Posted in Preparation by Shawna Moffatt on 5/16/2012
Learning how to let it go, to live my whole life with abandon and squeeze every drop out, no matter what happens!
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Posted in Preparation by Shawna Moffatt on 4/12/2012
Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind Eccleasiastes 1:14... Its all about God and HIs love
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Posted in Experiences by Shawna Moffatt on 3/27/2012
Needless to say, I have not been good at blogging this month... I am on my first? blog of March, and the month is pretty much over. Life has been busy!
To start off, I moved in with my brother at the end of February (this in combination with getting rid of my lease will save me about $800.00 a month.... Yay for saving money!). Moving is never an easy thing, and this time it seemed to be long and drawn out. Every day I tried to move things it either snowed, or rained. But... there is good news! I had help almost everyday time I moved things :) Yay for not doing THAT all by myself! Thank you my wonderful family!!
Along with the emotions and deadlines that go with moving, I began to worry about fundraising (why? I will never know... cause I`m human I guess...). I had a fundraiser go completely down the drain, and not happen, and that same weekend, I had a thought-to-be dead fundraiser raise up and come alive (for may). My Paintings have been a hit, so-much-so that I seem to spend every day I have off from work painting! God is Good! People are helping me raise money for the trip!! I then had another "WOW, God, you are sooooo awesome," moment, when a couple donated a lump sum of $5000! Thats right, 1/3 of my cost for this trip! I cried.... more than a little bit. Then I had someone else sponsor me monthly through the church, And God hasn't stopped pouring in the funds since!!
Also during this month, I put in an order for chocolate bars to sell and raise money for 11n11... they sold out within a week... it completely blew my mind. Even though schools are right in the middle of selling things, my stuff sold like hot cakes! I am completely and fully amazed at His hand on everything. I feel like all I have to do is sit back and relax. He is doing all of the fundraising.
As of this moment, I have almost met the deadling for three months into the trip!!!!! My new goal is to be all paid off by the time I go for training in May. And I will NOT be surprised when God shows up in wonderful and miraclulous ways :) He is unfailing in Love, He takes care of those who trust in Him. All I can say is WOW!!
Psalm 63:3
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
2 Corinthians 13:14
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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Posted in Preparation by Shawna Moffatt on 3/2/2012
I know, I know, I already have a blog with a similar title... but the thing is, God has been speaking this word to me a lot lately. You see what He has been telling me is its all about LOVE. All of it! EVERYTHING is about LOVE.
ok, so heres the deal. Years ago God put it on my heart about the word love, in His book, the bible...we are talking about eight years ago. So I decided that I would read through the bible and write out every verse that had the root word love in it. Things like love, lovely, lover, loved, etc... Lets just say I didnt get very far. But I was still blown away! God has woven His love all the way through every book! Even the old testament...
So here are some things that I learned.
GOD is LOVE
LOVE is REAL
LOVE NEVER FAILS
LOVE doesn't boast
LOVE is PATIENT and KIND
LOVE It is not easily angered
LOVE isnt proud, not rude, not selfish
LOVE always trusts, always perseveres, always hopes
LOVE rejoices in truth
without LOVE, everything is meaningless-chasing after the wind
We were made to LOVE
We are able to LOVE because God first LOVED us
You see, because GOD is LOVE, we can put Him in all of those spaces... God is patiend and kind, always trusting, always persevering, not easily angered... without God, everything is meaningless- a chasing after the wind. Everything is about LOVE, because that is who God is; Love. He is everything.
There is an "old" song that has been running through my brain for weeks now, by Steven Curtis Chapman... here are his lyrics. The chorus especially is what has been running through my mind daily...
We've got CDs, tapes and videos, radios and TV shows
Conferences, retreats and seminars
We've got books and magazines to read on everything from A to Z
And a web to surf from anywhere we are
But I hope with all this information buzzing through our brains
That we will not let our hearts forget the most important thing is
Love love love love love ...it's all about
Love love love love love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
It's all about love
Now they're fighting in the Middle East and they're fighting down on 7th street
And there are fights in my own house on given days
It's like something's lurking deep inside that can't seem to be satisfied
But life was not meant to be lived this way
'Cause it's true for every man and woman, every boy and girl
That our only hope for living here together in this world is ...
Love love love love love ...it's all about
Love love love love love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
This is the reason we were made
To know the love of our creator
And to give the love He's given us away
Yeah, the Maker and the Father and the God of everything
He says to ...
Love love love ... He says love love love
Love love love ... 'cause after all it's all about love
God says ...
Love love love love love ...it's all about
Love love love love love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
'cause after all it's all about love
Its kind of a big pill to swallow. To give the Love God has given, as He has given it. But that is what I plan on doing now, and on this trip, is to see people through the LOVE of God. To be patient and kind, and slow to anger. All of which are very hard things, but when you keep love close to your heart, love will pour out.
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Posted in General Posts by Shawna Moffatt on 2/22/2012
So I enjoyed everyone elses so much that I decided to do it too... Here she goes
1. Before entering the race, I had never blogged before
2. I was born in Elliot Lake
3. I love dresses, but hate wearing them....
4. I am a tomboy
5. At age 4 or 5 I wanted to be a missionary nurse
6. At age 13 I was never becoming a nurse
7. At age 18 God told me to go into nursing... I told Him No.
8. He won, in 2004 I entered nursing school... I called it my self torutre. I hated almost every aspect of nursing for four very long years.
9. I cried almost every night for those four years. But looking back, sure, school sucked, but the people I met, cared for and experienced life with... were awesome! Love you guys!
10. I miss university living.... hahaha
11. I work Acute care and ER (sometimes) and it is fun... God changed my heart... Thank you Jesus!
12. Since I was 4 or 5 I wanted to be in Africa. I wanted to help in any way I could...
13. A little known fact, it was also at 4 or 5 that I decided I was never getting married because boys were a distraction, and I wanted to be focussed on God. What kid decides that? Needless to say I never dreamed of my own wedding...
14. I have never had a boyfriend.
15. I have never been on an official date either :)
16. I am surprizingly proud of numbers 14 and 15
17. I love sports! Volley-ball especially
18. In highschool I played volley-ball, basket-ball, and did high-jump in track.
19. I love painting
20. I have a permenant numb toe from being on my feet at work
21. I had appendicitis when I was 13... I thought I had the flu, and went 2 days being sick before my mom took me to ER. She calling in advance and told them I had appendicitis.
22. I almost died when I was 3 months old from viral whooping cough... it wasnt until after my mom gave me back to God that I started to get better... coincidence? I think not.
23. <-This age was the best and most difficult year of my life! God and I faught endlessly, but we were talking endlessly too, so I felt sooo close to Him in that time.
24. I think coming up with 100 things is going to be very difficult...bah!
25. I went to cuba for my 25th birthday! I brought with me my mom, sister and cousin... lots of fun!
26. I always get searched when I travel... especially to the States... they seem to think I am some sort of terrorist or drug smuggler or something.... but I have never done anything wrong, not even too much liquids! It doesnt matter if I drive across the border or fly either...
27. I guess #26 is a warning to all my WR team-mates... expect some delayes when traveling with me.. sorry. I dont know why it happens!
28. I had a cat named chicken as a kid.
29. There are 6 kids in my family... I am number 3 in the run.
30. The youngest id 15, and the oldest is 32
31. When asked I always say I have no allergies, however... I am allergic to water. Which concerns me a little in regards to this trip.
32. I grew up on farmland
33. Yes, I am a hick, hillbilly, or redneck... what ever you chose to call me
34. I think my computer may run out of battery before I finish this! ah oh!
35. I LOVE quading!
36. I LOVE snowmolbiling!
37. I LOVE being out on the boat!
38. Growing up we spent entire summers out at camp :)
39. We had a fire tower behind our house that we climbed even though the ladder was removed and the hut on top is rotting.
40. I enjoy calculated risk.
41. I am much less a dare devil than I used to be... I think its cause Im old... or that Im a nurse...
42. My cousins are awesome... I have about 100 first cousins on my dads side alone :)
43. I miss our get togethers! The Moffatt family still gets together, but work keeps me from attending... I work every holiday basically.
44. There is a video-tape of me doing a belly-flop off the dock... never did that again! haha still remember the pain!
45. I could eat chicken everyday... and kinda do already
46. I am a chocoholic... and am not able to quit
47. I went from being a cake fan to drinking pepsi... all because of caffeine. I can not sleep after drinking coke.
48. I LOVE country music
49. I couldnt tell you if I listen to worship music or country music more...
50. I LOVE worship music!!
51. I am going to really miss church at the lighthouse.
52. I call my mom everyday currently. We are pretty tight
53. I LOVE my family.
54. Moving to Espanola has given me the oppertunity to get to know my sister really well and get to know my neice and nephews well too!
55. Her youngest calls me uncle Nawna... but all the other females he calls auntie... haha
56. I was told I need to learn how to sleep by a nurse practitioner.
57. Apparently I am sensitive to not being able to see... when I was 13 I got glasses... (even though the optomitrist said I didnt need them)... and even this past year I passed the eye exam for the army, but with my glasses on, I see everything in HD...
58. I do not enjoy wearing my glasses, and technically only need them to drive
59. I watch movies in theatre once every 6-8 months or so.
60. I crack just about every joint I have... from my jaw down to my toes...
61. Most country music these days are not real country, but its catchy
62. my favourite band at the moment is Gungor
63. I really love leather jackets... a lot...
64. I LOVE to travel
65. I started to travel without my family when I was 16.
66. I have been to England, Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Romania, Cuba, USA, Mexico, Luxenberg, Holland... I think thats it... I had a 4 hour lay-over in Austria... but did not leave the airport, so it doesnt really count...
67. Last march I drove to texas with my cousin Elissa to visit my cousin Tracey.
68. We drove through 15 different states
69. I spent a summer in a remote fly-in reserve in Ontario, and it was like being in a third world country
70. I like to take pictures of life
71. I am not very good a small talk.
72. If I avoid you or ignore you... its probably because I'm not wearing my glasses and you are not speaking loud enough... not that I am trying to avoid you.
73. I miss my home in walford....... a lot.....
74. We used to tap our own trees and make our own maple syrup
75. I want to pick a ripened banana off a tree and eat it
75. I love to laugh, but dont do it nearly enough anymore. Hopefully that changes soon
76. God Is awesome, and never lets me down!
77. Im slowing down... its getting more and more difficult to think of things!!!
78. Being a nurse has made me grow a backbone...
79. Im kinda oppinionated, but I know when to keep my opionons to myself.
80. Sometimes eggs make me sick... most of the time they dont.
81. I dont eat seafood. I have tried, its gross...
82. The only fish I can handle is canned tuna...
83. I died my hair blue in university- loved it!
84. I have a secret... and thats all you get to know!
85. I HATE mornings... unless I have not slept yet
86. I am currently sitting
87. My favourite colour is blue
88. My favourite ice cream is mint chip
89. My favourite summer treat is poutine from Lucky's snack bar--- mmmmmmm.... made with chicken gravy :) makes me happy and now I want one... Oh and Grandma's secret spice... yeah
90. I worked there for 2 weeks. hahaha... I was too shy for public service working... hahahaha
91. Now look at me!
92. My parents are awesome! So supportive, so loving
93. In December I had a decision to make, accept the Job as a nurse in the army, or hope to get in with the world race... I chose the race...with lots of prayer
94. It has been a long time coming to actually be released to Africa to help. You may need to sedate me to get me out of there.
95. Before the race was even in my head, this may I was supposed to vacation in Italy and Rome for 2 weeks with my friend Dee. She has very graciously post-poned our trip until after the race.
96. I was also supposed to buy a new car... but that too will have to wait.
97. Last year God told me to start saving my money... he did not tell me why... I think I know now...
98. I hope that this next chapter is going to be even better than I imagine. I hope to be changed and be able t help others. Blessed to be a blessing.
99. Love always wins, truth always prevails
100. Hope you enjoy this list! And my computer didnt die on me!!! YAY
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Posted in fundraising by Shawna Moffatt on 2/10/2012
This is a blog from one of my teamates... It is an amazing breakdown of finances. What the money is for, who gets it and why! She is amazing for letting us use her hard work to show you about money.
In order for me to be able to go on The World Race, I will need to raise $15,500. You may be thinking that this is a lot of money, or maybe that it is not that much for 11 months of income to travel around the world.
Where does the money go?
How are you going to live off of this for 11 whole months?
Well, because I am a visual learner, let me put this in graph form for you...
As a World Racer, the $15,500 is broken down by these categories...
Training Camp--$320 (may 19-26)
Field Support--$620
WR Development Program--$1,860
Administration Fees--$2,635
World Racer--$10,075
As you can see, 65% of the funds that I will be raising go towards my expenses for the 11 months. Again, let me show you through a graph what this will look like.
My budget is broken down into these categories...
Intercontinental Travel--$4,235.00
Food--$1,256.25
Lodging--$1,758.75
Transportation--$1,005.00
Long Distance Travel & Misc. Supplies--$1,115.55
In addition to the expense of $15,500, I will need to purchase/have donated the following items:
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International Medical Insurance (up to $500)
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Sleeping bag (20 - 35 degree) (up to $100)
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2 person tent (light & small) (about $400)
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2 round trip tickets to Atlanta Georgia (about $1000 each time)
(DISCLAIMER: I am going to attempt to purchase most of these items myself, but if you would like to help me along the way just comment or message me.)
DEADLINES: As with most fundraising, there are deadlines that are set up by AIM that I am required to meet. Here they are...
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$3,500 - Due 5/5/2012 (2 weeks before Training Camp)
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$6,500 - Due 6/17/2012 (2 weeks prior to your trip)
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$11,000 - Due 10/1/2012 (End of 3 months on the field)
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$15,500 - Total Due 1/1/2013 (End of 6 months on the field)
I know that it is MORE than possible to have 100% of my funds raised before departure in July, will you be one of the people to make this a reality?
I have full confidence that the money will be raised before I head out on the field. God is so good!!
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Posted in Preparation by Shawna Moffatt on 2/6/2012
I call it LOVE
Planning this trip has blown me away! We are talking in fundraising alone. Sure I always knew that I had a good support system, but never have I experienced anything like this before.
As I have shared the plans that have been laid before me, I have seen a multitude of family, friends, coworkers and strangers rise up and help me through. I have yet to ask anyone for help; God has put people in front of me, each with their own set of gifts to offer. If left to my own fundraising ideas, I would most definitely fall short! But God has a plan, and He has the means to finish what he has started.
Now, I have always been an independent woman, and I do not usually take help from others easily… God and I have been working on that… This trip, I feel as though I have taken a back seat, and God has given to me His workers and His connections. It is as though everyone knows someone who can help and word has spread like wildfire. From volley-ball to quilts, chocolate bars to paintings, everyone has something to offer and some way to help.
This experience has taught me that receiving help is not a form of weakness, but rather the venue to help make everyone stronger.
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Posted in Preparation by Shawna Moffatt on 2/1/2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qgBwGl89BM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qgBwGl89BM
Hopefully the video posts... It is something I made up on one of my days off as I prepare for this trip. The video addresses what we will be doing- Sports camps, child ministry, orphan care, befriending prostitutes, offering hope, truth and love.
Where am I going?
Bulgaria Rwanda Kenya Mayasia Nicaragua Guatemala
Romania Uganda Thailand Cambodia Honduras
JULY: Bulgaria
The Population of Bulgaria is 7 351 234 people, 73% of which live in the city or village. Many of the villages were influenced by the Greek. There have been many wars in which they were defeated... They managed to survive WW2, and dispite the economic control that reigned from the government, in 1989 things began to change. They had democratic development and are now part of the European Union.
http://bulgariatravel.org/en/dynamic_page/76
AUGUST: Romania
The population of Romania is 21,400,000 . 1.9% of that population is Gypsy. When the gypsies arrived in Romania they were the slaves of the landowners. Their freedom did not come until 1851. They began to speak Bayesh. Now they mostly speak Romany. They are still seen driving carts on the sides of the road. Also they live in villages and towns, some living in large beautiful houses that stand out amung the other romanian houses. Similar to Bulgaria, Romania also come under communist control and overcame it in 1989.
http://www.eliznik.org.uk/RomaniaHistory/minority-gypsies.htm
http://www.romaniatourism.com/economy.html
SEPTEMBER: Rwanda
The population of Rwanda is 11,370,425 (July 2011 est.). This is an estimate as the country has to take into account the excess mortality because of AIDS. Aids causes shortened life expectancy, higher infant mortality and this changes the expected lifespan population. The Twa and Hutu people are the natives to Rwanda. The Tutsi arrived in 1300. From the controlof the British to the Belgian, they were not free in their own land. In 1957 liberation began, however things went terribly sour...1994 the Rwandan military began to massacre the Tutsi's. Its not until 1995 that the UN steped in and began to help the Tutsi's from the extremist Hutu malitias. Although Rwanda has made great progress for independance and democracy, the effects of the genocide are still real and being delt with currently. Those on trial are still being tried.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14093322
http://www.indexmundi.com/rwanda/population.html
OCTOBER: Uganda
The population of Uganda is 34,612,250 (July 2011 est.). Like Rwanda this is an estimate based on the reality of AIDS. The median age in this country is 15 years old. 1875 the Bugandian King allows missionaries into the country. In 1900 Britain signed an agreement with Buganda which gave it autonomy and turned it into a constitutional monarchy controlled mainly by Protestant chiefs. In 1973 war between Uganda and Tanzania began. It lasted until about 1993, at which point things begin to change towards democracy. In 2002, the Lord's Restistance Army (LRA) became active along the borders of Uganda and Sudan. Attacts on villages and mass murders lasted until 2006, when a peace treaty was designed, and worked out until 2009. In the mean time there were floods with massive devistation. Needless to say this country has suffered much, and the unrest has yet to settle.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14112446
http://www.indexmundi.com/uganda/demographics_profile.html
NOVEMBER: Kenya
The population of Kenya is 41,070,934 (July 2011 est.). This estimate also reflects AIDS in the population and the mortality rate that is associated with it. The median age here is 19 years old. In the 19th century the Masai entered Kenya, although not a large tribe, their reputation of being strong warriors and the attacks on surrounding tribes gives them power. In 1885 Germany and England began to share rule with the Sultan. In 1920, Kenya was established as a colony, and with this came racial inequality. The Native Africans were not seen as equals and put on reserves. In 1952 to present, war, civil unrest, and ethnic conflict remain in occurance.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad21
http://www.indexmundi.com/kenya/demographics_profile.html
DECEMBER: Thailand
The population of Thailand is 67 million. Thailand means "Land of the Free" and was named such in 1939.In 1942 Thailand declared war on Britain and US, but the Thai ambassador in Washington refused to deliver the message to the US. In 1973 student riots in Bankok overthrew the miliatary. This unstable new government lasted only 3 years. Economic trouble began in 1997 and people were forced back to their countries of origin. In 2004, Islamic attacks began and killed more than 100 people. Also, in 2004, there was a tsunami which killed thousands of people. There is a lot of political unrest, even when democracy is in goverment, riots and unrest remain. Also, as of recent years and current times, Thailand and Cambodia are not on good terms. Warring on the borders.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1243059.stm
http://exploredia.com/thailand-population-2011/
JANUARY: Malaysia
The population of Malaysia is 28,728,607 (July 2011 est.). The average age is 27 years old. Starting in the 1800's and into the 1900's this country was ruled by the Japanese and the British. They had anti-chinese riots in 1969, as the Chinese were economically successful. Malaysia's worst ethnic clashes occured in 2001 between the Maya's and the ethnic Indians. In 2004, they also were effected by the tsunami. 2005, a state of emergency was declaired due too a fire. In 2006-2007 over 60 000 people displaced due to flooding in the south.
Malaysia is a source of human trafficking. Key traffickers are usually members of organised crime. 65% of those who are being trafficked (victims) are forced labour. Men, women and children from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, and the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.), India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are forced into hard labour or sexual expliotation.
http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/malaysia
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15391762
http://www.indexmundi.com/malaysia/demographics_profile.html
FEBRUARY: Cambodia
The population of Cambodia is 14,701,717 (July 2011 est.). This estimation is based on the prevalence of AIDS in this country. The median age is 22 years old. France was the protectorate in 1863 and while Japan took over during the second world war, France regained protectorate in 1946. In 1953 Cambodia became independent of France. In 1965-1970, Cambodia faced bombing from the US (attempting to attack the Veitnamese), North Veitnamese and communist geurriillas attacks.
1975, also known as year zero. This was a time where money became worthless, city dwellers became agriculteral workers, basic freedoms were revoked, and religion was banned. The country is renamed. The death toll was a least 1.7 million within a three year span. In 1977, war with Vietnam begins. Geurriillas run rampant. In 1994, peace is attempted and the Khuma Rouge guerriilas surrender (responsible for genocide). Starting in 2008 to current, Thailand and Cambodia are not on good terms.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13006828
http://www.indexmundi.com/cambodia/demographics_profile.html
MARCH: Nicaragua
The population of Nicaragua is about 6 million people. Originally populated with the Aztec people, it was settled by the Spanish in 1522 and gained independence in 1838. In the early 1900's the US army sent a small detechment to aid the country in establishing government. Between assasinations, dictators and guerriillas, there has been a lot of unrest in this country. In 1998, hurricane Mitch left the country devasated. 9000 killed, 2 million were left homeless and there was billions of dollars in damages.
http://www.compassion.com/about/where/nicaragua.htm
www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107839.html?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua
APRIL: Hunduras
The population of Hunduras is 8,143,564 (July 2011 est.). This is an estimate due to the prevalence of AIDS. The average age is 21 years. Initially discovered in 1502 by Christopher Columbus. In 1525, Spain invaded and was then taken over by the British buccaneers. In 1821, Hunduras brokes free from Spain but joined Mexico. In 1840 they gained full independence. The 19th century to the 20th century, the US aided financially, and war brokes out with surrounding countries such as El Salvador and Nicaragua under a dictatorship. Also at this time there was guerriilla forces present. In the late 1980's liberal government is formed. In 1993, control of the police was transfered in to civillian authorites from military rule. 1998 Hunduras is also effected by hurricane Mitch. In the year 2000, over 1000 childern were put to death simply because they were homeless. These death squads were backed by the police.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1225471.stm
http://www.indexmundi.com/honduras/demographics_profile.html
MAY: Guatemala
The population of Guatemala is 13,824,463 (July 2011 est.). The average age is 20 years old. Indigenous to the Maya people, colonized by the Spanish in 1523. In 1821 it separates from the Spain and joined Mexico. In 1839 Guatemala became fully independent. In the 1840's it is ruled by a conservative dictator. Then in the late 1840's a liberal leader in introduced, the people begin growing coffee, and develop a military. In 1944, land given to the peasants with no land. In 1976, thousands of people are killed and thousands more became homeless due to an earthquake. In 1981, around 1100 people killed by anti-government guerriilla death squads. Since the year 2000, drugs and drug related incidents have caused many deaths and corruption.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1215811.stm
http://www.indexmundi.com/guatemala/demographics_profile.html
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Posted in General Posts by Shawna Moffatt on 1/22/2012
Since I was little I have always felt the calling of Isaiah, when God asked "Whom shall I send?" I have always responded , "Here am I send me!". Isaiah 6:8. I have impatiently waited for this moment to arrive. I would love to say patiently waited, but that would be lying...
Ever since I wanted to be a missionary, I wanted to go to Africa, and up until this point I had not been released there. God had me go through some pretty brutal training... brutal in the north american sense... He had me do something I did not want to do, and I did not like doing. I prayed often that I would not be like Jonah. I did not want to go into the place God placed me and be bitter, and want the people to suffer. I wanted to serve Him where ever He put me... even Espanola. Don't get me wrong, I love my small town. It just wasn't what I had planned for my life.
My picture of how life would turn out was after TACF, Africa... for 6-10 years. The see what would happen after that. Gods plan- Nursing for 4 years of schooling, 6 weeks of disaster as a new grad... failing my RN exam (am public humiliation...very humbling- note also the best year of my life), then 3 years of actual working as a nurse.
Over this last summer, I gave up on my dream. I had lost the drive for Africa, it seemed as though I would never be released. I thought I was stuck in Espanola forever. I decided just to "be" here. Be with my family, and coworkers. I had given up hope.
The December 2011 rolled around. I was sick for the 3rd time in 4 months with a nasty cold that lasted a whole month. During this time I spent time with God. I worshiped him from my bed, with the keenex handy. I then remembered the AIM organization and this trip. I watched the promotional video and cried once again... and decided that I would apply.
A lot of prayer followed that application, I asked for an LOA from work- was offered a nursing position with the Army (which I turned down without knowing the status of the LOA or if I was accepted to the race)... and then we waited and prayed some more.
God and I have a quirky relationship, I have had to do some pretty silly, hard things... but I have never been alone, and never been without. His faithfulness is incomprehensible to me. I don't deserve Him or His blessings, yet He continually pours them out. you just gotta love Him! God, I want what you want, no matter what!
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