http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org WR 2007 Casey Barefield - A work in progress... en-us Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:12:59 GMT 30 http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=done-but-not-finished http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=done-but-not-finished Yes, indeed, I am home. But as we all well know, just moving from one thing to the next. (Never mind that the next is quite amorphous at this time) I would like first to say that I will continue to use this blog page as long as AIM will let me, so don't cancel your update alerts. While there is a lot going on, and I'm only beginning to process the last year, I do have a couple of things to share with you... 1) Our last video update! Zion Update Guatemala from mshrauger on Vimeo.2) I want to link a couple of recent blogs about coming home from Julie, Lauren, and Elizabeth. They are pretty funny, but also have some profound truths in them as well. 3) Jane, myself, and the rest of the Racers made it into the May newsletter of PorchdeSalomon. It's in PDF format, but worth looking at. So, with all of those vital updates out of the way, I must say that I love springtime in the South. It reeks havoc on my sinuses and all that jazz, but I just want to bottle that flor Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-fun-welcome-home http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-fun-welcome-home So I'm just gonna throw out something fun because I've had a very intense (and productive) day and am in need of a little break. Final debrief has been a mixture of high emotion, serious preparation, and much needed relaxation. We're close. Very close. Yikes. But it's cool. It's the right time. With the need for some fun, this is a portion of an email that Courtney's mom sent to her, full of wit and wisdom. Naturally, I would encourage you to read the entirety of the blog on Courtney's site:The reentry of a World Racer. You are the guinea pig for it, but I have all confidence. First, no dope slap (not literal just a good talking to), just a big Mom hug. I will squish your head into my breasts so that you can have warm memories of nursing. Second, I have hidden all of the toilet paper. I don't want you to be slammed right into society. We have also had a squatty potty installed in your bathroom and removed the door. Third, I will take all showers with you unt Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=circle-of-life http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=circle-of-life I have nothing deep or profound prepared for this, one of my final blogs before returning to the states, but I am led to begin saying goodbye. I just know that we are a week away from the closure of one adventure and the beginning of another. Honestly, the title of this blog just kinda popped into my head as a way of describing this series of events. The year's seasons form a circle and so do the seasons of life. They look different for everyone, but each one of them is guided by the light of the Lord in the same way that the sun's rays control the temperature. As this season comes to a close, I know that a tough transition is coming. One would be foolish not to treat this change with due respect. There is no telling what some, if not most of us will be doing in a week, a month, 3 months, much less a year. I've been in a lot of thought and meditation and prayer lately about what my life will look like when I get home, and where it will go next. I can't say that I've gotten an Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=blessings-in-return http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=blessings-in-return Well today was just fun. With more of this 'ministry is life, life is ministry' attitude running around, it's easy to see how a simple trip turns into so much more. While preparing Solomon's Porch  (porchdesalomon en Espanol) coffee house for their short move in Panajachel, we were given the opportunity to go see a few families/friends in neighboring Santa Catarina. This is the short story of what happens when you mix ministry and life... you get way more of both. Two bags of rice, diapers, candy and cooking oil were necessities, sure, but it quickly became evident that we brought ample prayers, smiles and fun as well. It all started when we admired the traditional clothing... Then, suddenly, all of the girls looked a little like this: And before you know it, one guy sticks out like a blandly colored thumb:(please excuse our novice photographer, he means the absolute best)I was feeling down that I didn't have any sweet clothes to match my friends,but my teammates made sure to in Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=living-deeply-pt-2 http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=living-deeply-pt-2 So where am I going with all of this?  Where am I being led?  I'm being led to understand what it means to make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19 speaks of newness.  Newness of life and love and grace.  I've always loved that verse and have desired to understand its deep meaning.  God is doing a new thing.  He is making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  We are just blessed to be a part of it.  This last month has been a conflagration of many experiences and ups and downs.  I always knew (all of my team did) that it was going to be for a great and glorious thing, that the Kingdom of God would be expanded and glorified because of our smallness and His greatness.  Sometimes it feels like we've been through the ringer, run over by confusion and uncertainty.  It's been a difficult month of traveling, worrying about safety and budgets, giving in to fear and lies, conflicting on what we Tue, 8 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=changing-slowly-pt-1 http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=changing-slowly-pt-1 We've spent several weeks now moving back and forth through Honduras, staying in places we didn't want to and in pretty crappy hostels.  Some of us have sincere aversions to entire cities because of bad experiences or feeling spiritually oppressed or like we are wasting time.  Sometimes it just all seems to come together.  It's usually after a long period of asking why and going through things that don't make any sense and are really tough.   You know what?  Forget it; no more introductions or prefaces.  God is on fire.  God is a consuming fire.  He's consuming us daily and He's consuming others as well.  He's consuming Dustin and Sheldon and especially Adam.  They know it and so do we.  Does that mean we are doing something right?  Heck no.  Does that mean we are righteous and worthy?  Not a chance.  It means that His grace is sufficient for us.  It means His love is truly Almighty and He is a warrior.& Tue, 8 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-flyby-update http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-flyby-update Sometimes you just get chill bumps. Tuesday just before lunch two US Army Blackhawk helicopters took off from the Utila airport taking some new friends with them. As I finished waving goodbye and began to think about what an incredibly nice and hospitable group I had met, I was overwhelmed with warm and fuzzy feelings. These were quickly blown off the face of the earth by a deafening roar of rotor blades as the birds seemingly leaped off the ground and into the sky. The power and decisiveness was truly stunning. Yes, I did walk away with chill bumps; partially due to the awesome force of the choppers, and partially due to the magnitude of character contained in them. Guys and Gals, this blog is for you. It's to say 'Thank you.' When we set off through Nicaragua and Honduras, we prayed God would set our paths for us and introduce us to just the right people. Without a doubt, you are those people. As we've traveled the world, we often find that as much as we go somewhere and t Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=indulgence-a-little http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=indulgence-a-little So... sometimes on the WR, you just have to treat yourself. There is no way around it. We are in San Pedro Sula right now and there is something here that I literally haven't seen all year. It's a product that is on the same order of specialty that Dr. Pepper is, and infinitely more rare. Slice and Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (dum dum dummmmmm!) The best decision I've made in a really long time was to buy a roll of the magic putty and share it with the team. Behold the aftermath... When we recover, we are headed to the north coast somewhere to try and minister to people during Holy Week. God has been a faithful and timely provider and we trust in His continued blessings and directions. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=zion-video-updateshow-you-love http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=zion-video-updateshow-you-love Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-blog-that-wasnt http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-blog-that-wasnt I typed a really good blog about how we got from Managua, Nicaragua to Tegucigalpa, Honduras on no plans whatsoever and have been trying to post it for days.  Sometimes its formatting, sometimes its a computer wont even read my flash drive, sometimes its no connectivity with my computer... so this is the blog that wasnt because the blog that is, isnt. Yes, we did make it from one capital to another through divine providence and, well, through divine providence.  The details are just details, but a special thanks goes out to Bubbafrom South Carolina.  Once in Teguz, we found a cheap hostel near the square and went out to meet God and see what we were there for.  Turns out, we were only there to pray for an old man in a church and because God knew Beth would need an American Embassy.  Somewhere along the way, she lost her passport (completely out of character for Beth, I must defend her responsibility) and was able to get a temporary one in 24 HOURS!!! Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=lomas-de-alabanza http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=lomas-de-alabanza So my blog for this week is easy... link to everybody else and toss up some pics. Julie, Dawson, and Beth wrote some good stuff yesterday.  We proclaimed freedom and power through the shofar yesterday and at daybreak today... Sat, 8 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=lets-go http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=lets-go It's nearly noon on March 6th and we are about to go to Managua on the first leg of our month long ATL. We have a firm faith and confidence in God's provision for us and cannot wait for Him to be extravagant on us. We will most likely be blogging collectively, but I want to share the websites of my teammates for the month. Please check their blogs as often as you do mine. We thank God now for all of the gifts and blessings we will receive this month and for all of the ways that we will touch lives and show the love and freedom that is in Christ. Also, thank you for your continued prayers; they are so vital to us. Love.Heather TolbertBeth SchroederJulie LortzJenny Dawson Thu, 6 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=jinotepe-debrief http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=jinotepe-debrief First of all, there is another article in Relevant magazine that was written by Jeff Goins about the World Race. It features Eric Hanson, a racer from Jan 07 and a good friend of mine. We have been unable to bring up the full article online, so I would recommend picking up the paper copy. It's a great magazine anyway. The WR is becoming a movement, and we are thrilled that the word is getting spread. In other news...The month I had in Puerto Cabezas was really cool; there was lots of hard work and lots of time to spend making friends with the children in the orphanage and the workers. I made a lot of really good relationships and got to be a disciple and encouragement to the guys rebuilding the town. The church and ministry there is really incredible and the Spirit of the Lord is moving in big ways. One kid, Ignacio, just turned 17 and has really been laid on my heart. I'm not sure what it all means just now, but I feel that I'll be called to help him realize whatever dreams h Tue, 4 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=some-original-work http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=some-original-work The Wisdom of a Nicaraguan Day:Truth is best created in vulnerability and safety;Love is best applied liberally and graciously;Servant-hood is best displayed in a cheerful face and a joyous heart; A Savior is best exemplified by a Death and a Resurrection.The Gravity AboveOut of a kaleidoscope of vistas there comes a spiritual procession.Through a profusion of times and places marches a cavalcade of warriors. They are slaying the darkness because they see the full spectrum of faces and are witness to the power of creation.With souls and spirits free, they feel the pulse of the earth and the gravity of the heavens. Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=oh-weekend-of-glory-pt-1 http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=oh-weekend-of-glory-pt-1 Let's say you're in a small town in a very remote part of a Latin American country and all week you've been working and ministering. You've taken part in church services, been to schools to give talks on character development, met new people and learned some new words in two languages, tutored children after school, and been a blessing to the church and pastor in a number of other ways. It's Friday afternoon and you... play baseball. Of course you play baseball, you always play baseball if it's not raining. The kids from the orphanage are very good and you're quite impressed with them. But this is only the beginning of the end of the week. On Saturday morning you sleep in just a bit, to say 9, then get up and meet the sunshine. Lounge around a bit, read, listen to music, let the Lord take you into the day, and prepare for your big lunch of rice and beans. After gathering your hat, camera and some other Racers, you flag down a taxi and say "baseball". Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=baseball-and-tacos-pt2 http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=baseball-and-tacos-pt2 (Check out Uhles' Taco Run Detour blog as well)So does it get any better? Can Sunday top Saturday? The answer is a resounding Yes. It is, after all, the day set aside specifically and totally for the Lord. So you do that. You be with the Lord and let Him be with you. Again, you give the morning to the Lord in a personal way and then, without really knowing why at the time, consecrate the afternoon to Him in a public way. Then it hits you... tacos. Yes, tacos. Some Racers found a taco and juice stand the other day and have made big plans to go there for lunch. Taxis again and then you arrive to find it's closed on Sunday. Some part of you respects the place and some part of you is real hungry. Finding a new taxi, your friends confess to the driver that they had really wanted tacos for lunch and ask him if he knows of any place. He says "I know a little place. It's right on the water and has a warming Caribbean breeze with a stunning view of the pier. They hav Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-arm-hurts http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-arm-hurts So there I was, laying on my back on top of a half-built house, balancing on a 2x4, staring up into the sun, trying to hammer two pieces of wood together, sweating like a pig and wishing I had had this task at the beginning of the day and not the end, when one's arm has turned to rubber. I thought to myself as I laid the hammer on my chest to dry the grip(read: rest) that I was one lucky guy. Why? Because I get to do manly construction and be in the great outdoors and watch amazing clouds and see all kinds of animals wander by and meet incredibly nice people and work with brothers in Christ from a world away, all in the name of service to the Lord. It's a pretty sweet deal. The views from the housetops are, for starters, incredible. The landscape is so amazing. It's just crazy. Sometimes I just put the hammer down and look around. When there is down time or we are waiting on lumber, we talk to the other workers and learn a little more Spanish and very little Miskito. These gu Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-whirlwind-tour http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-whirlwind-tour My My My.  What a trip.  It has been a couple of weeks since I've made a post and even now I've only got a short time in front of me to talk to home.  We left the Philippines on Feb 1, and flew to Los Angeles via Tokyo.  Crossing the International Date Line, we actually arrived in LA at the same time we left Manila.  Scheduling conflicts forced us to spend two days in LA and we were blessed beyond belief by a group of people who were just given a heart to serve weary travelers.  It was fantastic to have what we had, but there were a lot of mixed feelings about being back in the states.  For me, it felt like it broke stride and now I've got to get oriented back to what I'm heading into.  What am I heading into?  Three months in Central America and an opportunity to finish the race well.  We have just gotten to Granada, Nicaragua after leaving LA and a layover in Miami.  Tomorrow I and half the squad will go to Puerto Cabezas and do Mon, 4 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=corrections-and-updates http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=corrections-and-updates I regret to inform that a correction is in order. This is a very big step for me, to admit that I'm wrong, and an even bigger step to fess up even though perhaps 99% of my readers would never know the difference. The utter shame and humiliation of being placed on the altar of fallibility is nearly more than I can bear. Of course, most of this is just dramatics, but I have made an honest mistake and shall hereby remedy it. The picture I posted of a Papaya growing was, in fact, not a Papaya at all. A minor oversight, I know, but one that needs attention nonetheless. I've hereby taken measures to record an actual Papaya in growth and accurately document it. Thank you all for your grace as a novice horticulturist examines the hue of his thumbs. In other news; as our time in the Philippines draws to a close, we have gotten some information about what is next on the list for us. We leave on February 1st, which also marks 3 months remaining on our journey. We will be fl Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-papaya-grows-in-brooklyn http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-papaya-grows-in-brooklyn Hmm... that's close, but something is missing. .. A Papaya grows in Manila. Yes! That's perfect! There are 5 palates of seeds emerging from the soil that will soon be planted on a hillside in the Cuatro Community to provide fruit and income for the residents. I don't really know if I've got a green thumb, but so far, so good. This little corner of kindness is but one of many projects here at Kids International Ministries. All of our squad has been here for just over a week now (after our Christmas break), and have really been given a green light to pursue a number of different ministries for the duration of the month. Among the options are helping with coaching at a local private academy for children of missionaries, assisting teachers at the recently completed Cuatro Community Center, endless painting projects, community development such as censuses and sanitation projects, volunteering at the Children's Home, getting involved with a local prostitute ministry, leading Bible stu Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=happy-new-casey http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=happy-new-casey May I have your attention please?In the spirit of the New Year, I give you a New Casey... That is all. Thu, 3 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-bare-hollywood-blockbuster http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-bare-hollywood-blockbuster A run faster, jump higher version of the big event. The Event from mshrauger on Vimeo. Thu, 3 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=merry-christmas-very-merry-indeed http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=merry-christmas-very-merry-indeed My First World Race Christmas! from Gabrielle Rodgers on Vimeo. Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-conditions http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-conditions *this is kinda two blogs smushed together that have taken some time to develop* 'If I'm out of my mind, it's You, You,  cause I'm crazy in love with You, You. Inebriated by You, You, cause I'm head over heels for You, You.'   - David Crowder 2 Corinthians 5:13... "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you." I've got to be out of my mind.  As I was listening to the above lyrics while walking the streets of China, I realized what a crazy thing I'm doing.  It really (and finally) dawned on me... "What in the world am I doing?!?!?!?!"  I'll tell you:  I'm sweating/freezing, tired, cramped, bored/too busy to see straight, eating poorly, showering seldomly, sleeping sporadically, suppressed in worship/not allowed to worship the Lord at all, surrounded by beggars and children with no clothes or mothers, living amongst a population that is 94% Buddhist/100% non-religious/etc, stared at (ga Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=silence-broken http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=silence-broken WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, I feel better.  Yes, we are back in Hong Kong after a month in another country.  Oh, the stories we all have but can't really tell right now.  And my, my, the pictures that we can't disclose either.  I remember; however, that it's not about us or telling our stories, but rather, it's about a movement that is gathering momentum and being respectful to those leading it.  This won't be a long post, just an announcement that we have not only survived, but prospered.  We were truly blessed with overwhelming support from everyone around the world.  From the deepest reaches of my heart... Thank you. Family, I miss you.  I will be calling soon, promise.  Meredith, hope your birthday was amazing, love you. Oh yeah, one more thing:  God, Missionary, Holy, Christ, Love, Savior, Blood, Trinity, Spirit, Cross, Heaven, Pray, Worship, Bible, Gospel, and JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (I've had to Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=preparing-for-silence http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=preparing-for-silence I want to say a couple of things before we go to big red and my team goes completely silent.  First: I had an fantastic birthday.  No really.  It was the most fun I've ever had.  A genuine and humble thanks to C and D squads for the love and joy that was shared on the 9th.  Y'all are truly amazing people and I can't say enough how much of a blessing and honor it is to be walking the same path under God.  Second: the A and B squads are done...  Wow.  They will be back in the states in less than a week and stepping into the things that the Lord has revealed to them.  I'm proud of these guys and girls.  Proud because of what they've become and what they have sacrificed in order to get there.  But the story is only beginning; the sacrifice has only begun.  Find these January Racers and encourage them.  Third: yes, on Monday, the 18th, we are going to that overpopulated Asian country that doesn't like what we'r Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-confession-blog http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-confession-blog A fisher of men; that's what Matthew 4:19 says I will be if I follow Jesus. I'm sure this isn't news, but that is HARD. This blog is partly about confession and what the last two months have been like for me, yes, but also about one of the deep truths of the World Race and what it's designed to do. It's about the world changing me; then, maybe, me changing the world. This is being revealed to me more and more every day. What I did wrong:  While we were debriefing in Bangkok, I voiced a confession before all of the World Racers and God. My sin? I had mostly taken the month in Thailand off. I slacked in a lot of areas, most notably my discipline to reading the Word and prayer. I lost that intimate connection with God and with my team.  I shaded too much towards being a tourist and a traveler; shied away from being a fisher of men.  I fell to the spirits of complaceny and individuality.  It's a dangerous route.  It hampered my time in Thailand; I was surrounded Fri, 2 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=sweet-nectar-of-life http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=sweet-nectar-of-life This post is to report on one piece of news... Today we found a store down an obscure dirt and mud alley in the middle of Battambang that sells Dr. Pepper.  I had already finished my meal and was in conversation with my teammates when I saw the glory covered can in the drink case.  I quite literally almost fell out of my chair.  After more than 4 months without this succulent liquid, I bought one and drank it.   For anyone that knows me well, you know how close this really was to being the most perfect day ever.  Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=battambang http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=battambang Team Zion has survived another nearly harrowing bus ride to arrive in Battambang, Cambodia.  We are going to be here staying with University of the Nations/YWAM contacts for the next few weeks an getting involved with some of their ministries.  I'm afraid our days might be long and our nights might be early, so there may not be a lot of updates and that sort of thing.  We've been praying into Cambodia and are really expecting God to move in a big way for all of the teams.  There is a tough evil to overcome in this country, with Buddhism again being so prevalent and the struggles the people still endure to overcome decades of violence and political instability.  We toured some temples and learned about the Khmer Rouge on our first day in Phnom Penh.  A visit to one main prison where the generals tortured and nterrogated' political prisoners, and then to the subsequent Killing Fields, brought a new respect and understand to the darkness that this region live Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=going-native-20 http://caseybarefield.theworldrace.org/?filename=going-native-20 Today I bought something at a store and gave the lady 100 Baht bill.  I recieved as change a one Dollar bill and 3600 Riel, which can only mean I'm in Cambodia and better finish up a blog or two about Thailand.  The second part of Going Native is here to say that God is alive and moving in Thailand.  Several people, myself included, have been given very strong things from God concerning the spiritual revival of the Thai people.  I personally have been letting something simmer that God gave me on the airplane before even landing in Bangkok.  I noticed lines of clouds partially hiding miles of rice paddies in rows and God brought me the Scripture "by His stripes we are healed." I know that Thailand will soon be healed.  I have no idea if I'm called to be a part of it or not, but it's clear that the village we went to will be an amazing part of this rebirth...  It's pretty much sta Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT