The Road Less Traveled - Aaron Bruner

53 Kisses in 53 Seconds

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I'm pretty sure I get the meaning of "greeting each other with a holy kiss" now. Thanks God...

Two days ago I finally made my way over to Port-au-Prince from Santo Domingo. It was the longest 10 hour drive of my life including a 3-hour road block at the border, over 1000 speed bumps (you think I'm exaggerating), and heavy heavy traffic in Port-au-Prince. Needless to say, I was exhausted after the long journey and was thankful to finally get in my tent and pass out.

The very next day, Liz, Teri and I traveled to the Fleury Foundation Orphanage (you can see before pictures here) in Leogane, just outside of Port-au-Prince. This is an orphanage that has literally lost everything. Before the earthquake hit, they ran an advanced medical clinic complete with an ambulance, a bakery, housing for over fifty children, a church, and a school. All of these buildings were completely destroyed and left in ruins. Liz and Teri were doing some work for Children's Hope Chest while I was trying to see how the World Race could get involved. When we finally met the children, each one of them (51 girls and 2 boys) came up and gently kissed our cheeks saying hello. At first, I thought it was really cute after about twenty of them had puckered up, then I just became overcome with their love. It was quite an incredible experience and I instantly connected with them. They were just too precious.

Pastor Kelly then accompanied us to the various sites that had been crushed, recounting the stories of what happened during the earthquake. He showed us the former building that housed all of the children...completely in ruins. All that remained in the wake was a hat and dress draping over the rubble. We proceeded to ask why that was there and here's what he told us...

The day the earthquake hit, the children were out in front of the building sitting down or playing around. One of the house mothers was on the 2nd floor with two of the children as the building came crashing down. She jumped to protect them, hovering over them, agonizing in pain as the walls crumpled on top of her. The children crawled out of the rubble barely scraped while the mother laid there, body beaten and weakened by the blow. She knew that the children had made it safely out as she took her final breaths beneath the rocks. She laid her life down for these sweet sweet babies. This hat and dress were hers. They are a reminder to them of her sacrifice. The way she gave her life as Jesus did, so that others might live. That is a true testimony of God's love for these children. I was blown away by this story...and yet...there are still more and more out there just like this.

To see these little girls after such a tragedy with the ability and capacity to love so greatly is God's grace in action. Although the focus and attention of the world seems to turn away from Haiti these days as other world news takes precedence, these sweet children still show love to us. Foreigners. Strangers. It doesn't matter to them. They smiled from ear to ear welcoming our presence. We were able to get all of their bio information and we gave out some gifts that Teri brought down with her. We prayed for them, laughed with them, and took lots of pictures. We are hoping and praying for God to send more workers and aid down here to get places like this back on their feet. These children have nothing to sleep on and rainy season is coming soon. Food is super expensive now and it's just harder to feed fifty children with the supply that they have.

I am so thankful for this experience. I pray that your heart is continually moved for these people even though the media's eyes are shifting elsewhere. They are still in such desperate need. We felt a tremor yesterday that terrified these kids. I couldn't imagine living every day in such fear. But that's their reality. Pray for these children as they continue to rebuild what was lost.

To find out how you can continue to support me and the ministry that we're doing down here, visit these sites:

Haiti Relief

Support Aaron Bruner

Alignment

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There's a verse that I've probably heard more than the familiar John 3:16. It is Romans 8:28 which states:

ALL things work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

Now, I've typically heard this verse from friends and family in times when I was stressed about something or in times of trouble. In fact, I even use it to encourage others more often than not. Does it get old and repetitive? Yes, but only because I realize just how much of the Bible I don't know when it is chock-full of encouraging and life-giving verses. It just makes me long for more and more intimacy with him and his Word. Upon second thought, however, I realize that this verse has been somewhat thematic in my life.

Recently, God has really blessed me through my family and friendships. My family has always supported me through everything I do and have constantly encouraged me even in through the most difficult and challenging times. He really has worked things all out for his good. For instance, last August before leaving on the World Race the second time, my harddrive crashed on my laptop. It was so frustrating as I was leaving in just two days. But through my sister Bethany's love and support, she kindly lent her computer for my use as I'd be blogging out on the field. He used HER to complete his purposes and work things for the GOOD according to his purpose as I'd be ministering to so many people through my blogs. He brought it into alignment.

I already mentioned in a previous blog how God provided through my friend Sarah for me to go to Haiti in January and how my old high school covered my ground costs. Seriously, God knew the work that would be done in Haiti and he worked it out once again. But this time, he blended two familiar stories into one as I prepare to leave for Haiti on Tuesday.

I'm a few days away from leaving for Haiti again when my sister's computer crashes. This is now the second computer right before I'm about to leave for the field. Needless to say, I was frustrated and discouraged. I asked God why in the world did this have to happen again? I'm not under warranty with either of the computers so the costs to repair it would be expensive to say the least. Money which I DO NOT have. Well, here's where God's amazing plan just baffles me. I have a friend who works with computers. He not only replaced the harddrive with one that holds twice the amount of memory for free but installed the newest operating system for free as well. As far as the other crashed computer, it is getting sent in for repairs for a price CONSIDERABLY less than what I would have had to do without connections. And as if God hadn't blessed me enough, this friend also gave me his tent for use in Haiti as well because I had to ditch mine after a violent time battling Irish weather last year. So even in the most frustrating and discouraging hour, God says, "See Aaron, even this I will work for good. Two crashed computers and no tent, pff, no problem"

And it's so true. Isn't he marvelous in that way??? I'm blown away by his goodness and his meticulous design.

So I thought I'd share that story as I prepare for my departure on Tuesday. I can't wait to get back down to Haiti and see how he is moving down there. I will be working closely with the STM (Short Term Missions) department in Port-au-Prince while I will be setting up for the World Race June Relief Trip and the July squad launch over the summer. I will be there until March 25th and I look forward to blogging some stories from there. After that, I'll be reuniting with the J-squad in Thailand for a debrief!!! So excited about that. Praise God for his goodness and bringing ALL things together for good.

The New Practice

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

For years, Haiti has had a strong voodoo influence. They've also held to traditional festivals of Mardi Gras and the like. However, this year has been different. God has moved and stirred in the hearts of the Haitians. Check out this video that Seth Barnes posted on his blog not too long ago about the new practice that the Haitians have taken up instead of Mardi Gras:

Here's Your Chance

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By now, you have all heard about the devastation that occurred in Haiti over one month ago. It is quite possibly one of the most horrific and tragic events of our time. That being said, here is a brief glimpse into our time in Haiti last month. This is your chance to get involved in either going or sending. Take a peek!

Where Do I Begin?

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Where does anyone begin? I guess I can start by saying that I'm aching. I ache for the Haitians. It's wild to think that even through all of the travels, God still manages to break my heart for specific people groups. When I was in Swaziland, my soul cried out for Moses and his family. In the Philippines, John Ry and Marvin wrecked me. In Cambodia, I was overcome with pain for the teens that suffered physical beatings from their families to attend church. Still, Haiti is different. It hurts, right to the core of my being.

A few weeks ago, God moved and I made my first trip down to Haiti. I had heard stories of bodies being piled in the streets, hundreds orphaned, and entire buildings destroyed. Nothing, however, really prepares you for what you may see with your own eyes. In the midst of stunning physical beauty lies a city that is utterly devastated. It is in ruins. Makeshift tents line the streets of a dilapidated city. Already considered the poorest country in the western hemisphere, Haiti now experiences unimaginable poverty, the likes of which many cannot even comprehend. The overwhelming sense in my spirit is that the Haitians are waiting. They cannot return to what they once had and they cannot rebuild. The children wait by passing the time with nonsensical games while adults struggle to hunter and gather for their respective flocks. It's day one of the rest of their lives. But I know that Jesus had something to say about these times...

Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them

Matthew 5:3

When we are weak, he is made strong. That truth reverberates in my ears as I think of these people. He is about reconciliation and restoration, we see it clear as day in his word. And because of this, it brings me much hope. The Kingdom is at hand for the Haitians.

I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would see the likes of Haiti. Never. Even when the earthquake hit, I was moved, but never realized that I would play any kind of role in what God was doing on the ground. Well, shows how much I know. During my time in Haiti, I spoke on the phone with Allison Johnston. Allison works for the World Race, has squad-led twice, and now focuses her time on staff/leadership development. She has poured many hours of her time investing into me along with other leaders in AIM. In our talk, she said this:

God is doing some big things down in Haiti and the World Race wants to be a part of it. Would you consider praying about your involvement in it?

Nothing was set in stone and I had no idea what that would even look like. But now, two weeks later, the picture is getting clearer. Originally I had planned to move to Gainesville as part of going on staff in the training department but when God moves and desires something different, we go with it. So now, after much prayer and counsel, I will be heading back down to Haiti in the near future. I will be working not only with World Race squads, but I will have a chance to partner with some of the AIM Short-term Missions groups that will be going down as well. I will be doing a lot of logistical work and establishing relationships among our network of Haitian pastors in hopes of providing both encouragement and physical relief. So I will be going back and forth between GA and Haiti over the next year or however long God calls me to it and the need exists. It's time to start seeing this nation rebuilt on a sure foundation and it will be done through the faithful followers in Haiti. This is a big undertaking and it's something that I do not take lightly. One thing that I expressed to Allison was my need for community while I am down there. Being that Haiti is such an intense spiritual climate, I do not want to go in without the support needed. So please begin praying for others to hear the call in going down to Haiti as well. I am currently working a part-time job at home while raising support full-time. If you would like to begin supporting me and this ministry, please take the time to visit the "Support Me" link on the left-hand side of this page. I am in need of monthly supporters as well as one-time gifts. Really, everything counts, great or small. I would love the opportunity to meet with or talk to you about how you can partner with me in this endeavor of seeing Haiti restored. Facebook me, call me, email me, or Contact Me on here and we will make it happen.

The need is great. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way and I am thankful for people like you who are able to send me. What an amazing thing the body of Christ is!

The Lost Boy

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I just wanted to share this story with you. This is a blog from Stephanie Tyrna who was on our Haiti Relief team. It broke my heart to read this account after being there and meeting Sheldon personally.

"Sheldon is an 11 year old Haitian boy who arrived at the orphanage in the DR where we stayed. He came there a day or two before we arrived. He speaks French and Kreyole, which are the main languages in Haiti. I was never able to carry on a conversation with him because I only knew how to say, "How are you?" and "What is your name?" in French.

The entire time we were at the orphanage, Sheldon would just sit there in a chair off to the side observing everyone. He didn't say a word. He looked like he was in shock or in another world. He had a cast on his right arm and some gashes on his head.

Unfortunately, I don't know his story. I don't know if he has any family left. I don't know how he got to this orphanage.

All I know is that his entire world has been forever changed. I see sadness in his eyes. I see an 11 year old boy who is devastated and lost.

What can I do? What can I offer him? What can I say?

On my flight home, God put him heavily on my heart. I regretted not finding out his story. There was just no one around the orphanage who spoke French to be able to translate for me.

So while on the plane I prayed for him and came to the conclusion that he has probably either lost his entire family or he doesn't know where his family is or if they are even still alive and he somehow got separated and brought to this orphanage.

Either way, this orphanage is the reality of the new life that he has just started.

He is 11 years old. He knows what is going on. He is at the age where he still depends on his family to provide for him in life. And now that is all gone. He will forever be changed by this tragic event.

Please pray for Sheldon and the millions of other children who are in an absolute state of shock and feel like they have no one to turn to right now. They need our prayers more than ever. "

God Saved My Family

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

My heart was racing as I jumped into the back of our truck. Sarah and I were on a mission. A million thoughts flooded my mind as we set out to find babies' milk. Stores had been raped of their supplies and it was already 10pm, hardly the hour to find a pharmacy open. I sat there in the back of the truck bouncing along the bumpy terrain just pondering...will it happen again?

I met Francois at a refugee site in Jimani, a border town on the Dominican side about five minutes from Haiti. He appeared to be a strong man with gentle speech as he approached me. We had traveled to this site bringing hot chocolate to the families and the victims of the tragic earthquake that had paralyzed this nation. Our hope is that they would feel the sense of home even though they now resided in a foreign land. Francois asked what we were doing there and I had the opportunity to share why God had led us there. He expressed his thanks to the many people who had flown in from the outside out of the goodness of their hearts to love and comfort his people. He proceeded to inform me of his current situation.

Just two weeks earlier, Francois was in his house in Port-au-Prince. He and his wife lived in a 5-story building near the center of town. As he was working on the bottom floor, the earth began to shake and suddenly, the building collapsed. Five floors came crashing down on top of him. At this time, his pregnant wife had been in their home on the fifth floor and fell straight through the floor landing a few feet from where he stood. Instinctively, Francois leapt across the moving floor to sprawl himself over his wife for protection. It was the only thing that he could do. Thirty seconds later, the ground stopped and chaos ensued all around them. People were desperately searching for their families and injuries and death increased exponentially as the Haitians began to recover from the trembling. Francois arose from being the protective blanket over his wife to find out that she had begun contracting. She was nine months pregnant.

For five days, his wife experienced tremendous pain as they fled for the Jimani border, hours away from their home. "How was she going to survive?" he would ask. "Who will help us?"

Arriving at the border, Francois began asking questions. Medical teams swarmed the mobs of people pouring through the lines and they quickly assisted Francois and his wife. She went into labor and he waited to find out whether or not he would be widowed or if he would have a new addition to his family. He sat praying and asking the Lord for his sweet mercy. Moments later, news arrived that she had given birth to a baby girl whom they would call Francelina. Overcome with joy that his family had survived this tragedy, the only thing Francois could mutter was "God saved my family". And it's true. Only a divine creator concerned with the intimate details of his children could provide a solution to something so seemingly impossible.

When I met Francois, Francelina was a mere ten days old. The clinic was understaffed, there were language barriers, and there was a shortage of medical supplies. One of these was baby milk/formula. Three other families had newborn babies at this clinic but the milk had run out that morning and it was now 10pm. The need was great considering the babies had not eaten since that morning. His wife could not feed their child because she was unable to produce milk. It all seemed so eerily similar to the story of baby Moses. I had to act. I could not bear to see another family suffer the loss of a child like that. So I left with Sarah to find our Dominican driver.

We tore through the streets with reckless abandon as we interceded and begged God to provide an open store or pharmacy with the supplies we needed. We arrived at a local store whose supplies I'm sure were drastically decreased than what they had before hundreds of Haitians had poured in through the border. But we asked anyway. Sure enough, they had just one box of 12 bottles. This I imagine could last the three families for a little over two days. It was not enough so we continued. I had visited a pharmacy before asking for phone credit, so we headed there. As we charged up the stairs, I kept thinking about Moses and Francelina. I was overcome with anguish for both families. My Spanish rattled off of my tongue with astounding fluidity as I communicated our needs. God was definitely in that considering their dialect is strikingly different from Mexican Spanish. The woman behind the counter smiled and placed three palettes of twelve bottles each atop the counter. Praise God! We paid and made our way back to the compound in hopes of arriving before the gates closed. We made it. I ran over to Francois and informed him of the news. A strong but gentle man sank into a deep sigh of relief with tears welling up in his eyes. The only thing he could do was thank us and thank God for saving his family. We were able to capture his story on video with Steph's camera along with many other stories. The WR marketing team is working diligently in sharing their stories.

Francois like many others probably hasn't the slightest clue as to what his next step will be. Many are just waiting. They can't return to what they had because it no longer exists and they cannot rebuild yet for fear of more earthquakes and aftershocks. So what are they to do? They just sit idly with blank stares across their faces. Our hope is to see pastors emerge as the fathers of this rebuilding nation. They will be the ones to look after the orphans and widows as the numbers are increasing daily. Our time down there was a success in establishing partnerships with different pastoral networks. We will be throwing full support in sending teams and supplies down to them in this time of greatest need. Many are turning to the Lord in the wake of this destruction. Please continue supporting them financially and physically by donating to the Haiti Relief Fund or by joining one of the many teams heading down there this year. EVERY skill set is needed and now is the time to act. I encourage you to do so. May God be glorified in it all!

UPDATE ON HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

****HEY EVERYONE, PLEASE CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE UPDATES ON HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS HERE:

haiti.adventures.org

THERE ARE SEVERAL VIDEOS AND BLOGS POSTED TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ON THE ONGOING SITUATIONS THERE. YOU'LL ALSO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Aaron took the bare essentials on this trip [no computer] and asked me to post updates for him when he is able to send me text messages. He arrived safely in the Dominican on Thursday afternoon, January 21st.

MESSAGE SENT: Jan 28, 2010 9:51 AM
A medical/special ops team is arriving today with 50 beds and two mobile medical units to the areas of Sarte and Carrefour where we are partnering with churches. Two big tent cities. I will be arriving in Atlanta tomorrow at 4:40pm on AA 1617. Our time here has been very fruitful and productive. We are excited to see these people restored.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 27, 2010 2:28 PM
Orphanage now has 68 orphans and several refugees living in tents outside. Crossed the border, staying in San Juan tonight and Santo Domingo tomorrow. Will be in touch.

MESSAGE SENT: Jan 27, 2010 8:08 AM
Leaving Port Au Prince today. Lots of collapsed buildings, people still trapped underneath. The hardest hit area was the Capitol building area. We have been setting up for more short term teams to come down. There should be a medical team here next week. Heading to the DR border today and checking in at an orphange. There will be a large influx of orphans coming and looking to be adopted in the US.

MESSAGE SENT: Jan 25, 2010 10:18 PM

Just bought baby formula for a clinic that had three children. Francois the father of one of them was with his wife in their house in Port Au Prince when the earthquake hit. She was on the 5th floor and nine months pregnant. The house collapsed but he said God saved him and his family. He now has a 10 day old baby named francilena. The clinic was out of milk for the babies this
morning. God provided and we were obedient. I am staying two days longer to go into Port Au Prince . Pray for safety, people are getting desperate.

MESSAGE SENT: Jan 24, 2010 10:46AM

We are in Haiti at a church converted into a trauma care center. 100 new patients arrived yesterday from Port Au Prince. We are giving lots of water away along with other food. People are desperate and grabbing for everything they can.

MESSAGE SENT: Jan 23, 2010 8:23 PM
Looks like we may be heading into Haiti tomorrow. Not sure if we're going to Port Au Prince yet. Will let you know.

MESSAGE SENT: Jan 22, 2010 10:19 PM
Unloaded water, fed over 100 homeless refugees on Jimani. Desperation is setting in, spirits are low and people are frustrated.

MESSAGE SENT: Jan 22, 2010 9:03AM

Just loaded 5,000 bottles of water in a bus to take to the border Jimani. Tell everyone to follow SARA CHOE on Twitter. She is doing live updates on there all the time.

Sarah's name on Twitter is sarachoe.

Unstifled Faith

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is a post from Seth Barnes, director of Adventures in Missions from his blog "In the Midst of Death". Check it out along with the video from CNN.

I have spent the past five days with the Searchlight participants urgently praying for Haiti. Our prayers are being answered. Light is infusing the darkness as we speak. This article from Ron Hutchcraft Ministries illuminates the faith rising from the rubble.

CNN and other networks went to church today. In Haiti, that is. Because the faith celebrated there today has become part of the story of Haiti's darkest hour.

It's not a surprise to those of us who have been with these precious brothers and sisters. Some of them live every day with a tenacious faith that sustains them through their grinding poverty. And when they worship, it's not all buttoned down like so many American churches. It's exuberant!

That's why the CNN reporter at a Haitian Sunday service had a hard time hearing the anchorwoman on the other end. Yes, their church was destroyed by the earthquake.
But that didn't stop them. They worshiped in a nearby park, patching together a platform from wood scraps and somehow finding a generator and a sound system. Those Haitian believers were clearly experiencing the Presence of God in the middle of the death and destruction all around them.

One reporter seemed almost incredulous at the faith he had encountered. "Everyone we've spoken to - they're not questioning God; they're thanking God. We see spontaneous processions through the streets of Port-au-Prince, joyously praising and thanking God. At times like this, so many people's faith has defied the odds. That's what's pulling them through."

Defiant faith. That's what it is. Not faith that denies the awful grief of having lost someone whose death and final resting place they may never be able to confirm. Not faith that doesn't struggle with where to go when you've lost most of the little you had. Those realities are painful, undeniable. But for all the pain and loss on their scale, they have something on the other side of the scale. Something - or Someone - who balances the scale on the side of hope.

And the world is watching and listening. What they are seeing is a power that is greater than even life's most overwhelming shocks. Because its Source goes beyond this life.

Put simply, their life is in the hands of a Savior who conquered life's most fearsome enemy, death. Who, according to history, walked out of His grave under His own power. He stands above all the religions and prophets of history as the only Man who validated His message with a resurrection. Most every religious leader has promised eternal life. But only Jesus proved He has it to give.

What we are seeing in the defiant faith of the believers of Haiti is, in short, Jesus Christ alive. In them. The Bible describes this infusion of uncrushable life this way: "In His great mercy He has given us new birth, into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3 ). Hope that is a Person, not a religion.

Here I Am, Send Me to Haiti

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Last week, I made the one and half hour drive to Gainesville, GA in hopes of catching the vision and answering the famous World Race question "What's next?" Over the last three years, God has finally brought me to this point. Life is not just about transitioning to the next project, it is about becoming a part of a movement. That being said, I am coming on staff with AIM as an apprentice on the training side of things. I will be learning how to instruct, coordinate, team-build, and direct spiritually in the training arena. I am extremely excited at the opportunity to impart what I've learned over these years as well as learn from those who are investing into me.

So after everything had been discussed, I have made the decision to move up to Gainesville on March 1st. I will be there for 6 months for this apprenticeship before launching out into more long-term options whatever that looks like. This is a crucial and pivotal time of preparation for me. I hope to gain knowledge on how to create and initiate viable long-term ministries abroad during this time. I would love to invite you into a partnership as I continue this journey pressing into what God is doing in this generation. There is a movement and I would love it if you were a part of it. This a movement that is about bringing the Kingdom of God to all corners of the earth. It is a movement that desires to move and be led in spirit and in truth. I am asking that you partner with me through becoming a financial supporter. If you look on the left-hand side of my blog, you will see a link that says "Support me". Please click on that link and follow the steps to come on as a monthly supporter or for a one-time donation to my continued work in this ministry. Without you, I would not have been able to do and be a part of the amazing things that God has done over these past 3 years. Please send me a message through this site to discover what my direct needs are to continue on staff.

In other news, I had been praying about going to Haiti and God has opened the door. A friend called and offered to buy my plane ticket down to the Dominican Republic to be a part of an AIM first-response team on the field. Amazing how God moves!! I will be going down with about 6 other WR alumni on Thursday, Jan. 21st. We will then travel to the Haitian border where many refugees have fled from Port-au-Prince. Our hope is to bring much-needed water to the border, to build trust with the Haitians, and to establish a way for long-term relief effort teams to get down to Haiti over the next year. Please be praying for us as we will be sleeping in tents, and cooking with stoves once again. We do not want to abuse their resources as a visiting team from the US. Pray for divine appointments. Pray for a way in for future relief teams. Pray that God is glorified through our efforts and that Jesus shines in us. For more on how you can donate and support the Haiti Relief fund, go here: Haiti Relief. On this blog, you will find ways and even have an opportunity to give toward relief efforts. This is a tangible way for you to get involved and be connected to what God is doing down there. I implore you to give. I will be posting updates on Twitter and Facebook as I'm able. Blessings to you all and may we show that God is truly the provider and lover in times like these!

When You're Lonely

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Darkness set in. The stars emitted their brilliant sparkling light from a distance, but they did not seem near enough to me. I stumbled through the night as I made my way toward the Lamptey house without a flashlight. My eyes were tired, my body exhausted, and my spirit constantly battling the arrows that had been aimed at me. I felt the target on my back. I felt isolated and alone. Like the sheep that had wandered away from the herd, now I sat in Africa away from the squad.

Things had not run as smoothly as I had once hoped, but then again, they never did. Obstacles made their way into my path almost every day and I found myself in a land where my problems seemed insignificant in light of the overwhelming poverty around me. There was no one around to verbally process anything which was possibly the most difficult aspect of my time there. When will this end? I just wanted to be home. That's where people know me. That's where I feel loved and embraced. I have direction and purpose there, surely God will not leave me here forever alone, would he? Would he only remind me of his faithfulness to see out the purposes he had in place for Ghana? Would he comfort my weary spirit? Has he forgotten me?

Upon arriving at the Lamptey house, the sky darkened to an ominous black. I could barely make out the shadowy figures as they emerged from the house. I did not yet know the path back to the hotel. I needed guidance. As Reverend Isaac approached me, we turned and began our uphill trek toward the hotel. I walked, tripping over seemingly every root and stone along the path. I nearly broke down into tears. All of my frustrations and the weariness of isolation had worn me out to the point of exhaustion. I felt as if I could not move forward another step. I silently cried out to the Lord for him to just BE with me...

As I let out my pain in a quiet murmur, the gentle touch of Jesus wrapped itself around my pinky finger. In my spirit, a calmness came. A reminder. I gazed down at my hand to see the small figure who had joined us in the journey. It was little Lelia. Suddenly, my other hand felt the sensation of human warmth as Joshua had attached himself to it. I now had no hands to brace my impending falls. We began walking once more and after several paces more, the Lord spoke to me.

"Aaron, I know it has been difficult but know this, I am true to my promises. I will NEVER leave you or forsake you. You are not alone. Just as I have provided these little ones to guide you through the night, so also am I there to lead you through the darkest times of your journey."

Tears gently streaked down my face. In the darkness, my manhood was still in tact as they were unable to see my weeping. Although Joshua and Lelia had hands only large enough to cover a small portion of mine, they still managed to protect me. They knew the path so well after making the walk several times in the dark. In their own language they would point and warn me of upcoming dangers along the trail and I understood. They were guardian angels standing watch over my life and I knew that I was not abandoned.

As I arrived at the hotel, I wiped the trails of tears from my cheeks before light was able to reveal them. I knelt down to hug both Lelia and Joshua. As I embraced them both, I whispered a simple thank you. For them it may have seemed like nothing, but for me, it was gratitude for rescuing me. I made my way up the stairs to my room and once I arrived and shut the door, I broke down. My spirit groaned out of thankfulness.

"Father in heaven who is always near, thank you for your constant provision. You know what I need more than I. You have seen me in my suffering and you have provided. There is no one like you! Even in a remote distant land, you know me. Thank you for Lelia and Joshua, the precious ones. Even at their young age you have used them to do great and mighty things. They are the light in this dark place. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you..."

As I fell to the bed, my body was finally at rest. I drifted into a deep sleep unable to wake until the Lord had given me all that I needed. I woke up refreshed and renewed. I woke up being certain of his comfort and I was lonely no more.

Catching Up

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I've now been officially home for four days. I would like to catch you all up to speed as to what has been going on in my life over the past month or so...

I said my goodbyes to the J-squad on December 3rd of last year. Our last night together was spent in worship in Istanbul and it was evident that the Lord was in our midst. To see where the J-squad is now compared to where we started gets me filled with all sorts of excitement and expectation. They are transforming and becoming more aware of who they are in Christ. I expect God to move in even greater ways in their lives as they continue on the race. I received the most amazing gift from them upon leaving: a scrapbook filled with each one of their pictures along with prophetic words spoken over my life from each of them...truly blessed.

From there, I made my way to Africa, alone. The World Race will be sending the L-squad to West Africa this spring and I was sent to set-up ministry and secure a debrief location for their squad. I was definitely pumped at the opportunity to go out and just ask the Lord where he was moving and leading this squad. And to do it alone meant that I would definitely get some time alone with just him and be able to reflect on all that had transpired over the previous 4 months. I began in Ghana.

Getting into Ghana was a little tricky. I had not previously secured a visa, so I had to pay at the immigration (it was a bit shady), but I got in. A friend of mine had given me two names: one for Ghana and one for Nigeria. When I arrived in Ghana, Rev. Isaac Lamptey was there to greet me at the airport, sign in hand. He escorted me to the location I'd be staying in Accra throughout my time there. I spent time with his family, got to know his heart and the vision that the Lord had given him for his nation. He is very well-connected and already went through the trouble of coordinating several meetings with different pastors from all over Ghana. I met with the most amazing group of God's people. They call themselves Club 2000. They come from all over the country and take part in various types of ministry from orphanages to prisons to 24/7 prayer ministries. They are remarkable to say the least. Clearly, the Lord was working and already paving the way for the L-squad. Then, an attempt to stifle God's plans came. Being that I only had one week in each country, I had to spend time setting up arrangements for Nigeria while I was still in Ghana. After looking online, I realized that I had to obtain a Nigerian visa before getting into the country. I looked at the process...and it was a rather difficult thing to do. One must obtain a letter from the organization sending you, a formal letter from the one receiving you, your passport info and flight itinerary, your Nigerian contact's passport information, and $130 US Dollars. So I got to work. I went to the embassy, they sent me away when I didn't have everything. Oh yeah, internet was scarce as well, so contacting all of these people was very difficult. I arrived at the embassy again two days before my departure and it was closed for visas. I had one day. I got there very early the day before leaving, turned everything in, had to pay $50 for an express visa and I obtained it just minutes before the embassy closed. Talk about God moving. I would love to say that I had a great attitude about all of it, but honestly, it wasn't the best. I was frustrated and discouraged. I didn't feel like I was being effective. I felt alone and isolated. But that's when God showed me something that I'll blog about next time.

I nearly missed my flight to Nigeria because the flight had been "reserved" but not yet purchased. So when I got to the airport, I had to run to an ATM and make the payment before boarding. Again, it was minutes before the flight closed. Rev. Simeon Folorunsho greeted me at the airport. He is also a well-connected man who is a tremendous communicator. He had meetings all over Nigeria with various prominent people who were also pastors. I met a veteranarian, professional footballer, and a man in the oil business, all who have hearts for the Lord and his people in this nation. Ministry set-up was so great there and I fell in love with the people. I have never seen poverty like I have there. Women with babies hopping on the back of motorcycles with the babies strapped to their backs, crippled and deformed people wheeled out in wheelbarrows to the streets to beg, trash strewn along the streets, and vendors nearly run over because they were trying to make a sale in traffic. Not to mention AIDS, water contamination, and malaria. Take your pick. There is tremendous need here and the people are hungry not only for food but for God's love. After touring around the country I boarded a plane to head home. Now, African time is a bit different than American time as I'm sure many of you know. Each one of the three flights I was on in Africa departed over an hour late. This one was no different.

Because we left an hour late, I missed my connecting flight in Morocco. I was exhausted physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I broke down. I just wanted to be home but I was reminded of what God had been teaching throughout this whole time. I stayed the night in the hotel that the airline had arranged, ate some great Moroccan food, and spent time with the people who were very intriguing. There is something special about them...

I got online to see that several flights were being canceled out of New York due to snow. Great. What next, seriously? Fortunately for me, there is an incredible World Race staff on top of things and finding a flight home for me. I made it to New York and it never felt so good to be home in the US. I then made it to Charlotte where my flight was delayed for 3 hours. I finally arrived home in the loving arms of my parents at 2am. What a ride!

I spent the next week at home and in North Carolina with my family. My sister and brother-in-law are house parents on a ranch for young teenage girls up there so we got to spend Christmas with them. They are wonderful people who have a heart to serve the broken and hurting. We did some horseback riding and did some work on the ranch. Probably one of the best Christmas experiences I've ever had. It was good to be home with them for sure. On Christmas day, my father gave me the best gift of all. He sat there on the couch reading through his notes and the scriptures. He pensively flipped through the pages as he determined the exact words he would say. My sister, brother-in-law and I sat awaiting, not really sure what to expect. As my father finally arrived at what he desired to say, he began. He started with my sister. He spoke over her as his firstborn and the kind of woman she has become. He spoke of the things hidden in her heart. He revealed how he saw the Lord moving in her life. He cast vision for her and Hunter as to how he sees the Lord using them in the future. He prophesied over them and spoke a blessing over their lives. Then he turned to me.

As he spoke, I stared down at the ground being careful to soak in every last bit that he had for me. I held my hands open to receive it. I wanted it all. Every blessing that he had to speak over my life, I claimed it. The kind of man and how he sees me nearly brought me to tears. Never before had my father done anything like this. He is a man who has always encouraged and supported me, but for him to do this was clearly something that God had laid on his heart. The final things he spoke over my sister and I were comparisons and likenesses to two men who he esteemed very highly. George Mueller and Hudson Taylor. Whereas my sister bears the likeness to George Mueller, my father said that I am his Hudson Taylor.

Hudson Taylor was a missionary. He was fluent in several Chinese dialects and was responsible for leading over 800 missionaries to China. He saw much fruit come from his faithfulness to the Lord (over 18000 Chinese came to know the Lord through his ministry) and everywhere he went, he immersed himself in the culture. A truly great man. To have my father bestow such honors on me was the best blessing I could ever hope for. What a wonderful Christmas!

I left for St. Louis the day after Christmas to take part in the Urbana Conference as an exhibitor for the World Race. Along with Caroline, Kim Daniels, and Kelly Chadwick, we spent time sharing about the World Race and what God is doing all over the world. It was a blast and I am so thankful for the time that I had to spend with these women of God. They are awesome!

So now I am home. I am currently finishing up work with regards to West Africa setup, meeting up with various friends, and raising support to go on staff with the World Race. I will give more details of what that will look like within the week, but for now, this is where God is leading me. A season has ended and a new one has begun. One of revelation and realization. One that will bear much fruit as God sees fit. I am excited to share some stories with you!

Home Sweet Home But...

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

All I want for Christmas is...

The J-squad!!!

I miss them terribly. Those four months will always be near and dear to my heart because I know that God is raising up a mighty generation of leaders to bring his Kingdom to earth! You guys rock, I'm fighting and interceding for you. I will be posting more blogs this week, but first I must rest after a long 2 weeks in West Africa (so many cool God stories). But I will leave you with this video that the amazing J-squad put together just in time for the holidays. Enjoy!

The Forerunner

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday marked a day in my life that will never be forgotten. It was the culmination of three years of ministry along with a lifetime of things spoken over me. Throughout my life, I have taken several personality tests for various jobs or ministries. Each one was a little different, but the one that spoke to the core of who I am was one that directed me to biblical personalities that matched mine. People like John the Baptist and Peter...the forerunners.

On my first World Race, I had several people prophesy that I was a forerunner. People who I love and adore, my teammates, Seth Barnes, and several others all had same or similar words for me. I wondered, what does that even look like? Does that mean that I am just the "set-up guy" or that I won't see much fruit? I got pretty frustrated. I wanted to see great things and I wanted to be used by God to see people healed and every other sort of miraculous thing you could imagine. I thought to myself that as a "forerunner" I would somehow not get to take part in these things. I was dead wrong.

I have seen God do amazing things in my lifetime, being the one that comes before does not mean that I won't see those things happen. Rather, it means that those who come after will extend it that much further! How cool is that?!

I sat in the locker room of the Jordan River baptism site as I pondered these last three years. It finally sunk in and hit me the magnitude of what was going on that day. At training camp for the J-squad back in late May of this year, God spoke to me so clearly as I was filled with his Spirit. Three men came to my mind in visions that night, three men that I would minister to specifically. After being filled with His Spirit, I walked around the room in search for Matt Patch, Austin Anglea, and Dan Snyder. At this point in time, I had barely known any of them yet I had heard so clearly that I was to walk up to them and speak things over their lives. I didn't know them, but God did. Each one heard from the Lord that night in his own way and we left amazed at what God was doing. It wasn't until yesterday that I realized the answer to the question why?

Throughout the summer months I kept receiving dreams about these mighty men of God and what possibilities lie ahead for them. They were just on the cusp of it but I could already sense God moving and developing a partnership among them. Dreams that spoke of mighty things being done in the Kingdom came to my mind afresh. Little did I know that they had been having visions and dreams themselves. God was definitely moving. So I sat in the locker room and as always, there is no mistake in how God coordinates things. He is the author. We did not plan it but there we sat, Austin, Patch, Dan, and me. I was baffled that in a few short moments I would have the blessing and honor of baptizing these empowered men of God and in the Jordan River of all places. I opened up the word to Matthew chapter 3. I read about John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for the one to come, Jesus of Nazareth. Striking how these parallels manifest themselves. It clicked. Over the last few months I have been honored to serve alongside the J-squad that is full of this generation's leaders. I have seen growth and I have poured my heart and soul into them. It has been a privilege to do these things. I read as John said that he was not fit to even carry the sandals of Jesus. I empathized with his words as I made eye contact with each of these three men. John also said that he needed to be baptized by Jesus because he recognized who he was. After seeing these men and realizing who they are in Christ, I shared the same sentiment. What an honor it was to baptize these men in water!

Austin the Evangelist

Matthew the Discerning Exhorter

Daniel the Prophet

As each one emerged from the water, the implications exceeded the symbolism of the event. There was something going on in the spiritual realm and I knew that great things in the Kingdom were coming in Jesus name!

I could not have imagined any of this years ago. I never believed that I would be a part of God's amazing story in this way. But here I am, humbled once again that God chooses to use the ones least likely. He uses the foolish things to shame the wise. I have realized who I am and what I've been called to do. I exist to raise others to go further and deeper than what I could ever dream. Will I see and be a part of great things in the Kingdom? Of course, but I realize that the greatest thing that I could do is to impact those who come after me. As confirmation, and in God's sense of humor, upon leaving the baptism pit I saw Patch's tattoo of a dove on his shoulder showing through his gown as if to say that "he is also my son and that I love him and have great purpose for him". Father, you blow my mind. To be loved by you and chosen by you, there is no greater thing! May these men as well as the entire J-squad continue to bring your Kingdom to earth in every nation they touch. May they be the ones in this generation to see all nations come to know you in your fullness. I speak a blessing over these men as leaders. They walk in freedom and newness in you. I thank you Lord for who you've created me to be. A forerunner.

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"

Matthew 3:16-17

Watchmen on the Wall

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Jesus, may your Kingdom come to this earth. May it flow to the outskirts of this city and spill over into the nations...

As I stood atop the high Mount of Olives, I gazed upon the beauty of the Lord in its fullness. The sun set directly behind the walls of the City of David creating a breathtaking landscape that one usually dreams but rarely sees in their lifetime. I pictured the city as it may have been in the days of David and the kings of old. I envisioned the triumphal entry of Jesus riding on the colt and the donkey while the crowd shouted "Hosanna! Hosanna!" fulfilling the prophecy of the magnificent Redeemer. I imagined myself an onlooker as Jesus was flogged in the city and as he mustered up just enough energy to make it up to Golgatha only to be crucified for my sins. I embraced the freedom that came from Jesus walking out of the tomb conquering death and defeating the enemy! These were merely dreams one month ago, but that day they came to life.

I paced around the balcony of the tower. Twelve doors representing the twelve gates of Israel shone light in every direction. I recalled the passages of the Bible (oh how precious is his word to us) calling us lights in the darkness and a city on a hill. The sun had set. The worship was echoing in my ears. Praises were ringing out all over Jerusalem during this watch. I stood among six fire-breathing World Racers as we stood in the gap for the Jaffa Gate. We worshipped, we interceded, and we prophesied over our nation and the nations that the Jaffa Gate faced. For two hours we stood as watchmen on the wall overlooking Jerusalem. As we relieved the watchmen before us, several others relieved us of our duty to continue to stand watch, crying out to the Lord for his Kingdom to come and invade earth. This watch will continue every day, every hour for the nations. Know that there are those who are fighting for the nations in the Spirit every day. They are the watchmen.

Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When the LORD restores Zion.

Isaiah 52:8

I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest.

Isaiah 62:6

What a blessing and honor it has been to be in Israel. I am so incredibly thankful to spend my last month with this squad in such a powerful place. I sat in the Garden of Gethsemane the other day staring at a tree. This tree was rather wide around the base and very old and worn. It was clear that this tree had seen many things. I sat pondering. Could this have been here when Jesus cried out to his Father to take the cup from him? When he was arrested? Quite possibly. As I searched the tree, I saw branches that appeared newer. They were young and full of life, they were vibrant. I began thinking of the new shoots being grafted in. Being plugged into the same source, Jew and Gentile. What Christ did made the way for me...a stranger. I get to be a part of what he is doing today. I am a participant. What an incredible gift!

I walked toward the Wailing Wall and prayed for this squad. I prayed for my family back home and what they've been going through as I've been away. I prayed for his protection and provision. I prayed for the nations that have burdened my heart over these World Race experiences. My heart has grown so big throughout these travels and I know that God is just making his way for greater and greater things in this generation. I am entering my final week with the J-squad. It is wild to think of the amazing things that He has done over the past three years of my life. Every single bit of it! From my first time out on the race, to an even more stretching and growing year of teaching, to leading a squad of passionate believers, I have seen him move and have had to rely and trust in him more than I ever have. He has been so faithful. There are a couple more blogs that I will be posting in the next couple of days. I hope you enjoy reading and I can't wait to share what God has in store for this next season of my life! Blessings to you all!

Inside the World Race

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is a video post that Dan (our new squad leader) and Matt Patch made to give some insight into what it's like out here. Enjoy!

Could Only Be God

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After being in this beautiful country for close to two weeks now, it's not hard to see why God chose this place to do so many miraculous and wonderful things. These deserts and mountains have seen many wonders, one of which is yet to be seen.

I love reading about the incredible ways that God moved in the Bible. It's even wilder when I hear about stories similar to those in his Word that occur today. It blows my mind! However, I'm convinced that one of the greatest and most powerful testimonies is how God could turn a sinner's heart into a throne for a king. Explain that one!

I will give you the background story. When I was on the WR the first time, we finished our time in Central America. Our team stayed in several hostels during our time there, mainly because they were so cheap. In one such place in Panama, a few of us met someone, we'll call her Sally (there was debate on what name to use, but I liked this one). Now Sally was from another country. In fact, the country she's from is the very same one where I now find myself. We got to talking and a few of us became friends with Sally only to realize that we'd be leaving a few short days to head north to some other Central American countries. We said our goodbyes and we left.

Nearly a month and a half later, our team found itself two weeks before final debrief. We decided to stay in a hostel overlooking a lake to spend our last week as just our team together and just enjoy the fellowship. It was one of the best weeks of my life. In fact, just thinking about it, I kinda miss my Team Ignite family. I'll go on. Low and behold, Sally arrives at the very SAME hostel. Hmm. We greeted her and told her that we were excited to see her. Later that night, our team headed down to the dock to spend some time in worship. It was a gorgeous moonlit night and I also remember my team bringing me some cake (my birthday had already been celebrated, but we didn't have cake before. Yum. Sorry to sidetrack). During that worship experience, Sally had wandered down to the dock because she had heard some singing. She sat down. She realized that the singing wasn't exactly pop music. She felt the urge that she should get up and not intrude but something told her that she should stay there. So she remained there. When our time had ended, Sally said that she had experienced something different there that she hadn't before. She knew that it was a special night and she knew that there was purpose in it. Some of us spent some time just talking with Sally, kind of explaining why we do what we do. How it is motivated from a place of such great love. We talked about the WR and shared some stories. It was a special time. The next day, however, we found ourselves in a similar place saying goodbye once again to our friend. But this time, we knew the Holy Spirit had left his mark.

Fast forward about 3 months. I am home in Georgia teaching high school Spanish and coaching wrestling. I get on a rather popular social-networking webpage to find out that my friend Sally had moved to my hometown. Umm, how weird is that?!?! Coincidence or could it be God? Sally had moved there to pursue a relationship and possibly school. She stayed about six months, and wouldn't you know, we NEVER got a chance to hang out. Schedules became too busy. She had to head back to her home country and continue school there where it was much less expensive. Missed opportunity, but hang on.

Jeanette had a trip planned to Israel already and had the chance to spend a day with Sally and reconnect on some old stories! Really cool opportunity!

Now, over a year from the time that I first met my friend, I find myself in Israel with another WR squad. Sally does not know the Lord. I am living in a place about 10 minutes from her. I've been invited with some friends over to her family's house for a Shabat (sabbath) celebration this weekend. How do all of these "coincidences" line up?? Could we actually just believe that God is after this one so passionately that he coordinated all of this just because of his great love for Sally? So as we spend time with her this weekend, PLEASE cover us in prayer. Pray that my words would not be my own but would be completely from the Lord. He clearly has a special purpose and task for her in the Kingdom, I can't wait to see what it is!!

Transition

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3:1

The time has come for God to do something new with this squad. Over the past few months, it has been a tremendous blessing to lead this group alongside Caroline. I cannot explain the immense joy that I experience from dwelling amongst a group that so desperately seeks to know the heart of God. They are the body of Christ. Together we have seen and experienced so much...

With them, I have laughed and I have cried. I have mourned with those who have lost, and I have danced joyously with those who've been set free. We have built together and we have broken down. We have scattered among the nations and we have come together. I have experienced loneliness and I have felt unity. I have learned so much from being out here. I have learned how to live, breathe, and move as one.

This J-squad (the Jesus squad) is a radical group of believers who actually believe that there is a living God active in their lives today. They will be part of the generation that sees his Kingdom come to all the ends of the earth and they will settle for nothing less. I am so thankful that I have caught a glimpse of their lives over these three months. I know that this is just the beginning of what God has in store for them.

We've reached a crucial point of the journey. With only one month remaining for me and Caroline on the field, we had to make some decisions concerning the leadership of this squad. Through seeking the Lord and after much prayer, God has raised up two individuals to lead the J-squad. They are Dan and Brandy.

Daniel Snyder. A man called and anointed by God. A man with a strong prophetic gift who operates in such love for this squad. I have seen him broken and shattered into pieces out of love for this group. He has encouraged, promoted, and strengthened those around him. He has the respect and admiration of 42. There was no doubt in our minds when God was calling him to this. He fights for his teammates. He is a protector. He is an offensive weapon in the Kingdom. He desires to know God more deeply and to live out a life of reckless abandon for him. He is plain and simple, a stud.

Brandy Chaffer. A woman called and anointed by God. A woman who sacrifices herself for the greatness of others. I spent one month with her in Romania and it became quite evident that she would be the one destined to lead this squad through the Race once we were gone. She has a strong gift of discernment and exhortation. She empowers those around her to walk in their gifts. She knows and feels the hurts and the joys of her teammates. She speaks with such authority and has merited the love and respect of 42. They follow her. She longs for everything that God will give her. She is a comforter. She pushes those around her toward greatness. She is a godly woman.

As this time has come for Dan and Brandy to lead, so also has the time come for Caroline and I to step out of the role. Dan and Brandy (or Dandy) are fully empowered to lead this squad on to greater and brighter things. They will be the ones to foster an environment where health and healing break out in greater ways than before. They will propel the squad to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth and to see multitudes come to know our Lord. They will minister to the brokenhearted and will set the captives free in Jesus name. I think of what it has meant to be a leader and I realize that it comes down to this: promote others to do even greater things than what you've done and to go further and deeper than what you did. That is my desire for these two. That they would be even greater.

With these changes, we also made some decisions concerning the teams. We value squad health as well as team health and at the end of the day we had to operate out of a place of greater love for them. So we moved some people around after again seeking out the Lord and during the two days in which the changes were revealed, I saw the squad come together in greater unity than ever before. There was a realization that we are in this together and that we are one body. It's amazing to see God move in powerful ways!

And now, as I gaze out into the desert that my forefathers walked through to reach the Promised Land, I am reminded that God is faithful. I am reminded of how he led the Israelites. In what could have been a confusing and frustrating time for our squad, he has brought us closer together and closer to him. He has set us up to reach our destination. We will not be wanderers without direction. Our path is clear and straight. Instead, we will look back at the desert only to celebrate the victory and we will look forward to the place where he is taking us. This month, my last month with the J-squad, will be one that I will never forget. I will not forget what he has done in each of our lives.

Please pray for all of our squad. Cover Dan and Brandy with your love and prayers. Pray for Caroline and I as we transition into the next phase of our journeys.

Basics Training

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's mind-boggling how often I complicate the gospel. I'm sure you could probably say that the same is true for your life. I mean, honestly, we start talking about theology, the Holy Spirit, baptisms, and whatever else you could think of and we forget the most simple command that Jesus gave us: Love God, Love others.

Why does it have to get more complicated than that? Sure, everything else is additional and should be used toward fulfilling this edict, but instead, I allow them cloud or take over what was meant to be something so pure and simple. This month, I've been blessed with an opportunity that I will never take for granted. I've seen and witnessed love expressing itself through actions toward God and people in a very real and tangible way through one person...Caroline.

Since we made the decision to travel together this month, God has allowed us the chance to see each other in a ministry setting that we hadn't witnessed before. I already shared the story from Montenegro, but I'd like to share another one from Albania. Caroline and I headed to a cafe downtown to discuss some things about our squad. As we were walking, she was talking about what she was currently learning. She said, "Jesus' ministry was very simple. He shared the gospel and he prayed for the sick. Why aren't we doing that?" Good point, Caroline. Why isn't that a daily thing? Why do we complicate it and why is it so difficult for us to tell someone GOOD NEWS or just to PRAY FOR SOMEONE? Why is our focus shifted to other things instead of fulfilling the few things that God has asked us to do? Why?

So we continued walking. As we made our way to the city center of Tirana, to our right was a man begging on the street. This was not just any ordinary man. He was a man beaten down by life. He was a man ignored by the crowds of people that swarmed by him everyday. This man had no arms. He had a sign hung around his neck. He was filthy and unclean in all senses of the words. To everyone else, he appeared less than a man...less than a human being.

We passed by, as any other normal person would. The irony is that we had just finished our previous conversation. You know, the one about loving God, loving others, sharing the gospel, praying for the sick? Huh. We made it no further than twenty paces when Caroline said,
"I'll be right back."

The next thing I saw was Jesus. It was love in action. It was compassion. It was the one thing that God has asked us to do. I stood from a distance and watched as Caroline approached this man. She did not see the filth. She was not put off by the fact that he had no arms or that he was begging. Instead, she knelt down with the biggest smile on her face, pulled a banana from her backpack, unpeeled it, and fed this hungry man. It was one of the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen. He smiled from ear to ear as he was nourished. He was so thankful. That day, he met Jesus, perhaps not for the first time, but he encountered the love of God through the actions of Caroline.

Now Caroline didn't tell me that she did this, but I imagine that she probably spoke something over his life to the effect of:

You are loved and cherished. God sees you and has a plan for you. There is a Father who is crazy about you. You are a man who is redeemed. Your price has been paid by Jesus.

I don't know, I could just see her doing something like that in her own words. But this is just it. It's simple. We're the ones who make it more complicated. When things get hectic and cloudy, I have to go back to the basic foundational truths:

Love God and Love Others.

Read Caroline's stories from Montenegro here:

The Day She Found Her Truth: Part I

The Day She Found Her Truth: Part II

And Their Numbers Increased...

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

...daily. This is the story of how the church doubled in size in a city called Ulcinj in one day...

Ulcinj is a coastal city on the Adriatic Sea tucked away in the small country of Montenegro. It is an absolutely beautiful place where the mountains crash into the sea. Inhabiting the city are some 10,000 people with the large majority being Muslim. I will say however that quite a bit I would not consider practicing Muslims. In stark contrast to that number, three Christians dwell in Ulcinj one of them being a pastor from Kosovo named Bucharia.

Bucharia is an incredible woman of God who left two different churches she had been pastoring in Kosovo to live in Ulcinj, Montenegro. She had felt the call to her spirit that God wanted her there but it has been difficult considering she hasn't had the same kind of community that she once had. Enter Team Seven Camels.

Seven Camels and Unwritten had been traveling together from Romania to Montenegro. Upon arriving they split up into two different cities to be with separate contacts. Oh, and by the way, these contacts were not previously set-up, God had provided them as they came into the country. Yeah, that's how big my God is. Anyway, Bucharia opened her home to Seven Camels and they quickly began to connect with her and her heart for the city of Ulcinj. She explained that there were only three Christians in the city and that right now it is more of an intercession and relationship-building phase. Caroline and I arrived a few days later to spend some time with the team and join them in ministry. Once we had gotten there, they had already been forming friendships within the city with various shop owners. So at this point we were starting to see the seeds being planted. We also realized that "plowing the fields" may be all that we were going to see happen. So Seven Camels organized a nightwatch. Nightwatches are, simply put, all-nighters of intercession and worship. I believe that great movements of the Spirit start with intercession and praying on behalf of the city. So that's what we did.

So each of us partnered with another person and we chose a time slot to pray. We designated a room for worship and intercession and we just went for it. Patch and I prayed from 5am to 7am. We declared the psalms over the land, we prophesied over the city and we interceded for Bucharia and the people we had already met. We spoke the Word and we did not sleep. Then the next day happened.

Our prayers of petition had transitioned to prayers of declaration. Three people came to know the Lord that day. Another got to hear the gospel. As we went down to the beach to have some team worship time, an elderly lady was laying on the beach quietly watching. She listened but did not have full comprehension of what was going on. After worship, we had some bureks for lunch (number 2 on my list of foods). Caroline felt led to share her meal with this woman and she was incredibly grateful. She hopped up and came over to join our group as we were sitting there. Caroline just loved on her and hugged her. Then something amazing happened.

Bucharia showed up. She explained how she was standing in her kitchen and she heard the voice of the Lord saying "go to the beach, they need you to translate." So she got up and left immediately. Fortunately for us, it was perfect timing. Caroline then proceeded to share the gospel with her. The woman opened up. She spoke of her Muslim background. She wanted to hear more and more about Jesus. It was so wonderful to watch this. It was confirmation that our nightwatch was a time of preparation and that we would actually see some fruit. God is so good and we are seeing his Kingdom spread daily out here. Please pray for Bucharia and these new believers as the church is getting established in Ulcinj. Pray for the 120 known believers out of the 720,000 people in Montenegro. It starts with intercession.

Also, please take time to read these blogs:

My Name is Dan, I'm an Alcoholic

In the Heat of the Moment

Red Always Wins

Those Who Have Gone Before

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is a video Kim Daniels just posted. A word from the alumni from the World Race. Get on the journey!

The Awakening Conference

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey guys, I wanted to share this video with you guys that Andi Wendel posted for the Awakening Conference. Love you guys!

Entertaining Angels

Sat, 3 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Hebrews 13:1-2

God's provision absolutely amazes me. The more and more times that I walk into a situation completely relying on the Lord, the more often he reveals his nature of provision and protection. Let me explain.

During the Awakening Conference, I had the privilege of meeting several members from the H squad. One of these members is a woman of God named Liz Froba. Through meeting her, some amazing things happened. And when I say amazing, this is more than just pure coincidence, it is divine appointment. As I was making travel plans for Caroline and I this month to get to Montenegro, I realized we had to travel to Timisoara, Romania to get to Serbia, and ultimately to reach our destination in Montenegro. After looking at some different sites, I could not find a cheap place to stay for the life of me and it was starting to look like we'd be spending the night at the train station to catch a train at 6am to Belgrade, Serbia from Timisoara. This was gonna be rough and I was getting a bit discouraged.

Somehow, during our conversation, Liz asked how we were getting to our next place so I told her. Funny thing happened. Liz (from South Carolina) had a Romanian friend from home who had family living in Timisoara. Ok... Liz contacted her friend back home just to see if it was possible to house us for one night while we were on our way to Belgrade. Her friend contacted her family and within 24 hours (just hours before we departed), things were in place.

Upon arriving in Timisoara, we were nearly two hours late, getting in at 11pm. Lau, the brother of the friend of Liz, picked us up at the train station in a church van big enough to carry the four of us (Mark and Caitlin traveled with us) plus our packs. He had a smile on his face and did not complain about us being two hours behind. We rode to his house and on the way Lau said some very funny things to me...

"I thought you might be angels, I had to pick you up" "My daughter wanted to stay up to meet you, she asked 'are they beautiful?'"

Wow, talk about a mindset of a servant. I wonder if we all thought like that? Could we really be entertaining angels? Interesting. Of course, I know I'm no angel, but just the thought of serving and the joy seen in Lau's face while doing it is enough to convince me of God's perfect provision when we step out in faith. The only direction we had was that we knew we had to meet up with Seven Camels and Unwritten in Montenegro. God answered the question of how.

So we arrived late at their house. Lau's mother had a warm meal of meat and potatoes on the table already prepared for us. We sipped tea, we ate pancakes with jam, and we had full beds prepared with linens. I am still amazed to think about it. How does something like this happen without God's intervention. I had no expectations of this, but we were blessed beyond belief. Then, to top it all off, breakfast and a ride back to the train station nearly 6 hours later.

How I desire the heart and attitude of Christ. I long for it. I speak a blessing over Lau's household. May they be protected and blessed for their servant hearts. Totally in awe of God's favor.

What God's Doing in Swaziland

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although I am not there, the Spirit of God stirs in me every time I think of Swaziland. There is much fruit coming from such a dry and weary land. I recently saw this video from another AIM staff member and I wanted to share it with you. I want you to know that the work started in Swaziland still continues on with Pastor Gift and other long-term laborers. Keep interceding for them.

If you'd like to make a donation to the Nsoko Project, please click here: Nsoko Project.

Awaken Spirit

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This last week I would say is one of the greatest weeks of growth in my entire life. I'd like to take some time just to update you on what I've been doing.

On Sunday, September 20th (Mom's b-day), I left Arad and headed to Brasov, Romania with Brandy (team leader for Proclaim I61). We rode a 7-hour train and arrived in the evening to meet up with Caroline and a couple of others from our squad. Brasov is set in the Transylvanian mountains and is absolutely breathtaking. Four squads (H, I, J, and K), AIM staff, and several alumni racers all converged on Brasov for the Awakening Conference. This is over 200 people! Five days packed with debriefs, large and small group sessions, phenomenal teaching, and a "night watch" intercession. It was incredible. I met quite a few Racers from different squads and it was glorious to see us all sharing the same passion and drive for the nations.

For the past couple of weeks I felt like something was missing in my spirit. It was as if I had just been going through the motions. I knew what I "should" do as a squad leader, but it just didn't feel like it was clicking. I don't know if I can fully explain it any other way. So for the last two weeks I had been praying for brokenness in my spirit. I desired for God to truly break my heart with the things that break his heart (including my squad). Well, throughout all of the exhaustion that I experienced sitting through these debriefs, I finally reached a breaking point.

It was our third night session and we were led by the AIM staff to pray and intercede for the nations. There were flags stationed around the room of all of the countries that the World Race has either been to or was going to see soon. I began with Spain, then moved to Ukraine. I prayed and interceded but still, I felt like it was somewhat of a routine. What happened next I truly cannot explain. I reached and grabbed hold of the Swazi flag and instantly, my heart broke. Visions came to me of the time that I screamed to the heavens on behalf of Swaziland. Tears flooded my eyes, my voice shook and I fell to my knees. Traday (from my September 07 squad) stood beside me clutching the flag with tears streaming down her face. I thought about baby Moses, I thought about the Care Points, Pastor Gift, AIDS, and the many faces of the children. I was completely shattered. I remembered what it was like to feel the Holy Spirit move my heart in this way and how he heard and answered my prayers. My thoughts then turned toward the J-squad (August 2009).

I want nothing more than for them to truly grasp everything that the Lord has in store for them this year. I want to lay myself in the mud to see them rise to greatness. I want to encourage, exhort, and edify their souls. I yearn for them to bring Kingdom. I desire brokenness for them and for them to be shaken for the nations. It's out of our brokenness that God truly answers prayers and we see the Kingdom of God move.

At that point in the evening I stood up as the staff called the squad leaders to the front to begin ministering to the World Racers. A generation that is desperate to see God move in ways that are inexplicable to the human mind. In that moment, in my brokenness, I felt his Spirit welling up inside of me like never before. My hands burned and my heart was full of nothing but love for these Racers. As I started to lay my hands on them, the Spirit of God touched them. Many were slain in the Spirit, many were broken with tears, and several were filled with an intense joy. As I walked around ministering to them, the Lord was whispering in my ear the words that they needed to hear. I mean seriously, I was receiving words of knowledge that I had NO way of knowing. His presence was so thick and tangible in that room. I was actually an open vessel operating out of a broken place. I wonder what it would look like if we were truly a generation broken for the things that break God's heart? How would we see the Kingdom of God move? Would the Word of Life become active and alive to us today? I believe it would. I believe we would see nations of awakened spirits to the truth of who God is today.

So this month was wonderful. I stayed with Proclaim I61 with the kids from Oaza doing construction in the mornings, and investing Kingdom into the kids in the afternoons/evenings. The Awakening was an experience I will never forget as long as I live. Brasov is beautiful. I was able to go paragliding for super-cheap one day on a day off, awesome. And now, I'm preparing for a solid two-days travel to Montenegro to visit teams 7 Camels and Unwritten. This upcoming month is what we call an ATL month where teams have to Ask The Lord where it is they are to go. Who are the movers and shakers in the country? What is the spiritual climate? How is God moving? Is it a location for future World Race teams to be able to sow and plant?

This month is very similar to the story in the Bible where the spies were sent out to do some reconnaissance work to find out what kind of fruit the land will yield. So that is this month of October. Caroline and I will be traveling together this month!!! Yes! We will start with those two teams, then head to Albania to see Team Silas and Triumph, then to Bulgaria to be with Proclaim I61 and Fuel. So it will be a busy month but I am so excited. I love these World Racers and I can't wait to see them raise the dead in Jesus' name! Please pray for our travel in and through these places this month and I look forward to updating you on the amazing things that God is doing! Peace be with you.

Photos taken by Nick Derington

Honoring A Woman of God

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When thinking about how or what I should write in this blog, I entered into complete awe of the Lord. In my life, I have been around several warriors in the faith that I admire, but in complete honesty and sincerity, there is none that I esteem higher than this woman of God. When I think about all of the actions and interactions I've had throughout my life with her, I realize just how much of the presence of the Holy Spirit is on her and in her. She is covered in it. With her words, comes life. And man, talk about having a word of knowledge, there are no secrets that I could keep from this woman. Her spirit is the Holy Spirit. She is highly prophetic but remains clothed in humility. She operates in an environment of high courage and high grace. She calls me to greatness. She encourages me and she elevates me to greatness through her exhortation and her intercessions. She is a woman of God. She is my mother. Marie "Christ" Bruner.

She has taken on his name because he has become her identity. She and the Holy Spirit are pretty tight. Recently, my mom has hit a rather large milestone in her life (sorry mom, have to do it) by turning 50 years old. Yet, I feel like her life is just beginning in some ways. Mom, I want to speak to you directly through this blog, so here goes....

You are a woman of God. You are standing on the precipice of greater and greater things. Your words bring life and freedom to those around you. You are highly prophetic and you walk in incredible wisdom and discernment. You, woman of God, are esteemed among your people. You are a spokesperson for your tribe. You have magnified the Lord and made him great among your family. You are humility. You honor your husband and the Lord's favor rests upon you. You will bring Kingdom with the truth and spirit that you bring into an environment. The word that I received this month I believe is for you:

For he says: "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

II Corinthians 6:2

You are empowered. God has given you the keys. He calls you beautiful. You are the apple of his eye. Through you, a generation of wild and reckless children will become radical men and women who will bring light into the dark places. You will be the agent of change in their lives. I hear the words "freely give". He has given you so much wisdom, freely give it to others. Now is the day of salvation, now is the time of God's favor in your life. May these words be life-giving to you Marie "Christ" Bruner for you are destined for great things. You are remarkable. Amen.

And now, to share one of my favorite past times about my mother and I. I used to hate doing chores (not sure that's really changed much). So my mom and I had a way of dealing with it. And before I say this, realize that my mom is a large reason why I have such a competitive edge, blessing and a curse I'd say. Anyway, she would challenge me to card games like Speed or Two-Handed Spades. The loser of the game would have to do the chore in question. Let's just say, I got very good at card games ;)

Mom, I absolutely adore you. You are precious to me and I have learned so much from you. May you be blessed this year in ways that you can't even imagine. I love you and miss you!

Oaza

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Oaza. The word in Romanian for "oasis". The place where we've been staying is home to ten different children who were either abandoned or their families could not care for them. It is a shelter to come in from the storms of life. These children are gypsy. Society and culture tend to look down on them due to certain stereotypes. Oaza has become their safe haven. Where they receive love and a stable home. I have also found rest here.

When I started this month, I was beaten down. The stress, worries, loneliness, and questions of "can I really do this?" had become hard to bear. I was struggling with insecurity, lack of faith, and flat-out exhaustion. I had no idea things would be this challenging. When Caroline and I decided to make the split in Romania, part of me was relieved to just be with one team. Initially I was going to try to travel halfway through to meet up with the other teams, but God had different plans for me. I stayed with Proclaim I61 at Oaza. Praise the Lord.

My time here has been necessary. I've come to the oasis thirsty, and God has been quenching it. The team has poured into me and encouraged me tremendously. I've found joy in serving. I've been empowered that I CAN do this. I've come to place of vulnerability. How could I possibly act like I have it together and that I've done this before when I haven't? I don't have to pretend that I've led a squad before. I can lead out of faith that God is leading and I don't have all of the answers. And that is OK. I can lead in brokenness.

It's difficult to come out here and do this year without a "team". So much community and life comes from being a part of one. I've been dealing with those feelings of loneliness. But I know that God gave me this month for a reason. To only be with one team has been a blessing. Oaza has become my oasis, the place where God restores. The place where he fills.

These children are my joy. I have loved being with them. They want to be around us every second of the day it seems. They have connected with us. Parting will be hard once again. I keep thinking that it is going to be easier, but it never is. At least I have their images to remind me of the oasis that God provided in this desert. I pray that they rise up to become men and women of God who hunger and thirst for you Lord.

Go check out the pictures link, I've posted several of Kendra's, Ashlee's and Shannon's photos from our time here!

A Look at Proclaim I61

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This month, Caroline and I decided to split our time among our teams. I left for Arad, Romania to be with Team Proclaim I61 while Caroline went to Tirgu-Mures, Romania to split time with each of the other five teams. I wanted to dedicate a blog to this team who has welcomed me with open arms this month. Their hearts are on fire and they are wanting even more. But I thought I'd share perhaps some of the funnier moments in my time with them (photos from Ashlee Hillis and Shannon Morgan).

Boys will be boys. Don't let their goofiness fool you, Don (left) and Anthony (right) are amazing men of God. I have enjoyed being with them this month as they continue to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Watch them this year because God has some amazing things in store for them!

Brandy and Ashlee singing while we work to paint a new daycare facility that will open in two weeks. Brandy is the team leader for Proclaim I61 and has the tremendous heart of a servant. She truly knows what it means to love and offer her life up for others. Ashlee has one of the most discerning spirits I've been around. These girls are awesome!

Every morning we walk a mile to our ministry site to renovate. This is us on the walk back with one of our contacts Paula who has been ever-so-hospitable to us.

This is the entire team in front of the City Hall in Arad. Shannon (right of Don), Katie (right of Ashlee) and Kendra (left of me) are the other vital parts that make Proclaim I61 what it is...a family. Each one of them has chosen into this family. They all offer such amazing gifts and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to spend a full month with them!

Oh Yes, The Lipdubs Are Back!

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For some reason H and I squads think they are the only squads that can dance. J squad not only dances...we lipdub as well. This is how we spend our time in airports, Booya!

Can You Hear the Symphony?

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Think about an orchestra preparing to perform one of the greatest symphonies of all time. Can you picture it? Cue the strings. Listen to them as the bows strum back and forth. Enter the woodwinds. Slowly each piece begins to flow with the next. Yet, they are all forming together to produce the most harmonious sound known to man. They play off of each other. There are climactic, triumphant moments and there are gentle, still whispers of instruments. But at each moment, they are all on the same piece of music, following each other, entering and exiting. It's one of the most beautiful experiences that God has given us on Earth. I believe there is something in music that draws us near to the heart of God. Let me explain...

As I've been reading through 1 Corinthians, I arrived at chapter 14. What does worship look like? I mean true biblical worship? Does it really just stop at singing songs that, let's be honest, most of us just recite the words without really engaging the Holy Spirit. Don't get me wrong, as I said before, there is something in music that draws us in. You feel it too don't you? For the sake of not being misunderstood, let me post what God's Word says:

"When you come together, EVERYONE has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church."

1 Corinthians 14:26-27

This is worship. It's not sitting down quiet time being unengaged corporately. There is a time for that. But it is not in a corporate setting. I realize me saying this may offend some people. I'm okay with that. I'd rather have it stir in your spirit to realize that what we want is fully engaged worshipers as a corporate body. Let's go back to the orchestra...

Enter the prophet with a word from the Lord. He is affirmed by other prophets who hear the Spirit communicating the same thing. The intercessors come in. They intercede on behalf of the church based on what the Spirit is saying. Then the exhorters call out the ones with a revelation. They speak up. The Spirit moves. Each person's gift is activated and each part of the body is engaged in worship. It is not a cacophony that is discordant. There is order to it. God is glorified, the Spirit of the Lord moves, and the church is edified. EVERYONE is engaged. It comes together to form the most amazing symphony that could ever be conducted. The Holy Spirit is the conductor, the piece of music is the message he wants to impart, and we are the instruments. Why is this not happening? Why do we sit idly by when God wants to engage us corporately? To be honest, I have yet to hear this symphony, but I want it so desperately. Who wouldn't? Who wouldn't want to be part of this beautifully orchestrated masterpiece that leaves it's hearers stupefied?

As I continue on this Race, I have realized that our squad cannot reach it's greatest potential without hearing from the Lord. Not just on our own, but corporately as well. As an exhorter, I want to call out the gifts of my squad members. I desire for them to walk in confidence that they do hear from the Lord in whatever way that looks. If it's tongues, great. Prophesy, amazing! But we need to be activated. Holy Spirit, we invite you to lead our orchestra. May we be sweet sweet music to your ears.