Rebekah Kraft - The World Race 2009- Here I am, Lord. Send me!

Meet Alexia - by:Stephanie Tyrna

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

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!

Posted in Haiti by Stephanie Tyrna on 2/2/2010

Monday, January 25, 2010.

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.*

Come to me

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Enjoy!

Verse:

My heart is breaking for this darkened place

But, I can't hide the hurt written on my face

I cry out to you, I'm crying out to you.

Chorus:
Come to me broken,

Come to me battered,

Come to me with your dreams shattered

I am here to hold you

I am here to heal you

I am here to wipe away your tears

Verse:

I see the nation has fallen into a pit of despair

I hear them calling out your name in prayer

The agony I see, I can feel inside of me

(Chorus)

Jezi Se Sel Espwa Ayiti.

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Jesus is the HOPE of Haiti.

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.

Click HERE to donate now! They need your help.

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

Jezi Se Sel Espwa Ayiti.

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Jesus is the HOPE of Haiti.

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.

Donations go to earthquake relief efforts.

Click HERE to donate now! They need your help.

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.

God Bless and THANK you for helping out this BEAUTIFUL Country.

To check out my pictures from Haiti, please go HERE

My heart is breaking...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is a blog posted by Ashley Musick. She stayed with my team in Haiti last February.

This is my friend Titi... He lives in an orphange in Haiti.

I have lots of friends in Haiti.

Haiti is a beautiful country.

Yesterday the country of Haiti faced tragedy.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the capitol city, and thousands are feared dead.

I know many of my friends are safe because they live throughout Haiti, and not in the capitol.

But I know the people. I love the people of Haiti.

In 2008 they faced 4 different tropical storms/hurricanes. Floods. Mudslides.

They've had political unrest for years.

The spiritual climate is very dark because of the many followers of Voodoo.

It's not an easy place to live.

And now this...

I know the HOPE of Haiti.

Please join me in prayer for Haiti.

For my friends.

For those in need.

For those who are going to help.

For hope.

Here are some videos from the organization

we ministered with last Febuary in Haiti.

Please visit their website and pray about helping.

The Global Orphan Project

The first video is about Titi... the little guy in the first picture.

The second video is about the Earthquake.

Video update

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of my squadmates Di made this video.

We are changed...

Thank You!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I made it home!

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.

Top 50 list! FUNNY STUFF!!

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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

Standing at a crossroad.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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 12:1 Since 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.

About my year - Q & A

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I just wanted to give you bits and pieces of my story. I know that all of you are excited to hear all about my stories when I come home. Here are a few questions that I thought were important and that you guys would each ask individually. J Enjoy.

My Favorite Countries -

Thailand, Ukraine, Croatia

My Favorite Ministry-

SHE in Thailand. I was able to help SHE get started with their baking program. I love to bake, so teaching these women who have just came out of prostitution, was wonderful. Each woman will be able to take what she has learned back home to take care of her children. AND Croatia, I loved working with the disabled people at the group home. No one goes to see them, because it is looked down upon in their society. It was nice to be able to make them smile.

My least favorite Country-

Cambodia, I loved the ministry but I got a really bad ear infection and was stuck at the YWAM base for most of the month.

My Favorite Adventure-

Jumping off the waterfall in Laos AND the Safari. AND in South Africa on our Safari, We saw all Big 5 before lunch.

Biggest life lesson-

How to LOVE the way God wants each one of us to Love. Read 1 Cor. 13.

The hardest things that I saw-

The girls in prostitution in Phuket. Their eyes were so empty and they longed to be loved with a real love.

The coolest things I saw-

The lion looking right at us from about 8 feet away. AND The pastor and all of the members of the church in Mozambique accepting Christ.

The most surprising thing about traveling from Country to country in a row-

The spiritual climates in every different area. They are all strong, but in different ways. AND how you learn to sleep in any position.

What I am going to miss most-

My girls (the fab 5) and surprisingly community.

What have I learned that I can live without-

MUSIC and my family

What I am most looking forward to about home-

being able to go somewhere alone

What I am afraid of about going home-

Not having community the way I had on this trip.

What does my heart want People to become-

AWAKE. I want the Christians to get up from the sleep they are in and realize that God has called them to minister to those around them. WAKE UP CHURCH!

PLEASE READ ASAP! NEWS FOR COMING HOME!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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."

Croatian Photo Blog

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Croatia!

This month, Team Manna (minus Steph Pridgen) went to Croatia to work with a disabled community home. Samantha McCowan, one of my teammates, has been friends with our contact for Croatia for almost 7 years.

Meet Kat, Zoki, Jakov and Nada.

We have been extremely blessed to have lived with this family this month. They have been really giving and helpful with everything this month. Kat works at the group home where we have been spending our time volunteering. We have been building relationships and helping them get ready for Christmas. At first, people were pretty shy and didn't want to practice the little English they knew. But, they started opening up and really sharing their stories (with the help of a translator) as we shared ours.

This month has exceeded my expectations. I thought that because this trip was coming to an end, I wasn't going to be pouring all that is in me out onto the people in Croatia. I feel like this month I have really poured more into this ministry than a few of the other past months. God has blessed me with wonderful friends this month and is really showing me how to Love like HE wants us to.

Anyways,

I will be home in 2 short weeks and hope to speak to you all then!

I will post a blog with answers to some questions that most of you will have for me sometime this week. I would love for you to share with me what has happened in your year while I have been gone. You guys have missed out on my life, and I have missed yours and I would love to hear your stories as well. So send me an e-mail and let me know your story about your year!

See you soon!

Bekah

Fall Family Foto

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This past debrief we took family photos with our team. I thought I would share ours with you.

Please keep us in your prayers this month as we finish this race strong.

(Photo by: Nick Derington)

Happy FALL!

Blessings,
Bekah

Croatia- Here we come!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey,
I wanted to give you all an update!!

My team (minus Stephanie Pridgen this month) will be going to Croatia to work with handicapped individuals. There are around 200 patients and only 30 staff. Some of these patients have not been outside for years. I am sure that it will be very inhumane to see, and hard to work with them. We will be there to help lighten the load and give hope where there is no hope.

Prayer Requests
Please pray that my team will be able to pour into these people 100% this last month and that we would all focus on this month and not the months to come.
Please be praying for my mom, she is having surgery on Nov. 3rd.
My friend Christina is in hospital having surgery to remove a 25cm cancerous cyst from her ovary.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
See you soon!!

Blessings,
Bekah

Черкаси

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here is a blog that one of my teammates posted from our few days in Cherkasy (Ukrainian: Черкаси)

As part of our work this month with CCX, three people were asked to go to Chirkasy for a couple days to support and be a part of what was going on in that city. Since they needed a few people to go, and of course, I volunteered to go. :) It ended up being me, Nate, and Bekah who headed to Chirkasy, a city of 300,000 about three hours south of Kiev by marshuka (minibus). Our CCX contact in Chirkasy is Svieta, a wonderful and sweet young woman who loves the Lord and university students. We got to really get to know her more during our two days there.

Svieta made arrangements for us to stay with friends of hers at their houses. Nate stayed with a few guys and Bekah and I stayed with her friend Kate and her family. It was a nice homey place with friendly people. I wish we could have gotten to know them better. I really appreciated the borsh and pancakes and hospitality.

While we were in Chirkasy, we helped plan and host an event for students. We also hung out with the Christian students that Svieta knows and got to know them a little bit. They all came to the event we held Thursday evening. We even got to try some homemade Ukrainian food and enjoy tea in the dorms. I never thought I would experience Ukrainian dorm life. It was fun mingling with students.

While passing out fliers to advertise the CCX event, we met a group of students in the dorm that we immediately liked. They took us in and really showed us great Ukrainian hospitality.

Not only did we enjoy hanging out with them the night we met, but they also offered to take us to a nice park in town the next morning to enjoy nature and fall foliage. It was BEAUTIFUL... and of course the pictures don't do it justice.

Peter, one of our new friends, also invited us to come speak to his English class. The topic was the higher education system in the United States. I had a blast telling students my experience in college and exactly how I felt about things like dorms, professors, general education requirements, etc. It was cool being the "subject matter expert" just because I went to University in America. :)

These same group of students spoiled us as they treated us to homecooked local food. We were served Ukrainian borsh (famous dish/soup), homemade pickled cucumbers, bread and tea for lunch.

Afterwards, they took us sight-seeing to the main places in Chirkasy, took us to an annual concert at the university and just hung out with us. It was a great experience to enjoy a truly Ukrainian experience! We will miss them greatly!!

All in all, it was a FABULOUS time in Chirkasy. We loved the students and spending time with them. We tried a lot of Ukrainian food and experienced student life and Ukrainian hospitality. We wished we could have stayed much longer, but we had to return to Kiev. So far, it was one of the highlights of my month. I will really miss them!

Live to be FREE!

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

1 Peter 2:15-16
"For this is the will of God, that by doing good, you should put silence to the ignorance of foolish people. LIVE AS PEOPLE WHO ARE FREE!..."

God revealed to me during debrief and the Awakening Conference that in order to break the walls and lies that have been in my heart for so many years, I needed to write down who I am in Christ. (A lot of people have read the Bondage Breaker and have done this, I have yet to read that book) This next month, God wants me and my squad to walk in the new creation that God is making us. We have all changed so much this past year, and it will be hard for some of you at home to understand fully what we mean. Just because we left for 11 months does not mean that we are the same person we were when we left. We have been molded, shaped, thrown in the fire and have experienced so many things this year and God has changed each and every one of us into something so much bigger than what we thought would ever happen while on this race. I know that each one of you have changed while I have been gone as well. God doesn't call us to be stagnant. He LOVES change and we are new every day. So, in this newness, please write out the list of what God has done in your life. Your new Identity. There is no set number. Don't just keep the list to yourself. Share it. Whether it is to a family member, a lost person, a colleague, or post them on here. I'd love to read how God has shaped you this year. People are going to see and know the differences that HE has made in you.

Who I am in Christ:

I am a new creation
I am whole
I am loved
I am happy
I am a princess
I am pure
I am full of joy
I am His Beloved
I choose to continue moving forward and not retreating to my old self when I get home.
I will not compare
I am not who I was in the past
I choose to walk in my victory
I am Rebekah Anne Kraft. Daughter of the living King.

Romania Video

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It has been a while since I have posted a video from our month of ministry. Now that we have decent internet here in Ukraine, I decided to give an update on the month. Enjoy!

80 racers in a one horse town! - Viile Tecci

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Check out my friend Di's video that she made about our month of ministry together in Viile Teccii, Romania.

Love is a Many Splendid Thing

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The countdown is at hand, but I am not sure I am ready to leave yet. A few months ago, I would have given anything to just leave this crazy life and return to normalcy. This past month has taught me a lot about love and how it should be applied to my life. I love my squad and my team and I am not sure how it is going to be possible to adjust back into life without them around all of the time. I am going to share a very common verse with you about love and ask questions for you to answer.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(1Co 13:4-13 ESV)

AND

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

(1Jn 4:7-8 ESV)

These are the scriptures that I have been meditating on for the last month. Let me break them down for you to make it a little simpler.

LOVE IS:

Patient

Kind

Not conceited

Not rude

Not envious

Not boastful

Not selfish

Not Irritable

Not resentful

Not poke fun

Rejoices in truth

Bears, believes, hopes, endures all things

LOVE NEVER ENDS

Think over that list and see what seems the most difficult to you... I look at this list and see that I fail at almost every one of these on this list.

Now, let's look at the second scripture:

"Beloved, let us love one another, because the love is from God... Whoever does not love, does not love God."

Harsh... This is a very hard truth. If we don't have the love that is described in 1 Cor. 13, than we don't love God. Wow!

Question #1

If you could change 1 Corinthians 13's definition of love, what would it look like?

Question #2

How can your life be different if you did love like 1 Cor. 13?

Question #3

What things in our life would be easier if you loved more? What specific areas.

Question #4

Why can we love one person more than the next?

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

(Mat 5:44 ESV)

We have high expectations on what Love is and how to live it out. Every day I am reminded that I need to love those who don't like me, love those who are testing my patience, love those who tick me off and try to love God in everything. That is a very hard thing to do and that is where Grace comes in. Grace helps us to love one another.

Pray with me into these scriptures as we try to love and extend grace to one another. We will all fail everyday, but, we have a God who's love never fails.

I would love to hear your answers to the questions and any insight that you have on these two scriptures.

Ticket time

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Just wanted to send a quick update.

I just booked my ticket home. I will be flying into Cedar Rapids at 10:20 AM on Nov 24th!

I would love to see you all at the airport! :) :)

Romania is great and I love it here. It is so beautiful and the Gypsies that we are working with are SO AMAZING! They are open to ideas and love to be poured into.

P.S.- Think of questions you would like to ask me when I get home and send me an email or comment on here. I will work on those and post a blog with answers as soon as possible. This will help me process this year and think of good times throughout the year. So, ask silly OR serious questions...

Love you all!

Bekah

Oh, it's ON!

Mon, 7 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We made it to Romania and we are ready for the challenge that I squad gave us.

Here is a little video for you to enjoy.

I joined...

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Zambian Choir!

Zambia-

As most of you know, I have been in Zambia for this past month. It has been a very interesting month, but God has provided abundantly.

We knew that going into this month, that it would be difficult. We searched online for many days for a contact in Zambia. An idea came to my mind to type in "Church of God - Zambia" into Google and see what comes up. Much to my surprise, There was actually a contact. (Now, my parents belong to Church of God, so, that is where I got the idea.) I clicked on the link for the Church of God World Missions and Nyamphande Orphanage came up.

On the site, It gave me a phone number for Rev. Siwale. So, I called him from South Africa. He answered and I told him that we are spending the majority of our money to get to Zambia but, God wanted us to come to Zambia. He said that we were welcome to work with them at Nyamphande and that there would be no charge for living with them or the transportation and God would provide. That was such an answer to our prayers. We got to Zambia and called the Reverend and somehow the Bishop answered. We talked to him a while and He said that we were an answer to their prayers and they were excited to have us. We were more than ecstatic.

When we met at the bus station, we knew that we were going to like them. In my mind, Bishop Mambo is like Rafiki from the Lion King. Kind of crazy and weird, but you just are intrigued to listen to him. He tells truths even if they are hard to hear. He told us a story about how he was almost kicked out of the Church of God for telling things the way they were. We stayed at his farm for a couple days and were shocked to hear that he was going to have us interviewed for the newspaper and the television at the headquarters in Lusaka. We weren't ready for that shock, but we dealt with it. After being secluded from the world' it was a shock.

After a few days, we went to go to Nyamphande. We were introduced to the 800 children and staff in a meeting once we arrived. Then, they showed us our house. The house is a work in progress, so, we put up our tents inside. J 2 days pass and the school/ orphanage has a closing ceremony and all of the kids leave. So, now we are working at an orphanage with no children...

Another day passes and the headmaster tells us that we will be working with the Choir to get ready for the Church of God National Convention at the end of the month. We thought we would give them some ideas and help them prepare. Come to find out, we were official members of the Zambian Church of God Choir. They taught us about 6 songs AND dances to go with the songs. It was quite interesting to say the least. I will try and find a video or at least pictures to post at a later time. We taught them a few songs and a couple with dance moves... I'll let your mind run away with that thought. I will say however, White people can't dance... At least Team Manna can't dance. J

We had practice just about everyday until the conference. When it was time for the conference, we got up at 4 AM to pack and head to Lusaka. Once we were there, we waited around for a few hours while others spoke and sang. When our turn came, we turned some heads. We got up there with the Choir and people were shocked that we were dancing right along with the choir. Before singing the English songs, they handed me the microphone. I was not ready for that. I was hoping that I could just stand where I was to sing. NOPE! I had to stand in front and sing to thousands of people with the choir behind me singing along. Talk about being nervous. Grant it, I have sang in front of people before, but this was different. I am glad there were only a few words to the song. J (Oh draw me, Lord)

The conference turned out pretty good and we are back at Bishop Mambos until Wednesday when we head back to Johannesburg, South Africa for our debrief. I am so excited to see everyone. It has been since June since we have all been together. I am praying for a time of rejuvenation for the squad as we finish up the last 3 months of the World Race. We head to Romania on September 3^rd. Be praying that everything goes well and that we are filled each day so that we can pour our all onto others.

Blessings,

Bekah

Awake

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded (Awake) for the sake of your prayers.

(1Pe 4:7)

This month has been interesting to say the least. God was asking me to fast from rice for the month. Well, He was also asking me to use my gift of intercessory prayer this month as well. I havenft really done much with it. I feel that I get bored or distracted when trying to pray for many hours. A.D.D. kicks in for sure.

When I say God was wanting me to use my intercessory gift, He really wanted me to. He kept me awake every night while In Zambia. I went back and counted how many hours I was able to get this month and it is right around 15 hours for the entire month. Every night, I retreated to my tent to rest from the day. I would lay awake listening to music and reading for a few hours before getting into prayer.

When I would pray, I would ask for protection and for Him to sustain me through the next day. I had no idea how long that the intercessory prayers would go. I thought I would maybe get a week in and then be finished. (I think that God laughed at me and said eNot yetf)

I would occasionally fall asleep around 4 AM for 30 minutes. When I woke up, I felt completely rested. God was sustaining me. In 1 Corinthians, Paul says:

gSo that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.h

(1Co 1:7-9)

He is the ONLY reason, I could function this month. He is the reason I had energy and was not grouchy everyday. Because I was not sleeping, I didnft have an appetite. I would eat once a day because I knew that I needed the nutrients. Usually it wasnft very much, but I still had to.

We were part of the Zambian Choir for the Church of God ministry this month, so, there was a lot of dancing and I would have never made it if it werenft for the answered prayers. God promises that HE is all we need. HE is more than enough. HE is our sleep, HE is our resting place, HE is everything. The Psalmist (David) says:

gMy eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.h

(Psa 119:148)

I take that promise and hold onto it because it has sustained me. It has carried me not only through this month, but through so many other things.

gDo not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.h

(Php 4:6)

Sustain me, Oh God. I know you hear my prayers. Comfort me and guide me, because without you, I am alone. Without you, I fade. Without you, I am nothing. Thank you for your strength when I have none. You are awesome and mighty and I will praise you each day with the song you have given me. - Amen

Bekah

African Bathroom Reader

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

All 27 items written about below are based on actual experiences of Team Manna during our three months in Africa. Be aware that it is blunt, real, and to the point. But, this is real... This is our life. :) Enjoy!

1. Butter knives are not usually very effective when trying to slit a goat's neck.

2. You know you will get protein for dinner when you are given a live chicken as a blessing.

3. Before using a long drop, you should stretch first.

4. Prior to bathing in the river, you should always do a 360 degree scan before undressing in front of local children.

5. It is a good day when you do an altar call and the Pastor accepts Christ.

6. It is a great day when you do an altar call and the entire church accepts Christ.

7. When you see a burning cross, it is not good or bad, it is just different.

8. Mosquitos suck your blood; Malaria sucks your life.

9. Clean water in Mozambique means a mere 3 worms per bucket rather than 10.

10. Rocks are a wonderful security mechanism when you find random Americans doing #2 in your cornfield.

11. The Male Urination Center (MUC) can double as a place for a bucket shower (BS); bare feet not recommended.

12. A general rule of thumb: when beating a rabid dog, it is like beating a pinata; don't stop until you get what you want.

13. When suffering from symptoms of Malaria, don't die; go to the clinic.

14. When taking Malaria and deworming medication in Africa, beware that side effects may include, but are not limited to: anorexia, hepatitis, and in some rare cases, death.

15. Africans tell time by the sun; if choir practice is at 14 hours (2pm) they are not late if the sun is still up.

16. When you hear a gunshot in the middle of the night, don't be naive and think that it is not a threat.

17. As a missionary in Africa, you must always be ready to "share what you have prepared" regardless of time, circumstance, or lack of advance preparation.

18. A successful day evangilizing is when you come home with guava, ground nuts, and a live chicken.

19. When carrying home a live chicken, always remember: do NOT provoke the chicken.

20. In Africa, a laundry line can double as a leash for tomorrow night's dinner chicken.

21. Missionary hiegene becomes offensive when you realize that you bathe less frequently than local village orphans.

22. Staying in budget means using garlic as food/seasoning, bug repellent, and malaria medication.

23. Zambian villagers measures distances differently than Americans. A "few kilometers" means two hours and two mountains.

24. When toilet facilities are not available, a bush guard is a good way to ensure you do not get caught with your pants down.

25. There are not prerequisites to join the Nyamphande Zambian choir. You can attempt to learn to sing in Nyanja, shake your hips at the front of the church, and blend in as though you are not white.

26. A good layer of dirt works as bug repellent.

27. A week's worth of dirt helps you to blend in as an indigenous African.

Merry Christmas...

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

IN JULY!!

Team Manna decided that since we won't be able to spend Christmas with one another, that we would celebrate together in July!

So, Here is a little video of our festivities. (Just a reminder, we had VERY little resources, but it was still fun. J )

Zambia

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For the month of August- Our last month in Africa- we will be in ZAMBIA!!

Nyamphande Orphanage is where we will be working,

Nyamphande means a land of peace where there is good soil to grow

food. Nyamphande Orphanage is located in the landlocked south-central African country of Zambia. It is in the "bush" about 40 miles from the city of Lusaka. The people are mostly of Bantu origin. English is the official language, but Bemba is widely spoken. Almost 90% of the population lives below the poverty level. Nyamphande Orphanage, also known as Nyamphande Miracle Village, has operated since 1998

as part of Church of God World Missions. It is directed by Bishop John Mambo, former overseer of Zambia.

Please be praying for my team as we go into this month. Financially speaking, it will be a very tight month. We know that God will provide.

Also, please pray for health over this team. One of my teammates had maleria this past month and there is a high risk in Zambia for Maleria as well.

Thank you for your prayers!

Machanga, Mozambique

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Month 6

June was a month of waiting. Even if we were given a certain timeframe, we still waited. God was teaching a lot of the SKIM (Spectacle, Koinonia, Indelible, Manna) squad, patience. The phrase that people learned this month was... "T.I.A" which means, This Is Africa. I learned a lot about Africa time in 2005 when I was here before, not a new concept for me. A previous blog I wrote explains a lot of what I learned and am still settling in this month.

While in Machanga, Mozambique, we were able to teach at a woman's conference, play with the kids, and do random evangelism. It was great. At the Woman's conference, the head woman in charge was not speaking truth. She was speaking on a works based faith. In order to get to heaven , we are to do as many good works as possible. Scripture clearly says otherwise.

Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Gal 2:16, 21 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

There is NOTHING we can do that will help us enter the kingdom of God. So, we prayed about this and decided to preach on the opposite. That did not go over so well. The woman went to speak at the next meeting and twisted the words that were spoken. At that point, SKIM squad decided that we really needed to talk to the pastors of the church. A couple of the guys on the squad sat down with the pastors and told them about the false teachings and that the Pastor really needed to stand up and protect his sheep. The pastor will answer in heaven to the false teachings that were presented to His church if He did not stand up and say something. The pastors had no idea how to confront the situation, but were very grateful that something was said. The next service, we had a question and answer time. Some of the members asked very serious questions. Some being, "Can we really not serve anyone but God?" and "Is there only the one way to enter heaven?" and just so many more. The questions just really cut you down. We had no idea how far these women and men were from hearing the truth. God brought us to that time and place for that particular reason. At the end of the question time, we had an alter call and everyone came forward to receive Christ in their lives. Even the pastors. (That isn't something new for Africa. Most of the pastors here just have the title because it helps their status in the community.)

Please be praying for Machanga, Mozambique. Be praying for Truth to be taught and for God to come down and show his Love to the community.

She Is...

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

See that woman? The one in the corner looking back at you? She is beautiful in every aspect. Her eyes shine as she smiles at you. She is very familiar yet so mysterious. Everything about her reminds you of the woman in Song of Solomon.

"Son 4:1 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil...

(I like to read Song of Solomon in the King James version... Makes it more romantic. J )

Keep watching her. She moves across the room and sits next to a guy. They both turn to you and you notice that their eyes turn cold and dark. A darkness that you have never seen before. Darkness you have only read about. She starts to walk to you and you get chills. What is this presence of darkness that is getting closer to you? What is causing the chills running down your spine? This darkness that has a hold of her life is powerful and won't let her go. She sits next to you and you see past that darkness. You see the emptiness that is inside. You ask her name and she dodges the question and asks why you are there. She can see that there is something different about you. Hope, peace, and knowledge of a true love. Something she has never in her life seen. You tell her that you are there for her. She lists places you can go with her, but you just kept sitting, finding more about her. She is still intrigued by you, because of your joy. You take her up on her offer of going somewhere, but it is not someplace she has listed. Instead, you take her on this amazing outing. First, you start out by treating her to an amazing dinner and then out bowling. Slowly you get to know her. She tells you about how long she has been working at the bar she is at, her daughter in another city with her family, and so much more. She starts to weep as she is unfolding before you. She is broken. She doesn't think that this world could ever be kind to her. She doesn't think that there is any hope. She doesn't see the light brightening as she tells you these things. You start to share why you took her on this amazing outing. You tell her that God loves her and that HE created her beautiful. You continue by taking out the Bible and reading her a few scriptures about the hope that has found her and the grace that she has through the cross. She beams at you and knows that this is real. She can see it written on your face. She can see your heart. She knows that what you are saying applies to her. You read John 8 and said that if she would give her life to Christ, that she could be that woman. She could be saved from the scoffers. She begins to weep harder and you put your arm around her and ask her to repeat your words.

"Jesus, I ask you to come into my life. I know that I am a sinner and have done so many terrible things. I can see that my life is spiraling down and I need help before I hit the bottom. I know that you are the answer to all of my needs. I need your grace and forgiveness today. Please be near me and guide my steps. Please come into my heart and make it your home. Thank you Father. I love you. Amen."

You look up at her and she is smiling. A smile that is so different than one you have seen from her before. A smile that has hope. Her eyes sparkle with a joy that has never been found before today. She is overwhelmed with God's love. She is HIS bride now. She was lost but now is found.

She is you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey All,

My team is celebrating Christmas in July this coming weekend because it is winter in Africa and are very excited...

I would love for you all to get involved this season, one way you can help this Christmas in July is by supporting my teammate Amanda Hamilton. She is still in need of $1,350 in order to be fully funded. Any amount would help. Her site to donate is- http://amandahamilton.theworldrace.org .

We are also helping open up an orphanage on the 25^th! What a way to celebrate. If you would like to get more information on the opening of the orphanage, the link is: http://www.irismin.co.za/ . I am painting a mural on one of the baby room walls of infant style Noah's Ark. I will post pictures of the progress next week.

You are all awesome!

Love you all!!

Rebekah

Chicken Dance - WR edition

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rebekah Kraft - The World Race 2009- Here I am, Lord. Send me!

Meet Alexia - by:Stephanie Tyrna

Come to me

Jezi Se Sel Espwa Ayiti.

Jezi Se Sel Espwa Ayiti.

My heart is breaking...

Video update

Thank You!

Top 50 list! FUNNY STUFF!!

Standing at a crossroad.

About my year - Q & A

*PLEASE READ ASAP!* NEWS FOR COMING HOME!

Croatian Photo Blog

Fall Family Foto

Croatia- Here we come!

Черкаси

Live to be FREE!

Romania Video

80 racers in a one horse town! - Viile Tecci

Love is a Many Splendid Thing

Ticket time

Oh, it's ON!

I joined...

Awake

African Bathroom Reader

Merry Christmas...

Zambia

Machanga, Mozambique

She Is...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Chicken Dance - WR edition

PLEASE READ ASAP! NEWS FOR COMING HOME!