The World Race - Aly Beeler

Swimming in Denial

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Newsflash: It's March 19^th. That means that in approximately 3 months (official departure date is pending) I will be leaving the country for 11 months. I realize that none of this is new. I've been hearing and telling people this since December. Yet somehow the current of denial has still been strong enough to keep me in it. Maybe it's not entirely denial. Maybe some of it is the fact that I really won't be able to fully realize that life is going to change drastically until I get to the airport. Or the first country. Or maybe I won't realize it until it's already changed. Anyway, my mind is still trying to grasp the reality of what's next.

I have officially turned in my notice at work. That was a wake-up call that I really needed to start preparing for a year away. My last day in the ER should be April 27^th. Over the last couple of weeks, I've realized that I'm really going to miss it! Considering how crazy things have been at work lately that's a bit of a surprise. But I've been blessed with a job that allows me to work hands-on with people, and occasionally, I hope, actually make a difference. There are a lot of patients that won't even have a clue who I was or what my name was. However, there's a lot of fulfillment in what I do. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of chaos and badness to deal with. But with the prospect of no longer having it, I've been able to better appreciate the job I've been blessed with for the last year and a half.

The Plot Thickens

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I've got to admit, the last blog was somewhat of a cop-out. :) Although I'm definitely a person who uses writing to clear my head, I'm used to those writings being hidden in a journal, and then that journal being hidden in an ammo box. The idea of writing something available for anyone who wishes to read it is a daunting thought. I'm working on getting over it. So to continue with the the story I started to share in "The Set-Up"...

After about six months of applications, searching for opportunities to serve as a nurse overseas, interviews and frustration, last summer I began to doubt. Did I get it wrong? Why so many shut doors? Could there really be no medical clinic in the middle-of-nowhere in some country that was looking for a nurse to help out? Honestly, it was entirely discouraging. Doubts, discouragement, frustration...and then all of the sudden there was this tshirt. Can I use the cliche "God works in mysterious ways"?

(Modeling by Anna Talbot)

Now, anyone who knows me understands that I range from being a tshirt and jeans girl to a tshirt and scrubs girl. So it wasn't really a surprise when a college roomie asked me if I wanted to buy a tshirt that one of her friends was selling for a fundraiser. The fact that it was blue and happened to have a picture of the world on it weren't bad selling points either. I don't even remember if I asked what the fundraiser was for at the time. (Anna you can clarify this later on).

The front of the tshirt read "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world...are the ones who do." And on the back there just happened to be a website, www.halleypower.theworldrace.org.

I could say the rest was history. But recovering from the previous bout of doubt, discouragement and frustration regarding this whole idea to spend a year overseas, I searched things out slowly. For a while I just kept up with Halley's blog and read about her experiences (keep in mind that Halley has absolutely no clue who I am or that I've been stalking her via world race blog). Then I started searching more into the World Race, Adventures in Missions, what it was all about and if it would even be a possibility.

Friday, September 18th, 2009: Began asking parents and close friends for prayer support and their honest opinion about the possibility of me + World Race
Saturday, October 24th, 2009: Submitted online application for the World Race
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009: Phone interview with World Race staff while pacing around the new apartment I was moving into
Thursday, October 29th, 2009: Received an email that said, "Congratulations! Your World Race Application has been reviewed and accepted!"
Friday, October 30th through approximately mid-December: amazement and shock
Sunday, January 17th, 2009 upon arriving back in the US from Israel: More shock, this time at the realization that I only had 21 weeks before leaving the country for a year.
(Sorry, I don't have the date that I ordered or received the tshirt. Would have completed my completely OCD list of dates and events).

Since then, it's been a whirlwind. The support I have received so far has been a huge blessing! I've had precious conversations with friends because of this new undertaking. God is already moving me out of my comfort zone. (Oh yeah, check out http://www.troymessenger.com/news/2010/feb/19/aly-beeler-join-world-race/ ). And I know there's so much more in store!

Looking back: the set-up

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

So one of the things I was supposed to do a while ago was write a blog about how I was called to go on this trip. Recently, I realized that part of the story was already written. Here's something I wrote for a friends newsletter in Spring of '09.

It's time for healing, time to move on.

It's time to fix what's been broken too long.

Time to make right what has been wrong.

It's time to find my way to where I belong.

There's a wave that's crashing over me,

And all I can do is surrender.

Whatever you're doing inside of me,

It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace.

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something heavenly.

Although I'm not exactly musically-inclined, I generally have a "theme song" that speaks in and of my life. A few months ago that theme song was "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real. Little did I expect the overflow of blessings that would come from that heart cry.

I am a college graduate with a new job, no longer involved in Chi Alpha (student Christian organization on Troy University's campus). So the World Missions Summit, an event held in Cincinnati, Ohio, geared toward Chi Alpha students, wasn't exactly where I expected to be over the New Years holiday. Thankfully God works through the unexpected.

For 2.5 days, thousands of college students and hundreds of missionaries overran downtown Cincinnattti. For me this wasnot a conference focused on spiritual uplifting or Christian fellowship. It was a time of serious challenges, a focus on evaluating my life and it's direction. One phrase used numerous times throughout the event was "give a year, pray about a lifetime." When the call was given to commit to serving God in missions for a one year, while praying about making that commitment for a lilfetime, I answered. Overwhelmed by God's goodness and the impact of the time in his presence at WMS, for a couple days after returning from Cincinatti, I was at a loss to adequately explain what had happened. Finally, I was able to laughingly explain to a friend, "I feel like I've been set up." Looking back on events in my life, it seems that so much has led to this point of being able to commit to this amazing opportunity. Although I'm still waiting on God for the details of exactly where and when this year will be spent, this commitment is a life-changing one. And it comes with a new theme song.

This might hurt, it's not safe

But I know that I've gotta make a change

I don't care if I break

At least I'll be feeling something

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking

"What if I had given everything

instead of going through the motions?"

I'm under no delusions that this will be an easy journey to undertake, but I do believe that it is one of the most worthwhile adventures I could possibly accept.

Where am I Going?

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Ireland

Ireland boasts a heritage of Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the lifeless display of faith reveals that this nation is farther from God than ever. Rampant alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need for hope. Through sports, children's outreach, street evangelism, pub ministry, and the relationships that just happen along the way, the World Race reintrodues a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic culture

Ukraine

Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many ups and downs. Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like wildfire throughout this nation. Is it the kingdom of God coming in power? We think so.

Romania

The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here you'll teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more.

Israel

The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of a location so rich in our combined religious roots. Serve in this new World Race location while walking the paths trod by Christ himself.

Egypt

Egypt is a country rich in historical significance. The Egyptian people are no less rich in their cultural goings-on today. A country shaped by the past and under religious bondage, the people of Egypt are hungry to hear of the freedom brought through Christ. While pyramids and palaces give the land a romanticized veneer, under the surface lie hearts in need of relationship and hope.

Kenya

Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, the Kiberra slums...comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting ministries to carry on even after we leave.

Uganda

From the Ugandan islands to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the African people of these nations share a common bond. Through the wild lands, home to Africa's "Big Five" animals coexist people, reached and unreached with the Gospel of Christ. Through evangelism, church planting and discipleship, we will be a part of a movement to further the kingdom of God in this incredible region of the world.

Pioneer Africa
Twice during your World Race experience, your team will take a month to ATL (ask the Lord) for a new mission field. He may lead you someplace in the middle of a buzzing city or somewhere that can't even be found on a map. Either way, it's a time of listening to the Lord's voice and following him with true abandon. Uncover more of your inheritance...

Thailand

With nearly two million people estimated to be stuck inside of prostitution in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city and rock worlds in the countryside. Thailand's sure to capture your heart.

Cambodia

28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides known to man where over one third of the country's population was slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia are thirsty for hope.

Pioneer Asia

Ask God where to go and do what He tells you. It'll be one of the most adventurous and memorable months of ministry that you'll have on the Race. Back to Thailand or Cambodia, or maybe to Vietnam, China or Malaysia... God could lead you anywhere to unveil His kingdom. Are you willing to abandon your last month on the Race to Him?

Expectations: Crazy Randomness

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I try not to create specific expectations for too many situations in my life. Usually what I expect doesn't come close to what actually happens, so it's better to be open for the surprise. I think the World Race is going to be a year open for crazy randomness. But there are a few things I expect...

I expect to miss people like I never have before.

I expect many uncomfortable moments when I will have to stop hiding behind the walls I keep up.

I expect to miss my dog, pillow, pool, car, cell phone, shower, personal space, comfort zone, dr pepper chapstick...

I expect to cry (which in itself is hard to admit since very few people actually ever see this phenomenon).

I expect for my hardened heart to break for people, cities, countries.

I expect asking myself "Why in the world did I come on this trip?"

I expect to miss the crazy, adrenaline-filled, organized chaos of the ER.

I expect to fill up many, many journals. (If I used 3 journals for 5 weeks in Europe...hopefully I can keep it to less than 30 for this trip).

I expect to have some of the greatest times of my life that will be absolutely impossible to describe.

I expect to stand in awe of what God can do through people who are willing to be used.

I expect the creation of deep friendships with random strangers.

I expect to know God's heart in a deeper way than I can possibly imagine.

I expect throwing away at least one pair of shoes because they smell so bad.

I expect God to use this trip in a thousand different ways to mold my life into what He wants it to be.

I expect a fire to start burning in my life that will never be quenched.

I expect direction.

I expect to drown in the grace God has already given me but I hardly realize now.

I expect to come back a radically different person.

About this crazy adventure...support blog

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

So a lot has changed in my life over the last two years. Six months after graduating from nursing school with a bachelor's degree in May of 08, I started working as an ER nurse in Montgomery. Work has definitely not been boring since then. Neither has life. The World Race is one of the most recent opportunities for adventure and something I wanted to share with you.

The "World Race" is an 11 month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. I am extremely excited about this trip and yet still slightly in shock that I have this opportunity. I have no doubt that this will be one of the most memorable and faith building times in my life. In 11 months I pray for open eyes, love and faith. I trust this will be a time for God to continue to open my eyes to the reason I have always been so drawn to ministry overseas. Also, that it will be eleven months of a life lesson on loving. Loving other people who don't speak my language, loving when I am entirely out of my comfort zone, loving when there's nothing in it for me. And in this these 11 months away from the US, my home, family and friends, I will have to rely on God in ways that I never have before in my life. Even the next six months will be a challenge of faith.

First and foremost, I want to ask you to partner with me in prayer. The friends and family I have been blessed with are absolutely incredible, and knowing you are supporting me is an overwhelming knowledge.

Secondly, I am asking you to partner with me financially. Over the next six months while I'm here in the States I will be working to raise funds for the trip. Approximately $15,000 will cover my living and travel expenses for the year I am gone. At times, it seems like an absolutely impossible sum to reach on my own, especially with time speeding by so quickly. However, if I can get sixty people to give $20 a month for the next ten months, my trip will be covered! Even $5 or $10 will add up quickly, and I greatly appreciate any amount you can give.

You can give either monthly or one-time gifts, online or by mail. To give online, simply click on the "Support Me" tab on the left hand side of this page. Or to give by mail, make checks payable to Adventures In Missions" with my name in the memo and send it to: Adventures In Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA30353-4470.

This blog will be a place for me to keep you updated before the trip and while I'm gone. I'd love to be able to share this adventure with you, so make sure you subscribe for updates by entering your email! You can find more information at www.theworldrace.org or by clicking on the "About" tab at the top of this page. I can't wait to see what God has in store for this next step in my life and am so thankful for the blessing and impact you have been in my life already.

Peace and grace,

Aly (Alyssa) <><