http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org A Changing Life Touching Lives - Alissa Gibson en-us Sun, 6 Jul 2008 04:49:01 GMT 30 http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=was-jesus-a-socialist-am-i http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=was-jesus-a-socialist-am-i A friend told me last week that she believed Jesus was a socialist, not a capitalist. I have been thinking a lot about it, so I figured it's time to work it out in a blog. I don't believe he was a socialist, though I don't believe he was a capitalist either. He was not governmental in his position at all. He never addressed the government, directing them how to govern or how to care for people. An unfortunate disconnect has happened that is confusing so many people now. Jesus told his followers Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-have-learned-to-be-content http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-have-learned-to-be-content As I enjoyed my short vacation in Georgia, I took some time to think some thoughts worth blogging. :-)This was a thoroughly refreshing and encouraging vacation for me, visiting friends, sharing our lives with one another. I saw my old coworkers from AIM, 2 World Race 06, and 3 WR Jan 07 folks (including my good friend Tana), and the couple with whom I lived during my last 7 weeks in Gainesville before the Race. (Catherine and Spencer)I knew when I left Des Moines that I would return with fresh p Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-new-chapter-opens http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-new-chapter-opens April, and my return home from Georgia, bring a new beginning, and the end of a chapter of my life. As I look back over the last months (19 weeks) of being back in the states, I see that they have been their own chapter of transition. I have taken the time to adjust to working a regular job again (waiting tables at my former place of employment); I have little by little noticed the changes in my heart and perspective that cause me to respond to life in a new (and more beautiful) way; I chose my Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=update-from-georgia-visit http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=update-from-georgia-visit 3/28/08I'm sitting in Catherine and Spencer's living room in Dahlonaga, GA, just north of Gainesville. I arrived in Atlanta late Wednesday night, and Danielle picked me up from the airport. I spent the night, the following day and night with her in Lawrenceville. We had a really refreshing time of talking, along with some great food from the restaurant at which she works. After some debating and attempting to arrange to see all my scattered Georgia friends, I opted for renting a little car, a Ki Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=oh-wonderful-friends http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=oh-wonderful-friends It's raining here, not quite the thunderstorm I was hoping for, but a good solid spring rain. I'm so happy to be experiencing my spring a couple weeks early. Spring rains are meant to wash away the winter remains, and I love them!I was talking with Catherine and Spencer last night, about my trip, and realized I haven't really talked about it much lately, as is expected. I had to get in the zone' to remember things...people groups, where I was, what I did, when I was there, etc... It sure was goo Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=growing-up http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=growing-up I am presently experiencing a strange dichotomy between feeling like a kid again and feeling old(er). I am living once again in the same bedroom in which I grew up, having been out of it for 7 years while my sister lived there. Being in there brings back funny emotions sometimes of feeling like a kid. Road tripping to Minneapolis on Saturday with my 20 year old sister and my parents brought back kid feelings too: laying in the back, falling asleep to the murmur of my parent's voices. Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=nowen-quotes http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=nowen-quotes Again today, I am sitting down trying to read up on some blogs...today it's Andrew Shearman's blog.  One of our spiritual fathers during the Race and and a man deeply respected by myself and so many others, Andrew's father heart and teachings over the year influenced me greatly.  He's the guy who talked to us about being unoffendable - a reoccurring theme in my discussions these days.  Anyway, on his blog he posted some quotes by Henri Nowen.  I am familiar with Nowen, but ha Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=fresh-beauty http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=fresh-beauty The sun has risen in a blue sky over a another freshly fallen snow, reminding me more of Colorado winters than typical Iowa winters.  In all my memories (and my mom's), there has never been a year here in Iowa where we have had as much snow and as cold of weather as this year.  Or as much sun.  It's been one long, but absolutely beautiful winter.  Each time it warms enough to melt what's on the ground, another snow-filled storm follows, covering the ground that had begun to p Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=cd-available http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=cd-available Back in January, I shared about my trip with my home church, an hour long overview of the countries and the main lessons learned or experiences experienced.  If anyone is interested in listening to the CD of that session, (since I can't make it all your homes...so sad...), simply click on the 'E-mail Me' link on the left hand side of this page and e-mail me your address.  I will send one to you as soon as possible!  Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=memories-in-the-midst-of-life http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=memories-in-the-midst-of-life Memories are funny things I can be walking in my house, standing in the shower, driving down the road, or working in my restaurant and vivid memories of the last year just drop into my head. And heart. Welcomed, but uninvited. I don't' know what triggers them usually. I see things clearly, feel emotions again, and thank the Lord for such an amazing opportunity. I have gone back to Antiqua, Guatemala; Morrumbala, Mozambique; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Gordon's Bay, South Africa; and a Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=encountering-the-presence-of-jesus http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=encountering-the-presence-of-jesus As a bit of a follow up from the I miss Passion' blog, I would like to say that all my days are not that frustrated, and would like to share a short story. A couple weeks ago at Starbucks, we were short a supervisor, so we had one from another store come cover the couple shifts we were lacking. Having a borrowed partner' is always a little interesting, especially a supervisor, because as much as the stores are the same, people operate them differently from place to place. To be Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-miss-passion http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-miss-passion I miss the Word Race. I miss the community. I miss the debriefs when our leaders poured into us. I miss the constant change and challenge. I haven't been keeping up with people from the Race very well, or blogs from the leaders until today. On the Race, I didn't subscribe to the leader's blogs, because I wouldn't have had time to read them. Now, here I am 2 and half months later finally getting around to finding those blogs. I am also trying now to make a point of keeping up with Thu, 7 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=its-so-cold http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=its-so-cold It has been bitterly cold for several weeks - teens for highs on the good days and windchills of -30 on the not so warm days!  Lots of snow that hasn't melted for weeks on end.  It has been uncharacteristically sunny and snowy for Iowa winter in the midst of the cold, which has been wonderful.  I say, if it's going to be cold, I like to see snow.  This past weekend the temperatures skyrocketed to 30 on Saturday, 40 on Sunday and 55 on Monday, sun shining, melting the icy stre Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-year-update http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-year-update Its a new year, and the beginning of a new journey. One that looks nothing like the last, but no less exciting, with the promise of no fewer encounters with God, leaps of faith, and challenges of character. I rang in this New Year, 2008 at The Call in Kansas City, alongside several other January 07 World Racers with a day of prayer and fasting for our nation following a three-day conference with the International House of Prayer (IHOP). It was wonderful to see friends again and Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=sharing-tonight http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=sharing-tonight I haven't posted in ages, but I'm working on an update for all you non Des Moines-ians.  In the meantime, for those of you who ARE in Des Moines, I invite you to come to Des Moines Fellowship Church this evening.  I will be sharing about my experiences this past year, and some pictures.  We begin at 6:45pm at 950 35th St. (half a block south of Kingman).All are welcome! Wed, 9 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=thank-you-could-never-be-enough http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=thank-you-could-never-be-enough My dearly loved friends and family, Where do I even begin with all my thanks to you for helping make this year possible? One friend suggested I design t-shirts, with a picture of me grinning and holding a thumbs up', and mail them to everyone, but I figured not many would really enjoy that. :-) (I suppose if anyone really wants one like that, perhaps I could arrange it. Ha ha!) I wish I could have come home with gifts of the world for each of you, but alas, I have too many people Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-quiet-life http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-quiet-life It has finally slowed down around here. The last of the extended family left this morning, my siblings are all back at school, my parents at work, and from now on the visits of my sister, nephew and niece will decrease to more reasonable number of times a week.  Now, I suppose, I risk becoming lonely. :-)I had the pleasure of watching the little ones while Anne was out for a couple hours, so while Aidan slept, Juli and I cuddled in a rocking chair watching the Roger's and Hammerstein's ver Thu, 6 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=backtrack-to-china-i-know-youve-all-been-waiting http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=backtrack-to-china-i-know-youve-all-been-waiting Well, I've been home in Des Moines for 11 days, back in the states for 15 days, and out of China proper for 22 days, and have yet to post a blog about my month within China. My sincerest apologies! Needless to say, the past 2 weeks have been busy with recovering from jet lag, and preparing for my younger brother's wedding on December 1st, though I'm still not sure that justifies having not yet posted an update! So, all that to get around to answering, "How was China?" Great, Wed, 5 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=ill-always-want-to-be-a-princess http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=ill-always-want-to-be-a-princess At the end of our Race Day in Hong Kong on October 13th, we had the chance to visit Disneyland Hong Kong.  The following is a journal entry I wrote the next day, a blog I have been meaning to post since then...but, better late than never... it's still relevant. ...the best part of the evening was the incredible light/fireworks/music show at the Princess Castle.  It was an amazing, well orchestrated celebration of the Disney princesses, and their supporting casts, with medlies Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-end-of-a-chapter-the-beginning-of-the-next http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-end-of-a-chapter-the-beginning-of-the-next Well, here I am, sitting in Grandpa's office in Glendora, California, typing another blog, after a short shopping trip to Target.  I can hardly believe it.  Our flight was good, uneventful, arriving in Los Angeles at about 7pm, then tearful 'hellos' to those we haven't seen in a year and tearful 'goodbyes' to those with whom we've spent every moment of the same year.  I was greeted with a great 'mom' hug from Leah's mom, and met most of her family, as I intruduced my team to my Gr Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=good-bye-hong-kong http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=good-bye-hong-kong So, because this blog got scrambled, I had to redo it, with no frills - but still the same pictures.  Enjoy! Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-back-in-the-world http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-back-in-the-world Don't have a lot of time to blog now - it took my an hour and a half to check my e-mail messages and respond to some of them, but I wanted to say hello again to everyone, and let you know that I'm back online!  The last month has been amazing, and with only one week left, I can't believe it's over.  I will hopefully post a more in depth blog soon, provided I have some time this week to work on it.  Please pray for our final debrief, that we would really be able to debrief fully an Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=andim-out http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=andim-out Well, it seems my blogging has slowed and will only slow as the end of the race draws closer. It is sounding as though once in our last country, for safety purposes, we are going to be under a 'communications blackout', as all internet is monitored by the government. All the Racers will have no access to internet for the duration of our stay, though updates will be posted on the prayer site (http://www.prayers.theworldrace.org/) so that you can continue to know we are doing well. We are debriefi Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=its-a-small-world-afterall http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=its-a-small-world-afterall It's a small world, afterall...It's a small world, afterall...It's a small world, afterall...It's a small, small world!! Never has that simple Disneyland song felt so true as in the Philippines for me. We headed to Manila with only a few random contacts in our books, and praying for more connections as we went. That was a prayer answered above and beyond our expectations. After our first week in the slums, while at Second Mile with our next contact, we met Phil Dehart, who mentioned that his ki Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=support-update http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=support-update Well, I'm nearing the end of this amazing trip, and with only a few more blogs to post before I'm home, I wanted to send out an update on my trip support. The faithfulness of God's great provision has been evident through all your faithful giving and I am closer to fully supported than I thought was possible when I started this trip in January. As of right now I am only short of my required goal by only $870, and short of my total goal about $1,800. My total goal includes money to reimburse exp Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=hospitality-is-for-me http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=hospitality-is-for-me An invitation from Jeff Long to stay in Manila as their hospitality manager' for their guest homes was very tempting. I know my calling for now, though and as much as the desire is there, I know I can't do it. In the meantime though, I enjoyed envisioning projects and even seeing some come to fruition. Jeff and Colene's ministry, Kid's International Minsitry (K.I.M.) has recently acquired a huge duplex, with 8 bedrooms, 7 full bathrooms, a kitchen, and open dining, living and family rooms in ea Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=ministry-happens http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=ministry-happens "So, should we call him or not?" The question was asked with a bit of irritation, expected after the frustrations of miscommunications we had just dealt with. Linnea was referring to another contact, Matt, whose name had been handed through previous contacts here. We are in the Philippines to meet people, scout ministry opportunities and build relationship, but after only 3 weeks here, we have more contacts that we know what to do with. They are all great people and the place holds great po Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-taste-of-home http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-taste-of-home After spending a few days in Puerto Galera, on another Island checkingout debrief spots (beach resorts), we headed back into Manilayesterday. Leah's younger brother is adopted from here, and she hasbeen in contact with the pastor who assisted in the adoption 13 yearsago. We met the Burdick's about 5am after an only slightlyadventurous trip back from PG, and had dinner with them. Spaghetti,salad, banana cake w/ cream cheese frosting, fresh brewed coffee... itwas amazing! I have had spaghetti all Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=blog http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=blog Walking into the slums of Metro Manila felt much as if we had returned to South America, even though personally, I had not spent time in the slums of South America, though some of our team has, either in Nicaragua (Central America) or Lima, Peru. I can't put my finger on what exactly reminded me of the other side of the world, but there were a few aspects. The friendliness was similar, though I feel the Filipinos seem to 'outfriendly' the others. It's interesting because in Peru, I mentioned t Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=slum-pics http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=slum-pics Here are some pictures from Montalban, a slum outside of Metro Manila, where Amy, Josh and I spent 5 days.  Preschool feeding program.  Same place  With women who make rugs from t-shirts.  Pastor John Rey, Emily, Miah, Nissi, and Kristoff.  Beautiful baby, sweaty me!  So cute!!  She looking at a Bible!  Our 'buddy' Godjell.  Jeepney - public transportation - many are more creative and colorful than t Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT