I left for El Salvador 2 weeks ago feeling completely blessed that I had the opportunity to visit friends I had met on the Race.  I saw it as an opportunity to grow in deeper relationship with them and spend quality time.  In the mean time I was planning to help out with whatever ministry they were doing but didn't really see it as a big deal. Boy, was I wrong! The Lord had this divinely planned and orchestrated.  Day after day I got to see the Lord work miracles in my short little adventure.

                It all began with all the collected supplies (clothes, medicines, toys, hygiene) people had donated.  I wasn't sure how heavy my bag would be so I planned on stuffing any extra in my carry on if my suitcase was over the limit.  When I got to the airport and placed the suitcase on the scale it was exactly 50 pounds, the weight limit for a suitcase.  Thanks Lord!

                I raised $400 from various donors, with the intention of assessing the need once down there.  The plan was to maybe buy school supplies or hygiene supplies but, it was evident what this community needed most, was the basics, food.  So we bought and packaged enough food for 51 families (that's over 200 people) that would last them at least two weeks.  We gave two food bags away to a family in church which left us with 49 bags.  We chose to distribute food to one section of the community as it would be hard to pick and choose families even if some needed it more than others. When the people of San Antonio Camino lined up to receive the little parcel of food, I prayed "oh Lord let there be enough food".  As we counted down the line, I was thinking how awful it was going to be to send a family without receiving the food.   But the leader of the group counted 47...48...49...I glanced around yep that was all the people waiting.  Thank you Jesus!

                Day after day I experienced God's presence and faithfulness.  The Lord had me in El Salvador at a very specific time for a very specific reason.  The church was going through various challenges and I was able to partner with them in prayer and fasting.  The Lord was able to use me to bring words of encouragement in a very difficult time.

                I am still in awe of all the things the Lord did these last few weeks, I have so many stories of His blessings, miracles and faithfulness from this adventure.  I am so thankful for your prayers and financial support.  I can assure you both did wonders for this community.  Thank you for allowing me to be the hands and feet of your blessings. 

Food to be packaged

Some of the villagers that received food came to find me to see who was bringing the blessing. What an honor!

Getting ready to hand out the food

The line up for food packages

Handing out the food

My fun contacts

                So I have been back in the states just over a month.  It's weird to think this is about the time I would enter into yet another travel day.  But, for now my bags remain unpacked. (Although, if for any reason I need a bag packed I do consider myself an expert packer at this point)

I spent my first week in the US in Florida. I had a chance to see a friend for a few days.  Then my mom flew down and we visited with my aunt, uncle and cousins there.   It was a nice time to just relax and visit with people I love so much.  Transitioning did prove to be a little hard as my senses were so overwhelmed with all the things that used to be so familiar.  Trying to reflect on the past year and looking to what was to come was a challenge but lying by the pool was a good way to process all that was going through my mind. 

                

   

  The next week I had volunteered at World Race Training camp so I headed to Georgia to be on a serve team there.  This was an awesome opportunity to see a few people from my trip and just discuss how re-entry had been for us so far.  It really was a relaxing time and so good to see amazing people. 

 

                So I have been here in Minnesota for about almost 3 weeks. I wasn't really sure what to expect about being home.  Really the first two weeks were spent physically and emotionally resting and getting a chance to see a few friends.  I wasn't sure what my intimacy with the Lord would look like upon arriving home.  Would it still have that thrill as it did on the Race?  Would I be challenged, without my team?  Would I walk back into the dryness I was in before leaving on the Race? Now as time passes I am recognizing the Lords faithfulness.  He is so gracious in pouring out His spirit.  He still has been meeting me in that quiet place.  I have found the Holy Spirit to be my challenger while I begin the pursuit of a community.  And the Lord has filled the dryness with unending streams of His passion.  HE IS FAITHFUL!  Life might not look the way it did for me on the Race but the one thing that is constant is the Power of the LIVING GOD.  Even in this time of uncertainty of my life I find that my hope does not rest in the ways of this world but in who my Father is. 

Blessings to all

THE WORLD RACE

            I am wrapping up the last leg of the journey here on the Race.  This has been such a beautiful year in my life.  Although, it is hard to close this chapter of my life I am excited to get home and be with family and friends that I love so dearly.  I am also excited to see what the Lord has for me next.    For now, I just want to share things the Lord has done these past few months.     

We kicked off our first month in Central America in Nicaragua.  After overcoming jet lag we jumped into the many different ministry opportunities.  We divided our time between a senior center, a disabled children's school, praying for people in local neighborhoods, and attending various churches.  It was a good month of staying busy doing ministry but also having time to spend with the Lord.   During that time the Lord really taught me of my value as His daughter and how I am royalty to Him. This is such a valuable lesson to have learned.  Now, I find I function more out of His love for me instead out of a desire to please Him.

Next we headed to El Salvador. For about three weeks prior to arriving I had been excited and praying into what the Lord was going to do this month.  Sure enough, it turned into one of my favorite months on the Race.  We ended up partnering with a group that had been planning evangelism campaigns.  At the events we did dramas and prayed for people.  Many people were healed from various illnesses and it was just awesome to come alongside this team.  This team also enjoyed blessing us by taking us to the beach and pool. There were no complaints with that as it was about 100 degrees every day.  It was a very hot month but I wouldn't have traded it for anything.  We saw the Lord move and made some amazing friends. 

Then we packed our bags for one last trek and headed to Puerto Barrrios, Guatemala.  With anticipation building to return home, staying motivated for the last month proved to be a challenge.  Despite that, we had amazing opportunities to love kids at an orphanage, pray for people (including meeting and praying for the mayor), fundraise for a local church, and most importantly have fun. I had the chance to go to Tikal the Mayan ruins and that was incredible.  The Lord has been moving even in these last few weeks, giving me faith and peace as I prepare to transition back into American culture.    We have one last stop of Antigua, Guatemala for our final debrief before heading home!

As of now, there are no definite plans when I get home.  I am open to where the Lord is calling whatever that may look like.  I have seen so much this year and will take a little time to process it all and then be ready to go where the Lord leads.  Please be praying for the transition home and wisdom for the next path to take.  Thank you all for prayers and support this past year.  I am honored to have such amazing people that surround me and encourage me.   I have been so blessed to be able to serve God this year and to learn of His most intimate love.  Blessings to all and much love.

To see pictures from my experience this year visit...http://picasaweb.google.com/richalissa

                I have less than two weeks before my feet hit American soil.  WOW!  What an amazing year it has been.  I just wanted to share what is going on in my head as my time on the World Race comes to an end.   

My thoughts are a mix of anticipation to see people back home and awe of what I have been able to do this year. When I heard about the race about four years ago, I thought to myself "that is awesome for other people but I would never be able to do that."  Now I am completing something I never thought I could or would do.  Yeah, I may feel a little sense of accomplishment but really though, I recognize I wouldn't be here without the overwhelming love my Father has for me and the support of people back home.   

                I search my heart for even the slightest bit of sadness in closing this chapter of my life, and I can't find it.  Saying goodbye to people that have walked through real stuff with me is going to be a challenge and still sadness does not color my vision.  I recognize the amazing things the Lord has done and know He is not done yet.  I don't have a plan in place, I don't know what He might call me to next and for now I am ok with that.  After this year I see and trust that He does have plans for each one of us, plans to prosper us and give us a future.  So for now I pray and wait on His spirit to lead and know He has only more for me.  What I do know for sure is that He will continue to lead me into greater depths of His heart and understanding.  I am super excited for that!

                So, as the whirlwind of life continues around me, the close of one chapter and the start of a new I feel His spirit around me saying PEACE.  With all the uncertainty around me I can't help but rest in His arms of peace.  I am grateful for the beautiful people of "O" squad that have loved me so well this year.  I am excited to be back home and hug the people I love so much.  

America see you soon! 

                I have seen a lot of things this past year.  I have seen broken, helpless, hurting, and desperate people.  So how do I not get desensitized?  How do I maintain a heart of compassion even when I see another homeless man with a bottle, another addict strung out on the road, another person caught in poverty. 

                Well, this week I had an encounter that made me recognize the importance of seeing the unseen.  As our team worked on selling tickets for a benefit concert, there was a man strung out from huffing glue that wandered around us.  I saw him but he looked too high to engage in conversation so I turned my back.  Even as I turned around I knew in my heart this man just needed to be seen by someone but I didn't really know what I could do for him.  A few minutes later I turned around to find my two teammates Jen and Sydney sitting by this gentleman.  I joined them in conversation and my heart was transformed with compassion for our new friend Alberto.  We invited him to the benefit concert with little hope he would show up.

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                Alberto though, proved us wrong and arrived at the event.  We asked if he knew the singers and if that's why he came.  He said he came because we had walked by him the day before and saw him and talked to him.  He said he came because there would now be people he knew there.  At that moment I realized I had underestimated God's ability to use us. I really didn't think a conversation would help this man as high as he was.    But, the compassion the Lord poured out on him through us the day before was what moved this man's heart to come for more. 

                At the concert, leaning over talking to him the fumes of the glue he had hidden somewhere on his body stung my nose.  But, I realized the Lord was moving greatly in Alberto's life and I didn't want to miss anything the Lord was doing.  Alberto's face lights up when we talk to him. His eyes twinkle and his smile shines.  This makes my soul happy and I have a heart for this man that the Lord loves so much.  Alberto is only 26 and has dreams and hopes but he needs to be seen and heard and needs to know the God of the universe is desperately in love with him.  Please pray with us as we partner with the Lord in pursuit of Alberto.  Remember to keep your heart open to how the Lord can use you to be the hope and encouragement in someone's life.  

Country number twelve month ten, I have reached Guatemala.  This month we will be working in Puerto Barrios, it is a port city located in northern Guatemala.  This area is very different from the Guatemala I have seen before it has a very Caribbean feel.

We have already kicked off our work here

We also had a chance to meet the mayor and pray for him and council members.  It was awesome to hear how they were having a fierce argument and when we walked in they said it was like dumping water on a fire.  One gentleman began to cry after we had prayed for him.  Voodoo is a huge issue in this area. The council members spoke of how they are often sick and have severe illnesses.  

We did a prayer walk through what is said to be the most dangerous community here.  The local firefighters asked for prayer and we also got a chance to speak with some local fishermen.  God is opening up a lot of good conversations and opportunities so please be praying for my time here.