Kimberly Martin - The World Race 2007

...and hope does not disappoint.

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

An amazing, historic day in Haiti

Posted in Haiti by Seth Barnes on 2/13/2010

We didn't expect this. We expected the devastation, the crumbled buildings, the tent cities. But we didn't expect the hope.

We arrived in time to witness something I've never seen before - the pastors of Haiti called for three days of prayer and fasting and the people responded.

Everywhere we went this morning, under tents, under trees, in the squares, in the rubble, were gatherings of people praying and singing. We drove to a gathering our translator estimated to be 6000 people.

A man was at the front talking. As he stopped and as the people began to sing and to wave their hands, we could feel the Spirit of God blow over the crowd and through our hearts. You talk to any one of them and they have lost someone. Maybe a wife, maybe a father or a sister. But here they were, worshipping.

As I walked through the crowd a man said something to me in Creole. Not understanding, I kept walking. He said it again - I could tell he wanted an answer. I looked at my translator and he said, "He's asking you, why aren't you clapping?" It was true. Me, the American, the outsider, the reporter, watching. It wasn't appropriate. The people were there to respond to what God is doing in their land. God is pouring out his Spirit and the appropriate response is clapping for starters.

In every church that hadn't fallen down, in almost every open area, people were gathered in crowds that spilled out into streets, praising God, singing and praying. And it demanded a response - engagement. I suppose it's like heaven in that way. If the angels are praising God, we'll be compelled to join them.

Later we walked by the front of the now-collapsed Presidential Palace where 50,000 or more gathered to worship and the crowd was beginning to disband. And at Pastor Christian's church, an estimated 9,000 sat on the ground under drooping blue tarps. Somebody saw me in the back clapping to the music and asked, "Why aren't you dancing?"

Back in the van, we drove through the city center, overwhelmed by the devastation. Tent cities were everywhere. Some highly organized in new, white half-cylinders from the UN or USAID. Others, ramshackle, made of rags, sheets, and scraps of plastic. A large train terminal, impressive for its colonial architecture, sat at a cockeyed angle - leaning precariously. Some of the buildings had collapsed forward into the street, poised like barges being launched from docks.

We passed people in shoving, angry lines waiting for large white bags of flour. Everywhere, people here are on the move, trying to find a way to survive - negotiating a world turned upside-down. But the crowds who came to pray, the Haitians who by the hundreds of thousands spread out from every still-standing church and meeting tent on what seemed every other street corner testified to another reality.

Something spiritually historic is underway. The cry of a desperate people is rising up to the heavens - calling out for mercy, crying out for God, shouting out for the arrival of the soon-coming king. And, today at least, God responded. His Spirit blew through the tents in ways that sent you to your knees in response. In 30 years of missions, I've never seen anything like it. It's the thing you read about it books. It's the thing you hope for but sometimes grow cynical about ever seeing. And it's happening here, now.

Haiti is arising - a month after the greatest natural disaster of our time, new and hope-filled day is dawning.

click here to read more of Seth's blogs on Haiti

Just Beneath the Surface

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

How many things do we overlook in a days time because we just passed by?
How many people do we pass by, never seeing beyond the surface?

I am currently at a training center in North Carolina learning about healing and deliverance ministry. There's a deep subject.

So many things are lurking in the depths of our hearts, just below the surface. On the outside, we appear to be okay - or at least "normal." Again we could ask, how many people to we pass by not realizing the pain they carry just below the surface?

In the last week and a half, I've seen a lot of pain that was hidden below the surface. I've even shared some of my own. The amazing thing is that God already knows what is below the surface, and He will meet us there and take away the pain if we let Him. We've put up icy barriers, blocking out every threat to expose our pain. But there is beauty hidden in that pain, and God knows exactly how to bring it out.

On my break yesterday, I went exploring as I love to do. I found a little pond out front that was frozen over. My curiosity got me to thinking; "I wonder if that whole piece of ice is just floating on the surface?
I wonder if I can move it?"

So I stepped up onto the rim, bent down and pulled the icy mass toward me. As I pulled, a piece broke off in my hand. It crumbled actually, and what I discovered was so incredibly beautiful to me.

That huge disk of ice was made up of verticle clusters of ice "crystals" that broke apart in my hand.

The light shimmered ans sparkled within then as I turn them around in my hand, in awe of their beauty.

I was so excited about my little discovery that I brought Krystal out the see the pretty little "crystals."
I even came back later to take some pictures to remind me of the beauty hidden below the surface.

As I meditated on this throughout the day today, I felt as though God was showing me that it isn't only pain that we hide below the surface. He has little treasures hidden there if we will search for them. There is so much beauty inside each one of us, even when it doesn't show on the surface.

In the Spring when that ice thaws, that same water will gush forth in a fountain of glory. And so will our hearts, when the icy shrouds are broken and thawed. As the pain is released, new life is poured in and our hearts are awakened by His glory.

As you go about your day, dare to look below the surface.
You might be surprised by treasures you will find.

Come and Follow Me

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is Jesus' invitation to all of us. What does it mean to you?

When I first got the invitation, it meant repenting and asking Jesus to be my savior. Later, it meant seeking His will for my life. I went from attending church and Bible study to a search for something more significant. My first taste of ministry was with Walk to Emmaus and then KAIROS. They were both great, but I wanted something more. I took my first mission trip to Peru, and then to Kenya - twice. With each new adventure, I longed for more. Then came the World Race. Eleven countries (technically thirteen) in eleven months! What could possibly top that?

From there, things took a surprising twist. I found myself in Georgia; the state, not the country. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Where was the adventure in that? Yet, God met me there in ways I least expected. There wasn't a lot of glamour or adventure. Actually, most of it was really hard. But God met me there and continued the process of exposing my heart and building something in me that I still can't quite explain. He was preparing me for a future that I couldn't even see yet.

The next turn was even more surprising. The doors closed in Georgia, and I found myself feeling a bit aimless and desperate. I searched for grand opportunities overseas; a leadership school in Spain, ministry in Africa, and considered many other options as well. I was even accepted at the school in Spain, but I didn't have peace about any of them. I kept feeling this nagging and unrelenting push to go back to Pennsylvania where I grew up.

I had left Lancaster County as soon as I was old enough to be on my own. I had dream of living in the big city, and felt quite at home there. Then after traveling overseas, I fell in love with foreign cultures as well. I would have rather moved just about anywhere than home. Moving home felt like failing somehow. But God wasn't budging on the issue, so I had to suck it up and go. What choice did I have? What good could possibly come from ignoring God?

What I have found, is that when I opened my heart to what God was doing, He began to change mine. I began to appreciate Lancaster County again, and have seen the little details that are unique to that area. I've been able to see it with new eyes, and explore it as I never had before.

In addition to that, God is revealing a lot of the brokenness in myself and in my family that I had apparently been running away from all these years. Even better, He is beginning to heal and restore us. I had the wonderful privilege of spending the whole holiday season with family this year instead of only flying in for a week. I only got to see my sister for a few days, but I'm hoping to remedy that soon. I never realized how much I actually wanted, and needed that. I thought I was content with the fly-by holidays, but I was missing out.

What I am beginning to realize, is that this is where God brought me. This is where He asked me to follow Him too. Not to the city, not overseas, and not even really doing that much "ministry". He led me to where I least wanted to be, and where I most need to be.

I suspect that those other places and desire still play a role in my future, but what matters is where He is leading me now, in this moment.

So my question to you is this. Where is He asking you to follow Him to? Where are you hesitant to go, or flat set against it. The chances are pretty good that if there is somewhere that you have said, "anywhere but there," that is probably exactly where you need to go. And one thing I have learned, although I am not always quick to follow, is that when you say yes to God, you will never lose!

If you feel a nudging for something more; listen. I want to take you on a journey. I promise that it will be challenging. I promise that it will lead to places that you may not want to go. And I promise that it will change your life. Will you come with me?

A Life Disturbed

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Working in retail at the holiday season has shown me many things about our culture that I would rather not admit. Instead of goodwill and cheer, the overwhelming masses come demanding and complaining, ensuring that everybody's lives are as miserable as theirs has become. A few hours on the floor felt more like a few rounds in a boxing ring. What happened to Christmas? What happened to peace on earth and goodwill to man?

Instead, we complain when our schedules are interuppted because there was a line we had to wait in. We become completely unravled when our plans and agendas are disturbed by unforeseen events, or even predictible ones that we would prefer to avoid. It seems that our whole lives revolve around our ability to predict and control the events of out day, from the weather right down to the exact blend of coffee that we must have for our day to go well.

I think we all need a little disturbing from above to get our priorities back on track. Since moving home, I've encountered a few divine disturbances on my own that have revealed misguided attitudes and entitlements that needed to be corrected. It seams that somewhere along the way, I had come to believe that I was better off on my own; that I didn't need my parents, grandparents and other family members to be a part of my regular life. I was content to see them on ocassion, around the holidays or whenever it worked out. In all of my stubborn independence, I never realized what I was missing until God disturbed my plans and sent me home. Now I am beginning to realize that family is what I've needed and longed for all along.

I think this poem by Sir Francis Drake communicates well, that God's plans are far superior to ours and will meet the needs that we don't even realize we have. When we surrender our lives to Him, follow His lead and allow His will to be manifest in us, we cannot loose.

Disturb Us, Lord
A prayer by Sir Francis Drake

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push back the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of our Captain,
Who is Jesus Christ.

Dare To Take A Look

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Copied from and article on streamingfaith.com.

A pastor at one of the largest churches in the country launched a new sermon series addressing the hypocrisy and the pretending prevalent among Christians.

Entitled "The Pretenders," the series draws attention to the biblical time when Jesus went not to the red light district, the nightclub or the boardroom to confront the hypocrites but to church.

"[Jesus'] main problem with the ... religious leaders in his day is that they were hypocrites," said Kyle Idleman, teaching minister at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky. "That's what he calls them to their face."

Over the weekend, Idleman addressed the hypocrites in the church today saying, "There are pretenders among us. They're putting on a performance. ...They've learned to wear this mask in church."

There are unmarried couples who are "sitting next to each other in church pretending that their relationship was just as pure last night as it appears to be right now," he noted. "There are pretenders who will sing amazing grace with tear-filled eyes but they refuse to extend that same grace to a family member who hurt them."

"There are pretenders who have become experts at separating their faith from their political views ... from their money management ... and from their entertainment preferences," he added. "There are pretenders who spend an hour and a half every day in front of a mirror making sure everything looks great on the outside but just can't seem to find 10 minutes to read their Bible or to pray.

"There are pretenders who are so quick to point out and condemn the sexual immorality in their culture but don't seem too concerned about their lust."

Studies conducted by LifeWay Research in 2007 have shown that most people outside and inside the church believe hypocrisy is prevalent among believers. Among the unchurched, 72 percent said they think the church is full of hypocrites, and 67 percent of 20- to 29-year-olds said the same.

There are two groups of hypocrites Christians tend to fall into, Idleman observed. They include the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who made up the religious ruling body in Jesus' time. The Sadducees made up the chief priests and elders and were born into that position. The Pharisees, meanwhile, were Jews who studied their way into their position.

Many pretenders today see their faith as something they were born into and never chose, Idleman explained.

"You know how to act, you know what to say, you know what to do ... but you never chose it," the Southeast minister said. "You got the part down but it was never real."

"As long as you could remember you've always had that mask. In fact, you've had it so long that you don't even know what you look like without it," he added.

To such pretenders, Jesus would say "woe to you, you hypocrites," Idleman said.

But a lot of pretenders are more like the Pharisees, Idleman believes. They see their faith as "intellectual knowledge and behavioral compliance."

Such Christians may say all the right things and follow all the rules, but their hearts don't reflect that, he indicated.

"It's not enough just to know the right things and to say the right things. [Jesus] wants it to be in your heart," the minister stressed. "Jesus summed up the Pharisees in this way - they honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."

Just as Jesus was upfront and harsh in rebuking the hypocrisy among the religious leaders, Idleman urged Christians to also be brutal with themselves.

"Be brutal. Be broken," he encouraged. "Jesus is trying to hold up a mirror and tell us the truth."

The cure for pretending, he said, is confessing one's sins.

"When you take the mask off ... you find a peace for your soul that just doesn't come when you're faking it," said Idleman.

Fruits Of Prayer And Fasting

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Copied from streamingfaith.com.

Planned Parenthood Clinic Director Resigns After Witnessing Abortion
from Staff and Wire Reports

The director of a Planned Parenthood abortion center in Texas has resigned and embraced the pro-life movement after witnessing an abortion through an ultrasound.

Abby Johnson had worked at the clinic in Bryan/College Station, Texas, for eight years before departing from the facility after her change of heart.

"I left on good terms and simply had a change of heart on this issue," she told 40 Days for Life, which had been holding prayer and fasting initiatives outside her clinic since fall of 2004. "Over the past few months I had seen a change in motivation regarding the financial impact of abortions and really reached my breaking point after witnessing a particular kind of abortion on an ultrasound."

According to reports, Johnson had never seen an abortion take place on an ultrasound but happened to be present during one procedure, in which she saw a 13-weeks-old fetus trying to move away from the doctor's probe

"I just thought, 'What am I doing?'" she told ABC News. "And then I thought, 'Never again.'"

Two weeks later, Johnson quit.

"It's truly been a testament to the power of prayer and the courage of Abby to leave a job she felt she could no longer do in good conscience," commented Shawn Carney, the director of the Coalition for Life and a 40 Days for Life board member.

"It has been a joy for all of our volunteers who have prayed outside of the clinic for the conversion of the clinic workers to witness that conversion actually happens."

According to 40 Days for Life, Johnson is one of eight abortion industry workers who left their jobs during the fifth coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign that concluded recently in 212 cities. Johnson was the highest-ranking of the eight, the campaign reported. Others who quit their clinic jobs included nurses, office staffers and security personnel.

In the wake of Johnson's departure, Planned Parenthood has gone to court to seek a restraining order against both Johnson and the Coalition for Life, the local group that originated 40 Days for Life and continued regular prayer vigils in front of the clinic for the past five years.

Planned Parenthood filed the "restraining order of disclosure" against Johnson reportedly because of fears she may have taken confidential files out of the organization. Johnson, however, has denied those allegations.

A court hearing on the order is scheduled in a Texas court on Nov. 10.

Coalition for Life director Carney has been working with Johnson since she left her job last month.

Gifts That Give Life And Freedom

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Many years I have talked about forgoing gift buying at Christmas. Yet every year, there is always somebody I end up buying a gift for. As much as I try to deny this part of our culture by replacing it with more meanigful gestures, I always end up giving in and spending money because as Americans, it is what we do.

However, there are ways that we can spend our money more wisely. Ways to make that money do more than just buy brownie points with your boss. Ways that do more than put a smile on the faces of your friends and family.

For the last couple of years I have been trying to publish alternative shopping sites that benefit people in need around the world. If you are gearing up to do some shopping this holiday season, check out these sites first to find unique gifts that will bring life and freedom to others with every purchase.

TIMBALI CRAFTS

CORRIDOR OF HOPE

NOT FOR SALE

TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS

I know there are many more sites out there that offer products that also support Kingdom building around the world. If you know of any, pass them along to me and I will add them to my post.

I hope you all are doing something to make this holiday season meaningful for all. God bless you and your families.

She Knows Not a Man by Pastor Gift

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I mentioned earlier my encounter with Maswane while I was in Swaziland. This morning when I awoke, for some reason I was inspired to write a poem about her. When I fininshed, I opened my computer out of curiosity and searched for the meaning of her name. The search brought up several blogs written about Maswane, including this one from Pastor Gift.

Before I share my poem, I want you to hear the story from him. Unfortunately, another blog that I found stated the news of Maswane's death. She breathed her last on Wednesday; cut short by violence and disease. It's hard to resolve in one's heart the tragedy of her passing with the faith that she is now at peace awaiting the coming of the Lord and the resurrection of the saints. What we see is different from what we know to be.

I wish that I had stories of her youth to share; something delightful to rejoice in. But all I have is the story of her suffering, and it needs to be heard. Her life begs to make a difference in Swaziland.

She Knows Not a Man by Pastor Gift

The Real Life Team has left for Manzini and I am sitted in my house with Mxolisi playing a game of cards. I'm trying to tone down in preparation for the Young Adult coming with Morgan. Phumzile, a shop keeper from the small grocery shop across the street comes running into the house as if something is after her. "Pastor, they have sent me to call you. Maswane is very sick and they need your help", she announces.

We immidiately stop playing and the much needed toning down and rush
for the Matsenjwa homestead which is not more than 4 kilometres from the Community Center. We find this 19 year old girl writhing in pain and her grandmother begins to tell us what is wrong with her. I began to observe her from a distance and realized what was wrong with her. I then drove back home to get my first aid kit and a book loaned to me by Isabel 'When the Doctor is Away'. Maswane has a terrible skin problem. Her skin looks like a rough snake or lizard skin and has sores that are full of abscess all over the body. Her breasts are covered in scales that are hard to look at. Putting gloves in my hands I began to imagine the pain she was going through and wanted to know all about where it began. After having washed her sores, applied sore cream to them, I then gave her antibiotics and pain tablets. We used a vitamin c drink to wash them down her throat and waited. When she looked calm and settled I ordered everyone out so I could talk to her. Here is what transpired:

"Tell me Maswane what happened to you when you were young?", I asked.

"Pastor, I have been meaning to talk to someone about this before I die. When I was almost six years old, in the year 2000, I was raped by my martenal cousin. It happened right here in this house. Every one was away and I was not schooling then. He came to the house early in the morning and he raped me. The issue was reported to the police and I was taken to Saint Philips clinic for examination. But to this day nothing has happened to my cousin Zakhele. I hear he has done a similar thing to another five year old. They say he has completely damaged the young girl womanhood. No wonder, he damaged me too. They even say he is now on the most wanted police list because he raped an older woman.

Pastor, there is something else I must tell you. Not only Zakhele raped me but also my uncle. He is my father 's brother because they share the same mother but they have different fathers. He died in December but after a long illness. The scales you see on my body started soon after Zakhele raped me, but I think I got HIV from my uncle. I have only one wish now, to see Zakhele, my cousin paying for his sins. My uncle is dead and I cannot do anything about it now. However, can you help me pastor make sure the police find Zakhele and put him in jail."

"Where is he?"

"I hear he is up the mountain with relatives in South Africa. It is possible to get to him. You know what pastor. One thing that is painful in this whole thing is that I have never had a man have me because I consented. All the men that have been with me they had done so by force. My privates parts were damaged from young and now I DO NOT KNOW A MAN."

When she said this, I was already weeping and could not imagine the amount of emotional pain she is going through even as I write. Maswane is a real person and this is a true story. It is not fiction at all as it might seem. The Real Life Team while in Nsoko visited with Maswane on several occassions. In fact there is one girl who struck some kind of a relationship with her. We praise God for these teams because they help by spending time with the dying in Nsoko. I believe for Maswane to open up to me is because of the ground work that has been done by the team members.

Her mother came to me in the afternoon to say thank you for helping her daughter while she was at the farms working. She narrated how painful it is to leave her daughter alone in the morning for work. There is nothing she could do since she is the bread winner. She confirmed Maswane's rape by the cousin and how that created animosity in the family. She was surprised to learn that she was also raped by the late uncle and we began to cry together. We cried with no one to comfort us. I'm not sure why I was crying. May be because crying was the only thing I could do. She cried right by the training ground where she found me and it hurt so deep to see a mother weeping for a daughter that knows not a man.

Maswane gave me permission to use her story and her real name so people could realize the level of child abuse have come to in Swaziland. I do not know how to react. I do not know what to do. I do not know what to think. How can we stop this? How can one fulfill Maswane's wish?

Pray!

Maswane

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Maswane

Your name is beautiful, a tribute to your youth;

before hell came and stole all that God had given you.

Your face still soft and sweet,

evidence of what once was and yet will be.

Your eyes now dark and hollow; windows to your soul.

Looted by despair, smiles and laughter faded.

Your limbs are thin and frail; bones so lightly veiled.

Your skin is thick and calloused, dry and cracked it oozes.

Delicate finger tips protrude like gentle shoots from rotting stumps;

oddly untouched by the decay.

Why has death come to your door Maswane?

Why has hell attacked so fiercely?

Innocense lost by those who should uphold you.

Where now does your hope lie?

Darkness surrounds you, alone in house of mud.

Devoured now by shame; abandoned and scorned.

Your mother weaps for you Maswane, her suffering so deap.

To see her babe torn by hate, fearing it's too late.

Why has death come to your door Maswane?

Where does tomorrow lie?

Righteousness will not fail you child,

turn your eyes to the King of Life.

Death has been defeated, he will not have you.

Joy awaits the morning, your bones shall rise again.

Dance Maswane, dance for your King.

For He has set you free in deed, He has set you free!

I see you standing, hands raised high,

to tell the world, "I am alive!"

White teeth glisten from ear to ear.

Your heart beats wildly as your King draws near.

Listen all who have ears to hear,

The Lord has come to Maswane.

Joy now fills what sorrow once held, forgiveness leads you there.

Fret not my daughter for what was lost, you have become my heir.

*As I type this, chills run through my bones. I wrote this before I read of her death, and only now as I type it see that it is true. God bless you sweetly Maswane, I'll see you in eternity.

A Day With The Luke Commission

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We had the amazing opportunity to join the team from The Luke Commission for one of their mobile medical clinics in the rural village of Sigwane. Rising early, the team prepared for the all day event. With trailors loaded and lunch packed, we all loaded up for the hour and a half drive to the village.

Once we arrived, the trailors were unlaoded and a makeshift clinic set up in one of the town buildings. People had walked for miles to gather, awaiting their chance to receive care. The numbers were estimated around 500.

The crowd was told to gather near a grove of trees for to receive instructions for the day. As I stood by, I was soon joined by a little boy in a red shirt. I asked him his name but I could not understand his softly spoken reply. I noticed an embroidered patch on his shirt that said DUDE. I asked him if I could just call him that, I don't think he understood but he also didn't seem to mind. After a few minutes he walked away again with some other kids. Soon after that I was joined by a young lady. She came and sat beside me and introduced herself as Bucle. We talked on and off throughout the day. She's a real sweet and friendly girl. The whole crowd was very inviting and friendly, saying hello and greating you as you pass by.

When the instructions were finished, everybody formed a queue (line) from the tree up to the side of the building. Amy Jo was able to join the crew doing triage since she is a nursing student. The took blood pressure, checked blood sugar levels, and did HIV tests. Once the triage was completed, patients lined up on benches beside the building to wait for their turn to see the doctor. After seeig the doctor, it's on to the pharmacy trailor.

Since I have no medical qualifications, I helped with the eyeglass station. Metal racks filled with boxes of donated glasses were loaded into the main room in the back of the building. They used a machine to test their vision and print out a report. Then we searched through the boxes to find the prescription that matches the report. Sometimes we had to go through several pairs to find the right match, and sometimes we couldn't find a match at all. There was only one pair for every priscription number, so as the day went on the chances of finding a match grew slimmer.

In addition to the corrective lenses, we also provided reading glasses. The patient would have to read a series of paragraphs in progressively smaller text until it was too small to read. Beside each paragraph there was a prescription number that for the correct compensation. We had lots of reading glasses, so that task was much easier. Some people left with two pair of glasses, one for general use and the other for reading, while some left with nothing.
It hardly seemed fair, but none complained.

Those who were unable to walk properly also received wheel chairs. Not the kind we're used to, but rather a sort of box on wheels. They are produced on Florida and shipped overseas, and assembled onsight. It was great to watch as the chairs were distributed to their new owners. There was a little bit of a learning curve as owners learned how to opperate the hand cranked peddle system, but the smiles on their faces said it all.

Early in the day, Bucle had asked me about a Bible. When I inquired of the team, they said they hand out Bibles to those who stay until the end. I passed the news on to my new friend. She was dissapointed that waiting would mean missing the bus that comes by, but she was willing to wait. She has wanted a Bible for a long time. Finally at the end of the night, the people formed a queue one more time and received their own Bibles. Bucle was so delighted to have it even though now she would have to make a long walk in the dark to get to the bus station. She was so grateful, and did not complain at all.

It was a great blessing to join this team for a day. Their dedication and saccrafice for the people is inspiring. I pray that God will continue to bless their ministry and extend their reach to wherever it is needed. It is so glorious to see physical needs met in a place with so much suffering. But even more glorious when the Word of God is received with open hearts.

Vision For Nsoko - Take Two

Sat, 5 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sorry about that last bit. Let's give it another go here.

The morning after our arrival in Swaziland, we packed up the car and headed to Nsoko. Of course I had all kinds of things pictured in my mind about what this children's village would look like. When we arrived, I could quickly see that my imaginations were way off. When I heard the word village, I imagined just that. A whole village. When we arrived, I saw nothing more than a house and a few buildings in the middle of nowhere. If I'm honest, it was a bit dissapointing at first. I have quite the imagination, so that happens to me frequently. But once we met Pastor Gift and he began to tell us all that is in the works here, it was quite intriguing.

According to Gift, in the beginning, orphans were not really even in the picture. The original plan was to build a leadership school for Swazi nationals. There are so many challanges in Swaziland, and in order for any significant change to occur it will need to come from Swazis; not from foreigners. So the vision was to build a leadership school where Swazis could come and learn leadership skills along with a curriculum that would give them a foundation of faith and integrity. It was origanally planned to happen in the North of Swaziland, but one day all of that changed.

Gary Black was one of my mentors on the World Race. He and his family moved to Swaziland not long before we arrived there. His ministry, G42, was behind this whole vision. It was while on his way to one of the many meetings that God intervened and drastically changed the focus of the ministry.

In a hurry on his way to the meeting, he drove through Nsoko and noticed something he could not ignore. All around he saw starving children, dirty and alone. Instead of feeling bad and driving on as many no doubt have, he stopped and began asking questions. In that moment, he knew that something had to be done and his whole agenda shifted. He was informed of the governments solution in the form of carepoints where children could go to receive food and some care. The problem was that many of the carepoints don't have food or anyone to run them effectively.

When Gary finally arrived at the meeting, he shared this heartbreaking reality with the other men and insisted that something had to be done. The primary focus was now to find a way to provide for these many orphaned and starving children. The vision for Nsoko village was birthed.

The vision has continued to expand, even including the original plan for a leadership training center. In addition for that, there is sports discipleship where young men and women can learn integrity and values through the relationships formed with the leaders. Most of these children are growing up without any parents to teach them even the basic values, much less the life skills needed to provide for themselves or a family. There are young kids, maybe only ten years old, raising their younger siblings alone. Who will teach them and lead them into maturity. The sports discipleship program is one way to allow them to enjoy their youth while also teaching them necessary skills and values. Most of all, they can learn to put their faith in Jesus Christ and in God their Father who will not fail them.

There is also a clinic to provide healthcare which is in desperate need in the rural areas. The clinic building is now complete, and awaiting the equipment, supplies, and medical staff to begin caring for these people.

There is also a vision to build a place where these orphaned children came come to live in safety. There are many things to take into consideration here, and finding "parents" to run it could be very challanging. There devastatingly few adults around to fill this role. Most are either sick or have already died from AIDS. It is the grandmothers, or "gogos" who care for the children at the carepoints. What will happen in a few years when there time has passed?

It can be overwhelming to witness such a high degree of devastation, and seeming hopelessness. But we serve a mighty and loving God, and our hope is in Him. It is encouraging to see people like Pastor Gift and his wife, who have given their lives to serve their people in Jesus name. But they will need much encouragement and support, for the needs are great and the workers are few. It is a good thing that our salvation is not dependant on mere men, for we would surely perish. But God has chosen to use us, as His body, to accomplish His will. It takes courage to respond to this calling.

Please take a moment to pray for Pastor Gift, G42, and all of the people involved in this mission. And pray for the children and young men and women who are being served and shaped by this ministry. They are the future leaders of Swaziland, and in Christ alone they are it's hope.

The Vision For Nsoko

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

urro

One Night In Nsoko

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the things we wanted to do on this trip is to visit the Nsoko village that AIM is building. We got our chance to do that on Thursday. After taking a shuttle from Pretoria to Johannesburg, and then taking a bus to Swaziland, we spent the night in Manzini in the old team house where I stayed two years ago.

Thursday morning, we packed up out things again and Christine drove us to Nsoko. Soon after arriving, Pastor Gift loaded us into his car and drove us around to some of the care points. We had arrived a little later than planned though, and missed most of the kids. They had already eaten and left to return home. So Gift recommended that we get up early enough in the morning to be there when the kids arrive for breakfast.

On the way home, Gift took us on an unplanned detour, to visit a young woman who is sick. This young woman is dying of AIDS at twenty years. She lives alone with her mother who cares for her, and is often all alone when her mother has to go find work to provide for them. I had heard many of these stories, but I had not personally witnessed this kind of devistation before.

This young woman did not arrive in this situation by poor choices as some have. Rather, as is all too common here, she was raped and infected by family members. This young woman is suffering as a result of someone else's sin.

When we walked into the dark hut, we could see her frail, boney body lying on a mattress on the floor. She was covered in heavy blankets in an attempt to warm her, but I suspect that it was in vain. Her body was covered in thick, scaley skin with open sores. It's hard to imagine the pain and discomfort must torment her. I'm certain that she had bed sores as well from lying motionless for so long. We were told that she has been sick now for two years. Things do not look good for her.

I found it hard to grasp exactly what I was witnessing. It is so far from anything I have personally experienced. I didn't know how to respond. Pastor told us that we could lift the covers and look, but it seemed so invasive. To be honest, I didn't want to look or need to. I could see that this girl was suffering greatly. I can't even begin to imagine what goes through her mind. How can one have hope when there body is literally falling apart?

I know that it is not too late for God to heal her, and I do not believe that this is God's will for her life, but having faith that He will heal her is all together different. I want to believe that. It is the very thing that I struggle with in my own life; believing that God will have mercy and that God will heal. Somehow, no matter how much I believe that He can, I struggle to have the faith that He will. That's a whole different topic, and maybe I'll write about it someday, but the point is that I was brought once again to a place of confronting doubt or fear of disappointment.

We gathered around and prayed for her, the only thing we knew to do. As I knelt beside her, I touched her finger tips, the only thing exposed besides her face that was not covered in the thick scales. I wanted to touch her, to make contact and comfort her, but it was so uncomfortable for me. I felt bad for not wanting to touch her scaly flesh, and continued in my mind to will myself to just hold her hand, but I didn't do it.

We prayed for her in English, and she just stared at us blankly, possibly not knowing at all what we were saying. Before we left, I knelt down one more time and whispered to her that she is so beautiful and that she did not deserve this. I wish that I could do more, but did not know what else to do, so we left. Later that night, before going to bed, I felt compelled to write her a letter. I gave it to Pastor Gift in the morning and asked him to translate it to Siswatti for her. If nothing else, I pray that is will bring her hope.

I have more to say about the carepoints, but my time is up and I must go.

Blessings to all of you at home.

Looking Back

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As I have had some time to ponder my first week back in Africa, I think it was really about the connections I made with the various people coming through Alabanza. In addition to the staff, who are amazing, there were a few other people of interest there.

Lorilei and Sarah were both visiting for a little while. I didn't realize it at first, but after a little talking I discovered an ironic connection. Sarah is actually a sister to Herb who was our ministry coordinator in Mozambique two years ago. Lorilei is Sarah's friend who also happens to be dating Herb. It was fun to share stories and see pictures. Apparently our team was as imactful to Herb as he was to us. I thought it strange that we happened to end up at Alabanza at the same time. It makes me wonder what God is up to there, as I have learned that these cooincidenses aren't quite as random as they appear.

I also had intentions of meeting up with a team from Operation Mobalization based in Pretoria. One of the girls from Amy Jo's team that I met in Kenya five years ago works for them in Atlanta, and suggested that I look into their organization. When I saw that they have a base in Pretoria, I asked if I could stop by and check it out. I have not been able to arrange transportation to get there though. However, one night I noticed one of they young guys at

Check In From South Africa

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We made it here safely on Thursday night. It has been a little challenging to adjust to Africa time. Not only is it a different time zone, but it is a completely different pace.

I had to readjust some of my expectations based on the availability of transportation. Alabanza, where we are staying, is in the middle of nowhere. We are dependant on staff to give us a ride when they are going to town. They are very gracious, but they also have there own things to do so we are very flexible and grateful when a ride is available.

We just booked out tickets to go to Swaziland. We will be leaving Wednesday morning. Please pray for our safety as we travel and that all the connections will be made as planned. I hope to update you again once we arrive.

Meanwhile, it has been great to reconnect with old ministry partners and be encouraged in where God is leading me. I am getting a very important reality check about what it would be like if I decide to live in Africa. It is quite different as an individual than it was a part of a team.

Blessings to you back at home.

A Glimpse Of The Darkness

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Morgan McKeown went on the World Race along with me in 2007. Her heart broke for Swaziland while we were there, and she has been involved with the Nsoko project ever since. She is currently leading a group from her church in Swazi, and this is one of her most recent stories. It is a good glimpse for all of you, of what I will be walking in to in a few weeks.

I met Eliza two years ago and instantly fell in love. She was one of the students whose education we were able to sponsor through contributions from blog readers. (Photo at the left is with Eliza on this trip - taken by Paloma.)

The last day I was here in February she arrived at the carepoint with open sores all over her foot and leg. At nine years old she was cooking over the fire and was burnt by hot oil.

After I left Swaziland Gift started investigating her injuries and the World Race team here looked into what was happening to her. It turns out that there were more then just burns, Eliza had scars and bruising all over her body. I cried and prayed and felt utterly helpless being so far away.

All I could think about was her sweetness. Every day I'm at the care point she runs to greet me and sits with her hand in mine, refusing to leave my side.   She knows her place, her hand belongs in my right hand when I'm walking and when I sit her head gets nestled right under my chin.

On Thursday we had a few free moments so, Eliza, Gift, and I sat down to talk out of earshot of the other kids.

She leaned her frail body against me and placed her hands in mine. I didn't know where to start, what do you ask when you suspect that a child is being beaten.

"How are things for you at home?" I asked. It took a moment for Eliza to respond, her small shoulders slumped further forward and she didn't lift her head while murmuring a quiet answer in SiSwati, which Gift interpreted.

"Things are bad."

"What is bad?" As I questioned her she begun to nervously run her short finger nails over my long thumbnail.

"The bad men come at night and I'm scared."

Gift explained more to me. "Her father just lost his job. The economic crisis has affected much more than people in the United States, her father was one of the ones who lost his job. Now he is drinking a lot. I think that the men she is talking about are some type of loan collectors, or some men up to not good things."

My thoughts immediately flashed to Grace and Mswana both beautiful teenage girls who have contracted H.I.V. through rape. Unfortunately their stories are brutally common in this place. Eliza doesn't show signs of having been sexually assaulted, but if she stays in her home the likelihood of her becoming a statistic and loosing her innocence as well as her life to rape is astronomic.

I tried to keep up the conversation but the words caught in my throat. Gift encouraged me to continue with more questions.

"Does your family have food at home?"

Her back pressed closer into me as she sucked in a deep breath before answering. Eliza's words came out, quiet and hesitant. "We go with out food most nights, all the nights I'm in school." At her answer a tear slipped from my eye, before I could wipe it away it landed on her short rough hair. That meant that a majority of days the only meal she was getting was the bowl of corn meal from the carepoint.

Gift explained to me, "Her father has been here at the carepiont asking for food for his family, since he lost his job he has not been able to buy food."

I felt helpless, with only questions and no answers, nothing I could do to ease her pain. A gentle breeze blew through the tree we sat under, and the sun provided enough warmth to be comfortable in a tee shirt. The setting was a stark contrast to our conversation. No child anywhere should have to go to bed hungry a majority of nights.

"Can you tell me about what else is going on at home?"

Her voice came out scared but she kept talking. "My father beats my brother and me when he comes home drunk. My mom tries to get in the way and stop him, but he just beats her as well."

"What does he use to beat you?" Tears start streaming down my cheeks, I was thankful that she's leaning against me and can't see my reaction.

"He uses a shoe or a log." The thought of someone touching this beautiful, sweet spirited, girl in that way, made me shudder. I looked into her down cast eyes and somehow despite everything they still look hopeful.

Gift continues talking with her and translating for me. He asked if she would want to go to school away from home. There are some funds available to send her to a place for abused children in Swaziland, unfortunately spots are limited and Eliza's case may not be severe enough for her to be admitted. The social worker has decided that her case only counts as negligence not abuse.

The cell phone rang and Gift leaves to take the call. I wrapped my arms tighter around Eliza's small frame while praying over her. All I want to do is shelter and protect her forever.

Eliza had to walk back before dark, and the afternoon shadows were getting long. Loosening my grip and letting her go home took every last ounce of my strength. As I watched her slight frame walk away my head fell into my hands and the tears tumbled down.

If this story has captured your heart, you can do something about it. You can help support me as I go and see how God would have me respond to the needs in Swaziland. You could support AIM in the work they are doing with the Nsoko project. Or if you really want to get your hands dirty, you could go on a vision trip to Swazi and ask God how He would have you respond to a country in desperate need. There are many needs everywhere, but some are called to respond to this one.

Shut Up And Listen

Sun, 2 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sometimes we get so caught up in our heads, in the toughts about tomorrow, replaying the events of yesterday, or just thinking about what to do in the next ten minutes. I don't know if you have this problem, but it's one that I struggle with daily. I'm a thinker, and I evaluate, calculate, and analyse everything. Somtimes it's hard to make my brain stop. How can I possibly hear anything with all of that racket going on in my mind?

I have a lot on my mind. I'm sure you all can relate to that. But what I really want is to hear the Lord and to listen to His sweet voice saying everything is going to be okay. I want to hear what He has to say about tomorrow and today. I feel like He has a lot to say, but I just have a hard time listening.

Did you quiet yourself today and allow the Lord to speak?

In the moments that I let Him speak to me, He spoke volumes. Here are some of the things that God spoke to me today.

Let's begin with church. I was in a bit of a grumpy mood this morning. Let me just be honest; I was serving self-pity this morning. I allowed myself to be discouraged and feel abandoned because the roomates all left and I'm in this big empty house by myself. I tried to think my way out of it, but that did no good. When I got to church, some very cheerful and excited people sat next to me. I was not very cheerful or excited to be sitting next to them. I was stuck in my pout.

Fortunately for me, God had mercy on me today. Pastor Franklin shared a message that gave me a kick in the pants and got me on my feet praising the Lord. His message was that God's not done yet; it doesn't have to end this way. He talked about Joshua taking hold of his inheritance, and how he pressed on to the limits of what God had for him. Instead of sitting down at the first sign of opposition, he pressed on and expanded his territory to it's maximum capacity.

Being in a state of transition myself, I needed to hear this. I know that God's not done with me yet. This may be the end of my time here in Georgia, but I'm not done serving the Lord. I left this morning encouraged to stand up and press on to the land that lays before me. I'm only in the beginning of my territory, and I will not lay down and quit until I've reached the farthest limits of the inheritance God has for me.

Later in the day, I sat contemplating the choices that lay before me. I have one opportunity that is exciting and logical - a rare combination, and another that is less than exciting and makes no sense to my logical mind. It seems like that would be an easy choice, and it could be. I know that which ever path I choose, God will bless it and it will be good. But I also know that there is good, better, and best in God's plans and I want the best. And knowing that God does not work the way the world works, I'm challanged by the possability that the least appealing option may indeed be God's best in disguise. I know that I can not trust in what I see, but rather to have faith in God's goodness and the unseen. I know from experience that the things we least want to do are often the very things we need to do the most.

The one thing that God spoke to me as I was seeking Him, was that it is time to fly. I can't stay in the saftey of the nest and learn to fly. It's time to stretch out my wings and take a chance.

We have a new group of soon to be World Racers here in Goergia right now for their training camp. I decided to stop by for the worship session tonight. It's always a great place to get in the presense of the Lord. While I was there, they paired everybody off and had us speak words of encouragement from the Lord to eachother and then we swithched a few times.

My first partner told me that she sees me as one who reaches out. She said that I am like the arm of God reaching out and bringing people in toward His heart. It's as though I walk around with outstretched arms, gathering people in. This especially spoke to me as I have become quite the hugger. Even in church this morning, I went out of my way to embrace three young women who gave their hearts to the Lord today. I think because my family aren't big huggers, I just decided to make up for it. So now I hug everybody. Most of the girls I work with at Starbucks have come to expect it. I like this image of me, it fits.

My second partner said that she saw me surrounded by a cloud of peace. That everywhere I go I will bring peace. Even when I am filled with turmoil inside, I will bring peace to wherever I set my feet. I am learning a lot about resting in the peace of the Lord no matter what is happening around me. I hope that maybe I can bring some to you too.

My third partner told me that God is going to provide for all of my needs. The things that are unknown to me are already known to Him and He will bring them to pass. He will provide what seems to be lacking. Of course if you know anything about my current transition, you know that this is definately relevant to my circumstances. And by the way, this girl knew nothing of me of my situation. She just listened to what God was speaking to her for me.

I guess God had a lot to say to me today, but I suspect He has a lot to say everyday if I would only slow down, quiet my mind and listen. I encourage you to do the same.

What is God speaking to you today? What direction does He have for your life, or how is He wanting to encourage you?

A Message To My Supporters

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hello everybody, I hope you are enjoying your summer. It has been a real nice summer down here in Georgia this year. We've had a few days in a row that were only in the 70's this week. It has been glorious. It doesn't happen too often here that I actually want to be outside in the summer, but we have enjoyed it while it's here. We took the kayaks out on the lake the other day and had a real fun time swimming and paddling.

Anyhow, I just wanted to give you all a quick update on what is going on in my life. I have hinted a little bit on my blog lately that there are some changes going on around here. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of details to tell you but I will tell you what I do know.

The decision was made a couple of weeks ago that the ComLife program will be discontinued as of July 31st. I wasn't planning continue leading for the next session, but I was hoping that I would be able to stay in the house until I get back from Africa and could find a new place to live. However, not that the program is ending we are also ending the lease on our house. This means I have to move out by the end of the month, but I have found a place to stay for those few weeks until I leave for Africa.

In addition to that, I spoke with the new director about what other opportunities are available for me to continue on staff with AIM and he said there are not any openings right now. I will be able to continue working with the marketing department on a part-time basis doing some graphic design work at least until I finish the projects that are in process right now. This will take me up to the time I leave for Africa, and possibly for a little after I return. We will discuss the needs again at that time and decide whether or not I will continue working for them.

A few other random connections have come up over the last couple of months, but nothing I can plan on for the immediate future. My plans as of right now are for me to move back to Pennsylvania with my parents for a little while and see where God might lead me next. I am still open to any other opportunities that may arise before then, but that is kind of the default plan.

I could have probably found a way to stay here in Georgia, but I don't want to force it. I feel like God is moving me on to something new, so I don't want to hinder that by trying to hold onto something that is comfortable or convenient. I am excited to once again be standing with a wide open horizon in front of me, knowing that my life could take any direction from here. It can be a little unnerving to my logical mind, but very freeing to my spirit. I trust that God has something better in the works.

Some of you may be wondering what to do about the support you have pledged to me. What would really help me the most right now would be donations to help cover the expenses for my trip to Africa. I have been working to save up money and I have received some donations, but I still need about $2000 for that trip. If you are not concerned about getting tax credit, and would be willing to donate toward this trip it would be a huge blessing. If you are not comfortable with that, I understand. You can continue sending support to me through AIM, and any money that I do not use will go to their general fund. Otherwise, you could temporarily suspend your support until I know what I will be doing next. Either way, if you could pray about it and let me know what you would like to do it would be helpful for me to know what to plan on.

I do want to thank you all for standing by me and supporting me over the last few years. You have no idea how wonderful it has been to be able to serve the Lord in this way. I am so grateful for the opportunity to follow my heart for missions. I never thought I would have a life like this. You all have been a huge blessing to me. I hope that we can continue on this adventure together if the Lord is willing.

I pray God's blessings and favor for all of you, and that you will learn more of His amazing love for you.

In the love of Christ,

Kim Martin

We Could Be Heros

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I Just came by this old blog from AIM founder, mentor and friend, Seth Barnes. It was a great reminder for me, and very much worth sharing. I hope it blesses you today as it has me.

You were made for greatness

Posted in Reaching your destiny by Seth Barnes on 8/1/2007

After his ordeal in the ocean, Jonah engaged God in a heated argument. Jonah dreamed a small dream of comfort and self-preservation. All he wanted to do was sit under the shade of a vine and pout. God killed the vine, his comfort, and his small dreams in order to lift up his head and show him a much bigger dream - God's dream for an entire city. Jonah's response was petulant: "I am angry enough to die." (Jonah 4:9)

The history of the faith is one of this kind of struggle, it's the story of people moving from the safety of comfort to the greatness that comes in pursuing God-inspired dreams. From the original apostles to Mother Teresa, Jesus' light has shown most brightly in the faces of his disciples confronting darkness. The problem is that at first blush, God's dream often looks like death and, like Jonah, we resist it.

God is more interested in our character than He is in our comfort. The whole point of this blog is to help us wrestle with the notion that we find our destiny in abandoning the moorings of a comfortable world in order to launch out into deep waters.

Right after 9/11, my friend Bill Britton ministered at Ground Zero in New York City. The wreckage of fallen buildings lay in jagged heaps on the ground. The body count was rising daily.

Bill described a fireman playing a kind of requiem on the bagpipes for his lost friends.

"I turned to see and there in the brightness of artificial lights was a lone fireman in full gear blowing forcefully into his instrument. The look on his face is indelibly etched into my heart and soul. The image caused me to weep.

"The fireman-musician looked forlorn, his eyes red, his cheeks puffed as he struggled, as if desperately trying to breathe life into someone he knew was dead. We had heard that only an hour or so before, another brother fireman had been pulled from the rubble (about the 10th since we arrived here). It was as if his bagpipe was his fallen comrade and somehow he wanted to bring him back to life; yet knowing he couldn't, his heart was broken."

Bill's experience illustrates the battle for life and the dreams that give us hope. The devil breaks our hearts to squash our dreams. His strategy is to beat down God's greatest creation. If you're like most people, eventually you start to believe the lie that you were made for small things, not greatness. But God resurrects hope from despair, allowing our hearts to break in order to give us new dreams, dreams of building his kingdom with him. God has a message for you: He has made you for greatness. And until you embrace this hope, you will never achieve all that He has planned for you.

The colloquialism, "God don't make no trash" is true. You were made to soar, to escape gravity's pull and fly free above the earth. You were created with songs to sing, hearts to win, the glory of God to reflect.

Somewhere down deep we all suspect that this is true. Trapped in a world that is often gray and featureless, our lives defined by our routines, we never quite understand the Technicolor possibilities just beyond the box in which we live.

Every so often a vision of greatness flashes into our imaginations. Tales of El Dorado, the city of gold, have caused generations past to ask, "What if?" What if I was rich? What if I discovered my wings and broke free from this earthbound life? What if my better self was set free of its limits? David Bowie expressed this deep yearning in the lyric, "We could be heroes, just for one day."

We all have had at some point an inner vision of our self as larger-than-life. In the early phases of life that may simply be our ego run amok. But out of the shards of the inevitable disappointment that life brings, this vision of possibility may be God whispering to us about what we could be if we would only trust him fully. Some of us get in touch with it from time to time. But most of us live life in the muddy trenches, persuaded by a flood of data that this idealized version of our self will never come to pass.

When I see people who have been beaten down by life, who have given in to the cynical thought that they'll never do anything great, I want to breathe life into them like that firefighter blowing into the bagpipe. I want to arouse in them the will to fight. I want to assume the posture of a coach exhorting his elite athletes: "Don't believe those damnable lies about yourself! They're from the pit of hell and they smell like smoke."

I've seen the most simple and untalented of people become great because they chose to trust God and God gave them their dreams. Don't believe the one the Scriptures calls "the Accuser of the brethren" - he's a master at deception; his accusations are lies pure and simple.

What are the dreams that God has given you? What are the lies that have caused you to doubt them or even give up on them? Today, if you choose, by daring to go for your dreams, you can be a hero to someone. Believe it: You were made for greatness!

Learning To Fly

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The other day, my mentor gave me an illustration of transition. She said it's like the moment when a trapeze artist let's go of her bar and is flying through mid-air waiting to make the connection with the bar on the other side. I could sense the anticipation and fear in that moment, wondering if her timing was right and if she would in fact connect with that bar, or if she would miss it completely. It did almost immediately occur to me that even if she missed the bar, there was a net below, but who wants to miss the exchange. I know I don't.

I do have to admit that in this period of trasition, there is this small fear of missing the next opportunity; of the show ending too early and on a flat note. I have gone through a range of emotions with all that is whirling around me right now, but God has been the steady hope in which I am able to find rest.

As of now, I have to be out of our house by August 7th. I have made arrangements to house sit until about the 18th, which is perfect since I leave for Africa on the 19th. Now I just have to find a place to store my stuff until I get back.

Coming back is a whole different story. I don't currently have a plan for where I will stay when I get back, or where I go from there. I have several ideas running through my head, but most of them I think are just me grasping at straws trying to make some kind of plan that will give me a false sense of security. The truth is, I don't have a clue. I am in God's hands, and He alone knows where the road leads from here.

I have been reminded also to take choose joy in the midst of these trials. It is real easy to look around me at all the unknowns and begin to fret and complain and every other reaction that is completely unhelpful. But I have made a choice to turn my eyes to the one who hold me.

I thought about it again today, that when the trapeze artist is aiming for that second bar, no doubt their eyes are fixed upon it. If they turned their gaze to the net below, even for a moment, they would likely miss the exchange all together. I need to keep my eyes fixed upon the Lord. There is actually incredible focus and determination as well as confidence and peace when I look to Him alone.

Then I had a whole new picture of God being on that other bar, waiting to receive me. With our arms extended, we meet in the middle. As I grab His and He grabs mine, I simply release my bar and glide across to the other side secure in His firm embrace. I like that picture. No need for fear or anxiety when He has a hold of me.

I am beginning to get excited about the possabilities of tomorrow. I was reading in 1Peter yesterday, and God highlighted many things to me. The first was that he addressed the letters to the pilgrims of the dispursal. This caught my attention since there is a possability that I may be relocating in the near future. I thought about how the disciples were dispursed, and how that was the very catalyst for the spread of the gospel into new territory. Perhaps, it is time that I take the principles that I have learned here and apply them in a new territory.

I don't know for sure wheter I will be remain here in Georgia, or move on to somewhere else. I wish that I could have those answers, but God has not confirmed any direction yet. I suspect that much will happen in the next two months that will influence my future direction.

Next week, I am going to a conference at the Be In Health campus in Thomaston, GA. I will be learning about emotional and physical healing and spiritual blocks that may prevent healing. I am very excited about this conference, as the little that I have already learned through the book and through my mentor has had a huge impact on me already.

Of course, I also have my trip to South Africa and Swaziland coming up in August. I still don't know what God has planned for that trip either, but I am expecting great things.

Once again, I find myself in a position of standing on an open horizon. My life could really take any direction from here. I think that is pretty exciting and amazing. I am not locked into anything. I am completely free to go wherever the Lord leads.

I do still need to raise the finances to pay for my Africa trip, so please consider whether you could help me with that. Those donations cannot go through AIM, because it is an independent trip. If you want to help me with this trip, please mail your donations directly to me or to my parents. If you need the address, just click on "Write To Me" at the top left of this page and send me a message with your email or phone number so that I can get you the address.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. I know God will bless you in return for the many ways that you have blessed me. I would love to hear updates from you so that I can pray for you as well.

May the Lord keep you and bless you abundantly as you seek after Him. In Jesus' name.

My Perpetually Shifting Lifestyle

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know that change happens frequently around here. My life is in a perpetual state of changing, but I kind of like it that way. Anyhow, my time at ComLife is quickly coming to a close and it will soon be time to move on to whatever comes next. In that regard, I have several prayer requests.

The first is that I don't know for sure what I will be doing after ComLife. I have several things that I have been considering or pursuing, but no definite plans at this point. So please pray that God will bring clarity to the direction He has for this next season of my life, and that the doors will open for that to happen.

The second is that I will need to move out of the ComLife house by July 31st, so I need a place to live. Pray that God provides a place that is affordable, and roommates if that is His plan.

I am also still in need of support for my trip to Africa in addition to my regular living expenses here. I still need about $2000 for Africa, and I need to increase my monthly support by about $1000/month if I am to continue on staff at AIM.

God has always faithfully provided for me, so I will continue to trust Him even though it seems impossible right now. Please pray that my faith will be increased as I wait upon the Lord and trust in His provision.

Short Term Mission Trips

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have had the priviledge of leading two of our short term mission projects for the last two weeks. The first was here in Gainesville, and I was a co-leader with Toya McLean and Corey Jacobs. We had a group from a church in Thomasville, Georgia who were absolutely delightful. God really worked in this team by addressing the issues of their hearts. It was wonderful to see them all press in to God in new ways and find a new level of joy and peace in the Lord.

This past week, Toya and I lead a trip together in Atlanta. We had two church groups come together for the week. One was from Illinois, and the other from Virginia. It was interesting to see how different this trip was from the last, but both were amazing. This group really discovered a new depth of brokeness and communion with the Lord. They connected deeply with God's heart and responded to His leading. I loved every minute of it.

Here are the links to the trip reports so that you can read more about them (Gainesville, Atlanta). These last two weeks have taught me a lot about reliance on the Lord and His faithfulness to meet all of our needs. I have grown a lot through this experience, and have come away with a new confidence and also a renewed passion to serve the Lord with my life. I realize that this is what I was made for. I come alive when I am out there connecting with the world, no matter where I am.

I look forward to seeing where God has me next, as there is a lot of change in the air around here. I never really know what tomorrow holds, and though it can be a bit unsettling at times, I really wouldn't have it any other way. I love this amazing life God has given me. It is a never ending adventure.

ComLife Interview #1

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

ComLife Interview #2

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Africa Calling

Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Once again, Africa is calling.

If you've been following me for a while, you know that Africa captured my heart the first time I set foot on it. Africa is frequently on my mind, and I long to visit the friends that I have made there. I am fascinated with the cultures and would love to experience the different regions of the continent. There's just something about Africa.

In the year and a half since I have been home from the World Race, I have looked for every opportunity imaginable to get back overseas. I love being on the field, and I can't get it out of my mind. But everywhere I have turned, God closed the door in front of me. I've had many opportunities to lead overseas trips for AIM. I've even browed other organization's sites just to see if something stood out to me. But in every one of these situations, I did not have God's peace. I knew that it was my desire and not the Lord's will. So I've waited.

The waiting can feel suffocating at times, but I know that it would be a disaster to go to any of those places in my own will. So I've waited.

A couple of months ago, a friend from Seattle called me up and told me about her plans to travel around Africa for the summer. She talked about the time she will spend in Kenya using her nursing skills along with a Kenyan friend. She talked about meeting her church team in South Africa and leading them into Zimbabwe for a few weeks. Then it got really interesting.

She asked me if I would like to meet her in Johannesburg to spend the last three weeks in South Africa and Swaziland. And the instant she asked the question, I had peace. In my spirit, I heard God say yes. It is time. I believe that God has finally opened a door for me to return to the nations, and even the land that has captured my heart.

A few weeks after I spoke with my friend, I got another interesting phone call; another connection. During my brief stay with my parents after the race, I connected with a guy that had worked with AIM back in the early days. He is now running a recovery program in Pennsylvania near my parents. It turns out that he just returned from a visit to South Africa where felt God was leading him to launch his recovery program there. It was approved. I felt like this was God's confirmation that I was on the right track.

It may seem like a loose connection until you see where God has been leading me. I volunteered with KAIROS prison ministry in Seattle, and loved it. I had a friend in Seattle that invited me to AA meetings, and I loved the community and support that I found there. I've been learning a lot about spiritual recovery and healing through my mentor. I just spent a week in Philly with our ComLife team, where I spent most of my days in conversation with the members of a local AA chapter. Just a couple of weeks ago, I met a new friend in Gainesville who invited me to go along to an AA meeting. I intend to return.

I feel like God has been leading me and preparing me for this type of ministry for a while, and I am only now starting to put the pieces together. I've never been an addict of drugs or alcohol, but we all have addictions of some sort. Some of us are addicted to approval, some to control, some to attention, some to drama, some to food, some to entertainment. We all have something that we run to in order to escape out pain. More than that, I am beginning to recognize that the emotional issues we struggle with are the same. We cope with them differently for several reasons, but the issues are the same.

Most addicts struggle with feelings of worthlessness, of shame, of failure. So do I. We have believed that we are not enough, that we don't measure up, that we are incapable of success. We have believed that we are unacceptable, unlovable, and unforgivable. We have believed many things, but ultimately we have believed that we are not who God says that we are. I am in the process of replacing these false identities with the truths of who God made me. I am who He made me, even if I am currently presenting something else. The truth is always the truth whether we believe it or not. So I am learning that I am created in His image, and that I am forgiven, and that I am lovely, and that I am accepted, and that I am beautiful, and capable, and successful, and victorious in Him.

A few weeks ago in my reading, God lead me to Isaiah 58.

^{^{Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the heavy burdens,

to let the oppressed to free,

and that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

when you see the naked, that you cover him,

and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,

your healing shall spring forth speedily,

and your righteousness shall to before you;

The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;

you shall cry, and He will say, "Here I am."}}

I believe what God is telling me is that I have a responsibility to share what He is teaching me, and to help set other captives free. And in doing that, my own healing will be made complete.

I don't have any definite plans with the recovery program, but I am staying in touch to see where it leads. There are already two other American families whom I met in South Africa during the World Race that are considering joining his efforts. Perhaps there is a reason why I met them before. I plan to meet up with them again in South Africa to discuss the possibilities. As for now, I don't have a lot of details about what I will be doing in Africa but I know that I am going. We will explore the ministries we know and hopefully find some new ones along the way. I know that God is doing something, so I will follow His lead and see where He takes me.

Please join me in prayer about the details of this trip and also the funding. Because this trip is not organized by AIM, I cannot use money from my support account to pay for it. I will have to raise funds for this trip independently. I am estimating that the trip will cost me about $2000 - $2500. We would like to buy some medical supplies and help where we can. If you have any questions, please call or email me. Thank you for your encouragement along this journey.

If you would like to support me financially, please send me and email and I will give you my address.

We Don't Want Toya To Go

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you've been following my blogs this year, you know this Community Life program has had a few bumps along the way. It's been a great year, and we've all learned a lot, but it hasn't always been easy.

We've found ourselves at another cross road, and we're not sure wich way God is leading so we're asking for your help. One of our sisters has been stuggling to get the support she needs to be in this program. She was scheduled to begin this journey in January, but she didn't have the funds to come. We all prayed and really believed that this was where God wanted her to be. We all agreed to take a leap of faith and trust that God would provide, and she moved in the beginning of February. Toya has always been a provider in her family, so it took an enormous ammount of courage and faith for her to make that move, but she is committed to following the Lord wherever He leads her, so she came.

four months later, Toya is still struggling to get the support needed to continue in this program. We're in a tough spot because we all believe that this is where she is supposed to be, but her financial situation seems to contradict that. We all know that God's way is not the world's way, and we want to be faithful to what we believe He is doing. However, we have been forced to make some tough decisions. If Toya does not recieve $3000 by June 1st, she will not be able to continue the program at this time. We are not giving up. We are doing the only thing we know how to do, and that is to ask the Church to join with us in lifting this up to the Lord.

Please pray with us about Toya's finacial situation, and if the Lord is asking you to be the means by which He provides, then you can do that on her web site www.toyamac.myadventures.org by clicking the Donate Here button.

If the Lord has another path for her, then we bless that. Our desire is to be fiathful in what the Lord is doing. Thank you for joining with us in prayer.

New ComLife Sessions Coming Soon - Apply Now

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A new session of ComLife is just around the corner.

Help us get the word out by passing this information on to all young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 who are seeking to commit their lives to a deeper relationship with God and desire to learn about missions firsthand.

Live together, Learn together, Work together, Grow together

Join a community of like minded people who are choosing to step out of the social norms and into a journey toward the heart of God. As iron sharpens iron, each person becomes a tool that will aid in the spiritual formation of the whole group.

Based on the concept of the Church in Acts, ComLife provides a great opportunity to grow in love toward one another and discover your gifts and calling in the world around you.

Read articles from our current participants to see what they are experiencing
and learning from their time here at ComLife.

Program Dates:
September 1, 2009 - July 30, 2010

January 8, 2010 -- November 19, 2010

To apply, please click here . Once we receive your application, we'll send more details and contact you to discuss the program. If you have questions, please call 1-800-881-2461 ext 214 or contact our Admissions Department.

At Any Cost

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Have you ever asked yourself the question? You know the one. Would you die for your faith? Is it worth everything to you? If you have never given an answer to that question, it would serve you well to resolve that with God right now.

That question is no doubt on many minds around here right now. Last week, we received the call that everybody dreads and nobody wants to receive. I'll let you read the account posted by AIM's founder, Seth Barnes.

Sarah Buller, an AIM participant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, was killed in an automobile accident on Sunday. And though they're rejoicing in heaven, we're all the poorer for it.

Her passing reminds us that God has called us to a road that is sometimes more than we can bear. Sarah set an example by following God's call in her life and ministering to the poor in South Africa. She loved Jesus and died serving him. We can't help but praise God for her life.

Her last blog entry a few weeks ago gives us a picture into her life: "We work with kids in the townships and I work with babies. Life is good here. some days are more crazy then others!!! My parents just come to see me! And it was GREAT! They got to see the whole team. We went to Swaziland a country with in South Africa. I LOVED IT! My Dad got to see old friends. I'm in love."

"In love" describes Sarah's life well. She was in love with life and with those around her. And they couldn't help feeling it. Recently she got a tattoo on her foot. It said love, and it had a bunch of stars around it. Each star represented one person in her family, one for mom, one for dad, and one for each of her eight siblings (four of whom are adopted). She wanted them to be with her wherever she went!

Teammate Nicole Eckenroth describes Sarah like this:

Sarah was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She was accepting of everyone. She loved to have fun, and she had no fear. We jumped off of a bridge together, bungee jumped that is. She is a night owl. She liked to stay up later than most, and sleep in later than most.

Sarah was precious when we were in ministry. We worked together at a children's home, with abandoned and beaten babies and toddlers. She was so good with all the kids. She wanted to be a mother so badly. She could handle toddlers better than most people.

She loved nature, and being outside. She loved the beach... and having ministry right next to the beach. She was blown away by the beauty of creation.

She was artsy... always seemed to have her camera on her... then she would photoshop them.

She loved music. She had a beautiful singing voice.

She loved youth. The youth group we worked with, Firehouse, was blessed by her. She really was able to invest in the girls... to help grow them up in Christ.

Sarah loved to worship God. Her life was worship.

I had fun with her. One night, we didn't want to go to bed, so we sat outside in the yard. We laid in the grass star gazing, while Kevin played guitar. It was a perfect night!

Then another night, we stuck our head out the window while laying on a bed and looked at the stars... or tried to look. the whole time we couldn't stop laughing... we were sooooo giddy!

Sarah just liked to have fun. She brought joy wherever she went. She was never negative. She loved what she was doing. She loved God and loved people.

She was amazing! And it's so hard to think that she is not around anymore, but I know, she is in the Lord's presence. She has no pain. She has complete and perfect joy! She is missed. But I can't wait to see her again!

Teammate Beth Lynch wrote this about Sarah, "I think one of my favorite stories of her was when she and a few other girls drove to a lion park for the day. Sarah went into a cage with a lion cub and he pounced on her. She came back with a torn shirt and minor scrapes on her arm and stomach. She was so excited about it! We all laughed about how when she got home she could say that when she went to Africa, she was attacked by a lion."

"During Thanksgiving break, we went to Cape Town. We spent eight long hours in the car but it was so much fun! We goofed off and sang at the top of our lungs as we drove. That weekend we visited Table Mountain and it was the most gorgeous site any of us had ever seen."

In the days since Sarah Buller's death there has been a tremendous outpouring of love and concern for her family. We know that many of you have been personally touched and would like to do something tangible. In response to that we've created a fund you can donate to. Adventures In Missions will collect monies donated and the Buller family will let us know how they should be used.

Thank you for continuing to pray for the family.

To donate online:

1. Access the following link:

www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=partFund

2.    In the drop down list select "First Year Missions"
3.    In the Participant field type in "Sarah Buller Fund"
4.    Continue through the process.

To donate with a check:
1.    Make checks payable to Adventures In Missions.
2.    On the memo line write: "Sarah Buller Fund"
3.    Mail checks to: AIM, P.O. Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470

Please join us in praying for her family, and the team that is still on the field as they grieve this loss. Pray that God will be their comfort and restore peace to their hearts.

Who's That Girl?

Sun, 8 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lately, all of us at ComLife have been spending a lot of time discussing how our relationships are going within the program. The realization that we are already half way through the first program has spurred us on to evaluating wether or not we are effectively taking advantage of all that community has to offer.

There has been a general consensus that although we have come a long way, we can still go a lot deeper. Even within the context of a program based on community and living life together, we still manage to guard ourselves to some degree. We still find ways to escape when things get hard. We find ways to avoid going below the surface to what is really going on in our hearts. That takes a lot of risk, knowing that what's in there isn't always pretty, and not knowing how people will respond if they really know you.

I would venture to say that many of us never even confront ourselves on that level, much less eachother.

We've recognized this deficiency in our relationships, and we've talked about it, but moving into action is a much bigger thing. In an attempt to push beyond the comfortable place we have landed, we decided to draw names and write a blog about how we see that person. So here is how I see Teresa Tucker.

Teresa Tucker

The first thing that stands out to me about Teresa is her stunning eyes and strong jawline. That may sound like a strange thing to say, but it gives her this classy, sophisticated presense that exuded confindence and demands respect.

She may laugh when she reads this because I don't think she sees herself that way. In fact, I don't think she realizes at all strong she is and the influence she has. Teresa knows how to get things done, how to take charge and make things happen, but there's not one bit of arrogance in her character.

I have seen Teresa really come into her own identity over the last few months. I have the amazing priveledge of meeting with Teresa one-o-one, and journeying through this experience with her. I've seen her grow from being affraid of the kitchen to cooking amazing Jamaican meals for the whole "family". I've see her go from passive observer to a woman who confidently stands before the group sharing her passion for prayer and inspiring the group to get personal and pray for each other.

I am very grateful for having the opportunity to see Teresa discover her strengths and her calling, and take steps toward growing into them. I feel like I've witnessed her transition into adulthood and independance, and I'm very proud of how she has handled the process. I am very confident in her, and excited to see where she goes from here.

Thanks Teresa for sharing your life with us, and letting us be a part of this journey.

Breaking Through Those Walls That Hold Us Back

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the amazing blessings about being on staff here in Georgia is that we have the opportunity to participate in the many training sessions that go one here at the facility. We have many speakers that come who have been proven in their ministries, and we get to sit in on their teachings and absorb much wisdom and knowledge from them. As if that isn't enough, they pray over us and counsel us and lead us as fathers of the faith.

Last year, AIM decided to do a little experiment. Although our focus is mainly on activating and empowering the young adults of this generation through short term missions, we realized that we could offer this same training to the general public. A few staff members began to brainstorm about how we can develope a transformational experience for adults and families who don't neccesarily feel called to go overseas to do mission work.

We have seen many youth come through these camps and have witnessed dramatic transformations over the course of one week. It really is amazing; a miracle really. We created the BreakThru conference as a way to offer that same life changing experience for anybody who feels that desire for a break through in their faith.

The truth is that we all have things that hold us back. We all get stuck. We all get hung up on lies we have believed our whole lives about who we are or who God is. Sometimes we feel stuck but we don't even really know why.

At the BreakThru conference, we learn how to hear God's voice and follow it. We also look at experiences in our lives that may have caused fear, mistrust, unforgiveness or other wounds that can keep us from experiencing God's fullness in our lives. We learn how to grieve those things instead of stuffing them down, so that we can be free to move beyond them.

Have you ever felt like you just can't handle another dissapointment or another hurt? When we learn how to properly grieve the hurts in our lives, we clean the slate and start fresh again instead of piling one hurt on top of another. We can handle an infinite amount of hardship if we learn to let them go as they come. If you've ever felt that weight of sorrow or burden pressing down on your spirit, you may have unresolved hurts that need to be grieved. It's not a difficult process, but it does take faith and humility to let God do the work.

There are many other great teachings that inspire us on our journey of faith and propell us into God's calling for our lives. If you feel like there might be more to life than what you are living, or if you just want to see what else God might have in store for you, maybe it's your time to have a break through.

BreakThru Conference

March 27-30

www.adventures.org/docs/breakthru.pdf

Adventures In Missions

6000 Wellspring Trail

Gainesville, GA 30506