How about carving some time out of your day to run or walk
and pray for the end of human-trafficking?
Stacey Compton, one of the women from my original World Race squad, P-SQUAD has set in motion a dream the Lord laid on her heart called the27project. She's currently in Thailand squad-leading B-squad, and will return back to the states in a few weeks to make connections with people here. January 30th is the launch of their first official 10K RUN. B-squad will be running in Thailand to advocate for the ending of human trafficking....so lace up your shoes + join in, wherever you are!!
But this isn't only about running...
Part of the heart of the27project is to meet the physical needs of women and children around the world, specifically in places like Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand - and you can play a part by clicking HERE! The goal of this organization, as stated by founder Stacey Compton is, "to organize a nation-wide running event called 27K for 27Million, which
will provide funding for organizations on the forefront of change, as
well as inspire participants to use their voice to take a stand against
human trafficking. The heart is to raise awareness, raise funding, and
create a ripple of change in the nations." This is a real, tangible need in our world today. Children who have been silenced by the oppression of trafficking are desperate - they need a voice!
Get involved! Visit their website + donate to get this movement rolling!
It's the start of my 4th day in America...and I know the adventure has only just begun.
I'm still living out of stuff sacks, eating food that people give me, and walking or hitching drives wherever I need to go. I don't have much of a schedule, and I have yet to actually see or dwell in my parents new house in North Carolina (I fly in on Monday after debriefing). One minute I was launching A-squad in Little Mexico - we journeyed to Romania, on to Moldova, flew to see Mount Everest in Nepal, and rang in the holidays in India. It's all a bit of a blur. Before I knew what had happened these four months had flown by - and I was debriefing A-squad in Nairobi, Kenya - hugging them all goodbye and sending them to Tanzania as Phillip and I boarded our flight back to the home-land. Touching down in Chicago was a bit of a shocker - I realized everyone was speaking English and I had a compulsion inside that made me want to speak some other language, just to be different, just to feel normal. We contemplated speaking in tongues and inviting Jesus to speak a new language through us - and standing at the luggage transfer, pondered how very strange it was to be back in the USA.
And then it hit me..."I don't know how to live in America. What is that even like?"
Now some of you are thinking, "Okay Christy, come on - you were only out of the country for 4 months this time...and before that it was 11, and I know your summer was wrapped up in preparing your squad to launch...but really? That's only a year and a half - it can't be that bad." - and you my friends are exactly right - it's not all that bad. So hear me out - let's talk about the last 5 1/2 years of my life - and why the idea of living in America is "o so strange" to me right now.
For starters I went to college in Canada for 4 years. Summer times were spent "visiting" home in Maine or traveling around to various summer camps in the US as a representative of the college. A few weeks ago I was sitting with Jesus in my quiet time and contemplating the craziness of where I've come and gone, and visited and lived. Here's a taste of what we mapped out:
2009
May- November(Macon, Georgia)
December (Maine)
2010
January- April (Canada)
May-June (Maine/Georgia)
July (Haiti)
August (Dominican Republic)
September (Ireland/Czech Republic)
October (Romania)
November (Malawi)
December (Mozambique)
2011
January (South Africa)
February (Philippines)
March (China)
April (Thailand)
May (Malaysia)
June (Maine/Tennessee)
July-August (Maine)
September (Romania)
October (Moldova)
November (Nepal)
December (India)
2012
January (India/Kenya/Georgia/North Carolina)
So this next season of time is a time to rest, a time to dream, a time to learn how to live in America...and figure out where and into what the Lord is leading me. I'm in a season of Selah - a sweet pause - a remaining in the Lord - and waiting on His promises. I've been a lot of places, entered a lot of territories, walked a lot of dusty roads, climbed a lot of mountains, slept in a lot of beds, grounds, huts, homes, buses, etc. I've ridden in a lot of vehicles or other modes of transportation not necessarily considered "vehicles". I've eaten a lot of food, taken a lot of risks, met a lot of people, loved with all my heart...the nations of this world are my heart beat. God promised me a long time ago that I would be a worshiper throughout the nations.
I know this journey has just begun - and now I get to dwell, in America for a season, a time, on a sweet pause, and bring His sweetness, His Spirit, His presence, His life - the revelation that we are worship to His daughters and sons in this land. There are songs to be sung over America - so sing I shall. I will not forget the lands that have left their mark and forever imprints on the depths of my heart. I will not forget the melodies of the grounds and people I have met. I will move forward from this place into the new places - for God has made me to call dead things to life - and as I watch Him align things around me - and prepare to launch me into what is next - I know this time is not wasted. This time of seemingly being directionless is purposed - it is Heavenly purposed - and so I wait. so I rest. so I BREATHE. so I dream.
I was having tea with one of my women in Nairobi, when she looked me in the eyes and said, "Christy, you're going to write songs that people will sing - they are bubbling up - there is so much more in you than you know." This is a season of discovery - of boldly declaring God's promises and watching Him come through once again on things that seem impossible! Won't you come with me and rest? Won't you come and dream with me? and celebrate? and pause? and remain? This is the year of the Lord's favor - a season of Jubilee where great provision will be provided - and things set in order. This is a season of dreaming and watching things tangibly shift in the physical atmosphere around us. Watch and wait. God's fullness is upon us!
Holidays are always a fun thing to celebrate on the World Race...
Family is typically several time zones removed...and oftentimes your surroundings far from resemble any celebration you've ever had before. Sometimes this looks like cooking a feat over an open fire, or with one burner in a kitchen. Other times it looks like finding a tree at a local market and decorating it with all the little glitzy decor you can find, pretending there's snow outside. For the last two years, Thanksgiving, Christmas + New Year's have all been celebrated away from my parents, and typical traditions, but if I'm really honest, they've been some of the most memorable, life-changing, humbling, and truly joyful occasions of my life.
I've learned the value in celebrating "family" around you - the blessing of being able to feast with foreign brothers and sisters, and that joy is found in the moments that take your breath away, it's found in the overflow of a thankful heart. This year I rang in the "big 3" holidays with A-squad, and let me tell you, I've never met a group of people who take my breath away quite like this crew. They are absolutely stunning - they have redefined what family looks like to me, and have called me higher into who I am - and deeper into the heart of God! Their willingness to honor me as their leader has wrecked my heart on a whole new level - I've found many new things to be thankful for this year, and it's because of these gems!
I realize this is a bit of a flash-back re-cap, but now that I'm home in America and have sustainable internet, and quiet time to think straight, I'm catching up on blogs that should have been written the last 2 months! They're important to this journey, and the stories are worth being told. With that said, will you join me in remembering these holidays?!
THANKSGIVING in Kathmandu, Nepal
Team RADIANT, one of our original all women's teams was feeling rather homesick. Phillip and I had visited with them for a few days before attending a "Thanksgiving activity" at the US Ambassador's house in Kathmandu with Team Shemah. As we were preparing to part ways just before Thanksgiving with these wonderful women, something didn't sit right, and we decided we wanted some more time with them. Phillip informed Carly, their team leader that we would be staying for Thanksgiving - and cheerfully announced we'd prepare a couple side-dishes for whatever mystery Thanksgiving feast we would have.
These women are champions. They were overjoyed that we'd be spending Thanksgiving with them, and it felt like "home" because we'd be coming in from the city, and bringing extra dishes. They set to work raiding the local market for delicious goodies to prepare. Now, one must note that shopping overseas isn't always the easiest - especially when you're aiming to pull off "American" holidays. Try finding a Thanksgiving feast in the middle a Nepali village! Somehow these women pulled it off!
They gathered vegetables and some fruit/candy bars for a dessert from the produce stands - and their contact's son Sebas took them to a chicken place where they killed/skinned a chicken. Perfect...that's kinda like turkey, right? It would do! We returned home from our grocery store run to delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. Homemade stuffing, chicken, vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls...it was a delightful sight in the making.
We were joined by a few of our closest Nepal friends - Megh, his wife + son, and the team's translator. They laughed with us and brought a sweetness to the air. This was family. This was Thanksgiving. We would celebrate, right here in Nepal!
As the feasting came to a hault (mostly because World Race bellies can't sustain American food + our portion sizes) we sat around and talked about things we were thankful for + played a game sort of like "telephone", only on paper.
I found myself thankful that we were able to feast together - some of our teams didn't celebrate the same way. I was thankful that we could step outside Megh's house and see the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya's in the background - and that Phillip and I didn't have to spend that day traveling to our next team 7 hours away. I was thankful for sister-hood, and how taking time to invest in people truly cultivates family.
I remember Ama (Momma), Megh's wife thinking we were absolutely crazy with the dishes we were preparing - after all, they weren't very Nepal, and none of them had chili peppers on them! (Nepal people LOVE spicy food!) I remember Carly and Amanda preparing a dessert of apples, sauteed in butter+ sugar, mixed with chunks of snicker's bars...they loved it so much, they licked the plate after! I remember staying up late that night being thankful for A-squad, the hospitality and provision God brought through incredible contacts in Nepal, and family back home, that willingly supported my desire to serve overseas and sacrificed yet another Thanksgiving with me. It's ridiculous what happens when you start being "THANKFUL" for things and voicing your thanks. Something tangibly happens to the atmosphere around you. Something shifts and gets pulled up in your heart. Thankfulness is addicting and contagious! When you're thankful, you infect other people around you with THANKS!
Then came Christmas in Ongole, India...
With the exception of spending Christmas in Mozambique, Africa last year, I've spent 23 Christmas' in my life with snow on the ground in some form or fashion. Unfortunately, the delightfully sunshiny temperatures in India didn't provide us any snow cover, but our hearts were still warmed - not by the fire with care, but by the warmth and celebration that can only be brought by celebrating with people you love.
We spent Christmas with 4 of our 7 teams in Ongole, India - visited a
special need's orphanage on Christmas day, which our teams ministered at
all month, and enjoyed the comic Santa skills of Mr. Gary Lee (one of our team leaders).
We dined on Indian cuisine - and made over a lamp-post in the living
room as a make-shift tree. We bartered for lights at the local market,
and found a sweet paper star to brighten the room. But even with Christmas decorations, that's not what it was about. The colorful lights brightened our spirits and added some sweet decor to the room, but the JOY in our hearts proved much brighter! The babies at the orphanage reminded me that life is precious, and love HOPES all things. You never give up on a life - you never sell people short because they are lacking in some physical or mental capacity. God delights in His children, big and small - He cares for the orphans, the widows, the lost and forsaken, He is a good DAD to His children!
We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus many times at the request of the beautiful Ruth Leppard and watched Christmas fireworks from the rooftop throughout the night. After midnight people went crazy celebrating - marching bands could be heard echoing across the city, and fireworks popped and crackled throughout the smoggy sky. It felt like a dream...and in many ways, it was.
and then came New Year's lighting fireworks on the streets of Chennai...
Our squad leading pack (Rachel, Christian, Phillip + I) were blessed to have a home to ourselves for a few days. One of Christian's friends from college is serving with Int'l Justice Mission in Chennai, and along with her roommates was out of town for New Year's weekend. This gave us space, a sweet place to relax, beds to sleep in, and the ability to ring in 2012, with a feeling of being at home. Rachel and I got to chat a lot in this place of rest, and I'm so thankful for the sisterhood God wove in our hearts for one another. This lady reminded me that there is always color to be seen...we just have to look for it! God brings rainbows in our lives to remind us of His promises...He always comes through on His promises! TRUTH!
One of my dreams since I was a little girl has been to light up and fire off my own fireworks. Something I admire and respect about Christian, one of the squad-leaders we raised up to lead A-squad is his desire to make dreams happen for other people. He is a promoter of dreams. He's also a big advocate for fun, hence we got along really well because I love having fun! Today was a special day for me, as Christian, Phillip + Ravi set out on a mission to find fireworks! They came back with a ridiculous amount of goodies - big fireworks, colorful fireworks, sparklers...I was SUPER excited!! It was a childhood dream fulfilled!
Another one of my favorite things is taking pictures of people...and experimenting with different types of lighting. As we shot off our fireworks to ring in 2012, we also danced around with sparklers and cheered with our fellow Indian neighbors who were shooting off their own fireworks. It was the closest I've ever been to something that goes "KABOOM", and I have to admit, it was quite a thrill to light up a giant firework, run, watch it explode and light up the sky. There was something sweet and satisfying about lighting up the streets...and I was able to capture each of us swirling in the new year with RADIANT light!
My heart was deeply encouraged during these holidays...because I got to
spend them with incredible people who share a heart-beat with me. This
heartbeat is for the Kingdom. Every day I see them drawing closer to
the heart of God, it inspires me. It's been a privilege to celebrate with A-squad - to dwell among people who remind me daily that life isn't about me - they call my character into account - they are a people who call me, as their leader, to walk out my identity in it's fullness! There's so much more reward in pursuing the heart of God on behalf of others than any commercialized celebration could offer.
Something Phillip, my co-leader taught me is that, "today's home is wherever you are at, and tomorrow's home doesn't matter." Being "home for the holidays" received a new meaning for me this year...and it's all thanks to Jesus and His strategic timing, placement, and plans for our lives. Home was somewhere different every couple days, or every other week for me over the course of these last 4 months. This life is a DREAM, and when I consider how ridiculously blessed I am, it takes my breath away. I'm thankful for the people I've been blessed to walk with, fight alongside, go deep with, and love. You all have challenged me to become more of the Christy God intended me to be that I've ever embraced before. Thank you! Love y'all!
I didn't expect I'd see anything like this here. I expected different things in coming to India...
I just wanted to go spend a couple hours holding babies...it was heavy on my heart to do so for several days.
Walked down the dusty streets of Ongole, past the herd of water buffalo and across the freeway.
When I entered that room, I lost my breath - my heart rate rose and fell all at once.
It was here I met my first pre-mordial dwarf ever...she's less than 2 feet tall, 3 years old...and will likely be that height for life. Dancing and shaking everywhere, her joyous little self captured the atmosphere. She's just now learning to walk + is sharp in her awareness of whatever is going on around her. She made me smile and laugh - and somehow kept my heart balanced to the point of not breaking down as I saw the conditions of the other children. Health problems in this cast system society often are perceived as a curse...these babies are outcasts, left from their families because they appear to be lacking in some capacity.
Another little boy captured my eyes as he motioned me to come sit near him.
Paralyzed from the waist down, he has full mobility of everything but his legs.
Tapping his chest, he invited me to place my hand on him.
He twiddled my fingers and smiled as my hand rested on his rising and falling chest.
Whenever I lifted my hand from his chest, he gave me a disapproving look + requested it back.
He just wanted to be touched.
I lingered around him for awhile...sat him up in his little chair and clapped our hands together.
He just wanted to be touched.
Reaching up, he invited me to pick him up.
He just wanted to be held. He molded himself to my chest + lit up like the sunshine.
Proceeding to point me in different places...we walked to and fro.
He just wanted to be touched...
Jesus began speaking to my heart about the power of His touch...and how much we, as humans crave it!
I'd finally settled into a place of being comfortable playing with these babies when the auntie said, "sister, come, look!"
She pulled back a blanket and my entire being went into shock.
I saw the face of a baby...and immediately thought to myself, "why is there a baby under there?"
My thought quickly raced to another of, "what is that...why is that baby's head to big...ooooh NO!!!!"
Then I saw it...all of it. I couldn't even turn away. I looked and I choked back tears. This was real.
It felt like a nightmare, a terrible, terrible, horrific nightmare. No baby should ever look like this.
I felt like death and despair were starring me in the face. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. I wanted to cry.
My body went absolutely numb.
Her head was the size of a large cantaloupe, swollen with fluid...and though it's finally been stinted, continues to grow.
Doctors looked at this little girl and said, "you should just let her die"...but finally someone operated.
She has multiple needs for further surgeries...and as I looked as her feeble little body, I ached.
I stroked her peeling little skin - her legs and arms were the size of my fingers.
This little girl was in this condition because of extreme starvation.
I was literally starring at starvation...in it's ugliest form...but she was absolutely stunning.
She clutched my finger with her tiny little hand...using all her might and just rested.
She just wanted to be touched...
Currently she's being nursed back to health...and the women who work with her are HOPE-FULL.
All I could ask God was "where is the hope in this Jesus? how can this happen? why would you show me this?"
I'm still not sure I have the answer to that question...but this I know...these babies ARE HOPE! They are LIFE!
I've never seen so many disabilities, handicaps, and diseases to the degree they reside in India.
It often leaves my heart feeling helpless...but there is HOPE in this nation, HOPE in this land, HOPE in these people!
The beauty of growth and seasons is they are always sure to come. They're always changing, always moving forward, always adding to and taking away from...no two seasons or moments look alike. There's a constant tide that moves in and out, swelling within this World Race community. A-squad has been on the field for 3 solid months now --- investing in the nations of Romania, Moldova + Nepal. As we prepared to head to India, our fourth month (mine and Phillip's last month on the field) - a reshaping took place in the A-squad family.
With a few of our people coming and going over the last few months, and the Lord calling out new people to step into leadership - we responded and saw the Lord maneuver us into his new, fresh strategy for A-squad as they continue to take these nations by storm, as they continue to run hard and fast after God as the 2nd generation of World Racers. There's a new standard being raised up among our people, a new sound, a ROAR, a heart cry...and with that I bring you:
"A-squad remix"!!
Team Cair Paravel - our new squad leaders who will take our place at the end of India!
These are two of the most vibrant, comforting, gentle and fierce people I've ever met.
Their laughter breaks down walls. Their heartbeat is for freedom, family, and the miraculous.
Wherever they go, God's presence shows up in abundance!!
Their hearts cry out for worship, for the deep things of God - and they will lead A-squad to uncharted territory!
Team BAMPH (Beautiful, Anointed, Meek, Prophetic, Healing)
(Brittany, Stephanie, Natalie, Katie, Marissa + Sarah (not pictured))
Led by Miss Stephanie May, these women are BOLD.
They walk as daughters anointed to call people into greatness + love with the Father.
Their hearts are learning humility, grace, and courage.
They are women who listen for the voice of God, and speak out when they feel released to.
They will see healing throughout the nations.
Their hands are healing hands. Their voices bring peace to the atmosphere.
These women declare truth + believe God for mighty things.
Their faith will move mountains in the hearts of the nations - their teammates, their squad.
Their passion will reignite the flames inside people who have felt defeated, weary and worn.
They are women who carry LIFE in abundance wherever they go!
Team ROOTED
(Kaitlyn, Emily, Spencer, Vanessa, Jenna, Kyle)
Led by Mr. Kyle Markel, this team is plunging to depths of God's heart + bringing others with them.
They are joyous and laugh with freedom.
They are some of the most courageous, kind, and hospitable people I've ever met.
They crave adventure - and seek God earnestly.
Fresh revival and peace flow from this team.
They are like a haven of rest for people they encounter.
Full of color, full of life, full of flavor...team ROOTED is encouraging, steadfast, and spicy!
Led by Miss Amanda Stoesz, these women are remarkable!
Ever met a group of fiery women, ablaze for the Kingdom of God?!?
Team Kindle is roaring with strength, passion, and zeal.
These women are hungry to see God move.
They are desperate to see God show up.
They are dependent on His word, His presence...because in HIm they lack nothing.
They are famished for His love + stepping into an understanding of intimacy with the Father.
These women are full of light - full of life - they are fire starters!
Team Limitless
(Gary, Peter, Ashley, Kaylynn, Angela, Elizabeth)
Led by Mr. Gary Lee, these are our resident risk takers.
They see where God is moving in their team and the people they meet + want more.
Their passion for fun, laughter, joy, and brother/sisterhood are contagious.
Get around this group and you're sure to feel full of abounding joy.
There is a fullness and grace to be found in the presence of team Limitless.
Why? They believe they can do "all things through Christ"...and so they shall!!
Team Rooted Remnants of Restoration (RRRRRR....)
(Madisson, Krystle, Loren + Jack, Kelsey, Jake)
Led by Mr. Jack Messarra, this team is full of wonder + joy!
Their passion to boldly proclaim the promises of God is spreading into our squad.
They declare truth in all circumstances + celebrate the people around them.
They are a compilation of creative minds and open, willing hearts.
This crew sees people's needs and believes in the power of prayer.
They dig deep, and when they've found a deep place, they dig deeper.
They are planted, rooted, by steams of living water + they draw from the waters of life!
Team Azar-ignited
(Lori, Bri, Kacie, Emily P., Caroline + AJ)
Led by AJ LeVan, this team of women is ignited with a passion to move hearts.
They are pressing in to sisterhood + embracing the people God sets before them.
They are women full of wisdom and full of grace.
These women take God at His word!
They believe for radical movement in hearts throughout the nations!
Team S.O.A.R
(Shay, Layne, Angel, Wes, Emily, Ruth)
Led by Mr. Wes Webb, this team was made to fly!
They are steady, open, anointed, and radical.
Their hearts are to serve - and they see people for who they were created to be.
This is a group of life-breathers - people whose touch brings healing.
They call things into alignment with their words + speak truth boldly and unashamed.
They are vibrant, full of laughter + persevere under all circumstances.
Our squad-leading crew...we've adopted the name "Team Cardio" for the month.
When we prayed together, we had a picture of a vibrant, beating heart - movement - and His love pouring out.
Together we represent (water, wind, fire + earth) respectively.
God is pouring out into A-squad and the nations His living water.
God is breathing deeply over His children, a wind of revival and strength.
God is stirring up the fire of refining and purity that spreads like wild.
God is solidifying the foundation of people + from the soil is cultivating a bountiful harvest.
Please join us in praying and believing BIG things for this month in INDIA!
God is moving in this place, in the hearts of His people, and in this transition!
Recently, we spent time at a ministry just outside Kathmandu called Asha Nepal. Five of our teams were disbursed throughout various parts/districts of Nepal via this one contact - and one of our teams spent extra time there this month. Situated on a quaint mountain top area, Asha Nepal is a refuge home for many women from the brothels of Mumbai, and abandoned children. The girl in the picture below was left the day after we arrived there. Her mother wanted a better life for her...
From young to old, Asha Nepal is a safe place the home of an elderly man they call Papa, many women, children, and even a little baby girl named Angelica. This is a place of joy - a place of HOPE, a place of redemption where God is working in hearts and making things new. Here the women are learning trades to become sustainable, and the children are being loved, fed, and schooled. They live together as a family - and cultivate a LOT of joy in spite of their circumstances.
These kids are so welcoming - free - and amazing at soccer. They giggle freely, and HOPE for what tomorrow will bring. This is all because of the heart of this ministry. They desire to free many more women from the brothels in Mumbai - and to see the Lord move in Nepal. Currently these children are in the process of acquiring citizenship in the country and are in much need of prayer. Without citizenship you are considered a nobody and cannot live a sustainable lifestyle. You will be jobless, moneyless, and ultimately lacking in every way needed to live. Asha Nepal is a place of love, and it is home to many.
This is sister "chanda". She brought me a smile and treats every day. One time it was in the form of a mushy vegetable, boiled and a little cold - but her heart and the way she gifts things is unlike anyone I've ever met. This woman was rescued, and she has a lot of life ahead of her. She is just a glimpse of the women who have found refuge at Asha Nepal.
Below is a video composed and produced by one of the women on my squad Sarah Graley about Asha Nepal! Pray for the women and children who live here - and the ministry as a whole as they step into this new season of growth + expansion!
