Helen Chalmers World Race Rocktober 2008 - Helen Chalmers

A Man of Faith

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Would you ever give up your life to move to a completely different culture? If the Lord called you to marry someone that didn't speak your language....would you do it??

A few years ago, a man named Wilson Bunn was called to India to lead Real Life trips with Adventures In Missions. While he was there, he noticed a cute little Indian woman whom worked at the orphanage his team was working at. She spoke very little English. The Lord spoke to him that day and told him to marry her. He prayed and prayed. Even when he went back to the US he prayed some more. Sure enough, every answer he got was YES. There was only one problem, she was betrothed to another man...who also worked at the orphanage. Once Wilson found this out, he decided not to pursue and let God handle it. A few months later, he got a phone call from an Indian friend telling him that Paru (his Indian girl) was no longer betrothed and the man she was to marry had left.

He began the questions with God,....What do I do? How do I pursue an Indian lady I barely know? It did not take long for the Lord to answer his questions and next thing he knew, she said yes. Living in the US, knowing he was about to get married, Wilson was quickly growing up and would soon be a married man. He flew to India and began the 3 month long engagement with Paru. Really, he began to get to know her. On their wedding day, he had not yet fallen in love but was well on the way. He had followed the Lord's leading and knew that was where he was supposed to be. Wilson is now 26 and Paru 23. This young couple is now in love and working together for the kingdom. They run a nonprofit called 61 and aid in running the Asha House, an orphanage here in India. They are looking forward to moving to the US in a few months. This will be a new endeavor for Paru, but this is where the Lord is leading them.

Wilson has given his life to serve the Lord and through this marriage he has shown me what huge faith looks like.

Team Blog Site

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Hey guys, we have been here in India for about 3 weeks and well, we are settling in well. I need to update you on our team blog site. I will be posting my blog on this and the team site but if you want to read my team's blogs....I very much encourage you too!!

I have some very good bloggers!!

www.india.adventures.org

Just for Old Times Sake

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Gotcha!!

Dan and Kyla....I may never be good at this game but I will NEVER stop trying!!!!

Amazingness

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Can you imagine...

14 strangers in your house....

Eating your food.....

Playing with your kids.....

Clogging up your toilets.....

Staying up late.....

Being loud.....

FOR 2 WEEKS!

It takes amazing people to do that...

Those 2 amazing people are....

Jeff and Alycea Hylton

Thank you so much for giving up EVERYTHING for us Project Searchlighters...

YOUR AMAZING!

Word

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

My word for the day from god was Speak. This morning Melissa prayed Jeremiah 1 over me....and as I read it...the Lord just gave me speak. Later today, people kept alluding to the word. Then someone asked me about speaking the truth over myself. It is one things to read truth daily but completely something different to speak it over myself. So SPEAK, when the Lord says it, do it! SPEAK IT!

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, I am only a child, You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:7-8

Gear up...it time for Battle

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There is a battle going on inside my head....to live for money, safety, reliance, what's smart, to build a family around a career, to live in comfort...but will this truly be fulfilling. I am not going to lie, though I am here at Project Searchlight, learning how to begin my kingdom dream, and how to live every bit of life for the Lord, Satan is using voices in my head saying I need to "grow up"...get a "real job"...do mission trips on free time and "build my family around my career" All these things are ok...but are they living mission mindedly...is this really what the Lord called me to do. When I got home from the Race, the Lord told me that my life will not look at all like the rest of family's lives. I come from a family of teachers. Do not get me wrong, this is a wonderful vocation and they all are wonderfully gifted at it...but as for me...I ALWAYS said I would NEVER be one. The Lord told me that I wouldn't be NORMAL. I fought with this idea in my head as it rolled and rolled around in my head, and praying over the battle, the Lord revealed that I am not on this earth for comfort and though it is" smart" to get a job where you get good benefits and decent pay...maybe one day buy house, isn't it smarter to follow the Lord who gives and takes away...who is bigger than this universe and owns everything...even J.K. Rowling's money? He could decide to take that away!

I want to say that I have faith and will give every bit of my future to Jesus....but to be honest...I am a little skeptical.....it has been somewhat easy taking the babysteps of going to beachproects with Campus outreach, taking time off of school to get help that I needed, following the lord in small things...but all that time, I was giving over little areas of my life....He is asking me for my LIFE....this means my job, my future husband, my family, my heart, my finances....or lack there of, my pride, my friends, my car, my things...EVERYTHING...He is asking for them. I want to say yes...and stay on this side of the fence...but that is not going to work.

I AM IN BATTLE!!

Up

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Have you ever seen the movie "UP" ? It is a pixar movie that begins with a wonderful life lesson. Mr. Frederickson and his wife, Elle, have this dream to go to Paradise falls in South America. They begin to save money in a jar so that one day they will make it to this place. Life happens and they use the money for other things. Then, Ella gets sick and soon dies. Mr. Frederickson gets old and well after his wife dies, decides to move his house to Paradise Falls. He waited his whole life and after his wife dies to finally fulfill his dream of going to Paradise falls.

There are so many reasons to put off our dreams, if we are not intentional. Money, comfort, and Fear are all reasons to NOT put our life on the line for the God given dreams that we receive. I don't want to be like Mr. Frederickson. I want to follow the things that the Lord has laid on my heart, even if they don't make any sense to the worldly standards. There are a million reasons to not follow my heart, but really is that what a life of faith all about? What do you dream about? Why aren't you DOING it?

Kingdom Dream

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I have not done a very good job of letting you know about my life right now. As of yesterday, I leave for India in 3 weeks, but in the meantime, I am attending Project Searchlight. Project searchlight, is a program that is just beginning for World Racers that have returned from the field. It is a 2 week schooling (in so many words) in how to put our "kingdom dreams" into action. We will have teachings from Seth Barnes (the mind behind Adventures in Missions) and other men and women who have dreamt big and made these dreams into reality. We will receive one on one coaching on how to develop a life plan. My desire for the end of these 2 weeks is to have steps drawn out that need to be taken to put my heart into action. I will later describe my Kingdom Dream.

Today has been day 1 of the program, and it is intense already. Our days are very structured with so much piled in. I get very overwhelmed very quickly, and when that happens, my natural tendency is for my mind to shut down. My prayer for these next 2 weeks is that not to happen. With all this to say, I became really alive tonight. I was listening to a couple of girls describe where their heart lies and it got me so excited for them. One explained 3 desires that she would like to see happen but as she was explaining all of them to me, one really seemed to fit her and her giftings the most. I met her just yesterday but almost jumped out of my chair and told her she had to follow that dream. It was like I couldn't withhold my excitement for her. I told her that she HAD to pursue it, that I was going to keep her accountable to it and really go after it. (I just met her yesterday)....this has made me realize that we need each other. We need community so so much to keep us accountable and to almost help keep us focused.

Please pray with me over these next few weeks as I am here in Gainesville learning and preparing for India!

Thanks

Home

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Coming home from the race was probably the hardest adjustment I have ever had. Going from community all around you to minimal or none, was the hardest issue. When people would ask about the Race, I was completely fine but then when they would ask about y teammates....I couldn't talk. I would well up and just become a blubber mouth. (its kind of funny now when I think about it) Its not that I don't have friends its just when you go from sleeping, eating and doing ministry with the same people 24/7 and then all of a sudden they are taken from you, its kind of like getting divorced to 6 other people. HARD. But the thing I have especially noticed about being home, I have started to slip back into the destructive habits that I shed when I went on the race. This is because of my lack of community and peers around me. I have no one to keep me accountable.

I am about to start a program called Project search light for us post racers for the next 2 weeks. WE will learning how to put the needs we saw over the year into action. I am excited about learning how to put my desires into action. I am hoping to learn where to start. I have ideas of what I would like to see happen, but these next 2 weeks will give me some direction of where to start.

All it takes is one

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I just wanted to share with everyone a little news that I found that touched my heart...I little boy about 7 saw a homeless woman. He cried and then decided to do something about it...Watch His video

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Seven-Year-Old-Organizes-Mass-Donation-to-Homeless-Shelter-80285952.html?yhp=1

One little child had a big impact...He gets it.

The Spirit of Christmas

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Written on Christmas Day:

As I write this, I am sitting next to a warm fire and candles all around. We woke this morning to no electricity and no water, the joys of living in Georgia mountains. Last night, the winds here were so strong they blew trees down all around us.

Let me paint the picture in your mind. I woke up around 6:30, way way too early to be up on Christmas day. The power was out and I needed light. I grabbed my headlamp and decided to grab some water from upstairs. I figured I would go straight back to bed and sleep a little. As I made my sleepy body trudge up each step, an aroma hit my nose that was not so good. It took me a second to distinguish the scent and realized that it was dog poo. Ugh....so when I finally got to the top, the smell about knocked me over. I looked everywhere for it but my headlamp was fading. I could not see anything on the floor and then SQUISH....I found it all right.....my left foot had smashed right into it. I said a few choice words, laughing at myself but trying to not wake others. I ran to the bathroom and then remembered the water was out as well. Luckily my mom buys tons of bottled water and so I grabbed a bottle and washed my foot over the toilet. Now I was ready to clean! I slowly made my way to the living room to scower for the remains, but my headlamp was still failing me. Little did I know there were little land mines all over the living room floor. I slowly began to look again, being even more careful than the first time and then SQUISH...now my right foot had come down on a pile. I had the same reaction as the first and ran to the bathroom.

Meanwhile our old dog Jack, the culprit, was lying by the door waiting to go out. I decided to take him out and then deal with the mess. As I was outside, I heard a squeal and a few more choice words. My mom had come down the stairs on the other side of the room and well, you know what happens after that. We spent a good 30 minutes....looking and cleaning as much as we could.

Then, as we finished up and the sun began to shine light, we decided to go out and assess the damage that our windstorm last night had done. We found a tree across our driveway and a tree sticking through my stepdad's outdoor shed. As we made our game plan we decided to start chopping. Next thing I know, all our neighbors started to show up, without us calling, to help us with our trees. It was a beautiful picture of love and what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Time is Here Love is in the Air

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What a wonderful time of year! A time to love, serve and celebrate! I love this time of year, everyone gets so festive and into the Christmas spirit. This year, is a little different for me. Not only am I preparing for the holidays and getting things ready but I am also preparing for India. Coming back from the Race, I realized that the Lord has not only called me to give up a year of my life to Him but to give my whole life to Him. That looks a little different for everyone. This past year I have learned so much about who I am in Christ and who He has made me to be. I want other women to see that about themselves. The Lord has led me to lead a trip of Real Lifers to India for 3 months to help open their eyes more to Christ and see Him working. Real Life is a program through AIM for 18-24 year olds whom go to one place for 3-4 months. I will be leading a team of all women to New Delhi, India at the end of January. We will be leaving January 29th.   During our time in India, we will be visiting a Leper Colony, slums and 2 orphanages. During these visits, we will be involved in VBS programs, children's programs, door to door and relational ministry. I am excited about once again bringing Kingdom into India. The Lord is definitely working there. I also can not wait to see these women grow and see how they uniquely can serve the Lord. Come with me in serving these ladies and India.

For me to continue with ministry, I have to raise $1500. Please join with me once again in prayer and if the Lord leads, financially. I can still receive support through my World Race blog.   Just click support me to the left of this blog! Thank you and God Bless.

Merry Christmas!

A Long Time Coming!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thank you so much for supporting me through your prayers, finances and comments on the Blogs. You have been every much apart of this as I have and so I just wanted to show you a little bit of how you have touched the nations of this world and inturn this nation! God Bless!

Faith.It Just Doesn't Make Sense!

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As many of you know, I have been home about 3 weeks and well my mind is racing. I hear all kinds of voices....voices that say get it together woman, get a good job, be smart and safe....get a job that will secure your future, then voices that say, you don't have to worry, combat with the voices that say you are no good, you are silly for thinking that you have changed....all these DAMN voices STOP!!!

Then there is quiet whisper, one that doesn't make any sense but it seems to woo me. It is a calm soothing whisper that is not loud but just enough to be heard...if I was listening for it. This whisper is telling me to do something totally different than the world is telling me...its saying have faith, follow your heart, I gave you desires for a reason and will use you. Its telling me the voices of this world are big and boisterous but have no heart behind them. It is saying, STOP and wait on me....its saying....you'll never be satisfied until you hear what I have to say. ...as I explain my heart to my friends and family, I think "this doesn't make sense...but really does it?" I mean is that not what faith is about?? To keep praising God even when everything is going wrong...in the world's eyes....to bring kingdom to those who do not know the truth...even when it is not safe in the world's eyes.....to go and heal the sick...even when it is not convenient....to lead hearts closer to Jesus,....even when it is not a "good job?"

Lord, I want to serve you even when the voices in my head are telling me to worry, to get a good job, to make money, and love the world....where is the line of responsibility drawn and yet where does faith step in??

Homeward Bound

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

That's right, this year is now over. I board a plane in a few hours to the U.S. What seemed to be a long time coming, is here with the blink of an eye. I have learned so much this year about the kingdom and how we are here to bring the kingdom to earth. It has been so good putting that into practice over this past year by building an orphanage in the Philippines

Spreading the word of God in China

Doing door to door evangelism in Kenya and seeing people come to Christ

Playing with Children from IDP camps in Uganda

Church under a tree everyday in Tanzania

Teaching children in India

Reaching college students in Ukraine

Living life with gypsies in Romania

Youth ministry in Germany

Dump ministry in Guatemala

Praying for a demon possessed woman in Nicaragua

This is only the beginning.

Thank you so much for your support through finances and prayer. God is working in all these places but also in America. It is because your heart for the kingdom, I am out here. You were here with me, making these things happen. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. I love you!

Family Around the World

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last month, I lost my Grandmother. She was a strong woman who raised 2 boys and 2 girls. In April, she had a stroke and went downhill after that.

My dad and Grandma.

As I was learning how to morn on the mission field, in the midst of travel and the chaos that goes on, the Lord gave me a gift. He provided with many Nicaraguan grannies.

We have been helping out in the nursing. I have been helping to clean and trying my broken Spanish to get to know the ladies there. It got me by most days and even if they could not quite understand my spanglish it did not even matter. They always greeted me with a smile and loved me. One particular lady spoke really good English and became my Grandma for the month, Her name is Lidia and is a caretaker. Today, as I left for the last time, I did not want to leave. Though I knew these ladies only a few days, they will always be I my heart. The Lord gently reminded me that his word is true. When you leave for the His sake he will provide you with family elsewhere.

Lydia and I on my last day visiting. My Nico Granny!

His name is Julio

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Most afternoons, we have spent time at an orphanage. The kids at this orphanage have quickly become my family and now treat me like a sister by always asking for piggyback rides and throwing the biggest devil looking ants I have EVER seen on me. They smile as they steal the ball while playing basketball. They get up to no good but you can't help but smile because they are just so darn cute. All while the craziness goes on outside...inside is a cute little secret. His name is Julio and he has captured my heart. He is a little boy with autism and does not speak. He is about 12 years old and smiles as soon as Shiloh and I walk in. He knows our faces and his face lights up. He is tied to his wheelchair for lack of staff. He loves being outside and plays in the sun.
All he needs is love. I am blessed to be there to give it to him

Shiloh, Julio and I hanging out.

Julio getting clean.

A Bleeding Heart

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Today was like every other day here in Puerto Barrios. I wake up bright and early to go run with Kyla and Abby. This has become our routine. I wake up super tired and ready to get it started. We lazily begin to run our usual route. There was something different today. As we proceeded down our usual road I noticed that I was passing cars. There was a huge traffic jam. I did not think anything of it. I just thought it might be a typical Monday morning until I came upon yellow police tape. As I began to notice what had actually happened. A man was in a motorbike accident. The thing was he was already dead and his body was lying exposed for everyone to see. Blood was surrounding his body as 3-4 police men examined him. I immediately began to pray for his family. When I saw him, I didn't see just a guy but a father, a husband, a son. He was known, and had a family. This man was a friend and a brother. My heart started bleeding and crying inside. His wife would soon have to get a call to hear that her husband had died.

Later, my team and I went to the hospital to visit children there and love on them. As we pulled up Raul told us about the accident and that it had not been an actual accident but that he was shot. That made my heart cry out even more for this man and his family. For names sake, I will call him Rafael. Please pray for Rafael and his family. Pray that they may know who God is and that they hear Jesus has he pursues them. Pray that his death brings his family and friends closer to our God!

I cant seem to shake the sight out of my mind. He was loved deeply by our father whether He knew Christ or not.

Pacaya...what a doozy

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

During our debrief in Antigua, Guatemala, most of us went hiking...a VOLCANO! It got a little hot. Here is a really awesome video that my sister Steph Connors made! Hope you like it!

Walking into the furnace

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Going from Germany to Guatemala is like stepping out of a refrigerator and walking into a sauna. The heat is turned up by 50%, or so it feels like it. Our first day in Puerto Barrios, we spent most of our first day outside. It was not so sunny because it is the rainy season and the clouds were out. When I got back to the house around one, Team Fuse took one look at me and said you are burnt! I thought, there is no way...but I looked in the mirror and my neck was red!   How did I get burned when the sun was not even out.   How does that happen?
    That's what I feel like Satan has been trying to do to my heart. I walk into this furnace called the World Race and he burns my heart without me even realizing it. He tries to get me so focused on myself that I am not even in a position to hear God and listen for His voice. This then burns my heart and leads me to destruction. How does that happen?
     He attempts to fill my head with lies like I am not good enough or pretty enough.   He spends his time telling me that I have to become like my teammates and tempts me to compare myself to them. He does everything he can to get my focus away from the Lord and onto myself. There is a battle going on inside to serve God or serve Satan. I serve Satan by believing the lies that he tells me and walking in them. I can choose to serve God by confessing those lies and choosing t believe the truth. Who Jesus says I am and walking in the truth. Today I choose to believe the truth! In this moment I choose to believe Jesus when he says that I am the daughter of a king and a child of God! What will you choose?

Germany to Guatemala

Sat, 4 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We have just finished up a month in Blankenheim, Germany. It has been our favorite month. We teamed up with a church, helping out with their youth ministry. We would hangout with the youth and push them towards the Lord. We made very deep friendships and it was super hard to leave.
In the middle of the month, we went to youth camp with them in Belgium. Shiloh and I lead a workshop called Girl Talk. We talked to the girls about who we are in Christ and what He thinks about us. This is a huge theme that I personally have been learning over the past 9 months.

We are now in Guatemala, waiting to find out where we will be ministering. We are currently in Antigua, having debrief. Here are a couple of pics! I hope you like them!!

Jill and I on the beaches of Belgium, at Summer Camp

The worship in Belgium, it was VERY good!

Rima, Me and Tom at Bowling night!

What Day is Today??

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

So I know we are so far away from hoe but in my heart...Today is FATHER's DAY!!! I love you dad!! Have a wonderful day!

Romania Video

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My team mate Alex put together this really good video of our time in Romania! Enjoy!

Going to Germany

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here is our story about this upcoming month. My teammate Ben Eppinger wrote this:

Hey Everyone! I have an awesome God story for you today.

The Holy Banditz are going to Germany!

Our 3rd month in Europe was a "pioneer month". We were on our own to find a ministry contact. A few days ago we had three potential contacts.

One was in Croatia working with evangelistic English camps. The Croatian contact told us that we were "an answer to prayer." They had been preparing these camps for two years and they were finally ready. And we were going to be their laborers.

The second was a church planter working with Gypsies just outside of Budapest, Hungary. He told us that he wanted us to come and was begining to make preparations.

The third was a youth pastor in Blankenheim, Germany. He expressed a strong desire for us to come and mentor his youth group.

Three Great Contacts! One BIG problem. It was going to be almost impossible for the Germany contact to work out. First, just getting to Germany was going to break out budget. The cheapest flight to Germany was still twice what we had for travel that month. Second, Germany is an expensive country and we did not think that our budget for food and lodging was going to be enough to cover our expenses.

We talked to our Germany contact about this and he said, "Dont worry about lodging and food. A laborer deserves his wages." OK, one obstacle out of the way.

Then our contact this month found us plane tickets to Germany that were within our budget! Two.

Then we found out that two other teams had contacts in Cologne, Germany (a city very near to Blankenheim) and that we could all travel on the same flight! Three.

Then the day before our team was going to make a decision about Month #3 the Croatian contact canceled on us. The contact that said we were "an answer to prayer" changed her mind and said they could no longer take us! Four.

Then the day that we were making our decision the Hungarian church planter cancelled on us! Five.

So the HBz are going to Germany!

Walking on Water

Sat, 23 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This past month, we have been in Viile Techii working in a gypsy village. I had asked the Lord what He wanted me to do and I heard him say o take most of my time to pray. All I wanted to do was lie in my bed and get in the word. I had a huge thirst for scripture. There was just one thing that plagued me, I felt like I was being lazy. My sisters Jill and Shiloh jumped right in and loved on little children. I saw everyone find their place. I just did not feel like I had one. As I sought the Lord more, I realized that I did not need to compare myself to my teammates. I did have a place. I kept hearing tell me to walk on water. One night around the campfire, Kelly was leading worship and she handed me the guitar. I heard the Lord tell me it was time to play in front of people for the first time. It was time for me to step out onto the water and have faith that His spirit will be brought through my worship. Though, I was not perfect by any means, I was told not to doubt, This is a season that I have just begun in my life. So I ask you, what does that mean for you? How can you walk on water. What are some things that you know you can not do without the Lord being involved? I want to challenge you to step out in faith and walk on water. I want to hear how the Lord steps in and takes you by the hand and leads you on the water.

Holy Banditz in India

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Our time in India!! Hope you like it!

Gypsy Agape

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We have been in Romania for the past few weeks and it is absolutley beautiful. I am posting a video that was made by Katie Rowland from the July 08 squad. It really captures the mission here and what it is like here in Romania. She did an amazing job...if you want more information about the gypsy ministry here, you can visit www.gypsyagape.com

Ukraine...Video from April

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A little view into our lives from last month...enjoy!

To my Favorite Brother!!

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Happy Birthday!! I love you!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Happy Mother's Mom!! I miss you and love you! Have a wonderful Mother's Day!! xoxo