They start with worms. By simply supplying worms, they produce a fertilizer that will help the poor to plant food that will grow. The worms will also increase providing another souces of income.
HOPE HAS ARRIVED.
ICM teams up with a local church. That church will provide worms and seeds to certain families. ICM staff will visit monthly and teach on Values, Health, and Livelihood (VHL) (a program called TRANSFORM). They also provide food in the meantime to each family apart of the Transform program. This program last around 6 months. It is one of many ICM are involed with.
Once the family starts to produce fertilizer, the seed is planted. Many of the poor in Philippines do not have space to plant. Here is one example of how they maximize their space. This corner is their "garden."
IT IS NOT JUST WORDS BUT ACTIONS. MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE.
Many of these families might only make $80 a month. If that. This organization understands generations. They see the need now while providing a way the need can be met in generations to come. They do not force religion but LOVE first. Through their love, the poor come to see a God that is the author of provision and hope. This alone will set so many free from poverty and free in Christ. Practical yet powerfully supernatural. This is our God.
FOR NEW CREATION.
Many families are able to grow tomatoes, egg plant, chilis, green beans etc. The seeds reproduce themselves. The worms reproduce themselves. It is an amazing cycle that is past on for a better future, income, and LIFE.
They are also involved with housing projects, preschools, tutoring mothers, orphanages etc.
They use the bottom of plastic coke bottle as a pot. It cuts down on ground space by hanging them. This way, more food is available to sell and eat.
CREATIVITY: DISARMING POVERTY
Why shall the poor remain poor? Those with resources and education have a responsibility. It is not for them to only use from themself but to think Kingdom minded. We are yet born into a certain situation by grace. In that portion of grace we must respond. It is by the Spirit of the Lord that we are annointed to bring the good news to the poor. Simple to us, life saving to them. Money, food, technology, creativity. Generations can be changed and people can finally see what it might look like to FEEL HOPE. The heartbeat of God is within us all.
I am on the third leg. We started at 3:30 PM on the 21st and will end at 3:00PM on the 22nd.
It is currently 4 PM in Malaysia. I can't go to sleep. I am on my 4th wind. The airport lights all around me are tricking me into thinking it is time to rise and shine. I pray for the shine part:) Another travel day on the World Race. Planes are the Taj Mahal compared to a bus with 40 people on a pot hole road in Africa. SO this is a glorious travel day.
DEBRIEF:
This will be the second debrief for Robby and I. The first one was right right at the beginning in New Zealand called "launch". Basically the two of us leaders and David and Bernadette Fredriksz (the wise mom and dad of the squad) seek the Lord as to the direction of the debrief. We meet with each team (9 teams for a total of 57 people), preach, teach, love, worship, hang out one-on-one....it is quite full. Almost evey hour of the day planned. It is a powerful time. A time when people are completely challenged, refreshed, renewed, called out, LOVED, encouraged and set free. Three days...God knows how to do a lot in 3 days.
Pray for my squad...oh that they will come to see themselves as God sees them. Pray for His Spirit to guide us all and teach us. Pray for our coaches (the Fredriksz) with MIGHTY words of wisdom and knowledge. Pray for Robby and I to prophecy WITH boldness. Holing nothing back. To annoint our words when we teach. Above pic: THE DREAM TEAM!
I can't wait to tell you more about this time....but debrief is HUGE and I NEED YOUR PRAYERS. oh and please pray for some refreshment over us too. I pray that God's love will seep thicker into your hearts. That is where all things come together. Love to you.
The rains dropped down. The oceans crashed out from the clouds. It was the second night at the Call 2 All Conference in Tauranga, New Zealand. All 2,000 of us dashed into the gymnasium in expectation for the Lord’s presence.
The word of the Lord was upon our lips. Our group of 25 were ready to experience God in a deep way and speak, if necessary. He wanted to get intimate with EVERYONE. The night before was an experience from months and months of prep and prayer. The Tauranga leadership wanted to host this conference to not just send a shock wave throughout New Zealand but to send a wave to the rest of the world. It was focused to rally this generation to be sent out and to listen to where God is saying GO! It was all about empowerment. To accompany the event were many speakers, the Maori tribe, over 40 nations and the world’s largest map.
SO there I was in the gym. Ready. God had spoken to me the night before about becoming more and more undignified for Him. He said that it was one of the keys for this generation to get over the people pleasing and worrying what others thought. Even what we thought about ourselves. It was David that said “I will become even more humiliated in my own eyes.” This man was part of the Maori tribe at the conference.
Undignified I became. Danced and danced. For Him…and not for others. People were being set free in their attempts to break the resistance that so holds them back from freedom. It was becoming undignified that it broke my own yoke. There were some spectators but God is teaching me that the multitudes are crying out for someone to be free so they can feel free to be free. They are crying out for someone to say something so they won’t remain in their silence any longer. God has called me to dance and to speak. Even in silence and stillness I hear Him directing me.
I am not dictated by feeling. Even when they prayed for the FIRE of God to come down over that place, I didn’t FEEL fire but I chose not to stand paralyzed wondering why. I chose to be used knowing God wanted me to experience Him in another way. So I moved all night. Like a chess piece. Undignified and without relent knowing that I am yet an instrument of God. A chess piece on the move with a mission. Not waiting for feeling to fill me up but believe and speak…even despite all clarity. It was that night that God used me to help break addictions from people, pray for eyes to be healed, bless generations through a pastor and his wife and talk to a girl that was so lost in her understanding of God.
God is so gracious. I am willing. There are NO walls around my God. I will prophecy. I will love. And I will hope for His Kingdom culture everywhere. For the Kingdom of God is AT HAND. We have a King now.
Amazing that you have be enlightened to the of study people. Amazing that you know why people act the way they do. Just by the way they act or respond, you may even know the root of their actions. For it really has helped others to come to conclusion why they do what they do. It helps you know people better as well as help them if needed. That is what you desire: to help people come to a place of wholeness. There are definitely patterns that can be identified that lead to conclusions that leads to a solution. At the end of the day, you have insight not many have…and that can be used as a gift or just another subject to study. It is quite powerful how it is used. It can be relatable or distant. It can bring healing or a temporary fix. Either way, you know it is something to not play with or treat as a game or an experiment. For these are people. Uniquely created by God to bring about HIS PURPOSE.
I realized something recently about people, actually myself. I never was taught this in psychology class or the million personality test I have taken ( I am an ENFP if you wonder). It was the fact that I am completely accepted right where I am…on this place in my journey. I have heard of the concept before, but have been taught to identify my problem and then get rid of it. There is truth to binding up the mess, but this time I just stepped into light. I am completely accepted now…not totally understand every part of God, still with questions and wonder, with so much hope, love and eagerness to grow. It is in this place I don’ t look around and compare or even look to my past to find the answer. I just stepped into this refulgent light and all falls off. I believe that I accepted and I find my acceptance with the words spoken over me from my LORD. I learned this
last year on my first race but it seems to effect the majority of the body. In the light, I find myself the way the Lord finds me. I don’t have to default to anything. I can be in many circumstances and feel comfortable in my skin. The way HE made me. Whether I am just still or dancing up a storm, and am one with Him. I AM ONE! I didn’t have to focus on my issue, but Christ.
So doctor, allow me to encourage you. You might not have the answer. Do we really have people all figured out? You have helped so many. Continue to see each person as God does and not sometimes a scale to measure. God does give you resources to help you understand people better but at the end of the day there is no formula or cookie cutter way to lead people into wholeness and righteousness. The Lord will take care of that. Healing will come. You are to help. I pray that God will give you His eyes that you might see the treasure in all things. And think of them for the treasure they are. I believe through His eyes you will walk into a new enlightenment. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. I thank God for you. Thank you for caring and helping setting the captives FREE. I walk with you.
Love someone who just loves OUR CREATOR and His creation,
I am on my 13th day in New Zealand. I am currently in Tauranga. A city quite beautiful. We are working with International House of Prayer, Youth With a Mission, and a variety of churches and bible colleges to bring about a huge conference that will be taking place next week.
First conference is called JUBILEE: Celebrating 50 years of YWAM
Second conference is called Call2All: This is designed to ignite the fire in people to go to the nations. We are currently setting up the world’s largest map imported from China. It takes up over two basketball courts! This is expected to be a start of a movement (a wave) to go to the rest of the world. Big time for NZ Christians.
The conferences start this Sunday until next Friday.
Pray:
That people would come to a NEW NEW awareness of God’s purpose.
That dreams and visions would just come to people about His Kingdom.
People would be called specifically and stop questioning.
That this would start something like a revival in New Zealand.
Pray for the 4 teams for the World Race would experience God like they never have and REVELATION WOULD COME OVER US ALL! Revelation about the future the now and how God wants to use us.
God’s supernatural would rain down. I feel healings and amazing things are going to happen…
Pray big prayers here and right now in your life. GOD IS ALIVE AND WITH US NOW! Same spirit that raised God from the dead is in us. This is what we get the chance to worship.
LOVE YOU ALL and thank you thank you for your prayers and support. I am so grateful… beyond grateful for you.
Today I walk to Terminal 2 at LAX to meet the team leaders from the January Squad I will be co leading with Robby Riggs (Jan 08 World Racer). We will be leading a squad of 57 made up of 9 small teams. Each team has a leader.
Launch date: January 3rd
Location: Auckland, New Zealand (North Island)
Time: When we wake up.
What to bring: 1 backpack, 1 day pack, 1 purse, and my passport.
What to expect: training for leaders, logistics, finances-adventure day, team building, teaching, crazy worship, reality check of what we are doing, excitement, overjoyed.
This marks the beginning of the squads 11 month journey I had the opportunity to embark in July 08. I am so blessed to be in this position and already feel the responsibility and eagerness to walk into this calling. God has equipped me for what He has called me to do.
Pray for:
Safe travels
Preparation for the squad as they leave their families and venture out on this pilgrimage.
For Robby and I to walk in the boldness God has called us to.
Protection-spiritual armor all around.
Open hearts and a transforming launch
The other staff members at launch as we prepare to go to the nations.
January 9th. We head to our ministries. We dive in and get to have the opportunity to serve God and build His Kingdom to every tongue, tribe and nation. Thank you so much for your prayers and support during this journey. More to come!!!!!
If I find Frodo and the ring from Lord of the Rings, I will let you know. I think he might still have it.
I stare through a rectangle window down upon America, which seems to be mostly covered in snow. I am sitting in the middle row with my powdered creamer coffee surrounded by two drooling sleepers. The sun is quickly setting and for many, it will be a cold American winter night.
Flying gives me time. It is a time with not many distractions. I sat here thinking about perspective. To many on the ground I am yet a bird in the sky... when look down I see a big crossword puzzle with blobs of water. But then I imagine in my head a zoom button. I narrow in on a city then a neighborhood. Then one block. Then one house. And there I am. It almost feel like I am with scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas present. I see people enjoying this season. Loving each other.
And I am reminded of Emmanuel. God with us.
I quickly zoom back from the house. I see the block and then the neighborhood and now back up in my little seat where my legs usually press against the magazines in front of me. And right now in this present, Emmanuel is with me.
I was walking through Chicago airport. I had this smile on my face. Just watching people and seeing the diversity, hustle and bustle, laughter, people darting by me like the airport scene in "Home Alone." I saw God. I felt Him. He was right with me. But not just me. He was everywhere.
Just like the wind. You see the effects and motion. You feel it.
I will soon land and find myself looking up to the clouds and my perspective changes yet Emmanuel doesn't. Where I am, there He is. How cool is our God that He wanted to be with us so bad, he limited himself in human form. The most anticipated birth ever. And since that birth He has never left. I thank God for His Spirit.
Not only is he with us in Christmas present, but past and future. When I look forward I see Him. When I look back I see Him. He covers it all...there is no place our God hasn't gone. Christ was in existence before the foundations of the earth. Fulfilled all prophecy and now we get to live in the new covenant wherever we are.
I pray that you sense Him where you are now reading this. He is with you right now. Right where you are. He wants to love you more. Wants to show you a hope for the future and the blood that has covered our past. And now I will sip the rest of my coffee and if you look up I might just waving or at least flying. Lets pray to see angles this year. Love to you and Merry Christmas and Happy NEW NEW YEAR! It is NEW!
Dear Family and Friends, ( I know this is a little bit of a longer update, but I would love for you to hear my heart and see where God is leading me next...)
From Arkansas to Central America, Southeast Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and now Spain! I will graduate from Generation 42 Leadership Academy in two weeks! ( www.g42leadershipacademy.org) I have now been here since June and know my purpose.
I have been away from America for a year and a half. First the World Race www.theworldrace.org for 11 months and now G42 Leadership Academy. I have seen over 20 different cultures and am in awe of GOD. A simple discovery yet.... My heart has expanded and I find myself believing in the simple truths that I have always known and have discovered. Once I started to truly believe who God says He is and who He says that I am, a new authority came, dreams and visions were revealed deeper and the mystery of God opened up a new understanding of His PURPOSE with us.
I recently had a woman prophecy into my life. She was right on. I went forward after a service last Sunday. The message that day was about expanding vision. I know God has been expanding my way of thinking for a long time now. Ever since the Race started in July 2008, I started to see the overwhelming about of LOVE God has for people. I obviously saw needs everywhere and questioned what I was to do. He expanded my capacity to love, to envision HOPE, and to freely be who He created me to be. It is freedom at its finest. I found His Spirit. I found it within me. This changes everything. When the woman started to prophecy, she saw a vision of a boat leaving a harbor. Going to the open sea. God was my rudder. I didn't have my hands on the wheel because I knew I could trust God to guide the boat.
She said many times we wait in the harbor until God has given us the full picture. I knew that I must move. That God had given me key pieces and it was time that I leave the harbor. I have been moving for a while but still hoping for the full picture or understanding of where I am heading fully. I have some clarity, but God is calling me to the open sea before it is all revealed. He can do so much more out there. So I am leaving the Harbor and PLUNGING into my purpose. I am leading the World Race January squad! I leave January 1st to meet my team of 60 where we start in Auckland, New Zealand . We are partnering with God and His people all over the world to bring His Kingdom where it doesn't exist.
This is not just another program but my commitment to the long term call God has placed in my heart. I want to see people come ALIVE. To live the life they are designed for. To speak truth over the lies and raise up leaders to lead generations into their purpose, their inheritance. To see a CHURCH OF PEOPLE ALIVE! I will be leading 60 other individuals with one of my good friends Robby Riggs http://robbyriggs.theworldrace.org . My commitment is for 11 months which includes me walking with them four to five months and then going back out to two debriefs. My squad will start in January and end in November. I am going to be raising up leaders within the squad to take over the squad in the fourth month. I am also excited to see God possibly have me back in Spain for sometime to serve in the coming future.
I have not been walking alone in this process. You have been a support to me. Whether through prayers, encouragement, financially---I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. When that lady prophecied over me, the lady next to me said that she saw a cruise ship. That I was not alone. There were so many people. I know that I am not in this alone. The sea also symbolizes people. It is people that His Kingdom is made of. Will you pray about partnering with me? I need prayer. I know much has been given to me, and that means much is required. I NEED PRAYER. INTERCESSION. There are 60 others that need me to be full of the Spirit everyday. Ready to go! I also NEED HELP FINANCIALLY. I am raising $10,000. I need half of that by the 1st of the year. Please pray about becoming a one time or monthly donor. You can support me at http://tarastephenson.theworldrace.org and click on "Support me for Spain and WR". All donations are tax-deductible.
I trust God. I trust that He has equipped me and called me. I don't have all the resources but I AM believing for them. I am hitting the open sea and I know God is directing me. I have got wind in my sails and ready to dive into the promise. Thank you for your support and trust that God is speaking to you about your purpose and stirring in you crazy passions and dreams for His Kingdom. I prophecy your dreams to come to pass in fullness! Email me with any questions.
It was February 2009. I am stationed out in a little country in Africa called Swaziland. Life expectancy is currently age 31. Due to the AIDS epidemic, Swaziland is made up of mostly grandmothers (called Go Go's) and orphaned children.
I knew that I would fall in love with this culture. Despite the conditions they are born into, JOY and strength remains. It is truly FROM THE LORD.
One person that impacted me was a woman named Du Du, age 26. She suffered from TB and AIDS and was in very bad health conditions. She also had a little baby named Snethemb born with TB.
Two weeks ago Du Du past away. I got the news and didn't know quite how to process. Over the last couple of weeks, memories have popped up in my mind. I only had a few with her, but one stood out the most.
I spent the day with her in the hospital with my two good friends Krystle and Jessi. It was a good day for Du Du. She could walk a little and drink her favorite banana smoothie. My friend Krystle had brought her a dress that we helped her slip on over her gown.
She GLOWED!
Here is a woman two years older that I am, SUFFERING, yet had one of the most peaceful spirits. The three of us sang to her while she laid there. She kept motioning for more. She loved the sound of worship. She has a strength to hold on to life for the sake of her baby and knew that smiling was one of the only ways to enjoy the moment. She did not worry for herself but for her child.
She loved her baby.
And now Du Du is with our Father.
PRAY for the family of Du Du. Pray for her baby and his health. And pray for Swaziland: that the JOY of the LORD would consume them. Pray for the AIDS epidemic and that all could be educated on this issue to help prevent it spreading. Du Du is a face that won't be forgotten. She has a spirit that signifies strength. Her legacy lives on in the life that has been replicated through her. Pray this baby, now orphaned, would grow to be the very thing that brings the sound of HOPE to a nation that is in need of that HOPE. He has a FATHER that will never let him go.
Dumaguete, Philippines March 2010 FEEL HOPE
Working with: Internationl Care Ministry (ICM)
HOPE HAS ARRIVED.
the two of us leaders and David and Bernadette Fredriksz (the wise mom and dad of the squad) seek the Lord as to the direction of the debrief. We meet with each team (9 teams for a total of 57 people), preach, teach, love, worship, hang out one-on-one....it is quite full. Almost evey hour of the day planned. It is a powerful time. A time when people are completely challenged, refreshed, renewed, called out, LOVED, encouraged and set free. Three days...God knows how to do a lot in 3 days. 
, over 40 nations and the world’s largest map.
undignified that it broke my own yoke. There were some spectators but God is teaching me that the multitudes are crying out for someone to be free so they can feel free to be free. They are crying out for someone to say something so they won’t remain in their silence any longer. God has called me to dance and to speak. Even in silence and stillness I hear Him directing me.
conclusion why they do what they do. It helps you know people better as well as help them if needed. That is what you desire: to help people come to a place of wholeness. There are definitely patterns that can be identified that lead to conclusions that leads to a solution. At the end of the day, you have insight not many have…and that can be used as a gift or just another subject to study. It is quite powerful how it is used. It can be relatable or distant. It can bring healing or a temporary fix. Either way, you know it is something to not play with or treat as a game or an experiment. For these are people. Uniquely created by God to bring about HIS PURPOSE. 
understand every part of God, still with questions and wonder, with so much hope, love and eagerness to grow. It is in this place I don’ t look around and compare or even look to my past to find the answer. I just stepped into this refulgent light and all falls off. I believe that I accepted and I find my acceptance with the words spoken over me from my LORD. I learned this
One person that impacted me was a woman named Du Du, age 26. She suffered from TB and AIDS and was in very bad health conditions. She also had a little baby named Snethemb born with TB. 
that has been replicated through her. Pray this baby, now orphaned, would grow to be the very thing that brings the sound of HOPE to a nation that is in need of that HOPE. He has a FATHER that will never let him go.