In this Month 10 season opener, the guys take a ride out to the land of Kanchanaburi to explore the jungles of Thailand. In Kanchanaburi, they discover those over-grown species you only hear about and see in movies in America.
On their first day of work, they plant cassava for some of the locals and learn that this month will be no walk in the park working with this Thai sun.
Here are some more vid's posted on behalf of Kam. I am getting them from on of his squad mates Daniel. Enjoy!
In this episode, the guys build a bamboo hut for future kids camps. Meanwhile, Blake unleashes his Ol' Hacksaw Jim Duggan skills on the bamboo with his saw and machete.
The World Racers also show us what a feeding looks like when they visit a local Malaybalay Elementary School.
There are many things World Racers miss out while on the road, but one thing the guys were not going to miss out on this year was Superbowl XLV. The World Racers woke up bright and early on their off day to stream the game live while being 13 hours ahead of the States.
Meanwhile, Coach Rushing was inspired by Mike McCarthy to make their basketball team more unified when they found an underground Tailoring shop.
In July 2010, the World Racers lost in a street ball game while in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At the end of February 2011, they had a second chance while in the Philippines. The World Racers were able to compete in the championship game for the Malaybalay City Parks and Rec basketball league. Win or lose, this game will go down as one of the best moments in World Race history.
Hi everyone, This is Matt again. I am posting some pictures for Kameron. Him and his team officially landed on their last continent (ASIA) last night. They are spending the night in Manila, Philippines. Then off to a rural Island to do childrens ministry for the month. So keep him in your prayers like I know he always is. Anyways here are some pictures.... From what I understand they couldn't take pictures during ministry to protect the kids they were working with so most of the pictures are from off days were they got to have fun.
Hey everyone awesome news first to
say that I am fully funded. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
So working here in South Africa has
been awesome. Waking up to screaming toddlers wasn't what I expected, but then
again we have learned to lose all expectations on the race. But it's cool cause
it really is the perfect way to unconditionally love. I mean I don't know how
mom's did it but checking eight toddlers diapers let alone changing them has me
loving unconditionally loving these kids. Also seeing them cry when I have to
put them in time out isn't always nice either. I finally feel sometimes what
parents feel when they will sometimes do anything to get their children to like
them. Not saying that I'm doing that it's just hard to see them happy and then
screaming in terror of going to their beds'. But
again and again we have been so blessed as a team to be here. One awesome
blessing was meeting pastor Gordon at Rema Church in a nearby community.He has done something that I have never seen
back home in the states. After meeting us at a Christmas function they were
having for the kids at his Rema Church he ended up taking us all to dinner at
mug and bean.
Now maybe people do this a lot back
home and I just don't see it. For real how often do we as individuals take a
group of strangers out to dinner and these strangers being from another
country. It was awesome to be loved in such a way by the body of Christ.
It just reminds me again the
importance of community.The body of
Christ is everywhere. We don't need to worry about being alone if God calls us
to go and move to bring about change in our lives as his beloved children.
children, how much more will
your heavenly father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in
everything law and unto other what you would have them do to you, for this sums
up the Law and the Prophets. " Matt.7: 11-12
Father bless all who are reading
this blog. Remind them that you love them. Remind us all that money never
satisfies. Satisfaction only comes from you and the love from the body of Christ.
It's only by loving and serving that we have joy that lasts; the joy that comes
from you father. Bless my friends and family and everyone reading. Thank you
for always being faithful and giving us what we need and even the desires our
hearts. I pray all this in Jesus name amen.
Hey everyone just wanted to say
that the first month in Malawi, Africa was good but stretching. I really
enjoyed just playing guitar and worshiping with my team and the people that we
were doing ministry with. But for the most part I can say that this last month
again was really stretching. It was hard not being able to be in contact with
my family and friends. But it reminded me that that's why my team is around me.
So we are going
into month 6 and being half way through this race many of my squad mates have
been doing some reflecting on what we have thought about the race thus far. For
me it all changed in Ireland at the Awakening conference.God really did some impossible things. He
really restored and refreshed my relationship with my best friend who I say is
like a brother to me. And with that came a refreshing in him and his family/my
family as well. He also provided in ways I didn't think possible. With just 2
days left before we had to have money to go to Romania in came $3000.00 from my
family in Waco, Texas. WHAT! I was blow away and didn't want to accept it but
it showed me that God is using everyone supporting at home just as much if not
more that me out here on the race. And so going into Romania I was like
whatever it's been great but I really didn't think $1,500.00 would come in 2
weeks, but God provided. Again didn't expect that, but my team were so confident
that God wanted me to stay. So now I'm in Africa yeah! We have been so blessed
in just having a place to stay last month and our contacts were so loving and
caring. God has continued to teach me about the importance of community.
I grew so close to
the guys on my team and it's been awesome. I didn't really think I would be
able to have good conversations but God just really provided time and humbled
our hearts to encourage one another. John
15:13 say's, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for
his friends."
I like that
in verse 11it say's " I have told you
this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."He was
saying that our joy would be complete if we obey what he said about obeying his
commands and remaining in his love. But I also think that our joy is also
complete when we realize that people need love and we all need to work at doing
this. This comes by communicating with each other. I have been learning that
it's really important to let people know what going on. To let people know what
you are frustrated with and to always be looking for ways to complement each
other. I know it's hard for me to accept complements, but I really believe God
is helping me to accept more.
So it's
been awhile since I blogged, but I am so thankful that I have time now. I hope
that you haven't been bored thus far in reading, but I really just wanted to
let everyone know what God has been doing I me thus far on the race.
One thing that I
feel I might want to do when I get back to the states is to finish school and possibly
get into teaching music to kids. Let me know what you think about this I would
love to hear from all you teachers. The reason is because I was never much into
education when I was in school but who knows only the Lord. But I know that I
have a passion for music and love playing and teaching kids. Just this past
month I had awesome time teaching theatre to a 7th grade class with
my teammate Emily. I had so much fun teaching, which is not what I expected. So
I could definitely see myself pursuing this when I get back. I know also God
has put amazing people who are smart and can help me with this ha ha. Cause I
for sure will need all the help I can get.
So there is
where I am at somewhat. I need the rest of my funds in by January 4th.
$3, 453.00 is what I need. Thank you all who have read this blog. I know the
Lord will bless you for investing in me.
It's Matt again. I am posting this blog for Kameron, giving some insight into a day of ministry in Malawi. This is taken from Jess's blog.
I tell you this story to paint a picture of what the past weekend looked like for myself and my team. We are working with an organization this month called Great Is God international, and this ministry focuses mainly on crusades in remote African villages, some of which have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We arrived in this village on Saturday at around lunchtime. Parking the truck in a vast field, I put my hands forward and scooted out of the bed of the truck to a beautiful landscape. Backpack latched on and water bottle in hand, I looked out at probably the widest expanse of land I have ever seen in my life. Fertile and lush farming land stretched on for miles and miles and circled around this mountainous region of Malawi. No electricity, and one well for the village of just under 1,000 people.
We were welcomed by a host of African women perched under the shade of a tree clapping and waiving at the seven Americans walking into the village. As we entered the village, hundreds of children came running towards us. One little girl took one quick glance at us and ran screaming in the other direction, arms flailing. We later found out that we were the first white people she had ever seen. Funny things like this happen only on the race.
Janette and Linda (two women involved in the ministry) were busily cooking a traditional African lunch over an open fire. The lunch included a dish called 'Sima,' which is made by boiling water, and scooping cups of flour into the water, and stirring it until it becomes a thick, gooey, glue like substance. These African women have some seriously sculpted biceps from stirring this porridge (honestly, I tried it!). They then scoop it out in hefty spoon fulls and serve it with cooked greens and sardines. Yes, mom, I ate sardines! Still don't have a taste for them though.
After lunch, as the men involved in the ministry set up the equipment for the program, I sat down to chat with a few children of the village. A few children quickly turned into 50 plus children, and they all sat wide-eyed as I told them a couple Old Testament stories. Goliath's mighty army and Daniel's courage in the lion's den could've trumped any Play Station game for these kids. They soaked in every word.
When our contact Zachariah told us that they were ready to start, I picked up my Nalgene full of water and meandered down the hill to where we were having our service. Hundreds of people sat on the prickly grass and dusty dirt to soak in the Word that my teammate Kyle was serving up for the day. When Kyle finished, we all stood in front of the crowd and asked people to come up if they wanted prayer. I have never seen such a hunger for something more than I saw in the eyes of the people I prayed over. They craved healing and restoration not only for their physical needs, but also for their spiritual health. And all I had to offer them was Jesus. No medicine, no bandages, no water or food, just prayers; prayers to the Father that holds the riches and inheritance to the entire Kingdom.
As the time passed and I prayed fervently over each ailment of these beautiful people, I realized why missionaries see so many miracles in Africa. It is because Africans put every hope they have in the Lord. They have no option to go to a doctor, or drink purified water, or buy protein-heavy foods, they just have the promises of Jesus. And those promises work. We have so many other options in the states of finding healing that we can easily forget that we serve the author and creator of everything we could ever need. I'm not saying that the amenities and medical care in the U.S. aren't of God. I do believe that the Lord has given us great minds and people full of wisdom to create new and innovative medical advances, I just also think that we've forgotten to go to the ultimate Creator first, above anything else. If the race has taught me anything, it has taught me to go to God first. If you're sick, go to God. If you're hurt, go to God. If you're angry, go to God; you get the rest. Maybe He won't heal you or provide for you in the way you want at that very moment, or maybe He will. He has the power. He has the ability, and He has the want to. Let Jeremiah 29:11 ring in your hearts today; "For I know the plans for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." That's straight up truth my friends. I'm not making this up. J And I am working with a ministry full of God's army this month that have a hat full of stories about miracles they've seen and been a part of. I just can't wait to witness one in the coming weeks!
This is Matt. Kameron's Brother. the internet in Africa is REAL sketchy IF it is available so I am posting this on Kameron's behalf. This is part of a blog from his team-mate Jessica's blog.
We set off on Saturday afternoon from Bucharest, Romania, and began our 3-continent-in-one-day hopping journey. First, we flew to Istanbul and had a two-hour layover, followed by a flight to Dubai, and finally landing in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Originally, we were supposed to land in South Africa on Sunday and immediately head out on the bus to Blantyre, Malawi. Although I was super excited about adding a 30 hour bus ride to our already 2 days of travel (sarcasm?), I was kind of relieved that it was postponed until the next morning.
We all piled in this large van called a 'Maxi Taxi' and I dosed off with my pack on my lap as we bumped along the African roads. We pulled into our safe haven for the night, which happened to be a backpacker's lodge and a 5-star hotel for any racer. Not only were there beds, there was a lounge/living area with couches and a TV. That's right, a real live living room. I know it sounds crazy, but since we live this life of constant moving and changing, having a living room to kick up our feet and veg out in front of a TV is a dream come true.
After 2 days of rest, reconvening as a squad, and some amazing worship, we set off for Malawi!
Our travel bus pulled up, and at first glance, it didn't look all that terrible. There was no air conditioning, but we had just enough seats, and plenty of windows to roll down for airflow. It seemed like one of those trips that would be hard, but wouldn't be too terrible.
WRONG.
We left at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday evening. Chip bags crackling, people laughing, movies playing on laptops, and everyone's mind was set on a 15, maybe even 30-hour tour of Africa.
At around 3 a.m., we arrived at the Zimbabwe border. Rubbing my eyes sleepily, I looked for my passport in a daze and started praying. Crossing any border with 65 people is never fun; especially in Africa. After our logistics team argued with the border patrol, we were informed that each one of us had to get a Zimbabwe visa for the five hours we were going to be in Zimbabwe, and charge us $30 a pop. That's the African government for you.
So there we were, standing in line in a dusty, cement-gray building for about 8 hours, watching the sun creep over the African hills as we each had our own Zimbabwe visas made. Great way to start the day.
About 7 hours later and 65 Zimbabwean visas in hand, the journey continued in the hot and stinky bus through the African hills. We rolled up to the Mozambique border just as it closed. There was one option after this; sleep in the bus until sunrise at 6 a.m. when the border offices opened. So there I was, crammed in the now smelly bus trying to sleep throughout the snores, complaints, and rustling of 64 other bodies. It was probably the hottest and most restless night of sleep I have ever had. I never want to repeat that experience!
We were all up a little before 5 a.m. for the sunrise (not as romantic as you would think) and headed over the border into Mozambique. It was a breezy and peaceful crossing. Nope, I can't even kid about that, it was no such thing. Let me spare you the details, and just inform you that we were waiting for them to make 65 more Mozambique visas for our grand stay of 9 hours. Just enough time for us to, again, arrive at the Malawi border right as it closed. Another night sleeping at the border on a hot bus. Cheers.
Bright and early at 5:30 a.m., we awoke, and finally crossed over into Malawi, the Promise Land. We did it! Sixty-seven hours of travel and some of the worst sleeps of my life, we made it into Malawi.
For real what the crap. God freakin just blew my mind today when i found out i came to 10,000. I honestly thought i might be going home. I just need to remember that i am here to stay and will stay until Go has finished working though me and everyone here and at home. Praise the Lord for my amazing teammates that were able to get the word out to all of their supporters. So thank you, thank you thank you, thank you to you who have faithfully given to me. It's definitely different being the one being supported than the one who is supporting. I know cause I use to be the one who supported. Know that the Lord has great things in store for you. You may not think so but that's what I thought when I was back home supporting. SO know that God loves you and will continue to work in you just like he faithfully does in the whole body of Christ. Praise him praise him praise him. WOW thank you father for all that you do. Your mercies are new everyday and today has shown that at least for me. I have faith that you will continue to reveal yourself to those sacrificing back home. Bless my family and friend. Bless my teams' family and friends bless my squads family and friends. Bless those who still need support. I know you will provide for them. Again please bless everyone back home. Refresh them with your holy spirit. Greater is he that is within us than he that is within the world. I pray your love and joy be shown today in those back home in Jesus name amen.
