Blog Change

Now that I am going on the World Race, my blog site has changed:

patrickdoty.theworldrace.org

What's a Comfort Zone?

I've never gone this long without sleeping before! 

Ever since my decision to fully commit to going on The World Race, I haven't been able to sleep. My mind continues to run like crazy! All I can think about are the people that I am going to meet around the world who desperately need Christ. All I can think about are the heartbreaks that I will encounter around the world. All I can think about are the adventures that are to be had. The excitement of developing new followers of Christ. The humility of feeding an orphan. The fear of combatting human trafficking. The daunting task of raising $15,000.

I won't even recognize a comfort zone.

Beginning in January, I will serve as a missionary to 11 different countries for 11 months through a program called The World Race. Through adventure, ministry, community, and self-discovery, World Racers develop broken hearts that propel their hands to act for God’s kingdom around the globe. On the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches, missionaries, and ministries in local communities to preach and teach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children who are trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restoration and hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.

I am so grateful for this opportunity that God has given me and I have every confidence that He will provide for my needs! Ultimately, my prayer is that He will do that through you. I don't have my blog and support site set up yet. Hopefully I will have it up and running this week. While I am preparing my site, I hope that you will take the time to prayerfully consider helping me through this journey.  Also be on the lookout for some exciting events that I will be planning in order to help raise support. One of them coming up soon will be the Amazing Race: Springfield Edition. Be sure to find a teammate and start preparing for an awesome race!

I am so excited to see how God will move in my life and in the lives of others in the coming year. I hope to not only to be a blessing to those I serve, but also to you. I would be honored to go as your representative to bring Jesus Christ to nations around the world. I want to thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support.  May God bless you as you prayerfully consider partnering with me in this ministry.

I hope you enjoy this video that will show you a little bit about what I will be doing for the next year. 

BIG News!

It's official.

I am going on the World Race!

January 2013

More info coming soon, but here is my prayer card. Please be praying for me as I prepare to raise financial support and spiritually prepare for this journey, because millions of people from 11 different countries will be depending on me to introduce them to the savior of the world!

On Top of the World

A couple days ago, I embarked on a incredible adventure! I climbed the alpines of Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe.. Many people make this climb...during summer. I did it in winter, when it was full of snow. This means that I had to learn how to use crampons (metal pikes that you attach to your boots) and ice picks. It is an understatement to say that it was the hardest thing I have EVER done. I won't go into details about everything, but I fell down a certain slope for about 30 seconds (felt like hours), partially fell into a snow cave, and to top it all off, because this is a recently very active volcano, I experienced two earthquakes. Even though, it was the most amazing thing I have ever done. The views and experience was absolutely spectacular, even if I couldn't move the next day.

This 11-hour climb really made me think about what I am facing right now. If you read my last couple of posts, there is a major decision that I am trying to make, and it looks like the hardest climb up a mountain that I could take. But I realized that if God really wants me to do this, He will help me through it. That doesn't mean that it will be easy, just like climbing the mountain wasn't easy, but the end result would be something that I can't even imagine.

I am praying about going on the World Race.

Most of you probably know about this program, because we know some people that have gone, or are going. For those of you who have not heard of the World Race:

The World Race is an 11-month trip around the world, to 11 different countries, spending 1 month in each country. While in these countries, participants involve themselves in various ministries with missionaries in those countries. Churches, refugee camps, orphanages, feeding stations, community outreach, etc.

I know that this would be a heck of a climb, with a lot more than two earthquakes and a few slips. That's why I am so dedicated to praying about this decision, and I hope that you can pray with me as well. Like I said in my last post, going on this race, in a lot of ways, doesn't make sense.

 However, I think i'm finally learning to let God make the decisions for me, and trust Him through the midst of them.

Post Script: For you other LOTR fans, I'm standing (well, jumping) at the opposite side of Mt. Doom that Frodo and Sam are walking towards in this picture.

Faith in the Impractical

I don't have much to update, but I had such an amazing devotion this morning that I HAD to share it with you!

If you read my last post, you know that I am praying about a major decision that I am facing. It's major because everything about it screams impractical.

My thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. It's not a good financial decision.
It doesn't make sense. It takes too much time.
It doesn't make sense. It's too difficult.
It doesn't make sense. It's not what i've been preparing for.
It doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense.

Abel's thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. I'll sacrifice my best.

Noah's thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. I'll build it.

Abraham's thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. I'll go.
It doesn't make sense. I'll offer my son.

Sarah's thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. I'll conceive.

Moses' thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. I'll lead them.

Joshua's thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. The walls of Jericho will fall.

Rahab's thoughts:

It doesn't make sense. I will welcome them.

Thoughts of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel:

It doesn't make sense. I will conquer kingdoms. I will enforce justice. I will obtain promises. I will stop the mouth of lions. I will quench the power of fire. I will escape the sword. I will be strong. I will be mighty in war.

God calls us to have faith in the impractical moments of our life.

I haven't made a complete decision yet, but I'm having faith that if God does call me to go on this journey, that I will have faith even amidst the impracticality.

A Relentless Rain

I know it's been a while since I have posted. I apologize for that, but it's been a while since I have actually been well enough to sit down and write. There was about two weeks where I was fighting sickness. Nothing extremely serious, just a mix of the flu, altitude, and an allergic reaction to a mineral in a natural hot water pool. After finally overcoming the flu and my allergic reaction, there was about a week where I was completely incoherent. It was quite frustrating spending all day every day being extremely dizzy and very confused.

Thanks to many of your prayers I am almost back to normal.

It's the rainy season here in New Zealand. I remember one particular day, when the rain was relentless. It was consistently pouring all day. As I was watching the rain, it made me think of how relentless God is when it comes to Him desiring us to follow Him daily. I don't know about you, but I don't want to spend my whole life fighting God's will for my life. I know He won't give up, and I don't want to wake up every morning feeling ashamed and embarrassed for not having enough courage to take a step of faith and follow Him.

To be honest with you, it's been a difficult time here in New Zealand. I don't have a solid plan for when I return back the United States. I've looked into grad school. I've looked into working and teaching abroad. I've looked into various jobs. Nothing seems right. I can't seem to find a peace about any of those things. Unfortunately, i've given Satan access to my mind. It's been consuming my thoughts so much that i've completely ignored the one thing that can orchestrate my future: God.

I spend this morning reading, over and over, Proverbs 3:6.

"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths"

I've reached a transitional point in my life. Up until now, it's been easy to live out that verse. It's been easy because I have had a clear understanding of the path that God wanted me to be on. Now, I have reached the dead end. The path that I have been on for the last 22 years is finally ending. There's a new path that I am about to embark on. God is definitely 'making straight my path', and what makes it difficult is that it's going to require me to sacrifice more than I ever have before.

You see, we all read Proverbs 3:6 and apply the principle to our life, but we don't always seem to get a clear understanding of what path God wants us on. Maybe that's because we don't continue reading, and we skip over the principle found in Proverbs 3:9.

"Honor the Lord with your wealth..."

God will ALWAYS want us on a path that forsakes the values of the world. In order for God to make straight our paths, we have to give up everything. Remember that at the moment of salvation, we surrendered to life abandonment.

Maybe these are just the thoughts of a ramblin' man, but they make sense to me!

I ask that you pray with me this next week. I have dedicated a week to some serious prayer over a decision that I am considering making. This decision would mean giving up everything, and more, to embark on a particular journey. Please spend a week seriously praying that I can make the decision that God wants me to make. Please spend a week seriously praying for yourself as well. Pray that you would be open to God's strongest desires for your life!

Let's be a generation that's known for a strong faith. A generation that's known for Christ, and not the world. HE is coming, I promise you that. What are we doing to prepare for His return?

 

Haka What?

"She'll be right, mate": A kiwi phrase meaning that everything will be okay; also used in the context of meaning that you don't want to put in the effort.

Example:

"I haven't heard from my friend in a while, I wonder if he is OK?" "Ah, she'll be right, mate."
"I'm thinking we might want to put some more gib on the wall there." "Nah, just throw some of that over there and she'll be right, mate."

It's been a busy busy week! My time has mostly been consumed with tearing down an exterior wall to the church building, and rebuilding it with steel. It makes it difficult when the guys you are working with all call their tools different names than they do in the States. The cool thing about working with these guys is that they aren't Christian. These guys are actually Corrections workers tryings to work off some community service hours, meaning that we constantly have the opportunity to share our love of Jesus Christ with them. Since this building project is pretty major, I haven't been able to get off the property this past week, so when I received an invitation to have dinner at someone's house, I definitely didn't want to resist!

I had the privilege of having dinner over at a woman named Esther's house. Esther recently was paralyzed after a surgery that was necessary for her to have in order to survive. Esther is of a Samoan descent, so communication was a little difficult at times, but we talked for hours. She had such an amazing spirit an attitude despite of her condition. A Maori (indigenous New Zealand people) fellow named Steve cooked the dinner, which was fantastic! I was about to die though because there was so much food on my plate. After I finished my food, they brought me fruit. Then, a HUGE bowl of ice cream. After the ice cream, six cookies and a coffee. While I was suffering through eating so much, Steve and the boys performed a Haka for me. It was quite intimidating! Here is a video of what the Maori Haka is:

After the Haka and singing some songs, everybody in the room went around and gave me a speech. Even though it was a little awkward for me, it was an amazing experience. Esther's mother, whom everyone calls Nana doesn't speak English. So, she gave her speech in Samoan, and Esther translated. It's hard to describe accurately, but it was such a surreal experience. They were all so blessed and grateful for my acceptance of their invitation, but it was truly me who was blessed to have been a part of such an incredible night. Leaving, they kissed me goodbye and all asked me (repeatedly) to tell my friend and family about them. I'm not sure why, but I agreed :)

When talking with people back home, one of the things they always ask me is "What are the people like, there?"

Well, since I don't do a good job describing people, I thought I would just show you! These are videos of two islanders that call themselves Laughing Samoans. These guys are hilarious...and I am NOT exaggerating when I tell you that this is exactly how the islanders here act like. You have to be careful to believe what they say sometimes, and definitely have to be careful to not laugh at their accents and sayings  :)

Tea Masala and Samosas

Two of many great discoveries that I have been introduced to while in New Zealand are Samosas and Tea Masala. Both are Indian, which is most of the food that I have had while eating here.

Samosas is a fried pastry with spicy potato, onion, peas, and sometimes lentils. They are wonderful. They especially go well with a great cup of Tea Masala. I'm not sure of everything that is in Tea Masala...but I do know that pepper is added, which  makes it nice and spicy. It may sound strange, but it's wonderful! The pair make an awesome afternoon snack!

New Zealand is a different mission field that I am used to. Yes, I have running water. Yes, everybody here has a car. Yes, I have a heater to run at night (it's wintertime here). No, I don't see a ton of homeless children on the street. There is one similarity between New Zealand and Colombia, and the slums in Kenya, or the ravaged villages in South Sudan, or the dark ministries in Europe: people need Christ.

It's easy to feel burdened for people when you can physically see their need. Here, their need is purely spiritual. They don't need a jacket, or a plate of food. They just need Christ. I'm definitely not saying those things are wrong, because that's where a major part of my vision is in serving Christ.

I'm just saying that it makes it difficult to minister to people because the only thing you have to give them is the one thing that they don't want.

I had the chance to visit a Buddhist temple the other day, the one pictured here, and witnessed men praying to a god that doesn't exist. Looking for help in a void. I know a lot of you are praying for me daily. It's something that I appreciate so much! Can I challenge you to also start praying daily for people's hearts to be opened to the power of Christ here in New Zealand. Also, pray for me as I preach on Sunday morning.

Cheers Mates, and as you leave, enjoy some of New Zealand that I have been able to enjoy!

Happy Queen's Birthday!

It's Monday, June 4. Today is the Queen's birthday. This means that everything has a 10% price increase. I won't be doing much today! Everything is already so expensive on its own. Would you want to pay $30NZD ($23USD) on a 4-pack of batteries?

It's been a crazy week already. I haven't been able to see a whole lot for a couple of reasons. First, I'm 17 hours ahead, which makes for a nice nap at 4:00 in the afternoon, and a rude awakening at 5:00 in the morning. I'm almost over it, though. Second, there has been quite a bit of work to do as well.

One of the most surprising things I have had to face here in New Zealand is the variety of nationalities. There are the British, South Africans, Filipinos, Maori, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Balkaans, Bavarians, Latinos, lots of people from India,  lots of Kiwis (white New Zealanders), lots of Polynesians, and lots of Brazilians. There aren't just a few people roaming around from each of these countries. There are significant populations from these various countries. It's quite a strange but normal occurrence to begin  speaking with someone from China who has a thick New Zealand accent. I know that technically they speak 'English' here, but it is definitely quite a different language.

Example:

"Sure is choc-a-block, ay?" (Something is overflowed/crowded)

"Good on ya, mate" (Greeting)

"I'll shout" (I'll pay)

"Where's the rubbish?" (Where's the trash can)

"I'm keen, yeah" (Sounds good)

"It's really posh" (It's really nice/rich)

"Ah, choice!" (Very good!)

"Cheers" (Thanks/Goodbye)

"Hiding" (Beating)

And that's just some that i've only begun to understand. There are heeps more I'm confused on!

Pakuranga Underground Night Market

Ice Cream was served in pineapples!

Auckland City view from Mt. Eden

Aside from the confusion and busy-ness of these first few days, I've enjoyed my stay on the Island. It's definitely beautiful. I will post a lot more pictures when I am able to get around and see some more things.

Prayer Needs:

I can't put everything on here, but just pray for the people here, that they will experience a brokenness for Christ.

Talk to you again soon!

28 Hours Later...

It's here.

I leave for my journey to New Zealand tomorrow morning. When I say journey, I mean it. I leave tomorrow from Austin, Texas, on a Sunday. I get to Auckland, New Zealand on a Tuesday. With the time change, that's a total travel time of about 28 hours. Yippee.

No, but seriously...YIPPEE!!!

Just in case you wanted a copy of my itinerary, I thought it would be nice to give you the most detailed information about my travels:

1.

2.

3.

4.

I can't thank everybody enough for your support through this incredible opportunity. I will definitely update everybody once I am settled in.

Be prepared for lots of pictures!

Commencement

Today, I graduated.

I was excited for about a minute, and then I realized that hidden behind all of the pictures and hugging and happiness was a subliminal goodbye.

Commencement. If you look up this word in a thesaurus, you may find that one of the synonyms listed is birth, or kick-off. The cool thing about these words is that they mark the end of anticipation. A pregnant woman anticipates the birth of her baby for almost an entire year. A football team anticipates their first kick-off after an entire off-season of practice. I bet if you ask a mother, she wouldn't be satisfied with just being pregnant for months, and then never having a baby. I bet if you ask a team, they wouldn't be satisfied with practicing for months and then never playing a game. That's what graduation is. Up until this point, my life has been an anticipation for this moment. Yes, it is sad to let go and move on. But i've spent the last 22 years preparing for this moment. I don't really know what it is (hope I figure it out soon!), but I know that God is excited and I'm excited to let Him work through me.

My challenge is handed down from a challenge given by David Wilkerson before his death in 2011. To my fellow graduates of BBC, other colleges, and other brothers and sisters in Christ, let us veil ourselves in Christ. Let our identity be in Jesus Christ. Remember that at the point of salvation, at the point of asking Christ to be the leader and savior of our life, we surrendered to LIFE ABANDONMENT. Not our desires, but His desires through us.

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus". (Philippians 3:13-14)

The Bearer of Bad.....Blessings in Disguise?

No one likes to read the fine print. Even when I find myself encouraged and strong-willed enough, with glasses in hand, to read the fine print, I give up after the first few lines of verbose legal jargon. Unfortunately, however, not reading the fine print doesn't make it go away. The principle behind the fine print still applies whether we read it or not.

Today, I read some unwelcoming fine print.

Satan sucks. I would tell you that he knows just how, and in the right moment, to get you down, but I refuse to give him that much credit. He doesn't deserve it. That's why I am trying to see this as a blessing in disguise.

Received a call today letting me know that plans have changed a little. While in New Zealand, I was going to be blessed enough to be able to have my food provided through an established feeding ministry, cutting my expenses down quite a bit. Well, things happened and as of right now, that is no longer a possibility. On top of that, just like everywhere else on Earth, the economy in New Zealand isn't awesome. The people in New Zealand are not wearing outfits made of cash and walking in the street swaying to Abba's Dancing Queen. It's just not happening, although I wish. Prices have skyrocketed to a point that North Korea's missile couldn't even imagine. My point is, this journey is going to cost more than I expected. Because everything is so expensive, and now since I will be having to pay for my own food, I am expecting GOD to do even bigger things!

Ben Walker, a missionary that I will be working under in New Zealand, after sharing this unfortunate news with me, encouraged me with a very discouraging verse, that was actually encouraging. Yeah, wrap your mind around that.

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
                                                             -Proverbs 24:10 

It's not a fun thing to be able to relate to that verse. I am so glad that he shared this verse with me. Why  am I surprised that I am experiencing adversity right now? This is God's specialty! This is where God gets most of His glory! Not when we are able to avoid adversity, but when we are able to endure THROUGH adversity. I am discouraged, to be honest with you. But I am so so so so so excited for this opportunity that God has given me to grow through. That's why this is a blessing in disguise...a chance to REALLY LIVE for God. With that in mind, I have it easy. The real people who this is impacting more than myself, are Ben and Raelene Walker, missionaries to New Zealand, and missionaries all over the world. They live this type of adversity every. single. day.


It's an uncomfortable thing to ask for financial support. But when has professing Christ and submitting to His ministry ever been a comfortable thing? It would be easy and comfortable to just back out of my journey to New Zealand. It would be easy to just give up. But I refuse. I know that God will provide. That's where you come in. Please prayerfully consider making a one-time financial gift to support this mission. Don't think that any amount is too small. My information is on the right side of this blog.

I also highly covet your prayers in this situation, but please be praying for the Walkers as well, and the people all over the world making sacrifices to bring the light of Christ to this Earth!

Waiting Game

I've passed the beginning stages. The honeymoon stage of planning is over, for now. The waiting game begins. It's been about a month since I formally announced my journey to New Zealand.  During that month, I finalized my plane tickets. Designed, ordered, and received my prayer cards. Ordered scan cards (what these actually are will be revealed soon). Wrote letters. Annoyed people on Facebook by posting a link to my blog everyday. Now that I typed that out, it doesn't seem like all that much. But I promise you, it was.

Nobody likes to wait. It's not a fun thing to do. Some people read a good book when they wait. Some play games on their phones. Some fall asleep. But there is always something you can occupy yourself with when you are waiting. Even dentist offices have magazines for you to read. I decided that while in the midst of this waiting game, I will keep you occupied (and myself) by giving you some details about New Zealand.

New Zealand is a very small country, separated in two main islands: North Island, South Island. It is about the size of Colorado, or Great Britain, or Japan. It's population is only about 4.5 million people, making it gloriously uncrowded.







The capital city of New Zealand is Wellington, located on the southernmost tip of the North Island. Although Wellington is the capital, it only has a population of about 400,000 people.

The largest city, where I am going, is Auckland, and is located on the northern peninsula of the North Island. Auckland has a population of approximately 1.5 million people.



Auckland is a very diverse city, with significant populations of New Zealand Europeans, Pacific Islanders, Asians, Maori (indigenous people), Middle Easterners, Latin Americans, and Africans. Although the official language is English, many other minority languages are present, with Maori being the largest minority.

What people find most fascinating about New Zealand is its diverse landscapes.












There are also a lot of volcanoes.

New Zealand is also home to a unique species of glowing cave worms.






I hope that this helps you visual what a beautiful country New Zealand really is. Although it is beautiful on the outside, New Zealand is a very dark country. Over 40% of the population claim no religious belief whatsoever. Less than 10% of the people attend any church at all, let alone a Bible-believing church.

I leave for New Zealand beginning in Austin. However, the journey to New Zealand does not begin at Austin International Airport. The journey to New Zealand does not begin on my departure from Los Angeles. The journey to New Zealand begins now. Part of the journey means praying for the people that live in the beautiful country depicted above. I mentioned in my first post that it is a strange thing burdening for a people you don't know. But it is exciting! I can't wait to actually meet the people I have been praying for! I ask that you join me by praying that the hearts of the people in New Zealand will be prepared.

For those of you who personally know me, you know I have a strong connection with Nehemiah. Nehemiah was living far away from Israel, and he was a cupbearer to a king in Persia, so Nehemiah was a very rich man. He was basically royalty. One day, he finds out that Jerusalem is physically in bad shape, and that the people's hearts have been hardened towards God. At this point, Nehemiah is brought to a point of anguish at the state of the people. He begins to weep for the people. He mourns, prays, fasts. Nehemiah then leaves all of his riches and travels to Jerusalem to restore the city and its people. This is why I am going to New Zealand. Sure, the landscape and scenery is a great perk and I am sure I will thoroughly enjoy the view. BUT, the reason I am going to New Zealand is because I feel a burden for the people there. Even the hint of hope that a person will come to know Jesus Christ in New Zealand is more beautiful than any mountain or plain. A new believer's smile and joy will shine brighter than the beach. THAT is the reason why I travel to New Zealand.

The Beginning of an End

I'm so glad that you have taken the time to be with me on this incredible journey that I am preparing for!

Soon, before I know it, I will be looking for dragon fireworks in Hobbiton. Looking for room at the Inn of the Prancing Pony. Or perhaps, even crossing the stream into Rivendell. Yes, I am soon to be on New Zealand soil. It can't come quick enough!

How did I score a trip to New Zealand? Well, I had just returned from a life-altering trip to Bogota, Colombia (South America, not to be confused with the less-interesting setting of Columbia, Missouri). With the things that I saw and experienced in this city of 10 million, I took every opportunity that faced me to share the anguish that God had burdened me with while I was there. It just so happened to be, that one person that I shared my thoughts with was a missionary to New Zealand. Ben Walker. After sharing my heart with him, he shared his heart about New Zealand and its need for Christ. After our talk, he subtly joked that I should consider coming to New Zealand. "Yeah, that would be awesome!"--I said sarcastically while never thinking twice about it. Thinking I would probably never even see or hear from Mr. Walker again, I suddenly found myself bumping into him on a somewhat consistent basis...the subtle invites becoming less humorous and more convincing. After considerable prayer, I knew that I had to go. 

It's a strange feeling: burdening for a people that you have never met before. Yearning to see God work in a setting that you aren't even remotely familiar with. That may be why this is one of the most exciting, and terrifying adventures I have yet to brave.

I don't know what comes after. In the mix are bits and pieces of possibilities: South Korea, Colombia, Israel, Chicago. Teaching, serving, studying. Is it naive that I am trying not to worry about what comes after, and just let God take control? Maybe, but doesn't Christ call us to be naive in some ways? To humble ourselves and not rely on our own understanding? Here's to raising a glass (you can raise a glass of water too) to letting go and letting Christ drive.

It will be a while before I write again. This is just my introduction. You will hear from me again, before I leave for a 13 hour flight to Middle Earth (that's New Zealand, for you non-LOTR fans), on a second story of a plane, I might add. 

Check Back Soon!

Patrick Doty