Anthony Jacobs - The World Race 2006

An altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I believe in God the Father, almighty maker of heaven and earth, and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontius Pilot, He was crucified and buried.

I believe what I believe in. It makes me who I am.

I believe that He who suffered was crucified and buried. He ascended into heaven and on the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven where He sits at God's mighty right hand. I believe that He's returning to judge the quick and dead, and the sons of man.

I believe what I believe in. It makes me who I am.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, one Holy Church, the communion of saints, and forgiveness of sin. I believe in the resurrection. I believe in a life that never ends.

I believe what I believe in. It makes me who I am.

This is what I believe and this is what makes me who I am now, and who I am going to be in the future.

We as a group had the privilege of working with the Coptic Orthodox Church the past two weeks. It has been great to see people who believe the same things as I do, but express themselves in different ways. The challenge for me was to see past the things we do differently, and focus on the things we believe. The Sunday mass was welcoming and traditional. The message was given with power, and the long robed deacons played an important role in the preparation of the communion. They sang the communion message, and the blessing was physically received with the sprinkling of water. It was a great experience to be a part of the service.

God say's that you will know them by their fruits. The fruits of the Coptic Church are real and evident. They love God, His Son, and their neighbors.

We had a great time with the community. We had the chance to be apart of the different events that took place at the church. In the morning's, we would spend about two hours at the orphanage playing and sharing a story with the boys there. The afternoons we would do Sunday school, and English classes in the evening. I appreciated the flexibility in the schedule because it enabled us time to fellowship with the people of the church.

The ministry at the church was very effective. We had the chance to share what we believe, and the church gave us a chance to experience what they believe. While in Quisea, we were staying at Bishop Thomas' house. We had the privilege to spend time with him and hear his incredible testimony on how he became an internationally, influential man. He shared a lot of spiritual truth with us, and we were all deeply challenged and enriched.

Ministry in Egypt was life changing, and I believe that I am a different man for that. I want to thank God for His hand of guidance throughout the week. I also want to say thank you to each person praying and supporting our ministry, and for the transforming of my life. God Bless.

African Hands

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Drifting down into Africa. Entering into its arms. Africa awaits with eyes wide open, and an endless landscape.

The World Race is going into the heart of Africa. We have seen a need and are going to help.

The year has been amazing up til now, and we have been through countless situations where we have come closer to God. I believe we are where we need to be right now, and that the work that God has started in us will echo for decades to come.

All this has been made possible by God and the faithful support of many family and friends. We have spent eight months around the world ministering on a tight budget. Through God's help, support that would have maybe lasted five months has pulled us through til now.

We as a team currently need to get to our ministry point at the Arusha Bible School in Tanzania. From there, we need to trust that we have enough support for us to carry on in our journey. We believe that the ministry prepared for us in South Africa and Lesotho will be an intricate part of our call as laborers in God's harvest field.

We as a team are stepping out in faith and using the last of our support to go as far as we can. If you would prayerfully consider helping us by sending us further on our journey, it will make a world of difference.

To support my team and myself on our journey into Africa, please contact me by email anthony360wr@yahoo.com .

I want to heart-fully thank all our faithful supporters that have carried us up til now and for the months to come. Your prayers are worth more than you know.

Love and peace to you all .

Walking Jerusalem.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

We, as a team, were faced with a financial decision on how to get to Egypt. We had to choose between: going overland through Syria, flying to Tel Aviv, or traveling overland through and flying from Cyprus. We as a team prayed about it and felt a heart for Syria but knew we had to go thru Israel. The flight to Tel Aviv was cheaper than we had expected and arrived there late on Sunday evening. Soon after leaving the airport, we made our way to Jerusalem. There we met our hosts, a South African family living on faith, which would look after us for the next two days.

The next morning we made our way through the old city, and its markets to the western wall. There we walked amongst all the praying Jews. From there we hiked up the Mount of Olives were we stood and looked over the old city. We continued on to the prison cells were Jesus was beaten. At the prison, we prayed and just experienced the love that Christ had for us to go thru His crucifixion. We had a quiet evening planning our next day.

The following day we spent the morning at the holocaust museum. Seeing all the horrific things the Jews went through in Europe. The afternoon we went to the garden tomb and saw the tomb were Jesus was buried. There we had communion and just thanked the Lord for His sacrifice.

The time in Jerusalem was a wonderful experience and I am glad that we were able to visit there. The Bible and its teachings have become alive in a new way. I now have a better perspective and deeper understanding of where it all took place.

On The Move Again

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

                                               It has been quite a journey up till now. We have crossed a few oceans, rode a few trains and bussed our way thru Turkey.
                              After our time in split we ferried all the way to Greece via Italy. There we took the train to Athens and on another ferry to Turkey.
                          In Turkey we went and saw Effaces and the other biblical cites. We spent a lot of time in the word and enjoying the culture.

We are on our way to Israel and then on to Cairo were we have our next ministry setup.

Camping Emek Beraka

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The past 5 weeks were filled with fun and blessings. We as a team (brown, lime & yellow) spent the first two, with the help of the local Bosnian team, creating a campsite in the middle of a valley. We had to clean out an old ruined building for the kitchen, build a coffee shop, pitch more than 40 tents and many more odd jobs.

The first weekend the leaders from the churches came to pray for the camps and the long-term team. The week that followed was the youth camp. We were over a 120 young people. What a great time we had with the praise and worship band from Sarajevo church, and Budo the drummer. The Lord came and did a lot of restoring and confirming on the camp. Teenager camp, it felt as if the philistines were upon us the first day. The teenagers were very excited the first day but as the week progressed and we got to know them they really calmed down. It was a fun camp with many different activities and messages. The teenagers were really challenged in their walk with Christ. A week ago as the teens were leaving the children arrived, 76 of them. However, what great fun, we went swimming each day, had a cook out and each afternoon we would have market time. The theme of the camp was Jerusalem marketplace, and we would be apart of the market. I was a roman soldier and the others were carpenters, musicians, weaver's exc. The kids got to learn a lot about Jesus and the culture of that time. Next week is family camp but our time here is over and will be in Split for debrief.

I had a great time at camp and I just want to thank the Lord for His abundant blessings that He poured out. He challenged me in quite a few aspects of my life and I had to give up a few things I was hanging on to, but for the best. Thank you to every one who made camp such a great place and to those who made it possible for me to be here.

Skiing Switzerland, Zermatt

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

While in Switzerland I had the great privilege of taking an awesome train ride up to Zermatt. There I met up with Kim and Jessica on their way through Switzerland. They were on their European pilgrimage. We camped out in the cold for three nights being very creative on how to stay warm but just had to survive the nights that went below zero.

We finely made it up to the slopes on the morning of the fourth day. There we spent the whole morning just messing around and having great fun on the slopes. The girls caught on pretty quickly, but it took me a while to get the hang of it. The day was an absolute highlight being up over 3500m, great friends and a snow board. Awesome man.

Jeunss en Mission La Maison

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Youth with a mission. "The House"

Two weeks ago I was whisked away from my friends in Ancona. After spending a night in a station, and a day on a train I arrived in a beautiful village called Burtigny. There I spent over a week just recollecting and processing within my self.

How I came to be there is that we where given time to spend in Europe. I have seen a few of the sites and decided that I needed some time out. I called up my cousin, Lance, and asked if I could make a turn in Switzerland by him...he said for sure.

The students and staff of YWAM Burtigny were really great and hospitable. I felt welcomed the moment I walked in the doors. I spent three nights there, and hooked up with some other European hoppers for a ski weekend (photos soon) and then spent another week at the base.

I had a lot of time to just spend alone to process, and other times I took part in base activities.

Spending time with the students also gave me a lot of different perspectives on the things I was processing. I can truly say that it has been a reviving experience.

Thank you, to Lance and every one who made my stay at Burtigny really enjoyable.

Letting Go

Fri, 2 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The time we spent in India was absolutely life changing. My world was changed and my perspective as well. I always knew about orphans but this was the firs time I really spent time with them. Living with the kids and becoming a part of their daily life's was a real spiritual check.

The time at the orphanage is over and I am travelling thru Europe now but I am constantly thinking about the kids and the relationships that were built there. My heart longs for the kids and the time we had together. At night I find comfort praying for them and knowing that they are constantly praying for us. I know that I will have to let them go and leave them in Gods hands
. Our Heavenly Father, thank You for letting me near your children and allowing me to spend time with them. I can only pray for them now but I know you are with them each and every day. Thank You Father.

Desert Sands

Fri, 2 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

On our way to Europe we made a quick stop in the UAE, Dubai. Where we had a great time in the desert. It was if we where the kings of Arabia. Spending an afternoon driving thru the dunes, sand boarding and enjoying Arabian culture. I had the privilege of having my mom with me who enjoyed the time in the desert just as much.

A heart for India

Sun, 14 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

We have been here for over a week now and settling in with the kids was a great experience.
Every day starts with 6am prayer where the kids, totally devoted, start their day in the presence of God.
The older kids, 13-14 years, then preach out of that days scripture calling the boy's to obedience.
My whole perspective has been changed about the ability of kids, and what God will do with a life totally surrendered.

"But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the
Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him."
-John 4:23

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." -3John 1:4

These scripture's are alive in each child here. I see it in each shy girl, smiling boy,
and the sparkle that reflects from their eyes'.
The kids are filled with joy and the whole day is overflowing with laughter and cheerfulness.

The living conditions are basic. The mattresses are flea infested,
fresh water is limited, and they live off of rice for breakfast, lunch, and supper.
They are orphans and have no where else to go.
But its here where they meet the Lord Jesus Christ, and build a living relationship with Him,
God and the Holly Spirit.

It is an awesome privilege living with the kids.
I experience every moment with them from:
sleeping in the same room, praying in the morning, eating their stony rice,
and playing through out the dusty day. The highlight of my day is the bucket
showers in the evenings with the brackish well water.
The boys and I have so much fun together.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity of spending time with your children.
The massive impact that they have had on me has changed my life, thoughts and feelings.

Thailand

Sat, 6 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The time in Thailand was filled with people, beauty and a wonderful ocean. It was such a privilege to be able to be apart of the community and help out at the different ministries. The most striking to me of the different villages we were apart of was the openness of the people. Every village was delighted to have us there. The gypsies invited us into there homes, and we became apart of a family working at a construction site as well, I believe that the blessed time we had came right out of the hand of God.

Thailand was a great spiritual experience as well. Other then being able to pray for the people on the island, the gypsies and helping out at the new orphanage God came and spoke to my hart and He showed me my life and the perspective that I have of our relationship. The biggest thing that actually overshadows it all is that God showed me that I won't make it on my own and that I need His presence every day. God was still exceedingly faithful and our days were filled to the brim with fun and excitement.

I just want to thank God for the time in Thailand and the awesome experiences with His people, the beauty of the coast and every melting sunset that was drenched with His presence.

God and people

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The time in China just flew by and before we had time to blink we where on our way to Tibet. The time we spent in China was such a blessing praying for the people and the towns was such a privilege. We had the chance to be around the people and find out more about who they are and what is importantto them. When we weren't with the people we would walk around the country to the mosques and pray and ask God to reveal His truth to these special people.













China was a lot of fun and just being able to be a part of the huge work and preparationGod is doing there was a blessing that I will remember for the rest of my life. As we move on to the next journey my hart will stay with the people.

Tibetan Ice

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Cold, it was defiantly cold but what a great time. Traveling into Tibet thru passes over 15000 ft in a frozen bus was defiantly a culture experience to enter such a place. Arriving in Tibet was like a new world the people, cars, shops you could see we weren't in China any more. We kept on and went in even further then the normal missionary up to a town that has hardly ever been visited by missionaries. The People were very friendly as we spent time in the town walking around praying for them. The best of our time was spent around the coal stove, were our hosts would spend most of there day, having a conversation thru our fraise book.




The highlight of the trip was climbing up a nearby mountain one after noon it was hard going in the thin air but we made it up to the very top were the Tibetan prayer flags were flapping in the wind. It was an awesome experience for the group and God came and ministered to each of us up there. We could pray for the whole region from up there and see places that we still needed to visit. Half way on our way down we took the time just to enjoy the Tibetan sun and what was left of the previous weeks snow we had such great fun.



Tibet is a very special place and the experiences that I had there with the village and the mountains has been one of my best. I will miss the Tibetans and there mountains.

Island style

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

What a blessing after the cold after about six days of traveling we find our selves on a boat traveling to an island off the cost of Thailand were we spent three days in the village. The time there was great living at the local clinic we would go from there to different areas on the island and just spend time around the people. One morning we blessed them by picking up as much trash as we could in that time. The afternoons were far too hot to spend it walking around so we took the privilege of spending it in and around the water. We just want to thank God for giving us this time of rest were we could serve the people eat there fish and have a great time worshiping Him Island style.

After the three days of absolute excitement and wonder we made our way back to the main land and the race onto Puket. The sea and sunsets here in Puket are very good and breathtaking but my hart still glows with the gold from the island.

Fun and prayer

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Meeting with our contact in Dang Xiang on our arrival, we were invited for a walk to one of the villages about an hour and a half away. We went to pray for a new school. While praying for the school, the village elders invited us for tea. To our surprize they gave us more than just tea...a whole meal of noodles and meat was placed before us. The Lord blessed us tremendously by providing a way for us to pray for the elders. On our way back to town, we enjoyed the walk and the remaining snow. We had a wonderful day of prayer and fun.

THANK YOU GUATEMALA

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I just want to say a huge thank you to God and any one that had any part of our time in Guatemala. All the great people we met in Panajachel, all the supporters that made the work we did possible and to all who kept us in there prayer, thank you so much we where really blessed by them.

I want to thank God for his awesome provision and all the needs that were met. We where able to do so much more than what we humanly thought possible.

DEBRIEF LA

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

After a great trip up from Guatemala we arrived in LA. I think our team got there last it must have been that day we spent on the beach, but o well it was worth it. The time in LA was great, we took in the sites, went to Disneyland, saw outside the Oscars and attended a Dr Phil show all with in three days.

The debrief sessions were great we had a quick insight on what we could expect in china. God also came and did a lot of reconciliation between the teams and we were all able to start anew.

HONG KONG IS BIG

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Man what a city! Touring buildings, bright lights and thousands of people every were. We had a chance to walk around and take in the sites, see our African brothers from allover do there business buying and selling clothes and stayed in the smallest room with three beds ever.

Our new friends and team mates joined us in HK and we had a great time together checking out the whole city.

NORTHWEST CHINA HERE WE COME

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Two and a half days on the go sounded like fun. Early sunday morning we started out with all our stuff on our backs and made our way on foot to the bus station about one and a half km away. There we took a bus to the border were we had to jump out clear customs with all our bags jump on another bus to the town were we where to catch our train that evening. We got dropped of at this very fancy hotel were we thought that 29 people with a mountain of luggage would look very inconspicuous between al the other distinguished guests. It did not last long before we where kicked out of the lobby.

We regrouped and decided to go to the train station. Another hike of about a km got us to another world of thousands of people swarming to get into the terminal building. We swarmed in with them and found ourselves inside and in a waiting room where every now and then this lady would shout over her megaphone to announce the next train. When our train came we were ready with our mountain of stuff and made our way over to our train compartment. We settled in to our cozy bunks and started our train ride of 37 hours.

What fun we had with all of us together. Various games were played, a ton of noodles were eaten and a lot of lost sleep was made up. After two nights on the train we were ready for a change. The change came with a 20 degree drop in temp. We knew it was going to be chilly but we were all surprised.

From the train in our second taxi we find ourselves on an icy road with snow everywhere. It was absolutely beautiful as the taxis climb over the pass. At the bottom of the other side was the town where we spent two days. It is a trading town for the surrounding country. It is very nice town and a good place to start experiencing the Chinese culture.

WHAT A WEEK

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

What a week! Well this past week was project Granny. We were told about this widow living alone in a very shoddy house. Everything was wrong so we decided, lets just go for it. We ripped of here leaking roof, cleaned off the rafters with years of soot from cooking over an open fire and started with a new roof. Inside we carried out her whole house and started to build a stove. The outside of the house needed a well deserved white wash so we went for it. The inside was completely black so it also had a wash.

By the end of the week we where finished there and went on to the next house. This house was actually a shelter between two houses with a roof. We decided on a new house. The family moved out, we broke down the walls and prepared it to start building on Monday. For the week we as a team are working on two projects, one to rebuild the house for the lady that was staying in the shelter and the other for two families that had nothing, their house was washed away by the river and now 13 people have no place to stay.

The families were given a very small peace of land to build on so we as a team are going to see how much money we have to build them as much as we can. So if any one feels they can help us to support them to complete their house thoroughly, the help will be much appreciated

With me, I am doing very well. A few nicks and cuts on my hands from working on the houses but that's about the worst that has happened to me. The Lord is exceedingly faithful in keeping us safe and healthy and His provision is evident every day. I am learning so much about how He cares for me and others.

Every day is a new adventure and I am enjoying every moment of it. The lake and the hills are more beautiful each time I see them. Thank you everyone for keeping me in their prayers, I really appreciate it and can see God's hand in them.

Lots of love from a stunning Guatemala.

Anthony

HELLO FROM PANAJACHEL

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

A great hearty hi from a most beautiful Guatemala. Situated next to the breathtaking and volcano lined lake Atitlan, my friend's and I find ourselves in a peculiar little town called Panajachel, living in a wonderful house not to far from the center of town.

It has been almost three weeks since we jetted out of South Africa and so much has happened that it could fill up three months. The big travel was from Huston, USA to lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Over 4000km of busses, taxi's and walking. Sleeping in pleasant cottages, next to a beautiful water fall, overnight busses and even outside the door of the border post. All in the name of fun and with wonderful friends it was all an extraordinary experience.

At the moment we are working with and helping more than ten families with different needs in and around the flood devastated town of Panajachel building houses, toilets, helping out with food, clothing and financial needs. The people are remarkably friendly and open to our help. So building relationships and sharing what we believe in is fairly easily accepted for the language. The people speak Spanish and understand a little bit of English but our big asset is our Spanish evangelist who is working with us (Miguel). There is so much need here and I pray and trust God that he will provide the time and finances for my friends and I to help as much people as we can.

Myself, I am doing superb. God has really been next to me the whole way keeping me spiritually, mentally and physically sound.

Thank you to all the people that are keeping me in their prayers, it means a lot for me and the team.

Lots of love

Anthony

Introduction

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Hi, my name is Anthony Jacobs. I am twenty three and from a beautiful town at the foot of the Southern Drakensburg, Matatiele. I spent most of my time their but at the start of 2003 I felt the Lord calling me to be a part of the UCSA. It is then when I decided to give my life to the Lord. I was part of the Adventure and Outdoor Ministry where I facilitated life orientation camps for school groups. There I developed my dream to create life changing experiences for other people, and give them opportunities that I never had.

I was determined to stay another year in the Adventure Ministry, when the Lord gave me the opportunity to be apart of the World Mission race. After a few months of prayer and tears I told the Lord that I would go where ever He sends me. From the day I decided to go with, the Lord came and showed me why I was allowed to go. The Lord showed and taught me that I must let the people feel welcome even in their own country.

It is tremendous privilege to be a part of the World Mission Race. I just want to thank all my friends and family that made it possible for me to go on such a terrific trip. Thank you for all your prayers and support.