Sounds like a great vacation!” Awesome. I wasn't offended, compared to what he does, the World Race is a vacation.
His mission is to rescue children who have been forced into becoming child soldiers, from the LRA. The orphanage he runs is in the middle of a war zone. He goes out and does what few others would want to or have the guts to do.
The movie itself is a difficult movie to watch if you have any compassion at all. The stories of the children in the movie are based on the children at his orphanage. They are true stories. It is not a feel good movie. But the children are being rescued. Hope is being brought into the middle of a war zone.
Something is always going on in the community that I am living in. Tonight it shows because I am really tired, but today had so much going on that I'll give you a glimpse of what daily life is sometimes like.
I woke up extra early this morning to go shopping at Walmart. Then since I overestimated my time I ended up hanging out at the park watching the sun continue to rise over the lake. It was such a peaceful way to start the day.
I went into work starting the day with an interview and staying busy for the morning. At noon a bunch of us celebrated Helen's maiden voyage with passengers on the bus that she can now drive!!! Woot, Woot!!! Go Helen! We ended up driving into Little Mexico and eating some yummy food at a roadside stand. It reminded me of being out of the country, I really should go to that part of town more often!
I finished off my day working. Then went home to quickly go out for a quick walk/jog. As soon as I got back I changed and headed over to the apartments for dinner and a movie with some of our community. We had some GREAT laughs!
I love this community. It's becoming home more and more every day.
I went to the Gathering tonight and heard a great word from Michael Hindes. Part of which stated that we need to get out into our community, not the AIM community, but the Gainesville, GA community. So I did...unintentionally.
I went to Walmart tonight...so much happens at our local Walmart!
After getting a few necessary things for tomorrows lunch I got in line. The guy in front of me was having problems with whatever payment type he was using. He only had three dollars visible with a few coins. He kept scraping through his empty wallet.
I found the little voice that I had inside me and it said, “Sir, how much do you need?” He only had three frozen pizzas and a 2 liter. He turned to me, kind of shocked and mumbled something about his card not working, but he was fine.
I knew that was a lie so I stayed in line behind him. Almost every other lane opened up, but I didn't move. I couldn't. I stayed staring at the cashiers who were trying to work everything out and eventually they realized that the machine was frozen. He had to move to another aisle.
As he passed me we had a very quick conversation. I asked if he was sure and he still refused because he didn't want to ask for any money. I told him it was a gift and reminded him that he wasn't asking. But he continued to refuse and I conceded. So I moved to another cash register and checked out.
As I was in the parking lot I heard him coming towards me. He was apologizing. He said he didn't want to be rude and he felt bad, then he gave me a glimpse of where he is at in life. He grew up an orphan. He has had things handed to him his entire life, and he just wants to be able to earn the things that he needs.
He had story after story of trouble and bad luck that has been coming his way. In the end, he told me that he is about to get evicted in three days. He doesn't want money from people, but he will take food. He doesn't have a car and his job is a very low paying job that barely gets needs met.
I ended up promising that I'll help him with some food. But I'm at a loss as what to do next. Please be praying with me for this man...he is only 22. He wants to see God do a miracle for him, but doesn't know how that could happen for him.
I needed to read this today...maybe some of you need it too...
My Precious Daughter (A love letter from God to His Daughters)
My precious daughter, I will never leave you, I will never forsake you,
I will be faithful until the end, You are more than just “my daughter
“You are my princess, My beloved, my delight, I rejoice in you, You are
beautiful, You shine with light, You have dove's eyes, I rejoice in you
with singing, I will quiet you with my love, Hold you in my arms, Never
let you go, For you are never alone, You never have been alone, I've
been with you all along, Your whole life,
I understand your
pain, My sacrifice wasn't for nothing, Let me tell you I understand your
confusion, I understand your anger and frustration, I understand your
tears, And I care, Very much, For you, Everything that is important to
you, Is important to me too, My love for you will never end, I will not
leave you for another, I will not abandon you ever, No matter how far
you go, My love will never end.
I have examined you heart, I
know everything about you, When you sit down or stand up, I know your
thoughts, Even when you are far away, I see you when you travel, Or when
you rest at home, I see the tears that fall from your eyes, I see the
heartache in your home, Believe me I know the lies, I know the
temptations, But I am here, I know what you are going to say, Even
before you say it. I go before you and follow, I place my hand of
blessing on your head, such knowledge is beyond comprehension, it is too
wonderful for you to understand, you can never escape from my Spirit,
and you can never get away from my presence! If you go up to heaven, I
am there; if you go down to the grave, I am there. If you ride the wings
of the morning, if you dwell by the farthest oceans, even there my hand
will guide you and my strength will support you.
You could ask
the darkness to hide you, And the light around you to become night, But
even in darkness you cannot hide from me, To me night shine as day, I
made all the delicate, inner parts of your body, I made your heart, I
know what makes you hurt, I know what makes you cry, I know what makes
you tick, I know when breaks your heart the most, And I know how to
comfort you, I know how to make you smile, I know how to love you, I
know how to be a daddy who loves, Such a beautiful daughter like you,
You long for acceptance, When you were already accepted into my family,
You are fearfully and wonderfully made, I love you more than you know, I
will fill your heart with the love and peace you long for, I saw you
before you were born, I knit you together in your mother's womb, Even
then I loved you, And I was proud of you, And I thought of you as my
beautiful daughter, my princess, Everyday of your life is recorded in my
book, Every moment was laid out, Every moment that would bring you joy,
Every moment that would bring you pain.
My thoughts about you
are precious, They cannot be numbered, They outnumber the grains of
sand, And when you wake up in the morning, I am still with you, I love
you more than you know, You are beautiful to me, Even though you feel
something is always wrong, Just look into my eyes, See how I see you, A
beautiful princess, With beautiful eyes that shine with my love and my
light, I love you, And I will say it again, I love you, My princess, my
beloved, My precious daughter,
I love you, I love you, and I love you.
Don't give up, For I see the brokenness in your families, In your
friendships, I see the pain in your eyes, Your beautiful heart, That
used to be so filled joy, Is now crushed beneath your burdens, But
you're still beautiful to memos beautiful to me, I will heal you and
restore you once again,
My precious daughter, I will never leave you, I will never forsake you, and I will be faithful until the end,
Faithful until the end…
Your loving Father and Daddy, Abba Prince of Peace, King of Glory
I have been very slowly reading through Bill Johnson's book, Secrets To Imitating God. I picked it up tonight after a long pause and what I read was exactly what I needed, thanks God! Here's just a little excerpt of what I liked (pp 132-134).
The following is a list of practical suggestions for those wanting to grow in revelation from God.
Become Childlike. Simplicity and humility of heart helps qualify a person to hear from God, while the desire to be profound is a wasted desire. What many discover after years of teaching is that the word that is simple is often the most profound. “At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.” (Matt. 11:25).
Obey what you know. Jesus taught His followers, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17). “If anyone wills...he shall know”--Clarity comes to the one willing to do the will of God. The willingness to obey attracts revelation, because God is the ultimate steward, investing His treasures into fertile ground--the surrendered heart.
Learn the biblical art of “meditation.” “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I will meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search” (Ps. 77:6) Biblical meditation is a diligent search. Whereas religious cults teach people to empty their minds as the means of meditation, the Bible teaches us to fill our minds with God's Word. Meditation has a quiet heart and a “directed” mind. Mulling a word over in our heart, with a pursuit that springs from the inquisitive child's heart, is meditation.
Live in faith. Living by faith in my present assignment makes me ready for more. “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Cor. 4:4) Notice that the light of the Gospel comes to the person who believes. Revelation comes to the one expressing faith! Live with the understanding that God has already willed to give you His mysteries (see Matt. 13:11), and ask accordingly. Then thank Him in advance.
Acquire an understanding heart. This sort of heart has the foundations in place for something to be constructed upon it. These are the basic concepts of the King and His Kingdom. Proper foundations attract the builder (revelator) to come and add to those foundations. “But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding” (Prov. 14:6 NASB). God wisely stewards fresh insight to those who have the basic principles in place. When fresh insights come, the understanding heart has a “slot to put it in.” It is not lost as seed spilled on the ground.
Give God your nights. I try to end each day with my heart's affection stirred up and directed to the Holy Spirit. What as amazing way to go to sleep. The Song of Solomon reveals this poetically, “I sleep, but my heart is awake” (Song of Sol. 5:2). God loves to visit us in the night and give us instruction that we would have a hard time receiving during the day (see Job 33:15-16). The desire to give God our night season flows naturally from the child's heart that knows revelation cannot be earned. Ask Him specifically to minister to you in the night through visions and dreams. Once you have a dream or vision, write it out, and ask Him for understanding.
Give away what you have already received. Never underestimate what hungry people can “pull” from you while you minister the Word. Being in a place of continual giving is a sure way of getting more. When we're in “over our heads” in a ministry situation, we find out what God has been putting into us during the night. He draws out of the deep places in our hearts things that are not yet a part of our conscious thought processes (see Prov. 20:5).
Become a friend of God. God shares His secrets with His friends. “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). He makes all things known to His friends. Not only does He want to share all, He's invited us to ask anything of Him. But be accustomed to hearing more than you can share with others. Listen as He speaks, but speak only what He gives you freedom to speak about. Some things are revealed only because we're friends, and are not to be shared with others.
Tonight I was out with some girls from work at Wild Wings. They have live bands on the weekends and tonight was no different. The band was a cover band for 80's rock music. It's not the kind of music that I listen to, but they did play some classics that I could sing along with.
There were a couple of things that struck me about the show. First, the constant reminder was put out there that it was Friday and we should party because work is awful, but don't worry because it's over for the weekend and we can escape. Work is not seen as a good thing, but as a dreadful thing that causes misery. Praise Jesus that I don't feel that way about my job.
Second, the band dressed up like men in 80's rock bands. The lead singer was like an Axle Rose wannabe, the two guitarists were in all black and had long hair or grungy facial hair. They were pretending to be someone else that they respect or consider cooler than themselves. You could tell that they were trying to play the part.
Lastly, the people that were there to listen to them were older like the band members, yet they tried to act like they did back when the 80's rock bands were popular. It was evident from their actions that they hadn't moved on. From the way they dressed to the way they danced in front of the stage, it was all kind of sad. They numb themselves with alcohol and forget their lives for a while.
This just shows me that, in general, people do not have a purpose and end up miserable in the work they do. They have laid down their dreams or the ability to dream, and have accepted a mundane life for themselves. Their identities are wrapped up in the past and they try to prove themselves by dressing a part and playing a role. They try to be someone else. People don't want to deal with their current state and the reality of who they are, so they numb themselves and build walls and masks that hide what they are truly feeling.
Sad.
Hurting people are all around. We have hope and love to give.
This blog was written by Nick Hayden. He is on Z Squad and just launched at the beginning of this month. His squad leaders, Joshua and Megan, who he talks about in this blog, were on the squad that I led. I was able to share my life with them and now they are sharing there lives with Nick. Because of them stepping up and following God's heart, Nick is able to pour out the love of Christ in dark places, with broken people who need the hope of Christ. Pray for Z Squad and the lives that they are having an impact on right now!
The rough and the tough, as honest as it gets
Well I told you I would be completely honest with you in blogging so
here goes. Ill start with the bad and then go to the good. I just got
back from hanging out with my Squad leaders, really just getting to know
Joshua's heart better and sharing our testimonies with each other. It
was awesome, but on the way back to where we were staying a little boy
came up to us asking for money, it was 10:40pm at night. He said he was
11 years old, but I'm not sure he was that old. He tried to act so
tough, but a hug and a bag rub later and he was laughing and sitting
down with us. There are three options for what most kids are in the
Phillipines: 1) orphaned and homeless and just begging for food 2) he is
1 AND also huffs glue to numb the hunger pains that he gets from
starving 3) he begs for money to give to some type of “pimp” and gets
fed because of it. All three options break my heart. I started tearing
up in the middle of the street, I was trying really hard not to start
sobbing because there was nothing I could do to help him. I could only
pray and love him for that moment and believe in the justice of our
glorious God. I felt so useless. Then right after that these two guys,
one who was super drunk, got on the jeepney with us. Jeepney is a old
humvee turned into a taxi type service. It has benches on each side of
the back and is a common form of transportation in the Philippines. They
got on and I am about 99.9% sure that they were gay. It was extremely
uncomfortable being in sight of it, much less riding near them on the
jeepney. On top of that the more sober one was touching the super drunk
one really inappropriately. The whole ride the emiotions going through
my head were SO intense. I just got done seeing this innocent child
suffering and couldn't do anything but attempt to offer some momentary
love and care. Then I get on the jeepney thinking Ill be able to process
this at the YMC, where we are staying, and have to see that. At first
all I could think about was how wrong it was, then I could super pissed,
then darkness. I realized how dark some of the places I am going are
going to be. I started crying again at the overwhelmingness of it all.
“How can I do anything against that darkness?” Then I look over and my
other squad leader Megan, who has such a gentle and compassionate soul,
is mouthing words. I have no idea what, but instantly know she is
glorifying or praying to God right there. Later I learn that she was
singing the song “Freedom reigns in this place”. It was so encouraging
to see that light of her love for Christ coming forth through that
overwhelming darkness. And I realized that Christ is anywhere and
everywhere we who carry Him are. He has already defeated death, and He
died on the cross for ALL sins, not just mine. I realized I am not the
judger, but Christ will come again with a righteous just fire that will
judge all and all I can do is present myself as a tool to be used by him
as much as possible. There is HOPE and there is LOVE even when the
darkness feels like it is closing in. Christ has already won!! So though
I was still really sad and heart brokenly devastated over what I had
just witnessed I was also encouraged by the truth that God does not
forsake us.
I've decided that I'm not very good with meeting famous people.
Last November, when Janina and I were coming home from squad leading the P Squad we had a 23 hour layover in Rome, Italy. Of course, we went out to see as much as we could. We were exhausted from barely any sleep the last few days with the squad. So our quick trip seemed to be an extraordinarily long day.
By about 4 in the afternoon we needed a place to rest. We just wanted to sit for a little while and watch people and enjoy the surroundings. We found a cute little cafe and were waited on by this amazing old, Italian man. Seated next to us was another couple, who just like us were sharing tasty treats like tiramisu and some yummy Italian coffee.
Janina went to the bathroom and when she came back she noticed that the couple had left and had been replaced by a man. Her response to me was, “Kim, I think I know him.” Then she started wondering where she knew him from. I turned around and recognized him right away. I told her, “Janina, that's Harvey Dent, from The Dark Knight.” (Aaron Eckhart)
We whispered and wondered if it was really him. We talked about how we didn't know his real name and I joked about having him take a picture of us with the waiter, but not with him. But in the end we did nothing. That day he was just a regular guy drinking coffee doing touristy things. He had nothing on him but a camera and his attaché case. No body guards. Just normal.
I kind of regret not saying something. At least acknowledging the fact that we knew that he was an American touring in Italy or something. But we chickened out.
By the way, we did find out that it was in fact him, he was at a Premiere that weekend in Rome.
Tonight...
After the Gungor concert tonight we happened to be able to go to the VIP backstage area. I know, I'm God's favorite. :) We waited in line to meet Michael and Lisa Gungor. It's a little different waiting to meet people who are in the spotlight. You never know what to say, they are after all just normal people who just happen to have a ridiculous amount of creativity that God has lavished on them.
So as I waited God downloaded a word from him especially for Lisa. Awesome God. I chicken out when I'm in front of famous people, now you want me to give her a word from you? Huh.
We were towards the back of the line and I watched as others went and met them. Though they were tired and ready to get out of there, they had conversations with everyone that came to meet them. I didn't really notice Michael as much as I noticed Lisa. She is gracious and gentle, she welcomed every person and made them feel like they were already friends.
Then it was our turn to get our picture taken with them. Ugh. Stacy made small talk about how amazing the vintage wedding dress was that she was wearing. Then Lisa turned and looked at me and slightly turned her chin up with a furrowed brow. SHE asked ME, “Do I know you?”
What?No.I'm not anyone YOU would know.
Man that threw me off. She said I looked like a girl that she went to school with. I awkwardly told her no, that we didn't know each other. Then I proceeded to tell her what God had said. The delivery was me basically stumbling through everything I needed to say and repeating it again in a different way. Again, she is a very gracious person. She thanked me and I could tell she was very genuine in receiving what God was saying. Then we stepped to the side to let the other girls get their pictures taken.
Why couldn't I have just had a normal conversation with her, Lord?I know that you know better than I do. I pray that those were the exact words that she needed to hear tonight, but really? I would have rather had small talk about knowing each other and become instant BFF's.
Don't worry I have another chance. The next time I'm planning on being in Indianapolis Gungor and the David Crowder Band are there. Yep, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to go again! Not just to say hi again, but really because the concert was that amazing. Start planning now if you live in Indianapolis, the concert is October 26!!!
Tonight I was out with some girls from work at Wild Wings. They have live bands on the weekends and tonight was no different. The band was a cover band for 80's rock music. It's not the kind of music that I listen to, but they did play some classics that I could sing along with. 
