So many of us have spent the past year of our lives in this tight knit community called the World Race. Some are half way through their journey and others are just beginning. We learn so much and become accountable for what God has taught us during this season of our lives.

What does God have for us when we return and re enter into society?

a job, school, start a family, go back to the mission field, move out on your own? We live in a World where our friends and family have a huge impact on us. An impact so big that it may drive us to doing something we dont love and aren't happy with for the rest of our lives to to please them or to simply hear that they are proud of you.

God created this World. And not that He needs any of our help to advance the Kingdom, but He has chosen 5% of the Worlds population to HELP. Not to do it on our own, but to HELP. That means out of 11 billion people, 5% are called to full time ministry. 5% have been called to HELP God save the World. I dont know why He would pick someone like myself, but God has chosen me for this elite 5%.

That seems like a pretty big deal. If its not, let me know.

So, here I am sitting in the eye of the storm called LIFE. Do I get a job? I have been trying to get a job since the day I got home. Does God just want me to sit and be still? I feel like God has taught me what it means to live on minimal while traveling the World. And in the past month, He has taught me how to live in the States on minimal. I have been humbled in many ways upon returning home. I have sent more than half of my clothes to Goodwill. Now i'm not saying to get rid of all your things, but i have learned how to live on this thing called MINIMAL.

Upon returning, i found myself burring myself in every kind of distraction you can think of. Before I knew it, Satan had a couple footholds on me. God slapped me around and saved my butt again! Now after consulting with some very close brothers, I find myself sitting here and crying out for my God to come down and love on me. To come down and fill me with the fruits of the spirit. To show me the next step in my journey with Him.

Returning to the States after being gone for so long is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But, the FAITH I have in Christ Jesus is all I need.

Galatians 2:20

I am praying through a Coke Cola job, and some ministry options.

God, continue to fill me with the fruits of the Spirit. Allow the fruits to be evident in my life. Allow me to discern your voice. Open and close doors as you guide me where you want me. Lord I love you and I thank you for everything you are taking me through right now because I know it is making me stronger for the times ahead. Bless the poelpe who cross my path and allow the people who cross my path to bless me Lord.

AMEN!

As Iron sharpens Iron,

Josh-ua

Post one month update coming soon.

What's Josh doing now?...  

                                                 ...Coming soon...

Well, just like I said in the last blog, for the next month, I will be using chop sticks for every meal.

Here are the weapons I will be dancing with this month. Bamboo w/ a yellow non penetrating varnish with red mettalic dragons down the side for a little eye candy.

Eating thanksgiving dinner was not bad.

In fact, it was as easy as pie! hahaha!

We all have much to be thankful for. It was nice to be around all my friends and family again.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

God bless you all!

As Iron sharpens Iron

Joshua

We are flying to China in a couple hours and due to the fact that China is closed to Christianity, we will not be able to check or post on our blog sites. The Olympics are also going to be in Beijing in 2008, so China is really putting the smack down on everything.

I will try to keep you all updated through email the best i can.

We will be headed to the Great Wall before we leave. Other than that, the information as to what we will be doing has not been disclosed and wont be until we get there. We have to protect the names and villages of where we will be.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I couldn't have made it with out you all.  I will be bringing many stories home with me in 39 days!

As Iron sharpens Iron

Joshua

It was 10pm last night when i took the train down to the red light district of Bangkok. Hookers lines the streets. White business men were hand in hand with asian women. Headed off to some hotel looking for someone to show them some attention. One of the things I noticed was as I walked around, i tried to look these men in the eyes. None of them would make eye contact with me. All they could do was hang their heads in shame of what they were doing.

It was easy for me to judge these guys for what they were doing. Thinking to myself, "What a bunch of scum bags!"

But it was then and there the Lord began to poke me. "Josh!" How can you judge this man for what he is doing when you have said "this" or thought about "that?" I immediately remembered how ALL sin is equal in God's eyes. No matter weather I kill someone or steal something. No matter wether I sleep with a hooker or spread gossip, its all the same. Sin is sin. We are ALL sinners. God doesnt rank it. But, He does forgive and forget it.

So, my eyes were opened up to loving the people all around me no matter what they are doing or have done. God shows us grace, mercy, and forgivness. Why can't we show that as well?

"Before we show our brother the splinter in his eye, we must first remove the log from ours"

(these pictures were taken by Julie Lortz)

Red and Yellow black and white, they are precious in His site, Jesus loves all the people of the world.

When we were created we were created different. But, the human race has cashed in on the different colors of skin all over the world.

-Getting into a Taxi and paying extra because you are white.

-buying food from a street vendor and getting the wrong change because you are white.

this has been an issue that has cost me extra all over the world. Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Argentina, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, Thailand, Philippines, and I am sure I might need to save my money for China because they are going to Tax me to death too.

Now it may sound like im lashing out here, but I am just trying to raise an awareness to USA. We have many foriegners in the States. I beg you to treat them with respect and with the same courtesy as you would your brother or sister. It has become a bitter piece in my heart. I just want the States to stand out on this issue. Let the rest of the world continue to "Skin Tax" us but we will not do the same to them.

Im sure if any of us paid attention in history class we all know the famous saying, "I SHALL RETURN." Quoted by General Douglas MacArthur.

I had the chance to visit Corrigador Island before I left the Philippines. I have now stood in the very spot MacArthur quoted that. Right on the shore before he took off to Australia.

 It was an amazing day filled with huge guns, old barracks, and miles of tunnels built to take refuge by american, Philippino, and Japanese soldiers. Here are some pics from the trip.

Snooping around the old spooky tunnels!

Made in the U.S.A

looking into a canon with a 12 inch wide barrel.

The famous Mile Long Barracks where MacArthur had his headquarters.

Back in the BangKok. We just arrived this morning. Its nice to be back in a country with nice highways, traffic laws, etc... Manila really made us appreciate even the little of things in Bangkok that much more. We had a wonderful time in the Philippines and met a lot of wonderful families that took us in as their own too. Not to mention any names but... the Burdicks, the Longs, and the Musgraves. These families quenched our thirst for home with couches, tv(ESPN), Wonderful American food, and beds with roofs over them!!! Thank you to everyone who either fed us or just simply gave us a ride somewhere. It was a real blessing!!

We will be here in Bangkok until the 11th. We then fly to Hong Kong. Rumor has it that we wont even be able to go onto the WorldRace sites. Which means no blogging. This is just hearsay for now but we hear that the Chinese government watches the web very closely and monitors what people do while on the internet. So, the next 5 days could be it until I get home unless I send updates through my email. Muddybumpers@gmail.com

I will try and get some pics up from the Philippines before I fly out on Thursday.

I love and thank you all for supporting me and praying for me all year. Its been a fun and wild ride. God has and continues to mold and shape me each and everyday.

Come over to the house when i get home, we will sit around the fire and I'll tell stories as long as you can stay awake.

44 more days...

I have one request for Thanksgiving......someone deepfry a turkey for me!!! Whoever does this, i will def. be showing up at your place! No pressure mom!

P.S. Jimmy, do you know where we put our wrestling costumes from Mexico? I wanted to wear mine for Halloween!!!

When most Americans think of a cobra, they think of this:

or at least I do.

Well, let me tell you about my morning.

It is Wed. Sept. 26th at about 8am and I am sitting in the livingroom sipping coffee and reading my morning Word. I had my iPod on. When all of a sudden I heard Light scream. She said, "there is a huge snake in the laundry room!"

I dont really like snakes myself, but I am a MAN ..right.? Hahaha

I wanted to see what I was dealing with. Of course i'm barefoot, so I cant stomp it. But she held her arms up to show me that the snake was about 5 feet long. And pretty darn thick.

Crap!!! I thought.

So i grabbed the mop, still dripping with water and a butcher knife off the counter. Scott came around to the other side with a 2X4 and a machette. We were ready to deffend ourselves anyway! We spotted the cobra coiled up and we smashed the metal ring he was in. That pissed him off. The cobra came out and perched up. He was about 1 1/2 feet tall with his mouth wide open!

Our hearts and adrenaline were racing like the time we hiked into the cave with anacondas!

I threw the mop right into his face! The cobra bit onto the mop and wouldnt let go. Scott started wailing on him with the 2X4. Finally he gave up his fight and we started cutting him with the knife and machette.

He was finally dead! We felt like MEN!

Psalm 91:13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
         The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.