Posted in General Posts by Cara Wallace on 9/27/2009
I've been
procrastinating this blog because where do I start! So I will start with baby
steps.
I returned to the
United States of America at the beginning of this month. I have spent my first
few weeks in Georgia visiting my friend Martha. She asked me what I wanted to eat as my first meal! I said cookie dough, that was one thing that I had been looking forward
to on my return and of course as a mature adult I made the decision to eat some
for breakfast (poor choice).
When I hopped on
the plane for California I got butterflies in my stomach, that hadn't happened
to me the whole year of my trip. I have been
spending amazing time with my family and watching Andy Griffith reruns with my
sweet Grandma. I am healthy and happy, praise the Lord
I didn't return with any little friends in my stomach.
Of course one of
the questions is "Is it overwhelming to be back?"
I didn't think it would be but one day I sat down
on the couch and my head started to swim in all of it.... yep it's overwhelming. The other day I was driving in my car (I haven't driven in a year mind
you). I don't know about you but all great thoughts come from driving or in the shower for me. But amidst the fog
that my brain seems to be in I felt my feet stand firm in who Jesus is, He is
not a shifting shadow He is my Rock. So even though this
transition is a journey of discovering what is next I trust I will be sending you more amazing updates of how God continues to be faithful.
I can't say enough thank yous for all your encouragement and prayers. I was able to go out and love
in Jesus' name. Just as I was able to be there for them you were there for me. LOVE YOU ALL!
P.S. I have had some people make the comment that they don't want to overwhelm me with emails
and phone calls. That is so considerate of you but...overwhelm me! I can handle
it. I have been missing you all year long and I want to catch up with you. I
had to get a new phone so email me and I will send you my new number.
Well, I'm here in my last
month of ministry on the World Race and of course you would expect me to say
"How time flies" but I have
to tell the truth it hasn't the last 5 days have seemed like weeks. I'm not
sure why that is...maybe its because we're on island time here. Literally, we are
on an island called Ometepe in a village called Los Angeles and get this the island is made up of a giant volcano
that is in the middle of a giant lake in Nicaragua AND the lake has sharks how cool is that! My team and I laugh about
how this island reminds of the TV series Lost because it is so very isolated here.
The village is super small with one street that runs through it.
We are living at an
orphanage called Cicrin that is right on the water. My team and team Clay are spending our island days doing
manual labor like cement work at
the local church, kitchen duty and working in the garden that brings in most of
the orphanage's food supply. Of course we play with the kiddos and have a good
time having them perfect our basic Spanish skills and my favorite we dance together almost every night. Our 5 days here have been
full and we have seen that Cicrin is one huge family. Most
of the children are in their teens and have lived here since they were small.
There is a lot of love and stability here and its been easy to join in on the Cicrin
Family fun.
As I write this I realize I
have 24 days left to enjoy island
time and then I will be adjusting to USA time!
I thought I would take some footage of where we have been spending our time, I realized I haven't done that yet.
We have spent the month in Chiapas Mexico. It is so beautiful here, we are surrounded by thick jungle and the humidity and heat is through the roof. Caliente!
My team and have been living in small villages in the jungle. We spend our time going door to door praying and inviting the locals to church. We also spend a lot of our time with the kiddos, and let me tell you that's a full time job. Early in the morning I would see little fingers and eyes looking through the cracks in the hut to see if we were awake yet.
I think one of the biggest spiritual blessings is that we have spent time with the village pastors and we have seen their amazing hearts for their congregations. Churches in the village are not very big at the most I think I counted 9 adults and then the rest were the crazy fun kids. But, they make a true community of believers and I have loved my time of being a part of their family.
We Leave tomorrow for Nicaragua and we are thinking it will be a 5 day trek through 3 countries! Please be praying for our traveling safety, it would be much appreciated since we have had to re-route to avoid certain borders through Honduras.
This Tuesday my team and I got on a plane for a 48 hour travel day to get us to Central America.
Here's a little look at the crazy travel pattern we created within 48 hours.
We took a local train and then bus to get to the international airport in Budapest.
We hopped on our flight from Budapest to Germany then changed planes to be carried safely across the big pond to a layover in Boston. USA Soil!! I Kissed the ground then grabbed a flight that stopped in South Carolina and then on to Florida.
Vicki and I are sad to be leaving the continent but happy to be seat buddies for our transatlantic flight.
48 Hours is a long time to be awake, I fell asleep waiting for a flight.
Whoo! Finally our flight from Florida landed us in Guatemala. Oh don't forget the van ride to our location, always on the move.
Our little landing in the States made me realize that I am not ready to be done with the Race. I had a flash forward of the ministry, lessons and memories God still has for me to make. Please be praying that my team and I are able to cherish and maximize the last two months of our trip.
... After I wrote this we recieved our ministry assignment which placed us in Palanque Mexico! That meant a 14 hours bus ride out of Guatemala and into Mexico, we traveled through jungles and winding roads. Once I catch up on sleep I will update you more of what our time in Mexico will look like.
Posted in General Posts by Cara Wallace on 6/22/2009
Nothing is sweet or easy about community. Community is a fellowship of people who do not hide their joys and sorrows but make them visible to each other on a gesture of hope. In a community we say " life is full of gains and losses, joys and sorrows ups and downs-but we do not have to live it alone. We want to drink our cup together and thus celebrate the truth that the wounds of our individual lives, which seem intolerable when lived alone, become sources of healing when we live them as part of a fellowship of mutual care."
Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red, another cold blue or dull green, another warm purple, another sharp yellow, another shinning gold. Some look precious, others ordinary. Some look valuable, others worthless. Some look gaudy, others delicate. As individual stones, we can do little with them except compare them and judge their beauty and value. When, however all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any of them? If one of them, even the least spectacular one, is missing, the picture is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God. That's community, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.
By Henri Nouwen-Can You Drink the Cup
I didn't want to go so I
convinced myself to sign up for another more predictable ministry. So I signed
up for a ministry that I had already been to earlier that week. Then I heard
the voice... you know the one.
So I went and I scratched
out my name and put it on for
Thursday night's outreach to gay
prostitutes.
Yep, that's why I was a
little apprehensive, I had no idea what this outreach time would look like. But, I knew I heard in my heart that if I thought it was going to be hard then it
probably would be worth it.
FIY-In the story Laura and I are the girls that were praying and we were the ones that scared them all away. Thank goodness for God's perfect planning!
Posted in General Posts by Cara Wallace on 6/19/2009
Here is the mailing address that many of you have requested concerning my recent blog I wrote about my current support raising goals.
Cara Wallace
6013 Desert Hills Ave
Bakersfield Ca
93309
"There is no crisis in God's kingdom"
I've been gone for nine months now and a whole lot goes on that I am not even aware of since most of those months have been technologically void. We relied on hearsay from incoming Americans, and the hot topics of course are the economic crisis and Obama. There is real concern for friends and family who are losing their jobs.
But I had my eyes opened to the bigger reality of God's kingdom, while visiting Nannette Gonzalez, the president of a ministry that takes care of abandoned babies in a Romanian Children's Hospital. I asked her about her support for her ministry considering the financial crisis in the States and she pointed in spunky confidence to a newly donated van and said "There is no crisis in God's Kingdom".
It was so good to hear her say that and to see her confidence in God's promises. I know it's true. I have seen it in the ministries I have been a part of and in my own life.
I love my life, I get to live in faith of what God has called me to do and with that I have good news to tell. At the moment, I no longer need support for this trip (I pray there are more to come)!
I know my provision has come from God's hand and your support in finances, prayer and love have carried me far across the world.
Thank you for your faithfulness during these hard times, God amazes me in His provision.
I still have expenses that must be covered personally from the trip
Flight home= around $400
Gear = $800
Doctors Visits and Vaccinations = $800
If you would like to continue supporting me for the above amounts please send me an email and I will give you a mailing address.
Today I turned 29 years old yep I sure did. So I thought I would count my World Race blessings along with some other random things that I love about the Race.
1. Illy coffee
2. Squatties, I really do like them you don't have to flush
3. Passion Fruit Fanta only available in Africa
4. Watching Jeff do the shoulder dance with a mean head bob
5. Worship with an accordion at a Romanian Gypsy Church...yep its all you're imagining
6. Getting to use my compass! Thanks Jess
7. The Indian head bob it's classic and will leave you totally confused
8. Taxis they are super cheap here and they know where they are going...
9. Hand washing clothes- it's old school
10.Rooftops in India nothing better
11. Jeepnies!!!! These are old WWII jeeps that are pimped out and turned into Public transportation in the Philippines and they have R&B and flashing lights always pumping out of them
12. Skype and a connection that actually connects
13. Beans and Rice in Africa- it is my favorite and good thing because that's all you get
14. Super Hero Worship Night... I don't know if I can explain this one
15. Learning Capoeira
16. Michael and Kathy Hindes coming for monthly visits and shaking us up in the Spirit.
17. Meeting Pastors around the World that love their congregation
18. Dancing for the Lord until I couldn't dance no mo at a Church in Tanzania
19. Chai tea and yes I might be a little addicted to it
20. Receiving blog comments and letters from you
21. My Family
22. Having clean feet,you have no idea how impossible it was to keep feet clean in Africa
23. Doing manual labor alongside Ugandan women
24. Being able to carry everything I own on my back...and watching taxi drivers be amazed at me when I put it on, my pack is veryvery big
25. My Team Banah= Vickilicous, My Sharona, Angel, Tender Mitchell, Andrew/Mark, and Sister Laura -Love you guys
26. The incredible support I have received, I am always in awe of you all
27. Getting a laugh when people think I know 50 Cent the rapperjust because I'm from California- Its seems that over here our best representation of Americans is the TV
28. Seeing Miracleswhether itbe people being healed or a smile from a child
29. What I really love isthe unpredictability of the Race every day there is an unknown factor and every day is an ADVENTURE
I almost forgot to tell you all where my team is located for the month of June.
We will be located in Budapest Hungary.
This looks like a great month of ministry for us. We have great contacts with the YWAM base here and we are loving the people we meet. We will be doing relational ministry in the venue of street evangelism, homeless ministry and coffee houses.
Be praying for us that we will be able to build relationships on the Lord's love and the great plan he has for their life.
The history on Hungary is that as a nation they believe that a curse of hopelessness and despair have been cast on them.We will be in prayer that this
spiritual depression will be lifted by God's truth.
A look at Hungarian history in a nutshell
The Hungarians, or Magyars, as they call themselves, are descendants of Central Asiannomadic warriors. They migrated west from their homelands and entered the Carpathian Basin in the late 800's.
In the year 1000, King Istvan (Stephan) was crowned & chose that his people should turn from their practice of Shamanism & become Catholics. Hungary withstood attacks from the Mongols and grew to become one of the most powerful nations in Central Europe. But division among the leaders weakened them and the Turks conquered in the 1500's.
The Austrians liberated Hungary in the 1650's, but then made Hungary part of their empire. A revolution for independence was crushed in 1848. By the 1860's Austria's power was waning and Hungary brokered a partnership with a dual monarchy in the Austrio-Hungarian Empire. This was a golden age for Hungary with many advancements in culture & living. Budapest reflects much of the glory of this time.
After losing WWI, Hungary lost 2/3 of its territory and 1/3 of its population. The stage was set for a fascist government which came to power in the 1930's and sided with Hitler in WWII. Russia took control after the war and set up a communist government.
Hungarians staged another revolution for independence in 1956 which was brutally crushed by the Russians. In 1989 Hungary opened their border with Austria tearing a gap in the "Iron Curtain." Elections were held and the Communists were voted out.
The past 10 years has brought slow but steady economic growth, but many people putting their hopes in getting rich have been disappointed. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and is looking to join the EU by 2004.
Hungarian history in depth, click here
Fun facts about Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is really two cities: Buda and Pest.
The crown, sword, scepter, orb, and cape of St. Stephen, King of Hungary also were stored in Fort Knox Kentucky, before being returned to the government of Hungary in 1978.
Although Houdini claimed to have been born on April 6, 1874 in Appleton, Wisconsin, he actually was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary.
Did you know that the developers of the atomic bomb; the holograph; moon rover; Model T Ford; and the fathers of binary code, BASIC and computer programming; the atomic bomb, nuclear engineering; the California wine industry; the U.S. Cavalry; the Model T Ford; matches; color television; full-length motion pictures; the carburetor; the Zeppelin; the automatic gearbox; the moon rover; Intel Corporation; and of the U.S. aerospace industry are all Hungarian-Americans? And what about Joseph Pulitzer, of "Pulitzer Prize" fame? There's much more to his story. And can you believe there was a Hungarian Emperor of Madagascar?
In addition to the more than 10 million Hungarians in Hungary, there are almost 5 million living in other countries who declare themselves as Hungarians.
Try some Hungarian words
Igen [igen ] - yes
Nem [nem ] - no
Jóreggelt [jó + reggel ] - good morning
Jóestét [jó + este ] - good evening
Köszönöm [köszön ] - thank you
Kérem [kérni ] - please , I ask
Szívesen - gladly
Hogy hívják? - What's your name?
A nevem Éva. - My name is Eva
Hogy van? - How are you?
Köszönöm, jól. - I'm fine, thank you
Nem értem. - I don't understand.... I'll probably be using this one the most=)
The Hungarians, or Magyars, as they call themselves, are descendants of Central Asiannomadic warriors. They migrated west from their homelands and entered the Carpathian Basin in the late 800's. 
The Austrians liberated Hungary in the 1650's, but then made Hungary part of their empire. A revolution for independence was crushed in 1848. By the 1860's Austria's power was waning and Hungary brokered a partnership with a dual monarchy in the Austrio-Hungarian Empire. This was a golden age for Hungary with many advancements in culture & living. Budapest reflects much of the glory of this time.
After losing WWI, Hungary lost 2/3 of its territory and 1/3 of its population. The stage was set for a fascist government which came to power in the 1930's and sided with Hitler in WWII. Russia took control after the war and set up a communist government. 
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is really two cities: Buda and Pest.
Did you know that the developers of the atomic bomb; the holograph; moon rover; Model T Ford; and the fathers of binary code, BASIC and computer programming; the atomic bomb, nuclear engineering; the California wine industry; the U.S. Cavalry; the Model T Ford; matches; color television; full-length motion pictures; the carburetor; the Zeppelin; the automatic gearbox; the moon rover; Intel Corporation; and of the U.S. aerospace industry are all Hungarian-Americans? And what about Joseph Pulitzer, of "Pulitzer Prize" fame? There's much more to his story. And can you believe there was a Hungarian Emperor of Madagascar?