Okay guys, here is the deal. I need to switch blogs. Now that I am involved with the World Race, my new blog will be: http://maryhollis.theworldrace.org
It is pretty bare right now, but from this point on and while I'm on the World Race I will be posting all blogs on there!
No worries though, it has the same affect as this one in that it will send you email updates when I post a new blog.
If you are already signed up for email updates from this blog, you will automatically start receiving them from my World Race blog as well.
If you aren't signed up for email updates but want to be, you can do so at maryhollis.theworldrace.org on the left hand side of the page.
Sorry for the transition but thanks so much for those of you that follow my blog and encourage me through it! It does my heart wonders!
I hope to hear from you all over at my new World Race blog!
Where did this month go? Wow! It flew by! In two months I will spend a
week in North Georgia in intense training for the World Race! In two
months my nephew will be born! But who knows even what tomorrow holds?
Only God! I'm so thankful no one is in control except for HIM!
This has been a weird month. There's been so much thrown at me: lies, truth, doubt, fear, anxiety, peace, love, joy and the list goes on and on.
God is so good though! A couple of weeks ago I was feeling extremely fearful and anxious about well everything really, now I am just sitting at His feet in peace! His perfect peace! I'm choosing truth and life! I'm choosing peace and trust!
So I can't look behind me or even in front of me but only UP! I must look only to HIM!
"Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces." -Psalm 34:5-
QUICK UPDATE: - My support is coming along! - God is SO good at providing for His children I can't even handle it! - With monthly pledges and all one time donations I am a little over half way to my $15,000 goal. - Praise God. - Did I mention that God is REALLY great? - More and more people are feeling led to partner with me in monthly pledges. - If this is something on your heart please email me for further information. (mkh514@gmail.com) - I cannot thank each of you enough for ALL your prayers and support! It's such a undeserved blessing to have such a community of believers behind me as I answer God's call on my life!
First of all, I need your prayers! ALL prayers are encouraged and I will be sending out general prayer request updates on my blog for you guys while on the race. Specifically I am seeking out at least two people to pray for me during each month of the race, so basically you can "adopt a country" during the race and pray for me, my team, and that country while we are there! If you are interested in this you can email me at mkh514@gmail.com with the country you want to adopt!
For a reminder, my route is: Ireland, Ukraine, Romania, Israel, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Pioneer Africa, Thailand, Cambodia, Pioneer Asia.
Financially, for the World Race, I will need to raise
approximately $15,000 to cover all expenses: basic travel, food, lodging,
travel insurance, etc.So far I have around $4000 in my support
account and about $175 coming in monthly! Praise God! I am well on my way to reaching
my support goal!
I am so thankful to those of you who have already
partnered with me in the spreading of the Gospel. Your gifts are what make it
possible for me to answer the call God has put on my life!Please pray and ask God what He would have you give. Is it a one-time gift
or a monthly financial partnership of a specific amount? Only He knows!
Ultimately, If 35 people partner with me to give $25
for 10 months combined with what God has already provided, my goal will be reached! ANY amount whether one-time or monthly will make all the difference in this ministry!
Also, If you have
any contact information of churches that may have me to speak, any
fundraising Ideas or any local businesses that may be willing to support me please send the information my way via email. If you would like to receive a support letter via snail mail or would like to donate by check please email me your mailing address or leave it in a comment below!
To donate by credit/debit card or bank draft click on the *Join My Support Team* link on the left side of the page!
A lot of people think it's sweet when I tell them I do missionary work, then they ask how I'm funded or how much I get paid and when I answer they think I'm crazy. I love it! Support raising is a beautiful opportunity to watch God's massive hand come in and provide. It's a chance for HIM to get ALL the glory! It's a chance for the people around me to get involved in what God is doing among the nations and to partner with me in the spreading of the name and fame of Jesus Christ!
"Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them."
- 1 Timothy 6:18 -
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken."
- Psalm 62:1 -
Today was a day of glorious breakthrough! I've been putting my armor on each day and fighting hard but the enemy has been fighting back just as hard. I've been kicked, hit, beaten, knocked down but thankfully JESUS is SO much more powerful than satan. Satan is an idiot that continues to mess with Jesus' disciples but I guess he didn't get the memo that WE WIN!
Over the past week or so I have been extremely attacked by satan. It was a subtle attack at first then he called in reinforcements. There has been a spirit of worry, doubt, fear, and distrust in my life lately but ALL those lies have been BROKEN off by the power of Jesus! I had been at peace about my support goal for the World Race, knowing that God will provide then I started to doubt, so foolish of me! After looking at my packing list for the World Race and all the equipment I will need I soon became overwhelmed. I've had no motivation to support raise which is no good!
God is so faithful though! When His children pray He answers! He loves for us to pray bold, persistent prayers and that is what He is teaching me to do! Through His word and beautiful conversations I have once again acquired His peace! I was able to start my day off right spending time with Jesus, I consistently prayed off ALL negative spirits in my life throughout the day and this afternoon I was blessed with two wonderful conversations with teammates and that was the cherry on top! Through those conversations I really regained a sense of peace. And now I can say, "It's okay. He's got in all under control!"
"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:6-7-
For a side not, (serious one sorry) I'm going to try vulnerability out and ask for your prayers, as my brothers and sisters in Christ! This Saturday, Feb 20, is my mothers birthday. God has blessed my dad and I with the opportunity to go visit my brother and his fiance in Florida this weekend so for this I am grateful! Please pray that we would continue to find healing from mom's death, I think it's key to heal well. Pray that God and the Holy Spirit would be greatly in our midst, ministering to each of our hearts. Thank you in advance for your prayers! They mean more than you know!
Okay, so you are wondering what the correlation is between alarm clocks and trust issues, right? And if I were you reading this blog and not me writing it I would probably
be wondering the same thing.
Well over the past couple of
months God has been revealing in my heart how much I really DON'T trust Him.
Yep, that's right. I said it! On a daily basis I struggle with trusting God. I say, "Did I hear your voice God? Was that you God? Did you
really just tell me to go pray for THAT person?" All around, I just find myself
not trusting God the way I should. In the little things, in the big things.
Food. Clothing. Finances. Silly things and serious things. Yatta yatta yatta.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding."
-Proverbs 3:5-
SO, I'm laying in bed one
night, I had just set my alarm clock to wake me up for work the next day, and
God tells me to turn off my alarm. I have a stubborn nature so obviously I was
reluctant and tried to just fall asleep. Yeah, NOPE! I eventually turned off my
alarm and when I did I felt complete peace! The peace of GOD! The peace of a
God who provides for my EVERY NEED! He's got everything under control! I just
need to live in that! I need to live in a blanket of trust in God!
"I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me."
-Psalm 3:5-
So yeah, I slept without my
alarm clock one night...no big deal. But no, I am still sleeping without an alarm
clock. The first few nights I would continue to try and set my alarm and God
would say no just trust me, now I just trust and know that He will wake me up
exactly when He knows I need to be awake. It may seem silly but just by turning
off my alarm I feel so much more closer to God! It's hard for me to believe
that He cares about me so much that He wakes me up each morning, but HE DOES! Like
He just sits with me through the night and when the morning comes He gently
nudges me to wake me up! He loves me so much that He knows exactly when I need
to wake up each day and He takes the times to wake me up! It's just baffling to me that the same God that spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai is the same God that wakes me up each morning!
"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!"
With nearly two million people estimated to be stuck inside of
prostitution in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular places
for sex tourism. We will change lives in the city and rock worlds in the
countryside. Thailand's sure to capture our hearts.
::Cambodia::
28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides
known to man where over one third of the country's population was
slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia
are thirsty for hope.
::Pioneer Asia::
We will abandon our last month of the Race and pioneer Asia! We will ask God where to bring the Kingdom on this last month of the Race! It will be incredible!
Egypt is a country rich in historical significance. The Egyptian people
are no less rich in their cultural goings-on today. A country shaped by
the past and under religious bondage, the people of Egypt are hungry to
hear of the freedom brought through Christ. While pyramids and palaces
give the land a romanticized veneer, under the surface lie hearts in
need of relationship and hope.
::Kenya::
Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are
colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The
Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, the Kiberra slums...comprise a
country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so
does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush
and the city, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting
ministries to carry on even after we leave.
::Uganda::
From the Ugandan islands to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the African
people of these nations share a common bond. Through the wild lands,
home to Africa's "Big Five" animals coexist people, reached and
unreached with the Gospel of Christ. Through evangelism, church
planting and discipleship, we will be a part of a movement to further
the kingdom of God in this incredible region of the world.
::Pioneer Africa::
. To "Pioneer" a
location means to go somewhere "new" under the Lord's leadership. We
will pray, ask God where to go, wait for His answer and then go!
Okay I was too anxious so I'm giving you guys THREE countries today!
::Ukraine::
Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and
the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many
ups and downs. Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like
wildfire throughout this nation. The Kingdom of God is coming in power to Ukraine!
::Romania::
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though
strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a
strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an
inspirational way. Here we'll teach English, lead sports camps, live
life with the gypsies, and more.
::Isreal::
The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of
a location so rich in our combined religious roots. We will serve in this new
World Race location while walking the paths trod by Christ himself.
Religion in Israel is a central feature of the country and plays a major role in shaping Israeli culture and lifestyle, and Israel is the only country in the world where a majority of citizens are Jewish.
Note: If you have ever been to these countries or have any information to share about them please leave a comment!
Over the next 11 days I will be revealing my World Race route to you all. I thought this would be a fun way to let you guys know all the countries I'm going to. I will list them in order of how we will be travelling to them (God willing of course). The route is always subject to change.
::IRELAND::
Ireland is the third largest Island in Europe and the twentieth largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. To the east of Ireland is the island of Great Britain, separated from it by the Irish Sea. The Republic of Ireland covers five-sixths of the island. Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, covers the remainder and is located in the northeast of the island.
Ireland boasts a heritage of Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the
lifeless display of faith reveals that this nation is farther from God
than ever. Rampant alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need
for hope. Through sports, children's outreach, street evangelism, pub
ministry, and the relationships that just happen along the way, the
World Race reintroduces a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic
culture.
The National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) reveals that Ireland has the fourth highest rate of youth suicide in the EU behind Lithuania, Finland and Estonia. Irish Christianity is dominated by the Roman Catholic Church which has 86.8% of the population as followers.
I am excited to start the Race off in this beautiful country of Ireland! I know there will be much breath taking countryside to gaze upon in Ireland but more importantly I'm excited to bring Jesus Christ to the lost and hopeless of Ireland. I'm excited to let people know about the Relationship they can have, about redemption, and that THEIR SINS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORGIVEN!
Note: If you have any information about Ireland you think
I should know or if you've ever been there leave a comment and let me know!
I am speechless as I attempt to write this blog. As most of you know, I have been working with Adventures In Missions since 2008 and after returning from the First Year Missionary program, I was given an opportunity to come of staff with AIM to work with/co-lead a new program called The Novas Project. I spent a good chunk of time at the end of last year preparing for this new endeavor and was scheduled to go to Mexico last month with the Novas Project. After much prayer from AIM leadership the Novas Project was put on hold last December.
When I found out, I was crushed, My heart was broken because I long to see people come alive in Christ and realize what it means to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and to bring the Kingdom of Christ to earth and this was an incredible opportunity to do just that. I've never doubted AIM's decision or their leadership and I know God is in control of it all, it just left me asking, "Okay, what now?"
After realizing I was not going on staff with AIM anymore I was asked to consider going on the World Race. It's 11 month to 11 different countries around the world, It's a spiritual journey of great awakening, it's an opportunity to see the injustice in the world and an opportunity to DO something about it! It's an opportunity to bring the Kingdom of Christ to earth, and it's an opportunity of a lifetime.
So after a lot of struggling with God, praying, listening, talking, sitting, waiting, hurting, and healing God has once again opened some beautiful doors for me to walk through! I can not get over how good He is to me! I do not deserve ANY of His goodness yet He continues to pour it out upon me!
In June 2010 I will leave for the World Race. For me, this is not just another "trip", not a missions trip or experience or anything like what our American minds tend to go to first. For me, this is the next step in this life here on earth. An opportunity to continue seeking the Kingdom and bring it to earth. An opportunity to continue being a part of the body of Christ, a community of believers that lives as the first church did in Acts. It's just me trying to live life the way I believe God wants me to. It's scary but I have peace about it. It requires a lot of surrender which I am not ready for but He is and that's all the matters.
I want to thank each of you that have been praying for me during this time and for each of you that have supported me SO much in the past and even now! Honestly, I would NOT be here without ALL of the people God has sent to support me financially and prayerfully! It's true!
I will be bringing a lot more information to you guys in the future! Just hang tight! In the meantime, please be praying for me! Ask the Spirit and He will lead you in your prayers! You can learn more about the World Race here: theworldrace.org
Adventures In Missions since 2008 and after returning from the First Year Missionary program, I was given an opportunity to come of staff with AIM to work with/co-lead a new program called The Novas Project. I spent a good chunk of time at the end of last year preparing for this new endeavor and was scheduled to go to Mexico last month with the Novas Project. After much prayer from AIM leadership the Novas Project was put on hold last December.