In my last blog I shared a little bit about my heart in regards to fundraising. Fundraising is like this huge mountain that every world racer has to cross. Its hard and its scary, but with God and awesome men and women who are willing to support the great commission found in Matt. 28:19. The mountain known as fundraising is possible to cross. I've seen it in many world racers from the september route 2. I've heard stories of random strangers donating and all kind of other crazy stuff. With God it's possible. Right now I am praying and trusting that God is going to send the right people at the right time who are going to catch ahold of the great commission, that are going to have hearts in line with the vision, and who are going to be willing to sacrafice and support me as a missionary. I have come to realize I can't do it by myself. I need help. Yes, I am admitting it.. I NEED HELP. So enough of my ranting. I'm going to give a little bit pf financial logistics about the world race.

It costs $15,500 for me to live as a missionary on the world race for 11 months (this includes specialized training about world missions, travel to and from 11 different countries whether it be land, air, and all food, lodging, and ministry expenses.)

-Sounds like a lot of money? Your right it is, but with the help of a few awesome people it can be not so big.. and God's looking at that $15,500 saying pssh thats all you need?!? I'm God creator of the universe :]

My heart on this= I work, and God has placed it on my heart to contribute as much as I can financially. However, even if I contributed my whole check (which is unrealistic) I would still need $10,000. So I will live poor and contribute to my own account, but I know I can't do it alone. I am looking for 25 people to partner with me and donate 25 dollars a month for 12 months starting now, and 10 people to donate 50 dollars a month for 10 months. Thats means I only need 35 awesome people to answer the call God puts on their heart. So if you are reading this blog right now, I encourage you to pray and ask God howhe would like you to support this ministry. I hope all of you would say, I'm willing to support Patricia as a missionary by prayer. I'm praying, atleast 35 will say I feel God has called me to support Patricia as a missionary financially. ONe important note: One time donations are welcomed and encouraged as well :] On top of that, if you have a fundraiser you would like to help me with, thats awesome as well!! With God, Your Prayers, and Your Support this $15,500 dollars will seem like nothing.

If you have question you can always call me at (661)869-4505 or email me at pmd1@fpu.edu
If you are out of town or state and want to support you can email me or click the support me link on the left of the page.

You are all awesome <3
Trish

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Host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and home to 1.3 billion people, China’s not just grand in land mass and population. Beside the Han Chinese, there are over fifty minority groups. While China has grown in leaps and bounds industrially, intellectually, and economically, it's still a politically closed nation. Depending on where we are, we may meet Buddhists, Muslims, and Taoists; there are even churches - government approved and regulated. The underground church is extensive and continues growing, even thriving, amidst 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 will we do that exactly - you'll find out once we get there.

#2 Philippines-

This Asian island nation, former Spanish colony then 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, and Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music, dance and community. While there, we may find ourselves living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.

#3 Honduras-

"Hondo" comes from the Spanish word for depth and there's lots of depth to Honduras. It's home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins are still stand. Honduras is mostly mountainous and the weather's as tropical as it gets. What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, Honduras has had her of share political/military troubles, e.g., the six-month constitutional crisis in 2009. There's a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g., gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they're loved.

#4 El Salvador-

El Salvador is the third largest economy in the region after Costa Rica and Panama and the smallest country (in land mass) in the Americas. A coup d’etat in 1979 led to civil war from 1980-1992 in this country. Oscar Romero, a Catholic bishop well-known known for supporting liberation theology, advocating for social justice in El Salvador, and protesting the government’s persecution of the church was assassinated in 1980 while conducting mass. Much of the country’s revenue comes from remittances. In a land whose name translates to "The Savior", we’ll be the signs that point to the one true Savior - not a better political system or economy - Jesus Christ.

#5 Guatemala-

A country rich in history and natural resources – fertile soil from the volcanoes help yield excellent coffee – Guatemala is the perfect place to initiate your World Race experience. Outside of its aesthetic appeal, Guatemala needs God’s touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit of religion, the people of Guatemala hunger for the kingdom of God to pervade their lives. We’ll have the opportunity to usher in the kingdom to this land and to these people in the form of relationships through incarnational ministry (read: living just as they do), reaching out to the people in the fringes of society, hard work, and maybe even a miracle or two.

#6 Albania-

Located on the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula, with its coast along the Adriatic Sea, Albania is Mother Teresa’s birthplace. Did you know that the apostle Paul had actually been to Albania during his missionary travels (Romans 15:19) Albania declared independence in 1912, but then was occupied by Italy then Germany for a few years, during World War II. Afterwards, Albania was under Soviet rule, which ended in the early 1990s. There were only a dozen or so Christians then; today there are thousands. Most of the population identify themselves as Muslim (70%) while the remainder are Orthodox Christian (20%) and Catholic/Protestant (10%). Ouur ministry: simply connect with the young people. As we build friendships with students, we’ll get to tell them how Jesus tore the veil -- thicker than even the Iron Curtain that divided Europe -- that separated man from God.

#7 Romania-

The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy community. 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 will teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more. It will be an exciting time of learning about a people group we may not have known even existed.

#8 India-

With nearly a sixth of the world's population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India's struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. We might work with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Our presence'll bring hope and truth to those that society deems "untouchable."

#9 Uganda-

Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord's Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. We may find ourselves in the north partnering with ministries that are bringing still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.

#10 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 Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera 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, participants help bear lasting fruit with current ministry partnerships (ministries like evangelism, orphan care, and community development), and build foundations of future partnerships.

#11 Tanzania-

Tanzania has a one-third split between Christianity, Islam, and indigenous religious groups. This diversity creates a colorful landscape of people and beliefs. Whether we are doing open-air crusades, door-to-door evangelism or visiting hospitals and orphanages the people of this diverse country will capture our heart.

Well that is it. This is my new route and I am completely stoked. I am expecially excited for China, The Philippines, India, Kenya, El Salvador, Guatemala, and heck all the countries! Thanks Papa, you blew my mind with this route!

Ok, Here I go. I have written countless blogs but always end up deleting them because I dont think they are sufficient enough. But this one, it's it. Theres no turning back. I need to just commit to my writing.

They tell us to write a blog about our expectations for our trip on the World Race. Simple, right?!? Ehh, wrong answer... atleast for me anyways. I guess I have been contemplating the question for two long.. Im one of the overthinker types.

However, I do know I really do not have a lot of expectations for the Race... because I've heard that you never get what your expect. Which I totally understand, because God has already totally changed my expectations. I came into the world race totally committed to the September Route 2. I spent 6 months planning on this route, prepping, and then God shakes something up in my heart... and I know I can't leave in September. Instead, he places the January 2013 Route 3 in my heart.. Which is pretty much completely different. Instead of: Thailand Cambodia, Vietnam/Laos, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Romania, Moldova, Ireland.... Its China, Philippines, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Albania, Romania, India, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Only Tanzania and Romania are the same. Looking back, I am surprised I am not heartbroken over having to cut off Ireland.... but God has given me so much peace over this route. So expectations... Yeah! God's already set the bar for my trip... Hes already blowing my expectations up... So I dont really have a lot.

I am expecting Christmas to be extremely hard, because it is so close to when I leave. I expect tears and snot on Christmas eve.... expecially when thinking about leaving my niece. I expect when I return, that I am not even going to recognize her... I expect her not to understand why I am leaving, and take it really hard... because she is already questioning why I am leaving... I expect her to be so grown up when I get back... SHe is five now... will be six in september... and seven when I return. Whoa! This part is goign to be so hard for me, because she is such a big part of my life.

I expect that leaving my church family is going to be super difficult as well. I have been with them since the beginning... and its crazy to think about spending almost a year away. I expect that leaving my youth is going to be one of the hardest parts of this. I have served as a youth leader there for years... adn just recently took over as High School Pastor.... and as I was talking to them on sunday about my trip, one girl I thought knew, but didnt... Said "your leaving us!" My heart dropped to my stomache. I expect discipling someone to take my place in the youth to be challenging. Oh this whole process in leaving my family there, I expect it to be tear jerking.

I expect to have best friend withdrawls. I've know my bestie since the 4th grade... She is awesome.. and I really wish she was going with me... I know we didnt talk for a year in college over stupid stuff.... but I cant imagine being away from her that long now....
 I also expect this journey to be hard. I expect to be broken and challenged and changed time after time... for the whole 11 months! I expect God to show up and blow me out of my wildest dreams. I expect to live and love like Jesus with other people just trying to live and lvoe like Jesus.

Oh, and I expect to come face to face with countless birds... wich at that point in time I will probably scream, cry, and amybe run away... because I am terrified of birds.... and all I read about on blogs is chickens. lol. So I expect to be a little less affraid by the time I come home...

Most of all, I expect to fall in love with my savior over and over and over as I encounter this world and the people he loves head on.