Jake Rodriguez - Equipping the one to Serve the Many!

Logistics Life

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I recently talked with a father or an October 08 Racer. We discussed my position with the Race and he commented to me,

I was very thankful for you while my daughter was away. I had a better peace knowing that someone was going before her to make sure she was safe.

In an uncertain and dangerous world we obviously cant guarantee 100% safety, but it has been a personal joy of mine to go ahead of so many people and prepare the way. My job description is to scour the globe and search for impactful ministries to connect with our energetic, God-chasers also known as World Racers.

The work that we do is dynamic. My department is responsible for managing squad budgets, coordinating team placements, transportation and living arrangements, establish Race routes and build our ever-growing list of ministry contacts around the globe.

Just as the father that I spoke about above was concerned about his daughters safety, we too have several resources that we use that give us a heads up on anything that would be life-threatening. My team stays quite busy as we work to get around 250+ people around the world. That number will quickly grow to about 600 young adults as we continue to launch teams throughout the year.

We are busy, thankful that God is alive and that he really does direct us and blessed to be part of the Great Commission.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

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Kiev, Ukraine - Intro to E.Europe

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Saturday, March 28, 2009

This is a quick update to share the latest. As I had mentioned previously, as a co-leader to the Oct 2008 World Race squad I have the chance to visit them throughout there year to check in and help with their periodic debrief times. Well the squad has come up on their mid-point of their 11 month journey. They are just finishing up their time in India and will be arriving in Kiev, Ukraine over the weekend.

As part of my responsibilities, I get to travel ahead and meet them here. Have I mentioned that I love what I do? Gosh, God is good!

I am here following up on several of the logistical details that have been coordinated and arranged for the next three months of ministry. It also gives me a chance to check in on how the squad is doing and do some of the logistics for them over this next week and a half so that the team can take a bit of a rest time.

They have been ministering for just over 5 months now and are about to get introduced to yet another culture and environment. This is a first for me and the World Race. This is the first time we have actually sent teams in to Eastern Europe. We are excited to see what the Lord is doing and how we get to partner in those great things.

I have been here for literally two days and am surprised to see how two worlds literally converge in a place such as this. On one side their is what seems to be a first world environment growing with all the material fashions we are used to in the states and yet turn your head and you can still see the struggles many people face in this post communistic society. The struggles seem to be far from over as a world of two very different ideologies converge. A younger generation seeks out independence an freedom of expression (clearly seen in the fashion forwardness of the younger population) and the older generation cling to years of structured instructions on how to live. Both have their goods and bads. Yet both seem to be operating at the same time struggling to become the dominant thought of the day.

I look forward to learning more even if my time here is short. Please join me in prayer for the people of Ukraine and that regardless of political and social paradigms, the Truth of our God will make itself known amongst the nations of Eastern Europe. Please pray for the teams as they make this transition.

Blessings

Jake

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Where oh Where..?

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Where oh where in the world is Jake these days?

Last time I broadcasted I was in the Philippines... Was somewhere else with limited to no internet access... Where oh where?!!

Rumor had it that I was in China, possibly Hong Kong. Some had a thought that I was somewhere in Africa. Kenya one would suggest. Others even thought that I was even in South America. Well no more guessing...

I am back in the goodol USA. After 3.5 months of being out on the field with the most amazing group of World Racers, the Oct 08 squad, I have found myself in Port Huron, Michigan. It really is a God thing. The rumors were true. Over the past several months, I have been blessed to see more parts of the world and the need for God. We started in Manilla, proceeded to China, and then East Africa. Having spent two months crossing the landscape of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, there are several stories I am looking forward to sharing.

I have now been invited to be a part of the World Race leadership team. More specifically, I am partnering with an amazing team of World Race alumni coordinating the Setup and Logistics for the entire program. Talk about an amazing opportunity and crazy responsibility. God help me and the team.

Under the leadership of Michael Hindes, this team is working to meet the underlying question by many young adults of, is this really all there is to living a Christian life? I have had the amazing opportunity to see what a generation of young adults looks like as they go through a process of abandonment and surrender in an effort to find their true identity in the Kingdom of God. In such we have organized a team of alumni here in Port Huron, Michigan to lead this through the next coming years of growth.

It really is a nice change considering I have spent the greater part of the last two years in so many different places. At this point and for this season, I actually have a bedroom and bed to call my own. Talk about a stark change from living on the field and in so many different places. The nations will continue to call and I will have the great chance to serve as I get to serve the teams of WRers.

I thank you for hanging on to the sporadic blogs that have been posted. One of the luxuries that I currently have is pretty consistent access to the internet. Throughout all these travels, the miracles, the stories, the adventures, and just amazing stories of God showing himself true have all bottled up. I hope that you will continue to walk with me over the next several blogs as I finally take a moment to recount and remember them as I write them in blog format.

Thank you again for all your prayers and continued support. None of this would be possible without your willingness to partner with me in this God adventure. May the Lord bless you.

Blessings

Jake

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The World Race - Michigan Office

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The Dumps of Manila

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

I am a believer that Jesus lives in the dumps. This is my second time to visit a community that calls the city dump home. And each time I have to believe that I have seen more Jesus in people than I do in most anywhere else. Let me share with you a brief story from my most recent visit.

We have setup two teams to work and serve with the Philippine Christian Foundation while here in Manila, Philippines. I had the privilege of visiting the dumps in which some 5,000 people call home. It challenges my senses and stretches my very sense of conscience when I see how people can have so little and literally have so much.

On the day I visited I was being toured around with two local Philippino musicians and their staff. They live in the greater Manila area and were being introduced to the dumps and the conditions therein for the first time. I tagged along trying to understand the conversations that were mostly in the local tongue of Tagala.

As we were walking around one young woman, from the artists staff, asked why I was there and what the World Race teams would be doing there. I replied with the typical, We are here to serve, build, create relationships, evangelize, and... When all of a sudden she stopped me mid-sentence. Jake, she interjected, I believe in Jesus and God. But how do you evangelize and talk about Jesus in a place like this? The Jesus and God I know is a God that wants his people to be prosperous, fruitful, and he wants people to have a fulfilling life. Look around. How do you share that in a place like this?

Immediately, I felt like I knew where she

was coming from with her question. I

have grown up in a community and

church that painted Jesus and God in just

that manner. Its not entirely wrong, by

any means, but it is an attitude that puts

God in such a small box. There is so

much more.

I responded, Its actually so much easier to share the Gospel in a place like this than it is even just across the street to someone who has so much more. I continued, This is a place where Jesus would come to bring hope to the hopeless and tell each man, woman, and child that they are loved. That while the world around them is continuously telling them that they are the lowest of the low. We have the opportunity to visit, and tell them that they are special, we like God love them, and that Jesus would have died for them too if they were the only person on the world. They are THAT special in the eyes of Jesus. We have been given the opportunity to say that we have come literally from the other side of the world just to visit them and spend time with them. They are again, that special.

I had this young kid, named Jessica in hand. She had no shoes, a cute dirt stained orange outfit on, one tooth, and the biggest smile of all the little kids around as we walked and talked. I looked up at this young woman, with whom I was sharing, and noticed she had tears welling in her eyes and soon tear tracks running down her cheek.

She said thanks, as she admitted that she had been ministered to with such simple words. Youre right, Jake, she commented from behind her tears. Jesus is bigger than she had initially thought, and I believe He had just busted out of the box in her own life. I was touched at how Jesus once again had made himself known from within the midst of one of the dirtiest places on earth I have ever visited.

I pray that this story touches your heart just as much as it did mine. Lets remember that our Lord loved us first!

Equipping the One...To Serve the Many

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Greetings to each of you my friends and supporters. I must admit that I have struggled to write this blog. It has taken me a bit to actually understand why, and after a bit of time trying to figure it out, I have come to the conclusion that there remains a horrible trait within me that I thought I had dealt with. PRIDE. DAMN this thing we call PRIDE. ahhhhhhh. While I do believe I have grown significantly when it comes to this, it isnt until it comes to writing this blog that I realize it has a nasty habit of poking its nasty head again. Let me explain.

I have shared with you in the past that while I was traveling last year I learned that my calling is truly for the field workers. While many are called to serve the poor, the orphaned, and the widows, I have truly come to realize that my calling is to serve those who serve the poor, orphaned, and widowed. In other words, I feel my calling at this point is to Equip the One... To Serve the Many.

Over this past year, I have been able to serve the World Race missionaries as they have served in Bolivia and India. My primary role has been to assist with various logistical needs as the teams transition from country to country.

Locally, I have had the pleasure of helping a local youth group and youth pastor in Michigan. I have also been able to work with SDG in installing AV equipment in two brand new churches.

Each of these experiences has been based on the calling to live this year entirely on faith. Each day has been taken care of by faith. As I have mentioned before I have never been without. The Lord really has afforded me with all this opportunities by His provision.

So as I am here this evening, I now have the joy of sharing with you my most recent opportunity to serve the field workers. Outreach Outfitters and I have been asked to help the October 2008 World Race team as they start their travels at the end of this month. If you recall I spent the last part of my travels last year doing setup and logistics for our squad as we traveled through SE Asia and China. Well as one would have it, that is exactly where this team is going to start. So I have been asked to assist this squad with their setup and logistics needs through the end of the year. This is a great opportunity for me to serve the field workers and indirectly the people of the Philippines, China, and then Kenya.

This will mean I will travel along side the squad for the first three months of their trip with three main responsibilities. First to assist them in working with local contacts in coordinating various setup and logistical needs. The second, is to work with the squad leader, Allison Johnston, in developing future leaders. Third, but far from least, I will be working to expand the network of contacts throughout each of this countries for future teams to partner with.

So bring in the part about pride. Because this opportunity is still founded in the field of international missions, it means that the need for financial supporters still exists. In creeps the nasty thing called pride. It is difficult for me sometimes to say HELP! I would love to say I could do it by myself, but that would be a lie. Instead, I have to embrace the idea that international missions is a community project. A community that includes you and me. I dont know why it is so hard for me to ask, but here I am putting myself out there.

So here it is. To heck with the pesky thing I call pride in my life. I NEED YOUR HELP! I need your help to serve those who are serving the poor, orphaned, widowed, hopeless, and those in need of people who reflect Gods love. I need to raise $6,500 in order to help offset the costs required to travel to Philippines, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Kenya.

I am asking you to pray and partner with me as we will continue to serve those in need. If you feel compelled to partner with me please follow the link provided. It will take you to the WORLD RACE support page so you can process an online contribution. Regardless of the amount, I promise you that every bit helps. Please remember that it is a tax deductible donation. You have the option of being a regular monthly supporter please reply via the comment link so I can get you the automatic debit forms.

Long story short. I have been given an opportunity to serve 53 outstanding world racers for the remaining part of the year, and I need your help to make that happen. By being either a fiscal supporter or a dedicated prayer partner the assistance you provide is so greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and I look forward to sharing the testimonies with you as they unfold.

Thanks again and blessings to you and your entire family.

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Introducing my post race blog

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

2008 has been a wonderful year thus far. I know that I have been less than faithful in making regular postings on my blog.

Well there is good news. I have started a new blog and would like to invite you to follow me to this new site. Click the following link and please add jacob.rodriguez@outreachoutfitters.com to your contact list so that future update notices will make it through your email filters.

The link:

http://www.outreachoutfitters.com/Jakes_Place/My_Blog_Board.html

I have appreciated your emails, prayers, and support so much. I hope that you will continue to follow the adventure of "Living solely by Faith!"

Blessings to you and to your entire family.
Jake

A video review of 2007 Ministry

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The World Race:

2007 Promo

Nicaragua:

Costa Rica - Story of Jose

Peru - The Harvest

Peru - The Gold Mine

Mozambique:

Mozambique Outreach:

Swaziland & G42

Thailand - MAN-istry:

<embed src='http://us.i1.yimg.com/cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/player/media/swf/FLVVideoSolo.swf' flashvars='id=3799639&emailUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.yahoo.com%2Futil%2Fmail%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26vid%3D1005440&imUrl=http%253A%252F%252Fvideo.yahoo.com%252Fvideo%252Fplay%253Fei%253DUTF-8%2526vid%253D1005440&imTitle=MEN-istry%2BPart%2B1&searchUrl=http://video.yahoo.com/search/video?p=&profileUrl=http://video.yahoo.com/video/profile?yid=&creatorValue=bG92ZV9ib2JiZXI%3D&vid=1005440' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='425' height='350'></embed>

Beautiful World:

Homeless, Unemployed, and nearly Broke!

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Yuppers!
Homeless, Unemployed, and nearly Broke.

And my first thoughts are,

"There is no better place to be!"

I am once again at a very similar place as I was exactly a year ago. Well kinda. Getting ready to step back out into what many will call "just crazy." Again, I will respond, in some sorts that you are probably right, but I also know this is exactly where I am suppose to be and where I am suppose to be going.

I am currently in Houston visiting some friends and fighting the urge to lured by the things of last year.

It is great to see friends but I stand all the more sure that this is not where I am suppose to come back to.

Last week I was in Atlanta meeting with the AIM and World Race team brainstorming and planning out how the next year's team will run. Both the hospitality, insight, fellowship, and fathering that was shared was so refreshing.

But something deep down continued to stir. (And it wasnt like one of those stomach rumbling that Ive had re-adjusting to western food)

Once again I felt the Lord calling me to "go for it." Unfortunately, the calling wasnt to what I thought was a perfect fit. Many of you have read about how I was planning on coming on staff with AIM this next year. Well... I feel that the Lord has taken the opportunity to wreck my plans once again. For that I am again amazed and thankful.

The World Race and AIM have a great thing going, and I am excited to see where it is going in the future. However, at this point in time, I feel the leading to take another blind step in faith. The Lord has burdened my heart for the front line field workers (missionaries & pastors) around the world. I believe that the Lord has a partnership (unknown to me at the present, with whom) in the near future that will reach out to supporting this particular group of people. With that much of a leading, I have elected to abandon and surrender all again and follow that call. With the blessings and support of AIM I am going to follow the Lord with EVERYTHING.

I ask that you join me in prayer as I step out in faith that the Lord brings this partnership/relationship to be across my path and that I will be able to recognize it as quickly as possible. I am trusting the Lord for a place to lay my head each night, the $'s to support my research in how to serve the field workers and to live day to day. Yes, dad that includes the one bill I have - my student loan.

I have already seen the Lord begin to move in such a path within the first 3 days since leaving Atlanta and the WR opportunity. First, two unexpected checks have been deposited into my personal account that will support me over the next couple of weeks. Amen. Secondly, a very unexpected invitation to travel to the greater London area leaving on December 24th through the 8th of January. Third, another invitation to meet a couple ministry related contacts while in the London area. I believe this is all the Lord.

I ask myself, Im homeless, unemployed, and nearly broke, and yet here I go again traveling overseas at the Lord's leading; is this really me? Can it be? Is this what living completely surrendered and abandoned to God's will for my life?

My simple response:

Here I am Lord, Send Me!

Thanks again for following me along this path. It is continuing to prove itself to be one heck of a ride. I promise to keep each of you informed. Thanks again for all your prayers.

I am going to list a couple other prayer requests that I ask you to join me in:

1. The continued leading from the Lord as I step out in faith to follow Him.
2. Wisdom to make the right decisions at the right place and at the right time.
3. The humility to serve others and not expect to be served.
4. Divine appointments with the people that I am suppose to partner and serve with.
5. Spiritual, Financial, Emotional, and Physical provision as I take this walk in faith.

May the Lord bless you and forever shine His face upon you!
Until next time...
Amen

At His Feet

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Wanted to take a moment to check in with each of you. The last post had me in an anxious point of being overwhelmed. Well good news is that I am still alive and in fact doing really well. It was a great welcome home but a continued high that had me running mentally.

There are still several little things that continue to surprise me as I venture out and about. I was blessed with a visit from some family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

One of the things that I have enjoyed most is a degree of solitude and quiet. Just sitting in my room not being rushed to anything but being in prayer and silence. I have been in a state of asking myself, what am I doing here, and where am I really suppose to be going from here? The answers aren't quick but they are rolling in with a certain degree of peace and calm.

On a given morning I was reading Deut. 4 and felt the words speak right to me.

^"5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. ⁶ Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

and

⁹ Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

The instructions were the same. "Jake, you have just traveled the world to see and learn my ways, my decrees, my voice, and who I am as Lord and Father. Now from here, go out and walk the path I have set before you and let what you have learned shine out to the nations. Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Share your experiences to your generation and the generations to come."

So I've spent the last couple days relaxing and listening to the words of God as we plan our next steps. I reflect on the many lessons learned and the challenging experiences I went through to see God's hand in each of them.

There is an indescribable peace and comfort that comes from sitting at His feet. I dont have all the answers yet, but I sit and press in asking the Lord for guidance and direction.

As we enter into the Holiday season I would love to recommend that we each take some time in true silence and reverence to ask the Lord on what the new year has for each of us. Let us each join in prayer seeking the Lord's will and peace.

I thank you for lifting me up and covering me in prayer over the past couple of days since my return. It is evident that you have been praying as the Lord has been faithful in sharing with me. I will continue to press in until it comes in to stepping orders.

Until the next posting. Have a great and wonderful day.

Home... I think?

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Yuppers. It's true. I am finally back states side. Wooohooo. That idea alone makes me pretty excited. But I will share and admit to each of you that I feel more like a foreigner now than I have in the past eleven months. Things are great and it was so wonderful to see my brother and sister-in-law at the airport. But, I feel rather out of place.

I am told that it is normal, but oh my gosh, I didnt think it was really going to be like this. I have been back all of 24 hours and I have felt more culture shock than expected. Let me just name a few.

1. I asked that we go to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and next thing you know there are several options being presented to me. Wow, options I am really not use to have such a plethora of choices. This can be okay.

2. Driving around with my brother in his car just running around town doing everyday type of errands. Its was odd for me to not think about where we (the team, friends, and I) were all going today and what was our plan for the day.

3. $$$$ I went to the store to buy some new shampoo and stuff and nearly rolled over in shock at the prices. My brother chuckled and reassured me that I wasnt going nuts. I miss cheap prices.

4. Everything. The roof tops, the traffic, the flushing of TP down the toilet instead of putting it in the waste bin, the fact that family is going to be together for Thanksgiving; its all a bit overwhelming.

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Cant I just go back to the craziness I now call normal?

I wanted to retreat back to what I was used to. That place we were all so excited to see come to an end, was now seen as a comfortable place. How crazy is that. Yet as I opted to spend time with the Lord this morning in prayer, He was quick to remind me not to covet the the experience of my recent run around the world. To pull back into my memories of friends and places, would separate me from what God is doing in the now. The idea He gave me was that the sum of all the days past will never equal the grander of what He has for me today. Old wine in this case, would be like a bitter juice. It is better to see the things the Lord has for us today than hide in the memories of yesterday.

I know that the message is true, but I am still tired, adjusting to the time change, and going through a bit of culture shock in a place I call home. Who would have ever thought?

So I ask you to pray for me and each of my friends as they reach home and am sure are experiencing the same. Everything is going to be okay and it IS great to be home.

Thanks for everything. To my supporters, thanks for being a part of this life changing experience. To family and friends, thanks for your continued prayers and messages. I am likely to be sharing some more thoughts now that I have a bit more time and an incredible connection to the internet (wooohooo).

Blessings to you in Jesus name.
Jake

We're back and heading home

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This is a quick note to say that we are all back in Hong Kong and we are all safe and sound. Praise the Lord. We have been spending the past couple of days debriefing the time spent in China. It has been pretty great.

It is now hard to believe that it has come to an end. That is this trip. The reality is that it is really just the beginning. I know that there is still so much that lies ahead. I am excited to see where it all goes.

I must admit that I really havent spent some of the much required quiet time to process some thoughts, so please excuse me for being a bit short. I know that I am going to have to sit for a couple days to just take in a years worth of God's lessons. Bear with me as I am eager to share some of those thoughts with each of you.

Please pray for me and our whole team as we leave to go home on Monday. Heck to see this next destination as our last on this trip just sounds so unreal. We're heading home. Naturally, emotions are high and everyone is excited and sad all at the same time.

Thanks for each of you. I look forward to writing and sharing more with you in the next couple of days.

Love Ya
Jake

China is beautiful!

I'm wrecked

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I'm wrecked!

Where to start? So I'm here in the Philippines and have been working with Hanna (from the AIM office) on doing some setup and scouting for the last leg of our around the world World Race. I was a bit nervous in leaving my team and friends for a couple weeks as I had little idea of what this would look like.

Well, the best way to describe the way I feel is, I'M WRECKED! We have been traveling to various locations meeting several different organizations all with the same goal in mind sharing the Good News to those who need it most.

Many of you know me and the first-world comforts that I had enjoyed. Before leaving in December of 2006 I owned a beautiful home, had a good car, and a great job. All of which afforded me some great opportunities to travel as a recruiter meeting some great people. The luxury of staying in nice hotels and enjoying nice dinner out was always a great perk. The truth is I was getting pretty used to it.

So leaving for this year of transformation took many of those things away from me. I have traveled with a backpack and a desire to seek the Lord. I have been challenged to question every word I would once use to describe myself and examine my heart to find the truth of who I was. I quickly found that I had been defining myself by the things I had been doing, and not by who I was created to be. I have been able to confirm that I am a joyful person. Even in the midst of the challenges and troubles, I know that the Lord has given me a joyful heart. I am a leader. Ironically, that doesn't have to be the guy up front. I have only begun to realize the true meaning of the scripture, "to lead is to serve." The titles mean little, the opportunity to use my gifts of speech and leadership are not for my own glory, rather a tool to build others up. My desire is to help others become great. This has been a difficult but humbling experience.

As I type this blog, I am listening to "None but Jesus" by Hillsong United, and a key verse rings true to me. All my delight is in you Lord. All of my hope, all my strength, is in you Lord. Forevermore! My delight is truly from the Lord. I'm wrecked and completely sold out. He has walked with me through the fire and I am seeing myself change. Amen!

This has been most evident for me over the past week or two. I meet up with Hanna and begun to visit with various contacts. We have been entrusted to find potential relationships for race teams to visit during their upcoming visit. So as we have traveled the Lord has blesses us with same amazing accommodations. In one place, our contacts hosted us in their own home. Talk about a blessing. Here I have been traveling around the world being entirely satisfied with a church floor to sleep on and a water spicket to have a bucket shower. And all of a sudden I am having a home cooked bowl of chilli, sofas to relax on, my own bed, and a great HOT shower. I must admit that I nearly began to weep at how much the Lord loves me - that he would treat me with such a great place to stay. From there we traveled to our next location and our hosts hosted us to our own hotel room. WOW!!!

INSERT PICTURE

I couldnt help but stand in awe and gratefulness. This would have been similar to the old me traveling from hotel to hotel, expecting this to be the norm. But that is so far from where my heart is now. I saw this as such a treat that I almost felt out of place. The Lord reminded me a conversation we once shared. I told him that I liked some of these finer things in life, but was willing to give them up if it was necessary. He responded with, Dont you think I know you better than you even know yourself. I know you enjoy these things, but now you have learned to appreciate them as gifts from me rather than products of your own work.

The challenge here was sly but interesting all the same. Just as I have been entrusted with a bit of responsibility doing setup, it was easy to see the old me want to surface its selfish, and self-edifying side. But things are different now. I can recognize that. Even if I thought that I could do something better, it doesn't mean that I am suppose to jump up and run over others so that I can be in front. The Lord has gifted me with certain talents so that I can use them in a way to build others up. I have to remember to lead is to serve. I am realizing the truth to the idea of dying to your flesh daily.

There is no way that I can go back to where Ive come from and be the same. And even, if I could, I wouldn't want to. The Lord has burdened my heart for an intimate relationship with Him. This past couple of days visiting different parts of Asia seeing the overwhelming need of the masses, coupled with the experiences of traveling the world for the last 10 months has forever wrecked me.

I don't expect to be staying in the plush hotels of China or elsewhere, but I do know that my head will lie down at night recognizing that I am called to help bring the Kingdom of Heaven to others here on earth. My heart's desire is to support other missionaries who are called to the field. I am called to prepare a way for them, encourage them while they are on the field, and lift them up when they are down. In many instances I see it being along their side, being a brother in Christ.

I ask you for your prayers. This is a whole new chapter for me and I will be the first to admit that I am barely learning how this is supposed to work. I am in at a level that is far above me, but I know that it's where the Lord has called me. Pray that the Lord pour in me His Holy Spirit, His wisdom, and discernment on when to sit and be still and when to stand and speak. I abandon any sense of self-promoting motives, and confess that I need more of Jesus! I pray that as I come into this new role with Adventures In Missions (AIM) you will continue to join me in prayer for the things the Lord wants.

I bless you in Jesus name and pray the Lord wrecks your life just as He has mine.
Amen

Romans 12
Dedicate Your Lives to God
1I therefore, urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

Checking out!

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We have arrived and all is looking great. But I do want to let you know that after our initial briefing here I have learned that communications from this venue is highly monitored. So much so that we have been advised not to post at all. So this is me checking out and signing off for a couple weeks.

I will check in when I pass through Hong Kong again. Otherwise we will have to be in communications via the spirit.

Dad dont worry all is fine! This is normal.

Blessings
Jake

Please keep praying for us as things continue to line themselves up.

Heading out once again

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Short note this time. It is time to say goodbye to Thailand and Cambodia. I am heading out today for China. Please pray for me as I head out ahead of the teams to do some setup and logistics stuff.

This is the beginning to a whole lot more of what the Lord has been calling me to do. That is doing setup for future race teams. I am anxious but also a bit nervous.

I dont know what kind of communications I will have once I am over there as I will be traveling to a series of different places. Posts are unlikely as the internet communications are highly monitored and scrutinized for evangelical themes. China isnt too big about having Christians running around the place.

So please stand in agreement with me for travel mercies and a divine protection. Also pray for the contacts we will be meeting as we set things up.

God bless each of you! Love you and may the peace of the Lord be with you!

Jake

Just being real

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I have recently returned to Bangkok from my brief time in Cambodia. A couple of us veterans have returned to welcome the most recent group of world racers. Just as we, the January racers, are coming to the end of our year, this group is just starting theirs. I have to admit that it is pretty exciting to see how excited they are and how eager they are to get out and see the world. It is encouraging as it reminds me of our start. I am eager to see their year unfold and to the Lord do amazing things in their lives.

I wanted to share a brief experience with you from this past week in Cambodia. Being that I am taking on some setup and logistics responsibilities for our next country I have had to separate myself from team Agapetos. As they are in Saem Rief, Cambodia I was spending time in the capital city along side teams Revolution and 61. We have been working with a church name New Life Fellowship (NLF). This place is amazing as they are a relatively a young church and have been blessed with several successful outreach ministries.

I had the great pleasure and joy of teaching English. I must admit that I was a bit nervous in getting up in front of 40-60 Cambodian students and teaching. It wasnt a stage fright kind of thing; as most of you know that I love to talk. I was nervous in teaching English. Heck, I was dreading a question about grammar and sentence structure. That is the kind of things I should have paid more attention to in high school. But then who ever really did.

In this classes I met a local by the name of Michael. By divine appointment we quickly become friends. He was in my classes and helped me understand several things that helped me teach my classes. Realizing that the English grammar and stuff want going to work he asked me to talk about our trip and where we had been. Next thing you know Ive borrowed a wall map of the world and had spent an hour talking about our route and some of the experiences. Little did I realize that it was going to become a world geography class.

As much fun as the teaching was, the relationship that was established with Michael was by far more rewarding. We spent time over lunch sharing some stories and exploring a bit about where the Lord had us. I was touched at how quickly he shared some personal issues of his and how quickly the Lord utilized this random friendship to show him how much he was loved.

Again, it wasnt about telling him about church, or praying more; instead it was about being a friend to one another. We both encouraged one another as we shared the truths about what a relationship with Christ is all about. Through his hurts, and my initial attitude of passing the time, the Lord brought our paths together to form an amazing friendship. It honestly, gave me a real picture of what it means to be a Church Body that focuses on relationships rather than religions.

As I prepared to leave Cambodia we spent an afternoon touring the city and visited the Royal Palace.

Michael shared a potential dream of becoming a pastor one day and sharing the Good News with his own people. He shared that just the week before he was doubtful of God and the reality of His love for him. We finished our time and he shared that our time together and our friendship was an answer to prayer as he was filled with hope again. A renewed hope of Gods love and faithfulness that makes me want to share about Jesus and the Good News and believe that it was true.

With those few words I was so humbly touched and encouraged. The Lord would send me around the world for a couple of days in Cambodia to be a friend; the idea overwhelms me with joy. I was reminded of the idea and importance of being a friend open and willing to serve one another. Again its not always about having an agenda or set plan, rather being real and being filled with the Lord. As an overflowing of the heart, the mouth will speak.

I taught one last class on the Friday before leaving and was excited to have gotten this opportunity to be Christ to my new friends in Cambodia.

Thank you for keeping me in your prayers as the Lord through your support has made this year a true blessing to me. I dont believe I will be able to return to the US the same! And for that I am so grateful!

Amen.

Spiderman

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I knew this trip would introduce me to a variety of interesting and weird food, but I recently think I topped that list. In Peru we were introduced to Guinea Pigs for dinner. That was pretty interesting. As usual it tastes like chicken.

As we've traveled around there have been a couple of other dishes that havent been too bad. The cow hearts and squid just to name of few. But in short nothing worth writing home about.

That is until now. The locals here in Cambodia see bugs and other assorted insects as a delicacy. Well with a bit of hesitance I tried my first tarantula spider. YUP!! YUM!!!

They have spiders, ants, crickets, locus, grasshoppers, beatles, and various other things.

Here it goes. One, two , three!

Yuppers. It's really in there! Yumm!!! We'll not really. But I must say that it wasnt as bad as I was expecting.

But I can now say Ive done it. Ray, to think you didnt even have to pay me. LOL

Hope I didnt spoil anyones lunch.

Blessings
Jake

Ye of little faith

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

If you recall I had mentioned that during our last leg of our road trip we spent some time listening to a couple of sermons given by Ray Vanderlaan. I want to share with you a couple of the points that he shared as they truly rocked my way of thinking when it comes each time Jesus makes the comment to his disciples, Ye of little faith.

This is a bit of a long post, but please take the time to read it to the end. I pray that the Lord will speak to you as much as He did to me. Blessings.

A premise that must be studied before we get to far is the idea of discipleship. In Vanderlans sermon he went on for a long while about this but I am going to try to cover it relatively quickly.

In Jesus time He was quickly regarded as being one of the Rabbis who taught with authority. (Mat 7:23) It was this same authority and type of teaching that caused him so much trouble with the Pharisees. Anyway. In order to be a disciple of a Rabbi (or great teacher) one would have to have been a very well educated student of the scriptures. It was common practice for the time that every boy would have the first 4-5 books of the bible memorized word for word by the age of 11. Side note: Yikes!! I think we have fallen a bit short of this mark. As I was saying. The young disciples desire was to be just like his Rabbi. The disciple was far more than just a student, he was more like a shadow. He would follow the Rabbi to be just like him in every way.

Well to make a long statement short. Isnt that what our goal as Christians should be? We ask Jesus in to our hearts and believe that he died for our sins so that we can be forgiven and have a promise of eternal life with him in heaven is that really it? So we have our ticket into heaven, does that mean its all done and over with? Hardly. Our desire ought to be to be more and more like Jesus in our daily lives. God sent Jesus to earth to save us and we can see his life as a model of what we want to strive for. Please dont misunderstand me, I am not saying that I want to be Jesus or that I am Jesus. But I do want to be just like Jesus. Each of us has said or thought in our lives, I want to be just like so-n-so. Heck, isnt it that same motivation that drives us to keep up with the Jones. It starts at a young age. We dream about being like superman or as kids we dream about being just like dad. Michael Jordan even had the phrased coined as a marketing slogan, Just wanna be like Mike! You get the point. I want to be so much like Jesus that I can help set the captives free, that people can be healed in Jesus name, and that I too can bring glory to my heavenly father. I surely hope your desire and dream would be the same. In order to do so, I better know exactly who Jesus, my Rabbi, is in every way. So my question then becomes; How much time are you spending in the shadow of the Great Rabbi? We should each want to spend as much time as possible learning, and following Jesus that we could give a true and accurate account of what Jesus is like to anyone who doesnt know him. A disciple of the time could tell you just about anything and everything about his rabbi. I know that when I asked myself the same question, I was embarrassed to admit how little I really knew. This kind of commitment requires us to spend far more time than the hour or two at church on Sundays. I hope you get my point.

So back to the original point of my post. When Jesus said to each of his disciples, Follow me! He was essentially making the statement, I think you can be like me, follow me and learn how to become like me. Remember now, that the disciples were not the top scriptural students or cream of the crop. Scripture tells us they were fishermen, tax collectors, and your everyday person. Sound familiar? So when the Great Rabbi came along side the lake and said, follow me! it is no surprise that they dropped their nets and came running. They had the great honor to be called a disciple. Each of them now had the opportunity become just like Jesus, the Great Rabbi. The scriptures give us story after story about their experiences following Jesus.

Yet the one that has truly rocked my thinking as of recent is in Matthew 14 verses 25-31. This is where Jesus meets the disciples on the lake by walking on water along side the boat. He invites Peter to step out and join him. Peter does and quickly begins to sink. Jesus responds by saying,

You of little faith, why did you doubt?

For many years I have always understood it to mean that Peter had little faith in Jesus and hence started to doubt, which resulted in his sinking. But Vanderlaan introduced a new perspective that rocked my theology. Please remember that Peter was a disciple, being with Christ with the intention of becoming just like him in every way. I think that Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and said, if that is really you then call me out and was thinking if this is my Rabbi walking on water, then I too want to be there with Him on the water. So he stepped out and actually succeeded in his efforts. When he saw the waves and began to worry that is when Jesus said, ye of little faith I think Jesus is referring to the fact that Peter doubted his likeness to Christ in that moment then to the validity of Jesus actual presence.

So to the point of this whole study. I believe that far too many of us, myself included, forget that our faith to believe that Christ is Lord is not where we often fall short. Instead, we lack the faith to believe that we too can be just like Christ (in every way). To believe that He has called each of us to be just like Him; to walk, talk, and act believing that we are becoming more and more like Him. Scripture tells us to speak with authority and step in faith knowing that the same Jesus who walked on water is calling us out to do the same.

So take some time to look back at every reference in scripture when Jesus is talking to his disciples and comment on their lack of faith. I can gain a better understanding of how much Jesus longed for each of the disciples to grow into the fullness that they were called to be. The same applies for us today. As disciple of Christ in the present, how long will we remain as children in our faith. Let it grow to such levels that Jesus could call us out on to the water and we would walk along His side without sinking.

Amen.

Insight to my thoughts

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello to all. I am currently in Cambodia. I will be spending about a week here before heading back to Bangkok to welcome the next group of crazy racers (Sept 07 team) as they start their year in Thailand. As I was going through some preparatory notes I was reminded of an email and journal entry I recently wrote. I wanted to share a part of it with you as it gives an insight into my head as of recent. I wrote it on August 18th as I was taking some time looking over a picturesque view of Thailands countryside.

God bless you.
Jake

A year ago today, I had an interesting conversation with God. I was at the staff conference for AIM staff as a potential leaders for the upcoming race. As the Lord has it, August 18th has been an interesting day for me for the past 6 years. I had asked the Lord that day, now what. Today is the 18th and I'm in the middle of a staff conference with a group of people I dont know. What could you possible have for me this year? What kind of revelation am I going to get this year? Well It was late in the evening when we were preparing for our evening session when it happened. The Lord asked me if I was really His. Was I ready to truly give it all up. Everything! That was to abandon all of my own expectations and aspirations in exchange for an absolute trust that He would take care of me. After a lot of tears, tissues, and mental craziness, I said yes. I agreed with Him and gave Him everything that I am and everything I had to be his.

A year later, I am sitting here looking at what has to be one of the most simple, yet most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

All that I have is my backpack, a couple things in a storage closet in Houston (has probably no more worth than $100-200), a bank account that is close to nil, and 8 months of memories that all testify to the fact that God is real and that He really does love me. And I'm not just talking about that mushy girly love. But rather, a real understanding that He has a real plan and purpose for me. He has taken me so far away from all of my family and friends to tell me just that. He is so crazy for me that He would arrange things in such a fashion to send me around the world just to give me a note or sign every month saying, you are my son, and I have so much in store for you. Trust me, trust that I love you, and trust that I will never let you go! take the effort and seek me, and I promise that you will find me! How am I suppose to argue with that. And I dont type these things in an emotional effort to move you or anyone else. This is truly what I have come to see throughout this year.

It is far more than religion, or question about having to perform in a given fashion that would appeal to Gods better side. It is not a checklist of performance based actions that will be rewarded with demonstrations of his love towards me. Instead, it has become just the opposite. The realization that I love Him, is because the reality of understanding that He loved me first. Whatever I decide to do in the months after this trip is not about doing what people expect of me or what entirely makes sense. It is far more about choosing to live in His presence everyday and in everything I do.

I will likely head back down to South America at the beginning of 2008 and choose to spend some time learning everything I can about this relationship God has called me to. So again, August 18th is upon me and I've been asking the Lord now what. It is interesting to hear His whisper tell me, I love you, continue to worry less about the things you have little to no control over, and rest in me. As Jacob, you are exactly where I want you to be. WOW

Reviewing The Great Road Trip

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So as I mentioned on my last post Team Agapetos decided that with the last two weeks in South Africa we would take a road trip. The idea sounded easy enough rent a car big enough to fit six comfortably and then head east to the city of Durban.

We heard that Durban had some amazing beaches. When then figured we would follow the coast all the way south to Cape Town. The great point in world geography where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet. We figured we would call the Cape our halfway point and then head back north.

Weve talked all year about asking the Lord where to go and what to do, and this was going to be a true example of this. The above-mentioned plan was the extent of our planning. Now it was simply time to go. We prayed and asked the Lord to lead us with contacts and just divine appointments along the way. Know those of you who know me, know that while I like to be spontaneous it looks more like having a plan and being willing to deviate with little worry. Now this was far more than that. As the primary driver, it was very difficult for me not to even look at the map before leaving. This was to be time trusting my team that I now call family. Yikes!

Long story short, this was probably one of the most amazing road trips I have ever taken to date. I can truly call Eric, Michelle, Kim, Mary, and Mallorie friends and brothers and sisters. Heck we drove over 3,000 miles and spent 68 hours together in Sharan (yes, we named our hip-van).

Our time in Durban was blessed by meeting up with a friend of Mallories. Pat is a YWAM base director in Durban working with the local Zulu population. She openly put us up at their base and then invited us to partner with her in some upcoming ministry outreaches. Without missing a beat we jumped at the offer. The next morning we spent the morning at a local primary school. Mallorie & Kim shared some Bible stories and we all sang some songs together. Talk about having a great time as communicating can be a bit difficult.

It was a true treat to see a community in which schooling and the gospel can go hand in hand. The children here are so well mannered and respectful. They know several Bible stories and are so willing to learn. This experience contrasted our western model in so many ways. And while I am proud of the education I received in the states I must admit that watching this school made me wonder if we really have it right. I think not. The community and the children see each other as one. Community is more than a word describing a group of people living in a given area.

This idea was reinforced as I had the amazing opportunity to share a message with a group of GoGos that same afternoon. A Gogo is an older woman who plays the role of a community grandmother. As AIDS and several other factors have robbed this part of the world of mothers and fathers, these gogos take on the responsibility of raising the children. These women live such a selfless life it blew me away. Each gogo becomes a mother to about 5-15 kids. They practically raise the kids themselves. In the African community, the idea of uncles and aunts are unknown. An uncle is typically known as a little-dad. Should something happen to the childs natural dad, it is automatically the little-dads responsibility to raise his brothers children. No hesitance, no $ to compensate, no arguments; its just the way it is done.

So as I shared a message of Gods love for each of these women, I was blessed to see the Holy Spirit reach right into the hearts of several of the ladies. They dont see how beautiful they are and see themselves as nobodies. When in reality, these are the women raising up a new generation of African children. I simply saw the Holy Spirit pour out a message of adoration, compassion, and acceptance to many of those listening. For me it was also an experience I will never forget. Here we were sitting around in the yard of a ministry home with about twenty-five gogos under a bright and glorious day. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst. It was great as we just shared about an hour talking about how much our Heavenly Father adores these women and their willingness to give of themselves to the future of South Africa. Talk about a great example of community. We have so much to learn. In my eyes this was an experience in learning far more than it was teaching.

We spent another day in Durban and took advantage of the beautiful beaches. The Lord made it clear to each of us that we were to see Him in everything. From being a witness to others; but also to see Him in simply being God is in everything. So we played on the beach and just enjoyed being a family.

After a couple great days in Durban we were off once again. An how the story continues to unfold

The Journey Continues.. pt2

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Kim is a master map reader. She is the one who will study a map and find all the possible points of interest along the way and convince the driver and others that we have to go see a given site. Amen for her. I must give her credit for taking us one an amazing detour to one of South Africas amazing nature reserves. Now please consider that the roads in Africa are a little less developed than in the states. That is in most places. With a single line description in our Touring SA road map promising to see waterfalls that run right off a cliff into the Indian ocean we were off. With Sharan (our van), almost anything is possible. We drove several hours on a dirt road making no more than 20-25 mph to reach a the coast searching for this waterfall. As you can see Sharan doesnt do soft dirt roads very well.

But after the Lord answered our prayers with a wonderful family driving a 4x4 with a tow-strap we were off again. Once more the Lord blessed us an inexpensive place to put our heads down for the night. In the morning we found our waterfall, along with some wild Zebras, Baboons, and several other amazing animals. It was like our own little safari.

We admired the amazing coast and even saw several Humpback whales just off the coast feasting on the seasonal fish runs. This was a perfect way of seeing God demonstrate how awesome His creation is. It was as if we were traveling Africa and the Lord was showing off for us. WOW!!

So a day trip off the main road was so well worth it. This is what I thought Africa would look like.

Leaving the park we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere. And I mean nowhere.

With another dirt-road in our path I couldnt help but worry when Sharan is giving me messages about being low on gas and I was somewheresomewhere I didnt know and wandering around the countryside with a car load of Americans and no gas station in sight. So there was some quiet prayers on my part being sent up. And some how the onboard computer continued to tell me I had 60km before empty for what seemed forever. I know that it was several kms that we drove. But I will give the Lord all credit for getting us to the nearest petrol station on fumes.

Again the Lord happens to show His willingness to provide along this drive. After a days worth of driving and having only traveled less than 400 kms we were all exhausted and looking to call it a day. Minor problem. We once again are in the middle of South Africa with a very tight budget and no preset place to sleep. We drive in to a town named East London and everyone is praying. Praying that the Lord will provide us a place to sleep, and it needs to be cheap. Driving lost in East London we come across this Baptist Church, when we decide to stop and ask someone there if can help us find a place.

To our amazement, they not only help us, the give us the keys to the house next door to the church and say its our for the night. WHAT!!! NO WAY!! They havent a clue who we are and they just give us the keys and say, God bless and have a great night sleep. Wow. This is God and his fingerprints all over it. This was a great house normally used as the church daycare and for us it was a divine sanctuary with a hot shower. Amen.

And we havent even hit the halfway point

The Journey across Africa pt3

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After leaving East London we knew it was time to make up some time and finally reach Cape Town where some new friends, Tom & Cindy Sipling would be waiting for us. We figured 1000ish kms in one day shouldnt be too bad. Well as usual, our normal estimates of time and distance dont translate too well in Africa. What a surprise, we should know better by now.

There was an added pit stop along the way as we found the highest bridge in the world that you can legally bungee jump from. A must do in our minds. Well that was until I saw the price. So in the end Eric, Mallorie, Mary, and Michelle took the plunge. I enviously watched and took pictures. **Mental note: I will return at some point in the relatively near future to jump**

After three hours at the bridge we were off again. Well with a severe thunderstorm above us, poor marked roads, and several white knuckle hours of driving we finally made it. Woohooo

The Siplings hosted us in their home just north of Cape Town in an amazing place called Gordons Bay. Tom spent some time living the idea of being rather than doing. He and his wife, Cindy, will spend several hours every morning in prayer. They modeled a life of prayer to us. And it is amazing. Their every day is spent living in the presence of the Lord asking Him where they are too be and what they are suppose to do. It was great. They also live a life of true community. Through prayer Tom and Cindy willingly opened their home to us and to 12 other racers that happen to be in the area without a degree of hesitance. To top it off, their living motto is nothing of mine is truly my own. So everything was community. The kitchen was entirely open to each of us. Talk about a shock to each of us that is used to having to put your name on your team groceries so others dont eat them. Get this It actually works. Every one of us was able to live in peace and actually dine together as a large family. Family dinners, once a thing of the past, was once again demonstrated by this great couple. I pray the Lord blesses them in abundance for their obedience and willingness to live by faith, at a whole new level.

The Journey back... pt4

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After spending 5 days in Gordons Bay we were now a bit pressed for time to make the long haul back to the greater Johannesburg area.

Once again, Kim offers an alternative route back that would take us along the western side of South Africa rather than straight back down the middle. She has us convinced that this is what road trips are all about. Oh, and there is another natural beauty along the way. Why not?! Weve made it this far.

This leg of the trip offered so much while offering literally so little. This route took us through a part of South Africa that had few towns and very little traffic. However, the scenery was beautiful. Having come from the Eastern coast, which was full of mountains, beaches, and various forests and the occasional flat land, the west coast was flat with an occasional rolling hill. But with some green pastures and landscapes that Ive only seen on magazines or calendars, this side was just as beautiful. It showed a whole different view of South Africa. Traveling this route would also take us right along the Nambia border and the deserts of northwest South Africa. Talk about beauty.

We spent the night at this backpackers lodge near the desert-waterfalls that Kim lured us out here with. The next morning we awoke to the sound of the lodges owner lighting up a hot air balloon. How beautiful and serene way to start the last day of our road trip.

We visited the falls, on what had to be the fastest tourist stop I have ever been a part of. On the tight schedule we were one we had all of about 15 minutes to see the sights and go.

For the remaining part of the drive, it was becoming more and more a reality that our road trip was coming to an end. We spent the last part of our trip listening to a couple of great sermons. Isnt that what missionaries are suppose to do? Well we did. And the Lord spoke some great truths about what it is to be a real disciple of Jesus. Ill write more about that later, but Ill tell you that it hit deep down in my spirit. We are being called to be like Jesus. He chose us! He did so because he believes in us far more than we have believed in him. The road to being like Jesus to a lost word is more than a missions trip, it really is about a way of life. Like I said, I will share more later.

And so our road trip came to an end. With exactly 68 hours in the car and 5,482kms driven, one blown tire, and memories that will truly be etched in mind forever, I can say this has to be the best road trip I have ever done.

Thanks be to God, for this great chance to see a wonderful country and more importantly to see His hand upon it. Amen

Now we are in Thailand

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After wrapping up an amazing and memorable time in Africa it was time to say goodbye or better yet until next time. We have just recently arrived in Thailand. Talk about a change of pace. We left Africa in the middle of their winter and arrive SE Asia in the middle of their hot & humid rainy season. Its all good.

The teams are separating to do various ministries. One of the most notable is the work being done by the girls on our teams who are ministering to the women in the red light districts of Bangkok. I highly recommend visiting the blog of Mallorie Miller. She is sharing what it is to love the women and many times kids caught up in the business. It is heart breaking. Please keep them in prayer as it is a tough environment to minister in.

http://malloriemiller.theworldrace.org and
http://malloriemiller.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=uncovering-bangkoks-sex-industry

Also check out Amanda Dums' site at http://amandadums.theworldrace.org

The stories of what God is doing is encouraging.

I will be heading out to the remote parts of Thailand for a couple weeks working in a small village. So once again internet will be scarce. When I return to Bangkok I will post some new messages. Here are a couple pics from our recent visit to the local temples.

This is yet another country that needs a lot of prayer. So please join us in prayer as we ask the Lord to reveal himself to a hurting and needy population.

God Bless you.

South African Road Trip

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

An old song that I so remember as a kid was "On the road again" by Willie Nelson. Just the thought brings back several memories of several road trips Dad, Ray (my brother) and I took all over the southwest. They were great.

It also seems to be a common theme for this year around the world. A 6-8 hour trip by car or bus is now considered a short hop. Who would have ever imagined.

Tomorrow our team (Team Agapetos) is venturing out for a 10-11 day road trip around South Africa. When asked where we are going, my standard response is, "thata way!"

We are going to simply ask the Lord where to go and for how long. So I am asking that you please keep me and our team in prayers over the next week or so. It already has the Lords fingerprints all over it as we were able to rent this mini-van like car for the price of a compact. Wooooohooooo!

We were also able to share the Lord's love to our rental car rep this morning. Her grandchild had just passed away and we were able to pray with her and comfort her. This whole trip is going to be all God.

I am hoping to keep you guys updated during our road trip.

So here we go!

On the Road again!......... Hold On!

God bless

Mozambique Picture Slideshow

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Here are some more picture from this past month.
These are from our time working in the town of Murrambala, Mozambique.

God Bless you.
Jake

Swaziland Picture Slideshow

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hope you enjoy my latest slideshow of pictures from Swaziland. This was our midpoint point stop. We spent some time to debrief the past couple of months and took some time to relax. Hope you enjoy.

God Bless you!

The land of miracles...

Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We have just returned to Dondo, Mozambique from having spent the last two and some weeks in the bush of Africa. I know understand why it is called the Bush, that is all this is really out there. But how wonderful of a way to focus on who our Father really is.

When we left Dondo, we quickly discovered that the means of transportation were rather limited. So we ended up craming 24 racers and bags on the back of a flat-bed truck for what should have been a 4-5 hour trip. To my suprise it ended up taking a total of 19 hours, an overnight nap in a remote rural community with demon mosquitos, and a ferry trip across the Zambezi river. This is the life! And I use to complain when I used to get stuck in traffic. Talk about a paradigm shift.

Upon arriving in Morrumbala, Mozambique we are driven to the Arco-Iris orphanage and are greeted by nearly 200 kids. Talk about an amazing experience. (I will share some photos when I am online with my own laptop.)

Our objective here is to work with Iris Ministries in doing food outreaches to recent flood victims in the neighboring area and to spend time with the orphans. What a blessing of a task.

Daily would would go out to neighboring refuge camps and deliver nearly 2.5 tons of grain to those in need and share the gospel with them. Talk about one of my most memorable experiences. I had the privilige of preaching at one of the sites and the Lord placed a pain on my chest. Thinking at first it was anxiety I tried to forget about it. However, at the end of the message I felt that as we opened the time for healings, I would step out in faith and ask if there was someone in particular with this specific chest pain. On the heels of being totally embarrased and discredited, this lady and one man step forward saying they had been suffering from this exact chest pain. We took time to pray for their healing and saw them healed before the entire group. Praise be to God. WOW!!!!!

At one of the other days outreaches a group of guys and I prayed for this old mans sight to be restored. Once again, the Holy Spirit showed up and performed His healing miracles.

For those of you who might be thinking Im crazy or believe that God doesnt really heal the sick and make the blind see, I ask you to spend some real time in prayer and have the Lord share with you the Love that heals all things. Ive seen it and I can testify to the love of our Heavenly Father. It is real and it heals.

We are leaving in the morning again for another long road trip to Swaziland. Traveling around here is very slow and bumpy. When I have a bit more time and access to my laptop I will post some of the photos I have taken from the area.

Thanks for your prayers.
Jake

South Africa or Texas

Tue, 8 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After several hours of being on the plane and stepping foot in three continents in less than 48 hours I must admit that I am exhausted.
We did however get to run out into London for a couple of hours. I must admit that London is such a contrast to the many areas we have been spending time. But what an experience. To see the sights in less than 8 hours. Again running around all over the place.

After another long flight we finally arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa. Or at least thats what they tell me. I say that because it looks so much like central and west Texas. A bit of hill country, some shrub brush, and a lot of dirt. Reminds me of home. How odd is that?

We will be leaving for Mozambique as soon as our visas get processed. So in the next couple of days we will be off again. We will be in some pretty rural areas helping with some pretty rough stuff; both physically and spiritually. So I dont know when we will be online again. Please pray for us as it says in Psalm 91. That we will always be protected from every possible thing.

The best way to know what is going on during the next month is to check the main page as the home office should be posting comments for us. Check them out at www.theworldrace.org

Love ya and God Bless.
Jake

Leaving Latin America

Wed, 2 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I will first start off by saying, "We serve an amazing God! Amen!"

Mexico started the year off with the harsh realities that I had left behind all that I had called normal for a 50lb backpack and opted to travel around the world with a group of young adults in the name of Christ. I knew it would be a life changing experience but I will honestly admit I didnt think it was so going to be such a whirlwind. We have completed 4 months, and have traveled to six primary countries. Each has left an impression on my heart that will surely draw me back in the near future.

Mexico, was the start of a new life, and an amazing outpouring of our Fathers love. I got a real impression of what it is to leave everything behind and ask the Lord, "Now what do you want me to do?" Easier said than done!

We had the great opportunity to help Noe and his family start a brand new church out of his home. I have recently heard that the church has continued to grow since our departure. Praise the Lord. I am so excited to even think that I was a part of that.

Guatemala and Nicaragua were relatively quick stops for myself and our team. Roughly a week in each and to still see the Lord touch lives moves my heart every time I think about it.

We spent some time with the local kids, just loving on them and showing them what Godly love looks like. This picture just reminds me about how much God sees us as His children. And how much he rejoices in us.

Costa Rica was a month to remember what it is to be broken and depend on the faithfulness of our Lord. This was the first time that our team was really on our own. It taught me to listen to the Lord for guidance and to trust the Lord when I didnt have a clue on what to do or how to do it.

We had the opportunity to support a struggling church with the idea of internal unity. It was just as much a learning experience for us in what it means to be of One Body! One Church! With One Father! It was amazing to begin to understand what it is to live knowing you have brothers and sisters around the word.

The Lord used the majesty of His creation to blow my mind away in Peru. First with the people and then with marvels of the Andes mountains. Peru was another month for me to learn what it means to have a Fear of the Lord. Not to be scared of Him, but to genuinely reverence Him as Lord, King, and Father. He also taught me to see Him in everything; even in our problems.

The people in Mushu, Peru taught me what it is to see God in the little things. This was probably one of the most rural communities that we have spent an extended period of time at. With the basics in life, and I mean basic, I learned to see the joyful smile the the Lord gives us when His Word is given as gift. The fact that so many are hungry, both naturally and spiritually, and they can be satisfied with a small gift just fills my heart with joy. More so to think that many take for granted the power of the book sitting on the bookshelf collecting dust. To believe we had people, old and young, chasing us through town for a Bible. AMEN!!

As for creation! It speaks volumes all by itself. AMEN!!

Lastly, in Argentina. This has been another short visit that I wish would have lasted much longer. We have been here for a week with the intentions of making contacts with local churches for future missions trips.

We arrived entirely without direction and once again the Lord has proved way beyond my expectations. We have made a couple of very strong relationships over the past couple of days. We helped serve some meals to the locals who are without. What a blessing that was. I hope that future race teams will be able to spend more time here. I personally would love to come back.

This week also gave us a little rest time before our next big jump. Having come from the most rural parts of Peru and spending some time in a very modern city we decided to take advantage of a couple luxuries that have been long missed.

All of this to wrap up our time in Latin America.. Oh how I am going to miss it. I love the people, love the cultures, and love the land. I am praying that the Lord allows me the joy of coming back and spending far more time in each of these countries again. Oh how I am praying for that. My heart breaks for the bondage I have seen amongst the people and the Joy that comes from seeing the blinders being removed and the captives being set free. All glory be to our King.

All of this to say its time to leave.

Tomorrow we leave for the start of our second part of the year. We leave Argentina and South America for South Africa.

Please keep us in your prayers as we shift zones and cultures.

Thank you for all your support both in $ and in prayers. Please remember that each of you are a part each life that is changed out here. The Lord know how important a role you play in making it happen.

Thank you and I pray the Lord's blessing over each of you.

Praying for Travel Mercies

Wed, 2 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Please join us in prayer as we prepare to complete the longest actual travel leg of the year. We leave for Johannesburg, South Africa tomorrow and will be traveling for nearly a total of 28 hours. Oh my goodness. That is a really long time!

I ask that you keep us all in your prayers. We will be spending a brief period of time in the city before heading out to Mozambique. This part of the world is not in the most stable and safe of areas so please pray that the Lord will send His angels with us. I believe in the power of prayer and the power that comes from the HOLY SPIRIT. Together we can believe that our Father is watching over us at all times. AMEN

Just a quick excerpt from the main World Race page about where we are going. I encourage you to also bookmark http://www.theworldrace.org
as it is the main page and can always get a regular update as to what is going on.

After hiking up Machu Picchu, our Racers fly to Buenos Aires for a week. Then it's on to Mozambique. Base Director Colin Cotterrell files the following report: 4/23/2007
...I have arranged for 20 of the WR's to go to Dondo, it is impossible for them to accommodate more, there are enormous logistical problems and only two young American ladies running the base with little logistical back ground, the water situation at the base is critical and the team will have to buy drinking water from Beira on the coast 20 miles from Dondo, there is plenty of local transport between Dondo and Beira.

The rest of the team will go to Vilanculos and work with the AOG church at their mission base, this is the area that was hit by the cyclone two month ago, houses, schools, church buildings have all been destroyed in an area twenty miles wide from the coast inland to Zimbabwe. There is tremendous ministry opportunity within walk distance of the base, transport is a problem.

Claud and Steve will travel up with the teams in the two Land Rovers, the teams will have to use the local bus service as transport to get to Vilanculos and Dondo with the two Land Rovers helping them with logistics on the way.

Mozambique is a very difficult country to operate in, besides the bribery, corruption and poverty, many of the bases have to have armed guards with automatic rifles at night for protection otherwise they get raided by gangs of armed thugs, the team has to be accommodated in a secured area, this is a limiting factor.

I think this is where I am suppose to say, mom, dad, family.....don't worry I'll be fine.

I will keep in touch as much as possible!

Love everyone of ya!
Ciao

Jake