I've been home from the Race for about a month. Every time I run into someone, it is inevitable that they will ask, "So, what are you going to do now?" While I don't know what I will be doing next month, next week, or even tomorrow, the Lord has given me some specifics for my next steps.
Back in August, during my second month on the Race, I fell in love in a tiny little village called Candelaria, Nicaragua. In fact, there was a big part of me that wanted to quit the Race and just stay there, but God had other plans.
While in Nicaragua, my team and I partnered with New Song Ministries. We fell in love with a group of teenagers whose lives are being transformed by the grace of God. These youth came to know Christ shortly before we arrived or while we were in Nicaragua. We were able to begin discipleship and Bible study with these teens and saw them come alive in their faith. It was a beautiful display of God's glory to watch them get baptized, to hear them praying passionately and powerfully for one another, and to see their hunger for the Word of God. These kids come from homes filled with poverty, brokenness, and abuse, but through Christ they are now full of hope, love, and life.
Here are some of the other ministries through New Song:
A church/community center on five acres
A large organic vegetable garden has been planted
Several hundred children have been sponsored for school each year.
Many new Christians have been baptized, powerful prayer warriors see healings and miracles
Bible training center for rural pastors
A Medical/Dental Clinic is in process of being built, as well as athletic fields.
Christmas gifts given to the children
Drama and crafts, health, and English classes
Young adult and children's ministry
Support and instruction to native leaders
Emergency medical needs met
Food for the most destitute
Rural dental and medical clinics
Support and help to widows
A parsonage has been built
A well has been dug to supply clean pure water for the village community
Vitamins and supplements have been provided
We have various levels of sewing classes, craft classes and apprenticeships
Native evangelists have spread out into the outlying villages and have started several new church fellowships and Sunday Schools and one has been adopted by a church in the US
(List of ministries taken from New Song's website: www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/ministries)
I fell in love with the teenagers, New Song's ministry, and the village. Ever since we left Nicaragua, I have been praying that I would be able to return. The Lord has answered that prayer...
I will be moving to Candelaria, Nicaragua in January to partner with New Song Ministry. Once I arrive in Nicaragua I will be living in a newly constructed team house on New Song's property. I will be able to continue discipling the teenagers through Bible study and youth services. I also have a vision to start children's programs and tutoring programs.
In the future of New Song Ministries, there are plans to construct a second team house (one for guys and one for girls). Once the second house is completed, I will be living in and running the girls' home. This will be a wonderful opportunity to ignite a passion for missions in others and it will be great practice for the family living home that I hope to run one day. Also, Tommy & Linda Gable (the founders of New Missions) have a vision to start a coffee house/restaurant on the church property which I will run (don't worry I'll be making some delicious coffee drinks, but someone else will be cooking!). I am very excited about all the opportunities before me as I move down to Nicaragua.
I am still trying to work out all of the details, but I will let you know soon how you can partner with me in this ministry. Please pray that the Lord will continue to lead and direct my journey to Nicaragua.
It's impossible to sum up all that we have seen in the last 11 months. I have seen the deepest hurts of the
world: abuse, starvation, poverty, AIDS, trafficking, and children who
are orphaned and abandoned. At the same time I have seen God. I have
seen the God who loves unconditionally, offers more grace than I could
ever imagine, and pursues His children. I have seen abandoned children adopted into the family of God. I have seen people in hopeless situations find hope in Christ's presence. I have seen prostitutes drawn out of the bars by the love of Christ. I have seen lives completely transformed by the grace of God. I have fallen more and more in
love with the God that I encountered in the nations.
My beautiful WR family on our last day together The lovely Kiatera ladies... they are my sisters!
My World Race family has changed me this year! I have always loved sharing my home with people and living in community, but this year, for the first time, I learned to live as the Church. I found more abundant life in the community of the early church. This is something that our churches in America have lost along the way.
They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. ~Acts 2:42-44
These verses in Acts are what we have seen and experienced this year. This community has loved me unconditionally, poured encouragement and truth into me, challenged me to deeper faith in Christ, and has exposed so much selfishness in my life. We have seen the power of prayer, a fuller view of God's love, and the Kingdom of God coming to the nations. Community is one of the most difficult parts of the early church, but it is also one of the most rewarding. God calls us to initmate and redemptive community. Dive into community- it's so worth it!!
Here is a video that my lovely teammate Katie made showing some of the ways that we have been changed through our World Race family.
I'm now sitting at my parents' house in West Virginia trying to understand all that God has done during this past year. There will be blogs coming that tell more about who God is, what I have learned this year, and what my next steps will be. However, it's going to take me a little while to process through those things so that I can actually articulate how this year has changed me. In the meantime, here is a video that just shows glimpses of our year. I hope that this will let you see the people and places that have captured my heart and will give you a glimpse of God's heart for the world.
Here is a picture from our last day of World Race ministry
I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who joined me in prayer and to those of you who gave towards this ministry in order for me to finish out this Race. Jesus has once again completely amazed me!! Not only am I now fully funded, but I have an extra $832 in my support account so that I can be reimbursed for some of the initial costs (insurance, flights, etc.). Thank you so much for partnering with me prayerfully and financially. I am so blessed!!!
I am now in Kiev for couple more days just worshipping, fellowshipping, and processing with my amazing World Race family. Expect more videos and blogs looking back over all that God has done this year once I get settled back in at home.
Within deaf culture there are two ways you can say your name. You can finger spell your name or you can give your name sign- this is one motion, usually signifying a prominent physical feature that serves as your name. You cannot make up your name sign; it must be given to you by someone within the deaf community.
We are sitting in the classroom our first day at the school. Some of the kids ask for my name. I slowly finger spell L-I-S-A. They then asked for my name sign. I had been anxiously awaiting this moment. I was excited about my first experience working in the deaf community and really wanted a name sign. I asked how to sign "I need a name sign." I tentatively tried out my Romanian sign language. The girls just shrugged in response and went on about their business. I have to admit that I was disappointed. However, I later realized that several of the teachers and students still don't have name signs. I no longer felt as though I had the right to ask for one. I had not invested enough time in the deaf community or into these kids in particular to warrant asking for a name sign. I desired to let that desire go.
I spent the next several days hanging out at the school from 2-8. I just love getting to know the kids and be a part of their lives. I was growing particularly close to one class of students.
After nearly a week at the school, we were sitting with the kids and some asked again, "what is your name sign?" I just shook my head and told them I didn't have one. They looked at me shocked and began staring at my face deciding on my new name. Finally Cristian (the boy pictured above with a shaved head) gave me my new name sign (pictured to the left). I knew at that moment that even though we have had only a short time in Cahul that the kids have really accepted us into their little family. It was the best gesture of love and friendship that they could have shown to me.
I came to give them love and care, but I have been amazed at the way these children care for one another and have poured love back into us. I feel so blessed to have been a part of their lives these last couple of weeks.
This year I have fallen in love with people throughout the nations and fallen increasingly more in love with my God. This year I have been blessed to eat dinner with street kids in Mexico, disciple youth in Nicaragua, hold abandoned babies in Vietnam, love AIDS orphans in Cambodia, build friendships with prostitutes in Thailand, teach the gospel to churches in Mozambique, advocate for abused children in Swaziland, preach in Malawi, fall in love with the gypsies of Romania, and work with deaf students in Moldova. Through all of these ministries God has been giving me more and more of His heart for the world and showing me more of His love for people everywhere. I have been changed this year in so many ways that I can't yet articulate. I know that my entire life is about God, His love, and His Kingdom.
This has been an amazing year! I am forever grateful to be a part of it. And I need your help to finish out this Race. I am still in need of financial support in order to meet my final goal. I need $900 to reach my final support goal. Join me in praying that God will provide the remaining support that i need. Also please pray about joining in this ministry and helping me to reach my support goal. If you would like to make a donation, click here. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
When we first walked in, I was a little overwhelmed. In each country I have attempted to learn at least a few phrases in the nation's language so that I can communicate with the people. Here it is a little different. I have discovered that it is much easier for me to pick up spoken language then sign language. So here I am in the middle of a playground full of deaf students mentally practicing "What is your name?" in Romanian sign language hoping that the alphabet is similar and that I can remember how to ask them to sign slowly.
I stand there for a moment trying to figure out how to get started when a small girl comes and grabs my hand and leads me over to a group of children playing frisbee. My concerns about not being able to communicate are wiped away in an instant. I just began playing with the kids and pouring out love to them. These kids have stolen my heart!
The highlight of my day is arriving at the school and having Sorin run up and give up a HUGE hug, giving high fives to the boys from Max's class, and having Chrisitna smile from ear to ear as she leads me off to play the hand clapping games that I taught her earlier this week. I have loved learning small bits of Romanian sign language and being able to talk to the kids a little more.
I have spent every afternoon at this residential deaf school just playing games and getting to know the children. We play games during their free time, sit with them as they work on their homework, eat dinner together, play more games, and have been able to see where they live (the kids are so proud to give you a tour of their room and show you where each one sleeps). We have come in just to be a part of their lives and to show them love. We want them to know that they are loved extravagantly and unconditionally and in that way give them a glimpse of God's heart towards them. They, in return, have really welcomed us into their lives and their families.
I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who have supported me this year! I couldn't have made it through this year without your prayers, encouragement and support. I can't thank you enough for everything that you have done for me this year.
I am still in need of more support in order to be fully funded.I still need $1000 to reach my final goal.Please prayerfully consider helping me to meet this goal. If you would like to give towards my ministry, click here.
I wanted you to know that your giving has not only sent me to the nations, but you have invested in Kingdom work all over the world. Kiatera decided at the beginning of the year to tithe our support budget. Each month we have given at least 10% of our budget back into the ministries with which we are partnering. Here is a look at where your money has changed lives around the world:
Central America
In Mexico you helped with repairs at Shekinah, a free pastor training school for Central American pastors.
In Nicaragua you provided for the baptisms of 11 youth whose lives are being changed by the love of God.
In Nicaragua you also started a work-to-school program for young boys that have dropped out of school. Many teenage boys in Candelaria drop out of school and then feel as though they have no other option but to join the local gangs. This program gives these boys safe jobs on the New Song Ministry property, provides mentoring from Christian men, and New Song finds sponsors for the boys to return to school.
South East Asia
In Vietnam you bought roses that showed Christ's love to prostitutes working in Ho Chi Minh City.
In Cambodia you provided supplies for a 2-week VBS program for AIDS orphans in Phnom Penh. This VBS program brought laughter, fun, and Jesus into the lives of these children.
In Thailand you helped in the expansion of a training program for women wishing to leave the bars. Currently the Tamar Center helps girls to leave the bars and then be trained as either a baker or a hair stylist. They are in the process of purchasing a new building and expanding this training program to include more options.
In Thailand you also hosted a pancake breakfast for young girls living at the Eden House in northern Thailand. This is a restoration home for girls that have either been rescued from or are at risk for human trafficking.
Africa
In Mozambique you donated Bibles to the churches of Matchovane. These are believers who love God passionately, but because of lack of access to the Word of God, they have very little Biblical knowledge. Your gift is brining truth that these churches desperately need and desire.
In Swaziland you provided medical care for a young baby with TB and for his mother, Dudu, who is dying of AIDS/TB.
In Swaziland you also trained teachers from eight carepoints. These go-gos are providing the only education that many of these children will receive. This training taught the teachers new educational techniques, discipline and management, and how to recognize and report abuse.
In Swaziland you also provided court fees to advocate for the rights of abused children (link to Kiwi blog). Orphans are often seen as a burden to those left to care for them. Many of these children are abused. Currently the government does not have advocates for these children. Abuse cases are not tried in court unless a 3rd party goes to court on behalf of the abused children. Your money is helping to provide court fees for two such children.
In Malawi you brought the gospel message to remote villages in the country's southern region.
Europe
In England you bought the Jesus Film in 24 languages to be given to London's ethnic minorities.
In Romania you provided supplies for VBS, women's Bible study, and English classes for the gypsy people of Viile Tecii. God moved through each of these venues to speak truth to the gypsies that they are loved and greatly valued by their God.
In Romania you also contributed towards an Easter feast for five gypsy villages.
In Moldova you painted houses and cleaned yards for the elderly. You also provided food for poor families in southern Moldova.
Your generosity has made a huge difference in my life and it has also impacted the lives of hundreds of others throughout the nations. THANK YOU!!
We are now in Moldova (our last country of World Race ministry). Lindsay, Katie, Amy, Brian, Stacy, and I spent last week in Edinet, a city in northern Moldova. In the mornings we painted and did manual labor for the church and some of the elderly neighbors.
We spent most afternoons doing children's programs at local parks and apartment complexes. We played games, sang songs, and taught interactive Bible stories. Children in Moldova tend to be more shy than most of the countries where we have worked. At our first children's program I frightened all the children away singing Oh le le. :)
Finance Update
With the end of our Race approaching, I am still in need of some support. I need to raise $1200 in order to be fully supported. This support not only enables me to finish my ministry, but it also supports the ministries with which we are working. My team and I have been tithing from our monthly budget. This money has started a work program for teens in Nicaragua, provided teacher training seminars for carepoint teachers in Swaziland, given Bibles to the churches in Matchovane, Mozambique, and met countless other needs in every country where we have ministered. Please consider helping me to reach my final support goal. If you would like to help, click here.
Current Ministry Update
I am currently in Cahul, Moldova. We will be here for almost 2 weeks partnering with New Hope. Through this ministry we will be helping with the church's building project, working with youth, hosting kids' club, sharing the gospel throughout the city, and working at a deaf orphanage. I am really excited about the ministry here, especially the opportunity to work at the orphanage. Expect stories and photos from our time in Cahul to come soon!
then asked for my name sign. I had been anxiously awaiting this moment. I was excited about my first experience working in the deaf community and really wanted a name sign. I asked how to sign "I need a name sign." I tentatively tried out my Romanian sign language. The girls just shrugged in response and went on about their business. I have to admit that I was disappointed. However, I later realized that several of the teachers and students still don't have name signs. I no longer felt as though I had the right to ask for one. I had not invested enough time in the deaf community or into these kids in particular to warrant asking for a name sign. I desired to let that desire go. 
Finally Cristian (the boy pictured above with a shaved head) gave me my new name sign (pictured to the left). I knew at that moment that even though we have had only a short time in Cahul that the kids have really accepted us into their little family. It was the best gesture of love and friendship that they could have shown to me. 
This year I have fallen in love with people throughout the nations and fallen increasingly more in love with my God. This year I have been blessed to eat dinner with street kids in Mexico, disciple youth in Nicaragua, hold abandoned babies in Vietnam, love AIDS orphans in Cambodia, build friendships with prostitutes in Thailand, teach the gospel to churches in Mozambique, advocate for abused children in Swaziland, preach in Malawi, fall in love with the gypsies of Romania, and work with deaf students in Moldova. Through all of these ministries God has been giving me more and more of His heart for the world and showing me more of His love for people everywhere. I have been changed this year in so many ways that I can't yet articulate. I know that my entire life is about God, His love, and His Kingdom. 
We spent most afternoons doing children's programs at local parks and apartment complexes. We played games, sang songs, and taught interactive Bible stories. Children in Moldova tend to be more shy than most of the countries where we have worked. At our first children's program I frightened all the children away singing Oh le le. :)
