Mark Stratmann - The World Race 2008

C'mon and Dream a Little

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We need to dream more and we need to dream bigger. Really, isn't that what makes us tick in times of discouragement and discontentment?

I've been talking to some people lately that I've discovered have no real dreams in life. It's like they've lost their desire to be great in life. I remember being a child, and thinking of how I was going to grow up and be someone great What young boy didn't have dreams of hitting the grand slam to win the World Series for their favorite baseball team, or who didn't dream of being the firefighter who saved some old lady from a burning building in some heroic way? I know I did...maybe I was just crazy, but I think most of us had dreams and aspirations in life that drove us to excel in our youth. I remember sitting in the sandbox (or in my case a large tractor tire filled with sand) thinking of how I was going to dig the deepest hole to china...and some days I worked hard to get there...only to realize I dug a hole about 12" deep at best...but still, I had a dream and a goal to get somewhere and accomplish something that day (yes, I thought I could get there in a day...mock me if you want!)

I find it interesting that as we grow up' we realize that not all of our dreams and aspirations in life come to pass. This is a crucial time for us. We make choices that we don't even know we are making at the time. We stop dreaming with God, and allow Satan to tell us things that aren't true over us. Instead of dreaming about being a world changer we start to do just enough to get by. God's got more for our lives, but since we stop dreaming and realizing what we can accomplish in life, we start to see that it is safer and easier to settle in and do what is simply expected of us.

It becomes a dangerous intersection in life, the intersection of dreaming big and realizing our potential. As kids we somewhat over estimate our life potential, as adults we underestimate it. More and more "life" happens to us. Hard times hit us, friends hurt us, finances drain us, cars break down, disappointment creeps in, on and on and on I could go, but the point is we begin to doubt ourselves rather than believe in ourselves. As a 9 year old, I was fairly well convinced I could make millions playing in the big leagues, now I wonder if I can even run the bases without a nap somewhere between 1st and 2nd. Ok, maybe that's a little exaggeration, but you get the point...we stop believing in ourselves.

I truly believe that life circumstances force us to dream differently, but I still absolutely believe that we NEED to dream in life. If we don't dream about something, what are we living for? What are we working towards?

I have many dreams...I want to see people set free. I believe I have some key roles in setting people free. I'm starting to accomplish this by working with The World Race, and I know it will be a launching pad to seeing people set free...We see this time and time again in training camps and in people's lives being changed through their time on The World Race. We see the participants set free from the garbage they've walked through in life. We see it in the ministry we do working with people enslaved in the red-light districts of Thailand. We see fruit from all of this ministry, and I'm glad to be right in the center of it all.

What are your dreams? Big or Small.

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Help me achieve my dreams by helping to fund this ministry, click here or click on the "Support Me!" link on the upper left corner of this site to help me continue along this path!

Why I Am the Way I Am...

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Well, it's no surprise to most people that I'm an inquisitive person who is always ready to take something apart to simply figure out how it worked. Growing up I was always fiddling with things, "fixing" my bike up, learning about computers, building things out of scrap lumbar my dad brought home, it was and still is my escape from the world to get lost in some project of building or fixing something. I think a portion of this I got from my grandfather, though as I see more and more now, it's hereditary as I see my dad now trying to improve things in some strange yet interestingly ingenious ways. I see that it's a trait that must be built into my system from generations upon generations.

I notice a trend that runs deep in my roots, I come from 2 lines of families that produce things in life. My grandfather on my mom's side was a farmer, paid in life to produce crops all is life. I don't remember him so much working in the fields as I remember him knee deep in tools tinkering and working to fix or improve something in his barn. At any given time he would have some project that needed his attention.

My grandfather on my dad's side was a carpenter, well known in his prime for the work he did building homes and roofing barns. He was paid in life to produce an end product as well, and to this day much of the work he did still stands, money well spent by his customers. By the time I was old enough to really have memories of him he was retired, but my memories of him include many days of him fixing or trying to improve things, often times in some rather strange ways, but he definitely had an inquisitive nature.

My dad took over the business after my grandfather retired, growing and expanding the business to be a well known home builder and remodeling contractor. I worked for him throughout college, a job that fed into my inquisitive nature, and produced easily measurable results...at the end of the day you could stand back and see what you did with your day. In fact, still today when Im around town I drive past homes that I helped build or remodel.

After college I transitioned into being a middle school teacher. Yeah. A job that was a stark difference from building homes or working at a bicycle shop. I unknowingly went through a time of figuring out how I was going to measure how successful I was, at the end of the day there was nothing to prove what I had accomplished that day. Sure, there were some middle-school projects, and a few kids proudly showing their projects off, but what did I have to show for my day? I suppose there was a way of measuring my success there, but it was no longer through material items. I had to simply find satisfaction through non-material results.

Then there was my time as a World Racer. How could I ever define success on a trip like The World Race? Sure, there were some months where there was an actual physical project that we accomplished, but what about the year as a whole? There are some kids living in an orphanage in Bolivia, there is a pastor and his family in Peru that are living in their house that I helped rebuild in Peru, there are kids enjoying some ceiling fans and operational lights in India, there's a church with a fresh paint job in Thailand...but how do you define success the other months? The months where lives were impacted simply by me being me, and by me helping impart Christian principles and God's Kingdom living? Is there a rubric for that? Any way to measure success in that?

Clearly I find extreme value in all of it. Why else would I quit a good paying job of teaching to give a year to missions? Better yet, why have I spent the past year working for next to nothing financially for this? Clearly I find value in it all, or I wouldn't do it! I consider my start in working with the World Race and Adventures in Missions when they asked me to explore Ireland finding ministries that we could partner with last March. Now, nearly a year later, I'm continuing to work on staff with The World Race taking a large roll in setting up ministry sites for the 250+ people we have out in the nations today. It's a large task in a role that needs done, though I always try to find the end result of what I'm accomplishing with my life. At the end of the day what do I measure up to? Well, with 250+ people on the field at any given moment (with another 150 to launch in June and July) in any one of the 64 countries we are currently involved in, I have to start finding success in the fact that churches are being planted, orphans are being loved, the sick is being healed, the poor are being fed, the untouchables are being held, the red-light districts are being impacted, slaves are being set free, people are walking into their destiny...the list can go on and on, and I directly have an important part in helping get people connected through it all.

I'm standing today at a point of need. I'm realizing that I'm desperately in need of financial supporters. March is going to be a month where I am stressing the huge importance of becoming a financial supporter of mine, so that I can continue doing what I do for this amazing ministry. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter of mine, or a one time giver.

...I have a goal of $8,500 to raise in 2 months...

Give today by Clicking Here or by clicking "Support Me!" at the upper right side of this webpage!

**All Gifts are Tax Deductible!

What's Up?

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What's Up?

It's actually a question I get a lot these days, a question that looms me with the need to get out and tell people what I'm doing these days. Admittedly I've been out of touch with so many of you lately, and it's on my list of things to do in 2010...to keep in touch with people more!

What am I up to these days? My role with The World Race is to help mobilize a generation of young people through coordinating team logistics for those currently in the field. It includes traveling internationally to establish contacts, planning travel routes, arranging ministries for teams to work with, arranging debriefs, and a plethora of other spur of the moment tasks!

Where am I? I currently live in Port Huron, Michigan with several other staff members of the World Race....at least when I'm not traveling!

Photo of the house LAST winter...currently we don't have much of any snow!

Why am I doing this? I see the layers of impact that this ministry is having in the Kingdom, and am glad to dedicate my time to such a cause. Not only is there a far-reaching impact on not only the people of the 64 countries that we're currently involved with, but lives are changing in those involved as participants of the World Race. Currently there are 152 young adults on the field, and in January another 109 will begin the journey of a lifetime. Time and time again we see lives changed of those on The World Race...time and time again we see people with life-long breakthroughs in oppression and darkness in their own lives. Then time and time again we see the impact this ministry is having overseas, life and freedom is breaking out in dark places...more to come in the future on both of those!

How is this possible? Well, I can do this only through the help of people like you. Staff members on The World Race raise support to cover all their living expenses, and I'm no exception. Please pray about giving to my ministry in a monthly or one time gift. You can do this through the link on the upper left hand corner of this page or by clicking here! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

What a few weeks...

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's been quite a long while since I blogged...not because of a lack of events going on in life, instead it's been a whirlwind of events going on so quickly I've not had much of a chance to breath the past several weeks!

I'll start with a simple update on this blog with some pictures to show some of the incredible landmarks I've placed myself in lately...

A few weeks ago, I was in the process of planning a trip to Romania for a World Race event when I got a phone call asking if I could make a quick trip to the Middle East to help with some logistics and setup advanced planning for future World Race teams...needless to say, a few days later I found myself in a whirlwind of moving things, packing my bags, and on a much unexpected trip to Turkey and Israel! So, in the last two weeks, I've landed in Turkey, Israel, and today find myself in a mountain town in Romania!

While much of the details of my trip there I shouldn't put openly on a blog, I figured I would include some pictures of the various places I've set my feet in the past several days....

View from a rooftop in Istanbul

The Blue Mosque at night

The sunset in Tel Aviv

Jerusalem from atop the Mount of Olives

The desert between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea

The shores of the Dead Sea

While all of these are my "tourist" pictures, know that it's been a long couple of weeks of meetings, praying, and figuring out setup work and logistics for these places...it's been 2 long weeks of work, and not I'm in Brasov, Romania working on doing some setup work and helping out for The Awakening!

In this time, I'm also in desparate need of support to continue my work in support staff to sending people out into the nations to spread the Gospel. I'm only able to do this through prayer and financial support from individuals like you! Please consider supporting me financially monthly as I continue supporting and sending people out into the nations!

What Now???

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ill start off by saying that this blog jumps around a lot, and I pray that it somehow makes sense in the end...its a realization of where my thoughts are lately!

What are you doing?

Im asked this all the time.

The truth is, when someone isn't asking it, I often ask myself it over and over and over again in my own mind. I battle the voices in my own head more than anything else. And its driving me INSANE! (I know, I was insane already, but some days Im more nuts than others!)

Its been time to re-access and look at the big picture once again in life.

Many times I stop and realize that I left to go on the World Race for a reason...several reasons really. One of them was to find a better fit for my life. To draw closer to God and to step into a greater calling in life.

Since returning last November, I have been looking for a fit for the new me. Ive searched high and low for things that I can do, and most of the time have found myself doing odd jobs to make enough money to get by, home repair here, home repair there. Its not my destiny, and it shows. I always feel that Im fighting something inside of me...like something in me is quenched.

I spent last week helping out with another World Race training camp. For those who dont know what happens at a training camp for The World Race, lets just say it is an incredible week for young adults to break free from a lot in their lives and begin to see a glimmer of what God has for them personally, as well as building a community with each other to be prepared to serve alongside each other for Gods Kingdom in the nations. It is an intense week spiritually, emotionally, and physically for everyone involved. I was only planning to spend a few days there as I had some commitments in North Carolina that I had to take care of, but found myself there for the entire time. I didnt want to leave. I was actually enjoying myself yet again, a trend for my time working with The World Race.

October 2009 World Race Squad at Training Camp

I came to many realizations that week, which I will go into in the days to come here on my blog, but I have come to the point where decisions need to be made. I spiritually, mentally, and physically cant keep doing what Im doing and quenching whats inside. I need to walk out of where I am and into where I want to go.

That being said, I am in a transition. I am coming on staff with The World Race, on their setup and logistics team. I will be mobilizing a generation of young people through coordinating team logistics, traveling internationally to establish contacts and ministry partners, and helping with overall World Race logistics and setup procedures.

Added to this, I continue to have a burden on my heart for southeast Asia, as well as human trafficking around the globe. I am confidant that my role with the World Race will complement my hearts burden for human trafficking and southeast Asia. I have some opportunities arising in southeast Asia, and will be writing more about that as the story develops and God reveals more and more of the plan to me.

There are several opportunities for me to continue to minister Gods love to the nations in the near future for me. The first opportunity at hand is a short term trip to Brasov, Romania at the end of September to assist The World Race in their largest ever debrief, which we are calling The Awakening. It will be a time of ministry, worship, and impartation to 25 World Race teams that are currently serving overseas on various legs of their journey, as well as some World Race alumni and friends of The World Race. To accomplish this, I am in need of financial support to get there. The tickets cost approximately $850 to get there, of which I need to raise rather quickly! As the time quickly approaches, I am needing to purchase the airline tickets in the next week or so. Please prayerfully consider giving to help make this happen! To support this trip financially, click on the Support Me link on the upper left of this page!

I am also beginning the process of support raising for my staff position with the World Race, please consider becoming a monthly contributor to helping me continue to mobilize a generation through doing setup work and logistics for teams serving various ministries around the globe every day!

Thanks for your continued belief in me and the support you give me spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and financially! God Bless!

So I'm in Ireland...

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As a surprise to many of you...as it's been 3 1/2 months since I've blogged...I'm currently in IRELAND!!!!

I've hit a block in what to write about lately, there is a lot on my heart and mind but I often simply don't have words to describe any of it. So, other than saying that I'm currently working on a logistics project for the August World Race squad, I've taken just a few pictures...not the quality I like, but I've been a bit busy to try to really focus on my photography the past couple weeks! Anyway, since I don't know what to blog about, I'm simply putting a few random...really random pictures up...

I landed in Dublin, Ireland on May 23rd, and hit the ground running. After dealing with the lag of an overnight flight combined with a 5 hour time difference, I did explore the city of Dublin....

One of MANY extremely old cathedrals in Ireland

A memorial to Ireland's horrible famine

Then the next day I headed to Galway...an incredible town on the west coast of Ireland!

The harbor, extra busy because of the Volvo Ocean Race being in town!

I've been facinated by the history in Ireland, I've seen graves dating back to the 1500's

This sums up a lot...a strange street artist amongst the many...there's a strange spiritual environment here...

A harbor in Bangor, Ireland (on the north side)

One of a collection of murals remembering the not so distant past in Derry, Ireland

Another sight from Derry, Ireland

I've simply met some incredible people in Ireland, and have fallen in love with it here...I'm sure it isn't hurting that I'm hitting the best weather in years while I'm here! As I sort out some things, I'm sure I'll be blogging again soon...

You Can't.

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Before leaving on the World Race over a year ago, my sister questioned my desire to go in many ways. The biggest question I remember hearing over and over again was, "how can you go, help these starving people, help the homeless, be with orphaned children for a few weeks and then leave them?" It was a valid question, and most of the time I had no good answer...in fact, I don't think I ever had an answer.

Today, I will answer it...You Can't.

In reverse order, I will answer why that is...

Thailand - Walking down the streets of the Nana Entertainment District (overshadowed by the Marriott Hotel) I had no clue how real the sex-tourism was. From the broken lives of the girls being treated as nobodies in this world to the hurting, lost men lurking the streets, there is not a day that I can walk and not think about the far reaching effects of Human Trafficking, and the need for people...US...to walk into horrible situations and bring Hope into them...Bringing Jesus and God's Kingdom to them...everyday I think of them...everyday.

Cambodia - My stay was short in Cambodia, but in the few weeks there, I spent some time at the "Happy Tree Orphanage" where many kids diagnosed with HIV or AIDS were living. I remember two of the girls, who decided that they needed to have me do a photo shoot of them, and in turn gave me a tour of the AIDS hospital. As I walked through the halls and around the playground, it hit hard that these kids all have a very short life expectancy. I wonder today how many are still alive, how many are sick, how many of them know what they are up against in life. Also in Cambodia I can't get out of my mind the faces of many victims of land mines, still active in the countryside. Or the stories of survivors of the mass genocide that took place in the killing fields. I saw the need for God's healings, the need for Jesus to come into these places and truly turn around the future of the country. I still see the need for all of US.

Vietnam - A country that I love so dearly, faces that I think about every day. From the multitudes of orphans that have birth defects resulting from chemicals spread during the Vietnam-American War to the college students who are some of the most incredibly friendly people in the world, I can't go a day without thinking of them all. I remember many of the people who I encountered in Vietnam, and see how God is moving in that country...a country where the government would rather not have anything to do with Christianity, to which laws forbid much of the freedom that we have in America. It's a country that has prostitution and human trafficking that is growing quickly, they are in need of Jesus to use US to help direct the future of Vietnam as well as Christianity in the nation. I remember them daily...and don't forget any of it...ever.

Thailand (Northern) - The villages in northern Thailand captured a special part of me. Maybe it was the growth of the church, the drug addicted villages transforming ever so quickly, the welcoming people, the smiles on everyone's faces...there are thousands of reasons that I could speak of on why I loved northern Thailand. There is a huge and intense need for Jesus to use US in northern Thailand as there are people in great danger and living in fear of the Burmese Army. There are hundreds of thousands of people...humans...fleeing from Burma in fear of their lives. It is a really catastrophic situation which needs Heaven to be lived out on Earth...through US...not a day goes by that I don't think of them...not a day.

India - A country that was a struggle for me...in many ways...is in great need for Jesus to create a movement quickly. A place where the government shuts down many Christian run organizations. It is a country where overcrowded streets create for dangerous (and rather humorous and exciting) travel situations. Many people in India come across as rather difficult and aggressive at times. It was a difficult place for many reasons, but I know that Jesus is moving there. The needs in India range from God breathed healings and miracules are needed for the orphaned children, the trafficked children, the lepers living in colonies, the hungry, the hurting, the lonely people living each day asking for distress...they need US...and I haven't forgotten it one day.

South Africa - The orphaned children, the HIV & AIDS victims, the graphic living situations, the danger, the lack of value on human existence. There's no way that I can forget many situations I found myself in in Africa...held up at gunpoint, sitting in the dirt with orphans, seeing the white vs black struggle, the physical/emotional/spiritual hunger that rages through many in S. Africa...not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of the needs for Jesus in Africa...not a day goes by.

Swaziland - What more needs to be said about a country so engulfed in the AIDS / HIV epidemic that the average life expectancy is near or less than 30 years old. The need for healing, food for the hungry, and education are in huge demand for this small country. The ways that God used US in Swaziland will continue forever. Not a day goes by that I don't somehow think of the kids walking miles after miles for the one meal they will get in any given day. Not a day.

Mozambique - What a time it was for US in this beautiful country. The incredible healings that take place in Mozambique, the hunger for significance, the thousands of orphans, the grateful and welcoming people in Mozambique, the horrible roads...it's all part of why I loved my time in Mozambique. Again, not a day goes by that I don't think of the people WE prayed for, the lives that were transformed and changed in this country of hurt and poverty. Miss it daily...and never a day that I don't think of it...

Bolivia - There's no way I can forget this beautiful...beautiful...beautiful country. From the incredible mountains to the lush green of the rainforest, it is gorgeous. The landscape can't fool you though, this is one of the poorest countries of South America, being landlocked severely limits it's export capabilities, causing industry to overlook the country. The constant turnover in their Government causes turmoil daily in much of the country...yet Jesus is lived out in this country. I miss the time in the rainforest working on the orphanage...while I may not have met any of the children that are now living in the orphanage that we helped to complete, they are constantly on my mind. Never a day goes by that I don't think of the nights I spent with Rusty and some of the girls of our squad talking (attempting to talk) to Remberto, an amazing missionary to his country, who left everything behind to build orphanages around Bolivia with his family. He is an amazing man...I miss him daily.

Peru - From the vast desert-like area of Chincha to the lush Amazon Jungle, I miss it all daily. I miss so many of the people at the Iglesia Berrea in Iquitos, or Templo La Mies in Nauta...I can't get the images and lives they are living out of my mind. I can't forget that Pastor Nester is living in Los Jardines, Chincha...and the earthquake torn area surrounding him. Not a day goes by that I don't think of those days...not one day.

Through all of this, I come back to my sister's question..."how can you go, stay there for a little while and leave?" and my answer is ... you can't.

Not a day goes by that I don't wake up wondering what I'm doing of significance. Not a day goes by that I don't think of these countries and the multitude of things that I could be doing to help any one of them. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder how many people I encountered are still among us. Not a day goes by that I don't think of the lives that could be turned to God...through you or me.

Yet things hold us back....that's for another blog though...for now, oh sister of mine...my answer still remains empty...while I did see so many people, and sit in awe of so many things across the world, I still must say, I don't know how...other than it changes your life in more ways than I can count...and (not to brag, but...) I can count pretty high.

"You Can" ... the more up-beat blog coming soon!!!

So, I'm back...now what?

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sometimes I sit.

I cannot believe it's over. It was a long 11 months, yet the shortest 11 months of my life at the same time. I sit and stare at pictures for hours, marvel at the things that I saw and went through. I think of the times God showed up throughout the year. I wonder what times I could have been more than I was. I wonder how I lived through some of the conditions we lived in. I look into the eyes of those I met and wonder what they are going through right now.

I think of the earthquake victims in Chincha, Peru...I wonder how Pastor Nester is doing.

I think of the church in Nauta, Peru...wondering how the youth are doing.

I think of the church in Iquitos, Peru...wondering how they have grown.

I think of the orphans who are living in the orphanage in Bolivia.

I think of the entire community of Backdoor, South Africa...and how the learning center is.

I think of Vilanculos, Mozambique...and how the orphans are doing under the tent in the bush...and how the church is growing so quickly.

I think of Nsoko, Swaziland...and how the community is being transformed.

I think of Durban, South Africa...and how the kids are sleeping on the beds we made.

I think of India, and how the kids are enjoying the changes there.

I think of Thailand...and how the many villages are doing.

I think of Vietnam...and miss them oh so much...really.

I think of Cambodia...and all of the kids at the orphanage I went to there.

I think of Thailand...and the vast problem associated with human trafficking.

I look at all these things, and think...wow...did it all really happen? Yes...it did. I sit today in awe of what God has done. I see lives that were transformed in front of my eyes. I sit in awe of how God used me....little ME...to do more than I ever imagined.

So here I sit today, plagued with the question of ... "what's next?" ... at least ten times a day someone asks me something pertaining to my future. I'm not going to lie ... I have NO CLUE. I know that God is preparing me for something great. It's been a rough few weeks deep down in for me. I can put on the happy face ... say some odd things ... and move on ... but if I am honest, I just want to scream at times! While it seems to most that I am doing nothing right now...I've been in the States for 3 weeks and still have no real direction...trust me in that I'm still wrapping up The World Race right now. It's just another part of it all...re-entry...finding your place...finding significance in everyday life...figuring out what's next. While I know that I need to get a job to finance everyday life ... student loan bills are coming due ... the US is more expensive than other places ... we're coming into the States in an obviously difficult time.

OK...so what IS next? Well, a job. With student loans and worldly obligations, I need to work...where and what I don't know...God will provide. I also know that a large part of me is stuck in Vietnam and Thailand, and I am trusting God to provide finances to help get me back there to do more for His Kingdom there...so please consider continuing to support me in that...my same link for support (link in the upper left hand corner of this page) will help make that come true. I will continue to walk in faith. I have many opportunities to continue walking out many things with The World Race...and I plan to continue that.

A HUGE "Thank You" too all who made this year happen for me....seriously...THANK YOU! God has used you in so many ways. None of this is possible without the prayers, emotional support, financial support, and encouragement that has come from all of you. Please continue to support me in these ways as I figure out how God is going to use me next...and continue the faith you all have had in me...God has placed a unique call in my life...and while I haven't always been dead on with things, I know that He is going to use me in HUGE ways in the days to come!!!!

I'm coming home...kinda.

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Who Am I?

Officially: The World Race January 2008 Squad is OVER...DONE...COMPLETED.

In 10 hours I board a plane bound to the USA...

So then...there's the next step in life...going home. While for most of us, we are ready for a slight break, ready to see family and friends, ready to enjoy a little bit of comfort; we are also ready to keep going. Get inside my true self, and you will know that I'm slightly scared of going home...but excited to be with family and friends. I realize that I'm not the same person I was last December. I have changed...and am going to put my new self into an old slightly changed world...a world that doesn't know me; and I don't know it.

I've decided that before coming, I should probably introduce myself just a bit.

I am a child of the living God.
I am am the image of God.
I am the hands of God.
I am the change I want in the world.
I am the answer.
I am the Kingdom of God.
I am a mercy giver.
I am full of grace.
I am a Man of God.
I am chosen by God.
I am loved by God.
I am the voice of God.
I am a conquerer.
I am a keeper of God's dreams.
I am accepted.
I am self sufficient in Christ.
I am sent by God.
I am free.
I am the will of God.
I am authority over hell.
I am a fire breather.
I am going for it all...and I'll get it.
I am a heir to the Kingdom.
I am written on the tablets of God's heart.
I am a keeper of a key to God's Kingdom.
I am fully alive.
I am awesome.
I am confident.
I am a member of the royal priesthood.
I am the 42nd Generation.

So...I am coming home. Saturday morning (Eastern Time) I will be landing in Detroit, Michigan. I will get off the plane, and meet back with the USA again. I will see family that I miss dearly. I will NOT forget where I came from. I will NOT go back to where I was. I am a new creation.

While the journey of The World Race has ended, the journey of Kingdom living has just begun . . . more on that at a later date.

Babies For Sale...Bred for Sale

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It happens...I would refuse to believe it...but I have now come to realize that it actually happens...and we need it to end.

ENUGU, Nigeria (AFP) - Neighbors were suspicious of the daytime silence at the maternity clinic that came to life only after nightfall, though never suspected its disquieting secret -- it was breeding babies for sale.

But recent police raids have revealed an alleged network of such clinics, dubbed baby "farms" or "factories" in the local press, forcing a new look at the scope of people trafficking in Nigeria.

At the hospital in Enugu, a large city in Nigeria's southeast, 20 teenage girls were rescued in May in a police swoop on what was believed to be one of the largest infant trafficking rings in the west African country.

The two-storey building on a dusty street in Enugu's teeming Uwani district now stands deserted, shutters down.

Neighbours had long found something bizarre about the establishment, where there was virtually no activity during the day, they told AFP.

The doctor in charge, who is now on trial, reportedly lured teenagers with unwanted pregnancies by offering to help with abortion.

They would be locked up there until they gave birth, whereupon they would be forced to give up their babies for a token fee of around 20,000 naira (170 dollars, 135 euros).

The babies would then be sold to buyers for anything between 300,000 and 450,000 naira (2,500 and 3,800 dollars) each, according to a state agency fighting human trafficking in Nigeria, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

But luck ran out for the gynaecologist, said to be in his 50s, when a woman to whom he had sold a day-old infant, was caught by Nigeria's Security and Civil Defence Service (NSCDS) while trying to smuggle the child to Lagos, the security agency said.

Statistics on the prevalence of baby breeding are hard to come by, but anti-trafficking campaigners say it is widespread and run by well-organised criminal syndicates.

"We believe the scope is much wider than we know," said Ijeoma Okoronkwo, head of NAPTIP.

"It has been happening over time, but we did not know. The first indication we had about this came in December 2006, when an NGO raised the alarm and told us babies were being exchanged for cash and that there were a number of hospitals involved," she told AFP.

The practice takes varying forms. One is where desperate teenagers with unplanned pregnancies, fearing ostracism by society, get lured to a clinic and are forced to turn over their babies.

The girls are so intimidated many can hardly relate their experience freely.

But one brave victim, an 18-year old, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, recounted her week-long ordeal when she was trapped inside one of the clinics days before it was raided by police.

"The moment I stepped in there, I was given an injection, I passed out and next thing I woke up and realised I had been raped," the girl, who was five months pregnant at the time of her ordeal, told AFP.

When she asked if she could telephone her family to let them know of her whereabouts, the doctor slapped her on the face.

She was shoved into a room where 19 other girls were kept; all had been through a similar experience. She said the doctor raped her again the following day. A week later police swooped on the clinic.

Another category of young women, driven by deep poverty, lease out their wombs and volunteer themselves, as regularly as is biologically possible, to produce babies for sale.

"When we raided the hospital, we found four women who had been staying at the clinic for up to three years, to breed babies," NSDCS boss for Enugu state commandant Desmond Agu told AFP.

The doctor, whom police named, "had been inviting boys to come and impregnate girls," said Agu.

This was just one of around a dozen centres -- masquerading as maternity clinics, foster homes, orphanages or shelters for homeless pregnant girls -- unearthed in recent months where babies were swapped for cash, said the NAPTITP boss.

Last month police swooped on a so-called foster home, not far from the Enugu police headquarters, where seven teenage pregnant girls and five workers were rounded up, residents said.

In 2005, a Lagos-based orphanage suspected of ties to child trafficking rings, was shut down. There, charred baby-bones were discovered on the rubbish tip, leading to suspicion the orphanage was involved in the peddling of human body parts, possibly for use in rituals or for organ harvesting.

In other cases observers say babies are purchased to be raised for child labour and sexual abuse or prostitution.

Trafficking in humans has become a lucrative trade.

Globally, it is estimated that billions of dollars exchange hands annually for payment of humans, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and several UN agencies.

Witchcraft rituals also fuel baby trafficking, but experts say it is other motives that predominate, at least in this region of Nigeria.

Communities frown on children born out of wedlock and childlessness in marriage remains a curse for the woman.

"In the Igbo society, the price to remain childless is too high," said a clinical psychologist Peter Egbigbo.

"Childless people want to pay any amount for a child and doctors become rich overnight," he said, adding that those who are ready to adopt a baby would rather hide the fact that it is not their biological child.

Exchanging babies for cash is widespread in the region and in many cases locals do not see anything wrong in so doing.

"Many people don't even know what they are doing is criminal. They just think it's adoption -- you walk into a clinic, pay a fee and you have a baby," said Okoronkwo.

Buying or selling of babies is illegal in Nigeria and can carry a 14-year jail term.

It is estimated that globally hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked annually. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, estimates that at least 10 children are sold daily across Nigeria, where human trafficking is ranked the third most common crime after economic fraud and drug trafficking, according to UNESCO.

"There is so much profit in this business. There is so much to be made in trafficking and that is why it is thriving.

The Escalator Only Goes Up.

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Just as it seems like The World Race is coming to an end, my eyes are opened yet again...for quite possibly the hardest part of the trip so far. I've been through a lot this year...being on a bus attacked by angry people in Peru, held up at gunpoint in South Africa, crossing the insane traffic in Vietnam...yet tonight was the hardest to swallow.

We went to Nana.

A place where prostitution is everywhere.

A place where Human Trafficking is at it's worst.

A place where people's hurt is everywhere.

A place that NEEDS JESUS NOW.

As men, Matt and I walked the streets, praying over everything we were seeing. We went up an escalator in the worst place I have ever been...and I felt trapped...the escalator only went up...there was no way down in my sight. The girls wore numbers, to make it easier to order. I couldn't take it. It didn't last long before we both needed to go a few blocks away to get away from it all. We sat on the steps outside of some fancy hotel a few blocks away and tried to explain our emotions...truth is we didn't say much at all.

The hurt that goes into this place is undescribable. At one point I wrote off the night as useless...I said there was no use to us being there at all...but our God reconsiles us all the time. A beggar came up to Matt and I at one point with one leg...we prayed over him and struck up a short conversation before realizing that the guy spoke extremely little english, and he went on his way. His name is Wood. He came back to us at the end of the night smiling. He tried his best to describe how he lost his leg in 1996 to a land mine in Cambodia...describing it as the day it went boom. The man was happy to see us, and stayed with us smiling. It really did redeem the night for me.

We officially ended the night when Caroline, Gretchen, and I had a conversation with a man who described how most of the girls got into prostitution. Most are either trafficked into it buy kidnapping, or by "choice" to go there to help support their family in the poorest of farming communities. Imagine it...your 12-14 year old daughter leaving to support you by selling herself every night. On average 450,000 guys in Thailand hire a prostitute. Sickening, isn't it?

It's time to stop it.

Please join me in this.

As this week continues, I will be fighting the front lines of this in any way possible.

We need you to join us in prayer as to how we can make an eternal difference in these people's lives.

Human Trafficking is evil.

I'm committed to doing something about it.

Children of the World...

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

They look like ordinary children.

They play like ordinary children.

They like ice cream like ordinary children.

They are HIV+

They have a BRIGHT future!

Once again I stare into the eyes of children living in this world, wondering if they will ever have opportunities like I have in life. Wondering if living 30 years will ever be in their future. As this year draws closer and closer to an end, the reality of what I've seen this year and what I'll see in the years to come is heart-wrenching. I remember Swaziland, where the average life expectancy is less than 30 years old in a nation terrorized by HIV...over 50% of it's population is infected with the deadly virus. Now I'm in Cambodia, dealing with the same type of issues. The problem is worldwide. Children who have done nothing to deserve the cards dealt to them in life are facing a life of difficulties.

The reality of staring and playing with the kids today was somewhat too real for me. They played on the swings just like I did as a kid. They practiced writing letters just the same as I did when I was learning to write. I don't think they realized the life that is extremely likely coming their way, a life of hardships resulting from AIDS. As I played with many of these kids, I prayed over their lives. Will they suffer from the various effects of HIV...or will I pray to the point of having faith that they are healed? Will God instill the knowledge in someone to finally find the cure for AIDS? What if I actually had the faith to stare into these children's eyes and see a bright future? Well, today I decided that I did. I can no longer push children on swings and write their future off as a disaster...instead I am going to pray over them and believe that their future is full of health and long life!

Am I crazy? I sure hope not! The human life is too precious. The human life is too unbelievable to give up hope. What if we all had the faith to move mountains? What if we all joined together and asked for more miracles? What if we demanded signs and wonders from God? What if He gave them to us? Then what would you do?

...significant...

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Tomorrow I travel 12-15 hours on buses, vans, and God knows what else to in some way be involved in what my great friend / team mate Matt Snyder describes in his latest blog...here's a start with more to come!

***********************************************

Sometimes I think it's typical of us to think that our role in the Kingdom is ridiculously insignificant, that we cannot make a difference in anything we do no matter how hard we try. Because let's face the reality: really, how significant is a dent? I've noticed before that it's really significant, especially when it's on our cars and when it's the least noticable thing... but the fact of the matter is, it's still there... because it affects us.

And so we pay a "significant" amount of money to get it fixed.

Significance. It's such a big word. Twelve letters long and yet it boldly declares its role in a sentence... because its purpose makes a difference. And it's no different than you and I in the Kingdom. There's a reason that God spent nine months knitting you together in your mothers room, planning out the greatness you could step into in your life before the foundations of the earth were even laid! HE HAS VERY SIGNIFICANT PLANS FOR YOU!

And he has really significant plans for the 86,000 Indian girls that are sold every year for $75 each.

He has significant plans for the 800,000 women and children that are trafficked internationally every year into a life of sexual slavery.

He has significant plans for tens of thousands that are trafficked domestically in the US every year for the same purpose.

God has a significant plans for them too... and they're much more important than the little dent on your car.

I have to dedicate myself because I'm finding that each time I sign onto my World Race account to post another blog I have this burning within me that says, "you need to write about human trafficking." It's an issue I cannot ignore. It has significance because each of those people imprisoned to slavery has significance. In the core of who I am they're not forgotten. I've dedicated myself to praying for them daily and fighting for their voice to be heard, their voice that's muffled by the walls that surround them... the very walls of their prisons.

And it's becoming more challenging for me to write because I'm at odds with what I'm to say. I feel plugged up. I want to communicate everything I'm learning to you in an attempt to bring this issue to new light, and in a way that might provoke you to action. But the grace within these words I write is hard to capture. It's hard to read stories, to hear about issues, and know that hell is literally having a hay-day all over the globe and with lives that are as innocent as the purity of the color white.

So what do I do with this burden? I fight. I'm not taking what I feel lightly. We're raising up a group of people to fight this thing head-on, to place people on the ground, to establish contacts who can and will literally proclaim FREEDOM for the captives.

* * * * * *

Interested in joining the fight? Shoot me an email. I can get you involved.

* * * * * *

Some Websites to get you jump-started...

www.freewebs.com/baht

www.notforsalecampaign.com

www.polarisproject.org

www.freetheslaves.net

Lunch...

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Last night I was in a TucTuc (easiest way to describe it is a moped with a carriage attached) with some teammates when out of nowhere I said that I wanted to have lunch with a beggar. Facing beggars nearly everyday this year causes me to have a rough heart towards them...I decided it was time to stare it in the eyes and try to make some kind of difference, even if it is only to one of them. Matt quickly jumped on board, so today we went for it.

Vauhn was our friend for lunch. He is a man bound to a wheelchair, with at least one leg, the other was either missing or he was sitting on it and hiding it. We did our best at communicating with him our desire to take him to a restaurant of his choice. He quickly wheeled himself to a nearby restaurant with seating outside. Needless to say, it didn't take long before we attracted a small crowd of curious people...two white guys sitting down at a table with a crippled man in Cambodia is NOT the normal thing to do. Language barriers were sure to be a problem here, so we did our best to get his name and age (he's 25)...and then some locals helped us out from there. Vauhn was a quiet guy, but he would answer questions that were directed toward him. We found out that he has no family, and we think that his family died due to a bomb. We asked him about friends...none. We asked about a home...none. We asked about a government program to help...none. We asked if there is a shelter...none. The waitress at the restaurant was real nice and helped translate most of this as he ate some meal that he chose (I don't think he can read either as he never looked at the menu no matter how hard I tried). Our crowd of random TucTuc drivers, shoe shiners, newspaper sellers, sunglasses sellers, and other random people were all interested in observing or helping with any conversation, usually seeking attention for themselves. I don't know exactly what he ordered, it looked like rice with chicken curry, along with a coconut smoothie. It was a simple yet modest meal.

It didn't take long for him to eat the meal, and with the language barriers and him being real shy, the meal didn't last that long. There was no epic moment to remember, no trophy put on any shelf from this event. It was a simple day when this man got to eat more than the leftovers that some tourist decided to hand him instead of carrying it around. I don't know how long he will remember us, or how often this happens for him, but I know that he ate at least one meal that day. I know that he at least had someone talk to him that day. I know that he was prayed for that day. I know that he experienced some love that day. Everyday will be a struggle for him, please pray for him, my friend Vauhn, who has nobody to turn to in his pain. Who will sleep on the streets tonight, hoping to find somewhere that he can escape the rain, who will wake up hungry, hoping that someone will be gracious to him. There is no homeless shelter, there is no government program to help, there is no business that will employ him, in most people's eyes he has no hope...

Continue on...

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Continuing on.

It ever so slowly hits me every day that I have a mere 4 weeks left until life as I have known it since January 4th ends...kind of...

Everyone here has to admit that in many ways we are all exhausted. We have been traveling since the beginning of the year, pouring ourselves out to people all over the world, and it takes it's toll on your physical body. Matt, Gretchen, and I were walking down the street the other night and we walked through some disgusting mess of trash on the streets (well, we walked around it anyway), and it all hit me. We MUST be walking proof that there is a God taking care of us. We've set our feet in so many places, walked through piles of disgusting things, ate food that we should never have ate, went with less sleep than we ever should have, yet there we were...walking down the streets of Cambodia feeling completely healthy! We are all exhausted though, you can tell that we are running on fumes. But it's in times like this that we must realize where all of our strength comes from, and that it can't come from our own powers.

Our Squad at Angkor Wat

I know that God has placed us in various places to test us, to strip us down, to build us back up, to sharpen us, to mold us, to heal us, to do this or that to us, so here we are facing our last short leg of our journey. An ever so short stay in Cambodia and a week of having our coaches back to debrief the year, get us ready for what's next, and celebrate our victories together, and we are off to the USA once again! It will take a little over 30 hours of flights and layovers until I land in Detroit in the overnight hours Friday night before Thanksgiving. While I'd like to say that once I land in Detroit I'd like to have a normal life, it just wouldn't make sense. I've come this far to not change that much and go right back to the exact life I had before? I can't imagine that. Though some sense of normality may be needed (still having student loans to pay off, I do need an income I guess...unless you want to pay them off for me!). But everything is different now. I have a totally different perspective on myself, my friends, my family, the country, the world, God, etc etc etc. Too many people have poured life into me this year for me to bottle it all up and keep it to myself. I've grown too much as a person to simply pull the plug and stop!

So here I am, in Cambodia, wondering where my balance will be. Wondering how I will ever return to the USA and fit in. Wondering what people "back home" think of me now. Wondering what my circle of friends in North Carolina will look like now. Wondering how good the turkey will taste on Thanksgiving. Wondering which of my favorite deserts my mom will have waiting for me when I get home. Wondering how I will bring the Kingdom to the future places my feet land. Wondering how it will be not being surrounded by the 24 people I've been sharing this adventure with. So many things to consume my mind, yet I know and realize that I can't let that take my eyes off of Cambodia, and the fact that I'm right here, right now.

Team Sanity at Angkor Wat

So there it is. I'm wondering what's next. I have absolutely loved this year so far, and wouldn't trade it in for anything at all. I know that there needs to be some form of continuance in my life, yet also know that reality sets in. Please join me in praying for what's next. I know that I'd love to continue my involvement in The World Race in some way, I know that I would love to continue my involvement with SE Asia, I know that I need to be a normal person too and have a job and pay the bills...yet bring IT with me everywhere. Please join me in praying for what's next...and yet continuing to pray for what's in front of me right now...CAMBODIA!

My picture site is fully up to date, including some pictures of Cambodia!
www.markstratmann.com

Dog Anyone?

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While there are so many things that I love and miss about Vietnam, I felt like this was a memory worth sharing with all of you...

It is from one exciting night when several of us went to eat nothing more, nothing less than DOG!

Our Vietnamese friends helped make this night happen, so THANK YOU to Hannah, Fuga, and Wynwyn for helping us create times like these!

Back in Vietnam

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Goodbye Vietnam.

Today we left one of my favorite stops on the World Race. A great place to spend my birthday, as I they sang "Happy Birthday" to me in 6 languages, I am glad I got to celebrate another year in Vietnam! As we boarded the bus to Cambodia, sadness overcame me...I'm going to miss the incredible people that we served alongside there. As our time progresses to our last stop of The World Race, I have to wonder why I have had 2 consecutive stops that were difficult to leave. Thailand was an amazing month, one that will also go down as one of my favorites...I'd have to say it's a close race between Thailand and Vietnam as my favorite places on earth...but in Vietnam I actually ate dog meat...so that's that...no, it does NOT taste like chicken...haha!

Join me as I remember just a few of the dozens of people that I will long to see again (if you want to come with me to see them let me know...I'd love to take you!)

Taim (sorry, I don't know how to actually spell his name!), our incredible friend at Exodus served us as an incredible friend every time we walked into his restaurant. When in Ho Chi Minh I strongly recommend stopping into his restaurant for a cup of coffee, lunch, dinner, ice cream, or my favorite, a smoothie...I recommend "The Morning Starter" a smoothie that is extremely good! He is extremely nice and was always fun to talk to when we'd get a chance to sit down and talk with him. I love the atmosphere of his restaurant as well as his welcoming personality. A small place with great food, what I loved was his willing ways to help us out. Whether we needed directions or help, he was always one I could count on. When it started raining while I was there, he gave me a raincoat. It's people like him that make me love Vietnam.

To my guys who's names I dare not even try to spell, I will never forget them. Through countless games of Uno, a night filled with Karaoke, and some time spent working with you at the elderly home, I can't express my love for them! You've got a great future in front of you!

I remember you during karaoke night, you were shy, you sat in the sofa, singing quietly into the microphone when our team walked in...I knew then that you had more of a voice in you...I love the Vietnamese people for their timid ways, hiding behind a sea of being shy, yet begging to come out of their shell and be free to sing and dance as they please! I remember when we all got up to sing "We Will Rock You" or "Y-M-C-A" and really have some fun! I remember every time that we were making jewelry at the elderly home you were there, offering up some help...your service to the world is noticed and appreciated!

Bamboo...with an awesome name like that, who wouldn't have to take a moment to get to know you? (Truth is, most have english names to help us "foreigners" out, otherwise we'd never know how to say the names) I absolutely can't explain this girl. She's full of spunk and sparks. She's ready to laugh at anything anytime. Her smile will light up a room and will gladly help out with anything and give of everything. I remember each time I went to help the elderly make jewelry she was there, ready to help and serve. She has a heart of gold that I will not forget...my prayers are with you, Bamboo!

Hahn, a girl who really seemed shy to me at first as she sat somewhat quietly next to the door on karaoke night. I found out through countless games of Uno that she is anything but shy. She is ready to take on the world. I love Hahn for her simple ways and willingness to share her life with us. I'm convinced that she is going to make some intense changes in this world in the years to come, and I can't wait to meet up with her again someday.

Win Win...you've captured many of the hearts of our team. Her wacky ways fit right in with our team instantly. She was simple to count on for a great laugh or an intelligent conversation. I appreciate your friendship because I know it is genuine. She really loved spending time with us and it showed. Win Win has an insanely bright future, and I can't wait to see her again someday!

Blessie was has such a sweet, quiet way of serving this world. Helping us with so many things, she never ever asked for any attention. My appreciation to the ways that she helped us during our stay grows deep into my heart. She has such a soft heart and truly deep running personality. Thank you for showing us the true Vietnam!

Fuga became an instant friend and is a girl that words simply cannot describe. Desiring to squeeze every drop out of life, she is ready for a good laugh at any moment...or a deep conversation. Her indescribable personality consumes you as the intelligence she brings to the world will forever impact the Kingdom of God. She shines brightly everywhere she goes. She is one of the few extreme extroverts we met in Vietnam, not being afraid to act wacky and wild at a moment's notice, yet served us selflessly in every situation during our stay. Fuga became a great friend who I long to see again soon...

Hannah...yet another beautiful woman that words struggle to describe. Her inwardly shy ways were nothing but easy and simple to get draw out and show her true self. She loves a good laugh while really longing for deep conversation. I will struggle in life to find someone as dedicated to seeking out the ONE individual who is crying out at the time. She has eyes to see the unseen in every situation. There were so many times that she shined in the 2 1/2 weeks we stayed in Vietnam. I could list endless times that I observed her helping people that my eyes were blind to. Always seeing the one person who was off on their own, her concerned heart always asked me if they were alright or not. Never seeking any attention in life, and probably getting embarrassed if you draw attention to her (like this paragraph!), she served us selflessly during our stay in Ho Chi Minh City. There was never a time that I asked her a question or favor that she didn't cheerfully help our team out. Hannah is one of the most genuine people I've met thoughout the year (which says a LOT as we've met some really REALLY genuine people this year!). I simply cannot wait to meet up with Hannah again.

I could go on for pages about the people I met in Vietnam that changed my life...if I left you off this list it is NOT because I have forgotten you, it's simply too much to go through. I long to see each of you again.

Funny...I'm writing this while floating across a river in Cambodia on a bus...wow.

Your Time is NOW.

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The urgency is NOW.

I can't express simply how important and urgent it is for the Kingdom of God to be delivered. Stepping on the ground here in Southeast Asia does something to me. I realize more than ever not only the need for vagabonds who are willing to go out, but the need for us to go NOW...and I'm glad I'm here to take part in it!

There have been a few places this year that really captivated me. I've loved everywhere I've been for various reasons, but since we landed in the Bangkok airport I've absolutely loved this area. But not because it's an easy place to be...because it isn't. The spiritual realm here is far different than anywhere else we've been. We've dealt with serious oppression everywhere in the world, we've dealt with difficulties everywhere we've been. There's still oppression and difficulties here, but for some reason I see an urgency here. There are various factors pointing to great difficulties breaking through if we don't keep people on the ground here in SE Asia. The responsibility is all of ours. I have a role just the same as you do...to support Kingdom Come here in Asia.

There is INTENSE prostitution and other forms of human trafficking going on in the region. Our female teams last month spent times on the streets of red-light districts all across Thailand shining as lights in the darkness, trying to show the girls a different way...and offering some way of making it happen. Several ministries are offering a way out of the generational oppression of human trafficking. They are offering hope to any of the girls wanting to get out of the red-lights and fear that comes knocking at their door every day and night. There are ministries of men going after the men that are involved as well...the region is plagued with hurting humans, crying out for help in any way they can get it. Everyone involved in human trafficking comes from an intense background of hurt and fear. And I can't stand it.

We spent time in northern Thailand, working with some Ka-ren people who live their lives in fear of the B/urma army and government. It's an intense oppression that they live under, and it's simply NOT RIGHT. The Ka-ren people are some of the most genuine, sincere people I've worked with this year. Crossing into B/urma and being escorted by some way-to-nice-to-be-normal guys (working for the army/government) to the one and only church, and then watched by them as we walked out of their country tells me that the area is up to no good. Daily Ka-ren people flee, headed for the "freedom" of Thailand...trying to find some form of safety in one of the refugee camps. Though safety is only skin deep. The army can still find them, and they are daily looking for them...and the B/urma government instills fear not only in the Ka-ren people but with the Thai people to the point where the Thai police don't stop much of anything the B/urma army does.

Then we moved on to Vietnam. A country where worshiping God is restricted. A place where evangelizing must be done covertly. Outside of Ho Chi Minh City, the enemy weighs in extremely heavy. They can't openly worship God. They can't openly share their faith and beliefs with others. Everything done for the Kingdom must be done behind closed doors. The government knows of the "underground" church, but God's protection is keeping them from doing anything about it. There is story after story of people being followed by the police, or watched very closely...or jailed for their actions for the Kingdom. I daily meet people who take that risk though...awesome Vietnamese who are dedicating their lives to spreading the Kingdom to dark places.

I can't stand it anymore. We all have a responsibility in this matter. The Kingdom has many roles, and we need to find out what ours are. I need to find my role. This year has opened my eyes to many needs in the world...and I can't go back to living my life for myself anymore. Staring into the faces of women who's lives have been torn apart by prostitution, men who's life is so full of shame and hurt, Ka-ren people who drift off to sleep at night fearing whether they will be killed in the night. There isn't time to waste people! The time is NOW to take part in bringing God's Kingdom to the hurt, the oppressed, the lost, the hungry, the desperate. Please ask God to reveal to you your place...people TODAY are dying. Find out your reason for being here, don't waste another day in seeking your purpose!!!!!!

Words Can't Say

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are times on this trip that simply can't be put into words. On Saturday some of us went to a children's home, where children with various birth defects stay. Birth defects from Down's Syndrome to water around the brain to physical defects (many resulting from chemicals spread during the Vietnam War). As I walked into some of the rooms, you can't help but wonder why...

I can't put it into words, so I'll simply give you some pictures...

These kids need prayer...they are in great need of healing and love.

Photography...worth it?

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Photography...WHY?

My parents have a red velvet box (at least that's how I remember it...maybe it's not like that and I made that up in my head!) full of old family pictures. I can remember every once in a blue moon looking at that box full of dust in the closet, and laughing at it. I recall my old philosophy in life, "why should you even take pictures? all they do is end up getting shoved in a drawer or closet and you never look at them again...you just move them from house to house because you can't do life without them, but you never see them...the dust from them would just make you sneeze if you did look at them, so why would you?" I remember that conversation...I used to joke with my parents about it every time they would take a picture with their disposable camera.

I mocked it.

Looking back, I am slightly surprised that I had that philosophy. My grandpa LOVED old photographs. I remember it vividly, he had photo albums...a white one with a gold design on it, a green one with a gold design on it, and I think a red one too. He loved to show it to anyone and everyone that walked through the door. The albums were worn down, slightly falling apart. The photos were falling out (which those of you who know my grandfather know that he also liked to fix things...so he would tape those pictures back in with whatever he could find around the house...even if it was a band-aid). But it was something he loved, something that he would get all worked up about when you'd open one of the plastic paged albums. There were pictures of old houses, pictures of his kids when they were young, pictures of grandkids, pictures of his days in Germany, pictures of who knows what...literally. Going one step further, he loved growing his photo albums with one of the old Polaroid cameras (you know, the ones you'd put the cartridge in and take a picture...blow on the picture as it came out and within 4 minutes you'd have a complete photograph in your hands). He would make my dad go to the store just to buy more film for his Polaroid camera.

I must have gotten some of his appreciation for this in some way.

But what on earth am I going to do with the tens of thousands of pictures I've taken from this year? I get that question all too often to ignore it. Let's just say I don't have any clue. I seriously have no idea what I'm going to do with them...but I'm open to suggestions!

So I don't know what to do with them...why the heck am I doing this?

I must start to ask that question as well, I am living much of my life behind the lens of my camera this year. People tell me that the photos I take are great, my teammates take them for their blogs all the time, so there must be something good about them...but still I must ask, why? Just to let them collect dust on DVD's and store them in my parent's basement forever?

OK...why do I take pictures to begin with then?

Today I was at a Vietnam War museum. There were tons of photographs hanging on the walls, all with nothing more than a very short description of what's happening in the picture. But then there was one wall full of pictures of photographers. I started looking at the pictures all over a little closer. I had to. I looked at the pictures for what they are worth. Each picture has a story to go with it. Each person in the pictures has a story. Most have stories of hardships. Many have stories ending in death...it was a war museum after-all. I simply couldn't let it go today as I looked into the eyes of some of the people in the pictures, or as I looked deep into the landscape of some of the pictures. I read a quote on the wall by Neil Sheehan talking about photographs...

"...Photographs are the images of history rescued from the oblivion of mortality. Long after those who died to take these photographs are gone, long after those of us who knew them and survived them and remember their experience are gone in our turn, the images they captured will remain to show generations to come the face of the war in Indochina.
...Yet all of these photojournalists of Indochina prevailed in the end. In a war in which so many died for illusions, and foolish causes, and mad dreams -- these men and women of the camera conquered death through their immortal photographs." --Neil Sheehan

A part of me has died this year. The old self is withering away to nothing, and the new me is hopefully shining through. That's it. Many of the people God's led me to this year have little voice in this world much beyond their village. Many may never see much beyond their village's limits. Only a few people from outside the village will ever meet them. But I did...and I can take you there through the photographs, and the stories. I've been up against a wall writing blogs lately, I'm 100% uninspired to do it...and I'm convinced that it's a spiritual stronghold. There are plenty of people out there that I think you NEED to meet. I met some of the greatest people in the world in the past several months, people that you may never meet unless I introduce you to them. In the same way, these people need to meet Jesus...and unless I take Him there, they may never meet Him. It's really a two-fold ministry opportunity...I can introduce these people and places to you...places that NEED your prayers to cover them daily...and I can in turn introduce them to the ONE that they need to know.

Yesterday my domain name expired...I didn't have any clue that it was going to expire...it just did...and within 12 hours of it expiring, I had 4 e-mails telling me about it. I guess that's what did it for me...God's screaming to me to keep on doing it. It's what confirmed to me that people really do look at those pictures. It confirmed to me that it's not wasted effort, or wasted space on some storage space in cyberland. I am seriously looking for what to do with these photographs...as Neil Sheehan stated, when I leave this world, the photographs don't...so what now? So what if they live on...it still means nothing if I hide them in a drawer or let dust collect on them in a closet.

These people all have a story, a story of successes and failures, a story filled with joy and sadness, a story of life and death...please take these people into your hearts. Put yourselves into their worlds for a bit...you may not know their story, but look into their eyes, look into the wrinkles on their face. One of my favorite songs is by Brandi Carlile, The Story, it's chorus is something like, "All of these lines across my face, Tell you the story of where I've been, But these stories don't mean anything, If you've got no one to tell them too, It's true, I was made for you" It's true...take time to really look into the faces of those I introduce you to in the last leg of this journey. Truly realize that they are begging to meet you, so please let them in...let photography truly be a part of my ministry this year, let it be an effective part. Say a prayer for this person..it's not hard, you don't need to know their names...or their story...just know that they are humans, searching for answers, asking to be known.

Oh yeah, I did renew my website, so it is back up and working...I hear various reports of different web browsers working differently...if you can't get them on Internet Explorer try Firefox or Safari!

www.markstratmann.com

A Village Transformed...

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A village transformed...

Ray's truck took a beating as we ventured up the mountainside to a small village tucked far off the beaten path in northern Thailand. I actually that we had stepped back in time when we finally made it to this primitive village, seemingly untouched by time...but stories quickly told a different history.

Rapee and her husband's involvement in this village started many years ago. When they started coming to this village, they found a village consumed by the enemy. The villagers weren't raising food for crops, they were raising opium...and they were all addicts to this dangerous drug. They were addicted to opium and morphine, the elders of the village had the kids raising it and administering it to them as they could no longer help themselves. Witchcraft casted a dark shadow across the village as well...causing further darkness in this seemingly innocent village. Story after story came from Rapee's mouth as she unraveled the story of their involvement of transforming this village. It sounded more like stories from a drug rehabilitation center than stories from a small village in Thailand...though as I hear more, it's all too common of a story for this region that is plagued by oppression from the B/urma / M/ynamar army. Rapee told stories of people coming off of addictions, and the wicked visions and physical effects of coming off of long term drug addictions. She told stories of witchdoctors and their long term involvement in this "untouched by time" primitive village. She refused to give up though. She and her husband were convinced that they could help this village survive a transformation, and she continued to evangelize and spread the good news of Jesus to these people, as well as raising up a community that would sustain itself. Many victories later, and the help of many missions teams, this village has been transformed.

This man is 110 years old....

Eight years ago Ray and Candice (our local contacts here) came to this village with their connections with YWAM with the mission to build a church for the village. Ray told a story of his encounter with witchcraft in the village just 8 years ago. He was sleeping in a back room of the "house" we stayed in. The local witchdoctor was not happy with the new church being built...obviously. Ray awoke in the middle of the night to a huge black spider above him, a spider larger than him...which obviously freaked him out...so he yelled for the spider to leave in Jesus' name...and it disappeared. He has several other stories of attacks from the enemy in these small villages. As teams continued to come alongside Rapee and Pastor, the village continued to become transformed. They taught the village to farm rice and vegetables rather than opium...they taught them about Jesus, they believed in the villagers.

Today the entire community claims to be Christian. Had I not heard the stories of the past being plagued with drugs I would have never guessed it. As I write this blog, I hear someone crushing rice (it's a process that does something to the rice...but I don't understand what they're doing...sorry) with a wooden contraption that is made seemingly by hand. I hear Thailand cowbells...carved out of wood. I see huts with thatch roofs, dirt paths, people walking everywhere. But I see more...I see people interacting with each other, which just a few years ago was unheard of as the villagers didn't trust each other at all...but now they do. I see happy people. I see people wanting to tell you stories of the past. I see a church, that was planted just 8 years ago, yet has transformed the entire community...even the witchdoctor has turned ways and told his story at church the other day. I see kids laughing and playing in the dirt...like kids should do. I saw many if not most of the community come together on the church work day to help maintain the church building and property. I see a community that has come together to become better...I see God's love and grace come alive. I see Christ's examples lived out.

While there are still a lot of needs for this village, a village with nearly no economic outlook as of today, with little education, with no actual pastor for the church...there are still a lot of needs for this community, but God has finally got a strong foothold here...and the community has captured my heart.

More pics...

The Church...on work day...the whole community showed up!

Work day at the church

Girl at the church

Yeah, that's ME playing the guitar!

The kids loved the new mud slide!

I love Thai cowbells...they're made of wood!

We taught kids to make balloon animals

The kids LOVED making balloon animals!

The church after we finished painting and replacing some roof tiles

The village

Our awesome sweet servant translator super host Rapee...Oh, I'll miss her.

Oh, and there are lots more pictures at http://www.markstratmann.com!!!! I understand there was troubles with it the past week or so...I THINK it's working again! Tech glitches in no-man's-land Thailand are sometimes hard to fix! I'm still in need of some support as well, please pray about helping me finish this trip fully funded! Click SUPPORT ME! on the upper left corner of this page!!!

More on Thailand!

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When we landed in Thailand, I knew something was different. I knew that I was going to have a great month, and honestly I needed it. I was absolutely drained in India, and it showed not only on the inside but that drowned feeling was evident on the outside as well. I was completely done with it all. There is a dark spirit in India I'm convinced, and I wasn't ready for it. I let it consume my mind, my body, and my spirit. I wasn't a fun person to be around, I wasn't the best I could be (therefore I couldn't be in the Army)...but when I landed in Thailand, I could feel it all go away and joy starting to be restored.

We stayed at Koh Samet island off the coast of Thailand in the Sea of Thailand for a couple days before headed off to Bangkok to catch busses to our ministry sites for the month. In the 2 days we were in Bangkok we took a temple tour of 2 Buddhist temples in Bangkok...here's pictures of both of those...

Our ministries for the squad this month splits our small teams up differently, we have the girls working with human trafficking in various cities in Thailand (I posted a video that some of them made the other day). The guys split into two groups, I am currently with Matt Peters and Rusty Jackson about 220 kilometers outside of Cheng Mai, Thailand.

We got here Friday morning at around 6:00 after taking an overnight bus from Bangkok. Our contact Ray met us at the bus station and took us to meet his wife, Candice, and daughter, Maile, as well as Joann (another American missionary here), and our amazing Thai hosts "Pastor" and his wonderful wife Rapee. We stayed at an incredible house for one night to recover from the bus trip and so they could tell us some of what to expect culturally while we are here.

Then on Saturday we packed up and drove off into the rain and headed to the small village of Hui Ka Paa (side note: village name means "Crazy Chicken on the River...seriously!). We arrived true World Race style, it was pouring rain and the electric was out...the only light was from candles burning in the house. We've completely gotten used to that this year! It was there we were introduced to Weelapong and his wife and children. Weelapong is Rapee's younger brother with an amazing testimony that I will go into on a different blog.

We joined Weelapong in his ministry during our first few days in Northern Thailand. We started out Sunday morning going to church at a small village church way off the beaten path. I have found this year that these are the churches that I like the most because the people that attend them have something different about them. It could be the way they welcome you, it could be that they are usually closer relationally than large churches. Either way, I liked the small wooden building on the hillside that hosted a cross on the roof.

Here are some pictures from that church....

After that we went to a Buddhist school in the afternoon to speak truth about Jesus, here are pictures of that....

The next day we went to an elementary school and a high school, both of which we spoke at and were truly welcomed with open arms...here are more pic's...

I have completely fallen in love with the personalities of the Thailand people. They are gentle at heart and have a sense of humor that surpasses the language barrier. You are greeted with the traditional "Y" everywhere you go, and we have fun "Y"-ing people from the back of the truck to see how they will greet you back from a motorbike...it's humorous! It's exciting to be ministering with a different group than I'm used to working with...Matt and Rusty are great guys to be serving with, and there's always a laugh to be had! I have found that spreading the love of Christ to Asian believers is rewarding and I'm loving every minute of it. The land is beautiful, the people are beautiful, and the ministry is incredible!

Our next days will be spent headed into smaller mountain villages for a few days and then headed to B/urma (spelled that way for searching protection) for a short time. Be praying for our time in those places as the spiritual atmosphere is much darker than here. We've been warned about some of the things we'll see / experience there.

Thank you for all of your prayer & support over the past 9 months, with 2 1/2 months left this year is quickly drawing to a close...I arrive back in the U.S.A. on November 21st, arriving back in Detroit at 1:30 in the morning on the 22nd...just in time to recover from jet-lag and eat a yummy thanksgiving meal!

Upper Thailand...

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There, I have more time now...I thought I'd send you an update on where I am and what I've been up to. Internet isn't simple here, but it's not non-existent either! I've posted pictures of Koh Samet (the island we were on for our debrief) as well as a Buddhist Temple tour we went on in Bangkok at www.markstratmann.com

I'm in Northern Thailand, about 220 Kilometers from Cheng Mai. We will be here until Wednesday speaking at Buddhist schools and helping out where ever we can. We leave from here to go into a mountain village on Wednesday and work on a church...possibly doing tile work or something, then we go to Myanmar (Burma) for a few days...who knows what we'll get into there...kinda a rough country. We are working with a 35 year old American and his wife here, they are great people and it's been fun getting to know them a bit.

Thailand continues to be a beautiful country, and I am absolutely amazed by the kindness of the people here. I'm not sure what it is about the demeanor of the people here that just captures your emotions. It may be the way they "Y" you (bow with their hands held together at their head) or maybe the way we are greeted at the schools with water, coffee, and snacks. Maybe it's the passive way of life that I love. I'll write more about that later.

From here, we hope to go to Vietnam for about 3 weeks, and finish our time on The World Race in Cambodia. I'm around $500 from being fully supported financially with 2 months to go. Please pray about helping finish off my support efforts in any way you can!

Sorry my updates have been few and far between lately, I promise that I'll write some better updates soon!

Thailand Street Ministry...

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While this month leaves us men of The World Race without any women to keep us in line, I had to share this video of some of my best friends on the race, the women doing street ministry in Thailand...

Please join us in daily praying for them...

In the Kingdom of Thailand

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Yes, I am officially in the Kingdom of Thailand...that's the 2nd Kingdom this year has taken me to. While there is a LOT of turmoil in Bangkok which we are aware of, know that we are in no way in danger. Instead, we are staying on an island off the coast called Koh Samed (spelled several different ways depending on what sign you look at!).

I left Delhi, India with a bang, the Saturday before leaving (we left on Monday) I was out with some teammates in the market, started not feeling well, and by the time I got back to the house I had a full on kidney stone attack. I've had plenty of experience with kidney stones in my past, so there is no mistaking my diagnosis. Laid out in absolute pain I bolted through the front door and ran so that I could drop as quickly as I could in my room. As the pain got worse my mood got worse, I curled up in a ball finding no comfortable position as usual for a stone. Some of the squad sat with me and prayed for healing, some went to get pain killers from the pharmacy, some couldn't stand to be in the room. I hated the feeling, why? why again? I don't understand it at all. But through it all, God is good and I merely had an attack for 1 night. It's healing in it's true sense. I unfortunately doubt everything, and need to get rid of that mentality. God healed me. I need to stop waiting for another attack and trust in Him more!

On another note: Through many people who obviously love me dearly, I now have a new computer! Because of this, ALL my India pictures are now online as well as a few from Koh Samet, Thailand!!!!!!

Visit www.markstratmann.com to see all of them!

Much thanks to all of my supporters, I still have a ways to go raising support, but I'm coming near the end of it! If you'd like to support me, click Support Me! on the upper left side of this webpage!

THANK

YOU!!!!

ITS UP TO YOU!

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As a part of our CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION we had a door decorating contest.
We need YOU, (our friends!) to vote for the winner!
So here are the entries.

PLEASE VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!

deadline for voting is: SUNDAY AUGUST 31

one vote per blog site!

have fun! :) hah.

door #1

door #2

door #3

door #4

and door #5

vote now! thanksssssss!

Oh how I will miss you India...

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The deathbug 2008 caught up with me yet again this year...I have no clue what it was this time, but it was bad. In comparison, I had Lyme's Disease a year ago, and I actually think I'd rather of had that experience again than this one (other than Lyme's had me down for 2+ weeks, this I took antibiotics and was done with in 2-3 days). I'm glad to say though that I am feeling better now, not 100% yet but soon I will be!

I have come this month to discover that building upkeep is not a high priority in India. We have been working at an orphanage, some of us working on upkeep, some working with the children when they get home from school. I've been helping out with more of the upkeep of the building as there were some pretty sketchy safety issues that I saw I could potentially help fix. I mentioned in a different blog some of the "accomplishments" I had, but this time I decided to include some pictures to give you a slightly better picture of what we've been doing!

Wiring when we got to the orphanage...all metal you see was indeed full of 230 volts of electricity, fully exposed

What the inside of the box looks like

The wires that connect the light are fully exposed, above the light, the hot wire had electrified the whole metal roof

The fan wires hanging down (red and yellow) one of the kids would twist together with the light wires above to make the fan work...

I replaced 4 switches and got rid of the nasty contraption, along with replacing some wires to make the fans work and the lights work properly...safety in this room fixed.

Near the orphanage

where we shop...it's kind of like playing where's waldo to find the store you want...or iSpy...hmmmmm.

This month has been a rough month for me...India this time of year is hot, dusty, and LOUD (I wish I could honestly have yelled that into your ear for emphisis). The roads are bumpy, traffic is a nightmare, and no plan ever goes as planned. For instance, we got a call last night saying that our driver went on vacation so he probably wouldn't come to pick us up today...just like that our plans for today fell through...but wait, this morning they called and said he'd be by in 20 minutes to pick us up...so let me get this right, plan A didn't work so we went to plan B which oddly enough turned out not necessary as we could do plan A afterall just a little later than usual...did that make sense? If it kinda did kinda didn't, it would explain the month in India, it all kinda makes sense but kinda doesn't at the same time.

I came out of Africa struggling with a lot of things, getting worn out from this marathon of a "race" I'm in, but knowing that it's now that I need to put the most into it, I'm just not sure what's left to give (keeping in mind that I'm still on antibiotics and not physically feeling that swell). It's actually quite exciting, living every day wondering where your strength is going to come from...then realizing it's all coming through grace from God...

Marathon...

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Marathon of Sorts...

This month in India, I have been working on an orphanage, using some electrical skills I've acquired over the years (thanks, dad!). While I'd like to say that I'm an electrical expert and can figure anything out, I'd be a liar if I said that...instead yesterday I got zapped with 230v of electricity as I attempted to get a simple ceiling fan working. While I'd also like to say that I'm doing this in a safe way, the truth is that I was standing on top of a chair that was on top of a table that was wobbly. The day started out with 1 light and 2 fans working properly in their main gathering area...it ended with 3 lights and 4 fans...I conclude that it was a good day!

Of course nothing is exactly easy in 93 degree heat.

I like the fact that I'm once again using some of my talents in the world. Some days I've had to question my purpose on the World Race as many ministries stretch and challenge me. Working with electricity has always been a passion of mine, one of my favorite jobs while working for my dad. At this orphanage I realized the need to help when I saw that they have to turn the fans on with a pen to avoid getting shocked, or when it rains the metal roof gets electrified. Seeing the rats nest of wires going every which way prooves the need for someone like me at this place...and the fact that there is little way of knowing how to turn off the electric to work on this stuff only makes me happier.

I have to say, however, that I'm feeling like a marathon runner at the moment. Everything...EVERYTHING is getting to me. Delhi is a tough place to be at this point in the race because it's a noise pollution definition. A simple walk to the corner store to get something to drink involves getting honked at from 3 motorcycles, 2 cars, and 3 rickshaw bikes must ring their annoying little bells all right in my ear...in case I didn't know they were there. While my ears continue ringing, I step over cow poo, walk around a cow, and smell some really nasty scents. I am over it. I think it's funny, still. I must admit that after yelling at the drivers to shut up and stop honking at me, I laugh. What if I brought this culture to the States? What if I decided that the lines in the road were optional? What if I took 1 million cows and released them in New York City, declaring that you couldn't so much as touch them? What if I honked at everyone just to let them know I'm around them...every car, bike, pedestrian, cow? What if I busted up the road to make them so pothole covered that you needed a 4x4 to go anywhere? What if I took away all the Wal-Marts and malls and replaced them with mini stores that you could get 3-4 things on your shopping list at any store and had to go to 4 stores to get all the things you wanted for dinner? What if?

I'd leave...that's what.

I laugh at it, it's the 3rd world I'm living in right now. The place where I get on the back of a bike and have some guy pedal me around for 30 minutes for 30 Rupees (about 75 US cents). At the end of the ride your insides are jolted around so much that you are looking for a bathroom every time you stop...it's to the point where every bump I hit, every horn that's honked, every person who begs, I'm ready to go off on. It's not the right attitude at all, I know. Jesus, I need an adjustment (but not to harsh, please!)...I need an attitude adjustment...I need an outlook adjustment...I need a patience adjustment.

I must keep going though. The race has turned into a marathon. A race is exhilarating, quick, and the end is in sight...but right now I feel like I'm in the Boston Marathon with wet soggy shoes...and because of the fact I have to hand wash my clothes, the soggy socks are from days ago! It's hard. I could be sitting in a chair (no chairs here) at home in air conditioning (none of that here) with freedom to do what I want (yep, lost that too)...but still, I choose to be here. I want it. I love it. While nothing much makes sense in the 3rd world mentality, there's something about it that's comforting. When I figure that out, I'll be sure to let you know!

* * * *

PS...I still need about $600 support to finish the race, THANK YOU to all of you who support me through prayers or finances, especially now, as the race draws on and times get tougher!

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus!

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

the tree is up, the fire is lit and the countdown is on!

get ready for the best christmas ever!

Delhi...with photos!

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I buy popcorn from this guy...he cooks it fresh for me!

These guys have been working on a house next to where we are staying

Just an average day in the Delhi transporaion grid.

Planes land overhead every 15 minutes or so...this is from the roof of our house.

Delhi, an amazing place...where no matter what, you can find 5 forms of transportation to get from point A to point B...and none of them would pass as transportation in the States!

Our squad is working on a wide variety of things this month...

1. Painting at an orphanage (painting a mural)

2. Rewiring some electric disasters (when the electric fans are on the roof has 230V of electricity in it!)

3. Working in a Leper colony

4. Working with a Burma refugee camp

5. Working with a college ministry

Yes, we do our best to keep busy...transportation nightmares are constantly making me laugh, and keeping me on my toes...oh yeah, and I am now moved into our squad's logistic planning guru...yikes!

More to come later!