The landscape is a mix of blue sky, deep green vegetation, and red African dirt.
Our morning runs include big smiles, “How are you?”, inquisitive stares, and students running alongside us.
We drink Kenya tea made with fresh milk from our host family’s cows.
English is the second national language.
Marcy, one of the girls here, will graduate from high school in November. Her dreams are 1] to bring her family back together, and 2] to become a doctor.
We are living in a church.
We are surrounded by Ben and Christine (our contacts), their immediate family of 5 kids, and their extended family of over 100 children between the ages of 1 and 24, most of whom are orphans.
We have an amazing view from our roof. I envision sweet worship sessions.
It’s sunny in the morning, rainy in the afternoon, and cool at night.
I sat with three girls on Wednesday afternoon trying to learn worship songs in Swahili.
The children are hungry for affection.
Team Siloam is back together.
We have family devotions after breakfast and dinner with Ben and Christine’s family (which included over 12 Kenyans and our team of 7 last night).
Avocados are sold for $.25.
We eat rice, chapati, beans, and lentils.
Saturday afternoon Evalin Namalelo (12) found me on the roof listening to my iPod. She sat down right next me, put the right ear phone in her ear, and we sat together worshipping God.
We have a shower head with breathtakingly cold water.
Phyllis (23) gave her life to the Lord on Thursday. She has two little girls. She hadn't had a musungu (white person) visit her in her home prior to us. She offered us a chicken as we were leaving.
On the way to town today we saw a man transporting a couch on a motorbike.
Church was as I expected - three hours long, dancing, singing, and a lot of "Amen!"
A human trafficking ring in Malaysia charges men around $6,000 for Vietnamese women to marry. The women were originally told that they would be working as waitresses before being held by the traffickers and sold off to the men with false documents.
In the U.S. State of Georgia, men pay $600 to have sex with a 12 year old girl. The girl was being sold by a man who was baby sitting the girl while her mother was at work. The man filled the 12 year old girl with drugs and alcohol before having sex with her and selling her to other men.
Up to 90 percent of the prostitutes in Bangladesh take a steroid in order to appear older and be able to service more clients in a day, with most averaging around 15 clients per day. The sex customers in Bangladesh pay $0.60 cents for each visit. The girls pay $0.18 cents for their steroids.
Women and girls are sold by human traffickers in Mozambique for as little as $2 to as high as $1,000.
The Attorney General for the state of Indiana reported that there were 68 prostitution arrests during Super Bowl 2012 in Indianapolis.Police also rescued two human trafficking victims during the weeks surrounding the Super Bowl.
In Siem Riep, Cambodia tuk-tuk drivers asked the men on B Squad, “You want boom boom? I take you to lady.”
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia I met a 14-year-old girl on a bench outside an ice cream parlor. She was waiting for her younger sister and an older white male. I asked, “How do you know that man inside?” In a rehearsed response with a terrified look on her face she said in perfect English, “We are friends, I have known him nine years, we don’t live here, we are on vacation, we live in another province.” When they walked away she looked back with tears in her eyes.
These are the facts and images that are on my heart. I'm asking that you join me in interceding for the men and women enslaved in this industry. Jesus came that these horrors might be obliterated. Why not ask God for big things?
This is a blog written by our squad leaders that I want to share. I'm extremely thankful to be fully supported with monthly donations. Y'all are incredible.
We're trusting that God is going to keep all of B Squad on the field.
Signing out!
Kelly
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Disclaimer: If you choose to watch the video above, you are making the choice to open your heart and ask yourself, "What can I do to help?" This may require a little sacrifice and we have no way of keeping you accountable but we ask that you give generously.. Thank-you and Enjoy!
Half way has come and gone...
Adventures have been lived...
Relationships have given us purpose...
The Father has prepared the way for us...
Worship has left us undignified before God...
BUT...
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
This is an outcry for support!!!
B-Squad has stood together through so much and we know that we are to finish this journey together. Every member serves as a piece to the Kingdom Bringing, Life Altering, Spirit Breathing, Love Giving and Good News Preaching that this journey and our squad have to offer.
We have had the opportunity to play with toothless kids, witness miracles, see people come to know Jesus, help each other become closer in our own walks, offer our bodies to grueling physical labor, laugh with people we have come to love but the following people need your help to continue and finish the Race...
Read their blogs and choose to support and fight for them! The amount is how much they have left to raise.
A Vietnamese woman asked this question today in our english discussion group at the coffee shop where my team is doing ministry this month.
A Vietnamese man answered, "It's about what I like, what I want to do."
While this communicates just one man's response, it reveals the general attitude of dependence on self in Ho Chi Minh City. The customers at the coffee shop come specifically to practice speaking English with foreigners. The majority are either university students pursuing a lucrative career or business professionals. To speak English is to gain credential and earn a higher income.
The heart of God is for these people. Though they're on the right track according to standards and expectations of their culture, they're lost. They are dangerously LOST.
In many ways my current circumstances could make you believe that I am living in the States. My living accommodations are comfortable, and I'm surrounded by people who are materially rich when compared with the majority world. The pursuit of the "American dream" is just as prevalent in this city as it is in North America. Faith is in self. Theneedforsomething greateris unrecognized.
It would be easy for me to live this month as if I'd never gone on the race. It would be easy to forget that I am desperately dependent on Christ. But I'm asking to see my dependence increase. I see the great need for the gospel in this city. It is on the faces of the customers. It is in their words. Their pursuit is material security and abundance. They are unsatisfied.
My heart is on the verge of breaking for these people. My mind understands their depravity, but my heart is not yet there. I want not only to be broken for the orphans and widows, but for the world. I want to live a lifestyle of brokenness. I want my heart to break so much so that I am on my knees interceding for the lives of my new friends; that I am crying out to God morning and night for the truth of the gospel to reign in their lives.
Jesus, break me for these people. Reveal truth. Bring freedom. By your grace may they experience true abundance. And peace. Reign in this place.
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of God may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
I wept last night for the first time in a long time. Not just a few, silent tears, but hysterical sobs.
Thyvenn (pronounced T-ven), our contact, shared his story for the first time. I want to let you in on part of it (with Thyvenn’s permission), not to impart pity, but to share an incredible testimony of God’s sufficient grace.
Growing up poor, Thyvenn has “all bad memories” from childhood. His father drank often and was violent. His mother worked hard to provide, but her income wasn’t enough. He and his siblings did not receive an education. He avoided building close relationships out of embarrassment. He thought often about how he could leave home.
Thyvenn and his sister moved in with his aunt and uncle when he was 17. While there, he started to attend English classes at a church and eventually became a Christian. His aunt and uncle were Buddhist and spoke horribly to Thyvenn and his sister. He was persecuted for his faith in the gospel. Thyvenn endured the persecution with humility.
The pastor at the church offered to help send him to Bible School. He was “soo happy” for the opportunity. Because the pastor could not support him fully, Thyvenn painted at night. Sometimes he never slept because he needed money for food. He left early to ride his bike to school and did his homework before class. His friends would ask him why he didn’t have it done, and he would respond, “I am very busy.” No one knew his struggles. No one knew him.
Thyvenn then attended painting school. He lived the same way – barely having enough to eat. At this point he was also taking care of four of his younger siblings. He financed their education and provided them food.
At some point (the timeline was confusing) Thyvenn got really sick and moved back into his parents’ house. His father hadn’t changed, and now his family was in debt. Thyvenn spent his days in bed, paralyzed by the pain in his stomach. There were times during his sickness that he asked the Lord to take him home. He wanted to die. He prayed often for God to send relief. In His faithfulness, the Lord sent a missionary who paid for his family’s debt. Though still sick, Thyvenn was “soo happy”.
Over time, his stomach pain became less severe and he was able to move. He started to tell his family about Jesus Christ. After many conversations, Thyvenn said to his dad, “We need you to be our father. Even though I have not been loved by anyone in my life, I know Jesus’ love for me. And it is enough. I love you, Dad. I want you to come to church.” His dad cried as Thyvenn spoke those words and agreed to go. His dad eventually became a believer, along with the rest of their family. Thyvenn led his whole family to Christ.
Although painful, he returned to see his aunt and uncle after years of not speaking. His aunt also testified, “I believe in Jesus Christ.” He continues to pray for his uncle.
Thyvenn now lives with his family and financially supports them. His actions and words reflect love for them, but pain remains heavy in his heart.
Thyvenn is the first person I’ve met with a story like his. Until now, those stories were pages in books or blurbs in podcasts. Through my tears, I thanked Thyvenn for sharing.
God proved faithful in my life last night. Starting in Nicaragua, I began to ask Him for brokenness; to feel what He feels; to see what He sees; to love how He loves. God has begun to answer that prayer. I was “soo happy” as I cried my eyes out in front of Thyvenn and my team. Join me in praying for Thyvenn's broken heart.
God has incomprehensible purpose for me on this race. I am not the same as when I started. My heart has changed. I’m experiencing life and love in more of the fullness of God’s intent.
I’m homesick for the midwest. I miss the seasons, the cool fall weather when then leaves are changing. I miss Bird Lake in Minocqua, Wisconsin, where I have spent countless weeks with my closest friends. I miss wearing long underwear, gloves, and a headband while running. I miss getting into the car and fighting to breathe because it is so cold, the leather seats rigid.
I’m in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I’m hot. I’m physcially uncomfortable. I’ve never seen so many mosquitos in one bathroom. I sweat falling asleep. It’s been tough. I’ve found myself wishing circumstances were different. I started looking forward to Vietnam when I learned the heat was less intense.
“Be present,” says the Lord. He first started speaking this to me in Nicaragua and has continued. These two words mean more now. I want to be present this month. I don't want to miss what God has for me because my thoughts are elsewhere.
As I started journaling about this, the Lord asked, “Will you lay down your physical comfort for me? If you’re going to give me your life, then are you willing to give me this?” Ok God, I see your point.
God is sharpening me [shout out: Jacqueline]. He is building my endurance and in turn my character. I am learning a greater dependence on Him. I am learning more and more that I can’t do it on my own; I am completely depraved without Him. I asked the Lord to show me my weaknesses. As He answers, I will continue to ask.
I am homesick. I am homesick for the midwest, but I am thankful that I am not there. I am thankful for the heat and mosquitos. I am thankful because God is using these circumstances to bring me into greater intimacy with Him. And if I had one prayer prior to starting the race, that was it.
I am laying my desires at His feet, choosing to walk not in what He permits, but in His highest will for me.
Mike and Stacey, our squad leaders for the past four months, have returned to the States. Kayla Spencer, Thomas Wensil, and Bobby (Ryan) Banko have taken over. These three cats are pretty cool. Taking ownership of their new roles, they are leading B Squad into a new season of abandonment to the Spirit. Check out their blogs.
Starting with our 4-month debrief in Siem Riep, Cambodia, God has been wrecking me. I have been walking in a new state of dependence on Him as I seek His kingdom. The following inserts are a few things God has recently stamped on my heart. Enjoy.
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The following paragraphs are excerpts of a letter I wrote to Mike as he left Cambodia.
I keep thinking about the B Squad war cry. “I see a squad sold out to Jesus. He’s the King that’s come to free us. I see a people packed with purporse. Come see all that’s under the surface.” This is you, Michael. The Lord gave you these words for our squad, but they’re largely for you. You are sold out to Jesus. He has freed you, and you own it. You walk in the freedom that comes with being His son. You know your purpose, and your life reflects your knowledge of this. Your words are purposeful. Your actions are guided. And what’s under the surface is life and love.
You will never know the scale of the impact you have had on our squad. Or on me. You reflect God’s heart for the world. When I think about all that you’ve done for our squad, I get an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness to God for you. I stand with my arms raised in thanksgiving and praise to Jesus. And it’s you who taught me about this heart of worship. I wish I could communicate my heart more clearly, but know that I am more than grateful to have walked through these four months of my life under your leadership.
Mike sacrificed a lot to lead our squad, and God honored that sacrifice. I would not be where I am in my walk with the Lord had Mike said no to leading B Squad. I'm now asking that you make a sacrifice for him. Mike is in North Carolina, working as a youth director at a Methodist church. He is in need of financial support to pay for 18 Inch Journey, as well as other previous financial commitments. Email him at capeofbloom@gmail.com to offer your support. You're blessing me through blessing Mike.
A passion in my heart has been ignited for this form of modern-day slavery. I still want to SCREAM for this injustice.
In a teaching called, "Compassion", Jennifer Toledo talks on the reality of life for children living today. She says, "To be a child is to be sexually exploited. It is estimated that there are ten million children living in the sex industry. This includes forced child prostitution, child pornography, and sex trade tourism...Sex trade tourism is a huge multi-million dollar industry...The number one choice of sex in the world is a child...On average a child prostitute will turn over thirty tricks a day...Most of these girls are dead by the time they are 18 from AIDS...To be a child is to wake up in the morning to be used solely for other people's pleasures."
The men on B Squad had experiences in Siem Riep that made me squirm. Tuk tuk drivers would ask them, "You want boom boom? You want lady?" One guy was followed by a young girl persistently asking him if he wanted sex.
The sex trade is horrific. And real. God is stirring my heart. I want to fight for this injustice.
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Ministry in Phnom Penh
I'm ready for this month. I'm ready to see the Lord move in ways that I haven't yet seen Him work. I'm ready to be bold. I'm ready to speak. I'm ready for heaven to come to earth.
My team (Siloam) is living and working with team Salt Shakers. We are living on the first floor of a home on the outskirts of the Cambodian jungle. It is beautiful, hot, and infested with mosquitos. I'm thankful for fans and mosquito nets. I'm thankful for the opportunity to increase my dependence on Jesus.
Our ministry is going to be focused on building relationships with people in neighboring villages. We will also be teaching English three times per week. We have the opportunity to preach in church. We will be working with an organization that fights human trafficking. It's gonna be great.
