This blog was written by one of my girls, Lindsay Fox, while we were in Pattaya, Thailand last week working in the bars with the women in the sex tourism industry. It is an incredible story of why we are here, why we let God move us to brokenness over these men and women, and how there really is hope.
Yesterday we had a Christmas party for the girls in
the English class, which was also our last class to help out with. As
the girls filtered in I saw a new face in the crowd and I realized it
was a lady that I had talked to a couple nights before in the bar as
she was working – Her name is Put. I invited her to come to class just
like I had with many other girls, and she actually decided to show up!
It was so amazing to see her there, and the feeling it gave me was just
indescribable. She told me (in very broken English) that all of us
women were beautiful inside and out and she could see there was
something different about us. She asked if I would be there for class
on Thursday and I had to tell her no, we were leaving to go back to
Bangkok. Her eyes welled up with tears and she pulled a ring off one of
her fingers and put it on mine and asked that I please don't forget
her... I told her that was not possible and I loved her and God loved
her, then we hugged and parted. I am terrible at goodbyes, and that was
one of the hardest I've ever had to go through... or so I thought.
That night we went out again for the last time
to talk to the ladies working the streets and the bars. We headed out
at about 6 pm... usually at that time the girls are putting on their
make-up and still primping themselves and not too distracted by trying
to catch men yet. I was paired up with a Thai girl who had just become
a Christian 6 months ago, and we set off to a bar across the street.
Apparently this was the bar that Sage and Jordan sat outside of and ate
ice cream and felt compelled to pray over the other day, but I didn't
know that at the time. Anyways, we went in there, walked up and down
the huge aisle and finally sat down at one of the bars in the middle.
We started talking with one of the bartenders named Sip (pronounced
Seep) and before I knew it she was in tears. She hated her job, she
hated selling herself to men, she hated her boss. She had heard about
God before but always felt like He had no reason to forgive her or love
her after all she had done – she had even heard about the Tamar Center
and tried to call them about going to church but somehow was never able
to get a hold of anyone. She wanted out of her lifestyle but didn't
know how to get away - she owed her boss money and was afraid to leave,
and had nowhere to go but back to his place at night. I told her some
of my story and let her know that there's nothing a person can do that
is past the point of God loving them. My partner translated the parts
she couldn't understand, and then all of a sudden they began talking a
million miles per hour in Thai... I just sat there, smiling and
nodding... not really knowing what was going on.
After about 5 minutes of that, my partner looked at me and asked "do
you think we should have her come with us now?" and I felt my stomach
flip. I replied YES, and so we asked her if she would come with us
before her night of work started- that we'd find a way to pay her boss
back, and that we had a safe place for her to stay. She anxiously
looked around, and then nodded to us. She said goodbye to the girls she
was working with, grabbed her purse, and walked out with us. Talk about
guts!!
Before I knew it she was swept away
by the ladies in charge at the Tamar Center, but not without her asking
if she would see me later this week... I had to tell her no. She asked
me when she's going to see me again - I couldn't think, and so I just
said I didn't know. She hugged me and half stated, half asked "in heaven?" and I sort of laughed and cried and said of course. Then she was whisked away into the crowd, and that was it...
It's going to be so hard to leave here tomorrow
morning. I know my teammates and I have made a big impact on the lives
of these women, but that doesn't make it any easier to leave. These
women have touched my heart just as much as I have theirs... and these
past few weeks are ones I will hold on to for the rest of my life.
Justine was found, originally, by Ryan Stewart, a January 2007 World Racer.
He has several blogs about teams who have found Justine since then.
Today, was our turn.
Today, God continued to carry out His persistent love for His Daughter.
Here she is:
Justine is a beautiful woman who has lost her left foot to a snake bite and very bad infection over the last 3 years. Ryan found her on the beach and struck up a conversation with her two years ago... got her a Bible... visited with her... loved on her... and has continued to advocate for her ever since.
Today, we followed the "goose-chase" directions to the town of Livingston (about a half hour boat ride from Puerto Barrios) to her house. {But first, we actually passed by Livingston earlier in the day (on our River Tour), and caught a glimpse of a woman on the pier in the distance that looked extremely similar to the description we got of Justine and got real excited. (to be continued...)}
So, later on, after our River Tour, we got dropped off in Livingston to attempt our mission. We started by knowing that we needed to turn left before the big hill. Then we were to find Pastor Marcos at the Nazarene Church. We were walking rather blindly, when a new friend, Oscar, came alongside the gaggle of gringos and asked us what we were looking for. He decided to be our guide. How convenient.
About 15 minutes down the road, he pointed us down a dirt path that ended up at Pastor Marcos' church. He was there. He invited us around back to meet his family, and when we introduced ourselves as friends of Ryan who were looking for Justine, they laughed and giggled and carried on for a bit. We asked if Pastor Marcos would take us to her, and he agreed.
So, we started out on the 45 minute trek across town to where she lives in a cinder block shack. We got to the front door, that was actually just a mattress, and peeked inside. Guess who it was? Yep, that's right. It was the woman we had spotted on the pier about 6 hours earlier.
We went inside, greeted her, and told her who we were and why we were there. She beamed. She started talking a million words a minute in her broken English, telling us how she had been, how she has been caring for her leg, and how she prays to God every day. She giggled and smiled the whole time. We prayed over her, loved on her, and reminded her that God loved her so much that He has sent three groups of World Racers to her over the years to tell her that. She received it all.
We took pictures with her, said our goodbyes, and made our way out of the house. As we were standing outside waving, she began to sing to us. It was precious! She belted it and was just rejoicing! She said over and over what a great day it was.
And it was. God is so good. So detailed. He cares so deeply for the One. He sends us after the One. It was a beautiful day of being a part of what God started in her life years ago with a World Race team who walked in obedience and love.
Here we are walking in victory and excitement back to the boat at the end of the day. The Justine story will be continued... when the next World Race team comes through Guatemala.
Posted in guatemala by Andrea Wendel on 10/28/2009
Most of these are kids from the orphanage where we've been working.
They are the faces we are all quickly falling in love with.
But first, Cesar, our next door neighbor.
April with Josephina at the orphanage. She is a little bit special, but my goodness she loves to laugh and have fun.
Daniella. She stopped by with her mom on carnival day at the orphanage and joined in.
Ilsa painting. I adore her.
Julio. We believe he is autistic, and we've been praying over him and seen much more joy instead of misery in him.
Julie. Precious girl at the orphanage. She lights up the room.
Me and my face painted. Carnival day, a girl can't resist.
This little guy was playing in the jungle and the springs with us this weekend. He wore a speedo. He was awesome.
Me and Ilsa holding hands.
Miria. She rules the roost at the orphanage. Pray for her-- there is a lot under the surface we haven't been able to break into yet.
Julie, again, just being her.
Thanks for enjoying these faces alongside us. If you feel led, please just pray for them and our teams here. We are all falling in love and have heavy hearts because as orphans, they are constantly surrounded by rejection and abandonment, and we don't want that to be our legacy in their lives-- but rather a legacy of God's love and joy.
Posted in guatemala by Andrea Wendel on 10/22/2009
This young lady is mentally handicapped. Her name is Ilsa. She is 26 years old. She lives in an orphanage that resembles hell. She sees in the spiritual realm. There is a battle raging in and around her.
We were there only to clean the grounds yesterday. But I could feel the Spirit leading me to the girl's dorm. I walked into the main room of the girl's dormitory at the orphanage, which looks like a 1940s psych ward at a creepy hospital. There are two old metal school desks at one end of the room. A chair in the absolute center of the room. And a TV barely hanging onto the wall at the opposite end. There was one person in the whole dorm. It was Ilsa. She was standing about 4 feet from the chair looking directly at it. Frozen. Tormented.
I walked in very slowly. She turned and saw me. She immediately started backing into the corner, terrified of me. (Note that we have been here before and have met her before. She knows me and has hugged me and played with me before). Not yesterday. She backed away abruptly. I stopped, dropped to my knees, and laid my palms open before her. She still backed away.
She got to the wall, and positioned herself directly under the TV, facing the chair still. I stayed kneeling on the floor about 5 feet from her. I started to pray. In English and in the Spirit. Nothing.
I started crying. I couldn't help it. She had such fear all over her. Her eyes kept darting around the room. She was seeing tormentors. I kept praying. I started singing. I was sensing sexual spirits. Harassing spirits. It was awful. I was in pieces before her. She just kept staring, eyes darting.
I said, in English, 'God loves you.' She shook her head, 'no.' I choked up. I said it again, in English. 'God loves you.' Again, a certain head shake, 'no.' I said it again, 'GOD LOVES YOU.' And again, a head shake.
I felt led to get up-- go to her. Slowly. Very slowly. Very humbly, low, peacefully, gracefully. She hesitated. I started singing. She stayed. I moved a little closer. She shook her head. I prayed in the Spirit. I cried out. PEACE! IN THIS ROOM IN JESUS' NAME! I sang.
She let me come closer. I reached out my hand, palm up, slowly. She shook her head. I waited. Sang. She looked up at me. Something was breaking. Leaving. I reached my hand closer. She shook her head more. I couldn't wait any longer. I rested my hand on hers. And an outpouring of the Spirit came off my tongue over her in tears and song. She started to cry. I kept praying peace. I stayed beside her for a long time.
Finally, something disarmed. She calmed. I felt a release. The atmosphere changed. Ilsa started to move, not frozen anymore. Another girl walked into the room. She started talking to me and Ilsa-- looked at me and made the hand motion for, 'she's crazy,' to me-- and my heart broke even more. I yearned to know enough Spanish to say, 'yes, but she sees more clearly than the rest of us do.' I could only get out, 'yes, but...' with some hand motions signifying more.
And I approached Ilsa again. Had my palms out once again, and she received me. Came to me. Hugged me. Clutched me. And clung to me. She smiled.
-----
So, I don't have a pretty conclusion to this. I just know that the spiritual realm and battle going on is very real. And I know that love trumps it all.
Posted in guatemala by Andrea Wendel on 10/20/2009
This blog was written by April Duncan (pictured here), she is a Racer here with me in Puerto Barrios. She shares what we've been seeing the Spirit do so well so I just stole her words this time!
We've found that smacking Guatemalans with a
paper towel roll is a great ice-breaker. They even let us fill them
with the Holy Spirit afterwards. Keep that in mind – the paper towel
smacking game has great success. We're 1 for 1 so far!
We lead a cell group of jovenes – young people our age. One main focus
that we have is empowerment. We're only in Guatemala a short time, and
we want to maximize our impact. Why not empower and equip the youth
here to continue the work that we are doing? Why not tap them into the
Holy Spirit who will guide them in his work?
We started with a typical youth group game, which really was a good way
to learn names and to get to know each other but gave us an excuse to
take a good whack at someone too. Really, it was a hit! (Pun totally
intended!)
We then had a time of worship and shared a few testimonies about the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
Then the Holy Spirit spoke through Celeste. "I can tell you all about
God and who he is. I can tell you a lot about the Bible and what God
says in it. I can share lots of stories about the Holy Spirit in my
life. But I believe that he wants to speak to you tonight. I believe
that he has something to say to each one of you personally tonight. So
I'm not going to speak. I'm going to invite the Holy Spirit and let
him talk to you."
And that's what we did. Bam – did the Holy Spirit fall! Tears fell.
Several even fell to the floor. Prophecies began. Visions were had.
And did the Holy Spirit speak! He spoke to each one. He spoke to us.
He moved us. We were blessed and honored to be used by God in that way!
A few days later we had the opportunity to do it again with an even
larger group. Once again, God blessed our willingness to be used by
him and more jovenes were empowered!
I've been the group translator for almost every ministry opportunity,
and I'm blown away by the fact that God would use my abilities to bring
such spiritual experiences to pass! Yes, God is above language
barriers, but that he still uses me – wow! I'm honored. God is also
using these times to develop my gift as a teacher. He's made that
quite clear to me, and I never feel so right and in my place as I do
when I'm fulfilling that role!
So yes, I'm having a great time in Guatemala with jovenes, the Holy
Spirit, and somewhat violent games. Lives are being changed, and hope
is being released! The best part is...it is only MONTH 1!! Get
ready! We're bringing the kingdom.
Posted in guatemala by Andrea Wendel on 10/13/2009
Walking out onto the streets of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala on day Numero Uno of ministry, I was not expecting what we saw God do. I should have expected it-and will from now on. Because God took a willing group of day-one World Racers and brought a group of men to their faces at the rag-tag bar down the street.
A little back-story...
The October 2009 Squad launched last week in Antigua, Guatemala. We had an amazing week. This squad is a squad of Love. Huge, crazy, prophetic, Kingdom bringing Love. God was very present and this squad wanted all He had for them. I believe that last week ushered in an atmosphere and spiritual norm of expecting first-God's Love. And out of His Love-prophetically expecting the change and the miraculous.
Because God Loves us, and puts us in a position to Love Him, we are able to walk more fully in that Love. That Powerful Love. That Love that breaks off darkness and brings light. That Love that resonates down in the deep places. That Love that can make an English speaking American's prayers understandable to the soul and spirit of a Spanish speaking Guatemalan man.
Yesterday was an incredible blessing of seeing what happens when we make an effort to go out seeking His Love in our own lives, listening, and living that Love out onto the people.
He makes it so simple. So fool-proof. I get so caught up in trying to mystify it and do it all "right"-but there is no right, just Love.
Three or four men at the bar literally fell to their faces on the street because God came to Love them, to break off the crap, to speak truth and forgiveness, and to release. They received. The Spirit worked in and on them. And we just continued to minister out of a place of Love-first for God, and because of that, for those men.
After that, we saw divine appointment after divine appointment throughout the day. God is speaking, and moving, and bringing us to places with Him that I am so beyond blessed and encouraged by.
God, thank you! Thank you for the places you are working and the way you are moving in these Racers. Thank you for the way you show up in ways we couldn't imagine when we come out of a place of Love-glorifying You. Father, as we continue to speak life and Love and truth over this city, continue to start us from, and bring us back to, your heart.
This is a blog from a June 2009 World Racer who recently fell two stories and fractured her pelvis in Romania-- it is an absolutely beautiful picture of God's love and faithfulness through tragedy. Read it.Pray.
It all happened so fast. One moment, I was sitting on the 2nd
floor balcony having my time with God, the next moment, I was falling
helplessly towards the pavement in Bucharest, Romania. I hit the
ground. As I lay there gasping for air, all I could do was call out the
name of Jesus. I heard people yelling my name, and I told them I
couldn't breathe or move. After lying in agonizing pain for about 25
minutes, the ambulance arrived and people gathered around. They
stabilized me and put me in the ambulance, while my team was calling
out prayers for me. My teammates followed me in a taxi, while in the
ambulance I was crying out to God to take the pain away and let me walk
again. I then realized that I could move my arms and legs, and I
thanked the Lord. He had saved me from head injuries, paralysis, and
even death. As they wheeled me in to the Emergency Room, it seemed
like 13 doctors and assistants surrounded me, all speaking "Romanian"
to me in loud voices as fast as possible. One doctor said in broken
English, "We take off your clothes now", then looking at the pain in my face, he said, "we cut off your clothes now."
On the way to x-rays, one of the doctors asked if I was a
Christian. I told him "yes", and asked him if he was a Christian. He
said "yes". I said, "Isn't it great to know that God loves you and you
can feel His love?" He said, "God doesn't love me." I explained to him
how he is God's child and that God does love him, and then I prayed
with him. (We have found that although over 90% in Romania claim to
be Orthodox Christians, many have never experienced God's love).
After x-rays and ct scans, I found myself in a large open room with
many other patients and doctors. The man in the bed next to me screamed
out in pain, saying "stop!!!please don't!!!" The doctors were having to
re-set his arm. As the doctors walked away, he was whimpering in
"gypsy". I began singing to him the only song in "gypsy" that I
know, "Nadeek tu", which says that we are all the same in God's eyes
and he loves us. The man settled down and fell asleep.
After many conversations, prayers, and pain medication, I was
admitted into the hospital. Damaris, Tiffany, Heather, and Scottie
stayed with me in the hospital all night. I didn't receive any more
pain meds that night, but the girls prayed and read Scripture over me
all night. The Dr. came in and explained that I had fractured my pelvis
and it was separated and would require surgery. He told me that within
three months I would be able to sit up in my bed, and would gradually
improve. We continued to pray and sing songs to God, as other team
members came and left, but God surrounded the room with his presence
and peace.
"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell
God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will
experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His
peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ
Jesus." -Philippians 4:6
God made this familiar verse truly come alive in my life.
As news leaked out, people began praying all around the
world. My mother and friend headed out from Phoenix to be with me. The
rest of my I-Squad had to leave for Turkey, and the decision was made
for Dan and Becky to stay with me. What a beautiful ministry it has
been! It has been incredible to have them there to comfort me and help
me in so many ways. Dan & Becky spent one night in the hospital bed
next to me and assisted in duties such as bed pan duty, holding hands
during shots, making sure the bathroom was clean, talking with the
Doctors, and more. We spent most of our time praying for each other,
and praying over other people in the hospital, and making cards for
others in the hospital. It was incredible to see each of us have our
own ministry with different people in the hospital yet still love on
each other as family.
On Monday, the Doctor took another x-ray and this time the results
showed four minor fractures, but it was no longer necessary to have
surgery! God again shows himself faithful and He is the great healer!
God made my favorite Psalm come alive.
"I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock,
my fortress, and my Savior. My God is my rock, in whom I find
protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of
safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me
from my enemies. The ropes of death entangled me; the floods of
destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me;
death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress, I cried out to the
Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his santuary;
my cry to him reached my ears...He reached down from heaven and rescued
me; he drew me out of deep waters...He led me to a place of safety; he
rescued me because he delights in me...You light a lamp for me. The
Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush any
army; with my God I can scale any wall. God's way is perfect . All
the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield to all who look to him
for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a
solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way
perfect. The Lord lives! Praise to my rock! May the God of my
salvation be exalted! -Psalm 18:1-6, 16, 19, 28-32, 46
What: A Prophetic Worship Conference. Where: Brasov, Romania. When: The last 10-ish days. Who: 250 World Racers, Alumni, Staff, and Coaches. Why: To activate, encourage, celebrate, worship, pray, exhort, intercede, and commune.
The Awakening : Our Definition (I didn't write this, someone clearly more talented with words did...)
Four World Race Squads at various points in their pilgrimage...
Racers who have gone before to hear the whisper...
Spiritual fathers and mothers devoting their lives to the awakening of a generation...
"You're here because there's a whisper... a rumor of another world that compels you." -Michael Hindes
We are a generation called. We walk with an understanding that the Kingdom is at hand and the irresistible calling of that destiny exposes the insatiable desire for something greater. The World Race is part of that destiny, part of that movement that something larger than ourselves is brewing... and we can't help but run after it.
(This is what I write...)
The Awakening was an incredible time of worship and fellowship that I was able to partake in right before I go back out on the field with my own squad. I found myself several times during this week wishing I was there with my squad-- wanting them to be there seeing God do the things He was doing-- and that longing got me all the more excited and expectant for what is ahead with this L Squad.
And so, in one week, we will go. This L Squad of 45 will Launch in Guatemala-- and so I wait and pray in anticipation, excitement, and expectancy, that in one week, we will Launch into an 11 month journey of seeing God heal, break, teach, comfort, call, release, speak, and be glorified. We will see Kingdom, we will bring Kingdom, we will be Kingdom.
The Awakening was such a beautiful stirring of the Spirit in our World Race community-- and I pray for that stirring to continue and grow as October 2009 walks into the darkness and brings the light!
So, later on, after our River Tour, we got dropped off in Livingston to attempt our mission. We started by knowing that we needed to turn left before the big hill. Then we were to find Pastor Marcos at the Nazarene Church. We were walking rather blindly, when a new friend, Oscar, came alongside the gaggle of gringos and asked us what we were looking for. He decided to be our guide. How convenient.
This young lady is mentally handicapped. Her name is Ilsa. She is 26 years old. She lives in an orphanage that resembles hell. She sees in the spiritual realm. There is a battle raging in and around her.
