Community Life

COMMUNITY: A unified body of individuals; a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society; an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location

  

 When 74 individuals travel from all over the globe to a designated meeting place to eat, sleep, worship, and grow together; the definition of community becomes crystal clear. And although it may be clear, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. There are the simple challenges, like: sleeping next to the “snorer.” And hygienic challenges, like: wanting to take a shower and you’re #53 in line. Then you have the logistical challenges, like: herding 148 arms, legs, fingers, and toes from one location to another. But in all honesty these are the superficial, surface struggles of daily community life. The true test of community is found in character development. Things like: honor, integrity, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, trust, humility, thankfulness, being above reproach, transparency, compassion, and so on. When an individual is deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, the challenges of community life transform into opportunities to dig deeper roots. 

 “Community: a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.” 
Henri Nouwen

“Into community you were called- the call was not meant for you alone. In the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle, you pray. You are not alone, even in death.” 
Diedrich Bonhoeffer

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Everyone Has Baggage

        I have to pack all of this (minus the cedar trunk) into my backpack. Difficult? Yes. Impossible?

                                                                            NOPE

                      

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The World Race

Dear family and friends,

In December of 2007 the Lord brought to my attention children that are victims of human trafficking and slave labor. Since that time, He has broadened my perspective and put a fire in my heart that burns for justice in several areas. Poverty, corrupt leadership, lack of education, and disease are at the heart of my ministry. I am called to be Jesus’ hands and feet to His people by meeting practical needs and to be His voice for justice. As each day passes, the Lord continues to equip me with knowledge and understanding in these areas, while refining the call on my life. Last year I returned home after a six-month period partnering with Youth With A Mission in Australia and Thailand. I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with women forced into prostitution, love on children living in orphanages and the slums, reach out to the Australian youth who struggle with alcoholism and lack of identity, and so much more! All the while, I was gaining a better understanding of God’s love for me, and what it means to be completely surrendered to His will for my life. As I continue to step out in faith, He continues to prove Himself more and more faithful.

So, after spending a little over a year in the States, I am very excited to share that the Lord is calling me once again to leave the comforts of home. I will partner with Adventures In Missions (AIM), an interdenominational missions organization that focuses on discipleship, prayer and building relationships with the poor. AIM was established in 1989 and has taken over 80,000 people into the mission field. I will be taking part in a mission trip called The World Race (WR). This coming July I will travel to 11 countries in 11 months. These include: Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, Thailand, Cambodia, China, the Philippines, Mozambique, Malawi, Turkey, and Romania. Two months prior to my departure I have a mandatory 10-day training camp in White, GA where I will meet my fellow “racers,” and train with staff who have already participated in The World Race. Here is an excerpt from their website briefly describing the trip:


“Participants live out of a backpack, survive on a limited budget, and find themselves in situations where faith is the only reality to choose from. In partnering with existing missionaries and ministries, World Racers develop relationships with the ‘least of these’, and through acts of service see communities and nations transformed all over the world” (www.theworldrace.org).


I am humbled by this opportunity to serve and I trust the Lord to meet all my needs. Ultimately, my prayer is that He will do that through you. I would be honored if you would partner prayerfully and financially with me in this ministry. I am specifically asking for ten people who will commit to pray for me each day until I return. Also, I must raise $14,300 for the 11 months that goes directly to Adventures In Missions. This will cover all my expenses while traveling abroad.

I can’t wait to experience everything the Lord has in store during this time. I expect great things and I’m excited to share the journey with you!

Much love,

Juliette


I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope, which invites you to share in this ministry. Please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions and return the response card with your donation to Adventures In Missions PO Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. The response card will provide AIM with the information necessary to send you a receipt for your donation. Or you can make an online donation at: http://juliettesteele.theworldrace.org/ Select “Thank you for your support” on the left hand side and you will be redirected to the Donations page. Please send all donations by June 15th, 2010. Adventures In Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Donors will receive receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of Adventures In Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult a tax advisor.

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On The Road Again

When I was a young girl my family took a road trip from Illinois to California. My dad, mom, two sisters, dog, and I hopped into the eight-passenger van and set out on the highway. Every day we would travel until lunchtime and then hop out for a bite to eat, only to venture off again. As we drove back onto the highway my dad would always start singing “on the road again.” All of us girls would giggle and sing the line with him. I remember like it was yesterday, the feeling of the open road and discovering new places. Every mile traveled, I found myself more and more captivated as I stared out the window wondering what was in store. I can’t help but think that the Lord was giving me a glimpse into the radical life He has called me to lead.

RADICAL (from the Latin word Radix meaning ROOTS) = of or going to the root or origin;fundamental

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. Ephesians 4:16-17

In December of 2007 the Lord brought to my attention children that are victims of human trafficking and slave labor. Since that time, He has broadened my perspective and put a fire in my heart that burns for justice in several areas. Poverty, corrupt leadership, lack of education, and disease are at the heart of my ministry. I am called to be Jesus’ hands and feet to His people by meeting practical needs and to be His voice for justice. As each day passes, the Lord continues to equip me with knowledge and understanding in these areas, while refining the call on my life. Last year I returned home after a six-month period partnering with Youth With A Mission in Australia and Thailand. I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with women forced into prostitution, love on children living in orphanages and the slums, reach out to the Australian youth who struggle with alcoholism and lack of identity, and so much more! All the while, I was gaining a better understanding of God’s love for me, and what it means to be completely surrendered to His will for my life.

So, after spending a little over a year in the States, I find myself “captivated” as the Lord calls me once again to leave the comforts of home to partner with The World Race! I am humbled by this opportunity to serve and I trust the Lord to meet all my needs. I can’t wait to experience everything the Lord has in store during this time. As I continue to step out in faith, He continues to prove Himself more and more faithful. 

Grace and Peace.

Juliette

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