Posted in General Posts by Carmen Alyse on 4/9/2012
Here's the thing....
Wait, before I begin, let me just apologize for not blogging in the last three months. My next blog will explain everything =]
Okay so back to the thing. I need your help! Yessss, you.
So this sister has to go to 11 different countries for 11 months starting in July. Thats three months from now! A lot of things still need to get in order before then, yikes! I'm reaching out and asking that you prayerfully consider helping this girl out!!
Lets just start with the major, most important, very scary need:
My first deadline, Ahhhhh!!
By June 18th I need to have 6,500 in my support account.
As of right now, I have about 1/3rd of that.
I've gone through my list of subscribers, if EVERY one of YOU donated just 25$ this month, I'd be SOO incredibly close to that deadline!
Review that bank statement, surely there is something you purchased recently around that amount you could live without next paycheck.
For example...
Dinner/drinks with the girls, that shirt that will fall apart from Forever21, mani/pedi, midnight tickets to The Hunger Games, those awesome candles from Bath&Body Works, a haircut, the two times you went to Starbucks, the tanning bed, 7 for 26 panties at Victoria's Secret. (I see you VS associates who subscribe to my blog, all ya'll bought new panties last month!)
Seriously though, as unnecessary and silly as I'm trying to make those things sound, I also understand how awesome and fun they are when you're young, free and just trying to make memories. All I'm asking is for you to sacrifice just one of those things from this months finances. Just one thing.
["Donate Here!!" button on the left side of this blog]
Next on the list:
I need some gear!
Maybe you'd rather help me out by purchasing something, or maybe you already have one of these items and you just want to let me borrow it for a year cause you love Jesus =] I've been to REI (www.rei.com, www.rei.com/outlet) an unhealthy amount lately and the very nice associates have written everything down that I need according to The World Race.
Tent!
I need a tent by May!! I cannot go to training camp without this bad boy! And it's on sale at REI outlet right now!
REI Quarter Dome T2 Tent
[http://www.rei.com/product/825481/rei-quarter-dome-t2-tent-special-buy]
Footprint! (protects my tent)
REI Quarter Dome T2 Footprint
[http://www.rei.com/product/827786/rei-quarter-dome-t2-footprint]
Head lamp!
Black Diamond, Spot (90 Lumen)
[http://www.rei.com/product/826319/black-diamond-spot-headlamp]
Sleeping Pad!
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season (Size:Regular)
[http://www.rei.com/product/830684/therm-a-rest-neoair-all-season-sleeping-pad]
Sleeping Bag Liner!
Sea-to-Summit Reactor (15°)
[http://www.rei.com/product/705534/sea-to-summit-reactor-thermolite-mummy-bag-liner]
Compression Sacks!
Sea-to-Summit, Ultra-Sil, Water Resistant (I need these three sizes: 10L, 15L, 20L)
[http://www.rei.com/product/766677/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-compression-sack]
And last but definitely not least:
Health Insurance!
A quote through Good Neighbor Insurance totals to be $381.90
If you have any questions please click the "Talk To Me" button on the left side =]
Lets send me out to the nations fully equipped! Yeah, Buddy!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Carmen Alyse on 1/17/2012
I've written this blog in my mind about a thousand times. Not once did it ever sound great enough to post. Then I remembered that I went to school for fashion and textiles, not journalism (PTL). So you can't expect this to be great...which leads me to my topic...
EXPECTATIONS!
I thought about how to start telling you about my expectations for this trip....
Should I start with the small ones?
Like how I expect to get over my picky eating habits.
Or should I go with the big ones?
Like how I expect to have the bible memorized (ha) after this is over with.
Or maybe I'll tell them a crazy expectation about God healing.. right in front of my eyes!
How about a funny expectation about the days I will want to rip my hair out...and the other days I'll want to rip my teammates hair out..and the other days I'll want to rip a complete strangers hair out.
Can't forget the warm, fuzzy expectation about my team becoming a strange, beautiful family.
Or the one [we'll call it the wild card] where I expect my friends and family at home who aren't believers to come to know Christ through this horribly written blog.
Or what about those expectations we world racers all pretend we haven't thought about once, that we'll be super Christians when we come home.
I really, really want to tell you all of them! The ones about baptizing new friends, being so broken I could throw up, crying my face off, anxiety like I've never felt, complete change in me...
but let me be honest, I couldn't write this blog the first time because these expectations change daily, just like shifting shadows and unlike my Father [James 1:17 NIV, go read. now]. And just recently, I was finally able to dump these selfish expectations. Thank you, God. With the exception of one =] So what..I'm a sinner, if it's not one thing, it's another.
Ready for Expectations, the remix?
I expect to get 110% uncomfortable...so that, I can get comforted. Over and over again.
dang, heard that.
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Carmen Alyse on 12/27/2011
This is what my trip may look like.......
Ireland
Ireland boasts a heritage of Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the lifeless display of faith reveals that this nation is farther from God than ever. Rampant alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need for hope. Through sports, children's outreach, street evangelism, pub ministry, and the relationships that just happen along the way, the World Race reintroduces a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic culture.
Ukraine
This Eastern European country is caught between its past oppression under the Soviet Union and the desire to be accepted by the West. People in the east tend to be more nationalistic than those in the west, where Russian is more commonly spoken. There’s a substantial orphan (social and full) population and human trafficking’s an issue here, too. Most people claim to belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox church, which is subdivided into three bodies. God’s desire is to bring hope, peace, authentic relationship with himself, and unity to this nation; you’ll find out how exactly you’ll participate in that!
Russia
Almost twice the size of the U.S., Russia straddles between Europe and Asia. Did you know that for two centuries, the Mongols ruled Russia before she became a powerhouse? There's more to Russia than Moscow and Siberia; there are beaches along the Baltic Sea, too and deserts out in the east. Cultural and architectural riches, e.g. the Hermitage, are found in the cities. Russia's been an intellectual and literary powerhouse, but since the fall of collapse of the Soviet Union of the 1990s, has been struggling with myriad issues like a declining population, human trafficking and organized crime. While 70% of people identify as Russian Orthodox, only 15-20% actually attend church; 10-15% of Russians identify as Muslim. There's plenty to be done, just start by showing up!
Kenya
Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera slums comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, participants help bear lasting fruit with current ministry partnerships (ministries like evangelism, orphan care, and community development), and build foundations of future partnerships.
Tanzania
Tanzania has a one-third split between Christianity, Islam, and indigenous religious groups. This diversity creates a colorful landscape of people and beliefs. Whether you are doing open-air crusades, door-to-door evangelism or visiting hospitals and orphanages the people of this diverse country will capture your heart.
Mozambique
One of the most beautiful countries in the African continent, Mozambique is a favorite location of World Racers for a variety of reasons: the people, the landscape, the ministry partnerships, the miracles that this country has seen, and more. The former Portuguese colony is seeing signs of redemption and economic recovery; because of, or in spite of, the extreme poverty gripping the nation, the church grows. You will teach, preach, and practice "true religion" with widows and orphans while you grow in your identity in Christ. One of your most interesting travel "days" may happen here.
India
With nearly a sixth of the world's population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India's struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. You might work with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your presence'll bring hope and truth to those that society deems "untouchable."
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences you will have here, you may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will submerge you in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
Challenge: Asia
Blaze a trail for your team and future World Racers. This will be the opportunity for you to continue flexing your faith muscles as you depend on a few words of advice from the staff and mostly God's guidance. With God, all things are possible and the possibilities are endless.
Malaysia
Enter a world entrenched in Islam. A people within the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians still live in ignorance of the Good News of Jesus Christ. As you delve into this culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline, and uncanny faith, you will have the unique opportunity to deliver hope and point the people to their Redeemer.
BE ENCOURAGED.
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Carmen Alyse on 12/19/2011
I'm your average stubborn, southern, daddy's girl. So I'm not lying when I say my world was broken, rebuilt and then broken again a billion times after I came to Christ. Learning I was not in control was the most bitter sweet lesson of my life, well so far...I have a feeling that may change during this race =]
I was attending Hillvue Heights Church here in Bowling Green, Ky when I decided to accept Christ. It was at the Sunday evening service they called The Gathering where I thought I had lost everything in my life but soon enough realized I had found the only thing I would ever need. To add to that, I had fallen in love with a beautiful group of young believers. As I was getting to know them, I remember thinking "Wow, these people are crazy over mission trips, it's all they talk about! That's so sweet...but thats not for me." As time went by I found myself feeling the need to support these friends with their trips. As a broke college student my definition of support in this previous sentence is prayer, lots of prayer and daily hugs =]
But that urge to support didn't go away.
So it was back to square one. "Alright God, what is this you're putting so heavy on my heart?" But I was wasting my time asking for guidance, you see....I already had the answer. Remember when I said I was a stubborn girl?? Oh yeah, I knew from the beginning what God was telling me to do. So I changed my prayer request. "Father, open up the door, show me where to go and I will serve."
Not much longer afterwards, a group from my church was ready to take off to Haiti for a week. The stories that came back just filled me with joy. I thought to myself, this is it! It's Haiti! LETS GO, GOD! I prayed day in and day out for an opening, a door, a window, whatever. Nothing. Was. Happening. I talked to my mentor, who was also one of the women who served on this trip to Haiti. I wanted to know when they were going again. Nothing was set in stone but they were looking forward to planning another week long trip soon.
Something still didn't feel right. (I'm telling you, I am s-t-u-b-b-o-r-n) I knew Haiti was not my calling. I was also constantly reminded of my youth, my singleness and the fact that I was about to graduate from college and inherit an unhealthy amount of free time. A week long mission trip? As much time as I wasted without Christ in my life, I think I owe more than a week serving the Lord.
Whew! That felt good to finally confess.
Somewhere during this hot mess, a new friend of mine (shout out Alyssa Winkler!) had posted a website to my facebook page. We had just spent the entire class period talking about our dreams of becoming missionaries and stay at home moms. I instantly checked out the website and felt overwhelmed, "This isn't for me." But months later, as I was waiting patiently for God to tell me my next move, I found myself searching for that website link.
www.theworldrace.org.....
But there was no overwhelming feeling.
no doubts.
no fears.
I wasn't feeling stubborn!
I wasted days and nights reading blogs, packing lists, and memorizing the routes.
I spent a month praying over which route to pick.
I spent three more months praying over my application process.
I highlighted every verse in my bible that had the word NATION or RACE.
My entire mind was consumed with His will.
And when I was accepted within 20 hours of my phone interview, I felt a peace consume my body like none other before. I like to call it a holy hug.
And now I can't wait to hug the nations and tell them about their savior.
| |
|
|
|
|
