Kathryn Gironimi - "Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours..."

Answered Prayer!!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is Our God...

Just a little under a week ago my teammate Kristi stood up in front of our squad and expressed her need of $4000.00 by April to be able to stay on the race. We, as a squad, prayed in faith that the money would come in, knowing that Kristi is supposed to be here.

A lot of money right?

If ever anyone doubted going on this kind of journey because of funding, I only need to point them to my teammate Kristi and her story of how God provided.

This morning she logged online to look at her support account and someone had donated the ENTIRE $4000.00!

I know God is provider and I know he used some special people to work in Kristi's story of gaining support- and I am overjoyed by how He came through.

If you are reading this and you are thinking about going on the race but are deterred by the amount you think YOU have to raise... all I can say is be diligent and allow GOD to raise the money- because He will.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Aligning ourselves with God's will and prayerfully pressing in by faith... I feel like I saw a mountain move today.

N'sync Concert in the Prisons...

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Lindsey, Katie, Kristi, and I walked through the barred gate and into the women's compound of the prison. Before we could comprehend what was happening, fifty Filipino women were flocking to us and there was a microphone being shoved into our face, "You lead a song," they said.

The four of us looked at one another, a little bewildered, and without words, understood that we were just going to have to dive into this. It's difficult to describe the scene when my brain barely had a second to process the situation. Having prepared nothing, because we hadn't found out till a couple hours before that we were actually going to be getting in to the prison that day, my simple prayer was, "Lord speak."

We sang a few praise songs with the women and they taught us a couple of their own. It was incredibly humbling to be in a prison where their joy outshone our own. Later on thinking through it, there isn't much other hope but Jesus in a situation like that, and they understand that.

We stood and shared our testimonies. My teammate Mike, later on that night, said "in situations like those, Satan likes to come and whisper in your ear- you have nothing to offer these people, you can't possibly relate and your testimony pales in comparison to anything they've been through.' But it's in those moments when you realize we all have the same need and every story of God working is a redemption story."

After singing, sharing, praying, and getting to know the women, we ended up in the most surreal situation of my life. They had volunteered my teammate Katie to sing a karaoke song (yes, they have a karaoke machine in the middle of their prison cells.) They picked the song- N'Sync "This I Promise You." So as Katie took the microphone, my teammates and I acted as back up dancers and singers. Then I joined Katie on the mic to help with the words, and it was like putting on a mini concert for the 54 inmates that sat in front of us.

It sounds silly- but I'm pretty sure it made their day.

So, on March 9, I sang Karaoke at the Antipolo Women's Prison in the Philippines. Moments like this make me wonder about God's sense of humor.

God is so good. I wish I could capture the joy of the prisoners. The jail we are working with is 90% Christian, and the women pray and do Bible studies together. However, their resources are limited and the burst of encouragement that visitors are able to bring breathes life back into their community. Pray for these women, the ones who do not know the Lord- that their hearts would be penetrated by the truth of the gospel. Also, there is a lot of guilt and shame that the women live with because of what they've done to end up in prison. One woman already cried while sharing with me that she was ashamed because her five children are now living without her and she doesn't know for sure how they're being cared for. Being able to look into her eyes and tell her she was loved and that even though there are consequences to our actions, God took care of that guilt and shame and does not want her to live in it, was one of the most powerful moments for me on the trip so far.

I'm buckling up for this one, because I feel like it's going to be a crazy ride...

Hope for the Hopeless...

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

If you had told me when I woke up on Saturday morning that I'd be hiking a small mountain with a gang of teenage Filipino boys, I wouldn't have believed you. I would have said, "No, that's not really in the plans for today."

We're working with a couple, Dan and Sam, who spend their Saturdays pouring into about 15 young men who live in the community we're working in. Hanging out, playing basketball, having lunch, and leading a Bible study, Dan hopes to see these guys make true commitments to the Lord.

This past weekend we started working with Dan and his ministry. Even upon building our initial relationships with them, we realized that their "gang" life stemmed from needing an outlet and direction.

Honestly, I'm not sure what to expect from this ministry or what kind of impact is going to be made. I know that on Saturday my team and I took a two-hour detour to climb a small mountain with these guys and I enjoyed every minute (well every minute except for the steepest part of the hill, and I let that be known).

Pray for open communication to happen as we seek to get to know them better and really speak into their lives. Pray for true change to happen in their hearts, as I believe they have the power to change their surrounding community. Pray for the gospel to penetrate them and for them to realize the hope of their calling in a seemingly hopeless world.

Quickfire: Philippines

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is the QUICKFIRE (thank you top chef) update on the Philippines and hopefully it'll give you an idea of what is going on here and what ministry will (may) look like for the next month.

My entire squad is staying together this month in one central location, which is a huge blessing. It's really neat to be able to eat meals together, worship, and work alongside one another. With all 8 teams being in the same place, it really feels like this explosion of power and community.

Ministry this month!

-Our entire squad is undertaking a 24-hour prayer ministry for the month. Each hour of the day is accounted for by at least one person who pledges to spend it in prayer. I'm really excited to be a part of a group of believers who not only see the value but the necessity in something like this, and push me to be a part of it.

-Team 91 is working in prison ministry this month. We aren't positive what it will look like completely, but we're hoping to be able to visit the jail 2 or 3 times a week and spend a couple hours there each time. Our contact, Rollie, loves the prisoners- his passion for them is written all over his face. The women will be working with the women and the men will be working with the men. It could include crafts, basketball, volleyball, worship, and Bible study.

-Team 91 is also working with another contact named Dan and his wife Sam who run a gang ministry to teenage boys that live in the community we're staying in. We're getting together with the boys, cooking and eating meals, hanging out, playing basketball, and will be visiting their homes. Dan's heart is to see these boys love Jesus and choose to follow Him instead of falling into an idleness that leads to trouble. We've already spent one afternoon with them and I'm really excited to see how God works through us to pour into these young men.

-I am also coaching basketball for girls, ages 11-13. A few of the other women on my squad and I are working with them a couple of hours a day, Monday-Friday to teach skills, and share devotions with them. They are preparing to play in a tournament.

-Besides these things... there are the children. They crowd the streets during the late afternoon and into the night just begging to be held and loved on. They laugh and play with your hair and they climb all over you. Literally... there are hundreds.

So as you pray, please just pray for wisdom and discernment for our team as we seek to share Christ. Pray for bold things to happen like baptism in the jails, total revival of the inmates, and for the boys we're working with to totally commit their lives to Christ. Those young men have the power to change their community, but it'll only happen with God working through them.

Pray for hearts to be open to the gospel and for children to understand who God is.

I want to thank you all that have supported me! Not one blog comment has gone unnoticed or unappreciated. All your emails and messages have been wonderful, and some days your words have literally changed my attitude or perspective, and God used it to wake me up.

I have about $3500 left to raise to be fully funded, so thank you to all for your financial support.

God is so good. He has been showing me the deep meaning and joy of being able to come alongside others and be a tangible presence of His love on earth. I get excited thinking about the fact that He chooses to use us, we just have to be open to Him and obey.

Nestle

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Nestle is the first little boy I've met since being in the Philippines. He and his sister were brought into the ministry house we've been staying at, and for the past couple of days have been recovering from malnourishment.

During his time here there was an improvement in his demeanor and even his actions, but there was something that bothered me about Nestle: He never smiled.

At around 2 years old, he barely spoke, much less laugh. He was mostly expressionless and there seemed to be a sadness that rested on him- my heart broke.

I immediately thought of my niece back home, whom I love to dance with, sing to, and listen to her joyful giggles as a huge toothless smile breaks out on her face. I wanted that same joy for Nestle.

My friend Ricki carried him around most of the day and I committed to praying for him. We were both hopeful that we would get to see happiness physically manifest on his sweet, innocent face.

I prayed for hours that Nestle would be able to feel the love of the Father through the hands of Ricki as she held and cared for him. I asked for the joy that I had in my heart to infect Nestle's heart. I petitioned for his growth, both physically and spiritually, that he would know who God was and feel the delight of being one of the Lord's creations. I asked God for a smile.

Nestle went back to his home today, and he left without having worn even an upturn on the corners of his mouth.

At first I felt defeated. I had poured out my heart for Nestle that day and came up empty. Where was the smile I had been begging God to show me? Then I thought about the PRIVILEGE it was to spend my day interceding for this little boy and how, even though I didn't get the smile I asked for, I saw the contentment in him to be held and cared for. I watched as my friends were able to literally be Jesus' loving arms, a safeguard, and I thought about how we were meant to play that role in the lives of others- a tangible presence of God here on earth.

Immersed in a results oriented culture, I am often looking for the product of my prayers. When I don't see them as I thought I would, I retreat into a mindset that says my prayers aren't powerful enough or are, even at times, meaningless. But that isn't truth.

Truth is God is working, and our prayers do matter. Not only do they matter, but we as humans are lifeless without them. If we do not communicate with God then He cannot breathe life into us and therefore use us to reach the people of this world.

Happy Birthday Mom

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

On a Hot Porch in Hope Vale

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Frieda turned and touched her hand gently on the side of her concrete house. "I used to be so ashamed," she said, "I know my house doesn't look good." I looked at her as if to protest but she continued, "But God has chosen my house as a special place to bring His messengers. I wish I had a red carpet to roll out, but I am so thankful for the blessing."

I choked back the feeling of guilt rising in my throat. Just a few minutes earlier I had stepped out onto the porch to get out of the hot house and away from the ants crawling around my feet. The inside had been a little dirty for my comfort level, and after a long day I was seeking refuge on the slightly cooler outside.

Then Frieda had come to sit with me and poured out her heart about what a blessing it was to have us visit and fellowship with her and her family.

As I sat and listened, my perspective began to change. God was showing me how He chooses the "lowly" and the ones that society deems unsuccessful, and lavishes His love and His favor on them. Where she lived was not just a house, it was a beautiful home because of the love for God and worship that came bursting forth from it.

Frieda is a woman who has been looked down upon in her community, and some people have even thought she was crazy because of the radical ways she steps out in faith in the Lord. Her entire family desires fellowship, but find that few are willing to come together with them.

While we visited we were able to hold some house meetings and spend time listening to their testimonies and praying for them. One night, after Frieda had been praying for the salvation of her community and her family, she was so exhausted she couldn't open her eyes for a bit and had to have some water. I listened to this woman empty her heart before the God she trusted and loved so deeply, petitioning Him for the lives of those around her, and I gently put my hand on her back and joined her soul's cry.

When was the last time you prayed so fervently and with such conviction you were physically exhausted?

I was humbled.

As my time on the porch ended with Frieda she looked up toward the sky, smiled, and in a sweet gentle voice said, "I love the Lord. There is going to be a great day when the Lord returns and I just want my family to be ready. I feel like telling people, wake up, wake up!' They don't understand, but I'm praying that they do."

Frieda was a little shy in allowing me to take her photo, she said if she had known she would have tried to "look good." I can honestly say that I look at this woman of God and all I see is beauty...

A Conversation with God

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I told God I wanted to see change..

God told me to open up my eyes to the need...

I told God I wanted Him to use my gifts...

God broke me from what I thought my gifts were and said, "allow Me to work through you in spite of what you think are your gifts..."

I told God what ministry needed to look like...

God said, "Kathryn, you have no idea, give me room to work..."

I told God I wanted to see people the way He sees them...

God said, "Just look into their eyes..."

What to Expect from the Unexpected...

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

One of the themes in Scripture that can be found in it's narrative is; God choosing the unlikely and calling them to positions they would be otherwise overlooked or not even considered in the running for.

During our time in Wujal Wujal, a prayer request that was heavy on our hearts was for someone in the community to rise up and be a leader in joy and enthusiasm, willing to encourage fellowship with other believers.

Outsiders, like us, could always come in and try and stir things up, but honestly it was going to take a local, a native aboriginal, to make a lasting and extreme impact.

We hadn't seen anyone with the fervency that would seek to undertake a calling like that- and it was a bit discouraging, as we wanted so badly for people to understand the inexpressible joy of knowing God.

Then we got to know Russell.

Russell had an accident awhile back that left some brain damage. However, he still walks around with a big smile on his face, and his love of country music has led him to work at the radio station in Wujal. Friendly is the first word that comes to mind when describing Russell, and he genuinely cared about our team- always excited to see us. We didn't know where he stood spiritually, so we invited him to one of our fellowship meetings.

When Russell showed up, our ministry changed. I have never heard someone sing "Amazing Grace" with such abandon. During that fellowship meeting, he was the only one who showed up (except for the stray dogs), and what would seem like a failure, turned into one of the best meetings I've been apart of. We heard a little bit of his testimony and he talked about his relationship with Jesus.

The next, Russell showed up again. This time joined by two others. When he got there he told us, "After I got home last night, I was just so happy inside." He explained how when he walks along the street he just knows that Jesus is there with him, holding is hand. So simple- so trusting.

We sang "Blessed Assurance," one of his favorites, and the truth of those lyrics rang throughout the community and I couldn't help but think that Russell's joyous praise was an offering of a sweet aroma to the Lord.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long...

I think we have found a native who has that expectant and inexpressible joy we were praying for. It came from someone who we least expected, and isn't it just like God to use the least expected. I know it's not very eloquent to say- but I just think that is so cool.

We encouraged Russell to organize his own meetings, to play music, and to share with others and not keep his joy quiet. We prayed over him and poured words of life into him. I may never see Russell or hear of him again, but he's my brother, and when we left Wujal I had hope that God was going to use him in spite of what other saw in him.

Wendel's Act of Kindness...

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We spent a day fishing with the people of Hope Vale that we fellowship with. They were excited to show us the beach they fish at and to have us participate with them. Building relationships with the aboriginal's is truly important, and fortunately for us the Hope Vale crew was willing to bring us into their culture and help us understand more about their people group.

On this particular day, I had retreated into a selfish state. I hadn't slept well for a few days, and the whole trip from Wujal to Hope Vale had been a hectic and semi-stressful one. Not only that but I felt like we may be spreading ourselves too thin trying to connect with another group when we hadn't even seen much fruit from out time spent in Wujal yet. I didn't talk too much to others and I wasn't participating like I normally would. My bad attitude had crept up and was now fully sweeping through me.

Then Wendel came up to me.

Playing on the beach, he was running around and throwing sand. I bent down and he came over to me and started pouring sand into my hands. As I tipped my head downward my sunglasses started to fall off and that annoyed me because I didn't want to take my now muddy hands to place them back on my face.

That's when Wendell reached up and without a word, took his hands and pushed my glasses back up properly on my nose.

My heart immediately began to melt. It was the smallest act of kindness, but it was huge to my hardened heart.

I was not placed in that ministry to be comfortable or to be catered to about my ideas of what it should look like. I needed to embrace each moment and appreciate others and allow myself to be a blessing.

It took an act of kindness from a toddler for me to snap out of it and realize what God wanted from me.

Culinary Adventures

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Quickfire

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

THE QUICKFIRE UPDATE

I just wanted to get a quick word out to everyone about what the next week looks like and what moving on from here looks like- also throwing out some prayer requests. I have affectionately named it the "quickfire" after one of my favorite shows... Top Chef.

* We have a few days left in Wujal and Hopevale, a couple of fellowship meetings to gather, a radio interview to do for the community, and lots of people to tie up loose ends with- please pray for endurance and wisdom

* Last week we were in Cooktown and needed a place to stay and God provided through complete strangers who were Christians and they housed us for the night. My teammate Lindsey wrote a blog about it and someone from a Cooktown newspaper found the blog and now wants to do an article.

*Next month was suppose to be Malaysia, but the race route has been changed and we are now going to the Philippines. I'm really excited and so is my team- I will have more details on the ministry there to come.

* Our team is really starting to see the fruit of boldness, and we are excited about what God is doing. So thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray that we walk in obedience.

*Last night we had a fellowship meeting and one guy showed up, but he was someone who brought a TON of joy and he out-sang us all. His name is Russel and I'll have a blog forthcoming about him, but this is just a praise for someone who is passionate about the Lord to have come along our path and we are trying to pour encouragement into him.

*Thank you for all you who have been supporting me financially and prayerfully. I know I am limited in time to connect with each person individually but I cannot express how encouraging it is to hear from you- so thanks for all the comments on the blogs and I just love being a part of this with everyone.

"Excuse me miss, do you play soccer?"

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

"I'm trying so hard

To stop trying so hard,

Just let You be who You are,

Lord, who You are in me..."

-Casting Crowns, "The Altar and the Door"

When my team entered the community of Wujal Wujal I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, I was overwhelmed. Fears and lies started to creep into my mind. How am I supposed to connect with a people group that I have nothing in common with? Will they judge me for being a white American? I have nothing to offer to them.

Not the only one on my team feeling this way, we talked about it early on and began to combat the debilitating lies with prayer and God's truth about who we were and what we were called to do.

One day we decided to visit the recreation center because a lot of kids of hang out there after school. Walking down I began to feel anxious, not knowing how I would get involved or if the kids even wanted to have us around. I prayed and asked God for a smooth transition. I'm no longer into asking the Lord to make the journey easier, because it's through the struggle where I am refined; but I was at a loss. The rec center could get a little chaotic and I had no idea where to even begin in talking to the kids.

I was in the recreation center for about a minute when a young boy walked up to me, "Excuse me miss, do you play soccer?"

I smiled at God's answer to my prayer.

I am unashamed to admit that there were eight year olds scoring multiple goals on me.

Looking back, it seems almost silly that I would feel so anxious. My teammate Mike reminded us one night that part of ministry is just being who God created you to be, and walking boldly in that.

So here is to giving up worry and allowing God to work.

Stray Dogs Attending the Church Service

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

-Jesus

In the community of Wujal Wujal there is a struggle to build a sustaining fellowship for believers to meet, share, study the Bible, and worship together. The contact we're working with this month, Carl, is involved in 31 indigenous communities in Northern Australia. One of his goals is to help facilitate fellowship so that it will eventually be self-sustaining by the aboriginal disciples of Christ.

Being involved in 31 communities tends to spread an individual very thin, and so my team has been placed here to come alongside Carl and support the ministry he has been working for years.

One of the reasons fellowship is so difficult to find and foster here is that the aboriginal people are largely a passive people. There seems to be a lack of visible excitement or passion about God. A number of factors play into that, but it takes a lot of probing to really understand where they are at in their relationship with the Lord.

A goal this month is to facilitate a few meetings within the community, which include some praise and worship, prayer, sharing of testimonies, and sharing from Scripture.

Something else that needs to be understood is that the aboriginal people do not operate off of clocks. You cannot plan things in advance because they work off a day-to-day basis. So when we decide to hold a meeting, we have to go around that morning and afternoon inviting people, setting up a meeting place and time. Then, when it's time for the meeting we have to go around again and kind of shepherd them in.

Initially excited about facilitating our first meeting I looked around and in attendance we had myself, my five teammates, and four stray dogs.

Felt like failure.

So we had the meeting anyway. We started singing and just allowing praise to ring out in the center of the community. Not too long after we began singing, one of the aboriginal elders, Uncle Harry, made his way toward us with a chair and sat down. Uncle Harry is practically deaf and he doesn't speak much besides to say, "Hello good sister," or "Hello good brother." Yet, he was there. Then just a few minutes later, one of the believers in the community, Rachel, came and began to worship with us.

The truth is that there were more dogs in attendance than people, and when you calculate that, numbers-wise, it comes out to failure. Thank the Lord that He isn't concerned with numbers, and He took that small intimate time and used it to bless us and bless those around us. Rachel shared her testimony and shared her heart to see her community's young people freed from the snare of drugs and alcohol. She was also genuinely excited that we had gotten together to meet and expressed wanting it to happen again.

As you pray for Wujal, I ask that you pray for passionate followers of Christ to rise up who can cultivate fellowship in this community.

Petitioning Your Prayers for Team 91

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Hello to all my supporters and readers!

This is just a quick update. My team is going to a remote aboriginal community in australia- Wujal Wujal.

This month is going to be difficult as we face many elements both natural and spiritual that are going to try and get in the way of what God wants to do there. I don't mean to alarm anyone, I know I walk with a God who is powerful and wants to protect us- but I also know we'll be facing a lot of situations that are going to demand wisdom and smart choices.

Specifically

- Prayer for wisdom in choices for our team

- Pray for the people to be open to participating as we try and stimulate a dead community

- Pray for locals to rise up as sustainers of the Lord's work for after we leave them

- Pray for relationships to be built with natives

- Pray that we are able to encourage the missionaries and people that work with the wujal wujal community

- Pray for revival! We want the Spirit to stir their hearts and make this community a welcome dwelling place of God- a community of worship

This community has many issues, but I know that God wants to move among these people and love them- and He has chosen team 91 to do it for Him this month.

Just as a quick update. I am about $4,000 dollars away from being fully funded for the rest of the year! If you could pray about giving- you can donate right through this blog, up at the left hand corner with the tab, "financially support this trip."

Thank you! Consider making Wujal Wujal your prayer focus this month!

Internet will be very limited. We will literally be in the middle of nowhere. I will update as much as I can!

Whispers of the humble, cries of the Warrior

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I thought about an elaborate blog to write about the Maori nation- a native New Zealand people group that captured my heart with the concept of being a warrior for God.

Instead I'm just going to show you their photos and keep my words limited.

Having been in the process of reviving their culture for the past ten years, the Maori people are rising up to capture New Zealand for the kingdom of God. I spoke with a man named Matt who has been redeemed from a gang life that landed him in prison. Now he stands humbly; ready to fight for Jesus Christ. He told me of his passion to see revival in the young and old that sweeps over New Zealand like a tidal wave.

If respect and honor define them, then passion and dedication describe their Christian walk. One of my greatest joys this month came from watching them worship- which was so different than the western way of worship I am use to participating in. They sing praise with warrior-like vigor, and they talk about the work of the Lord as if there is nothing that brings them greater happiness.

Watch out for the Maori people- God is raising them up.

Unrelenting entity of Change

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all..."

-Paul the Apostle

(Philippians 1:3-4)

I love the way Paul addresses church bodies and individuals in his letters. There is no doubt that he cared for others and dearly loved his brothers and sisters in Christ.

During this month's ministry we worked in tandem with three other teams: Ignitus, Glo, and Arete. My attitude toward working with so many others during my time in New Zealand was initially terrible. I felt overwhelmed enough trying to bond with my own team members, never mind meeting and investing in other teams.

I am so fortunate that God is the one orchestrating things and that the AIM staff prayerfully considers each placement of the teams. I have been spoiled, and feel incredibly blessed by the men and women I have had the privilege to serve alongside with this month.

Today we said goodbye to two of the teams as they head off for Australia. While I am excited to send them off, knowing they will pour themselves out to whomever they serve next, I selfishly want to hold on to them a little longer.

After living together for three weeks, it feels like a routine was beginning to develop and friendships were starting to get wonderfully comfortable. Now things are getting shaken up and change is happening quickly, leaving me no time to rest in the comfortable. The ironic part is that I joined the World Race in part because I wanted to chase after a discomfort that left me dependent on the Lord. It's a novel idea, but living it out is much harder than talking about the ideal. I trust the Lord; He will be faithful in the uncomfortable and use it to grow me in greater ways than I can understand- He's got it like that.

Some of the women that I've met this month have blown me away with their hearts for serving and knowing the Father intimately. To those ladies I am thankful, more than you know- and I can't wait to watch you grow. I'd encourage readers to look them up and check in on their blogs- they're worth it, I promise.

Annie Rose: Annie Rose is one of those people who humbly radiates joy in all she does. She is vulnerable before the Lord in way that I hope to be.

Alisa: Alisa and I bonded over some financial responsibility stress. She's got some passion and desire that is just going to explode during this race and God is going to use her in powerful ways.

Michelle: Michelle's testimony brought tears to my eyes. If ever there was a poster child for a compassionate heart- it's her.

Monica: Monica is beautiful inside and out- I'm fairly certain she doesn't even see her own potential in the gifts God has given her. She has a quiet compassion that I believe is only going to get bolder this year.

To those women- thank you for sharing your stories and your lives with me. I am thanking God and remembering you in my prayers with joy.

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Largest Map In The World

As I walked barefoot across the map, I was overwhelmed with praise as I thought about the love of our Father who, as the children's song says, has "the whole world in his hands." Tracing hundreds of footsteps that have gone before me, I pondered the commitments that had been made to share the gospel in certain areas, and the tears that had been poured out for nations who are in desperate need of the truth.

The map represents every country and is broken up into omega zones. Omega zones have to do with population; so even though China is one country, it contains 857 omega zones- that's a ton of people.

Also included on the map is a list of unreached, unengaged people groups.

I observed people from all nations, knees bent on the map, crying out for their generation to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Young students pulled out their Bibles, reading and praying over countries they felt God was calling them to. During worship some people even danced across the map with joy overflowing for the work that God was already doing in the world.

Psalm 67 came to mind:

"God be gracious to us and bless us,

cause His face to shine upon us-

That your way may be known on the earth,

Your salvation among all nations."

The work left to be done on earth to share the gospel seemed impossible when I was standing on the map alone, but as I joined hundreds in a prayer walk across it- I realized the power of intercession as a global body of believers.

We win this fight. Christ ALREADY conquered sin and death, and we are his inheritance. Not only that, but we are partakers in the inheritance! This world is ours- and by God's grace we will see many more come to worship Him. There is a lot of work to be done though- and it starts in your neighborhood, in your town, and in your community.

I feel like God has been asking me, "Who are you fighting for?" My challenge to anyone who reads this blog is to pray about a people group, nation, or country and commit to being a prayer warrior for them. God wants to use you to reach nations.

To be or not to be...available

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

(above is Danley at the kids worship)

As some team members and I were waiting for our security detail at the conference to end, we sat sharing stories and discussing the things God was teaching us. Time had passed slowly, not much traffic was coming through the gate at the end of the night.

A woman approached us who had been attending the conference and asked if we were with YWAM. After explaining that we were working with them but were from a different organization, she then asked, "but you are people of faith, right?" Nodding our heads in affirmation she then began to cry; "can I ask you to please pray."

Standing up and gathering around her, she told us she had been in the conference and had to leave because her grandson was being a terror. Through tears she explained to us that she was practically raising Danley, and that six months ago he went from being a sweet boy to a rude, foul, and nasty young man. He had been throwing a fit and punching her during the conference and it was so disrupting she finally had to leave.

It was obvious from her emotions that she was at her wits end. She was visibly hurt and disturbed by the fact that her seven-year-old grandson, whom she loved, had taken such a bitter turn for the worse in his attitude and actions.

Compassion fell on my teammates and I as we heard this sweet woman share her pain. Putting our arms around her, we took turns praying right there at the security gate. As we began to pray Danley, who had been off in the background, started yelling for her to hurry up so they could leave. I turned my attention from the prayers in the circle to Danley, and extending my hand toward him I asked God to silence his mouth so that his grandmother could have this undisturbed time of encouragement and prayer. He didn't say a word after that. God is powerful.

We took turns hugging her and promising to keep she and Danley in our prayers- and that's a promise I intend to keep. I'm asking my blogging community that, if even just for a moment, you would lift up Tricie and her grandson. It's obvious that healing needs to happen in that family and that there is some anger issues going on with Danley. My teammate Carl prayed that Danley would recognize God as his King- if you could do that now, just praying for God to be the Lord of Danley's life.

What excites me about this story is that Tricie was a complete stranger to us, but in that moment we were able to rise up and be a family for her- a safe place in the body of Christ for her to cry and to be heard. In a moment when she was too weary to keep going on, we were there to lift her up, and to love her without hesitation.

Even though our service was suppose to be about security and parking cars, God brought Tricie our way so that she could be encouraged.

God is broadening my view of the church by showing me what it means to be available for one another. I know I am guilty of not stopping to pray with others within my community back home. Instead, I engage in conversations that fuel bitterness, or affirm selfishness within someone, rather than turning to the Father and lifting up praise and request to the One who can bring about true change in people's lives.

I realize small stories like this don't grip our hearts like holding orphans or feeding the homeless, but there is something exciting about being connected with people from around the world and seeing the corporate church as this huge family where we are willing to go to bat for one another.

I want more of that.

Are you Ready?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The parable in Luke 18 of the widow and the just Judge begs the question, why does God want prayer?

Luke 18:7-8 reads, "now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

Let me tell you where you can find faith on earth- Tauranga.

The ChangePoint Church that we are working with this week is partnered with the Taraunga house of prayer, and every morning my team has the privilege of sitting in on their four hour prayer meetings. Talented musicians, who love the Lord, lead the entire four hour prayer ministry- creating new songs each day that come from the prayers of the people present. Scripture is read while music plays, new choruses are created, and there is an open forum for intercession on behalf of New Zealand and the youth of New Zealand. One day, a native cried out to the Lord on behalf of the States- that was humbling.

If I have ever encountered a body of believers that truly knew God moved through the power of their prayers, it's here. If ever my heart had been challenged about the justice, healing, and deliverance that can manifest through corporate unceasing prayer- it has been here.

As the phrase shows up in the Luke 18 passage, the Taraunga house of prayer is working towards a "day and night" prayer ministry. The goal is to have constant praise resounding and intercession being made at all hours of the day and night. They are fervent in this endeavor and I believe it'll happen.

If we want to cultivate the power of the Holy Spirit and see the presence of God working in the nations- it's only going to be accomplished with prayer as the fuel. Right now the prayer focus has been on the event coming in just a few days- Call2All. I'll have more information about this ministry in the next blog- but just know that New Zealand is getting ready and taking seriously the mandates of Scripture. I believe, truly, that out of New Zealand we are going to see the birth of something from the event that is going to cause a ripple effect around the world.

Are you ready? My question is, how are we modeling the widow found in Luke 18, and what do we think about God as just judge? My challenge and conviction has come from the question, when the son of man returns will he find that I've been faithful on earth? That goes beyond just making a statement the I believe in Jesus Christ- true faith exudes action. If I can wrap my mind around the fact that God is moved by my prayers... even just a little bit... then I should be driven to my knees.

Don't look before you leap...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

So before I came on this trip, I made a little pact with myself that I would live out this year with no regrets. Meaning that I would try any food and participate in any activity, even if it went against what I would normally do.

Today Team 91, along with the three other teams we're working with this month, got to take a mini day trip to a waterfall after we were done painting at ChangePoint.

It was my first waterfall, and not only that but I went jumping off the cliff right next to it. How many other times in my life will I get to say I went cliff jumping in New Zealand? Probably none.

God has been speaking to me about boldness. Living with no regrets this year needs to apply to the things the Lord is asking of me and not just the exciting adventurous stuff.

So pray for team 91 and that God would work in ways that create situations and opportunities for us to truly step out in faith- because when that happens, if we're obedient, He grows us, and He gets the glory- I call that a win win situation.

(Proof I jumped... Katie, Mike, Carl, and Lindsey jumped as well- although it took Lindsey a little longer... nothin' but love Linds!)

Peacocks Wake me Up Sometimes...

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The past five days have been a time of preparation before being sent out as separate teams into the country of New Zealand.

My team, along with three others, will be heading to the city of Tauranga and tenting on the campus of Faith Bible College for the remainder of the month. The plan so far is to help facilitate and prep for the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Jubilee, celebrating 50 years of ministry as an organization. It's going to be a time of people coming together for fellowship, reflecting on past ministry, planning and vision casting for the future mission of YWAM in the New Zealand/Pacific area, worship, and above all prayer.

After that conference, we'll be involved in assisting at another one- "A Call to All". I'll be able to give more details later, but the focus is on rising up the current generation to see and understand God's work in and through their lives and how to be apart of His mission on Earth. Also there will be opportunity for us this month to work with a local IHOP (International House Of Prayer) prayer room. I'm truly excited about that.

Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what this month is going to look like specifically. It's going to be a lot of meeting people and serving the need they have in that moment.

Pray for the country of New Zealand, a people who are apathetic to the gospel. Pray that team 91 and the others we're working with can be a fiery example of love and truth, one that cannot be ignored and points directly to Jesus.

I woke up in New Zealand

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

"Jesus give me your heart let there be a death in me, I'm making room for all that you are, give me your heart. Jesus give me your heart, break me down, build me up, let the walls keep falling apart, give me your heart..."

-Leeland "Weak Man"

I woke up this morning in New Zealand.

My life, for the past year, has been focused on the "getting" here.

Now I'm here.

I've talked a big talk to friends and supporters about dreams and desires of how I want to see God move and be willing to let him move through me. I've explained how this all really started with a simple prayer that I was challenged to pray; "Lord break my heart for what breaks yours."

I believe the past year has been a realization of that prayer. My heart is honestly broken. Now, just as the focus has shifted from the "getting" here to the "being" here, my prayer has also changed direction: "Jesus give me your heart." Being broken only truly has meaning when we're moved into action because of it. I couldn't tell you what having the heart of Christ looks like in all situations or how it's going to play out this year, but my hope is that my life starts to truly reflect Jesus and his ministry. I want God to be pleased with me, just as he was pleased with his Son.

Please pray for New Zealand. Our team hasn't gone out to begin ministry yet, but it's a country much like the U.S. as it has been entrenched with humanism and materialism. We've been told evangelism is tough here because people have heard the gospel and their hearts are just hard to it now. Pray for our team for wisdom in reflecting true community and relationship with Christ, and also for the opportunity to plant seeds and understand what God wants from us this month in this place.

Just as a quick shout out to Susan in the office at Groton Heights- you were right about the sun here- it burns you real quick.

Value

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

-Jesus

At night, I often fall asleep to some sort of media. It used to be criminal minds on television, because that show is so intriguing, and I sort of maybe have a crush on the guy who plays Derek Morgan.

Unfortunately that show gave me nightmares. Not to mention that every time I pass a van that has no windows, and is painted in all white- I think there is a bomb in it.

Most of the time I watch a movie or get on hulu.com and watch a million episodes of some gem of a show that was underrated.

Then, as I drift off to sleep I throw some Mark Driscoll or Francis Chan because I like having the noise and I love their preaching.

I asked God a couple of weeks ago to really impress upon my heart the need for prayer. I asked for the Holy Spirit to weigh on my conscience when time being wasted would wisely be used in communication with my Father.

And He did. And I didn't like it.

In fact, if I'm honest- I ignored it.

I think I fill up my nights with stuff like movies and podcasts because I don't want to face the Lord- just me and Him. I'd rather distract my mind then let God reveal to me the truths about my soul and ask me to change.

One night I actually listened to the tugging on my heart where God was asking me to pay attention to Him. He brought me to Matthew 13:44, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." I am still trying to wrap my mind around this verse.

So I sold a ton of stuff. I don't know that the direct application of this particular parable of Jesus is to literally sell everything you have, but I've been short on cash and God was asking me about what I valued. So I went a little nuts- sold all my dvds and a bunch of other miscellaneous things.

The point isn't what I was getting rid of though. The point was in what I valued. I want to be like the man who treasured the kingdom so much that his joy was rooted in it.

This is partly what I'm hoping to chase after this year on the world race. My friend Dave (world race January 2009) told me he would be willing to pray bold and dangerous prayers for me this year. I'm asking for those of you who read this blog to do the same- because sometimes I'm not willing to pray them for myself. At the heart of this journey, though, I want to find out a little more about true joy. I want to know what it means to value God's heart, which is His kingdom, more than anything.

Kids These Days...

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

-Jesus

I have a friend who told me a story about her two and half-year-old daughter. They were listening to some tapes in the car and one of the songs was about the King returning. Her daughter cried out, "Mommy, Jesus is coming- the King is coming, get ready!"

My church participates in the Awana program. It's a program that focuses on Scripture memory and outreach for the kids among their friends. This year Awana has adopted me as their missionary. The kids have a fund that they can give to that will go directly to supporting me on the World Race. The club is broken off into different age groups and a couple of weeks ago I circulated to the different classes to introduce myself and share with them about the World Race.

I loved all the groups, but I was particularly drawn to the younger one (kindergarten-2^nd grade).

During my time with them I gave them pretend passports and we hoped on an "imaginary" plane and I "flew" them to a location for their debrief! During our debrief we talked about what a missionary was and what important things missionaries did- sharing the gospel verbally, sharing the gospel through actions, and praying. Coming full circle I encouraged them that they themselves were in fact missionaries NOW even though they weren't traveling across the world. I also did some show and tell with my backpack and we talked about what I'd be packing for a year, what I'd be eating, where I would be sleeping, and what kinds of things I would be doing.

They had a lot of questions.

But do you know what questions they didn't ask? Not one of them asked me what I would be doing after the Race. No one asked if I had a plan financially for how I was going to make it this coming year. I didn't have to defend wanting to go on this trip to any of them.

They were excited about missions.

They got into groups with other leaders and prayed for the different countries my team and I will be visiting.

It was so simple and innocent. I thought about my own faith and I as enter this World Race, what it will truly mean to have a child-like zeal for what God wants to do. With all the growing up I've done, it has only caused me to want to reason, to question, and to understand everything. Children just believe. God doesn't require our understanding- just our obedience.

I got to share with them, but in return they shared much more with me.

Reading through the gospel of Matthew Jesus talks so much about the Kingdom of Heaven, what we're doing for the Kingdom, and the importance of us being on the alert for His return. So I'm going to take my friend's daughter's advice... I'm going to get ready.

I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan...

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Team 91

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty..."

I want to introduce to you Team 91.

We took our team name from Psalm 91. I don't think we've even begun to understand yet how that Scripture is going to impact us, or what it is going to mean to us as we travel the world, but I'm excited to find out.

I don't know these five people real well yet. I know that they make me laugh, and just from the few moments I've spent with them I can see the potential they have to challenge me. They are endeared to me as I am praying for them and us as a team before this journey around the world begins.

Will you pray with me?

The first of many memories to be made...

Check out their blogs and bathe them in prayer!

Cupid Shuffle

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My niece Morgan Elizabeth is just over two months old and she has stolen my heart. There may be a blog in the future to talk about how Morgan's life has changed my view of people and mission...

But for now, just enjoy her.

The first song our squad danced together to was "Cupid Shuffle", and I felt it necessary to introduce it to Morgan...

I'm A Sucker For A Scottish Accent...

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I absolutely love movies.

Admittedly I watch too many.

In College I became friends with a guy named Jason Stroup (shout out to Jason, his beautiful wife Amy, and my future boyfriend Matty...). Jason almost always made me discuss a film after viewing it. What's the worldview being portrayed? What did I like about it and why? Major themes, subtle messages, etc...

Besides analysis, I often find myself making spiritual parallels when I watch movies. I think films, even though they often do it unintentionally, help us to understand truths because of their power in portraying emotion and the human will.

This week I cannot get "Braveheart" off my mind.

At training camp freedom was a theme that permeated our hearts. There was a joy that had been banging on the ceiling of our lives that came bursting forth when we began to claim the freedom that we walk in with Christ.

But the past week, and moving on into this one, life has been hard.

I've heard more than one teammate talk about the stressors that have reared their ugly heads the moment they stepped foot back at home. The pains that were revealed and confronted during that precious time in Georgia were waiting back at home to take a stab at the joy that had been discovered.

Spiritual Warfare.

If you haven't read the book The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, you should put it on your list. It's a very interesting commentary on the nature of spiritual warfare. Though it's fictional, Lewis provides a lot of thought-provoking discussion on the subject. He imagines the war that demons wage on our lives as Christians to keep us distracted from truth and to buy into lies that sidetrack us from being fruitful and free. It's crafty and it's subtle, and if we don't learn to recognize it, major damage can be done before we put a stop to it.

So this brings me to Braveheart. William Wallace, having fought battles with every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears within him, ends up in a position where the unjust powers are trying to break him. He endures incredible pain to hold on to the one precious thing they can't take from him... freedom.

I won't lie, the infamous scene of him crying "freedom" right before they take his life (sorry for the lack of spoiler alert there...) brings me to tears almost every time.

So this week, while Satan is throwing darts at me from every angle, and while I think of my teammates who are enduring some pains in their lives, my prayers have been echoes of the sentiments that the character William Wallace stood for.

The pain is going to keep coming. The lies that Satan whispers to entrap our joys are still being spoken...

But we don't lose... We win. Jesus Christ already won that war. We have to grasp on to that precious gift and in the face of our enemy, let out a cry- with all our might and with the power of Christ... Freedom.

My 3 Minute Testimony

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On September 22, 2008 Anthony died.

There was no horrific car accident, and there wasn't any long-standing illness that had plagued his body. We would later find out that it was a blood clot in his lung, virtually undetectable, that would end his days with us.

I met Anthony in 2003 as I began my college journey. From the very beginning he was a man that I respected. It was obvious in his actions that he loved God's Word, and he was good natured and funny, which made everyone feel like they were his best friend. Anthony had a beautiful mind and it is no exaggeration to say that he was one of the most intelligent people I knew, being both diligent and humble in that regard.

Anthony started dating one of my best friends while we were in school. I had the privilege of seeing their relationship grow. I don't mean to make Anthony sound perfect, I'm aware that he was not, but he impressed me with the honor and purity that he upheld in his relationship with my friend Kristi.

I remember the night that Kristi ran into my dorm room to tell me that Anthony had told her he "might, maybe love her." I remember standing with them at their wedding and watching them share their first kiss, a testament to the integrity with which they lived out.

Anthony was like a brother to me, and he treated me well. He had provided me with an example of a godly man to look up to, and it's fair to say that I was able to open up to him almost as much as I did to Kristi.

At one point I was in need of sneakers but couldn't afford to buy a new pair, and Anthony told Kristi to take me shopping and buy me whatever pair I wanted.

Kristi and Anthony were one of those dynamic couples.

They were only married a little over a year and half, and he was 25 years old when he passed away.

One of the most defining moments of my life came when I was standing at his funeral, the worship band was playing, and I watched as Kristi, one of my most beloved friends and now 24 year old widow, standing in the midst of Anthony's casket, lifted her hands and sang the words, "You give and take away, You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, blessed be Your name."

It's rare that I can think about Anthony without getting emotional. I miss my friend.

I was already signed up for the World Race when Anthony died, but it was during the time of dealing with his death that the reality of heaven and hell began to permeate my heart. His death was hard, so hard, but the hope and joy that could flow out of his family, friends, and Kristi, because of life in Jesus Christ, affected me to my core.

I cannot imagine going through that with no hope.

So, this World Race took on new meaning. Anthony's death ignited a passion within me because it confronted me with the reality that people who die not knowing the Lord will be separated from Him forever.

There is no hope outside of Christ.

I have no idea why Anthony isn't here. I can't answer the question "why?"

I do know that Anthony's faithfulness absolutely changed my life. Even as I reflect now, I am more aware of the truths that he lived out and encouraged me with.

So I will carry Anthony around the world with me, as he is part of the story that God has worked and is continuing to work in my life.

This has been a blog to honor the memory of my dear friend, but more than that I want it to point to the glory of God the Father, who can take even the deepest pains and hurts in our lives and call us out into a redeeming light.

"Sin has lost its power, DEATH HAS LOST ITS STING, from the grave You've risen, Victoriously!

Into marvelous light I'm running, out of darkness, out of shame, by the cross, You are the Truth, You are the Life, You are the Way..."

Five Hours In An Airport...

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hours at work have been cut.

Bills need to be paid, many before the world race begins.

It is physically impossible for me to afford much that I will need.

I don't, and will not, have the money to pay for my ticket to L.A. when the time comes to meet up to leave for New Zealand.

So I gave that to God. All week at training we talked about surrendering, and on Saturday night I decided I had to surrender all things financially related and learn to trust the Lord in whatever he had for me.

On Sunday, I had been at the airport for five hours, when finally my plane was boarding. Over the intercom, the ticket woman asks, "We have need of a seat on this flight, if you are willing to give yours up, we will get you on another flight to your end destination and you will receive a $400.00 credit from us to anywhere in the U.S."

I ignored it. I wanted to get home.

Then she announced it again as I was in line ready to board. Something inside of me said, "Kathryn, this is a gift to you."

So I volunteered. I gave up my seat and in turn they put me on a different flight, and they were able to get me on one that actually got me home at an earlier time AND it was first class. Then they GAVE me a voucher worth up to $400.00 to fly anywhere within the year in the U.S.

I know, without a shadow of a doubt that was God's way of orchestrating my trip to L.A. so that I can launch with the world race to New Zealand.

I know that God provides in ways we don't expect... but I rarely take the time to appreciate that or recognize it. So this blog is a praise and a thank you to the one who has me in mind and is able to work in ways I don't see coming. Praise the Lord for His goodness.