In case you haven't heard yet...we are having a SUPPORT-RAISING DINNER
in Mississauga!
Come join us for a great dinner, info about our
mission trip and more!
Go here to learn a little bit more about the World Race and register online for
the dinner!
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.
We have just received this information about our mission trip! I want to keep you all informed as it all starts to unravel for us. Thanks for journeying with me/us!
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(that's us!!!) trip 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.
We have also been told that a team will be heading down in June to begin preparations for our arrival!
As you think and pray for Haiti and everyone down there, victims, rescue teams, etc. Could you also say a prayer for our friend Lee Ann who is leaving tomorrow for Haiti and her mission there.
Posted in General Posts by Cinthia Ramirez Bunford on 1/18/2010
Thank YOU for signing up to receive my blog updates!
If you're one of the lucky ones who signed up for my updates as well as Jonathan's, you might notice that they have been very similar or have looked identical. This will not always be the case. Especially
when
we're out on the field, we'll be making updates with our
own perspectives on what we are doing - and we might even be serving in
different ways! So please consider staying updated on both of our blogs
:)
Also if you haven't signed up for Jonathan'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 we're going and what we'll be doing.
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.
-
We were blessed with a trip to the DR for our Honeymoon, I can't wait
to go back 3 years later and serve the beautiful people of the
Dominican!
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!
One
of our friends in Korea previously taught in Turkey and LOVED it, he
gave us lots of info on Turkey and we're pumped to get there!
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.
I think we might know a thing or two about teaching English. I can't wait to learn from the gypsy people!
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.
Please pray that we can show God's LOVE to these people who need it greatly!
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.
I'm always down to witness a miracle! I want to see how God is working in this land :)
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.
Please
pray for everyone who has been affected by this recent tragedy and ask
the Lord to comfort them. Also remember to pray for the relief teams
going into Haiti, as they also have families they are leaving behind
and a tough job ahead of them - pray for a continued renewal strength!
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.
How
exciting is that?! Please begin praying with us for the countries God
has in mind for us, and pray that we may LISTEN to His voice and not
our desired areas.
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 Cinthia Ramirez Bunford on 12/23/2009
We've received new information regarding our route! How
exciting is that?! It's like an early Christmas present for sure!
The countries that have been confirmed* are the following:
Dominican Republic
Turkey
Cambodia
Romania
We have yet to find out the remaining 7 countries....but we hear
there are usually two areas of Ask The Lord (ATL) where we pray for God to
direct us where to serve.
Please be praying with us for the people in these countries
and for the projects we will be joining there.
Mini Financial Update:
In our combined account Jon and I have $5,928.30!!! PRAISE
GOD!
That means we still need $11,071.70 to be able to go to
Training Camp in May.
Look out for support raising events coming up in early 2010!
Please continue praying with us for more people to partner
with us in this adventure that God has called us on.
* Although these countries have been confirmed, there is still
a possibility to that they might change when we are in the field. This can
happen for a variety of reasons, such as: a mayor risk in the area we were
meant to serve, or a greater need in another country.
Posted in General Posts by Cinthia Ramirez Bunford on 10/22/2009
Our first support-raising event is finished! We did the Hi Seoul run a couple of weeks ago. We both ran through Seoul, which brought "sight-seeing" to a different level. I loved running through a virtually lonely Seoul.
Jonathan ran a half marathon- his second! I am so proud of him ☺ I ran a 10k – my first!
We were both thrilled with all the support we got for this run. We can't thank all our supporters enough.
That brings our support to: 1,634.00 out of the $26,000! Still a small amount but we're slowly getting there!
Prayfully consider supporting us for this amazing opportunity to serve God
Posted in General Posts by Cinthia Ramirez Bunford on 9/12/2009
UPDATE!
A couple of months ago Jon stumbled upon our route for the July 2010 World Race and we were very excited to know the countries we would be serving in....This week, however, Jon again stumbled on another surprise:
Our route is now secret!!! The route we thought we were taking has now been altered and changed to June 2010. Although we have the option of switching to the June race, we've talked about it and feel that we're called to go on the secret July 2010 route!
This year I've been trying to grow in different areas and especially in ones that I've been uncomfortable with in the past. I love having schedules, I feel like they give me a little bit of control in my life. Even if I don't make them myself, I love knowing what will come next. Living in Korea has been challenging in this respect, not only in our everyday life but also in our schools as well. It seems like God is nudging me towards more growth in this area. I'm excited to see where He'll take us and trusting in Him and HIS ways more and more!!
Posted in General Posts by Cinthia Ramirez Bunford on 8/16/2009
Last week I watched one of my favourite movies - Motorcycle Diaries. God used this movie to stir up a greater passion in my heart to go on this trip. Every time I watch this movie I want to jump on a plane, get a motorcycle and tour South America - maybe one day I will, but for now God is guiding me to go on THIS World Race!
It's about time Jonathan and I begin our support raising!! I can't believe we are already less than a year away! :)
We will be doing small support raising activities from now leading up to the race. Our first activity will take place in Korea, on October 11. Jonathan will be running his second half marathon (21.1ks) and I will run my 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!
We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I'm expecting although our trip is a year away at the moment.
I'm expecting to see God working in ways I can't even imagine right now.
I'm expecting to see God's people being blessed in unbelievable ways.
To be changed and challenged along the way.
To do some tough work and work that only God can see me through.
I'm expecting to be uncomfortable, to be taken completely out of my comfort zone in all possible ways.
Like sleeping on the floor for months.
Giving up my luxury items, such as my computer and my regular Vanilla Latte.
I can't wait to meet everyone on our team, to grow and challenge each other.
Please pray that, because we are a year away, we are able to manage our time wisely and God continues to prepare us for our year away. Pray that God touches the hearts of those who are thinking of joining our team, and begins preparing them as well.
Pray that in all ways God may be glorified by our team.
