My dear friend Stephanie Tyrna, who was on the World Race with me, just came back from Haiti on Thursday. Here is a story that she posted in her blog. Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers!
6:30am. Time to wake up. The ten of us
quietly shuffle around the orphanage getting ready to head into Haiti
for
another day of helping out. The smell of apple cinnamon and maple brown
sugar
oatmeal hit your nose as you step outside the church. These few minutes
in the
morning are really the only quiet times we ever have to ourselves. I
look
around as my teammates are quietly eating oatmeal, reading their bibles,
doing
devotionals, and preparing for the day.
We head out around 7am. As we cross the
DR and Haitian borders, we normally rent two security guards for the
day.
However, today the DR president is heading into Haiti and there is only
one
security guard that we can buy. His name is Alexia. He hops into the
back of
the truck with us as we continue on our way to Fond Parisien, the
hospital/church we have been helping out at.
As we are making our way to the
hospital, we notice that Alexia doesn't look too happy. Mind you, our
rides
crammed in the back of the truck together seem to bring out the fun and
laughter in our team. I believe this is when the nicknames started
coming as
well: Jacob the Social Cracker, Sara Choe the Asian Tiger and Me the
Dolphin
Whisperer. Oh fun times! So as we are joking around having a grand ol
time,
Alexia sits there very serious and looks kind of annoyed. None of us
really
thought too much of it at the time.
As we arrive to Fond Parisien, we are
all assigned different tasks. Sara Choe and I are placed in the hospital
helping the doctors with patients. There are over 100 patients that have
arrived today. Meanwhile, Ashley and Aaron have their own mission to
spend
around $5,000 to buy food and supplies that can be given away. So, off
they go
with Alexia in the truck to make some border runs to get rice, beans,
and
whatever else they can find.
When Ashley and Aaron return from their
mission around 4pm we come to find out the story of Alexia...
Aaron said that Alexia spoke English (which
none of us knew) and told Aaron that he looked sad. Aaron told Alexia
that he wasn't
sad, he was just tired. And then Aaron asked Alexia why he
seemed to
look upset. Alexia then replied and told Aaron that he had lost his
entire
family in the earthquake. He was the only one who survived and the only
thing
he has is the uniform on his back. He told Aaron that he did not know
what he
was going to do and what his future held. He said that he now feels
obligated
to go to school to become a doctor so he can help people.
When I heard of this on our truck ride
home that evening, I was torn up. I slowly started to crumble inside. No
wonder
he wasn't laughing with us earlier. No wonder he was upset! Ugh.
I cannot even imagine. The thought of
losing my entire family, not knowing what my future holds and somehow
managing
to work all at the same time is just beyond me. What do you say to
someone like
this? There are simply just no words...
This is the story of Alexia.
He is not the only one with a story
like this. There are thousands upon thousands of Haitians without homes,
families, jobs, stability, a sense of security or a known future at
this
very moment.
Please keep these refugees in your
prayers. And when you pray, pray specifically for Alexia who is one of
the many
amidst the devastated and brokenhearted.
Lord, I lift up Alexia to you. I pray
for His mind and for his heart. I pray that You will protect his mind
and his
heart during this time. I pray that You will take captive every thought
of his.
I pray against all fear and against the things that he has seen in the
name of
Jesus Christ. I pray that Alexia finds YOU amidst his loss and
brokenness. I
pray that He realizes that You are the one true God and what may seem
like
complete devastation and brokenness, you can turn into greatness. I pray
that he
holds on to You. May he find security, hope, love, peace and joy in You
and
only You. Please pour Your favor onto Him. Bless him as he makes
decisions that
point to his future and what that may become. I thank You so much that
we were
able to meet Alexia and hear his story. And that we are now able to pray
specific prayers and intercede on his behalf. I thank You that we now
have
warriors warring on his behalf for his salvation and the rest of his
time here
on earth. Thank You Lord. We love You so much. In Your holy and
magnificent
name we pray. *Amen.*
I wanted to share this song
with you.
God woke me up this past weekend so that I could pray for Haiti. These are His words and not mine. I am not a
song writer, just obedient to what He tells me. I don't have a tune to this song yet, I will just wait for God to give me the song and I know He will.
That is something we learned in Haiti just under a year ago. HE is the Hope of all mankind. Right now HAITI needs your help. They are suffering from a huge 7.0 earthquake and you can help.
Here are a few ways you can do that.
Give to the Haiti Earthquake Relief fund
AIM is mobilizing teams in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake.
AIM Dominican Republic base director Miguel and Kristen Shaul live about four hours from Port-au-Prince and are coordinating immediate relief efforts. There are also alumni from the AIM World Race program traveling to Haiti soon to help prepare for short-term teams. Our mission teams have been to Haiti, have fallen in love with the people there, and are very anxious to help. See Ashley Musick's blog for an example of one broken heart for Haiti.
Donations go to earthquake relief efforts.
Our primary goal is to bring first-response relief to those in need with supplies such as food, blankets, shelters, basic health care, and more. Our secondary goal is to identify communities in which we can get involved in long-term rebuilding. We ask for prayers for God's favor in leading our efforts and for partnership in funding this response.
Adventures In Missions is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the Internal Revenue Service.
Gifts may be 100% tax-deductible; please consult a tax advisor
Here are a list of telephone numbers that can direct you to many other ways to give as well.
You may want to make a donation, send supplies and/or partner with another non-profit working in Haiti. Here is our list of organizations from the GNI Data Base. Obviously our list is incomplete. I am sure there are many other organizations besides those listed that are working in Haiti. We may be sending out another similar email to this one. If you work in Haiti and would like to be added to this list just send us your name and email.
Agape Flights 941/488-0990
Children's Medical Missions of Haiti 201/506-5649
Colorado Haiti Project 303/938-0163
Community Coalition for Haiti 703/880-4160
Crossworlds - (610)667-7660
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti 615/478-6773
For Haiti with Love Inc. 727/938-3245
Foundation for Children of Haiti 011/509-510-4720
Good Shepherd Ministries 321/752-0072
HAFF (Haitian Friendship Foundation) 239/565-1196
Haiti Charity Hope Foundation 401/723-3404
Haiti Medical Mission 701/241-5317
Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis 901/761-9097
Haiti Medical Teams International 509/966-5422
Haiti Outreach Ministries 800/231-9462
Haiti Vision & Services 405/478-5743
Haitian Christian Outreach 217/778-6023
Haitian Health Foundation 860/886-4357
Harvest Foundations - (602)258-1083
Healing Hands for Haiti 866/482-0763
Hopital Albert Schweitzer - (412)361-5200
Love a Child Ministries 813/621-7263
New Life Advance International 011/509/246-3009
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission 214/554-3218
Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, Haiti 312/386-7499
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation 781/963-7243
Vision of Hope Ministries 954/928-3704
God Bless and THANK you for helping out this BEAUTIFUL Country.
To check out my pictures from Haiti, please go HERE
That is something we learned in Haiti just under a year ago. HE is the Hope of all mankind. Right now HAITI needs your help. They are suffering from a huge 7.0 earthquake and you can help.
Here are a few ways you can do that.
Give to the Haiti Earthquake Relief fund
AIM is mobilizing teams in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake.
AIM Dominican Republic base director Miguel and Kristen Shaul live about four hours from Port-au-Prince and are coordinating immediate relief efforts. There are also alumni from the AIM World Race program traveling to Haiti soon to help prepare for short-term teams. Our mission teams have been to Haiti, have fallen in love with the people there, and are very anxious to help. See Ashley Musick's blog for an example of one broken heart for Haiti.
Donations go to earthquake relief efforts.
Our primary goal is to bring first-response relief to those in need with supplies such as food, blankets, shelters, basic health care, and more. Our secondary goal is to identify communities in which we can get involved in long-term rebuilding. We ask for prayers for God's favor in leading our efforts and for partnership in funding this response.
Adventures In Missions is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the Internal Revenue Service.
Gifts may be 100% tax-deductible; please consult a tax advisor
Here are a list of telephone numbers that can direct you to many other ways to give as well.
You may want to make a donation, send supplies and/or partner with another non-profit working in Haiti. Here is our list of organizations from the GNI Data Base. Obviously our list is incomplete. I am sure there are many other organizations besides those listed that are working in Haiti. We may be sending out another similar email to this one. If you work in Haiti and would like to be added to this list just send us your name and email.
Agape Flights 941/488-0990
Children's Medical Missions of Haiti 201/506-5649
Colorado Haiti Project 303/938-0163
Community Coalition for Haiti 703/880-4160
Crossworlds - (610)667-7660
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti 615/478-6773
For Haiti with Love Inc. 727/938-3245
Foundation for Children of Haiti 011/509-510-4720
Good Shepherd Ministries 321/752-0072
HAFF (Haitian Friendship Foundation) 239/565-1196
Haiti Charity Hope Foundation 401/723-3404
Haiti Medical Mission 701/241-5317
Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis 901/761-9097
Haiti Medical Teams International 509/966-5422
Haiti Outreach Ministries 800/231-9462
Haiti Vision & Services 405/478-5743
Haitian Christian Outreach 217/778-6023
Haitian Health Foundation 860/886-4357
Harvest Foundations - (602)258-1083
Healing Hands for Haiti 866/482-0763
Hopital Albert Schweitzer - (412)361-5200
Love a Child Ministries 813/621-7263
New Life Advance International 011/509/246-3009
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission 214/554-3218
Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, Haiti 312/386-7499
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation 781/963-7243
Vision of Hope Ministries 954/928-3704
God Bless and THANK you for helping out this BEAUTIFUL Country.
To check out my pictures from Haiti, please go HERE
Thank you for all of
your prayers and support this year. I really appreciate all of you so much. You
have been such a blessing to me and to those around the world.
Love,
Bekah
P.s.- I do have a new
cell phone number. If you would like it, please let me know.
Hey, I wanted to post a list of a compilation of funny
ways you would know you are a H-Squad World Racer. It was great going back
through these and typing them up. Oh the memories!
Enjoy!!
You know you are an H
squad World Racer When...
(though
Bekah's eyes)
You want to shower
or bathe in the local river instead of the provided shower
You prefer to
sleep in your tent than provided beds (for safety from the mosquitoes)
You can reach into
your teammates pocket and they don't flinch
Showering once a
week is normal
You'd rather squat
in the bush than provided hole in an outhouse
6.)You use garlic as a
beg repellent and replaces your malaria pills
7.)You notice new
clothes on teammates and squadmates right away
8.)You stop asking
questions about where the drinking water came from and if it is safe to drink
9.)Luxury is defined
when you eat something other than rice
Normal transportation is hanging on for dear life on the
back of a truck
Filtering water and burning trash becomes a daily chore
Normal travel takes at least 2 days, only 50 Km, and
insufficient funds
Females stop shaving so mosquitoes stop biting
Washing hands become foreign but handwashing your clothes
is normal
Easter is celebrated at KFC because it is from one of the
United States
Changing in
public doesn't faze you
You can sleep
just about anywhere, no matter how bumpy the ride
Your hygiene
makes the local Africans cringe
You don't care
whose underwear you are wearing, as long as they are clean
You run out of
jokes and quotes because you have been together 24/7 all year
You think of
ways to overthrow your leader
Someone on the
squad on each team gets a new piercing
You see
livestock pass on your walk to ministry and wonder how many ways it can be
prepared (i.e.- Baby chicks= Chicken Nuggets)
You ATL (Ask
the Lord) about everything... even groceries
One item has 3
or more purposes
Rice and Peanut
Butter become top staples in your diet
A racer
bypasses AIM to get an engagement ring to the bush of Africa
Your tan'
washes off after three really good washes (dirt)
You use your
laundry line as a leash for dinner (It is more eco-friendly than a fridge)
You get your
hand slapped for peeking under your teammates kilt
You can tell
the difference between a mosquito and other bugs by sound, not sight
Your squad
leaders make sure you have many luxuries after being in the bush for 3 months
(Inflatable Castle in South Africa)
Every debrief
becomes a hair salon
You thank God
for the makers of Wet Wipes
Pens are a HIGH
commodity
36.)Gas station
bathrooms are a huge step up from what you have been using
37.)You get leg cramps
from squatting over a hole... Especially if you have a worm
38.)A squad you've
never met challenges you to a Dance off via YouTube
39.)Your coaches dance
at the dance off
40.)At the end of
debrief you still don't know which country you are going to
You calculate
distances by walking time not driving time
You entertain
yourself by coming up with events for the Mannalypics
You actually
score and judge the events you created for the Mannalypics
75% of
computers and cameras have died throughout the year, some more than once
You have to
have your sermon/Bible Study translated 2 or 3 times in different tribal
languages in order for ALL of the congregation to understand
The Pastor
comes up to receive Jesus in his heart
You have told
what the World Race is, 300-400 times this year
You plot one
last shock before the end of the race
You borrow
random things to pull together an outfit for Final Banquet
Your
pack is lighter going home than it was coming on the race, even with all of
This
week I stand at a crossroad. A road between who I am now and who I was before.
I am changed. I have been renewed. I am alive. I have a purpose.
This
new road has changed my life.
So,
what do you do at a crossroad in your life?
Run?
Stand
still?
Look
both ways?
The
answer is RUN. Not in the way that most of you may think. You run down the path
less traveled. The path carved out for you. You RUN. You run towards the
ultimate goal.
1Co 9:24"Don't
you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner
gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win."
How
do you run when the old you seems so close and so easy?
Heb 12:1Since
we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything
that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that
lies ahead of us and never give up.
There are going to be things that look greener
on the other side'. God has called us to plant seeds, it may take a while for
those seeds to grow and HE may ask you to move on while your ground is still
just dirt. Don't give up. Keep moving.
It is easier said than done, I know.
I am at this crossroad. How do I fit back
into my life in Cedar Rapids?
We were given an image at the beginning of
the year of a person wearing a coat that was too big for them. We swam in it.
That was me at the beginning of the race. Now it is the end of the race and it
is tight and confining. I am ready for the next size up; I am ready for the
next step in my life.
I know I am not going to fit in the same way
I did before. I know that things are going to be different. I know that I have
a bigger purpose.
How do I fit now? I don't know. All I know is
that I have to keep looking ahead. Not
look back at the person I was before.
I don't want to be that person.
I want to outgrow many more coats. This year
was just one of many I have coming to me.
Although I know what I want and need, I still
stand at the crossroad.
So, I stand here asking for your prayers, and
your encouragement along this journey. I can't do this on my own.
Please run with me now. Don't let me just
stand there.
This was taken from a previous world racers blog ( I edited a few things) and I thought that it
would be great information to share with you as I return home! Enjoy!!
If
they come to your house, its perfectly normal to hear...
"Can
I drink this water?"
"So,
is it cool to flush the TP here...?"
"There
wasn't a name on it, so I used it. Hope that's ok."
"Where's
the Free Table?"
"Hey do you care if I borrow your toothbrush, I left mine at home."
Routine
behaviors that might raise an eyebrow, but are perfectly normal...
Excessive
trips to the free refill counter, accompanied with lots of slurping and an
excited "Ok, really, last trip...I promise. This is so much fun!!"
Instead
of folding clothes into drawers, they are rolled tightly, military style (and
MIGHT be stored in ziploc bags too)
Every
month, clothes are tossed out, with the simple explanation of "It weighs
too much. Get rid of it!!"
Constant
blogging.
Guzzling
gallons of iced tea at record pace.
Bargaining
with the store clerks at Wal-Mart.
The
offer to do your logistics for the family vacation.
The
inability to stay in one place very long.
Gleeful
laughing and clapping at the sight of a clothes dryer.
The
insistence that another international trip must be planned quickly because
"I still have 3 blank pages in my passport!"
Hand-sanitizing.
They're
really not kidding when they say...
"Sorry,
officer... I really didn't realize 10 people in one car was such a
problem."
"Who wants to climb that waterfall and jump off with me?"
"How much will you pay me to eat this bug?"
"I haven't showered in, like, 3 days. I just didn't think about
it."
"There's one brownie left. Let's arm-wrestle for it."
"That looks so gross. Let's taste it!"
Be
patient when they say...
"$10
?! I'm not paying that. In Thailand, its only $2."
"When
I was in the DR...."
"Oh
my gosh, when we were in South Africa..."
"Well, in Cambodia..."
"This one time in Laos..."
"Ha,
that's nothing. When we were in Romania..."
"Yeah...when I was on the World Race..."
"Plan? No. Let's just pray about it when we get there."
You'll
notice they're very resourceful...
"What's
our budget?"
"Rice?
Peanut Butter? Garlic?...Yeah, I can definitely make a meal with this."
"Just squish in!! Jaco got 16 in his Landrover with one hanging on the
back."
"Should we just hitchhike to Croatia??"
"Toilet paper? Yeah, sure. I have a roll in my pocket."
