The World Race - Jonathan Bunford

OUR ROUTE HAS BEEN REVEALED

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Wonderful supporters,

I have FANTASTIC news. I just finished reading an email from one of the AIM admins and they have decided to reveal the ENTIRE route now - instead of waiting until May! We are STOKED - and you, our mission partners, deserve to know the news as we get them.

* As always we plan, but God has the final word so even though these are the countries we are said to be serving in next year, things could always change *

In case you haven't heard, we are having a support-raising dinner on March 20th in Mississauga. We would LOVE to have you there, message me if you would like a ticket and invite your friends!

Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is an island nation in the middle of the Caribbean. With a population around nine million, it's a country with more affluence than its neighboring country, Haiti. After the earthquake on January 12 in Haiti, the D.R. quickly became home to thousands of refugees searching for food, shelter, and comfort. This month, you'll serve at orphanages, refugee camps, and more.

Haiti
Haiti was hit with a life-altering earthquake on January 12, 2010. While the nation was left in shambles, it's far from struck down and destroyed. Haiti is experiencing a spiritual revival right now. Communities are turning to pastors for leadership and the Church is becoming the driving force behind Haiti's rebirth. This month you'll help with relief efforts, establish connections, teach, provide for immediate needs, and more. Come prepared to work - come ready to be rocked...

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.

Turkey
A primarily Muslim nation, the country of Turkey is also the least evangelized nation on earth. One of the birthplaces of the Church, it is now a nation closed to the Gospel and home of persecuted Christians. This month, you're going to take some risks in sharing your faith. And while we would love to share with you what you will be doing, we can't for safety reasons. Just know - you're not going to forget this experience.

Mozambique
This is one of the most beautiful countries in the continent of Africa. This is a favorite location of the World Race for a variety of reasons (the people, beautiful landscape, ministry partnerships, and more). Although the stronghold of poverty grips this nation, Mozambique is seeing signs of redemption and economic recovery. Due to this extreme poverty - or perhaps in spite of it - the church is growing, as well. This month on the Race, you will be teaching, preaching, practicing "true religion" with widows and orphans, and more. You may also probably have one of your most memorable travel "days" here. You'll find out what we mean soon enough.

Malawi

Known as "the warm heart of Africa," Malawi is definitely a place that you visit to ignite yourself with the fire of God. This country has a beautiful landscape and an even more beautiful culture and population.

This month, you'll be helping plant churches, raising up leaders, and infecting the people with the love of God. Chances are you won't want to leave.

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.

China
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 you are, you 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, you'll have to pay homage to the Great Wall, and bring light and hope to a people in darkness and depression. How you'll do that exactly - you'll find out once you get there. ;)

Philippines
This Asian island nation, once a Spanish colony and an American protectorate, is a country in tension, trying to cross the threshold between the third and first world. It offers a variety of landscapes - beaches, mountains, volcanic lakes - and languages, with Tagalog as the national tongue. The Catholic Church is a substantial piece of the religious pie, however, Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music and dance and community. While there, you may find yourself living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.

*Race route subject to change*

Make that 7 countries...CHINA!

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We've been updated yet again on another country!

China

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.

What we'll do in HAITI (August)

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

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.

6 known countries, 5 to go...

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

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.

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!

If any of these countries call to you directly, please consider supporting us financially.

Remember we need to raise $28,000 and we have a LONG way to go!

We're going in July, know of anyone who'd like to go in June?

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

If you know of anyone that would be interested, please forward this to them!

June 2010 World Race Route

Interested in joining the World Race? APPLY HERE!

>> watch the World Race promotional video <<

**TRAINING CAMP DATES: May 22 - 30, 2010 **

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.

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 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!

**TRAINING CAMP DATES: May 22 - 30, 2010**

*Race route subject to change*

Route & Financial Update

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas,

Jon.

The Route [1st Hints]

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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.)

~~Eurasia~~ (SOLVED: Turkey)

Africa - Think David Livingstone.

East Asia - Think Pol Pot and company.

Issues/Causes:

AIDS/Orphans

Sex trafficking

Teaching English

Gypsy Outreach

1st Support Raising Activity [DONE]

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago Cinthia and I completed our first support raising activity. We participated in the HiSeoul race.

Cinthia ran 10km (her 1st time) and did very well! I ran a half-marathon (my 2nd time).

With our supporters help we were able to raise more than we initially anticipated, bringing our total to over $1600.

There is still quite a ways to go before reaching our goal of $26,000 however we are confident that God will provide us with all we need.

Please take some time to prayerfully consider supporting us in the upcoming months.

The July 2010 Route! (UPDATED)

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Time

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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. 3:1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a 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.

But this, this is our time.

Our First Fundraising Activity

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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!

Our marathon/10K website: http://thenewbunfords.net16.net/fundraiser1.html

Love & God bless,

Jon

P.S.:

REMEMBER TO SIGN UP ON THE LEFT TO GET UPDATES!

Expectations of My Mission Trip

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip.
At this point the trip is over 12 months away. I am certain that closer to the beginning of the mission trip I will begin to feel anxious and nervous, but at this time I only feel excitement.

I'm excited to meet the people on our team.
I'm excited to meet the people in each new country.
I'm excited to see what God will do through us.
And I'm excited to see what God teach us.

As our departure date gets closer, I will post another entry with more thoughts and prayer requests.

How I Was Called to the Mission Field

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story...

I believe the best way to understand how I was called to the mission field is to get some background information on my spiritual life.

With the help of friends in residence (one of whom is now my wife) I found my way to an on-campus Church and welcomed Christ into my life. It is there that I was baptized, and I quickly became more involved within Church.

In May, 2007 I joined a group of 6 others on a 3 week mission trip to Cambodia. Those 3 weeks were life changing, I saw and experienced things I thought I'd never see nor experience.

It was through this opportunity that I believe God called me to travel and spread the Good News (Matthew 28:19-20).

Since then, the desire to travel has continued to grow. There are people all over the world, even in our own neighborhoods that have not heard of Christ. There are also individuals that have the wrong impression of what it means to be a Christian.

While teaching in South Korea, Cinthia and I initially desired to travel on our own through South-East Asia spreading the Word of God. We then heard of this opportunity through AIM and haven't turned back since!