Posted in General Posts by Daniel Auzenne on 5/8/2012
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 Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera 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, participants help bear lasting fruit with current ministry partnerships (ministries like evangelism, orphan care, and community development), and build foundations of future partnerships.
Uganda
Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord's Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. You may find yourself in the north partnering with ministries that are bringing still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.
Rwanda
Many who hear "Rwanda" immediately think, "genocide" - it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months. According to the U.S. State Department, Rwanda (once colonized by France) has the highest population density in sub-Saharan Africa; and like much of sub-Saharan Africa, this nation also is fighting hard against HIV/AIDS. This nation played a part of the genesis of this human rights organization and inspired this song; as you help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound, God may birth a dream or vision in you...
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a hot spot for surfing and just enjoying "pura vida" - literally, "pure life", it's a concept of a "chill," relaxed, laidback way of life. The beautiful beaches that line both coasts are the perfect setting. Among the Central American countries, Costa Rica ("Rich Coast") lives up to its name. While the natural beauty attracts lots of tourists, there are still large pockets of poverty and family brokenness. Because of its relative affluence, Costa Rica also draws in immigrants from neighboring countries, like Nicaragua, who don't fare much better than they did before. You might help feed their physical and spiritual hunger - and discover other creative ways to give new meaning to the concept of "pura vida."
Nicaragua
This location is always a World Race favorite. It's a country full of wonderfully warm and caring people, and participants always leave having had a powerful experience. However, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the many lives of Nicaragua. There are orphans who have grown up without knowing the love of a parent and families who get by each day by scrounging scraps from the city dump where they have made their homes. In Nicaragua, you'll have the opportunity to bring God's love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.
Honduras
"Hondo" comes from the Spanish word for depth and there's lots of depth to Honduras. It's home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins are still stand. Honduras is mostly mountainous and the weather's as tropical as it gets. What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, Honduras has had her of share political/military troubles, e.g., the six-month constitutional crisis in 2009. There's a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g., gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they're loved.
Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Malaysia
Enter a world entrenched in Islam. A people within the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians still live in ignorance of the Good News of Jesus Christ. As you delve into this culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline, and uncanny faith, you will have the unique opportunity to deliver hope and point the people to their Redeemer.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences you will have here, you may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will submerge you in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
India
With nearly a sixth of the world's population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India's struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. You might work with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your presence'll bring hope and truth to those that society deems "untouchable."
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Posted in WR Prep by Daniel Auzenne on 5/3/2012
Responsibility. Accountability. Stewardship.
As I prepare for the World Race--a year of self-denial, sacrifice, meager living--I find myself spending a lot of money. WR prep costs a lot and some of them are fixed and expected, like medical insurance, vaccinations, support-raising costs (e.g. stamps), etc.
But then there is all the supplies and equipment I'll need: hiking backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad, clothes, etc. For equipment and supplies alone I find myself easily spending over $2,500.
I have to ask myself,
"Is this wise? Is this responsible?"
As supporters, you have the opportunity to keep my accountable in this. Even though you are giving to the total overall cost of the trip (over $15,000, which the distribution of that is in an earlier post), I am still paying for all the equipment on my own.
Yet because you are supporting me, I feel a responsibility to be a good steward and to give a good account of the money that I make and my own spending habits. That being said, here are the two views that I see:
1.) Sacrificial living--do with less or without.
Why spend the extra $50 on a higher quality sleeping bag or tent when I could get one that works fine for less? Why buy new clothes when I can just go with the surplus of clothes I already own? If I really am wanting this trip to be about minimalistic and incarnational living, they why should I buy new expensive things to go live with and serve the poor and the needy? Doesn't that seem a bit hypocritical? After all, I could just use the money I save by buying cheaper stuff to go toward the WR cost or to bless other people.
2.) Investment.
Since this is a year-long commitment, and since I will continue to use this equipment throughout my life (whether for personal enjoyment such as hiking/backpacking for for future ministry trips), I can invest in higher quality stuff that will hold up better and and last longer. For instance, buying a more expensive sleeping bag, but one that is lighter-weight and compacts better yet still keeps me warm when wet (not every bag is like that). Or shirts that are light-weight, quick-drying, don't hold smell as much, and are good for body temperature regulation. Yeah, maybe it costs more now, but it'll be worth it.
Perhaps I am not perfect at this, but I want to be open and honest with you, letting you know that this is a consideration on my mind and something I wrestle with in my heart.
I hope to find the right balance between these as I continue to prepare for the World Race and for a life of ministry. After all, my life and my finances are not my own but all belong to God.
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Posted in WR Prep by Daniel Auzenne on 5/3/2012
As some of you may know by now, I have officially switched from the July 2012 race to
January 2013 Route 1
I will be going to many of the same countries, but with a few differences that I am really excited about:
Kenya Costa Rica Thailand
Uganda Nicaragua Malaysia
Rwanda Honduras Cambodia
Nepal
India
Wow, alright, I just have to take a moment: it's just so awesome to think that this time next year I will be in one of these countries... doing ministry! That is just SO AWESOME!!!!!!
So, this means I will be gone from January 2013 - November 2013.
WHY THE SWITCH?
Worried about Funds
I'll be honest, at first, I felt rushed and especially worried that I would not be funded to participate on the World Race. But after a lot of praying, I felt God saying to me that
His will for this season of my life is to go on the World Race, but that He would let me choose which route I wanted to take, that He would provide for whichever one I choose.
Well for one, I'm not used to that. I've had the thought that God has His plan, and I all have to do is obey it, but He is actually giving me a choice in this. (I'll let all of you "predestination v. free will" people figure that one out, but all I have to say is that God is just so cool that He is bigger than that and somehow works both into His amazing plan for our lives). Secondly, that pretty much took care of that worry because the God of the Universe told me that
He will provide for the ministry that He has called me to
(something that I knew from the beginning but that I was starting to worry about and doubt).
But, I should have known. After all, Jesus even said "Do not worry about your life..." (Matthew 6:25-34), and our God is known as Yahweh-yireh (literally "the One who was and is and is to come provides")--how great is that!!!
And provide He has. As I write this, I am currently at 25% of total funds raised, not including pledged donations!
Fear of Man
Probably more so than worried about the funds is being worried about what other people would think. Even writing this blog post update, I officially switched routes a couple weeks ago, but I have had the hardest times figuring out how to tell people. I worried that people wouldn't understand, that I would have to defend this from every different angle.
Would people think I'm not committed to ministry or the WR? If I switch, would people think I'm not trusting God enough to provide? If I don't switch and I don't make those financial deadlines, would people see me as a failure, as someone who thought I knew what God's will for me was but since I didn't happen I was obviously mistaken? ...and the list of questions I would try to sort through would go on and on.
But ultimately I had to realize that I serve the living God, and that I cannot base how I serve Him on my fear of what others might say (that being said, also recognizing that we do live in fellowship with one another, that we do keep each other accountable and spur each other on to growth and maturity).
And so far you all have been so supportive and understanding. Thank you so much for all of your support and care! It has been such a blessing!
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Posted in Financial Support by Daniel Auzenne on 3/31/2012
My Support-Raising Philosophy
I view support-raising and fund-raising differently.
Fund-Raising
Fund-raising is something to do in order to raise money for a cause or for some activity that I want to take part in. The primary goal and focus of fund-raising is simply to raise funds. It doesn't matter where the money comes from, just as long as the financial goals are met. This can include anything from car washes and bake sales to selling candy bars and crafts.
Support-Raising
Support-raising includes fund-raising, but there is so much more. Support raising is about getting people on board with a cause--in this case, it is God's ministry of furthering His kingdom here on earth (what greater "cause" is there than this!). Yes, there are financial goals that need to be met, otherwise that particular ministry cannot operate or that particular missionary will not be sent out into the field. However, the truth is, God's word does not come back void (Isaiah 55:11); He will acomplish His purposes.
The question is... don't you want to be a part of that?
The Ministry of the Support-Raiser
I'll let you in on a little secret that we support-raisers are told: support-raising is as much a ministry to the people you are seeking support from as is the ministry you are seeking that support to do. In other words, I have the opportunity to connect you with one of the many great ministries God is doing, giving you the opportunity to get involved in whatever way you can with what God is doing.
God commands all of us to "make disciples" wherever we are, but He has called some to stay locally and some to be sent to the "ends of the earth" (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8). "...And how can they preach unless they are sent" (see Romans 10:14-15).
The Need for Partners
I stick to what I have said since the beginning: God is the one who called me to this, and He is the one that will provide for His ministry. But I also recognize that many of the ways He provides is through people.
I cannot do this on my own; I need others to partner with me.
$15,500 total is a lot of money, a sum that I cannot pay on my own. Now, I do currently have a job and am saving up money to go towards other expenses for this trip (gear and supplies, medical vaccinations and insurance, visas, and travel expenses to/from the departure/arival sites in the U.S. and for training camp), but I still need your help to reach these goals.
With you as a partner, you are also a form of accountability for me not only for funds but also for correct doctrine and theology and for conduct and character.
But what is more than all of this is your prayers. If there is anything I covet, it is your prayers. You might not be able to financially give, and I understand that as long as you are giving back to God some way to support ministry that He is doing--if God does not provide through you, He will provide through someone else--but I do ask for your prayers for me, for my fellow ministers of the Gospel, and for the people I minister to. Being part of the prayer team is not a concession for not being able to financially give, it is the primary front line and defense, it is what keeps us grounded and connected, focused on God.
The Call to Get Involved
Finally, my hope for you is if you are a missionally minded person, to seek your partnership with me for the World Race both financially and prayerfully. However, if you are a person that is not yet involved in ministry in some way or another (first, let me thank you for reading through all of this!), I ask that you do get involved, first and foremost as seeing where God has placed you as being a mission field in need of His Gospel of grace, but secondly that you would be supporting others that are sent.
Now, for those of you that are not yet missionally minded, I do not want to ask you to start giving in one breath and then in the next breath ask for that money, so I give you this charge: find someone else other than me to support. Give to your local church, support another ministry organization or minister of the Gospel, give to the poor and needy, or support one of my other World Racer teammates. We are all in this together to spread the Gospel and further God's kingdom. Like I said before, if God doesn't provide through you for me, He will provide through someone else, but I would love to encourage you to bless someone else with your support if it will not be me.
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Posted in Ministry by Daniel Auzenne on 2/20/2012
A dear friend of mine recently left to train for ministry he'll be doing in Europe. Before he left with these words that he wanted to impress:
I don't like the term "missionary" because that seems to imply that only people who leave to go to some other country are supposed to be making disciples and fulfulling the Great Commission. That's wrong. Totally wrong. Every man, woman, or child who claims to be a follower of Christ is commanded--not "called", but commanded--to be a part of making disciples of all nations. It will look different in each of our lives, but it's inescapable. Whether God has us living in a foreign country, going to school, or working a 9-to-5 job in America, we all must be playing a role in the Great Commission.
I wholeheartedly agree with my friend on this! And for many of us, I think this is a very important message that we need to hear because we can so easily forget it.
But there is also something else that many of us need to hear, those who are going into "full-time ministry," and that is that we are never off the hook!
It's easy to get caught up in the trap of, "Oh, I'm involved with my church ministry/campus fellowship/going on a mission trip soon, so that will be my ministry, and I will just focus on doing that."
For me, it's the World Race. I am so super pumped about the WR, focusing on preparation, looking forward to what kinds of ministry I will be involved in when I go, etc. But as of right now while I write this, I still have over 4 months before I leave.
4 MONTHS! That is more that a semester in college. That is more that a summer break. That's way more time than what I will be spending in each country when I am on the WR. Don't waste it.
It's not only vital for my own spiritual health to be plugged into fellowship and ministry with other believers, but it would also be shamefully irresponsible of me to sit back and do nothing of eternal significance while I wait in anticipation for the World Race. It's important, on the other hand, not to go to the other extreme and get over-involved, but ultimately the question is this:
How is God calling me to serve Him here and now?
So yes, I am called as an apostle (literally, "sent one") of Jesus Christ on the World Race, but you and I both are commanded to be on a mission to fulfill the Great Commission in the situation God has placed us in.
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Posted in Financial Support by Daniel Auzenne on 1/30/2012
The Nitty Gritty Financial Information
This is going to be a long post, but there will be a ton of good, helpful information for those of you reading this who are either already giving financially or for those who are going to give.
Let me just take a moment to say this now:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
This is the most difficult part of going into ministry for anyone: to seek financial support. It is a long process of humbling myself before God, recognizing that He is in control. This is not my trip; This is His ministry, and I am just His unworthy servant (Luke 17). Wherever He calls me, that is where I should go, and He will provide the way for me to get there. Not only do I have to remain faithful to His call, but I also thank you for remaining faithfully obedient in sacrificially giving His money back for His purposes. Doing so, you have been able to join in this ministry, too, so I am excited and thank you once again so much for that as well.
Without the support that God has so faithfully provided through you, we together would not be able to share in the blessing that come from that.
Deadlines
I have to raise a total of $15,500 to be able to participate on the World Race.
This may seem like a lot of money, but it really is not all that much for living expenses for 11 months around the world.
There are a few different deadlines that I have to meet.
I have to have $3,500 in my account
2 weeks before I leave for training camp in October.
My training camp is October 13-20, 2012,
so I need $3,500 raised and in my account by October 1, 2012.
The next deadline is to have $6,500 in my account
2 weeks before I leave for the World Race.
My departure date is January 1, 2013,
so I need $6,500 raised and in my account by December 15, 2012.
My third deadline is to have $11,000 in my account
3 months into the trip, which would be by April 1, 2013.
My final deadline that I have to meet is to be 100% funded ($15,500 raised and in my account)
6 months into the trip, which is by July 1, 2013.
Note: Pledged money does not count towards the total amount raised in my account (only what is given).
If I do not meet these deadlines, I will not be able to continue with the World Race. If I am already gone, I will be sent back home.
How to Give
Adventure in Missions (AIM), which is the parent sending organization, offers 4 different ways to donate.
1. Credit/Debit Card
Donate through a one time or recurring charge to your debit or credit card. This can be done by pressing the "Support Me!" link on this blog underneath my picture (which takes you to www.adventures.org/give/)
2. Bank Draft
Donate through a one time or recurring charge to your debit or credit card. This can be done by pressing the "Support Me!" link on this blog underneath my picture (which takes you to www.adventures.org/give/)
NOTE: When donations are made on my behalf there are fees charged by the credit card and transaction processing companies. To cover these costs, 5% is removed from donations made by credit card when those donations are credited to my account. You can select the Bank Draft option to decrease the fee to 3%.
3. Written Check
Send a check payable to "Adventure in Missions" accompanied by one of my fundraising cards to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
Keep in mind, sending a check can take approximately 2 weeks from the date you mail the check before it will be credited to my support account.
4. Automatic Funds Transfer
DynaPay is a service provided which automatically transfers money from a checking account each month with no fees.
To sign up for DynaPay, contact me via email at daniel.auzenne@gmail.com, and I will send you the DynaPay form to fill out to be sent With a voided check to:
Adventures in Missions
Attn: Accounting
6000 Wellspring Trail
Gainesville, GA 30506
However, with this option, you MUST contact the Adventures in Missions office to stop the automatic withdrawal when you no longer wish to keep giving. DynaPay will continue to deduct each month unless you directly say “Please cancel my donation now.”
World Race Financial Distribution
Below, you will find the breakdown of costs and how the money given is allocated.
The $15,500 is broken down by these categories:
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Training Camp -- $320 (2%)
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Field Support -- $620 (4%)
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WR Development Program -- $1,860 (12%)
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Administration Fees -- $2,635 (17%)
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World Racer -- $10,075 (65%)
65% of the funds that I will be raising go towards my expenses for the 11 months.
As a World Racer, my budget is broken down into these categories:
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Intercontinental Travel -- $4,235.00 (45%)
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Food -- $1,256.25 (13%)
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Lodging -- $1,758.75 (19%)
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Transportation -- $1,005.00 (11%)
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Long Distance Travel & Misc. Supplies -- $1,115.55 (12%)
Hopefully this was able to answer some of your questions and give you important information.
If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to contact me anytime at daniel.auzenne@gmail.com.
I really appreciate your support and willingness to give.
Thank you!
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Posted in General Posts by Daniel Auzenne on 1/30/2012
This seems like an appropriate post to do my first count-down list.
So get ready, this is...
Daniel Auzenne's
Top 15 Count-Down for
Things I am Most Looking Forward to on the World Race
15. Learning different languages
14. Thai food for an entire month!
13. Latin music in Central America that I can dance to!
12. Going to 11 countries in 4 different continents (duh!)
10. Living out of a backpack for a year (yeah, I actually am kind of excited to be minimalistic like that)
9. Feeling out of place (not being part of the majority culture or race)
8. Not being in a fast pace culture so I can have time to sit back and get to know the people whom I am serving--their life stories
7. Being away from modern technology and consumerism for a year
6. The reverse-culture-shock when I get back home, being permanently changed and not being able to see things the same every again
5. Growing in community with other people from around the United States and Canada with whom I will be ministering alongside
4. Learning more what it means to follow Christ in ways that I never even through of or comprehend before
3. Seeking a greater vision for the plans God has for my life in ministry
2. Seeing miracles happen (I fully believe they do, and am fully expecting God to move in incredible ways)
and the #1 thing I am most excited about and looking forward to on the World Race is . . .
1. WORSHIPPING WITH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD AS TOGETHER WE SING AND PRAY IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES! ! ! ! ! ! !
This is the most beautiful thing ever that brings me to tears.
Watch this YouTube video of Chris Tomlin's How Great is Our God World Edition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ZtKzw-ipo
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Posted in General Posts by Daniel Auzenne on 10/9/2011
So why am I going on the World Race? How has God gotten me to this point in my life?
Let me give you a little bit of the back story:
Ever since I was really young, I wanted to be a world traveler. I thought it would be the best job in the world to get paid to go around from place to place, seeing all the cool sights from around the world and get to know all the different cultures, peoples, traditions, and foods from around the world.
Then, in junior high, I wanted to be a pastor, missionary or evangelist, someone like Billy Graham or Jim Elliot. I wanted to lead people to Christ, because I saw that as the most important thing in the world (and I still do!). Even at that young of an age, I got as engaged as I could, taking an evangelism training class through my church, leading a Bible study with friends at school, and reading up on and having conversations over some pretty intense theological stuff.
In high school, some people wanted me to think more "practically" in case I couldn't get a job for the rest of my life in ministry, so I set my sights on psychology. I figured I could go into counseling someday as use that as a springboard into the missions field, helping people through their emotional problems while showing them hope in Christ.
This is where God broke into my life and started shaking stuff up. I had my own plans about what I thought I would do, but I've found that the closer I grow to God, the less I have any idea what my future holds and the more I have to trust Him in faith with my life.
In college, I got involved with the campus ministry InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and went to their Urbana Missions Conference in 2009. At that time, I was still looking for an organization to work for someday, wanting to do some sort of counseling in the missions field. But then, I came across one booth that had a really cool camping set up (I love camping!) that said they go to 11 countries in 11 months (The World Race). That sounded like everything I had always wanted to do: ministry around the world while camping out in different places. Yes!
I sat on the choice for a while, until one afternoon I woke up from a nap and just decided right then and there that I would get online and sign up. Within about a week I had an interview, and then began the long wait for a phone call to see if I was accepted. I did a lot of praying in that time, saying that if I was not accepted then this trip was not God's plan for the next step of my life, but if I was accepted then this would a sign to remember what He has called me to. Sure enough, about a week later I got a call that I was accepted to the July 2012 Route 2 race!!!
This ministry trip is more than just a very exciting missions trip for me or just a break from my regular routine of life. I hope that this trip will be my launch into world missions. I have never known what country, people group, culture, etc. I wanted to work with: I have been interested in all areas at some point in time. I fully anticipate coming back changed in ways that I can't even comprehend now but also having greater clarity in what type of ministry God would have me to do next.
I am so excited to be completely at His mercy for my life in serving Him in ministry wherever I go and whatever I do!
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