http://amymorris.theworldrace.org Journey to Fully Alive Amy Morris - The World Race 2007 en-us Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:28:59 GMT 30 http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-adventures-continue http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-adventures-continue    LIFE itself is FULL of all kinds of adventures, they of course don't end after this past year. So, I want to continue to share them with you, as well as hear of what is going on in your life. After all the blogging this past year, and since I've come to grips that this is a technological world, I've decided to keep the blogs going...though likely at a slower pace.    My new blog site is: http://amyemorris.blogspot.com if you'd like to check it out!!!   Blessings Tue, 5 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=tribute-to-my-world-race-team http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=tribute-to-my-world-race-team Leah and I share a tearful moment thinking of saying goodbye... Wow- it felt good to be clean and dressed up!! Everyone looked amazing for our "until we meet again" banquet! Our last time together as WR07 team (after a tearful but sweet goodbye, Lynette left with her family who came to visit in HK).The beautiful thing is that I KNOW I will see these precious faces again! We have spent 324 days 24/7 together, and our hearts have been knit together through the many joys, laughter, Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=china http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=china Back from the mainland for a few days now, and we have been debriefing in Hong Kong. I have so much to share and have been wanting to get a blog up, but spending every moment I can with my world race family has been my priority. So, I am excited to share so SO much more with you when I return to the states in now a matter of hours! I will give you just a little overview on China, as we are limited in what we can put up online as far as photos and details...but I would love to share more with Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=final-country-here-we-come http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=final-country-here-we-come    The Lord did far more than we asked for or imagined in the Philippines as we were on a mission to find contacts for future teams. It seemed like each contact we had multiplied into many more contacts, each ministry ended up being multifaceted, and one contact would connect us with yet another one...it was incredible! The Lord showed us that in the midst of all the poverty, crowds of people and seeming chaos, He has many of His children in place there and at work... and because of th Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=philippines-observations1 http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=philippines-observations1 Observations: Karaoke is a favorite Asian pastime, and can be found everywhere - even bus rides! Not a bandit...Masks and handkerchiefs are carried around to serve as filters from the heavy fumes and pollution Craziest driving we've seen yet- few road signals and everyones makes their own "lanes" - we even had cab drivers decide to use the sidewalks and go against oncoming traffic to avoid the lines of traffic on our side of the road! This was a little frightening, but I also kinda felt Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=you-do-unto-me http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=you-do-unto-me "Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:13-14 He had seen many street children before, as there are 1000's and 1000's of them throughout Manila. One day something was different- as he was approached by two of them, something stirred in his spirit that he could not ignore. He could no longer let any child who came Tue, 2 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=ozamiz-trust http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=ozamiz-trust We stepped off the plane on to a small runway, we had come to a stop just 20 yds before the strip turned back in to field- one airstrip in the middle of fields, trees and shacks, a large group of locals stand at the fence watching us land. Flights come in and out only 4 times/week, so it's still a novelty to watch the planes...I realize many probably have never been on a plane and wonder what it would be like, they stare probably wondering who these people are who come on and off their island. Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=team-ophun http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=team-ophun Photos from my birthday - Sept 12 (late posting) :) Birthdays are a BIG celebration!!!   I was given a 5 minute medley Happy Birthday song in which many of our church friends came to sing, complete with guitars and drums!   IMAX - "Under the Sea"  :)  Goin' round the globe! Our Philippines Team came up with a new name since we are a combination from 3 teams, inspired by this day... we are Team O'PHUN (o- FUN)!! :) Team O' Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=swimming-in-a-volcano http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=swimming-in-a-volcano Swimming in a volcano!?! Is it possible? Yes, it's true!!  Taal Volcano- there's land in water in land in water in land- I don't know if there's anything else like it in the world?? We've been really busy meeting with contacts for future teams coming here to the Philippines, and also getting to check out debrief sites (as we did today).  I like Josh's point- anyway we look at it, the debrief will be on an island!! :) our boat to Taal volcano one of the volcanic islan Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=urban-poverty http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=urban-poverty Manila, Philippine Slums    One would think that after traveling around in mostly 3rd world countries for 9 mos, I would've already wrestled and dealt with this issue of poverty. It has been more of an ongoing wrestling, taking different forms- from justice vs injustice to how I am personally affected. Here in the Philippines, more than anywhere else we've been, I've really been hit by the poverty we've found ourselves submersed in. Being urban poverty, the affect Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=philippines-observations http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=philippines-observations Our first week was spent in the slums of Metro Manila, where we lived with Filipino Christians and just joined in what a "typical" week for them looks like...here's a few photos. We worked with an organization called MMP, which has some Brilliant ideas to help people on the community get on their feet and find self-sustaining incomes. They help communities by bringing the gospel of Christ both in word and in deed!!Examples of ministries they have are: goat farm (lend out 2 goats to fam Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-little-can-go-a-long-way http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-little-can-go-a-long-way   Gaylan Family- Cirilo and Meldred (parents) L to R Jasper 11, Joman 10, Jonas 5, Jessica 6    The Gaylan family is part of the MMP (Mission Ministries Philippines- organization we are partnering with this first week) church in Montalban. Jessica was born with a large facial mass over her nose and forehead, in which her brain was protruding Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=ko-samet http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=ko-samet Big Family Photo!! :) Keeping the sun out of our eyes! the nightly fire show on Ko Samet Thu, 6 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=she-video http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=she-video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6717386311627966822 Copy the above site to view the SHE video (not created by world race) We spent a morning praising our God and praying up on the hill where the biggest budda in the world is being built.  SO sad to see people worshipping gods made of metal and built with human hands!! The Scripture the Lord gave me while praying is: Daniel 2 31 "You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statuean enormous, Tue, 4 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=refiners-fire http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=refiners-fire (lightening on Samet Island-photo from fellow racer Ryan) Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith a Mon, 3 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=when-an-american-meets-thailand-culture http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=when-an-american-meets-thailand-culture What happens when an American meets Thai culture?? Some funny moments... 1- Riding in a tuk-tuk through the city and I almost got hit in the head by an ELEPHANT'S TAIL - he was standing on the side of the road  IN town! (Thai friend feeding the elephant out back Add's house) 2- Running out of gas in the pouring rain while on a scooter- we didn't realize that it Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=burmese-add http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=burmese-add 2 other neat ministries we got to be a part of while in Phuket are a Burmese refugee camp and meeting with a lady named Add. Burmese Refugee Camp Burmese refugees escape down here to find jobs, but are met with much resistance from the Thai people and gov't. The children are not allowed to attend schools, refugees are often mistreated, and many have "gone missing" never to be found again. Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=claiming-his-children http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=claiming-his-children    The heaviness is getting thicker- walking through the streets praying yesterday, Erin and I could feel the heaviness so strong in our chests that it became more difficult to breathe! At night the heaviness isn't so obvious, as all the blaring music, bright flashing lights and crowds of people fill the place. But I know that doesn't mean the heaviness is no longer there; in contrast, the enemy is in full force as an angel of light- deceiving men, women, and yes, even children, into t Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=patong http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=patong I once heard someone say they asked, "God, why aren't you doing something about all this sin and junk that goes on!?" The Lord replied to them, "You are my hands and feet, why aren't you doing something about it!?" Human trafficking, prostitution, sex slaves...it's an ugly part of the world that many of us are either oblivious to or chose to ignore. I had NO idea it was so prevalent before watching a video called "Human Tra Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=bangkok-and-buddhism http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=bangkok-and-buddhism Stepping out of the plane on to another continent, some differences were immediately obvious as we entered the Asian culture. We were able to take a day to tour Bangkok in order to gain a better understanding of the culture into which we are immersing. Asian greeting of a bow-even Ronald greets customers properly! :) Thailand flag- looking out over the city from on top of a temple- @57 million li Tue, 7 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=in-only-15-minutes2 http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=in-only-15-minutes2 "Maam, do you have some money? My car broke down and I'm out of gas, could you help me?" asked a young, anxious-looking girl named Natasha.    We'd headed downtown for the morning, but our plans had gotten changed and so we were now in the market area walking around. I was by myself at the moment, and Natasha wanted to show me her car to prove that she had no gas. I felt torn- I didn't want to leave the group and go off walking with her to see her car, but I also didn Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=good-bye-to-africa-just-for-now http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=good-bye-to-africa-just-for-now Africa has a special place in my heart, and I know I'll be back at some point...probably before too long. Here are a few pics from our time in Gordon's Bay & Cape Town, S. Africa.  Cape of Good Hope with Tom,Cindy and Brittany Sipling (American family we stayed with) Baboons along the walkway! Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=warning-life-changing http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=warning-life-changing  Incredible and life changing!! Pray before you read this, seriously, please pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through this. It is full of profound and amazing truths! Motivation For Africa (newsletter) by Rolland And Heidi Baker (IRIS Ministries) Pemba, Mozambique Iris Ministries, Inc. 6 July 2007 Photo gallery: http://www.irismin.org/july2007.htm >  A little over four years ago Heidi and I, along with Surpresa Sithole, our Moz Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=what-is-ministry1 http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=what-is-ministry1   When did I become a missionary? Was it when I first held an orphan, or first entered a shack, or stood in front of a village to preach, or jumped on an airplane to go overseas? No, I became a missionary the moment I said "Yes!" to Jesus- "Yes" to I believe in You, I will be obedient, and I will give my life to You.    What is "ministry"- does it have to be pre-planned, organized and something impressive? No! Our lives ARE ministry- what we do comes out of who w Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=we-are-his-answer http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=we-are-his-answer "Jesus, help us to be obedient when You ask something of us, help us to be obedient to respond to the needs in front of us. We never want to see the hurts and pains of the homeless, orphans, and widows as an experience but to have our hearts broken for them as Yours is. We will be obedient to what You ask of us, all we have is Yours."   No sooner had we finished praying this prayer then the phone rings and Jerry calls because he has no food or money, and felt the Lord Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=faith-is-the-adventure http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=faith-is-the-adventure I feel like I have been paralzyed from doing much since arriving here in Cape Town, which was so frustrating at first because I am so much more comfortable when I am busy and active and feel needed and that I am accomplishing things. The Lord has paralyzed me from doing so that I can't run away from what He wants to do in my spirit. As I keep busy, it's easier to keep my own agenda and not surrender to His. He is paralyzing me from being busy because I can not do in myself what He needs t Mon, 9 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-call http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-call Should've posted this earlier, but it's never to late to fast and pray for our nation and our world!! I'm really excited about what God will do when His people fast and pray!!! Check out the website at www.thecall.com God Is Calling Us To Fasting And Prayer And To Answer The Call On 7-07-07 In Nashville And Where You Live! TheCall Nashville is a response to the summons in Joel 2:15-18, "Declare a holy fast... Call a sacred assembly... bring together the el Sat, 7 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=freedom http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=freedom For so long I couldn't see that I was held captive by the chains that covered me.     I looked around at others whose chains were not as easy to hide- All the while, mine were pulling from all sides. "Guilt," "condemnation," "you'll never be enough," "man-pleaser," "do more," "come on- you gotta be tough!" Doing the good Christian thing is easy for me, but where's the relationship in which I can be free. Judgment, holier than thou, gotta keep the look- I guess Sun, 1 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique-video http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique-video Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique-video-2 http://amymorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique-video-2 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT