Antigua, Guatemala has to be one of my favorite cities in the World. I wish I could take you with me to explore the cobblestone streets, eat delicious crepes and meet some of the wonderful people of Guatemala. I spent a month last year living in Antigua and returned a few weeks ago for a quick trip. Every street held memories of my time there on the race. I drug my traveling companions to random restaurants where I had had life-changing conversations, or life-changing burritos!!
We walked past the hospital where I held children that were handicapped and malnourished, but so full of joy. We wandered the market where we made friends with the locals and tried all the delicious fruits of Central America. Every step was a memory and reminder of God's goodness.
I return there this morning for a few days of debrief with the Oct 08 squad and the June 09 squad. I would love your prayers as we travel and share our hearts with these awesome Racers. I am spending the next 5 days with 80+ WORLD CHANGERS. Pray that the Lord would give me wisdom and discernment. Pray I would know when to speak and when to listen. Pray that Jesus would be glorified in every conversation and every prayer. Pray that in the next 5 days the KINGDOM of GOD would advance in powerful ways.
The June 09 squad is scheduled to move on to Nicaragua, but because of the political unrest in Honduras we are holding them in Guatemala for the time being. Pray that peace would come to the people of Honduras and that God would reign in that country. Pray that we would be able to safely transition the squad into Nicaragua.
The October 08 squad is in their final two months on the field. They are so precious to me and I could not be more proud of all that God has done in them and through them the past 9 months. Please pray that they are refreshed and energized for the final 2 months and that they would be used in mighty ways.
Last weekend found me standing in line in one of my favorite stores on the planet. I was purchasing something I really wanted, but probably don't need. I mean, I definitely wanted it, but didn't need it in a "life will end if I don't have this" kind-of way. As I stood there casually chatting with a few people I gazed around at all the other people standing in line. The line to check-out was long and even spilled over into the rest of the mall.
The people standing in line were looking slightly peeved and probably more than a little annoyed that they were standing in line on a Saturday afternoon. Most of them were well-dressed, looked to be fairly well-fed and didn't seem to be suffering any kind of apparent physical conditions. Just normal people standing in line on a Saturday in the mall; just like me.
**And then I promptly had a freak-out.** Cue the shaking, sweating, "I have to run out of this store NOW" kind of freak out. Conveniently my friends bought the "I am just going to find the bathroom" excuse that I whispered really quickly as I dashed out the store. (Thanks to a little creature I picked up in Guatemala last month it is not uncommon for any of us to just dash off to the bathroom--but that is a whole other story!) Anyway, I escaped to the bathroom where I proceeded to talk myself down and pull it together.
The kind of line I am used to looks a little more like this:
Women and children in Uganda walk miles and then wait in line for hours in hopes of seeing a doctor.
I stood in line with hundred of residents from Mianyang, China to look at this. The sight of the tragic earthquake that killed so many.
A line of my favorite Filipino ladies that found Jesus when we were there in Jan 2008.
A line of people mourning the death of their Savior in Antigua, Guatemala last Easter.
Strange to me the things that can trigger memories like this. Strange to me that standing in line in a mall can take me back to standing in line after line with people who were just trying to survive. Most lines I have witnessed over the past two years involve hopelessness, pain and suffering. They are filled with people who need the basics in life: food, water, or medical attention. They are filled with people who have been handed the worst possible scenario in life.
And there I was standing in line in the mall.
I find it getting increasingly hard to balance these two realities. Everything I have read, or heard, or learned about re-entry the past 2 years has indicated that it gets easier with time. I disagree. I have more and more moments of "how can this be?", I am more and more aware of the plenty that I live in, and I am more and more questioning how I am lucky enough to be born an American. The tension here is that I have a choice. I can choose to live frustrated and jaded, wondering why more people don't realize what is really happening out in the world, or I can choose to be the change.
Gandhi's words have become so overused that we see them in greeting cards or hanging in little plaques on our walls, but they ring so true in my heart: "you must be the change you want to see in the world." It begs the question: am I being the change? Are you being the change? I pray that we are.
Last week a few of us were riding in a van on our way to the ELEVENTH airport of the month and in order to entertain ourselves we decided to do a little math.
Being an accountant and all, you would not think high math would be a challenge for me, but it was, so I took great notes and wanted to share a few numbers with you...
14...the number of flights i have had in the past 30 days 6...the number of different currencies I can currently find in my purse 13...the number of beds I have slept in the past 30 days 10...the number of World Race squads I have had interaction with in the past 30 days 7...the number of times I have switched time zones in the past 30 days (no wonder I am still jet lagging!) 60+...the number of in-depth, meaningful conversations I have had with World Racers in the past 30 days
230!!!
The number of World Racers I have had contact with in the past 30 days.
That last number is the one I really was blown away by. In 30 days I have had the opportunity to impact the lives of 230 World Racers. Sometimes it was a quick bite to eat, sometimes it was sharing my testimony with a group, sometimes it was prayer, coffee, sharing a bed, a car ride, a bus ride, and on and on I could go. 230. wow.
That is 230 chances to impact people for the kingdom. 230 opportunities to challenge them to dig deeper into what God has for them, 230 chances to encourage them, 230 chances to speak life into their situations, 230 opportunities to call down fire from heave during prayer, 230 chances to hear their hearts, 230 chances to listen, 230 chances to love them, 230 opportunities to help them hear the voice of God. 230 chances to love them like Jesus.
There have definitely been times when I have wondered if coming off the field was the right thing to do. I was tired, a little burned out, but overall I loved what I was doing. I love holding orphans, praying at the hospitals, and prayer walking through little villages. BUT, nothing could have prepared me for how much I love what I am doing. EVERY day I wake up in amazement that this is the life the Lord has called me to. Those 230 World Racers mean everything to me. It is even more rewarding to realize that every, single one of those Racers is out there "doing the stuff." They are praying in hospitals, holding orphans, singing VBS songs, and loving on more people than I can imagine. I get to impact 230 and they impact the nations. amazing...
click here if you can help us impact the nations. We absolutely can't do this without your prayers and support. You have no idea the impact $10 can make; just like I had no idea the impact 230 people can make.
This past week I have been in one of my favorite countries in the world: GUATEMALA! As soon as I jumped off the plane I remembered how much I love it. The sound of retired school buses rolling by, the people dressed in their colorful tribal outfits, even the smells of moldy clothes and garbage made me smile. Guatemala definitely crawled into my heart last year and I was thrilled to be back, even for a little bit.
A team of WR staff joined 34 racers as they began the first days of their World Race experience. I met them at the airport and recognized the deer in the headlights, what have I done!?! look that they all were sporting. Some were excited, some withdrawn, but all of them were READY!
I loved riding to Panajachel with them through the mountains and it is always so refreshing to hear them get excited about seeing random cows walking down the street, or beautiful little faces on the buses we drove past. it is a good reminder of the fresh excitement I had when I first started the Race. In so many ways, those things have become common-place to me and I have forgotten some of the beauty lies in the adventure. it's not the destination, but the journey that counts and it was fun to start this journey with them.
We had 4 days of training, worship and fun in Panajachel and I loved every minute. We waved goodbye to the team on Friday and sent them to their various ministry placements for the month. I would love it if you could stop and pray right now as they make transitions from American-life to Kingdom-life, and as they start an incredible journey!
In less than 12 hours I hop another plane to Guatemala to launch the next batch of World Racers---but I would be remiss if I didn't share with you what God is doing in Gainesville.
I flew directly from debriefs in Kiev and Romania into training camp for the August 09 World Racers. It is incredible to spend a week with racers coming off the field, then a week with racers in the middle of their Race, and then straight into a week with racers preparing for the field! I have experienced the full gamut of emotion with them and have loved seeing all stages of this journey and how God is getting the GLORY in every instance.
This past week in Gainesville has been the busiest yet, as we had 85+ Racers at training camp. By far the largest camp we have run so far. The WR staff continues to function at a high level of both family and functionality. I am consistently blown away that I get to work with such an awesome group of people. We saw healings, deliverance, and eyes being opened to the realities of the Kingdom. it was an incredible week of FREEDOM.
I have some great stories to share with you, but packing and laundry are taking priority. And maybe a little sleep! I am in Guatemala all week and will share lots with you when I return. In the meantime--please be praying for the June Racers that are beginning their journey tonight. It was almost exactly 2 years ago that I was taking those first terrifying steps...wow, how far we have come together!
I have spent the past week-ish in Brasov, Romania: "Probably the best city in the World". This was the "slogan" of the city and we had many a laugh at their advertising attempts. Why was it "probably" the best city in the World? We never did meet the Mayor to ask him about his advertising, but we had fun guessing!
Just finished up 4 days of debrief with the G squad World Racers. Last I saw them we were in Tanzania in February. I was more than excited to be reunited with this family of mine for a few days.
I can honestly say I have never seen them in such an exciting place spiritually. All of them are ready for the next level and I truly believe they are bringing the Kingdom everywhere they go. They worship with abandon, love each other well, and continue to press in to everything the Lord has for them.
They are completely wrecked for the ordinary. And they are never going back!
We started talking this debrief about how to finish well and even started conversations about life after the Race. I joked that I was not the leading authority on re-entry seeing as how I continue to leave and re-enter. ☺ Maybe I am getting better at it!
Being back out there with them made me realize just how much I miss World Race culture and being out in the world.
I wish there were words to express what it like to worship with 50 other people who have given up everything to follow Jesus. They don't just talk about it they actually do it.
I want to show you what it is like to sit in a coffee shop with a racer just like you while she pours out her heart and you receive revelation from God because of it.
I want you to walk down the streets of Romania and marvel at the sweet Babushkas (grandmas) selling fresh flowers. I want you to experience the craziness that is a train station in a 3rd world country.
I want you to stand on one leg and lean over the edge of your 10th story apartment in hopes of finding a wireless signal.
I want you to experience the freedom of turning off your cell phone for 3 weeks and being "unavailable".
I want you to hear from God the way that God speaks when you are completely dependent upon Him.
I want you to BELIEVE Him when He says He is the God who heals, the God who saves, the God who loves.
Meanwhile, back home phones are ringing, emails are flying, people are depressed, people are excited, people are pregnant, people are still single, people need an encounter, people are too busy for an encounter.
There is a beauty to simplicity. I am so grateful for the past 3 weeks. They were so simple. Weeks full of Racers, debriefs, trains, planes, buses and everything in-between. Weeks that were crazy busy, yet simple. Love God. Love people. Grateful for another revelation. Grateful to live exactly as God intends me to live and grateful this is my life.
I have just finished up 5 days in Kiev, Ukraine. UKRAINE! Who would have ever thought I would spend time in Ukraine! The city is exactly how I would have pictured it: cold, gray, and grumpy. We lived at a camp out in the woods for 5 days while we helped the July '08 squad prepare to return home.
11 months ago they set out on a journey that would change their lives and I don't think any of them could have been prepared for what God wanted to do in their lives. They learned about community, sacrifice, and dying to self; all while serving God and each other. It was beautiful to be around for the culmination of their journey and share this time with them.
During some down time we wandered the streets of Kiev a little bit and enjoyed the little ladies selling flowers on every corner, coffee in a cute cafe and learning about the country's history. We also managed to be completely lost most of the time and have some pickpockets borrow our wallets (not mine).
Ukrainians have made huge strides in recent years, but it is obvious the Russian influence they continue to live under and the fear that has gripped their lives for so long. Pray for this city. Pray that the people here would know the love of their Daddy, pray that the LIGHT that shines in darkness would be blinding!
Please also pray as the 32 members of the July 08 squad return home. I know firsthand that coming home is both amazing and terrifying! Pray that they would continue to chase their destiny in Jesus and that they would go home in boldness! AMEN!
From London I traveled to a picture-perfect place: Mijas, Spain. One of my favorite people in the world, Andrew Shearman, has been chasing after his dream for 14 years and just this year God opened doors for him in Mijas. In March 2009 the doors of the G42 Leadership Academy opened and Andrew and his family moved to Mijas to lead a generation. Andrew has a passion to equip leaders in three areas: fulfilling their purpose & destiny, expanding their leadership
abilities, and learning how to live out each of those in the real
world-and then empowering them to establish the Kingdom where God has placed them. It is an incredible vision and I was thrilled to visit for 4 days.
God has blessed Mijas with beauty, passion and a body of believers there that believe they will change the World; and they will. 4 past Racers are currently in the 6 month program and it was awesome to worship with them, pray with them, and sit at the kitchen table and do life with them. The impartation I received just from being there will stay with me a long time. Check out the Leadership Academy HERE.
Last Thursday I left the US for a 6 country, 30 day Kingdom-bringing adventure. It true World Race fashion I packed up my sleeping bag and a few clothes and off I went. First stop: LONDON!
I was fortunate enough to travel to just outside of London to attend a youth event in the UK called the Ultimate Event. The World Race had a booth at the event and it just so happened that Sean and I were able to meet up and work the booth. It was a great day of hanging out with the youth of the UK and there may have possibly been rock bands and roller coasters involved. Just maybe...
We were fortunate enough to stay with some awesome host families and attend their local church as well. All in all, a fabulous weekend!
Next, we traveled a few hours by train back to London to take in the sights. In a very brief, whirlwind tour we managed to hit the high points of Central London. Sean has an awesome friend there that so blessed us by acting as our personal tour guide and giving us a place to try and catch a few zzzz's! Amazing! The pictures don't do it justice--although they are fabulous pics.
You have supported me through prayer, encouraged me in words, and financially made the World Race possible for me, and I am deeply grateful. That which has been awakened in me over the past two years has broken me into action, spurred by a passion to be about the things that God's heart breaks for and to give my life for it. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity, and couldn't have gone without you.
Over the last two years, I've seen miracles, healings, and the supernatural, things that the book of Acts is all about. I've seen 75+ other young radicals awaken from their slumber into a realization of who they are, and who they are NOT. I've seen God manifest Himself in ways that are virtually not comprehendible by my mind, but that my spirit simply cannot deny. I have served with them, loved them, and walked with them as they became radical disciples of Jesus.
I've only scratched the surface. And I want you to know that your gracious investments in me are not returning void: God is calling me. Again. And I've told Him yes.
Here is the bottom line: there is a lot of work to be done in the world for the Kingdom of God, and I want to go get my hands dirty. And the reality is, in order to do the Kingdom work, we need resources. Not everyone is in a place where they themselves can/should physically go-- God may not be asking you to leave the mission field of America to go into a foreign one. You may support missions whole-heartedly, but not be in a season of life where you can/should physically go. I believe that this why we need the Body of Christ to function as a whole: for the nose to be a nose, the eyes to do their part, and the feet to operate at full capacity. Some are called to Thailand, and some are called to send them. Both are equally important.
I am committed to living a life in service to God, dependent on Him and the Church.
Locally/Nationally:
I have come on staff full-time with The World Race. I strongly believe in The World Race as a vehicle to drive this generation from their apathetic and complacent slumber. God has gifted me with leadership development skills and I have been tasked to recruit, train, and care for the growing number of coaches, squad leaders and team leaders. We plan to launch 500 racers in 2010 and 1000 racers in 2011, so leaders must be trained!
Our goal is to GO, and to make disciples (not converts) of all nations. And we will start in our own backyard. My heart is to see God's Kingdom – our inheritance – be expanded powerfully within the boundaries of America. By supporting me financially, you would be enabling me to do so... to discover and implement ways of seeing the Kingdom truly come in America.
Internationally:
I will be traveling out to launch new squads and debrief squads on the field. We will implement a strategy to train and disciple the growing population of leaders. Their eleven months abroad will be so much more than a mission trip, but an awakening to their calling and destiny to lead our generation. Just as Abraham, Moses and Jacob were leaders in their generations, so will World Racers lead our generation to Jesus.
I'm asking for your support again. My goal is to raise $25,000 for 2009. This money will go towards travel costs (nationally and internationally), living expenses, ministry, etc.
To donate, you can click the ‘Support Me ' link on the left-hand side of the page or you can request a support card at johnston.allison@gmail.com. All donations are tax-deductible.
There is a lot of work to be done in the Kingdom and this is why I'm asking for you to support me (prayer/financially) because by doing so you're not only investing in yourself and the Church body, but you're also investing in changing the world.
I hope you can view this as an opportunity to join forces together to bring Kingdom to the nations, including America, on earth as it is in heaven. What we sow, we will reap.
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Antigua, Guatemala has to be one of my favorite cities in the World. I wish I could take you with me to explore the cobblestone streets, eat delicious crepes and meet some of the wonderful people of Guatemala. I spent a month last year living in Antigua and returned a few weeks ago for a quick trip. Every street held memories of my time there on the race. I drug my traveling companions to random restaurants where I had had life-changing conversations, or life-changing burritos!! 
of Honduras and that God would reign in that country. Pray that we would be able to safely transition the squad into Nicaragua.
There have definitely been times when I have wondered if coming off the field was the right thing to do. I was tired, a little burned out, but overall I loved what I was doing. I love holding orphans, praying at the hospitals, and prayer walking through little villages. BUT, nothing could have prepared me for how much I love what I am doing. EVERY day I wake up in amazement that this is the life the Lord has called me to. Those 230 World Racers mean everything to me. It is even more rewarding to realize that every, single one of those Racers is out there "doing the stuff." They are praying in hospitals, holding orphans, singing VBS songs, and loving on more people than I can imagine. I get to impact 230 and they impact the nations. amazing...
This past week I have been in one of my favorite countries in the world: GUATEMALA! As soon as I jumped off the plane I remembered how much I love it. The sound of retired school buses rolling by, the people dressed in their colorful tribal outfits, even the smells of moldy clothes and garbage made me smile. Guatemala definitely crawled into my heart last year and I was thrilled to be back, even for a little bit.
I have spent the past week-ish in Brasov, Romania: "Probably the best city in the World". This was the "slogan" of the city and we had many a laugh at their advertising attempts. Why was it "probably" the best city in the World? We never did meet the Mayor to ask him about his advertising, but we had fun guessing!
There is a beauty to simplicity. I am so grateful for the past 3 weeks. They were so simple. Weeks full of Racers, debriefs, trains, planes, buses and everything in-between. Weeks that were crazy busy, yet simple. Love God. Love people. Grateful for another revelation. Grateful to live exactly as God intends me to live and grateful this is my life.
Andrew has a passion to equip leaders in three areas: fulfilling their purpose & destiny, expanding their leadership
abilities, and learning how to live out each of those in the real
world-and then empowering them to establish the Kingdom where God has placed them. It is an incredible vision and I was thrilled to visit for 4 days.
Over the last two years, I've seen miracles, healings, and the supernatural, things that the book of Acts is all about. I've seen 75+ other young radicals awaken from their slumber into a realization of who they are, and who they are NOT. I've seen God manifest Himself in ways that are virtually not comprehendible by my mind, but that my spirit simply cannot deny. I have served with them, loved them, and walked with them as they became radical disciples of Jesus.