The Amazing Race and Malenovice: Vlog 5

If you can't see the video below, click here.




Also, a couple things not mentioned in the video.  Jenda is still raising support (check out the new pic below).

God has provided $1,140.00, so he only needs $560.00 more!  This is incredible.  I am still excited and honored to have him on the team this summer.  I fully believe he is one of the many chosen people in this country God will use to bring an awakening to the Czech Republic and Eastern Europe as a whole.

As we finished our last night of intern training we went through a labrynth (a guided walk through the hotel with stations along the way and plenty of candlelight).  We made trees where the roots were people God has used to form and shape and influence us; you were the trunk, and the branches were people you do and can influence.  We went on to mold play-dough into what fulfills us and is our foundation.  After this, we were asked to write a letter to ourselves - What do you like about yourself?  What do you want to leave behind?  What sins need to be pruned away?  What are some things you want to start?  In this letter I wrote my first "What if...?" page (thanks Donald Miller).  We then went to write names on rocks of people we need to and want to forgive and make marks on the rocks for things we need forgiveness for, and when we were ready we hurled them into the woods - as far as the east is from the west so God has removed our sins from us.  We then followed a candlelit path down the stairs to a room where we dipped our hands in clean water - representing the innocence of our initial creation, but then we dipped our hands in dirt to represent our rebellion and sin.  We then walked over to a leader who washed our hands symbolizing Jesus redeeming us and washing us clean (Zechariah 3 and Jude 24-25 among others).  Our hands were then anointed with oil and the person who anointed them prayed for us.  Then we walked the Romans Road with the verses lit by candles making a commitment to love and serve and obey at the end by lighting a candle as a sign of our commitment.  Worship bookended this (great worship in great community), and our team took communion together before the journey, remembering Jesus' death and also remembering where Jesus has met us powerfully and with grace in our lives (thanks Mark Johnson).

Again, I miss you all.  It is hard and wonderful here.  I hope it is hard and wonderful for you as well wherever God has called you for this time.