I will post about the Ukraine, our last month, but this is on my heart right now...

I'm heading home tomorrow. To NYC from Ireland. It doesn't seem real at this point. As I'm packing my stuff up tonight it seems like I'm heading to the next ministry location. I can't believe this trip has come to an end. I don't know when it will fully register, maybe as soon as I see my family at the Orlando airport or maybe when I touch down on American soil in NYC. As time goes on, I'm sure I will process things and think through things, recalling what I have seen and what I have heard during this time. All I know at this point is that I have come alive, I have encountered the living God in ways I never knew were possible. I heard the rumor, the whisper about him before this trip, and I am STILL hearing it and I continue to follow it because I'm realizing life is empty without Him and I want more of Him and to know who He is better than I do even now. I feel in a way I've only scratched the surface. 

I want to say thank you to every single person that has read my blogs, prayed for me, my team, my squad, or donated money. Thank you Thank you for making this trip possible and for supporting me with your love, encouragement and prayers. THANK YOU SUPPORTERS! Know you reap what I reap. Because YOU SENT ME OUT. May you be truly blessed knowing you sent a daughter/sister out who discovered the LIVING God even more for herself so I could help others discover WHO HE IS. He led me into places that were crazy, both hard and good, so I could then lead others through the same places.  I will never be the same, I've seen, I've heard. I pray you will never be the same either. So thank you for allowing me to be molded and shaped through this trip. I LOVE YOU!

God I pray you will encounter each and every single person that has helped me with your love. That you will bless them in all areas of their lives for giving to me.  Amen!

One day on a train ride, I had a vision for this country.  I saw frozen ice figures like in the movie Chronicles of Narnia, when the witch would freeze the good guys. God began to talk to me about this, and show me that the people have been frozen in a spiritual and emotional sense, hearts hardened from injustices. Being frozen has led to death. But, then I saw breath, the breath of Him, bringing His presence, His heat, His love, His warmth. This breath came and when it came it blew on those frozen sculptures and they began to melt. As they melted, they came ALIVE. NO LONGER DEAD, BUT ALIVE. ALIVE IN HIM. NO LONGER HARDENED and a heart of stone, closed off, but a heart of flesh, open, receiving His LOVE and His Joy. 

Thank you God for what you are doing in Moldova. Thank you that you are melting their hearts with your love, just your love. Your spirit will blow straight through to their hearts, melting them. You come for them, you bring healing on your wings. Healing over Moldova is coming. Restoration and prosperity is coming. No longer will families have to be separated in different countries to make money, or will everyone be trying to leave this nation, but it will rise, it will rise and become prosperous because of your redemption and love. 

After we left Prague, we headed to Moldova to finish out the rest of the month. I don't even think I had heard of this country prior to the World Race. I'm so glad I went there. Once again, I fell in love with a nation. We had an orientation day. Moldova is the poorest country in Eastern Europe. Apparently it sends the most women into the sex trafficking industry. Most people in Moldova claim to be Ukrainian, Russian, etc. even if they were born in Moldova. Most people speak either Romanian or Russian. There is a form of Moldovan language, but it seemed most people speak the former languages. The identity of this nation is hard to find. A huge percentage of the population has left this nation in the last few years.   In most cases, families are split up because they are trying to find jobs and income. One day I met an older man whose wife is in Italy working as a housekeeper, and whose sons are off working or going to school in other nations. He says he only sees them all once per year.   He only sees his wife one time throughout an entire year. It seemed so common and normal as he spoke reflecting most other families in Moldova, yet you could still sense a longing deep down to be with them. We prayed for provision and for them to be reunited. Where we stayed we were told was considered "nice." To me it was very similar to the projects in the U.S. The effects of wars and oppression stared me in the face.   It was all around, even on our train ride into Moldova.  The train's wheels had to be changed as we entered the country. Moldova's train tracks were designed so the Russians could not invade via train. So still in 2010, we waited on the border of Moldova until the wheels were changed so we could enter the country. This gave me some perspective.

We stayed in a city called Ungheni. Our contact Vadim was awesome. He and his wife have a music and sports ministry. Vadim told us his testimony one(pic: Vadim in middle with my two teammates)  day. Most of his family left for the U.S. and told him he could come too. He had a ticket out of the poorest country in Eastern Europe to what most see as the land of opportunity. Yet, he stayed. He stayed because he loves his nation and he has a heart for it. He knows God called him there. What he potentially gave up, but what he's gained in return. He's so joyful and full of God. His life alone and the decisions he's made were a testimony to me. This speaks to me once again that being in God's presence, his will, is worth more than what we could gain from all the comforts and freedoms of this world. 

Vadim loves sports and God gave him a way to reach people in his city through sports ministry. We went almost every night to play basketball, soccer and volleyball with people that are already a part of his ministry and with local kids and teenagers. We would play with them and often our interaction was on the field laughing or just having a good time. Sometimes we shared and prayed with them. But, most often we, and our men especially ministered to them simply by their actions, having positive attitudes and showing love to them and to each other on the field instead of fighting or getting angry like some of them did. Word would get out on the street that Americans were here. So as time went by more and more people showed up. One of my favorite times was when we were asked to play volleyball with some locals. They said Russians versus Americans. So we had a two night battle that felt like the Cold War Olympics. We had fun (we won by the way).  

We had an interpreter with us during our time. Vica was amazing. She lived with us and we grew to truly love her. Where we lived also became a place of ministry. It was like a youth hostel. We were watched curiously. Eventually we grew to be friends with some of the people.   Having a boyfriend or girlfriend is a very big thing in Moldova and Eastern Europe.   It seems that's all young people have to cling to.  Identities are wrapped up in having a boyfriend or girlfriend and in how you look.   Most of the women dress to the nines. They may have little money, but most of what they do have is spent on clothes. They dress up and walk around. Often everywhere you look you see couples or pockets of guys checking out the girls who are dressed up. So you could just sense all that comes with that in the atmosphere, especially at the hostel. We were asked one day, as we ate in a common area, if we sleep with each other. To them, everyone hooks up. We explained to them we are just friends and Christians. Vica said a lot of people that say they are Christians still sleep around. It's their lifestyle. Our team interacted with each other like we normally do. But, it was awesome just being in this hostel and seeing them watch us with the knowledge that we don't sleep together, but just love each other as sisters and brothers, friends.

Towards the end of our stay we had a picnic. This is one of those moments I'll always remember from the race. It seems the moments that stick out to me the most are the times where we break bread and fellowship with people from other cultures. It is like a taste of heaven. We went to a park and had amazing food served to us. We all gathered around and sat in a circle on blankets, passing food amongst each other and trying to communicate as best we could. It was great! Afterwards they asked to teach us a game they play in their country. We played and laughed.   Then a water fight broke out. Fellowship, so simple, yet often it's neglected. I'm learning more and more the importance of fellowship and not just doing ministry together, but taking the time to just be with one another.  

On our last night in Ungheni, Vadmin and his band, Lines of Heart (Christian rock), put on a concert. They are good. Some of my teammates participated. Mike, Nicole and Sage played a few songs alone and then Vadmin and his band joined them for a few more songs.   Seeing two cultures melding on stage singing to God was awesome. They invited us all on stage at the end and presented us with a present. It is called gugutsa and is the Peter Pan of Moldova. It's awesome...We loved our gifts. We just have to get them home in our packs safely! 

We left Moldova on a 12 hour overnight bus headed to the Ukraine. And then a 16 hour overnight train ride the next day to bring us to our final month and our final ministry site: Lutugino, Ukraine.

Our month in Nigeria ended with refreshment. We went from a tiny village where my perspective got rocked as far as living conditions to the capital of Abuja where we spent our last few days being treated like kings and queens. It felt like God just smiled upon us and said here you go...allow me to refresh you after this month. Upon arrival we were greeted by an awesome man of God, Joshua. Immediately we felt so welcomed by him. It truly felt as if this man just took us in and treated us as if we were his own family. He brought us into his house and there before us on the table was a display of COLD water, all kinds of juices to choose from and plenty of food. At the end of the meal, he brought out ice cream goblets! And we knew what was to come: icecream. Went from a village where we could hardly locate anything sweet to being served icecream in a goblet. God was smiling. It felt like our weary missionary feet were being washed and refreshed for our next journey.

I had been sick (AGAIN, got to love third world travel) with food poisoning or something from the night before we left for Abuja. I was still feeling pretty sick when we drove to the capital and upon arrival at Joshua's house. Seeing the display of food and not really being able to eat it was so hard!! They found out I was sick and immediately Joshua arranged to have me taken to the hospital to be treated. I was taken to a nearby hospital by his assistant, Steve (pic: Steve, his wife and kids). He was an awesome man of God, operating out of honor as well. He made sure I was seen and taken care of. They ended up paying for almost the entire hospital visit plus meds without hesitation.  Steve also welcomed us into his home and blessed us. 

Joshua (on left) is a CEO and a pastor. From just driving into his neighborhood and then approaching his house, you knew he had money. Yet, he was one of the most humble men I had met in Africa. He has a wife and two small children. In his house, you could just feel the love flowing amongst his family. Though we didn't stay at his house, for the few days we were in Abuja, he continued to welcome us into his home, bless us with food and allow us to make ourselves comfortable, sitting in air conditioning, using his internet. As we were using the internet one day, a plate was served to us. The plate contained a display of candy bars. BUTTERFINGERS! (sidenote: Since being on the race, I've discovered that's my favorite candy bar. Being on the race and being without causes one to discover all kinds of favorites.) Over and over again, he blessed us. During our month we witnessed a lot of hardness and aggressiveness. But, being around these men and women truly opened our eyes to hope and refreshed our souls. 

Joshua also set up a few ministry opportunities for us, which truly helped to complete our month. After being in services where it felt like we were continually trying to break through hard soil and where the Spirit was quenched, we had two encounters where you could sense the Spirit alive and well, freely operating. We went to a tribal village where the Lei Lei tribe lived. We visited and shared with them God's love and what we felt led to speak. At the end, as they encircled us, we faced outward towards them in our own circle and began praying over them and their land. You could just sense that if they asked for anything, God would bless them. You could tell He just wants to show Himself to them and pour out His favor upon them because they have turned to look upon Him with their hearts. They were so open to just know anything. It was a huge change from the rest of our month. As we left, we walked past their crop fields. I sensed abundance coming. I prayed down provision and knew God would give it to them to the point that they would have more than enough and would be able to bless other villages.

On one of our last days in the capital, Joshua invited us to meet his father and mother. Once again we were driven to a very nice neighborhood. Once again we were greeted with honor. Joshua's father, Jerry (pic: center with wife, Joshua and his wife on right) welcomed us in just like family as well. You could see why Joshua had so much love and humbleness. It flowed from his parents. It flowed amongst the entire family. It wasn't just in word, but in actions. It was genuine. Even the way Jerry treated his wife: with honor. We had witnessed some mistreatment on behalf of men with their wives or with women in general. This caused us to realize there is hope, particularly amongst influential people. We all sat down together and Jerry and his wife told us some of their history. We found out Jerry has run for president of Nigeria and plans to run again. We also found out his wife chooses to wear less expensive clothes so she can give money away to widows. They have money, yet they choose to give it away. Then he asked us each to give our histories and future goals. We sort of looked at each other, like, how did we get here; just talking to a man that has run for president and wants to run again!   To know there are influential people like him in Nigeria and a possible future president like him IS HUGE.  

They invited us back that evening for dinner. When we came back and went into the dining room, there was a feast fit for kings on the table. And I was able to eat it. Part of our prayer for dinner was to have a joy-filled night. And we did, laughing a lot. There was also a man from South Africa who joined us for dinner. Looking around the table at the different cultures and skin colors represented was awesome. It felt like a taste of what heaven will be like. Joshua led us in a toast, then Jerry. We were then asked to lead toasts, each of us saying something that was on our heart. As we toasted one by one, we were overwhelmed with God's blessings. Our month had ended in such an awesome way. 

We asked Jerry to pray over us as we left. We then sang a song together and it was beautiful. The month had taken us to such extremes. LACK TO ABUNDANCE, weariness to refreshment is the best way to describe it. I'll never forget Joshua and his family. Thank you for blessing us. 

This month God continues to break me. Yes, it is good. Yes, it is hard. I'm at a point, a deeper point I should say, where I have to truly believe if Jesus is who He says He is. Can He actually work a miracle. I'm a striver sometimes with God. Take things into my own hands or don't realize I'm not even relying on His grace and mercy. There are areas I've made a mess of, areas the enemy has assaulted and I've worked feverishly to put it all back together. But, I see Him take my hands from the dirt where I'm digging and digging and remove them, giving me a manicure (ha), saying let me be WHO I AM, a redeemer, a deliverer, a lover, full of grace. You actually don't have to DO ANYTHING, I just want to give you my grace. I think I have to do X, Y and Z for Him to do A, B and C. And so if I don't do all those things, or miss one, then the whole thing is gone to heck. NO. I've run out of MYSELF, earning it, beating myself up for being a certain way. That's why His grace is there, so you don't beat yourself up, so YOU LEAN ON HIM AND WHY HE CAME.  

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.  Habakkuk 2:3

Though it linger, wait for it...wait for your revelation for there is an APPOINTED TIME. Faith Lord, faith.  When I'm weaker, you are STRONGER.  I need your strength, not mine.  I need not WORK FOR IT.  For you FREELY GIVE.

(backtracking a bit to Romania)
Romania was amazing. We stayed in a beautiful house in the countryside of a town called Akatari. Our house was is in the midst of rolling green hills. Our contact was Hungarian. He has started a ministry in the nearby city of Targu Mures. He is a pastor of a small church. Our mission was to basically invite people to his church, talk to people about God, to minister in gypsy villages and to come alongside him with encouragement and prayer. 

God has shown me a different side of ministering. In Ghana I felt more like I had to approach people. But, here, God showed me He can just bring people to me. I have also realized He uses you when you just walk. I don't have to have a clear step by step plan before I step out. I can let things just happen. Freeing. My teammate Nicole and I were praying as we were beginning to walk about the city. I saw a vision of a café's seating arrangement, but forgot about it. We continued to sit on the bench in the park and just asked God to lead us. As we were sitting a woman headed straight for us. She sat down and began to talk to us using a little English. She was hungry and looking for food. So we took her to a store and bought her some. After we parted ways, Nicole and I walked into a café to get coffee.  The lady working there just opened right up and started speaking English with me, asking me what I was doing in Romania.  We just clicked. As I sat down and began drinking my coffee I looked around the café. It was the same exact seating arrangement I had seen in my vision. God just showed me how natural it can be.

I later told my team about the day's encounters. One of my teammates, Mike, told me he felt like while we literally fed the first girl who approached us in the park, the girl from the café was spiritually hungry and to feed her. Each time we came into the city, I would go to the café in hopes of seeing her. Sometimes she was there and sometimes she wasn't. But, my city mission became about her. As the few weeks went by, I developed a relationship with her. Sharing part of my testimony here and there and just inquiring about her life. Relationship. By the time we left, I had a word for her and gave it to her. The day before we were to leave she invited me into town to shop with her and her fiancé for wedding shoes. It was incredible to have gone from just meeting her in the café to walking about the city with her and being a part of her life.

Our contact also took us throughout the city to pray for people. One day he took us to a house where a man who was probably in his 70s or 80s was sick from a stroke that had occurred just a few days earlier. He had been completely healthy his family said and then all of a sudden had a stroke. He was paralyzed on one side of his body, from his head down to his toe. He just kept looking at us, with this look of desperation in his eyes. He wanted to talk to us, he would try and open his mouth, but just mumbles came out. My heart broke for him. They translated to him that we wanted to pray for him. He gladly agreed. As soon as we gathered around his bed and placed our hands on him, he broke down sobbing. Sobbing to receive his life back. Broken because of his condition. We prayed for God to restore him back to health. Then we prayed over his wife who was broken as well for comfort, faith and endurance. 

One morning as we went into town for ministry, our contact met us. He brought us a list of prayer requests, about 20. Throughout the month, I could sense burdens upon him. He doesn't seem to have many people around him that support and encourage him. When he brought us this list, it was like he was laying it all down, saying help. Many times on this race it seems we are there to minister to our contact. It was awesome to come alongside him, have a time of intercession, carrying the burdens for him and giving them over to God. I believe God is raising up people, men, to come alongside him, with the same heart and mind.  He truly is an amazing man of God.

We also went to gypsy villages. Gypsies have been stereotyped. Yes, there are gypsies who steal, but not all do. It is sad how stereotypes are embedded in all of our cultures. They are different, but we are all different. We live in a world that judges. Judgment and believing you are right or your way is right has led to holocausts and genocides. A few people I talked to simply said, "I don't like gypsies. I don't trust them. They steal. I treat them differently." I responded not all steal I'm sure. Just like us. We mess up, but God loves, forgives and remembers no more. He wipes the slate clean. I know things have been sown into the lives of gypsies by others and by themselves causing many to still steal or beg. Children have been raised to beg and to steal. It's almost like a normal way of life for them. I pray for eyes to open, for a new way of life to be birthed, for them to know provision. I pray for love to be birthed in Romanian hearts instead of a blanket of judgment which covers the entire "gypsy" population. For a bridge of reconciliation between gypsies and others to be built. In the villages we shared testimonies, prayed for people and played with kids and teenagers. It was awesome.  By the house we lived in, there was a gypsy village as well.  Not a place we specifically went to with the purpose of ministering, but a place we walked by almost daily.  In those times, we were able to just show love.  They would be excited to see us and shout hi.  Just showing them love and acceptance planted seeds in their lives.  Just a smile can change someone's day! 

Well, that pretty much sums it up in Romania! Yipee....

The measurements for the dress are being taken. An authority is being given. A handing over is occurring. She stands awaiting this moment. As the tape measure intertwines her body, her heart yearns and madly beats. Drawing her chest up and down. A twinkle in her eye. Sparkling pupils like diamonds glistening in the sunlight. A joy on her skin like drops of rain. Wearing anticipation like a flowing gown. A long awaited union. Lingering for what felt like eternity. A groaning, tremors like birth pains. A revelation waiting for its appointed time. Invitations sent. Responses tallied. Measurements taken. The dress made just for her, the bride of the vinedresser. Soul thirsting for Him like a parched land in need of water. The desert disappearing like a scene in the rearview mirror. The doors to the holy aisle are about to be opened. She approaches. Perspiration on her fingertips. Waiting to take His hand in hers. Doors swing open echoing the sounds of a distant battle being won. Everyone rises to their feet. Filling the room with sounds of triumph. Her eyes look up. They meet His in an instant. Passion and love overtake her like a wave crashing ashore. She can no longer keep her own composure, mustering strength from within herself. Now a new kind of strength she leans on. His. His love for her is her new strength. She takes her first step towards Him. Her feet feeling as light as a feather underneath her. As if she's gliding in the air. Soaring to her lover. She walks. His eyes still upon her. Tears fall down His face. As He's been waiting just as long as she has. She approaches Him. Now they are face to face. She blinks almost for a moment believing it's a dream. But, it's the greatest reality of her life. She takes His hand. He squeezes it tight. Blood rushes through her. A wave of His love crashes over her body. Let the marriage ceremony begin. For the bride of the vinedresser.

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen in my life. Religious statues fill the streets. Ancient churches tower into the sky. Yet, Czech Republic is one of the most atheist nations today. Backpackers roam the streets looking for hostels. People party and have a good time. We stayed at a hostel that felt like one big highschool party. I could sense the search, people just having a good time, but all the while coming up empty. There's more. He's more. Tourists fill the museums. I love history. Prague is beyond pleasing to the eye with its historic sites and sounds. But, even in all of that, I found myself desiring Him. More of Him. To travel and see, that is awesome, but to KNOW HIM, well that is the most awesome thing of all. And being in Prague made me realize that even more.

Our main ministry in Prague was IHOP (International House of Prayer). When we arrived, we met our contacts. As mentioned in another blog, they are from Texas. We first spent time on property just outside the city that will one day be an IHOP location. They told us that the property is shaped like an arrow. The tip of the arrow points in the direction of Prague. And actually just beyond the tip, on someone else's property, is a power plant, projecting power into the city. This property was given to them. Everything about the donation and location of this property speaks of God's hand upon Prague. 

My eyes were opened, wider, to worship. We attended IHOP. We listened and worshipped with others. Then there were times when some of our team led the worship.  Our time at IHOP was amazing. There was freedom in worship. My teammate Nicole sang what the Spirit led her to sing, not always a song already written, but a new song. Then the guitar kicked in, next the jim bay, and then it all just flowed and came alive like an erupting volcano, spilling forth with the Spirit. We spent a few nights there from 9 p.m. to 3 or 5 a.m.   Rarely feeling tired; this time during the night was powerful. Finding encountering God is worth more than sleep. 

I encountered the Spirit in new ways.   To me it is amazing how the Spirit transcends language. Most of the time, the words were not in English, but my spirit knew what was happening.  I danced like I've never danced before. I found my feet came even more alive. One night, it was said that some things need to broken and ushered in by dancing. I believe that now. I'm finding I actually like dancing. Then the flags. I've never seen flags move in the Spirit like I did in Prague. Again, my eyes were opened. You could sense the Spirit moving with sweetness or moving with fire and justice as the flags waved. As they cut through the air, the Spirit was cutting through the enemy. The flags moved to the same beat as the music like a sweet dance between partners. Intertwining and flowing like water running downstream amidst stones and rocks. I felt the desire to wave a flag.  My teammate Mike ended up just handing me two pink flags.  Well, okay Lord!  I slowly started waving them, feeling a bit awkward in front of people.  A lady then told me the flags represented the love of God, that He's our first love and that waving them is ushering in His love.  Slowly I relaxed, then another lady joined me, across from me she began to wave two more flags.  We moved together.  I lost site of others and moved with God.  It was great! 

One night, a time of intercession for Israel occurred. A lady placed the flag of Israel down on the ground. The music started. Then she began a beautiful time of prophetically interceding by dancing and waving other flags around the Israeli flag. You could sense the Spirit moving through the music and through her. Flags and feet ushered in the Spirit to move.  I didn't know you could do this!  It was incredible. I just can't believe that there is a whole kingdom worship world out there. I am stepping into it and it is beautiful.  There's no denying it when you feel it.  It's real.  He's real.