Posted in 08-Mozambique by Katie Rowland on 7/3/2009
While browsing videos on Vimeo to see what's out there and learn more of my craft by watching others do it with excellence, I found Discover the Journey.
I got really excited to see one of their videos because it completely relates to what we did in Mozambique this past January. Watch my video and theirs below to see what I mean! YOU can partner with what God is doing in Mozambique! Watch their video to find out how...
HOW ABOUT, LOOO-OOOO-OOOOOVE, measure in love.....seasons of LOVE!
...Cliche or not, I have always loved that song, and now even more so. A year ago today I began the journey of a lifetime: living in community with 31 people, crossing four continents, traveling through 19 countries, participating in ministry projects in 11 countries, being challenged in every comfort zone and on every level, and truly being changed in the deepest parts of me...it was an indescribable year.
If I try to measure my past year in love, it is actually immeasurable! The #1 love I experienced is the love of God. I felt His presence and love upon my life in depths and ways I've never experienced before. And actually, all the other love I experienced is just an extension of God's love: love from my beautiful Kiatera teammates who saw me in my weaknesses and shortcomings and chose to love my anyways; love from my other squadmates I lived alongside of throughout the year; supportive love from my family and friends back home; love from ministry contacts who welcomed us as family into their homes; love from orphans who were searching for someone to love; love from friends we met along the way who only knew us for a short time but loved on us like family...so much LOVE! Quoted in John 13:5, Jesus says: "By this all men will know you are my disciples: if you love one another."
Here are two questions everyone asks that I can easily answer on this blog.
(1) What was my favorite country?
...Well I really had four favorites: Nicaragua, Cambodia, Burma and Swaziland. Each place I loved for different reasons, though all were ministry-related. And, that's not to say anything bad about the other seven countries I worked in; these just topped the list. :) I have a sense in my heart that someday I'll be back in Swaziland in some capacity, though I have no idea how soon or in what capacity that may occur. If you want to know more about any of these four, email me or let's get coffee sometime.
(2) What's next?
...Through the course of the year God laid two things on my heart to really pursue within the next two years or so.
(2a) One is to develop more of my leadership ability by applying to co-lead an AIM college-age trip, Real Life. Some things have already begun falling into place for this as a possibility for the upcoming fall, September through November, so that may happen next.
(2b) The second thing God has called me to pursue is more training in media, specifically in journalistic video production. My passion for it has simply exploded this year (in case you couldn't tell...if you've been reading my blogs at all you've noticed at least half of them the second half of the Race have been videos!) I have been using a little Canon Powershot S5 IS and iMovie this whole time, and have definitely realized their shortcomings, though both have served me well. Next, I need to obtain more technical skills in equipment (cameras, mics, lighting) and editing programs and techniques. If anyone reading this blog has any connection to the video production industry--especially journalistic videos!---I would love to chat with you to pick your brain! Please send me an email via this blog by clicking the link in the top-left corner. Also, to see some of the best videos from the year, visit my Video Portfolio.
Last but certainly not least, there are other things God has awakened within my heart that I know will be there for the rest of my life. These include a love for orphans and a passion for awakening my generation. While I don' t know what actions I'll be taking to continue these movements of my soul, I know it'll happen somehow, someday!
So as I look back on this year that I simply cannot measure in love, I am amazed. I am awed by the work God has done in me personally, in my team, in my squad, in my generation, in my WORLD. He is present everywhere and is calling Kingdom people to serve him everywhere! As I move on towards the next steps in my journey to bring the Kingdom of God to the kingdoms of this earth, I pray that you are doing the same in your own life--that you're listening to the voice of God calling your heart to awaken and your soul to hunger after him and pour out his LOVE on the peoples on earth!
We shot the photo in front of the castle of Marburg, Germany. (It's the same castle you can see in the background of my other light-art photo with my name)
For the first ten days after the World Race, I visited a couple towns in Germany with one of my best friends from college, Antje, and her boyfriend, Nate. We had a great time and they helped me begin to process through things God did in my life this year, and the way He's changed me and continues to do so.
Our time in Marburg was nothing but a blessing to me. To my (somewhat) surprise, we had the privilege of staying in a household full of Kingdom-minded people. First there's the Pflueger family, (pictured left minus Georg) headed by Georg and Margit, with Benny, Robin, Marlene and Marvin (sorry if I spelled names wrong!). They opened up their homes to us in a way I haven't experienced since I left America, sharing their food, GOOD coffee, living space, hot showers, comfy beds and family fellowship with the three of us-and all, free of charge! (wow!) Benny, Robin and Marlene are three teenagers who are pretty much the coolest teens in all of Germany. They could choose to go out and party but don't really have a desire to do so. They're living their lives for God in a nation filled with skeptics and critics. They live among a community of Christians who know their purpose on this earth is to glorify God and usher others into His presence. I admire the entire Pflueger family and am so grateful for their hospitality!
We also spent a lot of time in the attic of the house with the guys that live in the four-bedroom spread: Volker, Daniel, Peter and Lukas. These guys, all students, shared their food and kitchen and much time with us, showing us around town and being truly understanding during the moments I jumped up and ran out of the room to cry! I had the pleasure of getting to know Lukas and Volker (pictured right) a little bit throughout the week. I really enjoyed sharing Race stories with them, amongst other dicsussions about faith, cultures around the world and the Western church. Both guys really blessed me with their genuine love for Christ.
Last but certainly not least, I got to hang out a little with Corrina, who I met through Volker. She's a beautiful, lively gal woman of God is bringing Kingdom in her workplace. As a social worker with a church in a nearby town known for higher crime and poverty rates than most of Germany, along with very few Christians, she's strong and she longs to see more of God's Kingdom coming to Germany. Keep fighting and praying for it, Corrina! I'm praying with you!
So, even though I didn't expect it in Marburg, Germany....KINGDOM lives there, too! (below: Nate, Volker, Antje and I in the boys' kitchen where we spent quite a bit of time hanging out!)
Eleven countries, eleven months. Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me." ...Here are some glimpses of the beautiful children I met across four continents on my World Race journey. Featuring the song "Show You Love" by Jars of Clay. Visit www.theworldrace.org to find out how you can love children around the world!
My squadmate Shanda Dodd (who is pretty darn cool) wrote this "blurb" about our time in Moldova:
"I spent my last two weeks of ministry in Cornesti, Moldova,
partnering with Vitalii and his family. He pastors at the only church
in town and runs two transition homes for orphans and street kids
(their stories are coming soon). Our time was spent attending Bible
studies with the youth, doing outreach in the forest, putting on kids
programs, giving testimonies at church, and lots and lots of manual
labor.
Vitalii recently started to rent a plot of land for the transition
home. The house has been sitting empty for over a month and the land
hasn't been tended in quite some time. Vitalii's vision was to clean
out and repaint the house as well as clear the grounds and begin
planting all sorts of crops... grapes, cucumbers, watermelon, etc. I
admit I was a little weary of the house ever being livable or the
fields ever being usable, but after two weeks the land was cleared, the
crops planted, and two of the older boys from the transition home had
moved into the little house with the task of overseeing the crops."
To see photos of the transformation of the house for the two teen boys to live in, go to Shanda's blog.
Below are two videos from my time in Moldova. I tried out a bit of a different style from my usual. Enjoy! (PS--the second video is pure silliness we had with the rubbish we cleaned out of the little house. Hope you like it. heehee!)
My final ministry month on the World Race was in Moldova. Here's a glimpse of World Racers' lives there...May 2009, featuring a Russian worship song recorded there.
The Race is over. It was June 28, 2008 and I boarded a plane with 31 strangers. Then I blinked, and it was May 20, 2009 and a plane landed, I looked around, and there were no squad-family-members looking back at me, ready for a new country, a new experience. I was seemingly alone for the first time in nearly 11 months.
Perhaps it all seems like a dream.
But then again, who dreams of living out of a backpack for a year, "marrying" 31 people, tenting for months, sweating 24 hours a day, getting eaten alive by bugs, eating some really funky and gross foods, using lots and lots of squatty potties and generally being stretched beyond their limits?
On the other hand, many have dreams of traveling the world, experiencing cultures, loving and being loved by 31 other people, playing with orphans around the world, and seeing the good work that churches and missionaries and NGOs are doing across the continents of this earth.
So, yes, it does sort of all seem like a dream...but as I've been pondering all that God has shown me along the road on the World Race, I've realized one thing.
The World Race is NOT a DREAM. ---> It is an AWAKENING!
Before the Race, I had a heart for the nations, to some extent. I desired to learn more about this world I call home and how to bring Jesus' love to the nations. But I was ASLEEP...
My faith remained UNTESTED.
My comfort zones remained SECURE.
My heart remained UNBROKEN.
My love and my dreams remained SELFISH.
My vision remained CLOUDED.
My identity remained SHAKY.
Now I know that my old life, my pre-Race life, was more like the dream. It was lovely and nice and full of happy things and comforts and, honestly, naive ignorance. It was the typical American life, which millions around the world do, indeed, dream of.
But my soul, my heart, my spirit have BEEN AWAKENED!
My faith has been TESTED and strengthened.
My comfort zones have been SHAKEN.
My heart has been BROKEN.
My human love has fallen short, as I've been filled with the LOVE OF JESUS.
My dreams have become more like the dreams of GOD.
My vision is CLEARER.
My identity has been SECURED.
My message is STRONG...I have something to say, and I am going to say it for the rest of my life.
It is a joke on my team that we are the sleeptalking team, because Krystle and I are both known culprits. But now I say: no more sleeptalking, Katie! I am AWAKE and FULLY ALIVE!
Psalm 17:15 "And I-in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness."
I know that now I am awake and fully alive in Christ, the only thing that will every truly satisfy my hungry soul is GOD. And I know this is not just my own problem but the problem of all humans...we were created to love and serve God alone, and until we do that, we will never be full.
Ephesians 5:13-17 "But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."
So. Friends. This is not the last blog, and there will also be more videos to come. Stay tuned if you want to. I hope it's your desire, as well, to AWAKE!
---here's a fun photo Antje helped me shoot here in Germany. I wrote the a backwards accidentally, haha! ...note the castle in the top right hand corner!---
Every face has a story....This is a video tribute to the people that changed me, inspired me, loved me and challenged me along my World Race Road, July 2008-May 2009. Some of these are bringing the Kingdom of God down to the kingdoms of this earth. Some of these haven't heard the call of Christ yet.
Featuring the song, "I Saw What I Saw" by Sara Groves. Send me a message if you'd like to know the stories behind the faces and names.
Visit (www.theworldrace.org) to find out how you can go on the journey.
Throughout the year, Team Kiatera has been taking 10% of our finances off the top of our monthly disbursement to give to needs in ministries we meet along the way. Our amazing financier Lisa Smith compiled this blog to show YOU where YOUR money went around the world (let alone sending us there in the first place). If want to read more about the stories, click her links to her past blogs, all wonderfully written; if you want to see more about the stories, click the links to my corresponding videos. If you have more questions, shoot me an email. And know that your money went a LONG way...all around the world!
Central America
In Mexico you helped with repairs at Shekinah, a free pastor training school for Central American pastors.
In Nicaragua you provided for the baptisms of 11 youth (VIDEO : Nica Amigos) whose lives are being changed by the love of God.
In Nicaragua you also started a work-to-school program for young boys
that have dropped out of school. Many teenage boys in Candelaria drop
out of school and then feel as though they have no other option but to
join the local gangs. This program gives these boys safe jobs on the
New Song Ministry property, provides mentoring from Christian men, and
New Song finds sponsors for the boys to return to school.
South East Asia
In Vietnam you bought roses that showed Christ's love to prostitutes working in Ho Chi Minh City.
In Cambodia you provided supplies for a 2-week VBS program for AIDS orphans (VIDEO: at the House of Rainbow Bridge, there is love) in Phnom Penh. This VBS program brought laughter, fun, and Jesus into the lives of these children.
In Thailand
you helped in the expansion of a training program for women wishing to
leave the bars. Currently the Tamar Center helps girls to leave the
bars and then be trained as either a baker or a hair stylist. They are
in the process of purchasing a new building and expanding this training
program to include more options.
In Thailand you also hosted a pancake breakfast for young girls living at the Eden House
in northern Thailand. This is a restoration home for girls that have
either been rescued from or are at risk for human trafficking.
Africa
In Mozambique you donated Bibles to the churches of Matchovane.
(VIDEO: Kiatera on God's Story in Matchovane) These are believers who love God passionately, but because of lack of
access to the Word of God, they have very little Biblical knowledge.
Your gift is brining truth that these churches desperately need and
desire.
In Swaziland you provided medical care for a young baby with TB and for his mother, Dudu, who is dying of AIDS/TB.
In Swaziland
you also trained teachers from eight carepoints. These go-gos (VIDEO: Beauty from Ashes: Women of Swaziland) are
providing the only education that many of these children will receive.
This training taught the teachers new educational techniques,
discipline and management, and how to recognize and report abuse.
In Swaziland you also provided court fees to advocate for the rights of abused children
(link to Kiwi blog). Orphans are often seen as a burden to those left
to care for them (VIDEO: I've Seen HIS Love Come Down). Many of these children are abused. Currently the
government does not have advocates for these children. Abuse cases are
not tried in court unless a 3rd party goes to court on behalf of the
abused children. Your money is helping to provide court fees for two
such children.
In Malawi you brought the gospel message to remote villages in the country's southern region. (VIDEO: Zomba!)
Europe
In England you bought the Jesus Film in 24 languages to be given to London's ethnic minorities. (VIDEO: London Calling)
In Romania you provided supplies for VBS,
women's Bible study, and English classes for the gypsy people of Viile
Tecii. God moved through each of these venues to speak truth to the
gypsies that they are loved and greatly valued by their God. (VIDEO: Gypsy Agape)
In Romania you also contributed towards an Easter feast for five gypsy villages.
In Moldova you painted houses and cleaned yards for the elderly. You also provided food for poor families in southern Moldova.
Your generosity has made a huge difference in my life and it has
also impacted the lives of hundreds of others throughout the nations.
THANK YOU!! ...Gracias...Cam on....Ar Khun...Kab-koon-kaaa....Jezu-dem-ba-day...Cheers!...Khanimambo...Siyabonga...Multumesk....Sposiba...Danke!
It was a small thing, a tiny comment. But the reality of it sunk in deep.
Our fellowship of 32 already separated, most of the F-squad landed in London to part ways. As one of the last to deplane, I was surprised to see a young man waiting for me with a sign advertising he was the one to meet the flier going to Frankfurt. That was me! Because of my short layover and flight delay out of Kiev, this guy was here to ensure I made my connection on time.
As we rushed through the airport we kept passing small clumps of Racers, which I had to speed-hug and say farewell. I'm not one for goodbyes anyways, but the rushing made it even more poignant: I practically ran up to a bunch of Racers, shouting "fast fast fast hugs and goodbyes!", getting in about eight of them before rushing off again.
So the guy escorting me seemed to notice something a little different.
"You're quite popular, eh?" he asked.
I laughed to myself as I looked down at my dirty jeans and flip-flopping feet rushing down the shiny London airport hallways.
"Well they're more like family," I said. "We just finished traveling together for eleven months."
He asked where we'd been; I told him, receiving the expected "wow." Then a question: "Well that must have cost a pretty bit?"
"Well, we lived in tents in Africa to save money, and we often stayed in the homes of contacts of ours, Christian pastors and people like that," I explained. "We ate a lot of rice and potatoes, cheap foods, so we didn't spend much on food."
Funny thing was, that was about all I had time for before going through baggage security and rushing to the gate. That was about all he heard of the World Race.
But he saw that spark of love as I said farewell to my World Race family.
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." ~Jesus (John 13:35)
327 days ago we met in the Miami airport. By 5 a.m. we were in line for our flight to Mexico City, then on to Cancun, where our first travel fun began. There was no money in our AIM accounts due to a small oversight (the accounts had been closed by the bank, unbeknownst to us), and once we pooled enough money to get bus tickets....That first bus taking us to Palenque broke down. We made it to the Shekinah Bible School a bit tired but laughing and excited...
We were practically strangers, and we had signed on to live together for 11 months, traveling to tell people about Jesus. Sounds pretty sweet, eh?
hmm.
As I think about the journey spanning 26 countries, four continents and one purpose, I look back on those 32 people (the first squad ever, by the way, to make it through without losing a single member)....well I can see that we have embodied one of our favorite Asian sayings: "Same-same, but different."
When we come home you may think we are the "same" as when we left a year ago. You will see 32 Christians with a thirst for adventure and a desire to serve. But in our hearts we know that we are "same-same." And by that we mean, we're "...but, different."
I used to be Katie Rowland...
Now I am Katie "Christ" Rowland.
I am a child of the King of the universe. He created me and He loves me and has a PURPOSE for me. Yes, I said all that before I ever came on the Race, but now I actually believe it with all my heart. Same-same, but different. Any of the other 31 F-squad peeps would agree.
But the funny thing is, this long journey, these changes and lessons and transformations...they're not even FOR US. The point is not for me, Katie, to go and have a lovely little life, traveling and photographing and feeling sorry for broken people. The point is that I, Katie Rowland, as a walking-talking-breathing representative of Jesus Christ, the most high king, can ONLY give him glory. It ain't for me, friends and family. God didn't make me "same-same, but different," just so you all can smile and say "well done" and pat me on the back. He put his Holy Spirit inside of me so that when you see the Katie that is "same-same, but different"--the Katie "Christ" Rowland--you will begin to see a glimpse of God's own heart for this messed-up world.
...You will see how he loves broken teenagers enough that he sends them a friend to listen with a forgiving and open heart and the love of Christ.
....You will see how he loves prostitutes enough to send some foreigners into their bars with a different purpose than typical business...with a purpose of showing them that redemption is possible, free, and just a prayer away.
...You will see how he loves orphans enough to send some crazy Americans halfway around the world just to hold them for a little while.
....You will see how he loves the outcast gypsies enough to send his people, freed from the bindings of the law/legalism, into their midst to preach FREEDOM IN CHRIST.
And so you see, I am "same-same, but different." Outwardly I look much the same; I still love dancing and good music and Tar Heel basketball and iced lattes. But my old heart is shattered. I left pieces of it in Nicaragua, Cambodia, Burma and Swaziland (especially). Faces and names are imprinted on my heart forever (you've met some along the way through my blog; you'll meet more soon when I get a video up.)
God is reshaping my heart, putting His own inside of it, changing my attitude, pouring out his grace on my life and calling me to rise up.
It really all comes down to this. Out there along the Race road, I met a God I didn't know before.* He's wrecked my life, asked me to let go of control and independence, turned my heart inside out and asked me to say Yes to his call, to bring HIS life and freedom and KINGDOM into a dying world.
Yes, God, yes!
---
*thanks to Allison Johnston for that excellent quote!
Our time in Marburg was nothing but a blessing to me. To my (somewhat) surprise, we had the privilege of staying in a household full of Kingdom-minded people. First there's the Pflueger family, (pictured left minus Georg) headed by Georg and Margit, with Benny, Robin, Marlene and Marvin (sorry if I spelled names wrong!). They opened up their homes to us in a way I haven't experienced since I left America, sharing their food, GOOD coffee, living space, hot showers, comfy beds and family fellowship with the three of us-and all, free of charge! (wow!) Benny, Robin and Marlene are three teenagers who are pretty much the coolest teens in all of Germany. They could choose to go out and party but don't really have a desire to do so. They're living their lives for God in a nation filled with skeptics and critics. They live among a community of Christians who know their purpose on this earth is to glorify God and usher others into His presence. I admire the entire Pflueger family and am so grateful for their hospitality!
