Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 5/21/2012
Sorry I haven't had many blogs lately with updates of our current status but here you go. We been in Romania for a full month working at a camp with 2 other teams. We have had little/no interaction with the people because our ministry has consisted of maintenance, landscaping, cleaning, etc. We have mainly done upkeep here on the camp grounds. We had nice beds, warm showers, laundry machine. Good was potatoes, hot dogs, rice, soup and bread...so basically carbs, yay.
We are leaving today for Moldova. We will be taking a 12 hour overnight train, then staying in the train station in Bucharest for 14 hours and finishing with another 10 hour overnight train.
My team will be working with one other team with what our description was said to be "a large church, youth group and construction." I am super excited for a change, for more interaction with the people this month and for my last month.
I can honestly say this has been an amazing journey that I am so thankful for and has absolutely grown me into the woman I am today...and at the same time I am tired. I am excited to see my family friends and especially my niece. But first things first, one more month.
Blessings from Romania on our last day :)
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 4/29/2012
Last July, right before I left for the race in August, my family took our little fam vaca to the beach. My aunt, uncle and cousin (sadly missing one cousin) came from Colorado. My brother, sister-in-law and, most importantly, my EG (Ella Grace for those who don't already know my lil sunshine) were also there and some of their friends came for a short visit. I was glad to spend some time with them before leaving for the race. One of the last nights we had dinner out by the pool and I remember my uncle asking me in so many words, "What would make this trip a successful trip?" As in, what would you truly desire to see happen in these next 11 months to say "Yes, this was worth it!" He told me I didn't have to answer but just something to think about; and, in that moment, I really didn't have an answer.
It's the end of April and I can't help but start to think about what's next. I have exactly 2 months until I fly into NYC and as much as I try and fight it, I can't help but think about my future. So in my thinking/stressing I messaged a few people back home for suggestions or any connections...basically just anything...and I was not surprised by most of my responses. Some people gave suggestions which were helpful, but almost everyone said "Don't Worry." Of course, I know that but sometimes its hard not to wonder or worry so it was good to be reminded and confirmed by everyone. But I got a message back from my brother and his last 2 words stuck out the most to me out of all the responses I received: Finish Empty.
One of the first blogs I wrote, probably just before leaving, was one that was inspired also by something my brother told me: Make Much of Christ. That has been an encouragement to me throughout the last 9 months and I'm sure for the next 2. So, it would make since that coming towards the end my brother would give me some more words of wisdom...Finish Empty. Going back to my uncle's question, I think both those could answer it. I would like to be able to say at the end of this 11 month journey that I made much of Christ and finished empty.
As far as the first I know I have and my team has! We've laughed, cried, sweated, hurt, prayed, preached, taught, danced, labored, fought, inspired, questioned, edified, stirred, illuminated, poured, emptied, filled, and so much more...and I know we made much of Christ as best we could. It hasn't always been pretty, its quite often messy. We're all a mess. We mess up! But my God is a God of grace and mercy and He continues to lead and we continue to follow! As these next 2 months sit before me, I am fighting to put July on in His hands AND LEAVE IT THERE (that's the hard part...haha). And I pray that I finish empty. That these next two months I give it all I've got. That I empty my cup everyday and let God fill it back up to the same the next day. I pray I fight for myself, I fight for my teammates, I fight for the people of Romania and Moldova. I pray I don't settle or become complacent but that I remember the very reason God called me on this trip and the fire I had when I started. And like my last team leader, Scott, always says "home is going to be there." I will be back in Tuscaloosa soon enough and I don't want to look back and think I could have given more.
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 4/16/2012
These are pictures of the people who will forever have a place in my heart. I met so many people around the world who have changed my life and whom I love very much. But, I sadly lost half of my pictures :( so I am at the mercy of what's tagged on Facebook so everyone isn't pictured here but this is just a small trip down memory lane of the special faces in all our places.
Kenya...
This is David...I had some great pics of us together but this is the only one I can find.
Found one with David!
David's sister.
She was absolutely stunning.
One of the girls from the School we visited the last week in Kenya.
Uganda...
This is Asante...her mom was our cook at the orphanage.
(close up)
Rwanda... 
This is Lori, our contact's daughter...LOVED that family!
This is Omega...She would greet us everyday on our walk to church. :)
I lost all my pics with Omega so I borrowed this from a friend...she would bring instant joy to us.
Sweet Sandra
(I became really close with Sandra's family but I lost all my pics with them so I'll have to post another blog once I recover some pics from my teammates)
Philippines...
This is Noah...he's special. This lil man stole my heart, almost all of it. I miss him terribly!!!
This is him and his momma, Grace. This was their home, what you see was it.
I want to put them all because he's so stinkin' cute!!!
Last one...giving my lil sunshine a kiss :)
These are two girls who were in prostitution and being held against there will, we were praying for their safe return home...this is the night after they snuck away at got home. God is Good!!!
Some of my babies I worked with in the nursery at the Children's Home.
We took the babies swimming :)
Another nursery baby, who has had severe medical problems since birth and actually and previous WR team had a racer's mom financially support him..which is probably the reason he is still alive.
Thailand...
This is in Phuket, when we worked in the bars and this was one of the waitresses we got really close with! Miss her :)
Cambodia...
This is Tong Mae...he's special too. Has a huge chunk of my heart still in Cambodia with him!
Tong Mae's bath time!
Nadia, greeted us every morning!
This is Rae, one of the children in the village who's family we shared a bathroom with.
Sri Dat...the older sister to Sri Po, the girl who drowned.
Marie...one of the girls at the orphanage we visited.
And...Pa-Ni, Marie's best friend :)
Malaysia... 
Can't remember this lil girls name but we spent alot of time encouraging her family who was fighting with in-laws since their conversion to Christianity...took her a little while to warm up to me haha she was a daddy's girl.
China...
We aren't allowed to post pictures of the children from the orphanage in China so this side view pic is the only one I can put but I loved this lil boy and he gave me a kiss the last day before we left.
Ukraine...
Our first day we visited a Rehab Center and we loved it!
The lady and the boy in the blue jacket were the family that hosted me and Sarah (teammate in the purple jacket) where we stayed!
I've loved getting to meet all these people and especially these babies but of course my favorite baby is...
EG!!! My sweet Ella Grace :)
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 4/5/2012
Here I am in the Ukraine on what I consider the "home
stretch". I am in my 9th month, so only 2 more months and then Sweet
Home Alabama J
We have all been encouraged to and are all attempting to maintain our presence
here. Yes we have questions about the future, yes we have to make some sort of
plans, and yes many have begun to pray about that. But still, it is very
important for us to be just as present these remaining months as we were the
first few months. Some days are easier to do that than others but for the most
part I haven't struggled too much with future plans other than the typical
daydreaming. I, of course, wonder who will be at the airport or what food I'll
eat first but as far as wondering about "what's next" I don't. This may or may
not be a good thing, but I'm not too worried about it. I know what I want to do
for the first few months at least and I have a peace about it as well as
support from my family upon my return. So...with all that said I do have some
lingering thoughts about my personal life once I am back.
I am finding myself at a weird place. It's almost impossible
to put into words all the changes that have happened to me over these past 8
months and more to come, I know, these next 3. I am completely changed, never
to be the same again. God brought up so many things I have to deal with, none
of which I wanted to haha. There was so much junk in my life I had no idea. I
never questioned things. I never took the time to examine my own life. I was so
busy...well being busy. Trying to fill my life with the things I was "supposed to
do" and thinking that was enough but never really looking into my heart, my thoughts,
habits, actions, etc. From day one in Kenya, God began to open my eyes and work
on my heart. I never realized how complacent I was, how stagnant my spiritual
life was, and how many terrible habits I had. I thought my life was "under
control". The problem was, it was under MY control! BIG PROBLEM J
That brings me to the subject of my blog. I thought it would
be good to just share where my heart is right now coming toward the end of the
race and it is a little...curious might be the best word. Curious as to how life
will be when I get back. Curious how life will inevitably be different when I
get back. What my spiritual walk will look like. How broken habits will affect
daily life. Life will look different because I am different, it has to be
different now. I have been so blessed with God's mercy, to have these things
revealed to me but that means I am now responsible for the changes. I can never
go back to the way things were before. I don't want to, but there are some
things about my past that I liked...thus, the problem.
One thing I used to have a terrible habit of doing was
running. I didn't like confrontation and didn't like dealing with things. And,
if I didn't want to I simply wouldn't. I could run away from problems or
people. But here...here you canNOT do that. So, I have spent the last 8 months
learning how to deal with things and letting people get close enough to me to
talk about stuff. It's still a learning process but now when I go home I can't
just check out when I want to check out...the growth comes from dealing with
things. Also, I was particular about people, when I wanted to be around people
and when I wanted to isolate myself. My emotions affected my interactions and
relationships...or better yet ruled them. I screened my phone and picked and
chose when and if I wanted to talk to people...friends, family, anybody. I
typically have always been a social butterfly but I had this ability to turn it
on and off in an instant. To throw walls up so fast if I didn't want to let
people in. I definitely still struggle with this but it is something God has
revealed to me and I am in the process of walking out of. But when I go home I will
no longer be living in community with these people who love me and have
invested in helping me tear down walls for 8 months and so my fear is coming
into the rest of society J
and not having that community. I fear it will be even easier to throw up walls
or retreat but knowing that God has shown me this and is walking me out of it I
am responsible to continue striving to change. I also have been taught how to
live an intentional life. To be intentional in everything I do and in my
relationships. So when I get home, I am responsible to continue living with
intentionality.
But I was comfortable living the way I was and its hard
changing. But I know that ALL the things God has revealed to me and taught me have
to continue to be applied. It's just a weird place to be thinking about
re-entry into the states and reality and applying the lifestyle I've become
accustomed to in country after country. Culture shock coming home will probably
be the most shocking since month 1 in Africa...and that was shocking! But I know
it's going to be good and I'm excited to come home and introduce the knew me,
the knew Strong, Bold, Beautiful Woman of God that I know I am to my friends
and family; but its still hard to imagine how the old life and the new life
will collide! Should be fun...
Blessings from Ukraine...from Toby, Karianne, Me and Mercy :) 
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 4/2/2012
ANOTHER PHOTO BLOG...ENJOY :)
MY TEAM AND TEAM TUFF TRAVELING (WITH OUR PACKS IN FRONT) TO OUR CONTACT IN CAMBODIA...WHERE WE ARE, I HAVE NO IDEA.
ALL THESE LADIES WERE TOGETHER IN THAILAND (WHILE THE MEN HAD "MANISTRY" MONTH) AND THREE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL LADIES WERE TRAVELING WITH YWAM AND WE RAN INTO THEM AGAIN IN PHNOM PEHN...MISS Y'ALL!
THIS IS MY OLD TEAM IN MAYAYSIA IN A VILLAGE WE WENT AND DID A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM AT :)
ME AND LACEE FOUND A LITTLE TASTE OF HOME :)
IN MALAYSIA, THE CHURCH FAMILIES FED US SO THIS WAS ONE OF THE HOMES WE ATE AT...THIS MEAL CONSISTED OF CHICKEN NUGGETS (THERE GO-TO AMERICAN MEAL) AND PIZZA HUT! AND CURRY...YUM
THIS WAS AT THE YOUTH CONFERENCE WE HELD, I SHARED WITH THE TEENS THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING YOUR FRIENDS AND SHARED PART OF MY TESTIMONY...THE WHOLE WEEKEND WAS ABOUT CHOICE
ANOTHER HOME FOR LUNCH
ANOHTER HOME VISIT...ME AND ADREA BABYSITTING WHILE THE OTHERS PRAYED FOR THE FATHER, WHO HAD BEEN IN A SERIOUS MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT...I LIKE TO PRAY, DON'T GET ME WRONG...BUT IF YOU KNOW ME AT ALL, I WAS RIGHT WHERE I WANTED TO BE...WITH THE BABY :)
WE MADE IT TO CHINA...GOT MY NEW WINTER JACKET AND I'M READY TO GO :)
ME ON MY 24 HOUR TRAIN RIDE FROM HENGYANG TO BEIJING
AND THIS IS AFTER LUNCH AT THE....MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN BEIJING!!! ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO CHEESE DIP :( WE WERE STILL PUMPED!!!...ESP MEGAN (TOP RIGHT CORNER HAH)
SOME OF ME AND MY BEAUTIFUL SISTERS ON THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
AFTER 8TH MONTH DEBRIEF I GOT SWITCHED TO A NEW TEAM...BITTERSWEET...BUT I LOVE THE LADIES ON MY NEW TEAM...THIS IS US WALKING AROUND BEIJING FOR THE FIRST TIME TOGETHER AS A TEAM, MAKING MEMORIES!
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM) MEET: OLIVIA, ME, PEGGY, SARAH & JESS
FEEDING THE HOMELESS IN UKRAINE...THIS SWEET MAN GOT MY HEART!
HE CAN'T SEE REALLY, AND ITS COLD HERE IN UNKRAINE...PRAY FOR HIM!
HOPE YOU LIKED THEM...MORE TO COME FROM EASTERN EUROPE SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE :)
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT AND ALL YOUR PRAYERS...WE GOT THREE MONTHS LEFT. CRAZY!
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 3/22/2012
We have faced some hard things. Asked hard questions. "Why?" "God, where are You?" And one I often find myself wondering is "Why am I here?" Many situations, if not most, have seemed as if we are helpless...we can't see anything we can tangibly do to change the problems we see. I believe God called me to this journey thus believing I am here by divine appointment but sometimes it doesn't look like what I think it should.
When we were in Thailand, I made friends with girls who worked the bars. Who made a living by enduring the eyes & hands of lonely men. Who may have been in prostitution as a means of making a living. Endless circumstances land these beautiful young women in that dark and selfish place that only wants to take from them. We built friendships and then left. We didn't get them out. We couldn't take them with us. We left them there. So the question comes, Why? Why was I there?
When we were in Cambodia a beautiful 10 year old girl drowned. I was with a few of my teammates when it happened and we were part of the search and recovery of her lifeless body. We prayed and prayed for a miracle. I believed I was about to witness one. I layed my hands on her head and believed for healing. I prayed from the depths of my soul...and nothing happened. I was summoned by the family & friends to pray her spirit to Heaven. I stood I'm front of a village, the people looking to me for something, not know how or what to do in that moment. I knew I was supposed to be there and God wanted me there for a reason but I didn't see why. I told God that day "I know You're here and I know You were with her in that pond but I can't see or hear you right now." Yet again I ask, Why? Why was I there?
In China we worked with a special needs orphanage and we saw things that are not okay. We saw children in "living" situations that are unacceptable and no human being should experience. We saw children who were abandoned that we can't take home. We saw illness that we couldn't heal. We saw needs that we couldn't fix before leaving. We were there for a brief moment and then left them there, sick and abandoned. And again, Why? Why was I there?
God is still showing me the answer to my question...to bring Light to the Darkness. I have Christ in me, therefore I am a Light. I walk into darkness and automatically bring light because of who I am. Light cannot be hidden. So regardless of what I wanted to be for those people or wanted to be able to do to change the situations I did change the atmosphere. I brought light, love, and Christ within me!
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 2/24/2012
We leave tomorrow for China!!! We have all been looking forward to this month. It is crazy to think we are already beginning our 8TH MONTH! It seems like just yesterday we were counting the months through Africa, but for me Asia has flown by. It’s even weirder to think that I’ve been with my current team a month longer now than I was with my first team!
We are spending the night in the airport tomorrow night and flying to Hong Kong early Sunday morning. This won’t be our first slumber party at the airport, I’m sure it will be just as amusing as the last time in Bangkok.
This month we will have no internet access so I’ll go ahead and tell you what I do “know” at this point about ministry next month. We will be working at a special needs orphanage Monday-Friday 8-5ish. After this past month it will be nice to have weekends off and a somewhat regular routine. Last month was amazing, but it was definitely wearing on me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The first week we were in a city called Kuantan. We were involved in door-to-door, prayer walks/drives, visiting villages, putting on children’s program and then over the weekend we put on a 3 day youth conference. We talked about Choice, about some of the choices we have as believers: worship, friends, faith not fear, etc. It was a lot of fun and we all loved the church body, especially the youth! Then we went to a smaller city called Jerantut where we did mainly door-to-door. We were fed breakfast, lunch and dinner by almost every family in the congregation. It was such an awesome opportunity to go into the homes of the church body and not just see them on Sunday morning or during prayer meetings, but really get to know them. Go into their homes, share life for a little bit, and get fed, and be able to prayer for them and encourage them. They fed us WELL, curry and rice breakfast lunch and dinner! J We had an amazing month and got to see God do some miraculous things. Also we were encouraged by the Tamal Methodist Church here in Malaysia, they are on FIRE. Now we have spent the last 4 ½ days getting some R&R in Kuala Lumpur and I am so thankful for it, I truly believe it was a gift from the Lord to rest and rejuvinate before heading to China. Still little tired but much better than I was coming to KL. Plus that has to do with the encouragement from family and friends since I got here! J…another blessing!
No we’re hitting the ground running to China. Pray for our teams as we travel in and out of the country, that we would have God’s favor. Also for endurance leading into month 8th, the halfway mark and to now has definitely brought on a level of fatigue so pray for a freshness and renewed fire. (Crazy to think in 4 months I’ll be back stateside!) Also pray for peace because the fatigue effected my emotions, which won’t surprise you if you know me at all haha, but that led to homesickness more than usual so just pray for continued peace, especially since I will have no communication with my family until April. And with that being said, pray for my family as they go this month without hearing from me. I have the most amazing and encouraging parents & family who truly have entrusted me to the Lord on this journey and they have 100% peace that I am safe because I am in God’s will…but they are still my parents & loved ones. So pray for them this next month that they will have peace about God’s hand and guidance this month. Trust me, I’ll be ready to skype and see their faces and hear their voices come April 1st. Love ya’ll!!!
Peace out Malaysia…Hello China!
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 2/12/2012
We have been in Malaysia now for about a week and loving it. We have been staying with the pastor of our church contact and they have beyond blessed us!!!!!!!!!! I can't even begin to tell you the ways they have prepared for us and poured out provision for us! We led a youth conference is weekend, so we are exhausted but these youth were amazing. It also was a neat gift from the Lord for me because, even though it wasn't the same, I was bummed to be missing Disciple Now at my church in Collierville this month so it was nice to be able to do something similar. And God has been dealing with me a lot about leadership and the giftings He has given me and so this weekend I got to step up and use some of them. I spoke in one session about my testimony and how I heard a speaker one time say "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future." (Matt Pitt @ UnAshamed) I remember at that time really being at a crossroads of deciding what influence I wanted to allow in my life. People who encourage me in my walk or friends that encourage me in the ways of the world. And I shared Ephesians 4:1-13; 16 about the body and how we are to build each other up. It was good. We did a skit that I've done before in Mexico. It was good, and I know that my team sowed seeds into the lives of those youth!
We leave for another city Tuesday for about a week and then around February 26 leave for China. For those who do not know, we will be off the radar for the safety of our contacts so please prayer warriors, keep prayers coming this next month. I don't know anything, of course, for sure (first thing about the world race haha) but we might be working with children with special needs. Please pray for safety of travel, Gods favor with transitioning in and out of customs and security of China, and for the team overall. If not before, I will be blogging and facebooking when we hit Europe. After China weare on the "home stretch" with our final 3 months: Romania, ATL (ask the Lord, pray as a team and choose a country), and ending in Ukraine.
With that, I have one personal prayer request. Pray for focus here. As it closes in on the last half of the race it's even harder not to look to the future and think about what life will look like when I het home. And yes, I want to be listening for if God speaks on anything, but more importantly I want to be present here, everyday, and end well. Each month end well. I know month 2 was super hard and I spent ALOT of time thinking of home and although I love being here now, I don't want to look back and think I missed what could have been more because mentally I wasn't present. Thank you!!!
Also, just found out that my grandfather passed away this weekend and it's tough not being able to be there with my family so please keep us, especially them in your prayers! Thanks
Blessings from Malaysia
| |
|
Posted in Main Blogs by Leah Day on 1/22/2012
I know it’s been a while since I have blogged, I apologize. The last few days in Thailand I had trouble with the Internet and was not able to get on and access it like I would have liked. Then we headed to Cambodia…and Surprise!!! We’re in the middle of nowhere, about 45 minutes outside of Phnom Penh is a very small, remote village. And…I LOVE IT. It reminds me of Mexico, which for those who don’t know holds a very special and dear place in my heart!
We have no electricity, only on days when they run the generator and we share 10 plugs between 14 people to try and charge up iPods and such. We have a squatty potty, a hole in the ground with a porcelain cover to stand on. Our showers are bucket baths: there’s a large concrete basin that holds water where we dip out with a hand bucket and dump over ourselves. The water is pretty clear however the basin it sits in is questionable. The other day I took a smoky shower because the kitchen is right outside of the bathroom and they were cooking so there was smoke billowing into the bathroom. There are rats, cockroaches, ants, geckos, flies, and MOSQUITOES! We sleep in one room, everyone on the floor under mosquito nets and some have set up their tents to avoid the nets and try to fight harder against the nightly feasting of mosquitoes. Some tents are in the house.
Our weekly activities thus far (we’ve been here a week) consist of breakfast at 8:00, soccer with the boys from the local school until around 11:00, then lunch around 12. The afternoons vary from day to day because there are 2 teams here together so we flip flop each day. One day we each teach a class, me and my teammate Cameron teach the youngest class in English. It has been awesome to try and “learn” how to “teach” my own language! But I love it, last class we all got in trouble because my kids were so enthusiastic they were screaming the alphabet to me and we interrupted the older class. J The dinner is around 5:00 and at 7:00 we have an English class that we do a bible study to teach with. Our entire team does that together. And somewhere during the day we fit in team time. On the other days, after lunch we take a 20 minute tuk tuk ride (small carriage attached to a motor bike) to an orphanage and we do gardening for a few hours and then spend a little time with the children after they finish school.
Life is great! Especially after spending a month in the bars working in one of the booming tourist areas, the detox from internet, junk food (don’t know how far it is to the nearest 7 Eleven), any “comfort” of life has been truly a blessing for me! I feel most in my element right now! I love it here, its definitely my second favorite country thus far, 2nd to Philippines. We have 2 more weeks here and I’m so excited to see what more God has to show me. Just like in Mexico, God speaks so clearly to me here and its so easy to hear when all the distractions are removed!
Please pray for my squad. February 1st is the deadline for support and although I am, thankfully, funded by means of monthly donors…at this moment everyone is not. So please pray for God’s provision so I can finish this race with all my brothers and sisters called with me, that I started with! Thanks so much for your continued support and prayers!!! I am truly blessed to have the community of support back home that I do.
Blessings from Cambodia!
| |
|
Next 10 Articles >>
|
|
|
