Brian Alonzo - The World Race

Boy oh boy

Thu, 5 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A call to all the boys pretending to be men....

http://brianalonzo.com/post/5224322590/boy-oh-boy

Courage

Tue, 3 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

More reaction to the death of a killer...

http://brianalonzo.com/post/5164062172/courage

Justice!!!!!!

Mon, 2 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Reaction to the death of a killer...

http://brianalonzo.com/post/5131158895/justice

New Blog

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

My blog has moved... http://brianalonzo.com

Hello faithful supporters and followers. It's no doubt been a while since I've posted anything on this blog. In the last year Stacy and I have moved back to the states and are in the process of starting a ministry in Ohio.

This blog will seldom be used again but I would like to encourage you to stay up to date with our current lives on my new site....

http://brianalonzo.com

Thank you for your support and willingness to care about what we are doing!

Going Back to Thailand

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I lost my footing. I stepped across the divide that is my living room floor and in comfort so excessive I stumbled. Still standing tall I was in trance half existing in the moment and half existing in the past. I could smell the scent of recently "febrezed" upholstery and the uplifting stench of fish and urine. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand began to overcome me. It's been well over a year since I boarded the plane that would leave south east Asia behind and I could not have told you with any degree of certainty that I was sure I would return.

This morning it hit me. In less then three weeks I will again set foot on a land pierced deep into my heart. While the seven days will be confined to Thailand, the proximity of the area in relation to the season it represents is all encompassing.

I was born in Japan on April 7th, 1982.

Asia is the place of my birth. It is also the place of my awakening.

This time I am going back to pour into my generation. I'm going back to Thailand to further ignite the flame that is sparking all across the Kingdom. I had a break through of revelation last week that stemmed from my time spent in Thailand that has yet to cease in its level of severity and passion. I plan on giving back to the country of Thailand and the 42 individuals that make up the K squad. Giving out and speaking life from that which has been poured into me. While this time I may only have seven days to give everything I have, seven days is all the Lord needs to work through me in the lives of the racers and that beautiful country. Get ready Thailand! Get ready K Squad!!! The Kingdom is coming!!!!

Your support and prayers have been a huge blessing. Please continue to pray about how you could partner with this ministry and financially support our involvement with The World Race. Click here to donate. Every little bit helps.

Losing Dignity unto Christ

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I lost all dignity on the treadmill yesterday. I came instep with a revelation from a seed planted months ago. Dripping with sweat and mildly panting after 2.02 miles, any inclination of self respect fell to the floor and I was moved to worship outside of any expression that could possible seek to feed itself. I was overtaken and moved.

I'm certain the lady on the treadmill to my left could hear me as a multitude of different languages burst through the air of the recreational center. None of which I could understand or in that moment, even control. I lost composure, I lost control, I lost it all... for the sake of a revelation planted in my life. I am quoting the seed planter when I say this, "You get Jesus for nothing, but Christ will cost you everything."

I was sitting on a floor of a meeting space in Koh Samet, Thailand the first time I came into the presence of a seed that would eventually bring about the death of my complacency with my walk with Jesus. Up until that moment all I ever needed was the very place I was camping. My Salvation. It sickens me to think of the amount of time that was lost while I was claiming a call self serving and comfortable. I was found yes, but what is the use of being lost and found to only spend the rest of your days sitting idle on a shelf collecting fleshly dust? We are made for more than our current condition. We are called as co-heirs with Christ. This took months to marinate to the point of breakthrough yesterday but I will attribute the longevity of that marinating to my stubbornness. My hope is to pass this on to anyone with in my reach, because as I'm discovering just now, my new name really is Brian Christ Alonzo.

It all stems from the book of Matthew. 42 Generations and an inheritance. A change of DNA.

"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations."

If you take the time to go through Matthew 1:1-17 you will see that the author totals the number of generations as 14+14+14 =42. Now take a closer look and count through the number of generations and you will see that the number listed up to Joseph and Jesus are 40 & 41. This is not a mistake in calculations. Where is the missing 42nd generation?

This takes me back to that seed. "Jesus you get for nothing, but Christ will cost you everything." Salvation is a blessed and amazing gift given freely but that is not the end game. Our ticket to heaven is not the final destination. The missing generation so cleverly placed wide open in the book of Matthew has been screaming off the pages from the time that gift was given. We have a birthright. As new creations in Christ we have an inheritance. This is not about wealth and prosperity. This is not about blessings and salvation. This inheritance is about becoming a co-heir to the Kingdom of God planted is us. As the church we are on this earth to claim that birthright. We are, as the church, God with skin on. As the 42 generation unto Christ. Claim it! Walk and be undignified unto Christ if that's what it will take to move past the drudgery of your settled state of Christianity! Stand on roof tops declaring your new identity! Walk in righteousness and command darkness to flee! Seek out Chaos and bring order! Give praise and give God the glory for your new name! Run on treadmills in local recreation centers uncontrollably praying in tongues...

We Are Called To This

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a previous post I asked the question as to whether Stacy and I are called to this ministry. As squad leaders for this new squad we wake up everyday knowing the answer to the question is yes. Here is a video giving you a glimpse into the beginning of last month in Ireland with this new group of World Racers.

Squad Leading from Brian Alonzo on Vimeo.

I'm Moving

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Change is a good thing and this is a great day for change. This will also be the last time I post anything new to this blog. If you have not already heard the news, Stacy and I will be squad leading the World Race August '09 K Squad. We are now officially on staff and with this new chapter in our lives comes a new blog. This blog (brianalonzo.theworldrace.org) will still remain up however we will now both be posting together on the same blog located at.. wait for it...

http://thealonzos.theworldrace.org

If you are a current subscriber to this blog, don't worry. You wont have to change a thing. Your current subscription will automatically be moved over to the new blog so you can still receive all of our updates in this new and exciting chapter of The World Race we are moving into. While we are very excited about this new staff position there is still very much a financial need. As full time World Race staff we are still relying on the support raised for this ministry. We will be back on the field again in less than a month training and equipping this new group of racers and upon return in 4 months will remain on staff with World Race as support from the States. Please keep us in your prayers as we are now seeking long term supporters to partner with us as we step into full time ministry. Thanks and God Bless!

Numbers (video)

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I've been spending these past couple of months gathering footage taken from this past year on the World Race. I have updated with videos on both Mexico and Guatemala and my next task was to make a video about our time spent in south east Asia. While we spent three months in three countries (Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand), there was one over arching problem we came face to face with everyday; the issue of human trafficking. While I would like to make another fun video about our time these three months, I cannot. This issue is too big. Therefore in place of another video like the ones before I have attempted to give a voice to those who do not have one... The numbers speak for themselves...

Numbers from Brian Alonzo on Vimeo.

Flashback: Guatemala

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Guatemala from Brian Alonzo on Vimeo.

Guatemala was by far one of my favorite months on the race. As Stacy and I prepare to leave again in a month to lead a new group of racers, we have been spending time reflecting and processing this past year. Along with this video, I am also re-posting a blog I wrote about an amazing encounter with the Holy Spirit we had during our time in San Pablo, Guatemala.

DISCLAIMER: "I'm Not Crazy, This Really Did Happen!"

We all leaned in with sincere faith and waited at the feet of this woman. Our eyes fixed on escaping our own thoughts, pleading with God to help her. What happened next was a first for me. What happened next, about half of my blog subscribers will write off as something unreal. I promise to never lead my readers, friends or family astray with my own agenda and will give my truest account. I will rewind in the story a few minutes...

Pastor Antonio led our team through the streets of San Pablo, Guatemala to visit homes of people who needed prayer. We walked through a wooden entryway into the back yard of a one-room house. We were greeted by a man and quickly escorted inside. I would love to be able to say I was intent on listening to God as we entered the house, but I was not. I was distracted by an incoming text message from another contact that needed an urgent reply. As we sat around the room a woman in her late fifties began talking to us. The only one able to understand was our translator Emma. I finished sending my text around the same time the woman stopped talking. That's when Emma began explaining to the group what this woman had been talking about.

It turns out she has been having issues with her right leg. For some time now she has been having severe shooting pains that have made it difficult to walk short distances. Over time the pain has increased in intensity. The group immediately gathered around her and began praying. Three minutes into prayer I lost contact with the present. Wide-awake with my eyes closed I began having a dream. Within seconds I was in another place. Surrounded by darkness I could see this lady sitting in her bed. She was talking with two individuals, who at first glance looked very American. They were warning her of a darkness coming after her. I turned my head and behind me was a dark figure with yellow eyes coming toward the bed. In a blink of an eye I was awake. Back on the floor kneeling at the foot of this woman, my teammates still engaged in prayer. It appeared as if time had not moved forward. Then the struggle began.

What did I just see? Did I just fall asleep? Did I really see this or did I just imagine it?

Then it happened. Within my own thoughts emerged a thought not my own.

"Ask her if she has been having dreams."

My first reaction to this foreign request was doubt. I made this whole thing up. This must be my own thought. Then I began feeling very uncomfortable at the thought of asking this woman is she had been having dreams.

The request began intensifying.

"ASK HER IF SHE HAS BEEN HAVING DREAMS."

My next reaction was based solely out of pride. What if I look stupid? If I'm just making this up and ask this woman about her dreams, how would that make me look? Then another thought emerged separate and foreign from my own, "So what if you look stupid. If that's all you have to lose then it's probably something you should lose anyway. Ask her if she's been having dreams." At this point I was a flood of mixed pride, doubt, fear, and confusion. The only clear thing I could grab hold of was the voice not my own. The steady request for something outside of myself. In a moment of self-absorption I was still hearing the voice of God. So I did what any other pride driven, doubt casting, fear feeling person would do when God speaks... I listened.

I quickly stopped the prayers of my team and look straight ahead to our translator.

"Can you ask her if she has been having dreams?"

Emma gave me a funny look and then began asking this woman my silly little question. The woman responded in Spanish for what seemed to be ten minutes. All of us were waiting to hear the translation. My pride, doubt, and fear had purchased front row tickets to my matinee of humiliation and the curtain was about to draw. The lady finished and then it started. Emma began translating and in moments I was in tears.
The answer to the question was, "Yes, I had a dream a few months ago, right before my leg started to hurt."

Emma then began describing the dream.

"In her dream she was visited by two Americans. They spoke with her at great length and warned her of someone who was coming to hurt her."

I was amazed!!! After she finished translating I noticed that the only difference between her dream and the vision I saw was the dark figure with yellow eyes. I told the group and Emma what I saw and immediately began piecing things together. This leg injury had more to do with a spiritual attack than just a physical ailment. At that instance we began praying again. This time all focused on praying against the darkness that was causing this pain. During this prayer a sudden peace began filling the room. I looked up and saw a smile on the woman's face. Everything was changing right before our eyes. We ended our prayers and stood in a room overtaken by joy. The pain in her leg was gone, but more important the smile on her face had returned.

I walked away from the house that afternoon humbled and confident all in the same moment. God took me to a place so completely out side of my comfort zone. I was so focused on my own outcome, I was unaware of God's little concern for my ego's well being and even less aware of his constant concern for this woman's life.

Also check out some amazing photos Stacy took while we were there.
http://stacyalonzo.theworldrace.org/?filename=flashback-guatemala-august-2008

Mexico and Birthdays (video)

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As promised in previous blogs, here is the first video of many to come from our time this past year on The World Race.

This shows some of our time in ministry as well as a few birthday celebrations.

If you haven't heard the news check out my previous blog about what Stacy and I are doing this August!

What are we doing next???

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As our time on The World Race has come to end and we have returned home to visit with family and friends, there is one question that we have left unanswered.

"What are you doing next?"

The answer to this question is not at all a secret, but up until now we have not had a moment to properly announce what it is that God has been leading us towards since our time in Africa this past February. Over the course of the year, traveling to 12 different countries and witnessing first-hand what God is doing around the world, it has become very to clear to us what is next.

While we were greatly affected by the things we experienced this year, from holding infant orphans in Vietnam to celebrating and dancing in worship in a hut in Mozambique, nothing has affected us more than walking alongside those on our squad as they came to know the love and pursuit God has on their lives. Witnessing 30 other World Racers come alive with purpose and passion has sparked us to move farther into what God is asking us to do...

We are to serve World Racers and help rise up our generation to serve the nations.

With this next step comes more change. While we are currently enjoying our time back in the States with familiar faces and familiar foods, it will soon end. We will be leaving the country again on August 9^th. We have decided to go back out on the field with The World Race for a second time. This next round will be very different, as our role will now be as squad leaders for a group of 42 new World Racers. We will be co leading along side fellow world race alum, Caitlin Woodward. We are looking forward to leading this group for the first four months of the race, as we train leaders and walk alongside the squad as they learn the day to day of the race, as well as logistical and ministry set up. After the first four months we will return to the States to allow for the squad to step into leading themselves and will remain a support to them via phone and email for the duration of their trip. We will also meet up with them briefly two additional times on the field for their mid-year and final debriefs.

We are passionately excited about this next stage in our walk. The World Race is a program that we have come to love. We believe so much in its ability to change the world through relationships and the initiation of those seeking God's will for their lives. After experiencing it first-hand we are dedicated to helping this program grow in any way we can.

We are committed to bringing change to the world and we will do so by being the support to those God is using to bring that change!

Please join us in prayer as we walk into this next phase. We will be spending the next month and a half visiting with loved ones and support raising for this next year to cover the costs of this new position with the World Race. To find out more about how you can be involved, please email us at worldrace.alonzo@gmail.com.

Thank you and God bless!

To meet the group of new racers we are going out with check out Stacy's photo slide show!

We're back!

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We are now back in the States and are currently in Charleston, SC. We are only here 10 days visiting with family and trying to see as many friends and supporters as possible in the short time that we have here. There are so many stories, pictures, and videos from the year that we want to share with you and have not had a chance to post, so over the next several weeks we will begin sharing these with you, focusing on one country each week. We want to give a HUGE thank you to all of our supporters. This year would not have been possible without your prayers and support. As the Lord continues revealing what is next for us we will keep everyone posted. In the meantime, here is a video made by Lindsay Stahl (one of our squad mates). It's a great summary of the year and some of the people we met that touched our lives.

World Race July 2008 from Lindsay Stahl on Vimeo.

Easter in Romania (video)

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We are currently in Kiev, Ukraine setting up the final debrief for our squad. Stacy and I have been traveling around eastern Europe visiting with the small teams and meeting with current World Race ministry contacts in the area. We will be back in the states next week but until then here is another video from last month in Romania. Easter Sunday was celebrated in a village with a gypsy church. We preached, sang and a couple of the girls from our squad were baptized along with some new believers from the gypsy village.

Easter In Romania from Brian Alonzo on Vimeo.

Eating Dog

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

So we are now bundled up in jackets and jeans as our perpetual world race summer has come to end. We are in cold Romania serving along side a gypsy village. The ministry here is amazing. In a post communist environment there are very strong pockets of light emerging. I'll have internet for the next few days and will share some stories of things we've experienced while in Eastern Europe but for now I thought I'd take you all back a few months to our time in Cambodia...

Zach and myself spent a weekend out in a remote village attending a pastor's conference. We were "honored guests" and as a result were treated to a Cambodian delicacy...

(the barking in the background were the Cambodian pastors cracking up laughing)

Eating Dog from Brian Alonzo on Vimeo.

Abide

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I've come in contact with a word which, up until a few months ago, was foreign in both vocabulary and understanding.

Abide. (thanks Stephanie Fisk) ;)

1: to wait for : await 2 a: to endure without yielding : withstand b: to bear patiently : tolerate <cannot abide such bigots> 3: to accept without objection <will abide your decision>

Pasted from <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abide>

I'm not one to place too much stock into words as something with which to hang the moon upon. However, I must admit, this word is different. This word is complicated. This word is offensive. This word can turn your world upside down. This word is beauty at its purest form. We are created as ongoing, aging, changing beings. From birth to death we are never the same, ever. Our genetic makeup is a roller coaster of inpatients.

I've used time and travel to fuel this process. The past eight months have set the pace. Three to four weeks in a village/town/country and then gypsy style, I'm out. It's been a little more natural than you would think. Aside from living out of a fifty-five liter pack, living on the move, always in pursuit of what's next, comes second nature. A fallen nature.

Whether it's chasing a dream, setting a goal, or making a plan, these are all devices aimed at the same thing: getting something or somewhere. But why? What drives us? What in us seeks this constant need for movement? Is it a lack of our content in the here and now? Or is it something more? Is something missing?

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

This is not an attempt to go all Biblically Christian on you. This is me attempting to unwrap an idea. The words above in red were spoken by Jesus a long time ago, but still a long time after the beginning of everything. There was once a time in perfection, harmony, and stillness when man found fullness in simply being created. This was a glorious time, free of email, vision meetings, action plans, and to do lists.

It was short lived. One bite off the tree, one grasp at the apple and everything changed. Now we find ourselves thousands of years later on the move, because where we were didn't cut it, where we are isn't enough, and perhaps where we're going will be more. You see, we move because the broken rules of this world demand that we do so.

That brings me to this word. Abide. Do you now see why it's so offensive? Try it. The broken pieces of your life along with the broken pieces of this world will object quite violently. It's unnatural and alone unattainable. We are still in the midst of the process of a redeemed world and while we now have direct access to abide in Him, that does not change the environment in which we currently dwell. This world is still moving toward something and as long as we are on it, we move with it.

Then how in the world does God expect us to abide?

That's the beauty of it all. While we, along with this world are moving out of place, God is still. God is as still as he was the day he created this thing and as still as He will be the day He redeems it. God spans time and the creation of time. It's not so much us who do most of the abiding. It's Him. He abides in us all the time. Every moment. From sun up to sun down. It's in the tiny gasps for air, when we seek with fierce intention, to abide in Him. And as short lived as these little spurts may be, it's in them we find that all along, all this time, the creator of everything waiting on us.

This is me abiding

while the girls get "ready" for church.

One Squad One World

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This may or may not be a new world race record.

At the moment our squad is spread out among seven different countries.

South Africa

Swaziland

Mozambique

Malawi

Romania

Ukraine

Hungary

While the majority of our squad is finishing up work in Africa, a smaller group has spent the last month in Eastern Europe preparing for our group's arrival. Please pray for a continued unity among our squad as we are apart this month. We will be leaving in a few weeks for Romania where the entire squad will reunite to finish out the final two months of the trip.

So Far Behind

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The concept and realities of leadership are the most pressing topics of conversation between me and the Lord these days. I guess it's a tad bit over due. I received an email from Seth graciously investing interest in helping me in this area. The offer came attached with a list of books on the matter. While Googling excerpts from a few of the books, as well as some notes from Seth himself, I became highly aware of how far behind in the process of awareness I truly am.

Leadership has always been something thrown around in prayer or praise. From a young age I can remember people saying to me, "you're a leader." With out any further instruction I took that seed and rather than applying appropriate pressure, I sought to showcase it. My little seed of leadership, in a glass case with back lighting. Little did I know the appropriate pressure would eventually arrive. As informed as I shall pursue to become through the medium of books, lecture and discipleship, this season of my life on The World Race is the initiation into this gift. I suppose it's the same concept as information versus application. One with out the other results in poor results usually leaving others, as well as yourself wounded and in position to wound again.

I mention all of this only because as I am now neck deep into this journey of the world race a couple of things are becoming clear. I had no idea what in the world I was getting myself into and I had no clue how helpless and ineffective we are when we operate apart from Christ.

For those who may see The World Race as just another missions trip, I would have to disagree. It's a classroom where the gifts God gives people and the realities of how those gifts were intended to shape and shake the world come together, completely changing a life, spanning the globe through relationship after relationship.

I'm not saying this can't be understood or even achieved through other means, but when you are face to face with the truths of this world, whether it be holding the hand of a dying mother in Swaziland, or walking through the killing fields of Cambodia, the process within is accelerated. The purpose of all of this, the reason for the gifts we find with in each and everyone of us, is for the sole purpose of bringing humanity and love to an inhumane and unloved world.

The gifts given to us are not for personal gain or achievement or even a means to our own fulfillment. The gifts God gives us are his invitation for partnership. If you are still in the books of it all, I suggest jumping out from beneath the scholastic ceiling tiles for a bit and getting your cap and gown dirty in the blood and dust of this world. You'll be amazed how far behind we all actually are.

Here 'Til the End

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

THANK YOU!!!

Thanks to all of your prayers and financial support, we will NOT have to leave the WR prematurely due to lack of funds in our support account. In just one month, $5600 in pledges and donations were made. If there was ever a question as to whether or not we are still supposed to be out here, we definitely have our answer. What an amazing answer to prayer and testament to God's provision!

Our physical costs (transportation, housing etc.) up to March 1st are now fully raised, but we still need your help. While the rest of our team is heading into Malawi and Swazi for more ministry, AIM has asked us to stay put in Nelspruit just a little longer to continue to support raise until we have met the physical costs to cover the last 3 months. This amount is $3000. After already being away from ministry for a month, we are really itching to get back on the field and serve. As soon as the $3000 comes in, we can jump back into outreach. To contribute to our support account please click on the "Support Me" link on the left.

Again, we cannot thank you enough for the blessing that you have been through all of your prayers, encouragement, and monetary gifts. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Support Update!! (video)

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Praise God!

Enough said really... After we posted our Support Video 3 weeks ago an amazing move of God began... and it's still going...

When the Video was posted we needed almost $7,000 by March 1st or we would be sent home. In a matter of days donations came pouring in from all over. We are so thankful for everyone who has given to and prayed for us.

As of today $3,570.00 has come in!!! (in 3 weeks!!) We are halfway to our goal!!!

Please continue to pray for the rest of our support and pass this blog along to everyone you know!!

We still have a little over $3000.00 left to raise.

In the meantime here is another video made by some of our teammates in Swaziland, Africa... Enjoy. :)

Support Video from Jessie Miller on Vimeo.

Walking on Water (video)

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

8 months ago a blog was posted claiming...

"So WE are officially the best World Race team out there and perhaps THE ONE with the greatest faith, enough that enables us to look like fools and walk on water. We're a determined team who knows that this can be done. This is the first of many attempts. We see it as merely being practice. May God have all the glory!" -Matt Snyder (Jan 08 Squad member)

While passing through South Africa we happened to stay at the same ministry house previously visited by our good friends.

The first video was posted last June on Matt Snyder's blog. The second video is our response....

January '08 World Race Squad July '08 World Race Squad

Walking on Water from Matthew Snyder on Vimeo Walking on Water from Brian Alonzo on Vimeo

Raise It Up (Video)

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Raise It Up from Stacy Alonzo on Vimeo.

Check out this video that Stacy made about our time in Swaziland.

We are currenlty in Nelspruit, South Africa focusing on support raising. This month will be our final push to raise the amount needed to stay out on the field. Since my last blog (Urgent Support Needed) has come in!!

Thank you to everyone who has given!!

We are now almost halfway to our goal of needing just under $7,000 by March 1st. If you would please pass the word along, we need all the help we can get!!

Urgent Support Needed

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hello family, friends and faithful readers,

This entire year has been a year of living on faith and we are so blessed to have so many people who have believed and supported us through prayers, encouraging words, and financial gifts. We are so appreciative and can assure you that you are making a difference in the lives of many around the world. We have come to crisis point in our support account and are now in danger of having to cut our trip short and go home. Here are the details:

Support left to raise for the year: $11,227

Amount needed by March 1st: $6,840

If we do not meet this goal, we will be headed back to the States on March 1st.

Please be praying for the rest of our support to come in and if you are able, helping us to meet this goal through a monthly or one time donation. No gift is too small. To support us, click on the Support Me link to the left of this blog.

Thank you and God Bless!

A House Divided - Mind The Gap

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"...Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it." Isaiah 46:11

We are decorated with indifference.

We lack reason.

We are unexplainable at the moment.

We are asked the question, "Are you having fun on your trip?"

And from the edge of our fingertips spills forth an extravagant confusion.

The world, as we get to know it, stays the same. All the while our initial intentions, selfless passions, and articulated identity are changing. We are stepping forward into the second half of a journey so grand in its encompassing of every emotional spectrum imaginable it needs its own soundtrack. While these tracks are shuffled and our passport stamped, the end result is a giant question mark. We try to reflect on the months left behind and all we can see is the collection of what we once were. You see the trouble with changing - we are always present through the process. Both in the same. The old and the new, co-existing. We attempt to communicate this change from the inside and in every instance fail. We fail not due to a lack of understanding on the part of the one asking the question. We fail because at the moment we are a house divided, trying earnestly to change, yet remain the same.

Understand us.

We are not a collective group of thirty two.

We are not a church body.

We are not a marriage.

We are Brian Alonzo, and both of us are struggling for a voice.

We began this trip as one, walking in step without conflict, ready to take on the harsh realities of the world through whatever means that world asked of me. I coasted through much of Central America and Southeast Asia, operating out of good ideas and a solid identity. The world as I approached it made sense to me, and the need to submit alterations to my way of thinking seemed anti-productive.

Then something happened forever changing the course of this trip. I awoke one morning in London and was greeted by a thought familiar in tone yet very different in content.

"I want to go home."

In that blink of an eye, I was now a we.

That single solitary thought had scurried its way to the front of the line and was intent on initiating a rebellion. Within hours, what was once a thought on its own had now persuaded more of its fellow thought brethren to join sides and take up arms, setting into motion a divide crucial to the discovery toward the reason God placed me on this trip. I was split in two, each grasping at some form of identity. Each set on destroying the other.

We are old and we are new. We love the ways of our past and look ahead in great anticipation on the destruction of that very we thing we have loved. The old wants to go home. Completely resistant towards the process of change, we know all too well the outcome leads to self-devastation and glorious self-identification. On the morning of our great rebellion the old must have been introduced to that of the soon to be new and before moving another step dug its heels to the process and motioned for opting out and going home.

So, this is where we are - freezing in London, staring at a computer screen trying to answer the question,

"Are you having fun on your trip?"

Our answer is, as you guessed it, two fold; yes and no. And you can safely assume, depending on the day, which one of us is saying yes and which one of us is screaming no.

Update: We're in London for the Month

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

(Dre Lindquist wrote this, she is a teammate of mine. I'll update more in a few days... but I wanted to at the least let everyone know where we are and how we got here. She does a great job of updating... So here it is. I'll go into more details soon.)

We've been in England for around three days at a YWAM base. We'll be starting ministry soon in London. A ticket to London was our only way out of Thailand. There's a lot of logistical explanations that I won't be going into, but let's just say that it's a blessing to be here. A bit more expensive than planned, but due to how the economical downturn rippled into the EU, the pound is no longer worth twice the dollar and has lost strength. So this means warm clothes purchases which is splendid. What else does this mean? It means Christmas in London, winter coats, absence of incessant sweating, wreaths on doors, British accents, holly bushes, hot tea and savoury crumpets, and basically, more smiling. I cannot express enough my overall gratitude to have been delivered from Asia, and not only that, but to have been given the opportunity to serve here. It's a whole different scene in the 1st world. But the Lord is already revealing a lot which I'll talk about more in later blogs.

From cleaning in one of Bangkok's slums to flying on one of the more luxurious airlines in the world within a span of 24 hours, can really give two contrasting portrayals of poverty. One of spiritual poverty and the other physical poverty. Sometimes it's overwhelming to understand that reality and to experience those distinct environments within such a short span of time.

December 3rd (I believe) the leaving process began from Thailand. We went to a conference center where we received handwritten plane tickets where a bus shuttled us to an old Vietnam military base. Once we arrived there, we were told to remain on the bus since we didn't technically have authorization to walk on the base's grounds. Eventually we boarded Etihad's Boaing 77 for Abu Dhabi, UAE (United Arab Emirates). During our five hour layover, we stood in line for nearly the whole time and then it was off for London's Heathrow International Airport. It was about two days of travel up to that point and we still had to make it to the YWAM base where we were going to stay for around three days. They were kind enough to take us in for that time. Half the time we feel homeless, but at the end of the day I feel so privileged and blessed to be doing what we're doing. Ha, it's a treat to have tea and toast readily available for breakfast, and even better, to be able to put a piece of toast with jam on the counter and not worry about it being attacked by a colony of ants that come crawling from the walls.

Thank you all for your prayers regarding getting us out of Bangkok. The Lord heard them all and He ended up extending His grace much more than I deserve.

Flight to Africa - DELAY -

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you've been reading the headlines on cnn.com, you should have heard about the recent protests at the Bangkok Airport. I mention this only to bring understanding and ease any worries that family and friends of the July 08 World Racers may have.

WE ARE ALL OK

We are actually located very far from the protest and would be completely unaffected by the chaos if it were not for our scheduled flight to South Africa. As a result of the protests the Airport has been closed and all outgoing flights have been canceled. As of right now the airlines have no information about when we might expect to get on a flight to our next destination. In the meantime we will remain in Bangkok, once again, very far from the protests. I will keep you updated as we receive more information from our airline. Keep the squad and the city of Bangkok in your prayers.

I'm done

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I'm Done from Brian Alonzo on Vimeo.

Where in the world?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Download Google Earth and enter the coordinates as follows to explore where we are at the moment.
These coordinates were taken from my laptop's GPS receiver today at 6:02PM (Bangkok Time - That's 6:02AM Eastern Standard).

13 39.98 N, 100 41.05 E

We fly out next week for South Africa. I'll keep the videos coming. In the meantime please continue to pray for our support.

We have almost reached the $10,000 mark of money already donated not counting monthly pledges!!

We are still a long way from our goal of $28,000 and need the support of everyone back home.

New Life Church (Cambodia)

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Last month we were able to partner with a church that truly gets what it means to be the church. While in Phnon Penh we worked with New Life Fellowship, a church dedicated to raising up leaders with in the body and sending them out to surrounding provinces to plant more churches. Currently New Life has over 60 church plants spread through out the country of Cambodia with plans to move into surrounding countries such as Vietnam and Laos.

Cambodia is a spiritual hot spot. Coming out of one of the darkest periods of time a nation has ever had to endure, the spirit of God is at work in ways you only read about in the book of Acts. I strongly recommend you study the very recent history of Cambodia and its rule under the regiem of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. I've linked a wikipedia article to get you started.

Cambodia and The Khmer Rouge - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Rouge

During our time with New Life Fellowship I was able to spend time at one of their monthly pastors' schools. I was asked to film and create a video for the church to use for marketing and awareness purposes. I wanted to post it and ask that you check out the churches website shown at the end of the video. I'm not asking for support in any way for New Life Fellowship, I just really beleive in what this church is doing and want as many people as possible to know about the mighty wave of God's hand that is New Life Fellowship. Cambodia is changing and it is all because of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Myanmar needs you, Now!

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The People of Mynamar need You!
Please help us help those who were devastated by the cyclone last spring...
Will you help us raise $2000 by November 12th?

As you read this blog, we pray that the Lord starts to connect you with what He is doing in Myanmar. For the next two weeks, five members of our squad (July '08) are faithfully "Being Jesus" in this country that is so hungry for his love. We, as a squad, are petitioning for your support - both spiritually and financially. We would love to have you join us in this step of faith. We need the encouragement of our supporters that lies in your prayers and financial contributions.

During this year, our squad will choose projects that we want to raise not just money for, but awareness on how you back home can tangibly be involved with what we are doing on the race. Our first 'project' is raising funds so we can send a small group of racers into Myanmar. The Lord started speaking to individuals a few months ago about going to the Burmese and sharing His love, hope and joy to these beautiful people who live daily in fear and devastation.

We are a pioneering squad. Following the Lord faithfully into uncharted waters. Going to Myanmar seemed impossible. But the Lord started to swing doors wide open. We obtained VISA's within 3 days (very few people are even granted VISA's) and permits to go south into the delta region; got connected with an amazing organization that is dedicated to 'going into the more difficult places'; and were blessed by an incredible individual who is going to translate for our team the entire time they are in Myanmar.

Under the Lord's direction, the plan is to connect with underground churches and orphanages and to "be Jesus's hands" in the delta region where Cyclone Nargis killed thousands last spring. Check out the following link to see what other organizations are now helping with the cyclone survivors click here.

The purpose of this trip is to 1) Be obedient and step out in faith to where the Lord is leading 2) Bring the Kingdom to a hurting country 3) Pioneer and form connections with the hope of sending more World Race teams in the future 4) Provide a first-hand account of what is going on in Myanmar and sensitize us to urgent prayer needs.

If you would like to join us in this ministry financially, we ask that you send a check to AIM by Nov 12th.
Within the next two weeks we need to raise $2000.

Send checks to: Adventures in Missions P.O. Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353-4470

Write checks out to "Adventures in Missions" and in the 'for' line write "World Race Ministry - Myanmar".

If you prefer you may click here to donate through AIM's secure website. Please indicate "World Race Ministry - Myanmar" in the box.

As soon as the team gets back to Thailand, they will be blogging and posting videos on their time in Myanmar.
We thank you in advance for all your prayers and support!
World Race July Squad '08

Here's a write-up from one of our racers who is in Myanmar...

In Matthew 28, Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. Twelve men set out with an enormous task that would ultimately result in the glorious message and truth of Christ spreading to the four corners of the earth. The work of the initial disciples continues on this very day as this commandment to go and do is charged to all who know and love Jesus Christ. We have been obedient to the call of the Lord that led us to go on this journey knowing that we are carrying on the work of disciples that goes as far back as the original twelve. We have counted the cost and know that all the heartache and pain we have to endure is worth every second of it if it means that lambs are being added to the flock of the Lord.

We have been obedient by following the Lord this far but God rarely stops talking and we have to make sure that we are obedient to His voice on a perpetual basis. On the world race this means going to places that may not have been on the itinerary. That is where 5 of us find ourselves this month. While most of our squad will be doing ministry in Thailand, we have been called by God to venture out to a new territory- Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Christ said, "Go to ALL nations." What an exciting opportunity! Not only are we venturing into a country where few western missionaries have gone before, but also we go in hoping to build a bridge and create contacts so that others may come in armed with the power of Christ. Myanmar is under the oppressive control of a military government. What could be more incredible than bringing the only message that liberates completely to a people that so badly need to hear it? Christ is ready to move.

While we are not totally sure what our time there will look fully, we know that there is major need in the areas that were hit hard by cyclone Nargis. That devastation is still fresh as the cyclone hit in May of this year. There could also be possibilities of working with orphans and other students as well. No matter what we do, we will be a reflection of Jesus and that is what is most important.

However, we are in great financial need here. As you know, we have had to raise a lot of money for this trip but our venture into Myanmar is not supported (not even close!) by our monthly budget. God is calling us there physically but He is calling you there in another sense. In Luke 9, Jesus sends out the twelve, but tells them to "take nothing for the journey" including money, bread and other necessities. This is how we are approaching Myanmar- with empty hands lifted upwards.

God will provide and He will do it through you. Thank you for taking the time to prayerfully consider this request and remember what the Lord said through Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:22 "to obey is better than sacrifice". Please be obedient to Him in this matter.

Stay posted...More to come!