How can I sum up my year into words?  That?s what this final debrief has been about, challenging us to continue to press into God and to re-enter America with grace (to and from yal).  Like I said, there is a lot to process.  So rather than trying to sum up my year into words, I thought a slideshow would be more appropriate, quite interesting, and much shorter. 

The plan:  We leave Guatemala Wednesday, taking a bus at 6 a.m. to Guatemala City, boarding a plane to Ft. Lauderdale at noon, and then I will take 2 more planes and a car ride, arriving at home shortly after midnight, Lord willing.  Please pray for safety and timely connections, etc.  I believe I am the only WRer flying out of Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow night, so getting through customs and saying goodbyes will be important. 

Thanks so much (again) for your love, prayers, and support.  I definitely could not have persevered through the year without yal walking alongside me.  Yal have blessed me!  You will hear more from me in this blogsite, about what God?s doing in my life, how the Middle East and my niece are, what the next step is, etc.  But for now, I wanted yal to have a picture of what it is like on the World Race.  My pictures are pretty much ordered by date and country, so you can journey along with me through my year in just a few minutes. 

I wanted to introduce yal to my friends and mentors who have been supporting us during the entire race.  These wonderful friends have been to many of our debriefs every few months (Thailand, Philippines, Nicaragua, Guatemala), and pray for us daily.  They have been a God-send, and without them I am sure many of us would have shut down emotionally, etc.  Plus they always know when you need hugs and kisses.

Scott and Carol Pitts.  Scott knows when you need a hug.  He is a tall, broad man, and his hugs are even bigger.  He is not afaid to be real with us, sharing his heart and funny stories.  Mama Carol--Just the name tells you how I feel about her.  She tells me the truth in love, listens to me with sincere interest, kisses me on the cheek, and prays for me daily.  She is a mom-away-from-Mom.

Chuck and Selena Day.  Chuck brings us together in worship, leading in songs and prayers.  He tells it like it is encouraging us to press on and gives me big hugs.  Selena is full of life.  When we get together, we laugh and chat.  She is truly interested in my life, how I am doing, and even what I am wearing to the big final banquet. The Days also shared their three wonderful young-adult daughters with us, Jessica, Hannah, and Morgan.

Gary and Lisa Black.  Although Lisa and Gary are not our official squad coaches, they have made a huge impact in my life.  We served along side them in Swaziland, where they debriefed us, and also flew out to Hong Kong for debrief.  When I first met Gary I was a little intimidated by his boldness, booming voice, and intense smile.  Then I got to know him.  He called out the ¨holy rebellion¨in me, along with some spiritual gifts.  He reminds me to listen to God´s voice.  Lisa is a bold, tenderhearted friend who speaks the truth boldly and equally in love.  She reminded me to lay down the burdens of others at God´s feet, not taking them on as my own, no matter how much I cared for my teammates or the people I ministered to.  And I loved hanging out with and ministering alongside their God-fearing kids in Swaziland.

While words never seem to be quite enough, I have something to say to my mentors--THANK YOU!!!!! Thank you for your prayers, your love, your truth, your kindness.   May the Lord bless you, as you have blessed us.  And may you see much fruit in and through us (your spiritual children) for the glory of God.

My family and I have been Reading the Psalms, counting down the final days on the World Race (see Itinerary blog). My dear friend and squad leader, Allison Johnston, has been counting down by blogging about each of her teammates, one per day until the final day of the race. Yesterday Alli´s blog featured me. In sincere humility, I share her kind words with you to give yal an insider´s perpective of my year.

From my Day 11 countdown, I share this verse.  Psalm 11:7 For the LORD is righteaous, He loves righteous deds, the upright shall behold His face.

11 Days!! Esther Schultz

Posted by Allison Johnston on 4/20/2008

I really don't know where to begin with this precious friend. Esther has been just about everything to me this year: running buddy extraordinaire, confidant, friend, ministry partner, the one who challenges me, my sanity, and sooo much more.

From the very beginning (conference calls at home!) I had a feeling that Esther and I were going to be close. We have similar backgrounds (both accountants), both sold houses and cars to come on the Race, both were "older", etc...but I had no idea she would become a 'forever friend" and impact my life so much this year. Esther was the first person I cried in front of and admitted I wanted to go home. She was the first person I went running with, the first person that challenged me, and the first person to encourage me to seek the Lord.

When I think of Esther I think devotion. She is probably the only one of us that faithfully did quiet time EVERY morning, no matter what. I remember freezing in Africa and Esther would be wrapped up in her sleeping bag reading her Bible early in the morning. We have shared MANY a living space, bunk beds, car seats, etc...and Esther was always there reading.

We have had some amazing runs--in just about every country. The Lord gifted us by the fact that we run the same pace and were usually in similar shape. We have spend hours and miles traversing Africa, Asia, and Central America in our running shoes. We have had some hilarious moments and breath-taking God moments. Esther has heard things from me on those runs that no one else ever would. We prayed as we ran, admitted our fears, shared struggles, and encouraged as we logged the miles. When I was at the end of myself Esther always led me to the foot of the cross and I am better because of it.

We are pretty much polar opposites: liberal/conservative, loud/quiet, impulsive/pensive, reckless/thoughtful, but I have been so blessed by her friendship. She has talked me down off MANY a ledge and knocked a whole lot of sense into me when I needed it. She always let me vent and then would quietly re-direct.

Esther: Thank you for loving me. Thank you for seeing the real Allison and loving her anyways. Thank you for always being ready for a run, always encouraging, and always speaking truth (even when I didn't want to hear it!). It has been quite the year and I could never write about it all--but know you are so respected and loved.

As you recall from my Flees and Suicide blog, we have been working alongside a local church here in San Pablo, Guatemala.  Pastor Efrain Alva and Bette (his wife and a trained nurse) have a burden to reach out to the people of San Pablo who, for a variety of reasons, do not go to the clinic or the hospital.  Pastor and Bette´s desire is to convert the first floor of their home into a birthing room and a room where people who are ill can be cared for.  The local clinic has two male nurses.  In this gender-conscious culture, who most of the women do not want a man delivering the baby, which I can totatly understand.  Bette has delivered several babies for the women in San Pablo at their homes.

Bruce Ahlberg (head of YWAM Antigua-Guatemala, a friend of the WRers who stayed in Guatemala this past month) helped Pastor Efrain and Bette already raise about three thousand dollars for the clinic.  Their is still a need of another $4,000 to pour the roof of the second floor.  Bruce tells me 100 % of the money donated will go to the project as no one in YWAM receives any money for administration of finances.  This clinic is not a YWAM project.  The money will be then given to Pastor Efrain for the clinic.  Bruce also mentioned that donations are tax deductible, the the fullest extent that the U.S. law allows, as will be noted on a donor´s receipt.  If gifts are sent, the check or money order should be made payable to YWAM Antigua accompanied with a note stating that it is for the medical clinic project in San Pablo. (YWAM Chico in the U.S. administers YWAM Antigua´s finances right now, so the check´s ¨payable to¨and the mailing address are different YWAM names.) Checks should be sent to the following U.S. address: YWAM Chico, 15850 Richardson Springs Road, Chico, CA 95973.  If you feel encouraged by the Lord to help this family´s vision, I know they would be grateful.  And all of you can join me in prayers for the clinic.

On a separate note, I have deeper burden for the community -- that they would be able to have the Word of God translated in their own languages, and that the people would be able to read it.  Currently there is a Bible in the Tzutujil language, but not many people know how to read.  Also there are several other local tribal languages in Guatemala that do not have a Bible in their native tongue.  Thanks for praying for this need to read and understand the Word.  Over the course of this year, I have seen many needs and try to help when I can.  But what I feel most passionately about is having the Word of God available and readable.  I have not heard of any specific projects for this part of Guatemala, although I know our friends at Wycliffe have a this burden world-wide, so it wouldn´t surprise me if there was a project underway.

On Monday morning, I opened my eyes, and saw red dots everywhere on my body. I had the chicken pox when I was little, so I was confused. They itched, looking like bad acne on my face. It was embarrassing, uncomfortable, and perplexing. In addition, there was several other little confusing or unplanned hitches on Monday morning (like where we going--San Pablo, not San Pedro, it turns out). So on my boat ride across the lake, I felt attacked by the devil. We only had 9 days of ministry left before debrief. I would be so easy to coast, just letting time pass along.

But I didn´t want that. God doesn´t want that of me. It would be like starting a marathon and then quitting at mile 25 just because you´re tired. Right there in the boat crossing to San Pablo, I fought the devil, quoting Scripture, singing quietly, praying and asking God to give me strength, motivation, His armor to finish strong. By the end, I had peace. I was still physically uncomfortable from the bumps, but my attitude had changed. Upon disembarking, I gathered team Concrete, praying fervently that God would strengthen us as a whole and give us serving attitudes, allowing us to bless the pastor and his family.

Team Concrete we headed across the lake to San Pablo on Monday morning to work alongside Pastor Efraim and his family. Pastor and his wife (Betty) welcomed us with opened arms, cooking for us, letting us sleep in their house on the couches. The kids and Betty speak 2 languages (their local dialect and Spanish). Pastor also speaks 2 additional local tribal languages. But no English. We´re the only foreigners in town. So I´m back to using the tiny bit of Spanish I know, along with the Spanish-English dictionary of course. They are very patient with me, and eager to learn English words.

When we first arrived, the pastor said we could help wash windows in the church building. Well, it´s day 3 and we haven´t touched the windows yet. Window washing would be fine. But right now, God has a different plan. Instead the pastor took us to visit families in the community, praying for the sick, needy, etc. A 15-year old unmarried girl due with her first baby any day. A little 3-year old girl with a severely burnt hand. A family whose 18-year old girl was just admitted to the hospital for cancer. A family of an 18-year old boy with cancer who is coming home today, receiving no more medical treatments after a 5-year battle against cancer. And many others.

And then there was the family whose 18-year old boy committed suicide just 10 minutes after we left their next-door-neighbor´s house on Monday night. We heard about it early Tuesday morning. The pastor immediately took us to the viewing. There were at least 60 of us crammed into a house the size of a small bedroom. The casket had a clear window. We could see the boy, and the rope he used was hanging above the casket. People unashamedly wept, using their aprons and sleeves to wipe their tears. I stood there praying for his family and friends, that God would ease there pain. And even boldly prayed for his return to life, as I felt God call me to do. He was buried later that day, with practically the whole town stopping to pay respects. The boy was greatly loved.

Oh, and by the way, on Tuesday before we went on house visitations, I went to the clinic. Apparently my bed in Panajachael (where we spent 3 nights before San Pablo) had flees. Yes that´s right. I had flee bites everywhere. No wonder I was uncomfortable! After a huge shot of medicine, and starting on and anti-itch cream, I´m doing a lot better. I was just glad it wasn´t catching for other people or some weird disease that would send me home early or prevent me from going to the Middle East next month.

My lessons this week: 1) Don´t quit the race of life early, fight in the Spirit at all times, even when you don´t feel like it, ask God, He will give you strength. 2) God is Sovereign, over cancer, pregnancies, suicides, flees...over everything. He works in the good and bad for His glory.

While in Antigua, Guatemala, I took a day off, spent a little personal time and money, and hiked Pacaya Volcano. It was amazing. I trekked up steep trails at a high altitude. But I truly enjoyed the challenge. When I reached the top, I was amazed. Smoke exhaled from the top. Small amounts of red lava flowed around the volcano. A picture does not fully capture the experience. The eerie atmosphere reminded me of Mordor in Lord of the Rings.

I had an option-- stay at the top of the mountain and view the volcano, or climb down a 90 degree drop to walk hardened lava. Of course I chose the latter! Immediately I felt a temperature difference, heat rising from my feet to my head. The guide told me that the lava I was walking on was only 3-days old. And then I saw red-hot lava moving underneath the hardened lava, just a few inches under my shoes. In fact, Tamaras shoe soles burnt off. Crazy! The lava was hard, but it crunched and often cracked under my feet, moving slightly. It reminded me of Mount Saint Helens in Washington State. Studies of the eruption just a couple decades ago revealed that such natural disasters made its surroundings appear older than they truly were, and yet also brought lush green environment to nearby areas, enriching the soil. The Pacaya Volcano proclaimed God´s intelligent design, mighty power, and creative beauty.

Just a few feet from the pouring red-orange lava, I roasted marshmallows on a long stick. Wow was it HOT! I could only stay near the lava for seconds at a time. Even poising for a picture was challenging. But the marshmallows were yummy, and the experience was incredible!

We made it to Guatemala, our final WR country! Time remaining on the WR is so short! I'm in Antigua and have rejoined the other June WR'ers. Each of our "original" small teams will minister in Guatemala for a week or two. During the final week or so of the WR, the squad will reunite to debrief together. After the WR, I will return to the Middle East (with my mom this time!) to see my new little niece, Anna Grace (born April 6!) 

Here's a rough itinerary for the next couple of months:

• April 10 - Team Concrete's ministry time
• April 23 - June Squad's Final Debrief
• April 30 - Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale at 5pm, immediately flying to East TN
• May 9 - Leave for the Middle East
• May 27 - Return to East TN (parent's house)

I have an invitation for you! In my immediate family, we have a tradition of reading the Psalms as a countdown to the day a person's returning. It dates back to my dad's long military deployments. For example, on April 8, 2008, my family and I read Psalm 23, noting that there's 23 days until I arrive home. April 30^th, we'll read Psalm 1. If you want to (no pressure), you're welcomed to join us.

Thanks SO MUCH for your prayers!!! Here are some specific ways you join me through prayer these next couple of months.

Prayer requests:

1. Concrete's team ministry time will be filled with joy, unity, balance in personalities, eagerness to serve God, focus, sweet time of closure and fellowship. My teammates still on the field: Sarah D, Mark S, Katey B. Also pray for teammate Lauren in U.S.
2. Final Debrief will be uplifting, not lonely or stressful, restful, filled with sweetness, glorifying to God, uplifting to my soul.
3. For April 30, pray that buses and planes and luggage and customs and whatever else will be protected, safe, on time, smooth, etc. That I will have time to say goodbyes to my teammates, that I will have joy-filled closure with these friends. Also please pray that I'm able to get through customs quickly, making my 7:10 pm plane, and the next connection too. That it will be a sweet reunion with my parents that midnight.
4. Pray for protection during the time with my mother, brother, and sister-in-law in the Middle East. Safety - physically, spiritually, emotionally. Good fellowship, continued peace and unity in our family. That we'll be helpful, not a burden. Pray for other friends coming to work out-of-town with my brother during that time, and for my brother and sister-in-law's time being apart (it will be their longest ever, which will be especially hard with a newborn).
5. There are several logistical things due soon (education for CPA license, reviewing tax filings, insurance decisions, etc). Please pray for wisdom with time and discernment with decisions.

God wanted us in Santa Ana, El Salvador. We just didn't immediately know why. In my blog Made it to El Salvador, we stumbled upon a church, asking their leaders if we could be any service to them, such as painting or teaching, telling them that we were only in town a few days. The next day I had a funny, nervous-like feeling on the way to visit the church influencers. I asked God to make clear the path, whether or not it involved serving.

When I arrived at the house/church that evening, the leaders handed me a typed list of five things they needed, a few involving finances that were way above my budget. (During the ATL - Ask the Lord - month, I've been living off 80% of the normal, already-slim WR budget.) Other items were out of my expertise (such as medical and dental services) or involved long-term commitments (such as teaching someone how to play the keyboard, constructing a new ceiling with no materials readily accessible or financed, etc). Yet I knew if God wanted us to serve in that way, He would provide the means and finances. That part didn't worry me.

My hesitation came from a small voice telling me, "Pray for them. Just pray, Esther." The challenge: How do I pray for the 6-member church without injuring relationships. The people needed to know prayer was God's best plan for them, not a cop-out answer. I was invited to see inside the church building. I asked if I could pray inside the small, newly remodeled church room. For about an hour, I walked slowly, praying over each inch of the church room. I prayed for the leaders who stood inside the building. And deep in my gut I knew God was saddened. The Holy Spirit whispered to me what the church really needed: Return to God in repentance, starting with the leaders that were standing there, and then, and only then, would Christ's glory fill His Church there in Santa Ana.

How do you tell strangers, "Return to God"? I had only known these men an hour over two days combined. As you may know, I'm not good at fluff or watering down the truth. So I humbly and clearly told them the brief message. It reminded me of the passage I had been reading that morning in Isaiah 4-5, of God beckoning His people to return, eagerly desiring them to produce spiritual fruit. In that same moment, one church leader asks, "Do you want to go see my fruit farm tomorrow?"

As we walked through the fruit farm the next day, the guide was telling us how the farm produced so much more fruit two decades ago. The trees are still large and beautiful. But the farm seemed somewhat forgotten. Overgrown. Brown in some spots. Watering-wells stopped-up. Fallen fruit spoiled before being harvested. What once was a financially-strong business now became a hobby-farm, yielding much smaller quantities of fruit. The guide blamed it largely on the upkeep of the farm. Three things came to mind: 1) How much our lives look barren, not living up to our full "fruit potential," when we fail to daily spend time with the Lord in His Word and just being in His Presence. Like working the farm, it's not always easy, but it's definitely rewarding. 2) God is the one who planted us and takes care of us. My duty and delight is to spend time with Him, trust Him, and let the fruit grow as He wills. He's the one who waters and prunes me, planning my highest potential. I think I have the easier end of the deal.  3) These orange chile peppers are VERY HOT! (Yes, I tried one.  Our guide laughed as he handed it to me to eat, not eating any for himself.)

I experienced a taste of home last week in Honduras. Surrounded by gorgeous mountains. Living in a comfortable, spacious high-rise condo with a kitchen, wash machine, and dryer, sleeping in my own bedroom with private bathroom. City lights gleaming in the night. Feeling comfortably at home, being trusted and welcomed by our contacts and new friends. And what would that taste of home be like without working long days as a CPA.

Many hours during the day and into wee-morning hours, I invested energy into understanding and critiquing the accounting techniques for Point of Impact (POI) Ministry and Impacto Church in Tegucigalpa. My goal was to help these organizations improve their accounting systems for the three projects of POI and three church-plants of Impacto. This goal was similar to ones I had for my clients at my former employer HLB Tautges Redpath, Ltd in MN. Basically, it was my way of helping not-for-profits who diligently and morally serve their communities.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with POI Ministry and the Impacto church-plants in Tegucigalpa. And I felt uncannily tied to them. These ministries work alongside my former church in Memphis, TN (Bellevue). The main goal is to enable families in the barrios (impoverished neighborhoods). POI has a child sponsorship program; these children receive help in their education with pre/post school tutoring, a nutritious meal and snack, school uniforms (I hear some were donated from my former elementary school, ECS), etc. Parents also are enabled through savings and lending programs, assisting tortilla and shoe-repair businesses. And that's just the surface of what POI does. I would highly encourage you to check out their website.

Life in Tegucigalpa reminded me of my pre-World Race life more than anywhere else in the world that I have been. And admittedly, it was fun helping the organizations in ways I could, giving them feedback and recommendations, providing more effective spreadsheets, encouraging them in their achievements.