Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 5/25/2009
 As this season of our lives comes to a close, we realize that we have all of you - our readers, encouragers, supporters, prayer warriors, family and friends - to thank for allowing us to experience God this year in a way that we've never before. We don't have the words to express our gratitude to all of you who encouraged us throughout this year, it was our life line at times and others, a great reminder to the amazing family we have back home, and now - all over the world!
We are excited to share that we have met our financial goal 100% for this year! To all our financial contributors, thank you for investing in us. We can confidently say that we have absolutely no regrets and that this year has been a life changing experience. Thank you for paving the way!!
I am not sure I can fully explain yet what has happened to us this year, but we are beginning to understand how the changes will forever impact how we live our lives moving forward .  This new work He has begun within us is all encompassing of our minds daily and we are determined to bring Kingdom to the places and people he has set before us. Already He is whispering these great ideas in which we can give small blessings to our family, friends and just people passing by throughout the day. We are having fun with our new lives, yet we feel more like us than ever before. This may sound a bit confusing, but we pray that over time we will get better at understanding and sharing just how much God moved in our lives this year.
There are plenty more pictures I want to share and stories to tell, which will be in more blogs to come. So, please keep reading. Just because we are back, doesn't mean we will stop posting. After all, we are still on the World Race - this is our 12th month, where we just arrived to our final destination - the US!
We praise God for what He is doing in our lives and in all of yours! We'd love to hear from you, so please write soon!
marissa.pratt@gmail.com
johnny.pratt@gmail.com
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 5/21/2009
We've touched down in the U.S.!!!
Johnny and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary yesterday in three countries - Ukraine, England and the U.S. As we chased the sun all day, we finished a 31 hour day at JFK Airport. Today, we will complete the final leg of our journey arriving in Atlanta, GA this evening.
As soon as we get settled in, we will be sure to post new updates on the past two months and our final debrief in Kiev, Ukraine.
Love & miss you all!!
Marissa & Johnny
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 4/18/2009
Stephanie Fisk writes on Lugansk, the area in which we are staying this month:
 Lugansk is a city on the very eastern edge of Ukraine on the Russian border. The forgotten land, so it appears. Russia still has it's claws in deep and the peoples' mindset is still spinning in the rut that communism entrenched them in. The younger generation is trying to break free, while the older generation is more than happy with the one-track mindset the one where you don't have to think much for yourself because society will just take care of you. Communism placed emphasis on society and downplayed the family structure. People were numbers. Personal identity didn't exist. Names were more just a formality maybe that's why every other person you meet here has the same name?
Lugansk is thought to be the mail-order bride capital of the world. And the most corrupt city in Ukraine. The moffia rules here. It is believed that Lugansk has it's own hard-core moffia system that can rival that of Russia.
Many people still do not trust Americans. Love, grace and forgiveness are totally foreign concepts just like the Americans delivering the message. Hard hearts that take years to thaw. Hearts that believe you have to earn your salvation and that you can lose it on your own accord also. Christianity is rated by what you don't do, rather than by what you do.
Alcoholism affects around 80% of the population. I heard a story that four 11-year-olds went into a restaurant, ordered two pitchers of beer with their pizza, and the waiter served them without batting an eye. And that's normal. For the villagers, beer for breakfast and vodka for lunch and dinner. Drugs and tobacco to sustain you through the harsh winter. (And food wrappers to insulate the windows!)
Bleak and grey is the forecast. Or so it appears...
Read Numbers 13 and 14. Moses sent out one leader from each tribe into Canaan to scout out the land. This is a similar role that team Pioneer (6 other racers and me) has right now. Go ahead of the troops and report back what you find.
Yes, we could take all this disheartening observation and data back to the troops and discourage them from stepping foot on this soil. We could focus on the giants and impossibilities. Or, as Caleb and Joshua challenged a few verses later, we could choose to step out in faith believing that God is with us. Proclaiming the Kingdom and claiming the Promise Land.
We, as his chosen people, are armed with his covenant authority. Yes, things may look bleak in claiming the Promise Land or reaching people in Ukraine but, God has claimed the people as His own and is sending us there in His authority.
Instead of focusing on the worldly realities that plague not only Lugansk, but Ukraine as a whole, we can focus on spiritual truth.
God is who He says He is.
He will do what He says He will do.
I am who He says I am.
And I (the church) can do the impossible through Him who gives me (us) power.
 God is choosing to usher in His Kingdom through the racers. God is establishing His church in Lugansk.
Old women will be cured of the bottle.
Old men will be healed of the cough.
Young girls will discover their self-worth
and young boys will stand up for truth and justice.
Even if God is only calling a few out of their turtle shells, it's still worth it.
I choose to be Caleb and I hope you are choosing to be Joshua.
If we didn't think one person was worth the hassle, then we would just be solidifying what they already believe about themselves. They are just a number and one is not worth the effort. But the one is worth the effort and we believe that God is doing mighty things throughout the land right now.
Please Pray!
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Also, Pamela Philp is out here with us and writes a bit about our past few weeks - click here. We've had a blast out here serving and connecting with the October squad. This is our last ministry location before our final debrief in Kiev. We arrive home on May 21! I hope to post another update soon. Love you all! | |
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 4/3/2009
This month, Johnny and I are teaming up with 5 of our favorite racers to do ministry in Lugansk, Ukraine.
We are heading out of Bucharest, Romania by train tomorrow morning. We will arrive in Lugansk within a couple days and stay there until May 16th. This is our final location before we head home!
As far as we know the ministry will consist of visiting homes within the village, hanging out with kids at a local orphanage and serving along side 20 racers from the October squad.
Internet could be scarce, so we may not be able to update until May. Keep us in your prayers. We look forward to finishing this race strong! We love you all and can't wait to see you soon.
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 4/3/2009
We have been looking for adventure all year. It wasn't until month 10, but we will take what we can get!
Johnny and I took the plunge on the world's largest free fall swing, over 200 feet into the gorge.
The Big Swing, in Graskop, South Africa
Josh and Tara also went, the following pictures are from their jump, taken at the bottom of the gorge.
These are the stairs we took up to get out of the gorge, the most difficult part of the entire experience!
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 4/3/2009
We are now in the process of learning what God's love looks like. We are breaking off the lies that we've been accustomed to believing for so many years. The lie that we have to earn the love of God through our works. Yet, God's love is unconditional. The lie that our self worth is based on performance and other people's opinions. Yet, God created us in His image and we are children of God. The lie that we are defined by our circumstance. Yet, our identity is complete only in Christ.
Through all of this, I've personally struggled with not being where I want to be. I want so badly to learn these truths, believe them and live them out. I am learning so much that I have experienced information and emotion overload. The pressure I have put on myself to be more is too great. I am my biggest critic and I have found myself sinking in self condemnation for not understanding all that I am learning.
So, it is time to relax. I have been encouraged and filled by those around me. I am taking a deep breath and I am breaking off all of my own unrealistic expectations. I am allowing myself to be where God has me, in this very moment. I am choosing to embrace this journey that the Lord is leading. He is the One leading. Not me! I hope to begin understanding that more and more each day. I pray that I will begin losing my independence. The independence I have from God is wearing me out. I am looking forward to every upcoming opportunity to become more and more dependent on God.
Thank you Lord for your abundant grace!
Janeen Messner shared this poem with me by George Herbert about our human rejection to love and love's gentle insistence. It is beautiful and reminds me of the way our Lord pursues us with His love.
"Love bid me welcome
Yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin
But quick eyed Love, observing me grow slack from my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning, if I lacked anything.
A guest, I answered, worthy to be here.
Love said: You shall be she.
I, the unkind, ungrateful?
Ah, my dear, I cannot look on Thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth, Lord, but I have marred them,
Let my shame go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat.
So I did sit and eat."
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 4/2/2009
All through February and March, we became more and more aware of our struggle. It wasn't until we arrived in Nelspruit, South Africa in March that we made the decision to do something about it. We were scheduled to leave to go back to Mozambique the next day, when Johnny began sinking, and sinking fast. The night before we were scheduled to leave, I looked into his eyes and all I could see was sorrow. He was hurting so much inside, so much that he could barely get through a conversation without tears. But he couldn't understand the pain and he couldn't explain why he was hurting.
We decided that night we wouldn't go to Mozambique, but that it'd be best to stay in South Africa until further notice. It wasn't an easy decision because it meant we'd be sending off Kara and Stephanie to work on the orphanage project on their own. Although it was difficult, we knew it was the only way we could stay above water... long term.
The next days after our decision, we spent time in prayer and seeking the Lord's guidance. But our minds continued to deteriorate with every fleeting thought and intrusive lie that the enemy provoked. We felt helpless and quickly realized we weren't able to do this on our own. So we sought counsel. Someone who could help discern what was going on, maybe get to the root of our pain. That is when we met Daryl. As recommended by the people who ran the missionary house we were staying in, Daryl became our mentor.
After several meetings with Daryl, some issues surfaced that we had unknowingly been dealing with since our childhood. Our clarity came back like a small light at the end of the tunnel. We didn't feel alone anymore. He hit the nail on the head with the roots of our problems and we began moving forward from there. As we shared and became vulnerable, we realized that we were both lacking a true understanding of the unconditional love that the Lord has for us. Although we grew up with the theological understanding - "God loves me" - in our minds, for many reasons, it never penetrated our hearts.
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 4/1/2009
We left Africa a week ago. It came and left so fast, I can hardly believe it. We spent three months in Africa, first in Mozambique, then in Swaziland and we finished our final month in South Africa. To sum it up, Johnny and I were riding on a roller coaster the entire time. Each day felt like a new visit to the amusement park. One minute we are up, the next we are down. One of us is up, the other is down. It would go back and forth like this, switching, leaving us tired, confused and homesick.
An overwhelming heaviness encompassed me. It felt like I was in a small, dark box... trapped, with all these other people dancing, singing and enjoying themselves outside. Sometimes I felt like I was standing in the middle of the room, screaming, but no one could hear me. My mind slowly felt like it was being taken from me, each thought fleeting or as if a veil was covering and preventing it from it's very purpose. All that was left to be understood was tangible. I could feel it with my hands, see it with my eyes or hear it with my ears. But my mind felt useless. If a thought became complete, it would bring clarity, but soon after it would be forgotten. Leaving me back to the very place I started.
To get real honest, I wanted to be home. I felt like home would bring back clarity, comfort and purpose. I would often ask myself how far this feeling was going to take me before it sent me home. How much more do I endure before I give in? I'd feel a sense of relief at the thought of home. Mom or Dad. Rocky, my dog. An open road. A new start. Although home felt like freedom, there was a sense of selfishness involved. I could feel the shallowness of the comfort I desired. Against all my desire, I could tell it was only a temporary solution. But, I wanted it so bad. It was a temptation I struggled with daily.
As I struggled to keep my head above water, Johnny treaded beside me. One of us would begin to sink as the other would work hard to keep us both afloat. And vice versa. It was a supernatural phenomena that was happening, a spiritual attack within our marriage. As soon as Satan lost his grip from a foothold within one of us, he would jump to the other...within the hour. Leaving the next person to begin sinking and gasping for air. The attacks left us tired, weak and fighting to get through the day.
Amongst all of this, it was easy to let ourselves get distracted. We would take every chance to become distracted so that we could escape the battle going on in our minds. Rarely would we choose to fight because this would mean we'd have to face something we felt ill equipped to go up against. So we escaped into physically doing things - hanging out with friends, watching a movie, etc. But the sense of despair grew everyday and we would both wonder how much further can we go. Only three more months, wed say. We can make it, just a little while longer and we will be home.
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Posted in General Articles by Marissa Pratt on 3/17/2009
I want to invite you into a personal place.
Somewhere I've struggled and fought for clarity for many years.
Here I share with you my battle between fear and faith, a battle of the soul.
HEAR MY CRY
Forgive me Lord, for what I say is not what I do
Forgive me Lord, that my self-image has become more important than You
Too many things of this world, I've chosen to put first
None of which are You, that's why I still thirst
If it's true, that I must die in order to live
Lord, I ask you to come beside me and first teach me to forgive
It is my desire to be free from the past
To be free from myself, a freedom that lasts
I desire to be free from performance, image, opinion
That which binds me from Your lasting dominion
I want to forgive myself for the things that I've done
This chase is so tiring, I can no longer run
Running in circles in deception and lies
Satan stays close and tightens these ties
Free me Lord from adversity and pain
Free me so that I may eternally gain
I love you Lord and I trust that you are near
Bring me to a place so that I may hear
Your voice that is promising and intentions that heal
A battle for my heart, something so real.
As real as it comes, I know who You are.
I know in my heart that You are not far.
HELD CAPTIVE TO LIES
Give it up, how many times now
Will you continue to call out and hear no sound?
There is no one out there to answer your call
It is up to you to fight for it all
Remember those times you succeeded and won
The impressions of others and second to none?
It feels so good to be in first place
Don't hold back or you'll lose this race
Your experiences of the past will make you stronger
Just hold them in and think of them no longer
Besides, what will you do when you must return?
Back to reality, back to the churn
Of daily life, work and no play
You need a good job in which you can stay
In acceptance of others with a house and M3
That's all you need and things will be better you'll see
Life now is hard because you're stuck in a place
Where you aren't as good as the others in this race
They have a way in being a good friend
But you are a business woman on whom all depend
Go out there and shake all this you feel
Come May and you're home, life becomes real
IN GOD, WHOM I RELY
To my beloved, in you I am well pleased
I see you now, and as I intend you to be
It is in your brokenness that I become whole
Come rest in me and I'll free your soul
From a life of bondage that you've lived long enough
To an everlasting freedom and unconditional love
I know your heart, your desires and dreams
Do you not think I can give you these things?
Or do you find yourself unworthy, until or unless...
You perform and appease your Heavenly Father's requests?
You see, there is nothing you can do, say or pray
That will win my love or affection in any way
I love you unconditionally and condemn you no more
Remember my Son, in whom I adore?
His death on the cross redeems sin altogether
To the righteous and unrighteous, before, now and forever
Today I have begun a new work that is true
Where my desires become yours and I in you
Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find
I am creating in you a confidence that will no longer bind
I am doing things quickly, no longer will you walk
I've given you the capacity to run at a speed to keep up
I will teach you to stand in the place of my desire
So that my desire is yours and in it you are admired
I will indulge myself in your heart, mind and your life
And teach you to dream bigger as a daughter, friend and wife
I'm declaring a season of enlargement; I am going to occupy the space
Around you heart, your mind and every single place
You will see provision beyond imagined
As you stand in the place that I have fashioned
Just for you, where people will come to rest
Everywhere you go, people will be blessed
You will walk through their life in the fullness I'm giving
And travel you will through favor and blessing
Welcome to this life that I have spoken into existence
This is the gospel, the Kingdom; I invite you as my witness
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