Home(s).

The countries I will one day never be a stranger to. The countries I will one day call “home”. The countries I will one day speak life over. The countries I will one day cultivate family in. The countries I will one day come to love. The countries I will one day dearly miss.

 

ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA 🇬🇹

This is the “Land of Eternal Springs” known for its exotic climate, tropical rainforests, volcanoes, coffee, zip lines and ancient history of Mayan Civilization. Spanish is the main language spoken in Antigua while its most popular dishes include pepián de pollo (chicken stew), tamales and kak’ik (turkey soup in spiced red broth). Guatemala has a population of 18 million people and is named “New Jerusalem”, as one of the most evangelical countries in the world. The three religions that make up Guatemala include Roman Catholic, Protestant Christian and non-religious Mayan Beliefs. Guatemala’s needs and struggles as a whole include youth falling into gang violence, malnutrition and needing physical needs met. As a long-standing Adventures in Missions base, the staff in Guatemala places a focus on these three principles: serve, disciple, send. They seek to empower locals through community development by meeting physical needs with water filters and stove installation, creating discipleship opportunities, and ultimately, having the goal of sending Guatemalans to the nations. 

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you for Guatemala. Thank you that you have brought life to this country through its beauty and people. God, we ask that you continue to make yourself known in moments that you seem absent. Would you provide clean water & manna for this country in abundance. Amen.

Read more about Guatemala here: https://www.worldrace.org/country/guatemala/

 

JEFFREY’S BAY, SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦

A country known for its soccer, safaris, beautiful scenery and coast lines, beach tourism, surf as well as one of the most diverse countries of the continent. IsiZulu, Afrikaans and English are the main languages spoken and popular dishes include bobotie (minced meat topped with egg), boerewors (sausage) and chakalaka and pap (spiced vegetable blend with corn meal). The population of South Africa is 60 million people including the religious breakdown of 73% Protestant, 15% no religion, 7% Catholic, 3% other and 2% Muslim. The country’s high needs and struggles include poverty as well as healing and reconciliation from challenges that linger following South Africa’s history with apartheid. A few focuses we will have here include after school programs like Beats & Books that helps students grow in reading abilities and allows them to discover music and other forms of art, practical projects around the school and community outreach. Impact Africa and Global Leadership Academy (GLA), two of our ministry partners, are reaching their communities through socially relevant outlets of ministry service. Their heart and vision is built around making a sustainable, long-term impact by equipping and mobilizing South Africans to reach fellow South Africans. Efforts multiply as these missionaries serve, educate, and rescue individuals while provoking them toward a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. There remains a high degree of diversity as people from many ethnic groups and nationalities live in the same communities. A distinct contrast exists between South Africa’s persona of being one of the most prosperous countries in Africa and the millions who live there in poverty.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for a country that exemplifies the diversity you love, ultimately, your creation. You know the wants, needs and struggles of South Africa. We ask you to pour out your love and pull hearts towards you. God, heal and mend the hearts of those who have been treated poorly and been impacted greatly by injustice. You are the healer. Amen.

Read more about South Africa here: https://www.worldrace.org/country/south-africa-2/

 

MANZINI / NSOKO, ESWATINI 🇸🇿

The country of eSwatini is known for its lions, elephants and rhinos throughout national parks, hiking, waterfalls and gorgeous views. Sishwala is the most popular dish here, a porridge made from corn and beans, served with meat or vegetable stew. Swazi and English are the main languages spoken throughout its 1.2 million people whose religious views stand at 40% Christian, 20% Roman Catholic, 10% Muslim and 30% other. One of the highest needs and struggles within the country include the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world due to a promiscuous culture, the ancient tribal tradition of polygamy and many myths about casual sex, leaving thousands of children (12% of the population) orphaned. 40% of mothers are left widowed with no means to support hungry children due to a lack of education. 63% of all Swazis live on less than $1.25 a day, this is below the national poverty line. The key to the nation’s future is its children who need care for their physical well being including fulfillment of basic needs like food, clean water, shelter and education. Adventures in Missions has made a long-term commitment in Eswatini with 20+ years of partnered ministry. The base in Eswatini has the vision to see a generation of children raised up to take leadership of their country, spread the Gospel to the world, and create an abundant and healthy future for their nation. We will be working towards this goal through feeding programs, agriculture projects, and leadership programs to raise the next generation of Swazi leaders.

PRAYER: We thank you for the many mothers and children of this country. God would you physically heal their bodies to the daily needs that have been lacking for so long. We ask you to make yourself known in eSwatini. Turn this ground around, would you be the source of light and would sickness across the atmosphere leave in Jesus name. Amen.

Read more about eSwatini here: https://www.worldrace.org/country/swaziland-2/

 

VIETNAM 🇻🇳

Vietnam is a beautiful country known for its natural landscapes and popular dishes including bún bò huế (beef noodle soup), cơm tấm (rice with a protein) and nem cuốn (fresh spring rolls – North) and gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls – South). It is also known as a country constantly searching and fighting for freedom, especially freedom of religion, due to its limited human rights. Vietnamese is spoken throughout the country’s 98 million people with over 80% claiming no religion and 8% Buddhist. A lot of children’s ministry and spending time in community and in people’s homes will take place to reveal the light of God.

PRAYER: Father, we ask you to bring pure and simple joy into Vietnam. Would this be a country of refuge for its people and others. Would it be known as a place where the presence of the holy spirit is tangible and frequent. Would its people come to know freedom in the purest way, how you created it to be. Amen.

Read more about Vietnam here: https://www.worldrace.org/country/vietnam/

 

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA 🇰🇭

Cambodia is known for its villages surrounded by flooded rice paddies and its popular dishes including fish amok (steamed coconut fish in banana leaves), samlor machu trey (sweet and sour soup with fish) and char kroeung sach ko (stir fried lemongrass beef). Khmer is the main language spoken by almost 17 million people with 97% Buddhist, 2% Muslim and 1% other, leaving 98% of its population unreached by the gospel. The high needs and struggles of this country include healing from the 1970s genocide when Khmer Rouge killed over 1.5 million men, women and children. Inconceivable poverty and desperation led to Cambodia becoming a source, transit point and destination for human trafficking. In Cambodia, we will be serving alongside and supporting the Adventures in Missions base staff through church planting efforts, ministries of local churches, and evangelism in order to reach people with the Gospel and empower locals through the process. The staff works hard to build long-term relationships, and we’ll be able to connect locals we meet with them to help those connections continue to grow, even after we’ve returned home.

PRAYER: Lord, we ask your fire to touch the streets of Cambodia in a way that has never been felt before. We believe that the country will come to know you, a God that is holy, just and protective over its people. Thank you for those already believing that you will overcome the population through your love for communities. Amen

Read more about Cambodia here: https://www.worldrace.org/country/cambodia/

 

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND 🇹🇭

Known for its friendly people, Thailand is called the “Land of Smiles”. It is a tourist destination full of sandy beaches and culinary practices. Thai is the main language spoken throughout Thailand with popular dishes like khao soi (egg noodle yellow curry) and sai oua (grilled spicy herb sausage). The country’s population stands at 71.75 million with 94% Buddhist, 5% Muslim and 1% other, while 90% is still unreached by the gospel. Sex trafficking and tourism are a couple of the main struggles of the country. We’ll have the opportunity to serve with one of the many ministry partners in Adventures in Missions’ network in Thailand who are working tirelessly to plant churches, provide opportunities, and meet needs within the community. We’ll also  have the chance to encourage local believers, and support them in their effort to share the Gospel with their neighbors. With so many impacted by the sex trade, there are chances to help rescue and restore those who have been caught in the cycle. The hope is to create a church planting movement that is sustainable and powered by local believers who are able to continue relationships as they’re built. Intercession through prayer walks is an invaluable means of serving the ministries who remain, particularly in Chiang Mai.

PRAYER: Lord, we ask that you would be in the midst of the hands involved in making your country an environment that worships and abides in you. Would you break generational curses, create opportunities for those stuck in horrific cycles to escape and reveal yourself to the entire sex trade industry. Your Kingdom is wanted and NEEDED here. Amen.

Read more about Thailand here: https://www.worldrace.org/country/thailand/

 

As you now know the needs and struggles of each country I will be embarking on mission in, please begin praying that God will meet and cover it all. He is powerful, good and oh so loving. Let His kingdom come on this earth, not just the United States but the countries surrounding that need Him just as much.

 

Love Always,

<3 P