Host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and home to 1.3 billion
people, China is known for its grandness, not just in land mass and
population. While the Han Chinese comprise the largest people group,
there are over fifty minority groups, including the Uighurs, a people
without a country. Due to the legacy of Mao's Cultural Revolution,
Communism is not just a political system, it is almost the state
religion. Speaking of which, depending on where we are, we may meet
Buddhists, Muslims, and Taoists; there are even churches – government
approved and regulated. The exact size of the underground church is
unknown (hence the name), but what it is known is that it is large and
still growing, thriving even in the midst of persecution. While there, we'll have to pay homage to the Great Wall, and bring light and hope to
a people in darkness and depression. How we'll do that exactly –
you'll find out once we get there. ;)
Some of the most amazing faith and healing stories are coming out of China, and we cannot wait to experience and be a part of the incredible works God is doing in this land.
We've recently been given this updated information. I thought I'd share it with you:
Over 3,000,000 lives were changed in an instant.
500,000 now live in tent cities all across the nation.
150,000 – 200,000 are estimated to be dead. 9,000 United Nations Peacekeepers are keeping the country calm. 1,400 U.S. Military personal are helping rescue victims.
And 6 World Race Alumni are heading there to make a kingdom impact.
In a country gripped with poverty, unclean water, and a dwindling lack of resources even before the earthquake, Haiti is a nation that has been crippled and needs the Church to help. The World Race and AIM has a history of responding well to natural disasters (i.e. Mozambique, Haiti, Peru, Katrina), which is why it's heading back to Haiti soon.
This coming August, the World Race July 2010 trip (that's us!) is headed to Haiti to assist in rebuilding efforts. Not only will the focus be on individual recovery, but also on establishing a restoration of the country beginning with pocket communities. The first two months will be spent in the Dominican Republic and Haiti assisting earthquake victims. The bottom line is that people need shelter, water, food, comfort and care, and we're available to be conduits of God's provision in Haiti for this.
I would also like to add that in June, the World Race is sending a one-month team of 30 people to Haiti to help prepare the way for us.
Please pray for the Haitian people, as well as all those giving their energy, money and time to helping this devastated country.
Posted in General Posts by Jonathan Bunford on 1/16/2010
Thank you all for signing up to receive our blog updates!
If you've signed up for my updates as well as Cinthia's, you might notice that they look identical. This will not always be the case. Especially when we're out on the field, we'll be making our own updates with our own perspectives on what we are doing, so please do not unsubscribe.
Also if you haven't signed up for Cinthia's updates, please consider doing so by following this link.
As a way of saying THANK YOU we'll fill you in on more details of where and what we'll be doing.
Please remember that things might change, though we "know" 6 countries now, something could happen and change the plans.
We've organized the countries in the order we learnt of them, not in the order we'll be traveling, because we don't know the order yet.
Dominican Republic
Previous teams have gone into
all corners of this beautiful country to build relationships, plant
churches, love orphans and widows and discovered all that God
has in store for the people of the D.R. We will be following in their footsteps.
Turkey
Located in central/eastern Europe, Turkey is a country saturated with rich history and culture diversity. During our experience here we will build relationships, plant churches, encourage the body, and go as the Lord leads. In a place with such historical influence, it's a great place to release the kingdom of God!
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though
strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a
strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an
inspirational way. Here we'll teach English, lead sports camps, live
life with the gypsies, and more.
Cambodia
28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides
known to man where over one third of the country's population was
slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia
are thirsty for hope.
Mozambique
Enter a world of lions, elephants and monkeys, and welcome to Africa.
Potentially the most fruitful of mission fields, northern Mozambique is seeing sweeping revival in the form of mass conversions,
miracles, and churches planted on a daily basis. Our teams will be a part
of breaking the hold of fear on the people bound by witch doctors and
animism.
And our newest country... Haiti
Crossing the border from the Dominican Republic to Haiti is like
entering another world. Language changes from Spanish to French to
Creole, and landscape changes from lush forests to barren wastelands.
The island of Hispanola has been divided against itself in decades of
animosity between the Haitian and Dominican people. The 2008 hurricanes
ravaged across the island, leaving the northern portion of Haiti
devastated and in much need of tangible help and spiritual
encouragement. We will go to help rebuild physically and spiritually, as we
explain the hope that Christ brings in the face of such tragedy.
The recent earthquake in Haiti has left the country in ruins. Current teams are crossing the boarder between the Dominican Republic and Haiti to bring supplies and assistance wherever they can. We learnt that we would be traveling to Haiti before the earthquake and now they need our help more than ever.
As of this time we are still waiting to learn of the other 5 countries, though we are pretty certain that 2 months will be "Pioneers" or "ATLs":
Pioneer / ATL (probably in Africa & Asia)
Twice during our World Race experience, our team will take a month to ATL (ask the Lord) for a new mission field. He may lead us someplace in the middle of a buzzing city or somewhere that can't even be found on a map. Either way, it's a time of listening to the Lord's voice and following him with true abandon.
That leaves us with ONLY 3 more countries to learn of!
Ireland
Ireland boasts a heritage of Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the
lifeless display of faith reveals that this nation is farther from God
than ever. Rampant alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need
for hope. Through sports, children's outreach, street evangelism, pub
ministry, and the relationships that just happen along the way, the
World Race reintrodues a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic
culture.
Ukraine
Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and
the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many
ups and downs. Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like
wildfire throughout this nation. Is it the kingdom of God coming in
power? We think so.
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though
strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a
strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an
inspirational way. Here you'll teach English, lead sports camps, live
life with the gypsies, and more.
Israel
The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of
a location so rich in our combined religious roots. Serve in this new
World Race location while walking the paths trod by Christ himself.
Egypt
Egypt is a country rich in historical significance. The Egyptian people
are no less rich in their cultural goings-on today. A country shaped by
the past and under religious bondage, the people of Egypt are hungry to
hear of the freedom brought through Christ. While pyramids and palaces
give the land a romanticized veneer, under the surface lie hearts in
need of relationship and hope.
Kenya
Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are
colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The
Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, the Kiberra slums...comprise a
country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so
does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush
and the city, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting
ministries to carry on even after we leave.
Uganda
From the Ugandan islands to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the African
people of these nations share a common bond. Through the wild lands,
home to Africa's "Big Five" animals coexist people, reached and
unreached with the Gospel of Christ. Through evangelism, church
planting and discipleship, we will be a part of a movement to further
the kingdom of God in this incredible region of the world.
Pioneer Africa
Twice during your World Race experience, your team will take a month to
ATL (ask the Lord) for a new mission field. He may lead you someplace
in the middle of a buzzing city or somewhere that can't even be found
on a map. Either way, it's a time of listening to the Lord's voice and
following him with true abandon. Uncover more of your inheritance...
Thailand
With nearly two million people estimated to be stuck inside of
prostitution in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular places
for sex tourism. Change lives in the city and rock worlds in the
countryside. Thailand's sure to capture your heart.
Cambodia
28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides
known to man where over one third of the country's population was
slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia
are thirsty for hope.
Pioneer Asia
Ask God where to go and do what He tells you. It'll be one of the most
adventurous and memorable months of ministry that you'll have on the
Race. Back to Thailand or Cambodia, or maybe to Vietnam, China or
Malaysia... God could lead you anywhere to unveil His kingdom. Are you
willing to abandon your last month on the Race to Him?
Want to know more about the World Race? CONTACT US!
Interested in going on the World Race? APPLY HERE!
Posted in General Posts by Jonathan Bunford on 12/23/2009
Right now we don't have frequent internet access so we
apologize for our lack of regular blog posts, but there are some updates that
we are excited to share with you!
Route Update
If you've been keeping track on our blog, you'll know that
the July 2010 World Race route has been kept a mystery.
We had already been informed of 2 countries, but we've
recently received an early Christmas present: 2 more countries!
We can now say we'll be serving in:
Dominican Republic
Turkey
Romania
and Cambodia
The countries might
change for a variety of reasons, depending on need or risk.
Previous World Race teams have 2 months where there is no
assigned country, rather we are given the opportunity to pray and determine
where the Lord is calling us (these are aptly named, Ask the Lord or ATL). If
we take that into consideration, it means we
only have 5 more countries to find out!
Financial Update
In our support
account (now and what we have waiting to deposit when we arrive in Canada) we
have:
$5928.30 -
PRAISE GOD!!
Remember that
by May we need to have $17,000 in order to go
to training camp.
We've been
brainstorming some support raising events for when we get back in Canada, and
when we get those plans started, we will keep you up to date.
Posted in General Posts by Jonathan Bunford on 11/10/2009
Hi everyone!
If you haven't noticed yet, our July 2010 team has become HUGE! You can see the full list of participants http://bit.ly/2alSKh
About a week ago an administrator from AIM released some hints as to where we'll be traveling to during our 11 month mission trip as well as some of the issues we will be facing. Some of the hints have been successfully solved, while others are still a mystery and we need your help to figure out what they mean!
Areas:
Caribbean(SOLVED: Dominican Republic)
Eastern Europe - Think "Back in the U.S.S.R."
(This has nothing to do with the Beatles song; although, it is
excellent, if you've never heard it.)
Posted in General Posts by Jonathan Bunford on 9/11/2009
UPDATE
Hello. I've updated this post to reflect the changes we've heard about.
Our old route (that was posted here) has now been altered, and moved to June (instead of July).
The new July route is a "secret":
Cinthia and I had the option to switch to the June trip, however we felt that God called us to leave for the July trip.
We also felt that God has shown us over the past few years that plans change, they always change, and we should always be flexible and expect the unexpected.
It seemed clear to us that we should take "the leap" and be prepared to go wherever God has planned.
We hope you continue to partner with us through this experience of a lifetime.
Posted in General Posts by Jonathan Bunford on 9/8/2009
I've had this passage
stuck in my head for quite a while now, and I am just getting around to
blogging about it:
Eccl. 3:1There
is a time for everything,
and
a season for every activity under heaven:
2a
time to be born and a time to die,
a
time to plant and a time to uproot,
3a
time to kill and a time to heal,
a
time to tear down and a time to build,
4a
time to weep and a time to laugh,
a
time to mourn and a time to dance,
5a
time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a
time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6a
time to search and a time to give up,
a
time to keep and a time to throw away,
7a
time to tear and a time to mend,
a
time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a
time to love and a time to hate,
a
time for war and a time for peace.
Everything in life has it's purpose.
Nothing God does in/to our lives is without a cause. He is the conductor and we
are all playing our parts in the beautiful music that our lives create. The way
sounds at a concert mix, blend, and build off one another is an audible way to recognize
the way our lives interact with one another (Nooma 011 – Rhythm).
For Cinthia and I, right now is our time to
travel and reach out to the world. It is our time to be His witness around the
world (Acts 1:8). It is our time to help show those who have never heard of his
salvation that He cares for them (Acts 13:47b).
Maybe you've already had your time to help
those around you, or maybe you haven't had your time yet.
Posted in General Posts by Jonathan Bunford on 8/16/2009
Hello Everyone
Cinthia and I will be doing small support raising activities from now leading up to our departure for TWR. Our first activity will take place in Korea, on October 11. I will be running his second half marathon (21.1ks) and Cinthia will run her first 10K! You can get in the action by supporting us! For every $10 of your support you will get one chance to estimate one of our race times (hour:minutes:seconds). The people who are closest to our individual end times will receive a Korean care package in the mail!!!
To help spread the word, please forward this to anyone who might be interested. With your help, God will do amazing things through our lives!
Cinthia and I will be doing small support raising activities from now leading up to our departure for TWR. Our first activity will take place in Korea, on October 11. I will be running his second half marathon (21.1ks) and Cinthia will run her first 10K! You can get in the action by supporting us! For every $10 of your support you will get one chance to estimate one of our race times (hour:minutes:seconds). The people who are closest to our individual end times will receive a Korean care package in the mail!!!