Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 6/28/2011
Jambo! (Hello in Swahili)
Yesterday our small team found out about our first ministry in Kenya. We will be heading about 9 hours west of Nairobi to a town called Kachibora. The town is close to the Ugandan border and is so small I couldn't find it on Google maps. It's close to Kitale, which is a more well known town in Kenya and is located in the Rift Valley Province. Kachibora, a normally peaceful area, back in 2008 was invaded with violent attackers during the elections, where many Kenyan's sought refuge in this area and the violence spread because of opposition. There are farms located in this area as well, and in the past invaders have attempted to steal cattle from the farmers in Kachibora. Unfortunately there is not that much more information on Kachibora available on the internet as it is small and remote. Past world racers who have gone to Kachibora have claimed many of the people in the village have never seen a white person, and run after them shouting mzungu (white person).
Our team will be working with Deliverance Church in Kachibora, speaking to the people about the love of Jesus. Please pray for this village that the Lord can prepare their hearts to hear the message he has sent us to bring. Please also pray for me, as I think we will be giving sermons quite often, and that God will prepare me and provide me with words and scripture. I'm very nervous about this and don't have much experience in this area of evangelism.
I cannot wait to see the smiling faces that will greet us in Kachibora! Please pray for restoration of hope in this village, for healing for the sick and brokenhearted, and for God to reveal the plan he has for our team during this month in Kenya.
Thank you for your help in sending me to Kenya!
Exodus 4:10-12
But Moses said to the Lord, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue." Then the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 6/10/2011
Hi everyone,
Just thought I would pop in and let you all know that I'm officially leaving on August 1st, 9:43am and head to DC for a couple days of orientation with my squad!! AND I am so special that I get to arrive a day early along with a select few from the team....why you ask? I asked myself the same question, when they asked me to be the finance person of our team!?!? What were they thinking...I don't even manage my own money. I was so ready to step away from excel spreadsheets that I look at every day of my life, but by the grace of God I have the pleasure of keeping track of a budget for 7 of our people in our small team! yep, it's ok to laugh. I did too after I said no 10 times before I finally said yes. :)
In other news, I gave my notice at work last week and was a little nervous at how that would go. I have been there nearly 3 years and have been mentored down a great career path. My boss was very understanding and was excited for me to be taking the chance to live my dream. They also mentioned to contact them when I get back should I be interested in returning! That was a huge blessing as well!
I didn't blog much about training camp in TN, but it was amazing, overwhelming, a reality check, humbling, and I have never been so hungry in my life than when I was there. But in all seriousness, I have an amazing squad that I am so proud to be travelling with. From 20-35 year olds with hearts to serve God and love to give to the nations. Please pray for them as they are also fundraising, leaving jobs, homes and some even struggle with a family that isn't supportive, and I can only imagine the difficulty they are going through.
I have my small team, here is a photo of us on our ministry day in Copperhill, TN/Mcaysville, GA. They are.......Megan, Brandon Joshua, Allie, Olivia and Carl!...and me on the monkey bars.
Thank you for your continued prayer. I wish I could have a big BBQ with all of you there before I leave! I appreciate all of the support you have given me, especially having a supportive family. It means so much. Thank you.
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 5/28/2011
Dear Future Racers,
Day 1, you arrive tired, anxious, possibly even overwhelmed a bit by the welcome into training camp as you make your way up the dirt road. Former racers and staff waving, jumping, singing and clapping with tambourines even as you say to yourself, this is the beginning. The beginning of a new chapter in life, one that will change it forever and hopefully wreck you for Jesus. Training camp? All these preconceived ideas about what it would be. For many an exciting moment, for others maybe a dreadful moment of exposure, but for all a moment where you have the chance to start your journey towards being changed and going out to bring that change to the world. At training camp you have the choice to go in surrendering, with an open heart and mind, ready to start your journey, or you have the choice to stay stuck in your own ways of thinking, doing and feeling. It may take a day or two, but choose to be open and ready to have God rock your world. Don’t be afraid! Your World Race squad leaders will guide you in every step that requires guidance, but also give you the freedom to speak up, to lead, to open your heart and to share what God is doing in your life and how you can use your spiritual gifts or in my case, find out what they are! It is an absolutely amazing experience. Soak up every moment of it!
Expect to step out of your comfort zone, and fall absolutely in love with it. Let God guide you as you learn from your squad leaders and start to build relationships with your new family. Share with others how He is changing you, and get ready to be set free of the person the devil tells you that you are in his lies. Galatians 5:7-9 “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.” In Galatians 5, one of my favorite chapters it talks about being set free and living not in slavery to the law but living by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and placing our faith in Christ Jesus. In that way, we can live freely knowing how much God loves us, UNCONDITIONALLY, no matter what baggage we brought to camp, and we can freely express that love to others, our team, our family, friends, and equally importantly, to those we encounter all over the world. In verse 13 it tells us that it is what we are to do. Use our freedom to serve one another in LOVE. I feel that throughout training camp, our leaders expressed the importance of love. I just remember hearing the word over and over. Love, love, love is the movement; I saw that on a t-shirt. Also, we must love ourselves as we realized that God loves us and created us in his own beautiful image. You are here because you have been called by God and you responded. How amazing is that in itself!? You should love yourself even for that reason alone!
Come to camp, seeking His freedom, and it will be given unto you. Take every possible opportunity to thank and worship Him for this important time spent at training camp. It plants the seed for a truly amazing journey with God and His people. Speak the truth, stay firm in God’s Word and use it as the weapon He has given you. Get ready to light up the world and proclaim freedom for His people in Jesus name!
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 5/19/2011
Thanks to the greatness of our God and to all of you, I will be attending training camp for the World Race next week in Copperhill, TN, which is not on Google Maps but is close to the Chattahoochee National Forest! I just wanted to write Chattahoochee....
This will be my first time meeting my whole squad. At training we will go over everything from packing to safety, talk about cultural matters, different ministries we may be working in and just bonding with our team. I will be driving down with another racer who is from NH as well!
For those who are praying, please pray for a safe drive and for a great trip getting to know the people I will be spending the next year of my life with. This is a really exciting step because this means that I am going on the World Race and that it is all really happening. So many times I've just dreamt about this, but it's actually happening and I am so excited that you all have been a part of it.
Last night my dad helped me pack my backback up for the 9 days I will be there. I have to bring all the gear I'm bringing on the race, so it was a reality check when my bag was stuffed not including any toiletries. I will really have to cut down on clothes when I go to pack it up in less than 3 months! Really makes me think of what I can live without, althoguh it was extremely hard to part with certain things and I definitely put things aside and then added them back to the pile. :) When my back is killing me from carrying my bag around, maybe then I will learn to live with less.
On another note, my suport account, like my backpack is also full and bursting at the seams! Right now I have about 12,000 raised out of the 14,800, so I am nearly there! Thank you again for your prayers and financial support. It will be used to touch the lives of many.
I dont have much else to say except thank you to all of you! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!
Matthew 6:25
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to to his life?
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 4/21/2011
Hi everyone! Hope you're all enjoying the start of spring, unless you live in Caribou Maine and it's still winter there! God has been doing a lot sine I last wrote and in general since I decided to join the World Race.
I found out about the WR years ago reading a backpack Europe travel blog and thought wow that's awesome but super expensive. How could anyone come up with that kind of money. I came across it in November again and I thought what the heck, let me request more information. I happened to be researching different mission trips and I knew I wanted to go around the world. So I ended up applying knowing that I wouldn't ever go because I would be too afraid to have to come up with $14,800, sell my car, leave my job, etc. I applied and then was contacted by Marisa who works for AIM and we chatted for a while and I still didn't think I was going. Her stories were amazing but all I could see was the figure $14,800 blocking all other possibilities. I then had to schedule my interview and I did, and I swear I almost cancelled it because I knew I wasn't going. I ended up doing the interview with Shannon, who works for AIM as well (both had been on the WR), and her stories were also amazing! Even after that interview I told myself I'm not going. I then waited to be rejected or accepted. I got a surprising call at work one day a few weeks later from Shannon, and by then the WR was in the way back of my mind. She told me I was accepted and I wanted to be excited, I was but at the same time, I was like oh crap, now I have to tell her no. So I said I needed time to think, pray and figure this all out. I prayed, and spoke with friends, family, but I knew it was me who had to decide. I finally spoke with a friend and she saw how excited I was in talking about this round the world trip. She prayed with me, and kept praying for me. Soon after I decided that God was calling me to do this race, I just couldn't say no, and even though I was worried about the money, in the back of my mind somewhere I had faith that it would just work out if it was God's will. If not, then I would do something else, maybe another mission. But I knew that everything would be ok. I had peace of mind. Then I had to commit with a $150 deposit. I thought I would be soo excited to put this money down and I would get that trip commitment feeling, like when you buy the plane tickets to go somewhere (you know it's for real). After I did it I had a lump in my throat and a worry on my shoulders so heavy I panicked. My peace left me and I was like, what did I just do!!?
I started writing support letters right away and sent them off. Things were taking off slowly, and if you know anything about me, I have no patience. It's one of the fruits of the spirit I'm working on. After some time I started getting contacted people I barely knew who wanted to support me, and people willing to pass out my letter. I was so amazed by their willingness to help, I knew that came from God. Just a few months ago in February, I had $300 and I was struggling with the thought of raising this money. I thought there's no way I'll be on that plane in August. Well, here we are, less than 3 months later and God has provided over $11,000!!! More than half the cost of this trip!
During this time, I have spent the last month in South Carolina, taking a break from a busy life and working and trying to commit to people and what not. I have spent so much time with the Lord, and have actually been interested in reading the Bible! It wasn't just a ok, lets read for 5-10 minutes and pray. It's a great book, you should check it out if you havent :) Anyway, I had to take numerous steps of faith to get where I am, and I do believe in doing this God really has recognized my faith and has blessed me wih being able to go on this WR. I believe he will continue to do this in my life if I keep seeking him. Being down here I've been going to a great church where God is alive and working in amazing ways. Being there has really helped me grow closer to God and I am not going back home the same Erika I was, and I know the race will do this to me as well.
I know everyone goes through hard times, and I do too, and things won't always be perfect, but if we step out in faith, in God's own time he will provide for our needs, maybe not that new iphone, or new car, but our NEEDS, we can't bring those to heaven anyway, and if we seek him earnestly he will bless us in life, and we will store up our treasures in heaven, when we go there to be with him.
Sorry this blog is so long, but what I want to get at, is if you're nervous about taking a step or worried about something, PRAY ABOUT IT, READ THE WORD! Keep doing it. God isn't like texting or IM. His answers are not always instant, but even if you're in your midnight hour, he will be there if you ask him to be. Take steps of faith you believe to be his will and you will see yourself grow in him and you will see him blessing your life. Yesterday I saw a dog and his owner playing on the beach and the dog, even though it was a big dog, was afraid of the ocean, he wouldn't go in, he would just sniff and back away. Until I noticed his owner going in and leading the dog, and at that point the dog saw that the owner was ok in the water and went in with him, step by step. Sometimes we sniff into something good and back away because of fear. But if we seek God, he will show us the right way in, step by step, and if we follow him we don't have to be afraid. He is a good God! And he wants to see your fruit grow and for you to prosper. These are his promises, just look for it in his word!
Have a wonderful Easter, and if you are going to service, ask someone who doesn't normally go to go with you.
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 4/1/2011
Well this morning I checked my support account which I'm trying to only check every 2 weeks to a month to not get overwhelmed by it. I'm excited to say that I have been provided more than enough to attend training camp in May and I have been blessed with $3,423.85 so far! Thank you all who have supported me in prayer and financially. I am so thankful for each penny and even more than that I'm excited to see what God does through this and through me when I go to each of these countries.
I have even had support come from the most unforeseen places and to me it just shows how God works and he is faithful to those who pursue him.
Please continue praying for my preparation for this trip, and my goal in reaching $6,000 before leaving in August, and the total $14,800 by January 2012.
Thank you all! Happy Friday!
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 3/27/2011
This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Charleston, South Carolina, a beautiful historic city with so much to see. I got to see all you're typical tourist attractions, the straw market, rainbow row, the manions on the battery and even Fort Sumter. I stayed at a hostel and my two roommates were sisters from Florida. I got the chance to go to dinner with one of them and through our conversation we found something in common. She had been accepted to the World Race as well!! Her friend is actually on the race right now. Although this girl had decided not to go on the race it was great to meet someone that shared the same passion for travel and missions. That wasn't really the point of this post, but just had to mention it. God does amazing little things!
Today I got to visit a chuch in Charleston and it ended up being my favorite part of the trip. The pastor had a great message from Nehamiah and Matthew about how God tells us to come to him, even when we've broken our commitments to him time and time again. We don't have to live in shame. He tells us to come to him, find rest in him, and even though life can be hard, our burden is light when we have him standing with us. I hope you can be reminded that we can go to him, knowing that life isn't always easy, and even through sin, we don't have to shy away from God. He unconditionally loves us. :)
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 3/17/2011
Today I don't have much to write. Actually the last week or so I've been trying to come up with something to blog about but I just don't have much to talk about.
God has really been doing some amazing things around me and with me. I'm really excited to be getting closer to starting this trip. The preparation is a journey in itself, while rocky at times is a learning experience to say the least. I just heard buzzing around me in my room, I hope it's not a hornet/wasp or anything that stings/bites, etc. So much for sleeping tonight!
Anyway, thank you all for your prayers. They are working, God is hearing them and he is preparing me for this journey. I ask if you are praying regularly for me to please keep in mind the people in the countries I will be visiting: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malaysia, Cambodia, VIetnam, the Philipenes, China, the Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. Please pray for the people we will meet while we are there and how we can help whether it's physical help or spiritually.
Thank you all for being a part of this life changing experience!!
"And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."
Genesis 11:6
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Posted in What's Going On in My World by Erika Dunn on 2/8/2011
Before this post I wrote a really long post explaining in detail the worries and stresses I've inherited upon accepting this mission to participate in the world. I thought when finalizing that $150 commitment payment I would feel liberated, excited, but I felt every other possible emotion over power my enthusiasm. What was I doing, How am I ever going to raise $14,800 while working full time, teaching 6 classes and doing all the other things I do. Am I crazy to think I will actually be on the plane with the rest of the team in August?
All these questions and negative thoughts popped into my head. Where was my faith?, the whole reason I told myself I wanted and was destined to go on this trip. As It's been about two weeks since I finalized my decision to be a part of the World Race and God has opened many doors in regards to my support. Every day I have been praying for him to do something amazing with my support account. I guess my fears overcame me because most of the things I do in life I have control over, for the most part. They are safe bets, and I work hard to get them. With this trip, it is entirely up to God to provide, and I'm not sure I've been tested in this way before. I feel restless, anxious, sad, and many other negative emotions I would never have expected to come about because of this trip.
Today I decided to change my prayer from, "Lord, do something amazing with my support account today," to "Lord, give me the faith, the joy, the peace, the PATIENCE, and the strength to get through this."
I'm reading a book a close friend gave me after hearing about my troubles with trusting it will work out. It's called "Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom. One of the sermons read by the rabbi in the book really touched me yesterday. I hope this can be my prayer or praise and maybe yours if you're struggling with faith at this time or in the future:
"My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of ‘I could have, I should have. ’ We can sleep in a storm."
We can sleep in a storm....
When it's broken down to this simplistic message, it seems so much clearer to me. What it all comes down to is having that child-like faith. That book was passed along to my friend and her only requirement was to pass it along to the next person who may be needing a little faith.
I guess this post ended up being just as long as the last. Thank you for reading and praying.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15)
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