http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org Rise Up!! Sarah Lapp - The World Race 2007 en-us Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:12:15 GMT 30 http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=all-over-the-place http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=all-over-the-place All Over the Place Where have you been?  How are you?  My answer to those questions these days is "All over the place."  I have been all over the place spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  For those of you who don't know a few days after we arrived in Africa (back in late January) I found out my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and a day later I was on my way home to Kentucky to care for her. The first series of emotions was shock.  One moment I was walking out of the gym heading to the grocery store for my team and the next I was being told that my Mom has a serious case of cancer.  Immediately I fell to my knees struggling to remember to breathe.  Moments later I was screaming, "Are you serious?!?  I'm in Africa!"  I mean seriously! I just arrived in AFRICA the place I had been anticipating for months and now suddenly all that Africa was to me was the place that was a million miles away from my Mom. Many emotions came after that mos Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-speaks-to-me http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-speaks-to-me God Speaks to Me. Woah hot topic.  I can feel the tension already.  But there it is I said it and I mean it.  Someone once told me that God can only speaks to me through the Bible.    When I heard those words it felt as if a knife had pierced my heart; because for me if that were true then this whole thing, my faith, and my testimony is a lie.  The night on the floor of my apartment that I broke down, fell to the floor, and prayed to God to help me I didn't have a Bible in front of me.  So why?  Why would I turn to God?  What inside of me told me to cry out to God?  Did my mind in its flesh do this on its own?  Where does truth like that come from?  How did I know that God was the answer?  Did I tell me that?  No, I can't believe that.  I can't believe that I thought to do that on my own.  I didn't tell me that.  God did.  Later on down the road, after many prayers and cries out to the L Fri, 4 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=hesitate http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=hesitate I have the answer, the answer that we have all been waiting for, the answer to the question that every child or young adult is asked at some point in their life -  If your friend jumped off a cliff would you??  A few days ago I was in Puerto Galera on debrief with my team and I was invited to jump off a cliff into the crashing waves of the sea.  Immediately, without thinking, I said yes.  After a 45 minute walk to said cliff, conversation with the other bold racers that decided to take on this endeavor moved from casual fun to the cliff, how high it was, and the question of whether or not they were actually going to jump.  You see, some of my teammates had said yes but wanted to see this cliff before actually making the decision to jump.  In my mind I had already jumped.  I said yes.  I had walked 45 minutes to get there, I was going to jump.  I just kept saying, "No, no you can't think about it.  You just gotta go for it.  Don Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-is-my-friend http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-is-my-friend God and I are friends.  Whenever I use to hear that I never really liked it.  I just didn't really get it.  It kind of sounded, well, demeaning.  God the creator of the universe is your friend?  No way.  He is so much more than that.  God is my king.  Ok that makes since.  God is my Father.  That sounds pretty good.  He is my Savior.  That's for sure.  But God is my friend?  This is a new side to Him that I have been introduced to on this trip.  You see when you set out to travel the world with a bunch of strangers somewhere in the middle of it all you realize..these people have no idea who I am.  They don't understand me.  They don't get why I am so emotional about some things and so carefree about others.  They don't know when I need to be hugged or just left alone.  They don't know why I am sad, or mad, or hysterically laughing.  They don't know what gets under my skin or what I jus Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=construction-ar-arr-arrr http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=construction-ar-arr-arrr We have been busy busy busy since arriving in the Phillipines.  Here is a glimpse into a big part of our ministry this month......CONSTRUCTION....dun dun dunnn.... The Drive to "work" Step One:  Hmmm how do we do this? Step Two:  Start diggin Step Three:  Rocks                                     Get Lots                   And lots....... Of Rocks...... Step Four:  Mix the cement and build the frame Step Five:  Lay the cinder blocks Me and my hard-hat                   Step Six:  Flatten out the floor  Step Seven:  Haul the Rocks Step Eight:  Put up the Frame and Roo Fri, 7 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=packages-and-surprises http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=packages-and-surprises Helloooo Everyone.  I am just writing another quick note (I promise to blog a few more details or insight within the next day or two).  I noticed my sister added a comment about sending me packages for Christmas and here are my thoughts on that (well actually they are Christie's....I stole them) packages are always awesome and fun to recieve but.... We need to be cautious about how many packages we receive. If every world racer gets 2 packages, that will be over 100 packages in one P.O. Box. A little much. So I was reading some of my fellow racer's blogs, and Mark had a good point. If you did want to send a package, you might want to consider an alternative. The cost of sending a package will usually run about $20-$40. This money can go a lot further than just on packing. Here are some alternatives. One, I still need more financial support to finish out the year. You can donate to that cause by clicking on Support Me! on the upper left of this page. Two, I need to have Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=super-quick-update1 http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=super-quick-update1 Helloooooooooooooooo!  I am just going to throw up a quick update.  First off, I'm alive.  For the past five days I have been in Manila for debrief.  For those of you that aren't geography buffs and don't have a map nearby, Manila is on the big island in the Philippines,.  We have been staying with an amazing couple Jeff and Colleen.  They are missionaries here.  They run a children's home (orphanage) that is located in a squatter area near Faith Academy, which is a school for missionary kids.  Did you know there are schools just for missionary kids??  I didn't.  Anyway Jeff and Colleen are completely awesome and there is so much I want to tell you about them and what I have been working through these past few days but it is now about 1:30am and I am waking up at 5:45am to make about 25 sandwiches (I am food person on our team) and then heading out for a 30 hour travel day which is pretty much all being done by boat or ferry, if you wil Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=amazed http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=amazed So I have been trying to figure out for the past hour what in the world to blog about. I went through some journal entries as suggested and have decided that there is one major theme that continues throughout them all.  Amazement.  I am just so amazed that I am here.  That I am in Cambodia staring out into the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.  Everything I look at seems as if it could have jumped out of a painting or professional photo of some sort. I am surrounded by beauty and love constantly.  I am living in an orphanage.  I wake up to 30 or more faces just waiting to play with me.  Every day I am showered with loving embraces and thoughtful touches and smiles.  I am amazed that this is where God has called me, that this is where He placed me, and that He could love me this much.  I keep thinking about where I would have been at this time this year had I never followed Him.  Had I never of just said yes. I would be miss Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=blogs http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=blogs I need your prayers.  As most of you have already noticed, I am not the most frequent of bloggers.  I have been struggling with this since the first day that Adventures In Missions introduced me to my blog.  I am not sure why but I can't seem to think of anything "blog worthy" and even when I can I can't seem to find the words, or even bring myself to the computer to type them.  There is a block; a mental block against my blogs.  I think of it as homework.  Or I guess as work in general.  I need prayer against the spirit of laziness.  It is somewhat of a chore for me to take my thoughts and put them into something that people can actually comprehend, well rather desire to read; my thoughts are not that complex.  My thoughts often come and go as quickly as the minute flies by.  I rarely journal.  I spend so much time verbally communicating and expressing any thoughts that I am developing with my team and those around me that when I Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=pray-fof-thailand http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=pray-fof-thailand When I first got to Thailand I felt that my heart froze. We visited temples, saw monks, and were taught that 95% of Thailand is Buddist and only 1% of the other 5% is christian. I said, "Lord, this is too big! What difference will my small prayers make?" Then I realized that is exactly what Satan wants me to think. That is what he wants us all to think. Thailand is being held captive by the enemy. They are at war with no weapons, no shelter, and no hope; but we have all of that, it is provided for us through Christ. We are called to fight for them, to stand up to Satan and to his army of darkness and fight on their behalf. So I am asking, I am challenging you to ENLIST NOW! Enlist in Christ's army and join me, my team, and the christians of Thailand in the war against the darkness of Thailand! Please pray that the darkness that covers Thailand will be lifted.  Pray that Christ's light will shine through and awaken His children! They are devoted.  They pray; they worship Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=continued http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=continued Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.   Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord." and you forgave me!  All my guilt is gone.   Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.   The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that nee Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=show-up http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=show-up So here I was in Rotchaburi, Thailand and feeling a bit disconnected from God.  I know what you are thinking.disconnected?  from God??  You are a missionary!  How can you be disconnected from God??  I was thinking the same things.  I guess I thought that if I traveled across the world to follow Jesus that well, He would show up.  I mean I have seen some awesome things, met some awesome people, and started some great relationships, but somehow I felt like I was missing it all; missing Him in it all.  So me being me, I started to complain to God.  Lord, what am I doing here?  I feel like I haven't ministered to anyone.   Where are you?  Why haven't you showed up!  Basically I was having myself a little pitty party.  My pitty party was interrupted by my teammate for yet another meeting.  I reluctantly went downstairs to discuss what we were going to do the next day.  This was the first time we had been Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=goodbye-stateshello-bangkok http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=goodbye-stateshello-bangkok Hey Guys, I am a little behind on my blogs.....I have few swimming around in my head and I will be posting a few more soon that are more up to date....This is one that I wrote on the way to Bangokok..... I am on my way to Bangkok!  Bangkok!  When I think about it literally I am completely stunned.  Is this real?  Is this really my life right now??  How did I get here?  This is so stinkin amazing!  I am going to 9 differnt countries all over the world!  I think that after saying those words so many times,  what they actually mean has somehow been diluted.  It is here.  I am on a plane  headed to Bangkok!  Not only am I heading to Bangkok when I get there I will begin, finally, the commision I was created for.  The comfort that I feel just by knowing that I am in His will is overwhelming.  For the first time ever I am so sure that I am exactly where He wants me.  This realization and His peace has made it so Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=more-updates http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=more-updates This is the description of the first ministry opportunity for our team!!!!!!!!!:-)  I am soooooo stoked!!! RATCHABURI - Mark's Team Local Thai Ministry - Ratchaburi Ratchaburi is a province in central Thailand close to the Thai-Burmese border, yet only two hours away from Bangkok. A plethora of ministry opportunities are available to your team in Ratchaburi. The ministry of YWAM Ratchaburi is mainly focused on the youth of Ratchaburi, building relationships with them through teaching English and running camps (English camps, sports camps, music camps etc). There are at least 10 schools in the area, giving your team many opportunities to reach the lives of the youth of Thailand. There is also a university in Ratchaburi where you build relationships with the students through an English club. Other ministry opportunities include going to a local orphanage, serving the local churches and evangelism in the nearby villages.   Vision - Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=updates http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=updates For everyone that is completely lost with where I am and what I am doing at the moment I apologize.  Please forgive me.  I have been at a launch training camp in Georgia on the AIM (Adventures In Missions) base since Sept 6th.   On Saturday I will be leaving for Thailand!   And no I still can't believe it!   We have had a pretty tight schedule and I have not had much time to write (it takes me twice as long as most people to put up even the simplest post), but I just wanted to quickly post a few logistics.   First things first, our route goes a little like this: Thailand Cambodia Philippines (a new addition to the route!) China Mozambique Swaziland Mexico Guatemala Nicaragua We leave bright and early on Saturday for our 26 hour flight to Bangkok.   I wish I could tell you more but, logistically, this is pretty much a Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=pride http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=pride Pride is more than being proud of our accomplishments.   It is more than being proud of what we are, what we have done, where we have come from, what we are good at, and what we think we will become.   Pride is hiding from what we have done that we are not proud of.   It is putting up masks and fearing rejection.   Pride is a hidden fear.   It's a fear to step out, let go, and love unconditionally. What would it look like if we lived without pride?  We could love even when it was not deserved; even when we were hurt.   We could speak the things we knew He wanted us to say instead holding back because we feared we would look crazy.   We could strip away the masks and be real.   We could strip it all away and finally see; see the glory that was intended for us.   We could stand naked before God and know that it is enough; that we are His creation.   Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=support-letter http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=support-letter Dear Everyone , Hello! Hola! Jambo! Ni hao!   I am excited to tell you about a ministry opportunity I am participating in this upcoming year.   Many of you know I have always been a little crazy.   Well I am still crazy, but now I am crazy for Jesus.   Since college I have been searching for my place in life and though it took me awhile to hear Him clearly God finally got through to me, and I have decided to go all out for Jesus!   Recently He led me to apply for a mission trip called The World Race.   The World Race?   What's that?   I am so very glad you asked.   11 Countries in 11 Months!!   The World Race is for people 20 to 30 years old who take a year of their life and live like Jesus lived while traveling around the world.   Along the way, we expect to experience God in a new way while ministering to the poor, loving the unlo Fri, 4 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=rise-up http://sarahlapp.theworldrace.org/?filename=rise-up Ok, I confess. I have been stalling on writing about training camp. Because honestly, I don't even know where to start. Camp was an extremely intense experience for me and I think it's pretty safe to say everyone else involved. God did so much! I mean He was there and He led the entire camp; every moment of it. Every seminar, every activity, every song, every conversation, every prayer, every waking moment was led by Him. I mean heck, the Holy Spirit was so present I was praying in my sleep, literally. I would fall asleep praying and wake up praying about something completely different! He did not skip a beat. He broke us, woke us, and overtook us. He has changed me; so much so that I can hardly recognize myself, and the best part about it is that I know this is only the beginning. He revealed His heart for us; His heart for me. I think one of my biggest struggles was believing that He really wants to use ME; that he ca Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT