A Changing Life Touching Lives Alissa Gibson - The World Race 2007

One Year Ago

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One year ago today I was waking up in my gradparents' house, my first whole day back in the US after a year abroad. It hardly seems like a year has gone by in some senses, but in other ways, that year seems so far away it's practically just a dream.

As all of us World Racers from Jan 07 look back this week and remember our year together, there is no doubt a full range of emotions that accompnay the memories. Mine are all good. The WR was a year of growth, challenge and new opportunities for me. In addition to those great benefits, I believe that through those experiences, doors opened to me. I feel I have a greater freedom life. A greedom to fail. A freedom to succeed. A fredom to try new things and engage in new endeavors. It's an ongoing learning experience, which is proved by the areas in my life in the last year where I lived in fear and not in freedom, but at the same tim, there were/are consistentely areas where I have gone forwrad in blodness that I had possessed before. This manifests in small things, like trying new sports, or foods, and in the larger arenas of life, such as stepping out to learn a new job in a new place by myself. One of the racers posted a great note, reminding us all not to let the WR be the best thing in our lives, but to always expect more bests to come as we follow Jesus and embrace the adventures he has for each of us. For me it was a great year, a pivotal year, a life changing year, but the BEST is yeat to come!

I re-read my blog from a year ago today, and for me it was good to look back.

http://alissagibson.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-end-of-a-chapter-the-beginning-of-the-next

My latest adventures! - New Blog

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I haven't posted in a long, long time, but want to let you all know that I have made another life change and will be trying to keep a blog about it again. I have moved to Idaho to work at Sun Valley Ski Resort, where I will wait tables and/or bartend and ski in my off time. I have started a new blog to keep track of all my new adventures at www.alissagibson.blogspot.com

Check it out!

Was Jesus a Socialist? Am I?

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 to care for the poor, the widows, orphans and the needy. We as his people have been called to do these things, not the government. There are innumerable scripture passages that instruct us to feed the poor, care for the orphan, the widow and the alien, beginning in the Old Testament and continuing into the New, from the prophets to Jesus himself to the apostles. But all of the directives were toward the followers of Jesus, not the national governments. (Except in the case when Israel, as God's followers, were a nation on their own.)

However, in the church's lack of obedience to these commands of Jesus, (as well as believing a lie told by the father of all lies) society has now come to expect that which Jesus clearly called his church to do to be the government's responsibility.

I believe that capitalism is a superior form of government, but the church has to do it's job in regards to social issues in order for the people to be fully cared for. I would dare to say that most people in the American (western) church would rather have the government shoulder the responsibility, rather than themselves, despite the fact that most christians' are conservative in perspective and don't believe the government should be as involved as the liberal perspective believes.

Unfortunately, there has been a severe lack of stepping up to the responsibility, an attitude of apathy and disobedience to the basic commands of Jesus. The result of this misunderstanding' and disobedience leaves us with a complicated political battle over issues that God never designed to be political at all.

The early church was a community of people, who lived under a Roman government, but who cared for one another's needs from within the community...the Church. (See Acts 2:48). He commanded his people to honor and respect the government over them. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's (Mark 12:13-17; pray and honor those in authority over you.)

Books have been written on these thoughts, and I'm not as articulate as some I've read, or as elaborate in my explanations, but I've just really been thinking about it. I'm not very politically minded, perhaps because it's not been a primary focus in our family, but I think also because I just don't see Jesus being concerned about the political aspects and government, but rather simply on his followers' obedience.

Maybe I'm a socialist. But not in a political way. In a following Jesus church' way. The church was designed to be more socialist - community based, sharing all that is owned between all involved, caring for those in need and looking out of others. Socialism in my world is community'.

I feel like that leaves me in a complicated place politically, because I view all of this as two separate arenas - that which God has called his people to do, and that which the government does. Unfortunately, they have become melded together, causing divisions among people that were never meant to be. We've now got political conservative Christians with what I see as a superior (though full of weaknesses too) governmental standpoint, and with the good news' of Jesus, but not dealing with social issues on either a political or personal (church) level; and then the politically liberal Christians who have great cause and vision, but have combined two arenas that Jesus kept totally separate. Neither is the right' standpoint. Both have their strengths and both have their weaknesses, and so in turn, I am left without a certain definite standpoint behind either side.

The government, no matter how great or socialist it may be, can never do what was designed to be done by the people of God, the true followers of Jesus. Until those people (myself included) decide to be truly obedient to those very basic and crucial demands of Jesus, there is no real hope for change.

Anything other than cause and vision combined with the honest message of Jesus' salvation is not sufficient and will ultimately fail.

I have learned to be content

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 perspective and an encouraged and empowered spirit, and I am.

Throughout the last four months, since I have been home, I have been noticing subtle changes in my heart, attitude and perspective, and though it shouldn't surprise me, sometimes I still marvel at how gently God has worked in me to change.

One of the perspective changes I noticed this week is how I look at my life, and I realized that I am truly content. I miss living in Georgia, the beautiful hills and forests with curvy, fun to drive on roads; I miss the people and community in Gainesville and at AIM; the small town feel with everything I need, but a big city close by if I get the urge to visit.

But this visit didn't cause me to wish that I lived there, as I know it would have in the past. For a number of years, I have been looking for the next best place to be. I believe that I have followed the direction of the Lord, but I wonder sometimes if he allows/leads me somewhere because I would always wonder what was out there otherwise, and I begged. :-)

This time, though, I feel empowered to go out and find/create the community that is waiting for me in Des Moines. I am confidant that I belong at home' right now, and I have never been so confidant that visiting elsewhere hasn't caused me to be discontent with my current placement.

For nearly all the years that I have NOT lived in Des Moines, I have been determined that I wouldn't come back here to settle down. I had my reasons, some understandable, some irrational, and though some of those thoughts haven't fully changed, I felt the call of God to come back home, and I can't argue with that. I tried. And failed. :-)

I remember back in the mid summer last year, while in Gordon's Bay, South Africa, this call to come back home became undeniably clear, and I tried bargaining with the Lord.... I'll give you two years there Lord, then move on...' The Holy Spirit challenged me then, asking if the vision he has given could happen in two years, and the answer from my own mouth was not really.' After a couple weeks of this prayer discussion, I gave in and gave the Lord an indefinite' amount of time in Des Moines. There are people here in whom I will invest and love, and a long term vision (I will explain in a future blog), and to be really honest, I don't want to leave in the middle of something that God is doing. I don't want to leave a calling undone.

So, I will stay until He says to go, which may happen down the road, and it may not. But right now, my heart is settled and content here.

A New Chapter Opens

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 priorities for that time period and stuck to them - investing in my family and not in making money and am fully rewarded for that; I have been welcomed back to my home church, met with folks, shared life and been encouraged, hopefully encouraging them; I took the time to settle back down to certain realities of American life, namely the pace of life here, but with a new perspective and the choice to not be swept away by it; I have thought often of the things I wish to do, but didn't focus on, such as visiting new churches to make some more friends and find a community of young people to which I can belong, or start looking at homes to buy to see what's out there right now' (plenty, by the way).

But now the time has come to shift slightly. A number of issues have brought this sense of movement to my spirit. Some things are very practical, and then there is just the knowing that it's a new season.

Show Choir season is finished, so my weekends are now more open to work; I have resigned at Starbucks in order to focus more at my other job, so I am entering a season of full time' work, which I haven't yet really done. I can now begin to save some money and more seriously look at buying a house down the road.

After several months of thinking of visiting other churches, I am ready to step out in faith and go. Just to be clear, I am not seeking other churches in order to necessarily leave Des Moines Fellowship, and I am certainly not unhappy with it. I just realize that I am in a different stage of life than the majority of people there, and I am excited to find young people who are in a more similar stage as myself. I have had chance' encounters with a couple young ladies which have given me hope that there are plenty of those people out there. :-) I recognize the risk' in this, and that it may not always be fun...meeting new people can be intimidating, and I will likely meet quite a few before I find some kindred spirits', but I'm ready to face that. Being with great community down in Gainesville for a couple days reminded me that it's truly worth it.

I can't even begin to say how much I have enjoyed being with my family since I have been home. My relationships with each person has grown, as they have gotten older, and I now more greatly appreciate them. My younger siblings seem less like my little siblings than my friends, which is so fun! I love being able to just be with my older sister and her kids, and I'm deeply, madly in love with my niece, who has given me new perspective and responsibility in life. I am not a mom yet, but an aunt, and that holds incredible responsibility to live like Jesus, to show who He is to her, and pray that she too falls in love with Him. I guess it's good practice for being a mom. :-)
This new season brings with it an excited anticipation to see what's coming next, as I continue to enjoy every moment with my family, work full time, and begin a new adventure pursuing more relationships and friendships that will mutually encourage growth in the Lord.

Update from Georgia Visit

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

3/28/08
I'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 Kia Rio to be exact. It's about the size of a jelly bean, and gold, but good enough for me. So this morning, I jumped in my little gold nugget' and headed up to Gainesville, stopping at REI outdoor sports store, and Panera on my way. I dropped by my original Starbucks store, and said hello to the one person working that I knew from nearly a year and a half ago. Then on to Catherine and Spencer's, where I plan on spending the whole weekend, with visits into Gainesville here and there. I am excited to simply be in a beautiful, warm place, enjoying friends, sharing stories of our respective years, and doing a lot of nothing.

My hope is that now since I have my own computer and a little bit of time on my hands, maybe now I can get some of my million World Race pictures sorted out. ...Hopefully....

I love it here in Georgia. Signs of spring are much more abundant than at home (certainly to be expected), and I'm soaking in every bit of it. Some trees are green, but the most lovely are those that are blossoming with pinkish white flower blossoms before the leaves show up. They remind me of the "White Way of Delight" of which Anne of Green Gables so fondly spoke. I'm surrounded by hills and never ending woods and forests. I had forgotten how pretty it is here, and how much I actually enjoyed living here last year...er...the year before....2006.

It felt good to travel again too; to be at an airport, flying, waiting for luggage...the whole bit. I was alone this time, not with 20-50 other people, but it was still fun. I have always loved the being in airports, and flying, whether alone or with company. Admittedly, I would prefer to travel with someone, (though maybe not 50 someones), but there are certain adventures one can only enjoy alone. I love people watching, and then having brief conversations with strangers, opportunities I am not so eager to take with a familiar face right next to me. I was able to make the decision to walk the half mile to the next terminal instead of taking the train without consulting anyone, and as I did, so did the flight crew from my flight, so I chatted with them as we walked. (The train didn't seem to be coming and the computerized timer kept counting down from 3 minutes, over and over....obviously there was a problem, and I didn't feel like standing around with frustrated people.)

Oh, the simplicity of traveling alone. I loved the last year when I didn't have to make all the decisions, and be responsible for all the gang, but this week, I am really appreciating the freedom of making decisions for myself, since it only affects me. :-)

Oh, wonderful friends

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 good to look back again. I found that some of the issues I thought were a big deal as they occurred and then even when I first came back, are now not. It makes me laugh now. ... Oh, so and so was so annoying then, but now I can't even remember why', or I was so upset and offended during that time, but now I can't remember why or at whom.' It's nice to realize that life moves on and perspective changes as time passes. I hope to one day live with a clearer present perspective, less offended and more graceful.

I love being with friends, talking about life, about my trip, about knowing Jesus, finding passion, living with purpose and raising kids to do the same. (Not that I have them, but now many of my friends do, and I have great influence on my niece and nephew even now).

Being with friends here again makes me all the more motivated to do what it takes to make and find good friends in Des Moines. I have wandered around in loneliness too much at home, mostly in years past, but the temptation is there now again. I know they are out there, and I have been too caught up in my own selfishness and self pity to find them, hoping that people would come out of nowhere to be my best friend. I am reminded that I do have great friends all over the country even if I don't talk to them all the time, and certainly never really see them.

I love Catherine and Spencer because our relationship during the 7 weeks I lived with them showed me that I was able (and even really enjoyed) relating to married couples, and that it's normal for married couples to relate well with singles.

Growing Up...

Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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. There is still the same inexplicable feeling of safety in that as there was 15 years ago.

Once in a while, I just return to childhood in my mind now that I'm home with my family - moments with my parents that make me wish I was 10 or 12 again, and yet still fully appreciating being an adult, with my parents. I am loving being grown up' and relating to my parents and the rest of the world as an adult, and yet sometimes I feel like I just got old.' I'm not sure what defines old' when I'm 26, and I know that it's not old' in comparisonI don't feel old as a grandma, or even as old as my parents (which doesn't seem old' to me anymore).

I guess I simply realize sometimes that I AM 26, not 16. I attend my siblings show choir competitions with more of a proud parent perspective than a cheering sister, and Karyssa (16) told me I sounded like a mom' the other day. Ha Ha!! Oh well. I actually am just fine with that. I am ridiculously proud of my younger siblings for everything they are doing with their lives, not just with show choir, and I'm not ashamed to tell the world, even if it makes me sound like a mom'. So I guess it's some of those things that make me feel oldermaybe I'm just feeling my actual age.

At 26, most around me are married, with one to several kids; my younger brother is married, all my high school friends are married, and I'm living at home! I know many of us post World Racers are in very similar places in life, but none live near me, so I'm most aware of those around me at church.

This separation of lives between myself and others used to be a really hard issue for me. I didn't know how to relate to married people, or those with kids and to be honest, I believe that once people marry and start having kids, they don't know how to relate to single people as well as they used to. Lives take on different focuses, and that's normal and mostly good. I used to feel so alone and sorry for myself because I wasn't a part of the married' people, and they couldn't understand so much of who I was/am.

I believe I have grown (gotten old') and now my identity is not so much in whether people relate to me but whether I am honestly relating to my Jesus. It bothers me much less that my life looks differently than so many around me. And I think that now I am able to share life as an adult, (not with an insecure teenage mindset) with other adults, married or single, parents or not, older or younger than myself. I can't say I really know what this looks like, because I'm not sure I'm living it out, but I'm not afraid of it anymore. I am beginning to realize my capabilities as a grown womanworking as a free medical clinic manager; relating to people of all ages and many walks of life; discipling people wherever I am; doing whatever I do with excellence. In recognizing these skills, I also recognize my lack in follow throughbelieving on a day to day basis that it's all true. But I'm learning. Day to day.

And while I'm learning to be an adult, I still enjoy the moments with my siblings and my parents that bring me back to being a kid againsilliness, safety, peacefulness, freedom, and love

Nowen Quotes

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 haven't read much of his stuff...because I'm not much of a reader, though I would like to change that. :-) But even if I haven't personally fully read a Nowen book certainly doesn't mean I can't appreciate his quotes. I hope that you do as well.

"Is prayer powerlessness or a creative contact with the source of all Life?"

"Prayer, ...our intimate relationship with God , is the basis for all our relationships."

"The movement from illusion to prayer is hard to make since it leads from false certainties to true uncertainties, from an easy support system to a risky surrender, and from many 'safe' gods to the God whose love has no limits."

The last is my favorite.

Fresh Beauty

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 peak out, wishing for spring.
As much as I am looking forward to warmer weather (I've never been a cold lover), I am certainly not missing the incredible beauty that God is giving right now. The snow was wet yesterday, blowing from the north and is piled high on every little branch of the trees, now reflecting the sun, glittering rainbows and sparkles. I wish had words to express the beauty of untouched snow - in the yard, on the roofs, on the trees. Gorgeous.
Winter snow is one thing we didn't experience on the Race last year, (and for that I'm forever thankful) but we saw so much beauty that it became almost easy to take it for granted. Now, as I look through pictures and am reminded of the mountains, oceans, deserts, and people that we saw, I miss that beauty. And then He reminds me to look out the window. This is beauty just as great, created by him to be appreciated by me. God's creativity is absolutely amazing.

CD Available

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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!

Memories in the midst of life

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 all the other places. I have felt like I was walking down the streets again, ready to meet someone and say hello in a language that is becoming less and less foreign. I love these moments of stepping back into time.

But I am here, at home. Missing my teammates, my sisters and brothers in Christ with whom I was so close during that time. Missing the adventures of traveling the world, and facing all the unpredictable twists and turns, taking them in stride, and laughing.

As much as I miss the people, the places and the adventure, I am embracing the place God has brought me for now. It is a journey so different than before, but not lacking in unpredictable twists and turns that I am taking in stride with joy. I can say that I now live with a greater joy and willingness to jump into something a little unsure, because I know that God's got my back, and nothing that faces me is the end of the world.' Things not going as planned don't mess with my sense of peace like they used to, and I do actually laugh at them, even if the situation gets a little frustrating.

The pace of life here is differentthe balances of life and priorities very different than on the race, but no less important. Here I am 3 months back in the states still working out how to keep up with the rapid speed of American life - planning schedules weeks and months in advance, instead of one or two days. I think I'm finally get a hold of it, having jumbled around schedules for two jobs, and feeling overwhelmed to now feeling like I'm not working enough. I'll get it worked out soon.

I will be spending the next few weekends attending my younger siblings' (Hannah, Karyssa and Daniel) show choir competitions in various parts of Iowa and even one in Minnesota. For those who are unfamiliar, Show Choir is a sport of its own - the kids (highschool) sing and dance amazing numbers and compete against other schools. It's incredibly fun and entertaining to watch, and I'm as proud as a mother (well, almost probably) of my sisters and brother. I am loving being a part of their lives right now, even though it means working less and making less money. In years past, its been hard for me to choose to NOT make money when it was an option, but not so much anymore. I know that God will provide, as I am obedient. I am seeing the fruit of choosing His ways over my own. I love life this way! So many fewer worries when I'm believing God.

Encountering the Presence of Jesus

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 honest, I was struggling to stay positive at work due to various aspects, some related to work, some not. I was feeling overwhelmed, and not excited to work, and on top of that, had been sick for over a week, for the second time in a month. Tired and not facing the day with a lot of energy, I arrived at work, where I met our borrowed supervisor.

When she greeted me, my spirit jumped. I can't even really explain it, except that I felt that we were alike. I wondered at that moment if she was a believer. She came into our store, and managed it beautifully, with grace and initiative, and a positive attitude. It took till the end of the shift before we both were bold enough to say out loud that we are both followers of Jesus, and then we talked about the Lord, very openly. I was so encouraged to meet someone so excited and on fire for Jesus. I know that it was God's timing to bring her into my life for that short time, but long enough to realize that there are people who are excited for the Lord and living with a zeal and passion for Him.

This event actually happened before my blog on passion, but I had already forgotten about it. I had allowed such encouragement to drift from my heart and became overwhelmed in something else. But the Holy Spirit has recently reminded me of this wonderful encounter and I have to share it. I was so encouraged in Spirit and excited when I left, and the fruit meeting Jesus in someone else was not only spiritual and emotional, but physical as well. I was no longer physically sick after that day. A cold and deep chest cough had been bothering me for a while, and it just wasn't after that. I give all Glory to God for that, and can't deny at all that the presence of Jesus heals.

When we encounter Him, we can be healed. Do we believe it? Do we embrace it? The whole thing made me wonder if I walk around carrying the presence of Jesus everywhere I go. If people can be healed by encountering Him, am I walking in obedience so that they can encounter Him in me? Jesus, may I ever be increasing in intimacy with you that others may not miss what you have for them through me. My desire is to always be your vesselone that brings Your joy, healing and restoration to others.

I miss PASSION

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 some of the currently racing teams out there.

As I read Gary and Lisa Blacks blogs today, I cried. I miss my life of last year. I miss that encouragement and life I was given in that time. Things weren't always perfect with our leadership- they made mistakes, but they did their best (and it was great) to pour the life of Christ into our hungry and thirsty spirits. Sometimes it happened from a distance, speaking to the whole group, and a couple times I had the chance to meet one on one with them.

There is some balance that I'm not sure I've found between being fed and feeding others. Between being poured into and pouring out. I have spent a year of taking in more than giving out, and I know that God has clearly called me to pass on all that He has given me. On a day-to-day basis, I don't know what that looks like. I have had the opportunity to share some of my stories and pieces of my heart to my church and another youth group, and I have truly loved doing that. Something about that kind of speaking makes me come more alive. But dailyI don't know.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am where I am supposed to be right now, working towards a vision the Lord has rather clearly instilled in me. But there is that huge piece of me that wants to be with those who are deeply passionate, and ignite passion. Seth, Andrew, Gary and Lisa live with passionpassion for Jesus, passion for people, passion for vision, passion for raising a generation of people passionate for Christ. Their lives back up their teaching, and that is inspiring for me.

Where is the great passion here? I know it's in my spirit, and I'm dying to have it exposed - to live life that way. Perhaps I fear because I don't see others living out their lives with passion, so I keep it somewhat bottled. It's also true that people thrive with those who are most like themselves in heart, those with the same DNA, and that is true of me with people on the World Race. I have to believe there are people here who live with a similar passion after the Lord as me. I just feel like I've not found it yet.

What is passion? Maybe I don't even know, but I feel like it's missing in the majority of the American church. That makes me sad, because without it, I think we are missing so much of the actual Kingdom reality, allowing ourselves to be caught up in issues that are relatively irrelevant to that Kingdom.

It's this one passion that drives one to sacrifice when God callsto step out in faith when all you think you feel is fearto not live in fear of other's opinions or limitations, but to only pursue the approval of our God. It takes a passion for Him to live out who He has called us to be. Like, I said, I know it dwells in my spirit, but I feel it's gone somewhat dormant on a daily basis What is passion, and how do I live it out? I don't know right now.

It's so cold!!!!

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 streets, and snow covered yards and getting our hopes up for spring...in January.
Today however, welcomes back the midwest winter... a high of 18 maybe, with gusting winds at 40mph, and blustering snow. The dirty streets and brown lawns are now exposed and the lovely sun is has hidden away behind the ever so typical gray Iowa winter skies. Bummer. I can't wait till spring.

I spoke last Sunday night with a youth group here in Des Moines - a group of people I had never met, who had been praying for me, having found my blog sometime back in June. It is such an amazing blessing to share life with other people in the body of Christ. I loved that aspect of the Race, and I love it here too. I saw how we really are united in Him, seeking after Him, in our own cultures, languages, even in the mix of denominations...we are following Jesus and when we humbly gather together, we gather with Jesus himself, and that's awesome. I am loving speaking to groups of people about my year. There is something about it that makes me feel a little more alive. I think perhaps a part of that is that God has told me again and again that it is time for me to pour out what He has poured into me, and He will continue to fill me as needed. When I get to pour out through speaking with people, I know that He is faithfully filling me more. It's pretty cool.

I am busy as ever, but doing my best to keep my priorities in proper order and trusting the Lord to provide for all my needs. I have yet to have any reason to doubt him...

New Year Update!

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 live in community so similar to our past year together. We rented an unfurnished apartment with one bathroom, and lined 10 of us on the floor with our mats and sleeping bags right next to one another. It was fun to realize how easily we adapt in that situation. We probably wouldnt have known how to live together otherwise!!

Some wonderful friends of mine from church donated their 94 Jeep Cherokee Laredo to me, as they knew of my need for a vehicle. There are not words to express my thanks to Paul and Lynn (and Adam.) Its more than I could have expected, but a clear answer to prayer. I came home knowing that God would give me a car. As the weeks progressed, my faith wavered, and I began to pursue something else, but He closed that opportunity, and made this available to me. How amazing are the works of our God!

After being home for just shy of 2 months, I am feeling like I am maybe now getting caught up with the American speed of life. Thanksgiving and a wedding in the first week of being home, then Christmas and New Years, and starting 2 jobs has kept me pretty busy, but Im getting used to it. Im still not yet used to thinking weeks and even months in advance for schedules (didnt have to think about that on the Race), and so Im having to compensate for double booking, but its all falling in line.

I have been working at Starbucks for about 5 weeks now, and started waiting tables at Court Ave Restaurant, a former workplace, just last week. I have also just recently accepted the position of Clinic Manager for a free medical clinic that our church is going to begin holding once a month. Its an administrative (volunteer) position that will really challenge me and keep me busy with my other 2 jobs, but I feel its exactly where God is calling me to do right now.

I am praying how to best balance working and making money and yet staying true to the priorities God has clearly asked me to keep: devoted time with Him, time with my family, going to my siblings high school show choir competitions, being available to people, and walking in faith. I have a tendency to become a bit of a workaholic, but I know that Hes asking me to walk in faith, and not try to make certain things happen by mans means, but only by His provision, namely buying a house. Its a challenge in faith, but I know that He provides and never lies, so what He says, goes.:-)

Sorry this update's been so long in coming, but better late than never I suppose. I pray you all have a wonderful New Year! May God continue to richly bless your obedience to Him.

Sharing Tonight!!

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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!

"Thank You" Could Never Be Enough

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 who love me and have invested time, prayer and money into me and my journey to do that. Now finally, is the letter that instead of asking for money, is telling you to cease sending checks to AIM!!

Thanks to God that through you, all $13,000 of my support came in, right up to the very end. At the beginning, I wasn't sure I would make it all the way through, but the Lord wanted to prove his great faithfulness to me in the midst of my lack of faith. Many of you have been faithful financial supporters of the last 2 years of this crazy adventure called my life, and even more have given gifts when you can, many anonymously, making sacrifices to invest in the Kingdom of God. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Also, the amazing prayer backing I had was undeniable. I could feel your prayers when I needed them, and truly believe that my great health during the year, and the awesome team unity we experienced were greatly due to those prayers. I never want to be without such a great spiritual support!

There are a few people I wish to thank especially, which is risky, because I may leave someone out, but I have to at least have a go at it!

*Mom and Dad - Thanks for always supporting and encouraging me to go where I feel God leads, without restraint or complaint. I have a feeling that is a blessing I don't even fully understand. You have set me free to fly, and still welcome me home with open arms. Thanks for letting me grow, loving me unconditionally, and praying me through the rough spots of my life, even when it's been hard on you. I love you both!

*All my siblings - Anne (Juli, Aidan), Seth, Mike, Heidi, Hannah, Karyssa and Daniel - I love you all so much! You make me NEED to come home. Thanks for always supporting me, emotionally and financially (by loaning me some spending money this year!). I'm around to stay for a while to just be with you!

*My grandparents - you are all amazing. Thanks for encouraging me to go on this crazy trip, and not ever telling me that I was crazy for doing it! I couldn't ever have better grandparents than you. You have loved me, prayed for me, funded me - thank you! I love you!

*Lynn, Janet, Diane, Cathy D - your prayers, and money are so appreciated, but even more - carepackages and friendships. Thanks for commenting on my blogs, so that I wouldn't forget to email you. I have established friendships with you from around the world when I have known you for many years without that. I am so blessed by your sacrifices, your honest hearts and your incredible encouragement! I look forward to continuing in person!

*Greg and Julie - I always know you are behind me, lifting me up in prayer and encouraging me. I loved seeing your names in my e-mail, announcing you had commented on my blog - thanks for asking about me when my blogs were inconsistently posted. I can't wait to talk more with you about my trip. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made, because you know the value of investing in the Kingdom. I have much to learn from you both.

*Everyone who was ever a volunteer in New Orleans with me. It blesses me to no end that God uses people who pass for such a short time through my life to support me in my journey. I sincerely wish I could see you all again, and share life with one another again. (I may make it to Auburn, WA this year) What an amazing bunch of people you all are. Thank you for your continued support this year.

*There are many of you that surprised me with your gifts, showing up in the middle of the year, when I needed money - people I know and people I didn't know, or still don't. Thanks for being obedient when the Lord said give.' I always wanted to jump up and down and give you all hugs when I saw your names. Thanks for loving me. Hundreds of dollars came in anonymously, and it's hard for me to just chill out and not wonder, wonder, wonder from whom it came. :-) But for all of that, to all of whoever you may be, many thanks.

*To all those who have prayed for me - everyone I know and each of you that I don't know, or know you are praying for me. I couldn't have done this without you.

I pray that God richly blesses you all in awesome ways, for your obedience and faithfulness to Him. Your investment is truly into the Kingdom of God, in so many ways.

A Quiet Life Returns...and some pics

Thu, 6 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 version of Cinderella with Whitney Houston, and Brandi. When Mom came home for lunch, she pointed out that it had started snowing and was accumulating quickly, a change outside I had missed while cuddling with Juli.

It's such a beautiful, perfectly falling snow. Big flakes drifting straight down, no wind, no storm, just gently falling snow. I haven't seen snow like this is quite a while. I'm fascinated by the beauty of creation, and the Hands of the Creator!

Supposedly the snow will fall just so perfectly until the ground is buried under about 3 inches of lovely white attire, begging to be played in.

Here are some pictures from my brother's wedding this weekend. I love being with my family again, celebrating life, and simply enjoying one another. I am so blessed to have seen ALL of my extended family except for one uncle and a few cousins within the 2 weeks that I have been back in the States. It's really quite a feat considering my parents are each the 2nd of 4 children in their families! We love getting together, and are always so grateful for occasions such as weddings to bring us all to the same place. I love you all!!!

Mike and Erin saying their vows, Greg Smith officiating.
My youngest sibling, Dan, and my nephew Aidan just hanging out.
This is 6 of the 7 Gibson kids: Me, Karyssa (16), Mike (23), Hannah (18), Dan (14), and Heidi (20).
And this is the oldest sister, Anne, the wonderful mother of my neice and nephew and ....another.... :-)
My parents!!! (Nice Smile Dad!!!)
Julianna, with my aunt, Janise.
I agree with Mom - it's valuable to learn to dance properly, and Dan was a willing learner.
Heidi and her man, Jacob, just sitting looking good....and matching... :-)
Night of the rehearsal dinner - Hannah's great photography of Karyssa and Heidi.

I love my family!!!
So now I start working on my own projects, not related to the wedding and visiting family, but rather sorting a year of WR pictures and organizing some thoughts to share with a small group on Sunday.
I begin a temporary (to the end of the holiday season) job at Starbucks on Saturday, then will be jumping back into waiting tables at the amazing restaurant I worked at previously (2 years ago). I am really looking forward to a routine of sorts and being with more people again. I love those jobs because of the interactions I have with all kinds of people. It's going to be a great year end!

Backtrack to China - I know you've all been waiting!!

Wed, 5 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 1^st, 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, really good, an excellent end to the journey! From October 15^th through the 27^th, the majority of the Racers, including ZEO, lived in a city (left unnamed for now) where we simply established relationships with students desiring to learn English, while in turn we took classes on Chinese culture and history. I loved the exchange that happened, that we were able to learn about their culture, which is something I wish we could have done to a greater degree in every country.

Each afternoon we met for English Corners' - we showed up and the students would come running, asking if we would speak English with them and be their friends. I often chatted with a new girl each day, though I became closer with one particular young woman. We would eat supper in the cafeteria, with the students often choosing my meal and laughing at my slightly incompetent chopstick skills.

We were not allowed to share the gospel or talk about our religion' while on school grounds, but instead, if a student showed interest, we could go out for coffee to chat more. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the ministry' there. It was about being Jesus, loving these people without preaching, bringing His presence with us wherever we went without words.

That was exactly what had to happen for the last bit of our time in China as well. On the 28^th, all the teams went different directions for the remaining 10 days of ministry. ZEO was brimming with excitement for our deployment' - a backpacking trip through some remote mountain villages of a minority people group. We got ourselves all psyched up for this hard core trip and unloaded some of our belongings onto other people (thanks Spano), in order to carry lighter packs, all to discover the day we began that we wouldn't actually be hiking much. We took buses to and between the villages, and the hiking involved was simple hiking through farmland to make home visits. At first we were all pretty disappointed, but it didn't take too long to again realize that God has the bigger picture in mind and new what we needed at the time.

Our first stop was a large community of about 6,000 people, technically a county. We spent 3 days at the local schools, primary through middle school (4years to 16years old), performing songs or dances (that's always an interesting endeavor) and teaching them a little bit about America. They understood very little English, as did the teachers, so most of our communication was sign language-y, or pictures on the chalkboard. We had a lot of fun with them.

The next two villages were quite remote and we stayed in the homes of the village chiefs, where the hospitality was generous. They provided beds and we ate our meals with them around the fire. We visited homes of local folks where we were welcomed around their indoor fire to enjoy peanuts, cookies, or chestnuts (that we roasted over the open fire). The ministry was strictly bringing the presence of God into the homes of these people, as the language barrier was great. Our guide spoke very little English, and the local people spoke their own local language, not Chinese, which is what our guide spoke. We sat around the fire smiling at one another and discussing among ourselves the past year, recalling all that God has done.

We had many hours of down' time at the chief's home, which perhaps in the early days of the Race would have been difficult, but through the year, God has taught us to enjoy being still, enjoying Him and each other.

This whole leg of China facilitated what I believe to be the best bit of debrief I experienced in the year. Debriefing came about in conversations very organically, and we processed out aspects of nearly every bygone month of the year. Our team throughout these 10 days consisted of 3 original ZEO members - Amy, Leah, and myself (Lynette detoured to Tokyo to visit her sister), 3 new ZEO members - Scott and Linnea Molgard (previously NESSA), and Rusty Jackson, and also a young man from California who came out (with a separate organization) to take this 10 day trip. We had many good conversations and had time to simply enjoy one another's company in our last weeks together.

A short flight on November 8^th brought us to Beijing, where we met up with the rest of the 45 January Racers for a couple days to shop and visit the Great Wall of China. It was only a day and half visit really, but certainly worth it - for both the shopping and the Wall! We took a bus to a part of the Wall not often visited by tourists, where it hasn't been restored. We had to do a bit of hiking up to it, and then walk the Wall for a good distance. It was amazing to stand in a place with such history behind it. It definitely is an experience I won't forget!

So, there's China! I loved it, and felt I finished the year on a upswing, which had been my greatest prayer in the previous 2 months. I feel like I was 'there' for the whole time - that I hadn't checked out mentally and returned home early. This too was an answer to prayer, as I knew how easy that would have been, and then I would have regretted it in the end.

I thank the Lord for an amazing finish of this amazing trip, and am excited for whatever comes next in this journey of Life with Jesus!

Stay posted...more to come....

I'll always want to be a princess

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 the classical music and laser and pictures shown on the walls of the Castle.

I realized while sitting in front of that castle, lit up with the princess lights, sounds and themes, that I still have that desire to be a princess, in a castle with a Prince Charming. Maybe that really never dies. I was standing beside my friends, but lost in my own dream world, singing Disney princess songs and feeling the emotion of the music as would a child. It felt foolish, and yet okay, that I began to tear up, with a great desire to run into the castle, dressed in a ballgown and dance a waltz with a Prince who would love me forever!

Funny thing is, I missed Dad so much then. Maybe because it feels my princess days are behind me; the only time I was one was when my dad was my hero king. I was his princess. I know that now and I feel it when I look back and remember. I don't know if I knew it then.

Someday my prince will come, of that I am sure - God created me to desire that, and in that I can rejoice. So in the meantime, I grow in the knowledge that I am a daughter of the Most High King of Heaven, a Princess, beloved to him, and desired by him. That is enough.

But I will indeed one day wear a princess dress and waltz with my Prince Charming!!

The end of a chapter, the beginning of the next

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 Grandpa. After nearly an hour of getting bags, waiting through our last immigration and customs lines, saying goodbye, Grandpa and I headed out.

I was exhausted after having been awake for over 30 hours, so climbed into a nice comfortable bed with sheets, about 10:30pm. I did the math and realized that I had already had an 18 hour night, starting at 8pm Hong Kong time, and not counting the night I was about to sleep through! That 'night' lasted until 3:30pm EST. Hmm... I had to drag myself out of bed, so that I will sleep tonight!

My emotions and physical body are up and down right now. I have been shaking since I got out bed, and I have butterflies jumping in my stomach. I don't really have an appetite (though I will still be eating an In 'N Out burger for dinner for Mom and Dad!), and I can feel the tears are not too far under the surface. It is wonderful to awake to my own room and my grandparents, but at the same time, to awake knowing I won't be laughing with my team all day, or facing this next challenge without them is very hard.

I watched the TV screen in front of me on the plane as we drew closer to the California coast, and grew more nervous to land here than anywhere else I've landed all year. Some Racers were rejoicing that we didn't have a new culture to adjust to, new people to meet, and new ministries to work with, but I felt that facing that would in some ways be easier. I suppose because it is what I have become accustomed to - facing new things. I know how to do that now. But coming home, setting foot on American soil for the first time in 2007, going home and doing the new things God is caling me to do there - THAT is something I'm not familiar with yet.

And, yet, I know that's okay. I'm not sure I ever want to be accustomed to where I am or to what God is doing in and around me. I don't want to ever succumb to mediocrity and a sense of 'being comfortable' with God, of aiming for anything less than excellence. I pray He continually challenges me and calls me to greater depths of knowledge of Him than I have ever even imagined. I pray I don't become comfortable with my life, but always keep growing, even when it's hard. I don't know what that looks like, I couldn't even try to know, and that's okay. I can go forward in Faith, knowing that my life rests in the hands of my loving Father, and as I walk in obedience, He will guide every step along the way.

I think it was my great teammate Scott Molgard who said something like this recently... The trip is not like a book that is ending, but rather only a good chapter in a great book that you can't put down. You HAVE to keep going because you really can't wait to see what happens next.

I can't agree more.

Good bye Hong Kong

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So, because this blog got scrambled, I had to redo it, with no frills - but still the same pictures. Enjoy!

I'm back in the world!

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 and be as ready as possible to re-enter the states. It will be hard to say goodbye to all our newest friends and now family, but we are all looking forward to being home again, especially in time for the holidays. Thanks for all your continued prayers over the last month for us all!!

And...I'm OUT

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 debriefing from November 11^th through the 19^th - our departure day, and will hopefully be able to post an update during those days.

While we are out, we ask for your continued prayer support for protection for each of us from all the schemes of the one opposed to us.

Pray that I, and all the Racers, finish this last leg with excitement, energy, and the Joy of the Lord, even though most of us are ready to get home, filled with anticipation and nerves about the next phase of life.

Please pray that we would hold these things in balance - our here and now, and the futures that lie ahead when we return home. Pray for guidance and wisdom as we make our decisions, and also for grace and support as we enter back into the States and face 'reverse culture shock.'

I can't begin to express my thanks to all of you who have supported me throughout this last year, and the previous year in New Orleans as well. Many of you I will see soon after I return home, and many not for a long time, if ever again, but none of you are forgotten. I will update from debrief, I hope, and certainly from the states, once I am back. I pray God's richest blessings on everyone who has taken the time to be a part of my journey, of all the racers journey, as we together seek to build the only enduring Kingdom.

It's a Small World, Afterall...

Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 kids attend Faith Academy near Antipolo, Metro Manila, and he had a ministry with street kids. We agreed to meet after our time in Puerto Galera. That was our first knowledge of Faith Academy.

In P.G. a missionary couple, Bill and Deb Shaw ended up staying at the same hotel as us, and through conversation, they mentioned Faith Academy, and that they are starting up a newspaper for the poor in that area. They said we should meet with Jeff Long who would be able to help us a lot.

From P.G. we headed up towards Antipolo, to visit with Leah's contact in Valley Golf. Brent and Kim Burdick have been in the Philippines for 16 years and hosted Leah's dad and Filipino adopted brother on their way to the states 13 years ago. As we discussed our purpose there, Kim mentioned that we should talk to Jeff Long at Faith Academy, located in Valley Golf. The world is shrinking

We headed to Faith Academy to meet Jeff, and in the parking lot we see Phil, and moments later, Bill! Jeff gave us a tour of his Children's home, and then mentioned we should stop and meet his friends. We walk into Bill and Deb's newspaper office. So, turns out, everyone is connected at Faith, and there are ton of different missions opportunities going on.

But, this isn't the end of it! The Philippine world is small, the Faith world even smaller, but the next people we encountered blew my socks off.

On the way to the children's home later on, we pick up the Faith Academy chaplain and his wife - Jason and Sarah Quick. At introductions, I thought to myself that I knew a Jason Quick and his sister Sarah. They attended Des Moines Christian school, a year ahead and a year behind me. Their dad was my chemistry teacher. But I thought there is no way this could actually be the same Jason. In moments, though, our conversation confirmed that this was indeed the Jason Quick of Des Moines, who married a Sarah, and whose sister Sarah married my childhood friend Mark Swanson a couple years ago, (another story of a small world)!! I could hardly believe it.

Julie Smith e-mailed me to say that their family supports a family at Faith Academy - the nurse and the maintenance man, so I took some time to meet them as well, and took my picture with her.

I met another lady just 2 days ago who lives in Overland Park, Kansas whose husband works for a company based in Fort Dodge, IA. They pass through Des Moines regularly, and often eat dinner there, so I told her to visit me at Court Ave in a few months.

I am so amazed at how God orchestrates his people, drawing them to where they need to be, and then allowing them to run into others who have ended up in the same place. It's a joy to meet people from my home area, who know my stomping ground, and can laugh at the traffic problems of KC, or talk about the Smith's big dog. In the Philippineswho would have thought. :-)

Thank you Jesus for fun and funny 'chance encounters!'

Support Update

Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 expenses such as my travel insurance and my flights both from L.A. to home, and from home to Harlingen, Texas at the beginning. The required goal must be in by November 15^th, only four days before my flight to Los Angeles, California, about six weeks from now.

As I finish, I ask that you continue to pray for me, that I would finish strong in this last leg, and that all my support would come in.

As I said, God has been incredibly faithful (He can't be anything less) and he has used many of you to support me financially through this year. Thank for your faithfulness and obedience to the Lord in this way. I couldn't do this without your partnership in building the Kingdom of God on earth. I encourage you to ask the Lord if this is a ministry in which you should take part. I know not everyone is able, but every little bit helps me to finish this strong. $5, $10, $20, or $100, whatever can be afforded is appreciated. Thank you all!!

I can't wait to see all you L.A. and Des Moines people! Very soon!

Hospitality is for me

Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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 each half. The building sits right on the edge of the Quatro Slum, and across the street from the K.I.M Children's home. It provides a place for teams to stay and have space and some amenities and yet be close enough to the slums to be deeply involved for the duration of their stay.

The building needs a little bit of work, painting and cleaning mostly and some repairs, though it is totally livable as is, and even considered a luxury to WRers. They have a great staff of people working on repairs and the home should be looking pretty good by November at the rate they're working. :-) I expressed how I would love to have a job just taking care of the hospitality stuff - making sure the rooms are clean, and have a welcoming feel, such as towels and soap on each bed, a candle in the rooms, a small welcome snack in the kitchen and water upon arrival. All the things that are wonderful to walk into as a short term team, but all things that take time and attention. Jeff jumped on that and reminded me repeatedly throughout the week of that offer! Colene also manages quite a number of other houses and condos, as short term missionaries come in and out, and it would be a great pleasure and joy to work alongside her doing some of the more detail attention things that take more time.

Our team painted the three main rooms in the half in which we lived, yellow walls and then I painted a darker trim along the bottom. While the others went to take care of their shopping (I'm just not a shopperdon't care for it much, and was glad to be alone), I worked on the trim. It was a relaxing day for me, just working on that project, with music and a couple of good conversations with Jeff and a friend of his, Leslie. We rearranged the furniture, changing the look of the house from just moved in and unorganized' to homey'. A little wall art and accenting colors will be wonderful, and some of the other rooms would love attention, but I believe that as God sends teams through, World Racers and others alike, that people will have ideas and visions that I have had and more that I have not, and will work on that place till it becomes more and more home' for people.

This week just confirmed again in my heart how much I enjoy the hospitality industry, whether a restaurant or lodging area. I look forward to the time I can work on my own home and welcome travellers in with open arms, comfortable lodging, and good food.

I will continue to pray about going back and hopefully will be given the opportunity to return to Manila for some time in the future. I would love a friendship with the Longs and others in that great community of Faith Academy. Those 10 days were great, and the wonderful people who invited us to their homes for dinner every night are already missed.

Thank you Burdicks and Longs for your fantastic hospitality and friendship! You will not be forgotten!

Ministry Happens

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

"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 potential for future teams, so does one more person really matter?

I stopped in my tracks on the stairs to my room. "No... I don't know... do we need to?" Mostly I was just avoiding making the decision about it, same as the others in the room. "I guess not, it seems we've got enough, and he's connected to others, so future teams will no doubt run into him at some point. Right now, I just want to shower and get ready to go."

Decision made, we each headed to our own rooms, a luxury here in this guesthouse we never exepected, but deeply appreciate, and in our own quiet rooms, readied ourselves for the big game.

Who'd have thought I'd end up in the Philippines attending a college playoffs basketball game between the two greatest rivals in the country?! Our primary contact here, Jeff (missionary from Kansas) supplied us with tickets to the packed arena to watch his son Kirk play ball. It made for a fun day. Half the arena was filled with fans bearing green shirts, and waving big green inflatable tubes.

Our half was the same, only blue. We stood the whole game with the great drums, both snare and bass drums, booming in rhythm for the duration of the game. We cheered through the game, saw some bad calls, some good shots and the last seconds of the game filled us with the same energy the students had as Kirk's team made their winning point, with only 7 seconds to go. The green team took three shots in those 7 seconds, but only succeeded in bouncing the ball off the rim. We Won!! The guys in front of us gasped sighs of relief as they realized that they are indeed moving on to the next round, and they spun around to give us high fives.

It reminded me of state championships at Vets Autitorium during high school - even the blue was the same as Des Moines Christian. So fun!

After the game, we headed to the mall to find the glorious Taco Bell. We passed the one at the entrance, hoping our chance of faster food would be greater on the 3^rd floor food court. Getting there was a bother, with so many people, and we began to wonder if it was indeed any better this way. Oh, well...we were already on our way.

Next door to the Taco Bell, our seeming heaven on earth here, we saw Bill and Debbie, a missionary couple that God keeps dropping in our path. We have run into them by accident, in different places 3 times now in a week and a half! We greeted them, mentioning we had been at 'the game'. They had not.

"So, you're coming to the feeding with us?" Suggestion...question...command...all in one. "Uh...well, we're kind of hungry, can we grab some food?"

"Sure, we're leaving in 20 minutes" was Bill's reply, spoken from his always grinning face.

Walking out, Leah mentioned that God always does things for a reason, and this 'chance' encounter was no different. I agreed. For some reason, we keep running into this couple, but hadn't planned to do any ministry with them to this point. It seemed now that God was orchestrating it for us.

Not everyone was excited to go to a street kids feeding ministry, feeling like it was obligitory and no fun- and asked among ourselves if everyone had to go. No, but it seemed obvious that this was God's arranging, so I don't want to miss it. After food, attitudes were a bit clearer and we headed out with Bill and Debbie, not knowing where we were going, or exactly what we would be doing. Somewhere along the way, they mentioned that this was Matt's ministry - had we called him? Yep, Matt - the one we had decided we didn't need to call only this morning. Apparently, we were to make contact after all, and when we chose not to, God stepped in.

As we arrived, Debbie left us and began speaking with a Filipina who worked in the ministry. She asked about the 3 men that were coming. From where I was walking, I head Debbie's reply.

"Well, they were unable to make it, but God brought these 5 to us, knowing we needed help tonight. Isn't it awsome to see how He always provides?"

If I had any doubt inmy spirit that were in the right place, it was gone from that point forward.

The evening was wonderful; street children ran up to us, hugging us, asking our names as they gave theirs. They jumped on Josh and Scott as jungle gyms, a role both have well adapted to. We laughed and smiled and loved these kids for a half hour or so before heading inside the church for dinner. Three year old Princess found me soon after I arrived, lifted her arms to be held, and stayed in them the majority of our evening.

Chatting with Matt, the guys learned about them ministry he leads for the street kids of Cubao. It's a rough place, in need of great love, and he's doing it, with his staff. Bill and Debbie help out regularly, along with a few others. He teaches vocational training in a halfway house, providing skills to those who desire to leave the street life and follow the Lord. It's a ministry we wouldn't have wanted to miss - and yet we almost did.

We didn't plan for ministry that night, but it was what made the day - the game and Taco Bell were great, but finding the hand of our God in the midst of it all was the best. We left the church with great smiles on our faces and our hearts filled with joy... and also repentence for feeling that this would be a chore. It wasn't in the least a chore to love these kids. If only I could love little Princess again...

A taste of home...

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After spending a few days in Puerto Galera, on another Island checking
out debrief spots (beach resorts), we headed back into Manila
yesterday. Leah's younger brother is adopted from here, and she has
been in contact with the pastor who assisted in the adoption 13 years
ago. We met the Burdick's about 5am after an only slightly
adventurous trip back from PG, and had dinner with them. Spaghetti,
salad, banana cake w/ cream cheese frosting, fresh brewed coffee... it
was amazing! I have had spaghetti all over the world and none as good
as Mom's but Kim Burdick's tasted just like it! I could have cried
for joy!

We were supposed to have had reservations at a guesthouse, but due to
a miscommunication, there were no rooms available, so the Burdick's
opened their western style home to us. They have 4 kids, the oldest
of whom is in the States at college, they other 3 still here. They
opened their rooms for us to crash for the next few days, and fed us a
great breakfast, potato and egg casserole, with more fresh brewed
coffee. (Instant is the most common form of coffee around the world.)
We attended the church where Brent Burdick is the senior pastor, and
following church another American couple invited us to come to their
home for the day and do ALL of our laundry in their waster AND dryer!!
We've started the laundry and are enjoying sitting in their living
room, with internet and homemade cappucinos, sharing our lives with
Keith and Judy.

Keith said we all need a 'sanctuary' from time to
time, while we are on the field, and that's how it feels now.
We enjoy the simple blessings now, such as sheets, toilets with seats
that swallow toilet paper, movies to watch, quiet space with couches,
dining room tables, and family dynamics. I love being with a family.
This is a good week. :-)